Ragdoll advice

[Ellovera2]

Hi everyone. I'm looking for any advice from ragdoll owners. We're considering a cat and at the moment think they'd be the perfect breed for us. Some questions....

1. Are they really much calmer and docile than your average moggy? We have a large house and a secure medium sized garden but I'm worried a 'house cat' will be climbing the walls to get outside.
2. Linked to the above, tips on good indoor cat stimulation toys/equipment?
3. I've found a registered breeder in a village 2 miles from me which is amazing as I live pretty rurally and the next nearest was 50 miles away! I've read all the advice on buying a kitten from the GCCF. There's a litter due soon. She has sent me pics of mum and dad and once kittens are born and vaccinated etc I'll be able to visit, any other tips about buying? She describes herself as hobby breeder and only has a few cats which live as part of the family.
4. The mum and dad have different colourings. Is this an issue? Advice on what colour they are and whether they look a good example of the breed would be great.
5. Litter tray. Is it worth buying an expensive one or will the basic do? It will need to be up high (perhaps utility counter top) as I have kids I don't want getting to the litter. Will this be ok?

Overall would you recommend the breed?

[BonheursTrousers]

I don’t own ragdolls but I’ve seen more than a fair number owned by friends/family members that were very aggressive.

One when my mother was visiting one of our family leapt from the staircase onto my mother’s head and sunk all it’s claws in.

Another had to be kept locked indoors because it caused enormous damage to other peoples dogs on their street, because it leapt only their dogs biting and scratching and my friend had to spend a lot of money covering vet bills for angry neighbours.

I think like many pedigree animals they can issues from inbreeding.

[littleteapot86]

I have a ragdoll and I wouldn't recommend. We have issues with aggression.

[whirlyhead]

I have 4 birmans which are similar to ragdoll (look very alike) and they are the loveliest cats going. Even my vet says they’re her favourite breed. Very sociable and laid back. I think ragdoll are similar. It’s good to meet the parents and make sure they’ve been fully socialised. The first 6 weeks or so are quite critical for this - I had a Balinese years ago that hadn’t been handled since birth and was 3 months old when I got him and he was always difficult.

do check out the breeder - I got one of mine from a barking made breeder and that cat has had some issues which are unusual for a birman.

colourings don’t matter - go for the colour you like. Standard litter trays are fine but why not build one into a cupboard? Up high is a bit odd - not sure that will work.

[lifebeginsaftercoffee]

They're very over-bred now. Basically every advert I see is either for a ragdoll, bengal or Maine coon "mix".

Tbh I think the best breed is moggy. We've had six over the years (currently own three boys) and none of them have ever had a single behavioural/temperament issue.

[Ellovera2]

Thanks everyone. Very concerning to read about the behaviour issues. We've always had rescue moggys but none of the local rescues will let us adopt due to location. We've had 2 cats killed on the road outside (it's a 30 in a small town but gets busy) which is why we are looking for an indoor cat with garden access.
They do have some indoor cats available but they're either very old or disabled which with kids wouldn't be ideal.
I mean I think this breeder looks legit but it's so hard. Like I said it's extremely local so I've asked around and people know the family but no-one I know has experience of their cats.

[Doyouthinktheyknow]

I have a rescued ragdoll, she is an ex breeding queen.

Never heard or read about aggression from the breed before and Dcat is the most docile creature ever. She is very needy and can’t be left for long periods or overnight. Cattery would probably destroy her so holidays are tricky.

I do love the breed but would be wary of being part of the kitten trade as Dcat was not well cared for . She was badly treated and used for cute babies. She came to us underweight and scared by normal house noises such as the TV aged 4 years.

She is the best cat though, dim as anything but so loving. Also not a lapcat.

[lifebeginsaftercoffee]

All three of my moggies are indoor only with garden access - never had a single issue.

[Runninghappy]

We have one and he’s brilliant. Shows no sign of wanting to go out. Will sit by an open door and just look out. He spends most of his time being soppy and docile but once a day he can be a bit bitey but I’ve learned it’s when he wants to play so I just get the fishing rod now when he looks like he might and he stops and plays. He’s only like that with me! It’s not aggressive - it’s playful and doesn’t hurt. I’d get another ragdoll.

[Ellovera2]

@lifebeginsaftercoffee

All three of my moggies are indoor only with garden access - never had a single issue.

That's great thanks. I guess all my previous cats were used to going outdoors before I got them so I just couldn't imagine them coping with being indoors.
In terms of just finding a moggy, how do I do that without contributing to the irresponsible breeding crisis? Like I said I can't get a rescue and not wanting to use pets4homeas or anything like that.

[Hereforthedramaz]

I have a rogdoll, female about 8 years old.

She is exceptionally docile and interactive. She wants to be around you all the time and very very talkative! No aggression whatsoever.

I adopted her as an adult and the previous owner said she was a bit of a diva before being spayed but afterwards calmed completely.

Having had this one I'm pretty sold on ragdolls! She really is the more relaxed and bombproof cat!

She will occasionally go into the garden if I'm out there and it's sunny, I don't think she's capable of scaling a fence to get out if she wanted to!

