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A kitten, which will soon grow into an adult cat, is for life and it is well worth spending some time considering if the Ragdoll is the right breed for you.
A cat show is a good place to see the various breeds of cat but DO NOT take a cat home from a show as there is a risk of infection. If you see a cat or kitten you want to buy, arrange to take it one or two weeks after the show.
If you are elderly, you should consider that you may easily trip over a lively young kitten. Would you be better giving a home to an older and quieter unwanted cat? There are often unwanted cats of all breeds that need kind permanent homes. The Secretary of the Ragdoll Breed Clubs will be able to give you more information. The GCCF will supply you with his/her telephone number.
A kitten, whether pedigree or not, is your responsibility from the moment you acquire it, needing your care and protection for the rest of its life. It is not merely something to feed, give attention when you feel like it and put outside when it suits your purpose.
It is always a good idea to see more than one litter before you make your choice. Never go from one breeder to another without a wash and a change of clothing as you could be the cause of cross infection.
 Always make an appointment with the breeder before you visit and let him/her know if you change your plans. Breeders should be happy to show their kittens without compelling you to buy. However, don't expect a breeder to keep a kitten for you indefinitely. You will be expected to pay a non-returnable deposit if the kitten is to be kept for any length of time after it is ready to go to a new home.
You will often find that one kitten in particular will appeal to you and will, in fact, select you as its new owner.
Never choose a sickly, lethargic or weakling kitten out of pity, the best way to stop bad breeders is for them to be unable to sell their kittens.
Take time when choosing your kitten after all its going to be with you for many years, make sure when you go to view kittens that they are lively and alert and full of energy, they should look healthy and show no signs of illness paying particular attention to the eyes, nose and bottoms these should all be clean. As a guide Ragdoll kittens are approximately 3 pound at 12 weeks. Don't be afraid to ask any questions that you have with regards to feeding, litter etc. If you are in any doubt go home and think about it.
The most common thing people mention after they relalise they have made a mistake in their choice of breeder is they felt sorry for the kitten or that the breeder seemed so nice. Please remember, feeling sorry for a kitten may save that one but have a thought of the kittens that will follow. These breeders will keep producing litters if people keep buying from them. As for a breeder being nice ....they are going to be nice.... but be warned ....all the best conmen are NICE that is how they get away with it!! A reputable breeder will want you to go away and think about it, they will tell you the negative side to owning a pet as well as the plus side so if you feel under any pressure to buy or you are made to feel guilty for the time you have taken or if the breeder bombards you with photo’s and videos.......... move on.
If you visit a breeder and you are worried about the way they are breeding and/or the condition of the cats and kittens, please write to the GCCF Office and/or their Breed Club, with full details. It may then be possible to give the breeder advice and help, if it is required, remember there may be animal/litter smells but there is a difference in these than putrid, ammonia smells which indicate lack of hygene, the cats environment should be clean and tidy but please don't expect to go into a show home.
The quantity of cats a breeder has is not a guide to whether they are good or bad breeders. How do they care for their cats? You can have a person with 30 cats, all living in beautiful conditions with plenty of space, access to outside enclosures and are relatively stress free. You can also have a person who has just 4 cats, living permanantly penned with no access to the outside and with little or no room to move around and play....... who is the better breeder?
NB:
If an established breeder is not a member and/or Registered Breeder of a breed club this does not make them a bad unreputable breeder!! The same applies to the following, just because a breeder IS a member and Registered Breeder with a Breed club it does not actually guarantee that they are a good breeder. You need to keep an open mind and never buy a kitten from anyone if you have any shadow of a doubt about the health or upbringing of the said kitten.
We recommend you never ever buy a kitten from a pet shop.
Presuming you have decided to look for a Ragdoll kitten
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Remember Ragdolls are indoor cats they are at high risk of being stolen or hurt if left to roam.
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Ragdolls are not good as a single kitten in homes where their is no one around all day, the majority crave company and if they are denied this they can become lonely and depressed. This can cause behavioral problems and because teh Ragdoll is a sensative breed of cat they can even become ill and die.
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Ragdolls do moult and the fur is very fine so floats in the air and can get everywhere.
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Ragdolls do feel pain but most will tolerate a lot more than other breeds. For this reason young children should not be left unsupervised with a Ragdoll kitten/cat as they could injure them. As they become larger, children should be taught how to handle the Ragdoll properly.
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Ragdolls are not cushion cats!! They do eat, play, drink and poo like any other cat! If you want a cat that just sits and does nothing, please buy a stuffed toy!!
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Most Ragdolls do have easy care coats but they will matt if they are not groomed. Their coats can vary from different lines and some are far more easy to take care of than others.
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Ragdolls are slow maturing in all aspects. You must trust your breeder if they suggest that the kitten needs maybe an extra week with them the average time a kitten leaves a breeder is between 13 - 16 weeks.
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On collection the size of a kitten bears no relation to the size he/she will eventualy grow into, it is not unusual for the smallest to become the largest in adult hood
This is the same Cat! From the tiniest of the whole litter, she grew into a beautiful adult!!
Create play areas to stimulate your Ragdoll so that he can get plenty of exercise. If you have a safely enclosed garden your pet will enjoy playing in the fresh air, especially if you are with him. It is not recommended to allow him complete freedom as his easy-going nature could make him less aware of danger. No-one is ever prepared for the heartbreak of a much loved pet being run over by a car or taken away by a stranger.. Responsible owners will ensure that this will never happen to their pet. Ragdolls can be trained to walk on a leash and many owners enjoy taking their pet for ‘walkies’.
A scratching post is a must as it allows your kitten to shed the sheaths of his claws on the post and not on your furniture. It is wise to invest in a multi-level model as he will have hours of fun climbing on it, he will most probably sleep on it and it will prevent him getting bored. It is also the ideal prop for photographing your cat.
A deep cat litter tray is essential but remember to buy one big enough so that he will still fit into it when he is fully grown! As most male neuter Ragdolls grow to be very large adults, a covered tray may be too restrictive.
A grooming kit consisting of a wide toothed comb, a slicker brush, moulting comb and a pair of nail clippers is also essential.
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