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

Buying a Ragdoll kitten - any advice?

35 replies

JS5 · 27/04/2024 17:48

Looking to adopt a ragdoll kitten. There is one in my neighbourhood and honestly he is the sweetest boy on this planet. I would like to have my own

Never bought a kitten/cat before not sure where to start, looking online is quite overwhelming. There are so many sites selling

  1. Which sites are generally safe
  2. Do breeders need to be approved of some sort
  3. What's the risk if cat is not pedigree
  4. What is average cost

All advice is welcome 😊

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
Toddlerteaplease · 27/04/2024 18:10

See if you can get one from
A specialist rescue instead of buying one. If you do buy, make sure they have been screened for HCM and kidney disease. Don't buy off gum tree or other sites like it. The GCCF will have lists of breeders. But having had Persian ex breeding queens, their lives are pretty miserable just churning out kittens.

TraitorsGate · 27/04/2024 18:15

Try local rescues first, there are thousands of sweet cats needing homes. If you are determined to have a ragdoll you need to look at local breeders registered with the gccf, pay at least £1k. There is no risk to the cat if its not not pedigree papers but there will be to your purse and it could be a kitten farm.

SantaBarbaraMonica · 27/04/2024 18:16

No general sites are safe. Just breeders websites if they have one. Look for registered breeders. If cat not pedigree, it may not be a ragdoll and/or may have genetic health issues. Average cost in and around £1k from a decent breeder.

CadyEastman · 28/04/2024 08:49

Try The British Ragdoll Cat Club Rescue & Rehome. Good luck with your search Wink

cuckyplunt · 28/04/2024 08:57

our rescue Ragdoll is a bit of a money pit. We had to take all his teeth out 3 months after we got him. Worst abscesses vet had ever seen. Mind you his previous owners had decided to save money by ripping out a few of his teeth themselves.
He also has permanent sniffles which we are yet to get to the bottom of.
On the upside he loves his ball, is totally house trained and very accepting of teenage girls who want to cuddle and croon to him when they are feeling sad.
Buy a good vacuum cleaner, you will need one.

Buying a Ragdoll kitten - any advice?
CadyEastman · 28/04/2024 08:59

Mind you his previous owners had decided to save money by ripping out a few of his teeth themselves

OMG who would even think to do such a thing? Shock.

BestZebbie · 28/04/2024 09:01

Also be aware that a lot of ragdolls are not at all street-smart* and need to be indoor cats or have a catio so they don't wander and get lost (or stolen!).

*for example, our rescue ragdoll infamously walked out of our front door and across the small courtyard on her lead, then turned round and couldn't remember how to get back to the house - which we could see...

Anameisaname · 28/04/2024 09:03

It's quite rare to find breed rescue kittens. Usually they are ones that are part of a rescue mission to bail out a home breeder that had got out of hand. There are lots and lots of moggy kittens available at the moment in rescues though. Usually they are given as pairs though.
Do consider whether you do want a kitten. Kittens are v cute but also a lot of bother, requiring entertainment and care and can be a bit destructive as they run around exploring. Older cats are often a bit easier as more settled.
PP have given the right advice re breeders. If you are willing to look at older cat sometimes the breeders will sell retired studs or Queens too.

CadyEastman · 28/04/2024 09:06

for example, our rescue ragdoll infamously walked out of our front door and across the small courtyard on her lead, then turned round and couldn't remember how to get back to the house - which we could see.

I used to have an old Tom Cat like that. Absolutely beautiful to look at and such a kind soul but not a lot going in the brain department Wink

cuckyplunt · 28/04/2024 09:07

CadyEastman · 28/04/2024 08:59

Mind you his previous owners had decided to save money by ripping out a few of his teeth themselves

OMG who would even think to do such a thing? Shock.

This is very outing, but I am not too controversial. Yes, they were farriers seemingly so that gave them god given knowledge of all creatures. He had an abscess over the roots of three teeth when we got him. Must have been in agony for months. He was also extremely underweight, not surprisingly and guarding his water, which is a sign he’s not had enough in the past.
Living his best life now though.

I hope his past owners find the devil waiting with a large pair of pliers when they get to hell.

CadyEastman · 28/04/2024 09:09

Your poor, poor cat! I think our DDog didn't always know when she was going to be fed as she is always overjoyed to be fed and is happy with absolutely anything. She could just be a bit if a greedy sod like me though..Grin

Ellmau · 28/04/2024 11:41

Your poor poor baby! No wonder being cuddled by your DDs is a welcome new life.

OutOfTheHouse · 28/04/2024 11:48

Why a ragdoll?

In my experience regular moggies are great cats. Cats are unlike dogs when it comes to breed. With a cat you want a Heinz 57. Breeds come with problems and usually come from breeders who can often be less than scrupulous. (I found a Maine Coon who we think had been dumped by a breeder because he had a deformed foot. He would have died had he not come to my door begging as he couldn’t hunt).

Have a really good think about why you want a breed, then start talking to rescue centres. It’s kitten season and they will be over run.

JS5 · 28/04/2024 18:43

I'd like a ragdoll because my husband does not like cats and I've heard ragdoll are easy going and affectionate, so hoping hubby will be more open to having one... still trying to convince him😭

Happy to look at rescue centres, but a few questions as not sure on terminology being used

  1. Moggy kittens/ moggies- what are these?
  2. What is a Heinz 57
  3. If a cat is breeds then it's not pedigree?

Sorry for the questions, like I said new to all! Thank you

OP posts:
CadyEastman · 28/04/2024 18:52

•Moggy kittens/ moggies- what are these?

