Ragdoll Cats

Cats tend not to bleed profusely when injured. The exception to this is when a large blood vessel or artery is severed. Manipulation of the injury can cause further damage to the surrounding tissue; keep your Ragdoll cat still and calm. If your Ragdoll is injured and bleeding it is best to get him or her to your veterinarian as soon as possible. If the wound is deep, direct pressure to the area will slow the bleeding while you rush your Ragdoll to the veterinarian or emergency medical clinic.

If taking Ragdoll cat to the veterinarian is not immediately possible, use a sterile bandage or gauze to treat the wound. Avoid removing or changing the bandage until you visit the emergency animal clinic or veterinarian as this could introduce bacteria and lead to an infection. Never place a tourniquet on a cat. If your Ragdoll goes into shock keep him or her warm and dry with a blanket and seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

Tags: cat first aid

Cats are notorious for being clean animals. If you are having problems with your Ragdoll cat using the litter box, your box might not be up to snuff for your cat’s standards for cleanliness. If your Ragdoll cat is going outside of the box the first thing you want to rule out is a medical reason for your problem. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out an infection as the culprit.

Make sure you are cleaning your Ragdoll’s litter box on a daily basis. It is important to place your box in a location that allows your cat privacy. If keeping up with the scooping is difficult for your busy schedule, there are now a variety of mechanical boxes that automatically scoop after your cat leaves the box. These automated boxed have a mechanical arm that scoops the clump into a disposable collection tray you pull out and throw away when filled.

If your Ragdoll has been going outside of the box it is important to clean the area thoroughly with an enzyme based cleaner. These enzyme based cleaners are available from your local pet supply store and eliminate all traces of odor from the offending stain. If the odor stays behind after you have cleaned the stain your cat may find the smell and have another mishap.

Aggressive behavior is a common for many cats. This aggression can take the mild form of biting your hand when petting or the more severe form of destroying your household furnishings. Aggressive behavior is not limited to kittens; you can have sudden and inexplicable problems with adult cats as well.

Cats often use aggressive behavior to get their way. This behavior can be demonstrated on you, members of your family, and even other pets. Cats become aggressive over personal space, attention, jealousy, food, and toys. Aggressive behavior is often used to stop an unpleasant experience such as bathing or nail clipping. This behavior is a common way for your Ragdoll cat to try and demonstrate that they are in charge.

If you have a new Ragdoll kitten play aggression and roughhousing is a very common kitten trait. Most kittens simply grow out of their play aggression. When dealing with your Ragdoll cat’s aggression it is important to be firm and consistent in dealing with this behavior. Never yell or hit your Ragdoll cat; violent reaction to your cat’s behavior will do more damage than good.

You can reinforce correction for a negative behavior using a squirt gun or a metal can filled with coins and a stern “No!” The most important aspect of training your Ragdoll cat is to be consistent. If you neglect consistency in your reaction you are sending mixed messages to your Ragdoll and chances are your training will be ineffective.

Ragdoll cats are the most intelligent breed of cat around; they are eager to please their owners and can be easily trained as a result. As with any animal, Ragdolls respond to training best when reinforced with rewards. This reward can be in the form of verbal praise or a treat. One example of positive reinforcement is lavishing your cat with praise when they use the scratching post instead of your Italian leather sofa.

Ragdoll cats do not shed in excess as they do not have an undercoat like the Persian cat breed. Ragdolls have soft, rabbit like coats that do not mat. You should still brush your Ragdoll cat on a regular basis to remove less fur as this will reduce the frequency of hairballs. Grooming is an important part of spending quality time with your pet. You should try and groom your Ragdoll on a weekly basis as part of the time you spend together.

One of the most important aspects of Ragdoll cat ownership is to keep your cat indoors at all times. Ragdolls are not outdoor cats and must be kept indoors exclusively. Ragdoll cats are trusting by nature and will often not defend themselves when provoked. Cats that are kept indoors also live longer and have fewer health problems than cats that are allowed to roam free.