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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Adopting a rescue ragdoll

147 replies

Ghostofborleyrectory · 19/03/2023 20:06

My beloved old recue ex feral cat died a few weeks ago at around 14 years
( might have been older due to being feral and vet guessed at age) I loved her so much and didn't want to commit to another cat, unless with time and then another unwanted ex feral cat.
I still looked at local animal rescue website and a ragdoll cat was up for adoption. I have had a rescue Persian (severely neglected before she went into shelter), for 12 years so used to the behaviour of Persians and the grooming (although Persian hated it)
The ragdoll has big issue with with spraying, hence the reason he is in rescue centre (he wee'd on my handbag when I met him in shelter)
He is being neutured whch might help, my last cat was a female and the lovely people at the animal rescue said he might spray because of the scent of my last cat.
So I am asking you lovely people, how I can help him adapt to his new environment?
Been on the ragdoll websites but they are often American based and recommend washing them twice a month etc which I do not think neccessary after my experience with my Persian.
I have purchased some feliway spray, organised Petplan insurance.
I am looking at beds, used to cats sleeping on my bed but if he is used to cat bed, would love advice on a good one for a big 12 month old cat.

Last thing (honest!) Never had a cat that has not been a cat that goes outside. I have read that ragdolls can't go outside. I live in an semi-urban environment but a quiet one with park opposite. Could I take him to park, even if on lead to sit with me? Can provide pics of cat!

OP posts:
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Fuwari · 19/03/2023 20:23

I shouldn't really be saying anything until I see a pic 😆but congratulations! Ragdolls are the best. I have 2 and yes mine are indoor cats as they have no sense of danger and are really clumsy! But theyre fine with being indoors. No harm in trying a lead and seeing how it goes. You may have read that they can be more like dogs than cats. That is true of mine. They play fetch, if I go somewhere they come running to greet me when I come home with their tales swishing! And they're very good communicators. Mine sleep on my bed or on the back of the sofa. Yours may well come and join you on the bed. One of mine always gives me good night kisses (licks my nose!) and loves sleeping next to me. Having now had ragdolls I would never have another breed. They're an absolute joy.

Original poster
Ghostofborleyrectory · 19/03/2023 20:30

Fuwari · 19/03/2023 20:23

I shouldn't really be saying anything until I see a pic 😆but congratulations! Ragdolls are the best. I have 2 and yes mine are indoor cats as they have no sense of danger and are really clumsy! But theyre fine with being indoors. No harm in trying a lead and seeing how it goes. You may have read that they can be more like dogs than cats. That is true of mine. They play fetch, if I go somewhere they come running to greet me when I come home with their tales swishing! And they're very good communicators. Mine sleep on my bed or on the back of the sofa. Yours may well come and join you on the bed. One of mine always gives me good night kisses (licks my nose!) and loves sleeping next to me. Having now had ragdolls I would never have another breed. They're an absolute joy.

Thankyou! I am looking forward to him being in my house, will do pic :-)

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 19/03/2023 20:33

You could cat proof your garden or get a catio so he can get outside . My mum had a Ragdoll and he really liked the heat so a radiator bed might be a good shout .

Original poster
Ghostofborleyrectory · 19/03/2023 20:37

We only have a small yard so will look into that. The radiator beds looked quite small and he is big at only a year old!

OP posts:
Fuwari · 19/03/2023 20:44

One of mine loves radiators. I just put a bed right next to it and she sleeps there. Mine also like mice with feather tails (for fetch games). Puzzle toys are also good as they are clever.

Floralnomad · 19/03/2023 20:44

On Amazon there is a Danish design wide one that takes a 12kg cat .

SollozzoMightNotEvenBeInTheCarSonny · 19/03/2023 20:44

Personally I wouldn't bother taking him to the park. I tried a harness with my then rescue ragdoll and he never took to it. He slipped out the harness a few times and it was more trouble than it was worth. They tend to be rather dim so if they get loose then it's a real worry. Mine would just have frozen in front of cars. A catio would be a better idea imo.

They're lovely but then so are all cats. I don't find them to be any different or more(or less) special than your average moggy,besides the coat, which is more work. They're dimmer and they don't tend to sit on your lap. At least mine never did because he was too big and it wasn't comfortable for him. I adored him though and miss him.

Mine was completely obsessed with his cat tree. I'd recommend getting one but ensure that it's big enough for them to sit in, as they're larger than your average moggy.

Congratulations on your new soon to be arrival and yes don't forget a pic or two when he arrives.

SollozzoMightNotEvenBeInTheCarSonny · 19/03/2023 20:46

Puzzle toys are also good as they are clever

Clever is not a word I've ever associated with ragdolls but yes, puzzle toys can be good.

Perhaps mine was smarter than I thought though as he got me to roll the ball around his circular tunnel thing rather than expend any energy doing it himself.

Radicallyh0peful · 19/03/2023 20:47

I have a rag doll, she is allowed outside, I hate the idea of cats not being allowed out. She chooses not to leave the garden though. Mine loves lots of attention and is very vocal.

SollozzoMightNotEvenBeInTheCarSonny · 19/03/2023 20:49

I hate the idea of cats not being allowed out.

It's generally not advised with ragdolls for good cause. It's great of course if they'll stay in the garden but mine never would.

