Questions and Answers

1.Are Ragdoll cats good pets?

I think so yes but I am biased of course! They are a large, friendly, docile breed. Lovable and playful. They require a lot of attention and can be quite ‘clingy’. They are known for being good family pets and adore their humans. As long as they are properly socialised they get on well with children and other family pets. (Note- kittens should not leave their mothers till at least 13 weeks of age so they achieve proper socialisation.)

2. Is the Ragdoll cat hypoallergenic?

No! The cats saliva and undercoat are two elements that can trigger allergic reaction in susceptible people and this can occur with Ragdoll cats.

3. Do Ragdoll cats shed?

Yes! They have soft silky fur and are semi-long-haired and grooming is quite demanding. Although they do groom themselves they will require brushing at least once if not twice a day to reduce risk of matting. Get them used to this as kittens it will save you grief later on.

4. Why are Ragdoll cats an indoor cat?

They have such as laid-back personality and are so social and loving they are vulnerable to other cats and predators not to mention thieves! They also have no ‘street smarts’ and would likely get lost and confused in the outside world without supervision.

5. Are there any health problems with Ragdolls?

There are some hereditary health issues associated with the breed such as:

-hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

-polycystic kidney disease

Breeders will normally ensure their Ragdoll cat breeding line does not have these traits.

Of course all cats including Ragdolls can suffer from health issues but normally minor and regular vet check ups and vaccinations are important. Check out RSPCA website on cat healthcare.

With good care Ragdoll cats can live for up to 16 years (or longer!)

6. What is so special about Ragdolls?

They were called Ragdolls (as I have read in my research) because of their tendency to go limp in your arms when picking them up. In my experience this is very true! They are also known for being docile and placid and love their humans. They have almost dog-like behaviours of following you around and asking for your attention. They can even be taught to play fetch! For more info on the Ragdoll breed history check out Wikipedia Ragdoll Cat.

7. Are Ragdoll cats high maintenance?

In my opinion yes but worthwhile. They need daily grooming. They love and crave your attention and love to play especially when they are young. They follow you from room to room and are very curious so you need to be watchful. You will never have any privacy again. They hate closed doors. Tom even comes into the shower with me sometimes! They can grow to be up to 6-11 kilos in weight (depending on the gender.) Therefore, everything needs to be bigger i.e. cat carriers, cat trees, beds. Although they seem to be able to squeeze in small spaces when they find a nice place to sleep! They can be fussy eaters as all cats can be, but they also have sensitive tummies so diet is often trial and error at first.

8. Are Ragdoll cats intelligent?

In my opinion yes. I have read online that they have the equivalent intellectual capacity of a 2-5 year old child which I think is true. They learn very quickly and are responsive to voice commands and can be trained. They are very adaptable to your routine.

9. Are Ragdoll cats noisy?

Sometimes yes. They are very communicative and they love to chat to you. They have a range of vocal calls such as a sharp loud yowl when they want food or they want you to open a door (Jack does this), a soft plaintive cry when they are wanting attention, cuddles or asking to play (Tom does this), and a range of ‘grumbles’ and ‘huffs’ when they are not happy about something. My boys even growl sometimes especially when there is someone at the door! Also Jack does these cute little ‘chirrups’ and I ‘chirrup’ back to him and it is almost like we are having a conversation! He loves it!

10. Do Ragdoll cats scratch?

They do scratch sometimes but mostly furniture and carpets not people! So I recommend getting a lot of cat scratch posts/boards and try to get them out of the habit of scratching items you don’t want them to in your house. My boys are relatively good but they will occasionally scratch the sofa so I give a loud clap and say ‘No!’ and they usually stop. I have been scratched by them accidentally in the course of kitty play but again, it’s more about training them to not do that and always use a toy for play not your fingers/toes!

I have read somewhere that some Ragdoll owners trim their cats claws but from my experience you don’t need to as they naturally scratch off and shed the old claws themselves as part of their routine behaviours.

11. Can Ragdoll cats be left alone?

Yes but not for long periods. I recommend using a cat sitter/neighbour/friend to pop in and check on them during the day if you are out the whole day. Cat in the Flat is a useful website for looking for cat sitters.

It is recommended to get two Ragdoll cats together if you can (but I understand some people are not able to) or the Ragdoll cat and another house cat or dog so they have company. They are very sociable and dislike being on their own.

12. Do they need bathing?

As a rule no. Cats groom themselves. However, as kittens they can be a bit clumsy and messy. They sometimes get some poopy bits on their back ends that need cleaning with a sponge or a baby wipe. Also as they are a longer haired breed they run the risk of getting ‘crusty bits’ stuck in their fur so as part of your daily grooming/welfare check, make sure they are clean and crust free. I have found with Jack and Tom that they are not the most meticulous of groomers so I do need to check they are clean around the rear end, but as they have got older they have got better at sorting themselves out in that department.

13. Are Ragdoll cats clumsy?

No but they tend to be ‘bottom-heavy’ and when jumping and they don’t always fall on their feet so be careful when playing games that involve making them jump high up. Ensure you have a clear area and they can’t bump into things when you play with them. I have a tiled kitchen floor so Jack and Tom have slipped a few times running on there so it is good to be aware of potential hazards.

14. Can I take my Ragdoll cat out walking on a lead?

Yes absolutely! However, start them young so they get used to it and it requires a lot of patience and training. Be sure to get a suitable harness (remember they grow so you will need small and large sizes). I managed to get Jack and Tom walking in the garden on a harness and lead but it took a long time as they hated it at first and were quite scared but now they enjoy it. Of course not all Raggies are the same so you may find your fur-baby simply cannot get to grips with it and that’s ok, they are all different. You could also consider an outdoor enclosure such as ‘catio’ so they spend time outdoors safely.

15. When do Ragdoll cats stop growing?

They tend to reach physical maturity at about 4 years old (mine are pretty enormous and they are only 2 years old at the moment!) Adult males can range from 6-11 kilos and females 4.5-7 kilos. Remember that it is body condition that is important not just numbers on a scale. Check out the cat body condition chart (from the ASPCA website).

16. What do I feed my Ragdoll cat?

This is a complicated topic but I have summarised the information on cat nutrition and diets for Ragdolls in my article here.

17. How do I play with my Ragdoll cat?

There are many types of toys and games you can use to play with your Ragdoll. See my article here.