Ragdoll cats get their name from the way they relax and go completely limp when held. There are other Ragdoll characteristics that make this breed so endearing; Ragdoll cats are extremely affectionate, friendly, gentle, and trusting almost to a fault. Ragdoll cats are extremely people orientated and have many dog-like characteristics. Your Ragdoll cat will run to the door when return home, just like a dog. Ragdolls follow their owners from room to room and want to be involved in everything their owners do.
Ragdoll cats are calm and easygoing, yet enjoy playing. Because of their easygoing nature they get along with other pets and children very well. If you already have a dog and want a cat that will get along with your dog, Ragdoll cats are the breed for you.
You should note that Ragdoll cats are exclusively indoor cats and should not be allowed to venture outside. This is due to their trusting nature; if your Ragdoll cat were to be provoked by another animal or an evil child they may not defend themselves; this could result in serious injury. Because of this indoor requirement, Ragdolls are the perfect pet for apartment dwellers.
Ragdoll cats are typically quiet cats. They tend only to be talkative when they are hungry or after a bad experience in the litter box. Ragdolls are the largest breed of domesticated cat; the males can weigh in as much as twenty pounds. Because of their size Ragdolls tend to be a bit clumsy and don’t make good mousers.
Ragdoll cats lack an undercoat; as a result they shed less than other breeds and many Ragdoll owners report fewer problems with pet related allergies. If you are looking for a large, fluffy, and friendly cat, the Ragdoll breed could be the cat for you.
Related Articles Other People Have Read:
- Is a Ragdoll Cat Right For You?
- Ragdoll Cats: How to Spot the Breed
- Ragdoll Cats – An Introduction
- Ragdoll Truth is Stranger than Fiction
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
I have adopted a purebred ragdoll cat that was given up by her owner. She has two other ragdolls and supposedly did not have room for Shelby. Shelby does not go limp, in fact she hates to be held and resists vigorously. She pretty much ignores us. The original owner said she was “different” because she was constantly jumping up on things etc.
I am a diehard cat lover and through the years have taken in at least nine
strays. I must say all of them have been far more loving than the ragdoll.
Any helpful advice will be appreciated.
Right now Shelby is a beautiful ice queen.
I am having the same problem. I bought a purebred Ragdoll about 6 months ago. He was 4 months when we got him. He hates to be held and doesn’t go limp. He sheds like crazy, I could make a new cat everyday with all the fur that comes off of him. He is also VERY talkative. I can’t leave a room without him crying like crazy. Really loud and constant, until he finds me. None of his personality traits are like a Ragdolls. I love him to death but he’s not the cat I expected when I researched this breed. Also, he has trouble with the litter box. He has never gone outside the box but every time he goes he squats to low or something because his back end is always covered in litter. I have another long-haired cat that has longer hair and he doesn’t have this problem. Am I doing something wrong. It’s really gross.
I have just obtained a beautiful Ragdoll. I already have a very old Persian and they have accepted each other well. Not quite best mates yet but learning to live with each other. Casper the Ragdoll is 9 yrs. He does not appear to like being handled, in fact goes stiff rather than limp. Does not seem to like any food I give him but eats a few biscuits. I think he has been tormented by the previous owners child. They had only had him for around a year. He just hides all the time and does not even want to be in the same room as us. I have had him completely checked over by my vet and all is well. I just wondered if anyone could give me a bit of advice on how to integrate him into the family. My old Persian is 18 yrs old and tends to ignore him so bullying is not a problem. One other problem is that he does not always go in his litter box. (he has his own and I have tried different ones to encourage him) He has been with us now for 4 weeks and I have not yet heard him purr.