[Winnipeggy]

My ragdolls are extremely tame, never aggressive but very needy so be prepared for that. Also quite stupid. But very lovely.

[Toddlerteaplease]

I've got Persians, who are similar. They are fab!

[Toddlerteaplease]

3 of my 4 have come from dodgy breeders. (Via a rescue). It's left them all with issues. So be very careful. Check they've had all the appropriate screening.

[TheSnowyOwl]

I’ve had three Ragdolls and they were the most docile, gentle, sweet natured cats imaginable. The vast majority of the time they were akin to a vibrating hot water bottle. Rather than aggression, my biggest concern with the breed was how easily they could be hurt by a child because they were just so accepting and tolerant.

I’d do your research into the breeder and visit the kittens. I can only imagine the aggressive Ragdolls above either weren’t actually Ragdolls or else they didn’t come from reputable breeders.

All three of mine had healthy lives as well and lived until their early 20s. I’d really recommend them as a breed.

Any litter tray will do but for long term indoor use, I’d probably splash out on one of the expensive self cleaning ones because I hate cleaning them.

[TheSoundOfMucus]

I have three, after a lifetime of moggies. Best cats ever! Gentle and loving, no aggression ever. They just flop when lifted up and they just purr when the kids carry them around ( they know to support them, not pick them up when asleep etc). They’re just gorgeous fluffy teddies! They like to be in the same room as us, so all three of them asleep in the same room as me currently.

You need large litter trays, they are whopper sized cats when grown. We have top loaders - they jump through a top hole and it prevents litter kicking. We have a safe gate at the end of our side return so they have an access to that, with cat climbers. Inside we have a large cat tree and lots of toys. Favourite ones are feathers on sticks.

I have friends with rag dolls too and have never heard of an aggressive one.

[Panticus]

@Winnipeggy

My ragdolls are extremely tame, never aggressive but very needy so be prepared for that. Also quite stupid. But very lovely.

I'd have to agree. One is needier than the other but neither is the sharpest tool in the shed. Incredibly docile animals.

They've never shown one bit of interest in going outside, nor anything even remotely approaching aggression.

[Floralnomad]

Our family have had a Ragdoll and now have Siamese which are much better as a family cat . Our Ragdoll ( who was extremely well bred) wasn’t aggressive but he was very aloof and definitely wasn’t a cat that played with children or sat on you unless he fancied it . The Siamese meet you at the door , cuddle you every night and constantly want to play if someone will play with them . WRT indoor cats - catio or cat proof the garden , lots of scratch posts and climbing opportunities indoors and if you can get 2 as they will play together .

[trevthecat]

We have a male ragdoll. He is about 3 years old, neutered. Had him about a year. He is the softest, docile ball of fluff I've ever met! He is amazing with the kids, he goes out but not far. He's lovely

[Ellovera2]

@littleteapot86

I have a ragdoll and I wouldn't recommend. We have issues with aggression.

Thank you. Out of interest did you get yours as a kitten from a decent breeder or looking back was it maybe not such a great breeder and might explain the aggression?

[MathiasBroucek]

Our 2.5 year old female is adorable. Affectionate, compassionate, empathetic and loves to play. Highly recommended. Never aggressive unless we've ignored signs that she was unhappy with something we were doing (e.g. clipping claws). No interest in going outside. Does like attention....

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

We have a moggy but I often look after my neighbour’s ragdoll and her dog when she goes away. He’s 10 and a very aloof cat, nothing like our purry lapcat! He’s also a right monkey for inappropriate toileting, and I have gone in to find him merrily doing a poo in the dog’s bed despite his litter tray being in the same room. He does go out in the garden but doesn’t roam.

[Mrgrinlingscat]

We have a female neutered ragdoll. She is the soppiest softest floppiest cat without a mean bone in her body. We struggle to clip her claws as they’re so tucked away. She steeps with us every night, greets us at the door when we arrive home. She cries when I leave the house (my dh works from home). Not a lap cat but is currently sleeping next to me on the sofa.
She has a whizzy time after eating & loves her little spring toys & cat nip toys

[Ghostofborleyrectory]

I have a rescue Ragdoll and his main aim in life is to try to get outside and fight! I was told at the animal sancturary he was an indoor cat but he wants to go outside so much- I take him out on a harness as otherwise he will shoot after any moving object and I don't want him run over or lost as we are in quite an urban area. He loves a good chomp on me but he is still youngish (under 2) and is mostly play-fighting. I adore him but would not pay for the breed as they do have issues- mine had a £4000 pound operation to save his life due to urinal issues common to the breed and is on expensive cat food. You can carry him around like a baby and he is great with my little boy.

[littleteapot86]

@Ellovera2

Thank you. Out of interest did you get yours as a kitten from a decent breeder or looking back was it maybe not such a great breeder and might explain the aggression?

In fairness he did not come from a reputable breeder.. So yes likely an issue.

[HeartofSaturdayNight]

My boy, I fear, won't be around much longer. He is 17 this month and slowing down a lot. We've had him since he was 5. He is, as others have said, very docile, laid back and super chatty. He goes outside, we're rural, and in his younger days, he was a bit of a mouser but in the last few years, he just wants to doze, preferably in the sun. He's a very loving cat and we feel very lucky to have him.