Ragdoll Cats

Here are tips to help you choose a breeder when selecting your Ragdoll kitten. It is important to see the kennel where the kitten’s mother is being kept. Make sure that the kitten’s mother is healthy. Take note of the conditions the kittens and the mother are living in. Is there a strong smell in the kennel? Are the kittens listless or inactive? Ask what age the breeder lets the kittens go. The kittens should never be separated from their mother prior to the age of 8 to 12 weeks and they should have their first set of shots.

The breeder should be as interested in you and how you will care for the kitten as you are concerned for the conditions it was born into. Pay attention to how the kittens interact with people. It is okay for the kitten to be cautious about meeting you; however, a kitten that is terrified of humans has not been properly socialized and could have behavioral problems later on as a result.

Ask the breeder what the kittens are being feed. When examining the kittens you should be able to feel their ribs; however they should not be visible. If the ribs are showing and the cat appears shrunken the breeder may not be feeding the kittens properly. If you cannot feel the kittens ribs the breeder may be overfeeding and that kitten is overweight. Overweight and underweight conditions as a kitten contribute to health problems later in life.

Inspect the kittens for fleas or open soars. When you do this run your fingers through the kitten’s coat spreading the fur to expose skin. If you find evidence of fleas or open sores it could indicate the kitten has other parasites.

When selecting a kitten from the litter chose a friendly an active kitten, not an overly aggressive one. When looking for aggressive behaviors kittens that dominate their littermates when playing could indicate behavioral problems related to aggression. If one member of the litter seems browbeaten or picked on by the other littermates it could result in physical or emotional problems later on.

Once you have selected your kitten have a veterinarian examine the kitten and set up a schedule for the remaining vaccinations. When you see the veterinarian, take in a fresh stool sample so that your vet can test for parasites.

Remember that the suggestions here are just guidelines for selecting a healthy kitten. Just because a kitten is small or sickly does not mean that someone should not adopt and love that kitten; it simply means that kitten needs a certain kind of owner capable of meeting its needs. If you feel compelled to adopt such a kitten it is important that you understand what you are getting into. Too often kittens with special needs end up in animal shelters because their adoptive owners do not understand what they are getting into.