I have just bought two Ragdolls, one 15months the other 18 months. One is classic Ragdoll, the other stiffens and cries when she is picked up. The older one is clearly dominant and the younger one seems to not want to get “out of line” and demand too much attention from me. I approach this problem by always acknowledging the dominant cat and stroking the other one whenever possible. She is definitely warming to me but it is a slow process. I think she will relax but it will take a lot of time and I have to remember not to try to rush her just because I want a cuddle!! As for toilet troubles, I am training them to use the real toilet, using Litter Kwitter. Having a few problems, definitely harder with two cats but having had a fully trained toilet user (no more litter!!) I know it’s worth it. May be the answer for Hollie. Hope Shelby the ice queen and Casper come around. Can only suggest what you already know…take it slowly. Oh yeah, mine love to snuggle up in the cat carrier that I brought them home in, so I have taken the door off and let them use it as a refuge. They have both retreated to it today after being to the Vet’s. If I let them stay in there and reach in and stroke them (specially Lilly the timid one) I am rewarded with her purrs. Somewhere small and safe might help Casper and Shelby.
It was so wonderful to finally read something other then Ragdoll cats are,people cats,social etc..I bought a male Ragdoll kitten papers and all..Spending $540.oo two years ago..Bailey was twelve weeks when I bought him..I live alone but have spent as much time as I can with him..He is so beautiful but very timid..He will sit by me..but does not like to be held..My sister has two other cats and even took him to her home back and forth for over a year to play with her cats..Bailey loved it but still was very timid..He meets me at the door every morning when I get home..He loves to be brushed.and petted…He does play alot..follows me around..But if any one comes over my grandchildren etc..he will run under the bed..Usually takes him hours to come out…I love him dearly but am so disappointed by his behavoir..I am thinking about buying another kitten so maybe Bailey will be more outgoing…
I had the same experience with our 2 ragdolls. Very distant and ran when we tried to pick them up. Unfortunately our little girl died unexpectedly–not sick, just found her dead one morning! Her brother is getting more affectionate because I take the time to lie on the floor and play with him and brush him. He’ll still run away if I try to pick him up. Disappointing ragdoll behavior. We’ll get a ragdoll kitten in a week. Hope he’ll be more cuddly.
When I first got my ragdoll Omni he didn’t like to be held, in fact he was quite rambunctious and loved to play and actually lay near me or on top of my chair or the couch if I were watching TV. He loved to play fetch though and still does.
Gradually, he has warmed up to the idea of being held, sitting in laps and getting lots of love. He will go limp now, but not when he was younger. I think that some ragdolls just need time to mature and get some of the kittenish energy out of them. If they resist, don’t push the issue. Maybe pick them up and carry them around, mine would tolerate that at first better than being held in a lap. I think he liked watching all the scenery and seeing things from a different angle. Pet him and praise him and put the cat down before they begin to insist that you do so.
Don’t force the issue, just with little doses of cuddling your cat will eventually relax enough to love it more.
Our adopted Ragdoll is similar to the descriptions of the cats mentioned in the above illustrations. She does not go limp; if anything she is tenses and is a dead weight when picked up. She does not sit in laps; but this has not been encouraged or discouraged since she likes to infrequently jump on furniture or scratch it regardless of the cat scratch poles. Sometimes she will purr and rub her mouth against us or objects that are near to us. Sometimes she likes to be scratched. Sometimes she does not want to be petted but acknowledged. She does want to be in the area that we are; however that is about it. It is much better than when we first got her and she immediately stayed uner the bed in the guest room for days; only to come out to eat. I finally laid on the floor for over one hour playing with a cat toy and talking quietly to her. She did come out of the bedroom. Then I shut the door so she would have to at least be in another part of the house to socialize. I kept her out of her “room” for about 20 minutes. The next day, she was shut out of her “room” for about the same amount of time. Sometimes I played by myself with her toys and eventually (about 30-40 minutes; I timed it) she would show interest in what I was doing and decided to interact. She is slowly coming around with a compromise (although I don’t think she sees it this way) between her way and our way. It is a battle of the wills so to speak and everyday gets a little bit better with her personality and wanting to socialize. Catnip spray on her toys really helped also at first. Now we don’t have to use the catnip to get her interested. She especially enjoys an empty bathtub. If we are in the bathroom that is where she goes to watch us and purr like crazy!!!
Children are not evil. I wish you wouldn’t use that term regarding children. Yes, they might show a lack of judgment sometimes but children are not inherently evil.