SollozzoMightNotEvenBeInTheCarSonny · 19/03/2023 20:52

Bad pic but here's my late ragdoll boy, who died some years ago.

Adopting a rescue ragdoll
Adopting a rescue ragdoll
Original poster
Ghostofborleyrectory · 19/03/2023 20:52

Loki

Adopting a rescue ragdoll
OP posts:
Original poster
Ghostofborleyrectory · 19/03/2023 21:00

SollozzoMightNotEvenBeInTheCarSonny · 19/03/2023 20:52

Bad pic but here's my late ragdoll boy, who died some years ago.

What a beautiful cat! Looks like he had such personaility!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ghostofborleyrectory · 19/03/2023 21:02

SollozzoMightNotEvenBeInTheCarSonny · 19/03/2023 20:49

I hate the idea of cats not being allowed out.

It's generally not advised with ragdolls for good cause. It's great of course if they'll stay in the garden but mine never would.

After a lot of reading, I do agree it is not the best of ideas. Thnking about a harness to go to small park opposite my house but will give it time.

OP posts:
DoeRayMe · 19/03/2023 21:05

If you have a garden/outside space you could always fit Katzecure fencing so he can go outside but not out your garden. I've had it 8 years now, been amazing

Original poster
Ghostofborleyrectory · 19/03/2023 21:05

Thanks, will look that up

OP posts:
Original poster
Ghostofborleyrectory · 19/03/2023 21:07

Radicallyh0peful · 19/03/2023 20:47

I have a rag doll, she is allowed outside, I hate the idea of cats not being allowed out. She chooses not to leave the garden though. Mine loves lots of attention and is very vocal.

Thankyou, I am just scared that if I let him out, he will get lost as read they are not great with finding way back home. Mine will def get attention. Roll on next Saturday!

OP posts:
silentpool · 19/03/2023 21:09

My Persian is an indoor cat - I'm just not sure he has the street smarts to survive outside. But when we move into a place with a garden, I'm getting him a catio. He does really want to be outside. This compromise could be the best of both worlds for you too.

SollozzoMightNotEvenBeInTheCarSonny · 19/03/2023 21:11

Loki is just stunning. What a gorgeous boy. I'm sure that you'll be very happy together.

And thank you. He was incredibly fun and sweet(Even if he did also enjoy biting me randomly, but he never really hurt me.) He always made us laugh and would put on a show for visitors using his cat tree if he thought he was being ignored. He was a wonderful cat as I'm sure Loki will be. Hopefully he'll be more accepting of a harness than my boy was. It's worth a try. Just be extremely cautious.

Original poster
Ghostofborleyrectory · 19/03/2023 21:12

SollozzoMightNotEvenBeInTheCarSonny · 19/03/2023 20:44

Personally I wouldn't bother taking him to the park. I tried a harness with my then rescue ragdoll and he never took to it. He slipped out the harness a few times and it was more trouble than it was worth. They tend to be rather dim so if they get loose then it's a real worry. Mine would just have frozen in front of cars. A catio would be a better idea imo.

They're lovely but then so are all cats. I don't find them to be any different or more(or less) special than your average moggy,besides the coat, which is more work. They're dimmer and they don't tend to sit on your lap. At least mine never did because he was too big and it wasn't comfortable for him. I adored him though and miss him.

Mine was completely obsessed with his cat tree. I'd recommend getting one but ensure that it's big enough for them to sit in, as they're larger than your average moggy.

Congratulations on your new soon to be arrival and yes don't forget a pic or two when he arrives.

Thanks, cocerned he might not fit onto cat tree as quite big but there is a bargain one for 25 quid at cat shelter so might be worth a try.

OP posts:
GilbertNo4 · 19/03/2023 21:17

Why are they not allowed out? I rescued one from being pts a couple years ago. He was allowed out, was never in!

InvincibleInvisibility · 19/03/2023 21:18

I would cat proof your yard.

We got a ragdoll because we lived in a flat. Within a few months he was a regular escape artist out of the front door (fortunately into the stairwell but once he knew it well he would dash off away from us).

We then moved to a very hot country where it is impossible to keep him inside (doors and windows always open - fortunately he isn't very fluffy). He is definitely daft and didn't do well in his first encounters with other cats. However he has definitely learnt and now can defend his territory (our garden) long enough for us to get there (we don't leave him out if we're not in). Having got lost once he has also learnt not to go too far. He absolutely adores going outside but we are very aware of where he is and keep an eye on him.

SollozzoMightNotEvenBeInTheCarSonny · 19/03/2023 21:21

Why are they not allowed out? I rescued one from being pts a couple years ago. He was allowed out, was never in!

They tend to have very little awareness of danger and are not at all street smart. It's really not advisable to let them out if they'll go beyond your garden. Mine would have frozen in front of a car or other threat and he was found living on the streets so had some experience but he was a matted emaciated mess when we rescued him. He only survived because a friend was feeding him.

Original poster
Ghostofborleyrectory · 19/03/2023 21:29

I'm going to bed now, thanks so much for your help, will be back again, Loki arrives in a week once he has been been neutured :-)

OP posts:
SollozzoMightNotEvenBeInTheCarSonny · 19/03/2023 21:36

Sleep well and thank you for sharing Loki with us. I'm sorry about the loss of your other lovely rescue cat but I hope that Loki helps to comfort you.

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