Ragdoll Cats

You’ve heard of child-proofing your home, but did you know that any of the hundreds of common household items that could be harmful to your Ragdoll cat? These harmful items include everything from laundry soap, dishwashing powder, bleach, household cleaners, medication, fertilizer, and pesticides to onions and coffee grounds.

The old saying “Curiosity Killed the Cat” exists for a reason. Cats are often too curious for their own good and are capable of getting themselves in a lot of trouble. Here are several suggestions for cat-proofing your home to prevent the accidental poisoning of your Ragdoll cat.

Dishwashing detergent and the dryer sheets found in your laundry room contain synthetic chemical compounds that can irritate tissue and cause diarrhea and ulcers if ingested. If your Ragdoll comes in contact with these chemicals on its paws or fur they will ingest this while grooming. This is true of any household item your Ragdoll comes in contact with. Antifreeze is another deadly household item you should be concerned about. Many cats are attracted to the taste; antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, a sweet tasting chemical that is fatal for small animals. If your Ragdoll ingests antifreeze your cat could be dead in a matter of hours. The best way to prevent your Ragdoll from coming in contact with antifreeze is to make the garage off-limits for all pets.

When cat proofing your home, treat any chemical, medication, or cleaning product as a potential poison if ingested by your Ragdoll cat. Using child-proof latches on your cabinets will prevent your cat from prying cabinets open to get at the contents. When using chemicals be sure and isolate your cat and only utilize the chemical in a well-ventilated room. If you suspect your cat has ingested anything harmful, visit your veterinarian or emergency animal clinic as soon as possible.

Aggressive behavior is a problem for many cat owners. There are different types of aggressive behaviors your Ragdoll cat can exhibit; getting to the bottom of this behavior means determining which type of aggression you are dealing with. You want to determine what triggers the aggression and who it is directed to. Is your Ragdoll aggressive to family members or strangers that visit your home?

If you observe unusual behavior from your Ragdoll cat the first thing you should do is schedule an exam with your veterinarian. Once your vet has ruled out a medical reason for the aggression you can work on identify the actual cause of the aggression. When you have identified the cause of your cat’s aggressive behavior you can adjust the environment or remove whatever triggers the behavior. Here is a list of the basic types of aggressive behavior in cats.

I. Fear Related Aggressive Behavior

II. Territorial Related Aggressive Behavior

This is aggressive behavior related to fear aggression your cat exhibits towards other animals or strangers that enter your Ragdoll’s territory.

III. Predatory Related Aggressive Behavior

Predatory behaviors are often related to play aggression. Cats love to chase things and hunt. Kittens demonstrate play aggression more than adult cats and the behavior is often learned from the cat’s owner. It is very tempting to roughhouse with a new kitten; however, this play teaches your cat aggressive behavior that could be come a problem as your cat matures.

IV. Social Related Aggressive Behaviors

Cats are social animals; you may find aggressive behaviors directed to your other pets. While this is commonly play aggression other forms of social aggressive behavior include denying other pets use of the litter box, food, or water. If you recognize this behavior in your pets it is best to isolate the bully immediately when you observe the behavior. Consisitent reinforcement that this behavior is unacceptable in the form of isolation and a stern “No!” should be enough to get your point across.

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You’ve heard stories from cat owners adamantly opposed to catnip: it’s a drug; your cat will go wild strung up on the stuff. Some cats could simply care less. Why is it then that some cats climb the rafters on catnip and others are totally unaffected? No one really knows the answer for sure; all we can do is distinguish fact and fiction when it comes to your Ragdoll cat and catnip.

Researchers that have studied catnip cannot explain why some cats react to the herb and others do not. Some cats display a fits of aggression while others have no reaction whatsoever. Recent studies suggest that these cats lack of reaction to catnip could be related to genetics. Very young kittens also seem to be unaffected by catnip; your Ragdoll kitten may not respond until the age of 9-10 months.

Despite many cat owners’ strong objections to catnip, it is not a drug and has no addictive qualities. Catnip is non-toxic, non-habit forming, and has many beneficial qualities when training your Ragdoll cat. The effects of catnip are short lived are usually do not last longer than ten minutes.

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Hairballs are a problem for many cat owners. Ragdolls do not suffer fewer or more hairballs than any other breed; however, one hairball on your hardwood floors or Berber carpet is one hairball too many. Hairballs are as much a problem for your Ragdoll cat as they are for your floor. If your cat develops a hairball and is unable to pass the hairball an intestinal blockage could develop, requiring surgery to correct.

Whenever your cat grooms its fur, he or she is swallowing hair that will collect in the digestive system. This hair collects and forms a densely matted hairball. When the hairball reaches critical mass your cat will hack and cough until it is expelled. This is the nasty blob of mucus and hair you are all too familiar with. So how can you reduce the frequency of hairballs with your Ragdoll cat?

The easiest way to reduce hairballs is to brush your Ragdoll on a daily basis. Regular grooming of your cat’s fur with a brush will reduce the amount of loose fur swallowed by your cat. Less fur swallowed when your Ragdoll cat grooms means fewer hairballs on your floors and furniture. If you have a severe hairball problem you may need to consult your veterinarian. There are medications that can improve your cat’s digestion and help to discourage the formation of hairballs.

Hairballs are unpleasant and painful for both you and your Ragdoll. Regular grooming, proper diet, and regular checkups with your veterinarian are the best way of combating your hairball problems.