Hi,
I bought a male ragdoll 2 years ago. He was very affectionate to me and my boyfriend but whenever anyone else would come over he would become very Nasty and would even go as far as to walk up and bit our unsuspecting guests. Also Trips to the vet were and interesting experience. He would swipe and hiss the whole time. The poor vet nurses were terrified of him. He sometimes would even swipe at me if he was intimidated by something.
He has settled down now and doesn’t attack the vet. Though sometimes he will still ‘crack it’ at visitors, but other times he instantly falls in love with them and purrs and rolls all over the ground.
I think that ragdolls need time to adjust and fit in. They don’t like change very much at all.
With the problem with the kitty litter…. I was always under the impression that Ragdoll kittens were toilet trained by their mothers. I heard that the breeders don’t need to train them because the mother teaches them…. My ragdoll Oliver was 8wks old and went straight to the kitty litter as soon as he came home….. it was very surprising!
I adopted a rescue ragdoll. I thought she must of been mistreated because she runs when anyone comes to the house and hides.She comes to us when we call her by her name. She loves sitting on our lap and loves sleeping by my head at night. I`m having problems with her hair. It is matting up and how do I get the clunks of hair to seperate. She crys when I brush her near there and that is why it matted. She loves to be brushed near her head and neck. We have a chocolate lab and they get along great. I was wondering if I need to get another cat to get her to be more friendly. What brand of cat food does everyone use for the best coat? I was giving her Chicken soup for cats but her crap was so stinky.
Last year my blue persian called “Blue” died of liver failure. I wanted another grey cat to replace him. I saw an advert on the web about a male ragdoll for sale almost 1 year old, neutered, vacanated and comes with all belongings and paperwork £50!!! I emailed and later got a phone call saying we where the lucky ones chosen to be his new family. I have another cat Ruby 18 months and an alsation collie cross Jess 14 years young!!! Vandolls Bigpurpuss is his show name aka Sebestian. He was fat, friendly and very furry. He was quiet at first and sprayed everywhere even though he was neutered. We have had him now for just over a year and he has settled down a lot. He is an outdoor cat althought not ment to be, but I would have a harder time trying to keep him in as he is very vocal!!. He follows me around like a lost puppy, his cries and whinges are really load, he is very floppy, and trustworthy with strangers so we had him microchiped. He is a very loving cat. Sebestian used to live in a one bedroom flat above a barn. He looked out of a round window and the only company he had was his owner. He came to live with us and he had 2 kids, 2 adults, 1 cat, 1 dog and an outside world. I would much prefer him to stay in but he enjoys going to my neighbours house where she has 3 outdoor cats.
I have two female ragdoll sisters and purchased them from a cattery when they were 4 1/2 months old. Both kittens did not like to be held, but were somewhat friendly. As they have gotten older (they are now 14 months old and have become more distant, but let me hold them much longer now).
They don’t sleep with me anymore since they have gotten into the adolescent stage and they never really sat with me at night when I watched tv. I love them dearly, though, and hope they will become floppier and friendlier with age. They love to play with me and follow me at times, throughout the house. I too am disappointed by their somewhat unfriendly behavior and lack of desire for human physical contact. They are not LAP CATS!!!!
I have a 7 year old male that I am assuming is a ragdoll cat. He is the very picture of flame point ragdolls. He came to me as a stray when he was a teeny kitten and it was love at first sight!
When he was a kitten, he was very mischievous. He was always into something and had a really bad habit of biting me and other people for seemingly no reason at all. When I asked the vet what was up with that, he said that it’s not uncommon for male cats to bite up until they are about 5 years old because it’s a maturity thing. I have found this to be true as his biting has stopped. He loves people though, and is all over any visitors I have the minute they walk in the door until they leave. He especially loves men.
He hates to be held and definitely does not go limp when he is picked up. He is strictly an indoor cat and he gets bored so I try to pick him up and let him look out the window. I also try to have perches by my windows that he can sit on as he loves to look outside. That’s where his outdoor adventures end though, because he’s a big wuss.
