Caring for your Ragdoll cat’s health means trips to the veterinarian for regularly scheduled checkups and veterinary care as needed. Here are several tips to help you find the best veterinarian for your Ragdoll cat.

Word-of-mouth recommendations are an excellent way to find a veterinarian. If you’re new to the area check with the humane society and ask for names of veterinarians that volunteer there. If you have a local Ragdoll association in your area you can ask for a referral. Picking the right veterinarian is very similar to picking a pediatrician. Talk to your prospective veterinarians to find out who you are comfortable with and best answers your questions. Good veterinarians are affiliated with 24 hour emergency care facilities and can provide medical assistance for your Ragdoll cat around the clock.
Before you choose a veterinarian, visit the office to check the conditions. Is the office clean and inviting? Are the animals made comfortable on their visits? Does the veterinarian specialize in smaller animals? Did you receive good recommendations from other pet owners or the Humane Society? Take the time to visit several veterinarians in private practice and with national chains before making a choice. If you take the time to do this you can be certain that you’re getting a good veterinarian. When interviewing veterinarians ask for a list of prices for standard services; you can use the price list as part of your comparison.
Choosing a good veterinarian for your Ragdoll cat is easy. Getting your Ragdoll cat to visit the veterinarian is the hard part. Cats for the most part despise going to the veterinarian. At first site of your pet carrier your Ragdoll will know that you’re up to something. Never transport your cat without the pet carrier, doing so could result in an automobile accident. There are veterinarians that have cats only practices; finding a cat vet could reduce the stress caused by a trip to the veterinarians office as no cat likes sharing the waiting room with a Rottweiler.
When your veterinarian examines your cat he or she will weigh your Ragdoll, take temperature, heart rate, examine your cat’s teeth and gums, check a stool sample for parasites, examine the eyes and ears, and examine your cat’s coat and skin. The basic examination is something you should perform on a weekly basis. If you find abnormalities you should contact your veterinarian for further examination.

