Ragdoll Cats Online

In this article, I will give a brief overview of the Ragdoll Cat & Kitten for the benefit of animal-lovers considering buying and/or breeding this remarkable animal.

History

The original Ragdoll Cat Breeder was Anne Barker who created the breed in the 1960’s and they were brought worldwide attention by Denny and Laura Dayton. Anne bred Ragdolls from predominately Persian and Burmese breeds that had desirable traits such as a large size, a placid demeanor and a fondness of being around humans.

Physical Description

Although they are large compared to other breeds (males are between 12-20lbs and females are between 10-15lb, on average), they are very gentle beings and are generally happy to be picked up by people. They have a muscular body with short legs, however because they are docile, they should not be left outside for prolonged periods - or at all - as they will not defend themselves if attacked. For this reason, Ragdoll Cat breeders will tell you it is very much an “indoor” cat. Ragdoll’s have large blue eyes and rounded ears that tilt forward slightly.

Coat

The Ragdoll Cat is a medium-long haired cat that are categorized into one of the following colors:

Seal - Fawn and dark brown

Chocolate - Ivory and chocolate brown

Blue - Pale gray and dark gray

Lilac - Frosty white and pinkish gray

They also have different patterns on their fur that Ragdoll cat breeders split into the following categories:

Color point - Dark colored feet, ears, tail and face with a lighter body color and no white markings. Mitted - Similar to a color point but with white paws, chin, stomach and ruff. Bi-color - Dark points on the ears and tail and light between the eyes. Dark points also on the back with a pink nose and paw pads.

Although it has a soft medium-long coat, a Ragdoll Cat will not require to be groomed constantly and it’s fur will not matt or shed to excess.

Personality

As previously mentioned, Ragdoll Cats are sociable creatures so you must be able to give them attention and not leave them alone for long periods. They are also quiet and not particularly active. They make a loving companion that is easy to train and will got along with other cats.

Summary

I hope you now understand a little more about Ragdoll Cats and if you decide that the Ragdoll is right for you, you will discover it can be a highly rewarding experience.

Daniel Dutton is the founder of Ragdoll Cat Info, an informational website dedicated to owners and breeders of Ragdoll Cats.

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The Ragdoll cat breed has an unusual history. According to one story, aliens brought this cat here; a cat that gets its name from the way it goes limp like a Ragdoll when you pick one up.

The Ragdoll cat breed originated in Riverside, California in the 1960s; the breed was founded by an eccentric woman named Ann Baker. The very first Ragdoll cat was a Persian-Birman mix named Josephine. Ragdoll cats come in a variety of colors today, including blue, bicolor, color point, torte, mink, and lynx.

The Ragdoll cat is the largest breed of domestic cat; males can weigh in over twenty pounds when fully mature. Ragdolls are registered by all of the major cat associations and recognized as a purebred cat.

Ragdoll cats are easy going and best known for their characteristic limpness when held. They have medium longhair coats and shed very little for having coats of this length. Ragdolls are very low maintenance cats; they have silky rabbit like fur and do most of their grooming themselves. Because of their size, Ragdoll cats tend to be slightly clumsy; these cats do not typically make good mousers, they are just too laid back to care about mice. Many Ragdoll cats exhibit dog-like behaviors; for example, this breed will run to the door to greet you upon returning home.

Part of what makes this cat so unusual are the stories Ann Baker told about its origins. On one account Ann Baker claimed here new breed of cat was brought here by aliens; another account states the breed was genetically engineered by the government.

Alien or government conspiracy aside, the Ragdoll has quickly become one of the most popular breeds of cat available today.

Ben Harper is a Ragdoll cat enthusiast and founder of the site Ragdoll Cats which was established to promote the Ragdoll cat breed. To learn more about this unusual cat visit: http://www.ragdollcats.info

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As a recent Ragdoll Cat owner I set out on the Internet to find information about the breed. I thought there was a lot of generic cat care information but nothing specific to Ragdoll Cats. Much to my surprise, I found the eBook entitled “Ragdoll Cat Secrets” (Ben Harper, 2006) filled with breed specific care information for Ragdoll cat owners.

At first I thought it might be a paperback but the book is only available for download from Clickbank. There are several bonuses that accompany the book including a software application called Pet Medical Recorder and a companion eBook entitled “The Pampered Pet Treat Cookbook.”