He is a talker and is constantly either following me around or lying somewhere where he can see me and watch me at all times. He has times when he talks non stop and it’s definitely not quiet! He has a loud voice. He does shed, but at least his fur doesn’t mat like persians or himalayans!
As for the earlier question of food, I feed him Purina One Healthy Weight and Advanced Hairball Formula. He used to have a really big issue with getting sick and this food has really helped with that.
I love my cat and wouldn’t trade him for the world. In fact, I would consider paying to buy one because he is such an excellent cat and companion. He has his faults, but I have mine too!
I’ve had two pure bred blue colorpoint’s for over a year now, they do indeed shed a lot of fur especially in the summer! They ARE extremely loving cats and do greet you at the door and follow you around just like dogs do. They come to you when called and will sit & give their paw when asked so they are quite easy to train and endlessly entertaining. They love being held (like babies on their backs) and having the bellies stroked and they will roll over for this. I’ve never known a more loving breed and they actually look at you for praise! They only downside I have found is that they are VERY needy, just like a puppy is and since I don’t let them sleep in my bedroom they tend to scratch at the door throughout the night most nights – earplugs or a seperate room are reccommended!
just two weeks ago i bought a three month old female ragdoll. since then, she has been very attached to me and my family. yes, only two weeks, and very very attached. true enough, following us everywhere, begging for much attention and going limp when held. however kittens and cats, like humans, need their time by themselves. and, more to the problems most commentors faced here, kittens and cats are just like humans. they have emotions and feelings, and it takes time for them to love and trust you. show much love to the kitten or cat, treat them like you would to a real human baby. love them sincerely, don’t expect anything in return. they will feel this love, and naturally love you back, and show their true “ragdoll personalities”.
I have a Ragdoll cat. He is a wonderful 3 yr old. I do agree with some things written about Ragdolls, I do believe all cats have different personalities. My Ragdoll, Latte, is sweet and somewhat quiet, he adapts very well to new houses and animals I have brought home. He scratches my 6 yr old daughter if she gets in his face or near him. (she has had moments of not being nice toward him). He also gets very moody toward our 4 other cats. If he doesn’t want them in his face, they get a loud nasty meow from him as a warning, then a slap with a paw if they do not heed that warning. He does not play with any toys. But he is extremely devoted to me. He does not go limp when picked up and prefers not to be picked up. If I do pick him up, he occasionally purrs. Anyone else pick him up? They get the “warning meow”. He follows me and the kids a 1/2 mile to the school bus stop, stops and waits then follows me back home. So yes, I think they are like dogs and he is the best mouser and bird catcher ever!!! He gets very ticked if I don’t let him outside to do his prowling and he comes home when called! This is the best cat I have ever owned.
I have a rescue that we and the vet have determined is a Ragdoll, 4 years later. She was nearly all white when we found her tiny and helpless by the road and had the most amazing blue eyes – and as time has gone on she’s gotten a little fluffier and has developed very strong Mitted coloring.
Some of what everyone else has said is very true: she was a complete jerk for the first year of her life (ha!) and was always quick to scratch and play too hard as a ‘teenager’. (I loved her all the same – she completely stole my heart the morning I found her.) While she always tolerates ‘mom’ (that’s me) picking her up and canoodling her, she’s generally not a fan of others doing the same thing. When I hold her, she likes to be held like a baby and gets a very content look on her face. She also does not like to cuddle/sit very close, but loves to sit in the same room – especially if my fiancé and I both in the same room…we think she likes the ‘family time’ (and gets upset if she’s not allowed in a room with us). She follows me around the house if I’m home from work and demands to sniff or know what I’m working on. If I’m eating something, no matter what, she simply *must* know what it is before I’m allowed to continue in peace, etc. She is my constant companion when I’m home, but she is fiercely independent.
