Once you have decided to get a Ragdoll kitten and are looking for a breeder there are several things you need to consider. First, do you have a veterinarian? If not, ask your friends and relatives who their vet is. Make an appointment with your vet and talk to them about the care of your new kitten. Ask your vet for suggestions on feeding and vaccinations.
Your breeder will most likely be able to provide more information about raising and training your new kitten than the vet will; this is especially true since they specialize in Ragdoll kitten care. Ask your vet for a tour of the facility; be sure and read our article about choosing a veterinarian before you go. Go with your instincts, if you have any doubts about a particular vet, find someone else. Ask your breeder to recommend a vet that is familiar with Ragdoll cats. Often a breeder will have a relationship established with a vet and that veterinarian will be familiar with the breed.
Make sure you get instructions from your breeder on what to buy before you bring your Ragdoll kitten home. Stay with the same brand of food and cat litter your breeder uses, at least in the beginning. Changing food can cause problems for your kitten’s tummy and cause diarrhea. You certainly don’t want to confuse your kitten with the litter box; try and use the same box and litter when you bring the kitten home. Make sure you buy a large box, especially if you have other cats in the house. Glass and ceramic food bowls are the best to feed your Ragdoll cat with. Plastic bowls can cause irritation on your cat’s chin and is more difficult to keep clean.
Be sure and purchase a cat carrier of at least medium size. Always take your cat outside in the carrier; never carry them in your arms or in cardboard box. Anything from a car to a barking dog could scare your cat and cause you to lose them in the panic. Be sure and leave your cat in the carrier while driving; you don’t want a cat roaming around the car as this could cause an accident. Always use your cat carrier when taking your Ragdoll cat to and from the veterinarian’s office.
It’s also a good idea not to let people in the waiting room touch your Ragdoll as they may frighten or pass germs on to your kitten. The cat carrier could be a scary thing for your kitten. Always a good idea to let your kitten adjust to the idea of the carrier before sticking them in it. To do this, leave the carrier in the same room as your kitten with the door open; if your kitten is around the carrier all the time it will be familiar and will not be as traumatic getting them in and out to go places.
Proper toys and playtime for your Ragdoll kitten are necessary not just for fun, but are important for proper socialization. Ragdolls are very intelligent cats. They need things to help keep them occupied while you are away. When you’re home your Ragdoll will most likely be very happy and will follow you from room to room. If your kitten gets bored while you are away they may find themselves in dangerous trouble.
A cat is typically most active early in the morning and late in the evening. They favor toys that are small enough for them to carry around in their mouths. Ragdoll cats are usually good fetchers. Playing fetching games are a good way to spend time bonding with your new kitten as well as tiring them and burning off excess energy. Another excellent toy is the bird on a stick. This is a stick with a string attached to some feathers or a small toy. Wave this around and our kitten will chase and swat at it. This type of toy makes a great security blanket; your kitten will often drag it around the house. You may want to put this toy away when you are not home as the cord could wrap around your kittens neck; this toy may require supervision.
The day you bring your new kitten home it is best to keep your Ragdoll in one room of the house with their litter box, food and water. Keep the food and water separated as far from the litter box as possible. Pick a room in your house where your kitten will feel most comfortable; smaller rooms are the best so they will feel safe. Try to keep your new Ragdoll kitten away from people at first; the change in environment can be traumatic and you don’t want to compound this with strangers. Show your kitten the litter box by placing him or her in it. This is typically all it takes to get them to use the box.
After a day or so you should be ready to let your kitten explore your home. It is a good idea to close off bathrooms and spare rooms. You should get in the habit of leaving the toilet lids closed as long as you are living with a cat. If you have other pets in your home including dogs, expect some conflict at first. It is not unusual for a kitten to puddle when they meet a dog or hiss and spit at your other animals. It is also natural for your other animals to be wary of the new kitten or even jealous.
Related Articles Other People Have Read:
- Preparing For Your New Ragdoll Cat
- Bringing Your Kitten Home: Part II
- How to Buy a Healthy Kitten
- Elderly Ragdoll Cats and the Litter Box
