Ragdoll Cats

If your Ragdoll cat’s behaviors are making you crazy, here are some tips to help correct some of the common behavioral problems Ragdoll owners face.

Spraying

Spraying is a common problem in unaltered male and female cats alike. Cats spray for a variety of reasons including marking their territory or responding to threats. There is not much you can do to deter this behavior other than have your cat fixed. This is a purely instinctual behavior; you should not punish your cat for spraying, your Ragdoll will not understand and may start to fear you.

Going Outside the Box

Some cats stop using the litter box if it does not meet their standards for cleanliness. If you suspect this may be the problem try cleaning your litter box twice as often as you have been. When you catch your Ragdoll going outside of the box clean that area with an enzyme based cleaner as quickly as possible. The enzyme cleaner will remove any odor that could be reminding your Ragdoll to use this area.

If your Ragdoll cat seems to have a favorite place to go, try moving the litter box there. Simply moving the litter box to another room could correct your problem. Consider placing the litter box on top of the area your cat has been going. As a last resort you could cover the areas your cat has been using with aluminum foil and treat it with bleach.

Scratching People

Scratching is something cats often do when they feel threatened. Your cat or kitten could exhibit play aggression; however, this is usually a learned behavior. It is not your Ragdoll cat’s fault and is generally an easy problem to fix. If for example, your cat is afraid of children you can condition your cat not to fear children with small exposures until your Ragdoll no longer fears children. It is important to condition your cat in small doses or you could do more harm than good.

If you find your Ragdoll in a situation with growling and clawing it is important to remove your cat immediately. If your cat reacts this way to a certain person in your family try conditioning your cat with small doses of that individual. If you need a deterrent for aggressive behavior try using a squirt gun filled with water and a dash of vinegar or lemon juice.

Running Out the Door

Cats are curious creatures, Ragdolls are doubly curious. It is important to keep your Ragdoll in the house at all times; your Ragdoll will sense you do not want him or her outside and will most likely become very curious about the outdoors. A squirt gun can be used to keep your cat away from the door. If your cat bolts when you are coming in, consider using a baby gate to block the escape route.

Ragdoll Caterwauling

If your Ragdoll is howling in the middle of the night there is probably something wrong. Cats often cry when they are sick, hungry, or fighting with another cat. Howling is another one of those problems you cannot do much to stop. If you suspect your Ragdoll cat is sick contact your veterinarian immediately. If your cat is fighting with another try keeping them separated at night. If your female Ragdoll cat is howling because she is in heat the only way to remedy this behavior is to spay her. You can learn more about correcting behavioral problems with your Ragdoll cat by downloading the eBook: “Ragdoll Cat Secrets” found in the resource section of this website.

Ragdoll Cats Owner Guide: Learn How to Easily Train, Feed, Care For & Groom Your Ragdoll Cats