Do cats love you? And breed advice please

[Blossomworld]

Do cats actually care about people? I really want a companion for me and the kids but I don’t want a cat that’s stand offish and attacks us.
I love the sound of ragdolls (and they’re the cutest things ever) but don’t know if I’m cut out for a long haired cat.
Does anyone have experience of ragdolls or British shorthair?
Or what are my chances of getting a moggy kitten that ends up friendly and cuddly?
No rescue suggestions as I live in a flat so wouldn’t be suitable.

I had a black long haired female who was also super affectionate but only with me - she wasn’t very keen on DH or DS, whereas our current black boy loves them both too (though he has a preference for his mummy). We also have a ginger boy who likes DH best, to my annoyance as officially he’s ‘mine’.

I’ve been talking to a ragdoll breeder with 5 week older kittens who might have one available. I’d need to let her know soon... I’m so tempted but it’s such a big commitment I don’t know what to do. What if I don’t cope?? What if it’s not how I imagine..?

I have two birmans, they are very similar in temperament to a ragdoll but they're much prettier and smaller. A very gentle and loving breed, wonderful with children and stunningly beautiful.

@RaeRaeMama

I have two birmans, they are very similar in temperament to a ragdoll but they're much prettier and smaller. A very gentle and loving breed, wonderful with children and stunningly beautiful.

YABVVVU

@Blossomworld

I’ve been talking to a ragdoll breeder with 5 week older kittens who might have one available. I’d need to let her know soon... I’m so tempted but it’s such a big commitment I don’t know what to do. What if I don’t cope?? What if it’s not how I imagine..?

Do it!!!

@JustPinchanInch

How?

OP asked for breed advice I shared my thoughts

You know just because someone doesn't have the exact same opinion as you, it doesn't mean they're unreasonable

Ironically, that would be a very very very unreasonable expectation for you to have

[quote RaeRaeMama]@JustPinchanInch

How?

OP asked for breed advice I shared my thoughts

You know just because someone doesn't have the exact same opinion as you, it doesn't mean they're unreasonable

Ironically, that would be a very very very unreasonable expectation for you to have

[/quote]
In saying that a Birman is 'much prettier' than a Ragdoll.
A Birman is not 'much prettier' than a Ragdoll nor is a Ragdoll more beauty than a Birman.

So I stand by what I said, YABVVVU.

Enjoy your evening

Pedigree kittens are crazy expensive.

There is a group on Facebook called neutered pedigree cat rehome, they have different breeds of adult pedigree cats usually being revoked after being retired from breeding or not coping in multi cat homes. Most of them ask for indoor homes only so no garden wouldn’t be a barrier.

I paid £150 my maine coon from there, she was 4 years old.

We have a female moggy who definitely loves me (uses DH and is nice to him when it suits her, and tolerates DCs because their bedrooms have good window sills and they sneakily share their chicken and empty yoghurt pots with her under the table). She's very affectionate in her own weirdo way, but is also rather partial to savaging us for absolutely no reason. Often having drawn us in by promising belly fluff and super loud purrs. During both pregnancies and whenever I've been really low she comes and glues herself to me. She is currently showing me her best 'dead spider' pose whilst cutting off the blood supply to my feet.

I work in people's houses, so have met an awful lot of cats. I'm often working there for at least a week at a time so usually get to make friends with the furry little troublemakers. The most consistently friendly and affectionate cats I've met have been male bengals, although their affection borders on harassment and stalker-like behaviour, and they never. shut. up. Annoying, as I always feel obliged to meow-chat back, and it's very hard to ignore the forceful headbumps and demands for scratches I find males generally are much cuddlier and more tolerant of faces being stuffed in belly fluff, although I quite like and respect the female 'not taking any shit/will tell it to you straight' catitude.

