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?

My ragdoll was supposed to be an indoor cat but he was desperate to get outside so we had to let him out in the end. He learned how to hang on the door handle to open it. He would also launch himself at the patio doors.
Unfortunately my ragdoll also has aggression issues. He regularly attacks me (bites, scratches) but not my husband. He is a big cat and can do damage. We now have a baby and thankfully he has been so gentle with the baby but I watch him like a hawk and we are very careful that the cat doesn’t have access to the baby when we are not in the room (when baby sleeping).
He also chases after neighbours dogs, literally stalking them. You almost have to see it to believe it. He isn’t scared of them and has often chased a Labrador back into its house.
My ragdoll came from a breeder, I spent time with my cats parents, they were lovely. Particularly the dad cat, he was like Others have described, soft & aloof, docile like a teddy bear. My ragdoll is honestly wired to the moon.
I would never have another one :(

He is loved though & happy :)

We had a ragdoll, she was absolutely wonderful. The softest fur, constantly purring, loved being groomed and would magically appear the second I sat down so she could jump up on my lap. We had several dogs at the same time and she loved them all, she'd push her way in to the middle of a clump of sleeping dogs and snuggle right in.

The only negative thing about her was that I hated clipping her nails because she was so chilled that she'd be "making bread" while I was wielding the clippers and I was scared I'd cut her toes off!

She was an indoor cat her entire life, never showed the slightest interest in going outside. She was only 13 when we lost her to kidney disease, we miss her so much.

I've got a three year old ragdoll female. She's so sweet and gentle and a real character. She's absolutely beautiful to look at and has us wrapped round her little paws. She really likes having us around and as people sometimes say about ragdolls, she's like a dog in that she'll trot to the door when we come back. The only thing I would say is that she does get stomach upsets quite a bit but we let her go into the garden because we think it's mean to keep her inside all the time so I think she sometimes eats things there which disagree with her. She's generally happy to lurk in our garden and not try and go anywhere else.

My boy Ragdoll is adorable- proper needy and soppy. Very friendly to all people who come to the house and very curious. He's very playful and play bites but never sinks his teeth in. Never hisses or displays any aggression and lets anyone pick him up. Very licky too.

I have a lovely ragdoll who's always out, climbing trees and generally living it up in the garden. She's very stupid and affectionate but does not like being picked up.

I got her as a kitten from a "hobby breeder" in rural Cambridgeshire/North Herts, who turned out to be in it for the money and a big liar. I mention the location in case it may be where you are looking.

Ours is adorable, but not especially bright. She went into the garden one day and got stuck in a hedge because she didn’t have the sense to back out. She is incredibly chatty - always following you around with something to say. No signs of aggression, but a little too timid - she hides when visitors come round, and prefers an empty house. But she’s a lovely cat.

I've also got a ragdoll, and he's not aggressive either. He's also not very smart which definitely seems to be a trait!
He's an indoor cat but does like to go in the garden. He's scared of the wind though so on a windy day he's not out for long 😅 he will also only go out if I watch him and if I go back inside he'll come in. He greets me at the door when I come home and he also tells me off at night if I don't go to bed when he wants to! He's very chatty and I'm often having conversations with him.

Not a lapcat but he always wants to be in the same room. The only time he wants a cuddle is very early in the morning when he wakes me up sitting on my chest, which I normally let him do as I don't get a cuddle any other time in the day! He's currently trying to figure out the puppy we've recently got, being very nosey but not scared.
I've had him since he was 9 weeks old, he's now 9 years and my absolute best friend, I'd have another in a heartbeat.

I have two theoretical rag dolls. They were bought from a "breeder" who in hindsight I'd never support. They were last minute and ill considered buys. I did the classic buy then research fool's mistake. I judge past me tbh- I should have researched and put far more thought than, shudder, just checking free ads and contacting the closest for sale kittens ad.

HOWEVER if they are true rag dolls (a big if but they look the part) I can't recommend them enough. Soooo calm and cuddly. Like dogs really. Wherever I am they follow. I sit they sit on me. I go to bed they come to bed with me (one next to my head on my pillow, the other at my feet) I go in the bath, they sit on the side and watch me. When the door goes I answer it, most often with one, if not two(!) cats upon my shoulders (and they are 5k a piece!) . They purr always. Want grooming always. Eat voraciously. In terms of brains if they were in a race of two they'd be fighting for third place. Of course they are beautiful, and when awake have the most stunningly blue eyes and softest of coats.

I know three (though not my own) They are mostly happy to stay indoors, and are docile and sweet. One is slightly bitey but I wouldn't say agressive - not more than a lot of cats can be. They don't like to sit on laps but are very chilled. I would agree they aren't so clever, but hey are lovely

My standard moggie (in photo) in contrast is harder to keep as an indoor cat- she needs far more stimulation than the "rag dolls" . And she likes , occasionally , to remind you that she is a wild animal- she does this with a bite or a claw. She's still lovely and a brilliant cat but I'm glad my children are older as she wouldn't suit young ones.

I breed ragdolls on a hobby basis.

In terms of personality - despite what people will tell you, they really are just a cat and their personalities vary enormously. I currently have a mum and daughter, neither are aggressive and have never scratched or bitten us. They are both pretty clever and savvy. They rule our Doberman and steal her bed. On the ragdoll Facebook pages I am on I see tales of the stereotypical dopey ragdolls and the stories of utter nutters that will tear people to pieces! I personally think from my experiences of litters I have had, you get an assortment of personalities in each one, though I haven't yet had any aggressive ones in my litters so I think mum and dads sweet genes come through.