Other Ragdoll-actions-with-quirks: She won’t sleep WITH you but she loves to curl up right next to the bed or within investigating distant. She loves to lie on her back, with her little back legs out straight and her front paws curled up; it makes her look like a baby seal sometimes – adorable! She is waaay too smart for her own good and knows several tricks. She also has a very strong memory – be a jerk to her once and she won’t be friends with you for a long time; bring her treats once and she expects them every time. And the vet has made her very judgmental of people in scrubs, lol. I joke that she ’sasses’ me, because we can carry on a conversation for several minutes when she’s being whiny, but she appears to only be vocal with me (consequence of being mom I guess).
I think she, and other Ragdolls, often just need the time to chill out and find themselves…and I think they really imprint on 1 or 2 people as their most trusted friends. I can get away with all kinds of irritating behaviour that anybody else would get hissed/scratched/etc.
Yes, I too have two Ragdolls – a blue mitted female named Grace and a seal mitted male named Iggy. When my boyfriend and I first purchased Grace two years ago, she was very timid and hid underneath the bed. Now, she is very vocal, follows you around like a puppy, sleeps with us, but like the other commenators, she does not like to be held or sit in your lap. At times, she will curl up on my boyfriends lap, but not too often. I think that we have to earn her trust. A little bit each day, she comes around. She is so adorable. On the other hand – Iggy is a monster. He doesn’t like to be held, gets into the cubbards or closets (yes, he can open closet doors). He does have some typical ragdoll behaviors. He will lie on his back and flop for you to pet him. Most of the time he likes his alone time and will sleep and sit in another room. He loves treats and likes anything ice cold – such as popcycles and ice water (he even eats snow!). He is a very strange cat. He is now starting to become vocal.
We have recently acquired a beautiful gingery coloured ragdoll cat called Bertie. He is only two years old and came with two other cats (not ragdolls) he has always lived with. We haven’t had him very long but from the moment he arrived, he has found a spot (underneath the table) and very much stayed there unless disturbed- when he will waddle off to his alternative spot underneath the T.V.
The other two cats have settled in really well, but I am just so concerned that Bertie is missing home, he is so painfully shy.
Is there any one else who adopted a ragdoll cat when they were not a kitten and had problems with them settling in please let me know, thank you.
I have a seven month old male ragdoll cat and every night he goes “ballistic” and is slowly destroying my house. Even my two dogs hide when he is on the rampage. I did a lot of research before buying a cat, and I chose the ragdoll because of their “calm” nature. Mine is anything but. Will he quieten down with time?
Hi just want to say it was great reading all the emails that people have sent in about their raggys. Myself and my Husband lost our dear old cat and best friend nearly a year ago, 3 weeks after Merlin died my Husband got me 2 ragdolls, brother and sister. We love them dearly and could never imaging life without them, Falco is the male and he is a giant talking, howling, crazy, funny ragdoll, Vienna the sister is so quiet and chilled out all though she does have her moments and jumps on Falco just to get him back for jumping on her whilst she’s asleep. Falco goes completly limp when picked up thats if you can pick him up as he is sooooo heavy, Vienna on the other hand will let you pick her up but will moan yes moan not cry and will wriggle to be put back down. They are both fantastic except nauty Falco who wakes us every morning at 2am for fish, I have to get up and give him fish “yes I know my fault” as he makes our life hell with his loud howling BUT he’s worth it…..
Its my first time having owned ragdolls Falco a Blue Mitted and Vienna a Blue Colour Pionted and they are fab, love them to bits. We miss our dear old Merlin who was nearly 16 but we are looking forward to hopefully another 16 years or more of complete cat happiness, love, purrrrrs and crazy funny moments. Ragdolls are fab defo recommend lots of love XXXX
In case this helps anyone with their ragdoll cat questions. Mine, now 13 yrs old, didn’t even acknowledge me during his first 3-4 yrs. Too busy investigating and playing SUPER KITTY running full speed around the exact perimeters of my place at 4:10am every morning, including jumping over my head, sometimes missing, resulting in a foot or two in my face. had to ignore it. Lasted about 20 min. His mission for years no matter how droosy he was, would go out of his way to torment the poor female siamese. Puppy like behaviors, following room to room, eagerly played fetch. Has always draped himself over the railing, just dangling. Also would stand on my chest to sneeze into my face..as in,’ fix me! ‘ Cat buggers everywhere. Although I had taken a few trips, after about 3-4 yrs, I returned after a weekend to notice he had fallen in love. Sitting across the room staring , which eventually lead to him sitting by, then laying on me.. and he is a BIG boy! He would stand on my chest in the mornings just purring and drooling. Currently he meow-yowls as if being tortured for no apparent reason, various times, however clockwork every morning at 5am.. i do not get up til much later. SO annoying. I keep saying good thing he’s cute. A very funny guy. Reminds me several times a day of various cartoon characters. And the girl squirrels… they LOVE him, come right up to us, 1-2 feet and FLIRT – returning every day for months!!! He also has his litter box issues, a box with a high back helps w/ them spraying the back of box. I suggest you continue to give your guys affection- whether they like it or not, (they may even whine!) eventually , perhaps even years later, they may completely turn around.
