Ragdolls

[Buffypaws]

I am planning on viewing some ragdoll kittens shortly. Super excited and haven’t had an indoor cat before, so please hit me with your ragdoll advice, photos, warnings etc.

One issue my partner is intimating he will take issue with white hairs everywhere… hoping this won’t be as bad as he’s making out??

I have birmans (very similar to
rag dolls). The fur is insane. We’ve all given up on wearing black and have to
vacuum several times a week just because otherwise we’d be trying to
navigate the house in a dense fur fog.

Plus the little swines like to sit in the wardrobes and will their fur to
migrate upwards on to clothes…

@Sadless that is an absolutely stunning cat.

I am desperate for a cat, but DP says no, and his reasons are valid unfortunately.

Ok the fur is bad, what about the smell? Is it possible for the litter tray to not stink?

I didn't find my long haired Persians fur anywhere near as and as my short hair. Thats every where.
Look for a specialist cat groomer for a professional tidy up every few months. And make sure you keep
The back end very short!

My cats litter tray doesn't stink. Get good litter.

I also echo the fur issue, mine is shedding the summer/starting to regrow the autumn coat and has to be brushed a lot and even then there's a coat of fur on the carpet (wood/non-carpet floors better). Lovely breed, but realistically, cat poo/wee seems to smell a bit or at least I've never found an amazing cat litter.

My ragdoll didn’t get get the memo that this breed is super friendly. She has just as much attitude as a regular cat. She is utterly wonderful nevertheless. She’s a tabby seal. And very fluffy.

OP have you never dealt with a litter tray, you don’t sound like you’ve had a cat before?

I had 2 ragdolls, hair everywhere, even my work chair! The biggest litter tray you can get from the shop was too small for him. They follow you like a shadow, really friendly.

@PuppyMonkey well she is very cute even if she’s got cat attitude! I haven’t had a litter tray in my current flat. I’ve dealt with them on a balcony and in an out the way sort of room… and they always stank. So I’m hoping there are means of mitigating… maybe the robot one?

IME litter trays only smell of you use cheap litter, don't change them often enough and feed a diet that doesn't suit your cat.

Invest in good quality litter! It makes so much difference,

No advice on hair, just posted because I also got two ragdoll kittens two weeks ago and they're the perfect cat! They're so docile and lovely, this is the girl and she loves laying on her back for belly rubs

Adorbs!!

@Buffypaws if you feed a very good quality food then the poo will smell less .

Absolute cattitude!

A beauty nonetheless

I agree to a PP, our ragdoll's hair never gets tangled. They do end up with hairy poos that they struggle to get out themselves though 😷The hair is everywhere, every time I take a rubber brush to any carpet I'm shocked. The vacuum is full every use. We no longer have any dark-colored clothing.

They love to play outside, they're very adventurous, energetic, and fast. They're the most wild cat-like cats I've ever had. My mid-life ragdoll is still like a puppy, very needy and loving, and follow us everywhere, they need a lot of company. They get upset if they can't sleep on the bed etc. They always get under our feet and want to be involved in everything, and never move out of the way like other cats so have to be really careful as they just 'flop'. They need a lot of stimulation, they play like dogs, otherwise, they knock everything off every surface if they get bored and they can't get outside. I love them to bits but probably wouldn't get a ragdoll again, I didn't anticipate the permanent toddler-like neediness that's to different to the other breeds of cats I've had before.

Ragdolls are amazing cats, mine is adorable, affectionate, funny and playful and makes us laugh everyday.

They are definitely known for their beauty and not brains, I get so frustrated by how stupid my girl is sometimes.

They love people and mine will follow people from room to room just to be near us. She throws herself backwards and flops upside down in our arms if you pick her up. She definitely needs a lot of company from people or another cat.

She is very haiy and needs brushing constantly. Her hair gets everywhere but I don't really care. I brush her outside so less hair flying around.

Ragdolls do tend to have very sensitive bellies but mine has been fine since I started feeding her Royal Canin ragdoll.

It's important to go to a registered breeder because a high proportion of unregistered ragdolls have a heart condition called HCM which means they can live short and miserable lives. HCM has been wiped out in the registered population.

We have 2 ragdolls. One is typical floppy cat. The other not so much. They are half brothers. My warning other than the hair (you'll be hoovering daily if not more) is that some can have behavioural issues, same as any cat. One of ours (the not so floppy one!) likes to pee where he shouldn't. Sometimes it's by the backdoor, the front door, the loo. Currently though, it's in the bathtub, which we don't mind so much (as it's easier to clean!). He never poos anywhere other than the litter tray. This has been going on for years and we've never cracked it. It has definitely made me think twice before getting anymore cats after these 2😬. The other one is pretty perfect.

We have 4 ragdolls. We absolutely adore them. They are like big, fluffy teddy bears. But yes, you will be covered in white hairs, every day for ever more. Personally, I think it’s worth it!

Another problem with ragdolls is that they can get poo stuck in their knickerbockers. This can be a nuisance.

My females are much less low maintenance than the boys are. And cheaper to insure as well. Here’s one of my girls - she’s a red point.

Yes! So true.

World’s Best Cat Litter - bit pricey but worth every penny imho.

Our ragdoll cat died aged 15 this last winter. We got her as a kitten from someone whose cat had had kittens as just a normal kitten but with her blue eyes and very ragdoll looking fur and temperament it was clear she must have ragdoll in her.

She was the most loving, gentle cat. We all miss her so much. If one of the kids were ill she'd be curled up next to them. If they went out to play she'd be right out with them. She was always concerned if we were leaving the street. I once walked down the street with my daughter with her following us meowing until she got too far for her to feel safe so she ran back to the house and meowed at my husband to tell him we'd dared to leave the street!

The girl down the street would always stop to fuss her on her way home from school. She often had a group of friends with her and they'd all take turns to pick my cat up for cuddles. And my cat would always accept it.

She loved visitors and would be on their knee the second they sat down. If anyone ever came who disliked cats we'd have to shut her away as she wouldn't take a hint and would be desperate to sit on them!

She was a bit dopey. Couldn't find tidbits of food right in front of her - our other cat was always stealing treats we were trying to give to her. And she never, ever fully got to grips with using a litter tray! And we were always covered in her fur.

If I ever get another cat I'd love a ragdoll.

I have a gorgeous Ragdoll boy aged 18 months. He is very energetic and loves to play. Very curious and follows me everywhere. He isn't very clever though- manages to get himself into scrapes even in the house. We couldn't build a catio due to the layout of our garden so we do take him out on the harness sometimes which he likes. He does try to escape sometimes so we have to be careful with doors. He hates closed doors and cries at them. We trim his backside as otherwise it's a poo disaster!

And yes, the whole house (and us) is covered in fluff. He is very friendly and doesn't have any sense of danger.

Awww loving everyone’s ragdoll tales and pics.
sounds like I will have to deal with some hair… and possibly need to shave their arses. tbf my old cat used to sleep in my bed and leave hairs and I didn’t care so hopefully DP will get over it