Tips for buying - check you are happy with the way they are being brought up. I think if they are in a secluded pen - not good, best to be raised as part of the household with other pets, lots of noise, I've found mine being raised around my kids has made them fairly bombproof. Check what food they are on, if it's something like felix or whiskas I would have concerns as the breeder is considering the cost rather than the best start for the kittens. Check the vets documents to be sure they have definitely had their checks. Take the free four week insurance that should come with them if they are registered.

Any cat nip toys keep them happy. The feathers on sticks are always a winner.

In terms of colours, happy to advise, what questions have you got? Definitely not a problem for mum and dad to be different colouring, it means there will be a range of colours to choose from in the litter. What colours are mum and dad?

I think a litter tray up high is possible long term, less so when they are a kitten as it needs to be easily accessible for them. I only have cheap litter trays for kittens because I have to have quite a few and because when you have lots of kittens I just empty and refill completely once a day any way plus poop scoop as and when needed so I don't need any fancy trays. When I don't have kittens I just have a standard hooded litter tray which works for us but you kind of have to find out what your cat likes best. Also make sure you use the same litter as your breeder to ensure the kitten isn't put off when they first come home. You can change gradually over time if you want to.

Feel free to ask any questions. xx

Thanks so much all. It's so hard, obviously they are quite expensive so I would be gutted if she turned out to be aggressive! We've had cats before and some have been a bit more 'bitey' than others but nothing I'd describe as aggression. We can't afford two and am now worried that might be an issue.
@delphi13 thanks so much for your informative post. They are raised in a home with children but I don't know what food they are on. I will find out.
I'm not very good with the colours names, I'll consult Google on that. I'll also make sure I check the vet details.
They aren't advertised anywhere, I found the details on the TBRCC website and emailed. I don't know if she advertises them later or how she sells them, something to look out for I guess. Mum cat is pregnant atm so no kittens yet.

I have two boys who are two now, they came to me at 6 months from a reputable breeder, who had rescued them.

There is no aggression, they are talkative, follow me everywhere, wouldn't try to go out when the door is opened.

They play together, and charge round the house like idiots. One will literally pin my teenage boys to the spot to groom them.

They have amazing personalities, I can't imagine having one though, they need company all the time. I work from home and I'd never get anything done if I just had the one.

It's so hard, obviously they are quite expensive so I would be gutted if she turned out to be aggressive!

Any cat can be aggressive. The worst I know is a bog-standard tabby cat but equally, the cats I know with the best temperaments are also bog-standard moggies.

What is it that you think you'll get from ragdoll that you won't get from any other kind of cat?

@lifebeginsaftercoffee I guess it doesn't feel right to me to keep a moggy inside or enclosed to our garden and I wanted something that would be 'happier' inside. All the moggies I've had have spent a lot of time wondering the neighborhood and would go mad indoors or enclosed to one garden. But that's just my experience! Also they are described as having a docile and relaxed temperament which is important to me as we have kids. We're also not elegable to rescue a cat (I've tried 4 now) and I felt that buying from a reputable, registered pedegree breeder was better than any moggie kittens listed on gumtree in terms of contributing to the kitten trade/crisis. If using a pedegree breeder they seem like a good breed for us.

I've just had a look for any kittens near me on pets for homes and the nearest are 35 miles away, picture of 8 kittens in a cardboard box, only mother known. Just seems wrong. I don't know how to responsibly buy a kitten without getting a pedigree?

All our kittens have been £10 from local farms. They're all moggies and are all more than happy indoors with access to a secure, enclosed garden. They don't fight, they're not aggressive and we have no issues with stress or other behavioural issues.

I guess what I'm saying is you could spend over a thousand pounds on a cat who still needs to go outside, or that's aggressive, or that has behavioural issues - and then what?

I’m baffled by tales of aggressive ragdolls. What sort of aggression are we talking about here?

My tabby seal ragdoll is amazing. A bit stupid but amazing. She doesn’t do outdoors - I think she feels it’s all a bit too common out there for her utter exquisiteness.

Just invest in lots of Dreamies and that’s basically all mine wants in life. This is her waiting for more to appear.

A quick google of "aggressive ragdolls" does show that it's a known "thing" but it's just as likely to be caused by the environment as it is genetics/breed.

Yes just googled it myself now - could be down to boredom, lack of stimulation, urinary tract infection or not having a good scratch post apparently!

I do wonder whether their reputation as being placid and easy is part of the problem.

People get them because they see them as cute, soft, fluffy clouds rather than cats who have the same general needs as any other breed.

Thanks @lifebeginsaftercoffee . I'm not very comfortable buying kittens from farmers around here. None of bother neutering any of their cats and they contribute to the problem of thousands of cats in rescues. They wonder into nearby villages then someone will find them and take them to the vets and they end up in cats protection. And I think buying from them encourages them not to consider the problem. Bit of a moral dilemma really.

@PuppyMonkey thanks, just like any other cat then really!

I guess it must be location dependent as we don't have that issue around here. Very, very few stray cats and none of them (as far as I know) end up in rescue.

We're very rural though and they're very much needed as mousers etc. around here. I'm still in touch with the farmers who sold ours and we met mum in all three scenarios.

I think if you've found them on the breeders club website that's a good sign, though obviously you can still get dodgy registered breeders so it's very much down to how you feel about the set up when you visit. It sounds like she's doing the right things.

I think the aggression thing is getting a bit over egged. As I said, just like all cats you get the odd wrongun! A good breeder can often tell a lot about their personalities as they are being raised. There's usually one in the litter that is the absolute lover, one more quiet that comes round to people a bit slower but loves a cuddle when they have got to know someone and then usually one or two nutters that climb our brick walls and curtains. Ah talking about this is making me want to do another litter and I'd kind of decided to step back from it!