We have rescue moggies
Ginger boy is the soppiest thing ever just loves people and being around them, loves a fuss.
Tortie girl is a one person cat DD3s she adores her
Black boy is mine he hates everyone else but is a mummy’s boy

@Blossomworld

I’ve been talking to a ragdoll breeder with 5 week older kittens who might have one available. I’d need to let her know soon... I’m so tempted but it’s such a big commitment I don’t know what to do. What if I don’t cope?? What if it’s not how I imagine..?

What I would say is that the kitten phase can be hard work at times and I did have occasional moments of doubt (interspersed mainly with joy and adoration) but hang on to the fact that the kitten phase passes quickly. With a ragdoll you are very very likely to then end up with a docile and loving cat.

Mine is quietly having a bath next to me right now

I'm happy to answer any questions about ragdolls you might have. Just make sure it's a reputable breeder as they can have health issues if the parents haven't been screened. And expect the cat to eat a lot more than a normal cat!

@Blossomworld I have two cats, one is a tabby no breed and it's hit and miss with her. She is loving but will only come to you on her terms. Don't get me wrong if I go to her she does all the head butt kisses etc. The other is a Siamese - so loving, follows me every where, always love attention and people.

I’ve been posting on a few ragdoll groups and I’m seriously having doubts about the level of hair. I’m not sure I can cope, I’m fine with some hair obviously I expect it but the way some people are describing it is quite extreme. I also have my parents visit regularly and my dad would probably never come again if it was so bad he got covered every time and could see it everywhere as he has allergies.

Maybe a cat isn't for you. It's all part and parcel, especially with long haired cats. My moggies are shedding like mad with the sudden warm weather.

Curveball, but how about a house rabbit?

I don't think you can have any cat if you are worried about hair being everywhere.

My BSH was really bad in the moulting seasons with the dense undercoat but even my shot-hair moggie tabby got hair everywhere.

If you're that worried about hair everywhere, you probably need to re-think sharing your home with a live furry creature. It won't just be hair, it will be wee and poo and vomit, hair balls, occasional toilet accidents, and most cat allergies are to dander not fur so even a low-moult cat won't be a good match.

I agree with the others. Don't get a cat. You have to accept fur everywhere, litter strewn all over the place and a lot more besides. If that would bother you unduly then cats aren't for you.

I’ve had a cat before, I’m fine with a normal amount of shedding. Just trying to envisage what ragdoll shedding is like in comparison.

My Ragdoll doesn't shed that much, we don't have hair on our clothes or furniture (I also have a VERY long haired dog).
I have to say, I do brush my cat on a regular basis and we vacuum downstairs daily as we have a toddler.
So I suppose it depends on how frequently you vacuum and how often you are willing to brush your cat?

I have 2 ragdolls I used to breed them and was a registered breeder. I gave up but kept 2. They are 10 & 13 now. Wouldn't be without them. My boy sheds more than my girl

I think it very much depends upon the individual cat but I have had a BSH who couldn’t have been more affectionate (which could be annoyingly needy at times) and three Ragdolls who were lovely.

I have two bengals, one of them carries the gene for long-hairedness and has had long haired kittens, so is a bit furrier than the average bengal, but neither of them shed at all, they honestly don't. I could cuddle them whilst wearing a black jumper and you'd never know. My previous Bengal didn't shed either.

They also really love me, they are quite dog-like in character so can be a bit full on, but they are loads of fun. I've had three and would get another in a heartbeat. I got my first two as kittens while I lived in a flat and they were fine, the third I rehomed as an adult. I'm not sure I would get a kitten again, lots of ex breeding pedigrees need homes and if I wanted a pedigree I would do that, my ex breeding queen is the nicest cat I have ever known and I have lived with cats since I was two years old (I'm 40).

My ragdoll definitely sheds a lot of fur and we keep sticky rollers around so we can de-fur after cuddles and before going out anywhere.

He is so sweet and obedient though that we have been able to train him to only sit on one particular seat on the sofa where we've put a blanket, so the rest of the sofa remains hair-free and welcoming to guests.

I should also add - I've got three children aged five and under so my house is very not calm. The bengals don't GAF and can more than hold their own!