A few months ago, children (8-10) in the neighborhood made a commotion in catching a kitten without success. A few days later, the cat showed up with our 7-year-old cat Tom and ate in our kitchen. We could never got close to her. In fact, she was so quick, we could not even see her before she vanished. We called her Ninji. When we trapped her by closing the kitchen/garage door unexpectedly – her exit, she became very nervous and meowed desperately. She ran to hiding inside the house with noice like a big donkey. With tolerance and patience, finally, a couple days ago, we gained her trust and she did not run and stay away and let us pick her up. We suspect that she suffered trauma from prevous owner and escaped. A few days ago when I watched Animal Planet, Feline 101, she seemed to be the Ragdoll breed. She goes limp when we pick her up. She goes limp in bodily contact with us, or even when we drop her anywhere. She is very cuddly. She is very friendly to our 2 cats. Not so the same, Tom being the dominant male, when not happy, grunts and paws her. She just lays flat and let Tom deliver the paws on her head. Tom does not sink his claws into her and causes no physical harm. She likes to follow Tom roaming outside in the big yards of the neighborhood learning being a cat. Even inside the house, she stays close and follow Tom as if Tom is her protector, the tribal head. She felt safe when Tom was inside with her and observed the interaction Tom with us. One time, Tom pounced something amoung the fallen yellow leaves on the ground. Ninji watched. When Tom was gone. She pounced and caught a leave in her mouth and walked away. Tom seems like someone she trusts and looks up to. We also saw her chasing other cats off our property, doing what Tom does. Tom has a special close relationship with me and I am the first one who successfully picked her up many times. I guess she learnt from Tom that I was the most trustworthy human. She has lynx seal points without mitts. a very light mink on the back, the underside is white, no underfur. She is about 4 lbs now I think, not big. She is a nice cat. She has the characteristics in temperament and physical attributes of Ragdoll, but how can we know for sure?
I’ve had my Rag doll/Himalayan for 4 years now. Angel does not like being picked up much, give you love nips around the legs, thinks the world is her scratch pole, is very aloof at times, in her own world most of the time, but is the funniest when she sits. She sits almost half way up her spine. She is very supple, does go a little limp when picked up, can only cradle her for about 1/2 a min then she wants to be put down. She seems to be getting more affectionate. Strange behavior at times but I wouldn’t be without my “Precious”.
I’m glad to read that my cat isn’t the only one that doesn’t like to be held. Her name is Dot and she is a pure bred 2 yr. old Seal Point Ragdoll. She unfortunately hates visitors (she will hide until they leave), and doesn’t really care for the rest of my family that much either. But she is really attached to me (I was thinking that this was because I spent most of the time with her when she was a kitten…teaching, playing, etc.). She will greet me at the door and right aways roll onto her back for a belly rub and at night she’ll sleep at the foot of my bed. Although she may not have all of the Ragdoll “common characteristics, I wouldn’t change her for the world. ^_^
I recently lost my beloved 17.5 yr old cat, Mr. Kitty – who was an orange tabby/Ragdoll mix. I had him since he was 6 weeks old and he was the most loving, affectionate lap cat I have ever known. He had all of the classic Ragdoll traits – to say he went limp in your arms, is an understatement – he was beyond relaxed. Mr. Kitty allowed me to brush his teeth, bathe him and take him to the vet – all without any problems whatsoever. The vet as well as the techs at the vet’s office would marvel at his sweet and calm behavior. He adored people and would sit on the laps of anyone and everyone who came into our home. He purred so loudly that my husband would joke that he sounded like a moped! It has been almost one month since we had to have our precious feline put to sleep due to stage IV Chronic Renal Failure – and I am heartbroken.
