Ragdoll Cat Behavioral Communication

by Rob on July 30, 2010

in Ragdoll Cats

Your Ragdoll cat is a cunning and intelligent creature; cats communicate and even manipulate their owners using body language, verbal communication, and aggressive acts. Here are examples of that communication.
Ragdoll Cat
Your Ragdoll cat’s tail is a window into their thoughts and feelings. Cats show agitation by broad swishes of their tail. If your Ragdoll has had enough of your petting, it might show this annoyance with wide swishes of the tail. If you persist your Ragdoll cat might growl, scratch, or even bite at your hand. This is a mild act of aggression intended to let you know enough is enough. The more vigourously your cat swishes its tail, the more agitated and impatient it is.

Fear is expressed differently. Cats tend to puff their tails straight up when frightened. This could be to make them appear larger in case attacked or further provoked.

Curiosity is displayed differently from fear or agitation. If your Ragdoll is curious or excited by something it will twitch its tail. A raised, non-bristled tail is also a sign of excitement or affection. The next time you crack open a can of food or treats, watch how your Ragdoll cat’s tail reacts to the situation.

Cats express themselves in other ways as well. Their body stance and ears also indicate their mood. Depending on the orientation of their bodies your cat could be expressing submission, fear, or even anger. Aggression is expressed by puffing up their coats. Submission is the opposite; cats hunker down when they are being submissive.

As for their ears, cats prick their ears up when they are curious or interested in their surroundings. If their ears are back it could be a sign of aggression, remorse, or hurt feelings. One of my cats was squirted with a can of spray air recently; after she realized what happened and her feelings got hurt, she tucked her ears back and ran away. (I don’t recommend the air duster can for use on your cat)

Cats express emotion verbally in different ways. Not all cats purr as a sign of happiness. Tigers are known to purr before attacking their prey; your Ragdoll may purr after having its chin scratched. Whether or not your cat is chatty seems to be dependent on their personality; some Ragdolls talk more than others. Louie, the cat featured on this website, only talks at mealtimes or when he has had a rough go in the litter box.

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Cat Behavior Problems: Can You Discipline Your Ragdoll Cat?

by Rob on July 27, 2010

in Ragdoll Cats

If you are a Ragdoll cat owner experiencing behavioral problems with your Ragdoll you might wonder if disciplining a cat is even possible. Cats are extremely independent creatures; however, it is possible to modify undesirable behaviors with a little patience and persistence.

When it comes to modifying undesirable behaviors with your Ragdoll cat it is important to keep in mind that cats are not four legged people.

Your Ragdoll cat is a pet; a pet that most likely sees you as a big oversized cat. It may be helpful if you try and understand why your cat is behaving I the manner that it is.

This could help you correct the underlying reason for the problem. Cats do not understand violence and will not associate the negative behavior with being hit. Your cat will associate you with violence and will simply fear you. This could make the undesirable behavior worse and even cause new problems.Never hit your Ragdoll cat. There are ways to reprimand a cat for undesirable behaviors. The “Face Push” method may be an effective way to reinforce your point. If you are close to your cat when observing the negative behavior, gently pushing back on your Ragdoll cat’s face while issuing a stern “No!” may be enough to deter the undesirable behavior.

Remember the face push is a gently push; you are not hitting your Ragdoll cat in the face. Other non-violent methods of deterring behaviors involve squirt guns filled with water and a dash of vinegar or shaking a metal can full of coins. Reinforce this action with a stern “No!” You will need to be consistent in your response to negative behaviors; this consistency will allow you to train your Ragdoll cat not to behave in that manner.

With a little patience you can teach your Ragdoll cat that undesirable behaviors such as scratching your Italian leather sofa are unacceptable.

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LitterMaid Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box Review

July 24, 2010

This is a review of the deluxe model of the LitterMaid cat litter box. First of all, if you are considering a LitterMaid box, get the deluxe model. The cheaper model is too small; the deluxe edition costs more ($140 at Wal-Mart). If you are serious about a self-cleaning cat box I can tell you [...]

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Ragdoll Cat Litter Box Problems

July 21, 2010

If you are a cat owner experiencing litter box problems there are a number of factors that could be contributing to your problems. Your Ragdoll cat is a very clean critter; cats like using a dirty bathroom about as much as you do. There are also a number of health problems that can result from [...]

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Ragdoll Cats and Hairballs

July 18, 2010

Ragdoll cats groom themselves frequently by licking their fur. When this happens your cat swallows loose hair. This loose hair builds up in their stomach and forms a hairball. When your Ragdoll is unable to pass this hairball it throws up on your carpet. Having a hairball is the most common cause of vomiting in [...]

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Ragdoll Cat Problems

July 15, 2010

If you have a male Ragdoll cat that is spraying, the cat is marking his or her territory with urine. Cats prefer to spray vertical surfaces; they will spray walls, your Italian leather sofa, doors, appliances, anything with a vertical surface. If you find a puddle on your floor this is most likely an accident, [...]

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