Ragdoll Cats

When you decide to shop for a Ragdoll kitten, there are a several things you need to know and ask your breeder. The first question to ask is if your kitten is a pure-bred Ragdoll. Some Ragdoll breeders mix Ragdolls with other breeds to get new colors and patterns. This is fine if as long as the breeder discloses what they are doing; you should be told if the kitten is less than a full Ragdoll. Any mixed breeding should be reflected in the price you pay for the kitten. If mixed-breeding is taking place your kitten must be 4 generations removed to be considered a full Ragdoll cat.

If your breeder’s asking price for the Ragdoll kitten is much lower than the rest of the market find out why the price is lower. A good breeder doesn’t make money from breeding Ragdolls. If a breeder is lucky they will break even each year. If the Ragdoll kittens are priced less than the market price, it could mean that breeder is skimping to outsell their competitors, or that they have too many kittens. This breeder may have lowered prices to get rid of their kittens; with lower prices many will overlook the conditions the kittens are coming from. Good breeders never compromise on how they raise kittens; a good breeder never raises more kittens than they can sell. Kittens should never leave a breeder younger than 12 weeks old, and they should have at least one shot. By waiting until 12 weeks of age, your kitten will have a better chance of being healthy and well adjusted. Their immune system will be much stronger so the transition to a new home will be easier for them. The Ragdoll kittens need to stay with their brothers and sisters until 12 weeks of age. During these 12 weeks they can chew on and attack their brothers and sisters instead of you. Your Breeder knows how to train kittens for the best behavior in their new homes.

Ragdoll Kittens go through various stages before adulthood. During the first weeks, they want to be with their mom, and don’t want anything to do with humans. Most breeders start handling the kittens at this age so they will be used to it. From three to six weeks kittens are thrilled with humans; they will climb all over you and are very cute doing so. After six weeks they are sleeping or flying around the house. After 11 weeks they have settled down somewhat and are ready for adoption. It is cheaper for breeders to sell their kittens at 8 weeks of age. Ragdoll kittens eight to twelve weeks old eat a lot of food, simply because they are growing fast. If a breeder is feeding the kitten quality food, expenses add up and cut away profits from the litter. As mentioned before, good breeders are not in it for the money. They would much rather breed a healthy, well adjusted Ragdoll kitten than try to make a buck.

Never buy a Ragdoll kitten without a health contract and guarantee. This contract protects you and the breeder. Examine the contract thoroughly, in case you need to have your kitten replaced. Most contracts require an autopsy report if the kitten falls ill and dies. This is a traumatic thing to do to a kitten you have lost; however, it is a necessity. The breeder will need to know what happened in order to try and prevent it from happening again. Always visit the cattery you are purchasing your kitten from. When you visit, note the overall cleanliness of the facility; make sure the litter boxes are kept clean. There should not be a cat urine smell in the air. Their area should be clean and well lighted. Be sure the breeder separates the females from the males. Ask how the breeder prevents unwanted litters and inbreeding. Breeders should show you all their cats, including the males. Your breeder will probably not allow you to handle young kittens; however they will show you where they are raised. Keep an eye out for overcrowded conditions as this could mean he breeder is running a “kitten mill.”

In order to raise healthy kittens the litter needs to be isolated from other adult cats, except for their mom. This is to prevent them from catching germs or viruses from the other cats; however, the kittens should not be so isolated they are not socialized. Ragdoll cats are a very friendly cat by nature; the kittens need to be socialized and exposed to noises such as people talking, the television, and children. If a kitten has been isolated they will eventually learn to accept people and noises, but this takes time.

Here is a summary of things to consider when shopping for a breeder:

1. Will the breeder let you see all the cats?
2. Is the area kept clean? Is there a urine smell?
3. Do the cats look healthy and well cared for?
4. Do the kittens have plenty of room?
5. Is breeder offering a contract and a health guarantee?
6. Are the kittens being sold prior to 12 weeks old?
7. Are the Ragdoll kittens socialized?