One week ago, I adopted a 2.5 yr old, purebred Ragdoll. His name is Jack and he is absolutely gorgeous – a blue bi-color with soft silky fur, big blue eyes and weighing 25 lbs. He has actually adapted well, all things considered. His former owners had kids and another Ragdoll cat. We don’t have children but we do have a 10 yr old Persian, Oscar (who is extremely docile – not an alpha male) and a 15 yr old AmStaff Terrier who grew up with Mr. Kitty. The first day, he spent hiding under the bed – but that evening, he came out to explore. He is a little shy around strangers – but very affectionate with me and my husband. He will sleep on the bed and loves to be pet. He flops over and likes having his belly rubbed. He plays very well with Oscar – and is extremely gentle (which is good, because Oscar is de-clawed and Jack is not.) So far, however, he does not like to be held, nor is he a lap cat. I must admit, I am a little disappointed, as I miss having a cat, like Mr. Kitty who loved being held like a baby and slept cuddled up with me under the covers. I know that Mr. Kitty was an exceptional cat – and I may not ever find that in another feline…
I am hoping that in time, Jack will continue to warm up as he adjusts to his new home and new family. It’s only been seven days – and he seems to be coming out of his shell a little more each day.
Hi,
I have a 11 month old female ragdoll. She is the most beautiful cat I’ve seen and I adore her dearly, but she’s very far from the usual descriptions we read about the breed. She doesn’t like to be petted very much, doesn’t like to sit near us, being held is even worse. Before her I had two stray cats who were far more cuddly and affectionate than her. I get very frustrated and disappointed because I did research thoroughly before making a decision, and I chose the ragdoll breed because of all the wonderful descriptions there are.
Well, I come to conclusion that cats are cats, no matter their breed they will all show individual traits and we cannot have control over that. We can improve our chances of getting a cat with the traits we want by going to the breeder and choosing the cat personally.
Update on Jack: It’s been six weeks and no real changes in his behavior. He is still a bit more aloof than I would have liked – not what I expected when I adopted a Ragdoll, as they are known for their lovable personalities. It’s not that he is mean or nasty – he just doesn’t seem to want or need much attention from humans. He allows me to pick him up every once in a while but seems so persecuted when I do so. He definitely loves to eat and I cater to his every whim. He also loves to play – so I spend as much times playing with him as possible. He does get along wonderfully with our other cat ands they chase one another around playing, at all hours. He will be three years old in April – so in some ways he is still a kitten. I remain hopeful that in time, he will warm up a bit more.
I have a 14month old male ragdoll cat and I too have been very disappointed in the way he avoids human contact. He follows me around but will struggle if I pick him up or try to pet him. He enjoys being brushed but will run if I try to pat him, will he ever get over this?
Well, I am happy to say that there may be hope for Jack and other Ragdolls who aren’t quite as people friendly as we had all hoped when we chose this breed. Jack is slowly but surely warming up – to me, at least. The other night, I was in the living room, watching TV and he was – as usual – sleeping in the bedroom alone. I called his name and to my delight, he came scampering out, with his little bell ringing. I patted the couch and he actually hopped up and sat next to me (not very close but I was still pleased!) I have been picking him up just a few seconds, everyday and he seems to be getting used to it, a little. I’m able to hold him in my arms and carry him and he is pretty relaxed – for about a minute – before he begins to squirm (at which point, I will gently put him back down.)
Not exactly a love bug – but much, much sweeter than I ever thought he could be. With some more time and patience I am hoping that he will continue to come out of his shell some more. I will keep you posted.
In the mean time – don’t give up – keep petting and hugging and loving your Ragdolls!