Just general run of the mill kittens and cats. There will be plenty around for rehoming Wink

• What is a Heinz 57-

Heinz 57 varieties just means it's not a pedigree.

Not sure about your last question sorry.

Ginger Tom cats also have a reputation for being very loving.

OutOfTheHouse · 28/04/2024 18:56

Moggies are just regular cats. Just your standard cat.
Unlike dogs the breeds aren’t as obvious in cats, but like dogs certain breeds carry health risks.
Heinz 57 means they are a mix of everything.

Regular cats will have a host of different personalities. If you go to your local rescue centre they will let you meet them and spend time with them.

Please go to rescue centres first. Although I’m sure some breeders are lovely, many are not. There are unwanted cats and kittens out there that need a home rather than cats that have been breed for money.

Toddlerteaplease · 28/04/2024 18:58

Persians have a very similar personalities to Ragdolls. And you can get short haired ones, which saves on the grooming bills!

Toddlerteaplease · 28/04/2024 18:59

It's only a pedigree, if you have its papers and registration. All of my girls were pedigree cats. But not officially pedigree's as I didn't have there papers as they are rescues.

BestZebbie · 28/04/2024 19:08

If your husband does decide he can commit to a cat for the next ~17 years, he might prefer a cat that can go outside unsupervised, isn't especially needy for attention, doesn't need brushing, is fairly hardy and doesn't use a litter tray inside most of the time, e.g.: a standard adult tabby/tuxedo cat from a rescue shelter rather than a ragdoll!

ButterflySkies · 28/04/2024 19:18

Why doesnt hubby like cats? Worth getting beneath that before committing to ragdolls.

Ive got two ragdolls. Id definitely get two as they're social animals, and from the same litter so they know each other and you dont have to risk settling them in and that not working. They're indoor cats here - as recommended - and as they've got older they go in the garden on occasion (i wouldnt let them out in wind or rain).

They are wonderful but they are higher maintenance than other breeds. They need really regular brushing, obviously theyve got trays which a moggie wouldnt need (we have two as they wouldnt go in the same one), you need to be careful with their food (theyre prone to utis and kidney stuff so food should be wet) and when ours were kittens they needed playing with lots.

One of ours is so laid back it's unreal, I could dress her up! The other is an anxious cat, which is common in this breed. That one cystitis from time to time which needs managing. It's bought on if we have lots of people staying and she doesnt have her space (she's claimed the spareroom) or the smell of other cats (particularly my mums!).

As they're indoor cats they are tricky to get care over holidays - we have a lady who comes to our house for regular visits for more than the standard chuck food down and run for cats, but its not cheap. We couldn't leave them for more than a night (from 2pm - 9am, not 9am sat to 9pm sunday).

The summer is worth thinking about, we're really mindful with windows at the front of the house and closing doors if windows are open. Ones got out before and freaked out we were lucky she didnt get run over.

They are beautiful, loving, cuddly and I'm not putting you off - be without them - but id characterise them more as a low maintenance dog in terms of what they need from you as an owner. So worth going into with your eyes open. I wish I'd understood more how anxious the breed can be and if you go for it, please get two from the same litter xx

ButterflySkies · 28/04/2024 19:18

Ps also buy a really good hoover!

Ghostofborleyrectory · 28/04/2024 19:30

I have had many cats from rescue persians to ex feral moggies and my rescue ragdoll is the hardest cat I have had- I adore him but he can't go outside despite desperate to as he reacts badly to traffic and other animals and bolts/atttacks so getting in and out of front door is a nightmare.
He wants to play all the time, loses his toys and can be quite aggressive with playfighting, he has ripped the carpet and sofa to shreds and wakes us up at five am every day. He is like a dog. Not to mention the haze of fur everywhere! He is also on expensive food and medicine for renal conditions and I can't leave him overnight.
I would not swap him for the world but my last cat, a good old fashioned rescue moggie would be more suitable for your husband- a quiet sweet natured girl who just loved sitting in laps or patches of sunlight.

OutOfTheHouse · 28/04/2024 19:35

It’s also worth knowing how Ragdolls came into being.
It was one woman in the 1960s who breed from a couple of cats, regular moggies that she had.
10 cats were brought into the U.K. and all uk cats are the descendants of those cats.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragdoll

Ragdoll - Wikipedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragdoll

user12343333333334 · 28/04/2024 19:46

We have a seal point long haired ragdoll. She cost a fortune years ago.
She is beautiful and a real duchess. HOWEVER, she is not at all affectionate and a real outdoor lover.
We just could not keep her in the house, she drove us mad, begging to get out.
The shedding is shocking.
She's very vocal.
She's now 10 and I think she might be showing signs of senility.
I absolutely adore her but being woken at 5am, with a mouthful of fluffy fur, is wearing.
Find a very friendly moggie, in need of a loving home, instead.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 28/04/2024 20:15

Another vote for getting mogs.
I've had ten moggies over the years (nine from kittens). All have been huge characters but the one thing they all have in common is being affectionate lap velcro cats.

Enclosed a photo of my lap, and a photo of Mrs Grumpy's lap now.
Get two rescue kittens and enjoy 😁

Buying a Ragdoll kitten - any advice?
Buying a Ragdoll kitten - any advice?