Ragdoll FAQs

Every living thing sheds to a certain degree, but generally Ragdolls only have one layer of long-guard hairs, which cuts down significantly on their shedding compared to other breeds. Their soft, silky fur is also much less prone to matting and is very easy to maintain.

There are bloodlines with longer, more dense coats though. So just be aware of the amount of fluff you are willing to maintain when choosing a kitten.

Ah, the ever-present battle of the sexes…😉 This is probably the most common question I get! In all breeds of cat, males tend to be larger and more laid back as adults. They tend to be more outgoing and social in general. Females tend to be a bit smaller and more discriminating in their choices. They often times only interact with a select few people.

In terms of being accepted into an established household, the individual personalities of the current pet(s) and the kitten are really the main consideration. Some kittens have a more dominant personality than others. Their personalities range the full spectrum just like us!

Allergies to cats generally don’t come from the cat’s hair itself, but from a protein in saliva and other secretions. There are other similar allergens that may play a part in allergic reactions which would still be present.

No cat at this time is 100% hypoallergenic. Steps such as keeping the cat out of the bedroom, regular grooming, regular vacuuming and dusting will help. I am allergic to cats but I manage with minimal symptoms. For me, my body doesn't really react to my own cats because I'm used to them. I have other allergies as well so I just take an antihistamine every day. I wasn’t about to let allergies keep me from enjoying the company of cats!

Like a limp noodle? No. They're still cats! 😹 That being said, Ragdolls are generally very relaxed and will often “hang” while being held suspended. I've learned over the years that the degree of their noodle-ness depends on a number of things.

1. Nature. Believe it or not, genetics. I've seen firsthand how personality will follow parentage, even when the kitten never meets the father!

2. Nurture. Learned behaviors from momma kitty.

3. Me. As a breeder it is my job to help socialize and begin training the kittens. Part of my socialization process involves ‘gentling’ exercises. These exercises teach your kitten to enjoy being handled in ways that would be required for basic care, looking in the ears, mouth etc.

4. You. What you teach your kitten at home is what they will become. A crazed hand-murderer or lovey lap kitty - that's up to you. Despite what you may have come to believe, cats are trainable. Ragdolls are particularly easy to train thanks to their love for human interaction! A few kibbles of dry food as a treat help too! 😉

5. Time. This is a two part-er.

a. The optimum time frame for kitten socialization is 4 to 12 weeks of age. Getting all the basics and ground rules established during this time frame will make training from then on much easier and faster!

b. As kittens age their bodies and minds go through changes just like people. When kittens go through puberty they will often act like what you would expect your teenager to act like…You’re no longer fun and cool, and those snuggles and kisses?! Forget it! Those are for babies! But don't worry, time mellows kitties just as well as it does wine! Just be sure to keep up on handling and training during those rough months and your little snuggler will return!

Do you like dogs?

Do you love cats?

Do you hate being alone?

If you said yes to all those questions then YES! The Ragdoll is the right breed for you!!

Rescuing cats and kittens from the shelter is great! Millions of cats are euthanized in shelters every year. If rescuing is your calling, that's great! I commend you! Due to working in the veterinary field for over 20 years I've rescued many, and continue when I can. But it's important to know the risks of rescuing vs adopting from a breeder.

Kittens from reputable breeders come from generations of healthy cats that are carefully selected to ensure they meet the breed standards, are healthy, and have loving personalities. The breeding parents receive appropriate veterinary care both routine and non-routine. They are tested for Leukemia/FIV prior to breeding or come from bloodlines that have tested negative for both. The kittens will come with a health guarantee, have had all age-appropriate vaccines and veterinary care, are free from internal and external parasites, and are socialized to ensure they will be purrfect pets for you and your family. The early experiences of a kitten during its socialization period (from 4-12 weeks) have a profound impact on the rest of its life. It is very important that the kitten is not frightened or abused in this period or it can remain that way for the rest of its life. By adopting a kitten that has been raised properly and carefully in a structured environment, you are ensuring a solid foundation for a well-socialized member of the family. 

Kittens from shelters come from unknown backgrounds and have been exposed to various diseases and parasites both before and after coming to the shelter. They will be frightened, traumatized and generally added to a room already (over)loaded with cats. They receive little one-on-one human interaction thus are often not well socialized. Shelters have limited funding so only the bare minimum is guaranteed. Kittens and cats often go untested for leukemia/FIV before being introduced to all the other cats. They are dewormed only for a fraction of the parasites they could be infected with, and are given a flea treatment  generally of little efficacy due to cost constraints. If needed they'll treat for ear mites and minor health issues (respiratory infections, wounds etc). They will be given vaccines (generally regardless of their health status), but again, only the bare minimum. Some shelters have better funding and can do more, but they still tend to stick to the basics to keep costs as low as possible. All in all, rescuing from a shelter is a gamble on health and personality.