“Ragdoll Cat Secrets” starts with a very interesting account of the breed’s origin. The breed was founded by a woman in California named Ann Baker that claimed her cats were brought here by Aliens. Ragdoll cats are famous for their laid-back nature and go limp when held, hence the name Ragdoll. Ann Baker claimed this characteristic stemmed from the cat’s extraterrestrial origin.

The book continues with a detailed section on selecting a breeder and a healthy Ragdoll kitten, choosing a veterinarian, along with the care, grooming, and feeding at the different stages of your Ragdoll cat’s life. The book is very easy to read, and in my opinion, definitely worth the $14.95 price to download. The only criticism I have to offer is that book is not fully-illustrated; I would have liked to see photographs of the different types and color variations of Ragdoll cats.

My Verdict: 4.5/5

The author Ben Harper sells the eBook “Ragdoll Cat Secrets” on his website found at:

http://www.ragdollcatsecrets.com

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What you are about to read may save you a lot of heartache. Buying a Ragdoll Kitten, even from a breeder, can be a minefield. Here are 6 things you should look for when going to a breeder for a Ragdoll kitten.

Ragdoll cats are one of the most popular breeds at the moment. There’s good reason for that. The Ragdoll cat is affectionate and a pleasure to have around. But you really have to be careful about where you buy your kitten from because not all breeders are created equal, and you don’t want to end up with a kitten that has health problems.

1. Ask your breeder if the kitten is a full-bred Ragdoll.

It may seem like a silly question to ask, but it’s something you really need to know. Some breeders are cross-breeding the Ragdoll with other breeds in order to get new colours and patterns. A Ragdoll cat is only considered to be a fullbreed when its four generations out from any cross.

2. If a breeder is asking a much lower price than most others in the area, ask why.

It’s possible that the breeder is cutting corners and not telling you the full story. It’s a shame, but you have to be on the lookout. It could be something as simple as they are trying to attract more customers, or they have more kittens this year than expected, but you should ask the question all the same.

3. Is the kitten 12 weeks old or more?

If you want a well-adjusted kitten then its essential that you wait until the kitten is at least 12 weeks old. This gives the chance for the breeder to socialise the kitten, as all good breeders will know how to do. In addition to this the kitten’s immune system will be much stronger. Make sure that the kitten has had at least one of its shots. Steer clear of any breeder offering kittens up at 8 weeks. If they are doing this it is to save costs, since a kitten grows especially fast in the time between 8-12 weeks. You’re much better waiting to get your Ragdoll. It will be easier on you, and easier on them.

4. Get a health guarantee and contract.

Never buy a kitten without a health guarantee and contract. This protects both you and the breeder. Remember to read the contract carefully. Don’t just take their word for it. A breeder will be more than happy to sign a contract if they are certain that their breeding stock is disease-free. Make sure it’s at least a two year guarantee, as some defects don’t show up until a cat is fully grown.

5. Visit the cattery.

If it’s at all possible you should visit the cattery and see the conditions the cats are bred under. There are several things to look for: overall cleanliness; whether the males and females are separated to prevent inbreeding; are the cats with kittens kept separate from the other cats? Just make sure that the cats aren’t too separate. If they look like they are getting by with a minimum of human contact this can be just as bad. They’ll be nervous around strangers and you don’t want that.

6. Make sure the kitten is socialised.

If the kitten runs away from humans, then there is a good chance it hasn’t been socialised. This will make for a nervous kitten and maybe even a nervous or neurotic cat when the Ragdoll cat grows up. If you buy a kitten that isn’t socialised it’s going to be hard on them to move…and even harder on you.

A Ragdoll cat is one of the most beautiful and loving cats you can buy. When going to a breeder for a cat, you need to be aware of the pitfalls, so that you and your new kitten will be happy.

If you want to learn more about Ragdoll Cats, check out my blog on Ragdoll Cat Book Reviews

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Cat food can be classified into dry, moist, and semi-moist foods. Each one has its advantages, and Ragdolls need various kinds of food at different stages. Kittens need on the whole breast milk and moist food, while adults require more protein and dry food. Pregnant Ragdolls have special dietary needs that change all through the pregnancy as well.

Ragdoll kittens ought to be only breastfed for the first four to five weeks. Cat milk includes all the nutrients necessary for the kitten’s growth, including antibodies that help prevent disease. Breast milk also passes on other antibodies that the mother produced to fight previous diseases.

More food ought to be supplied after four to five weeks, as the kitten requires more nutrients to support its fast growth. Introductory food ought to be easy to digest. Mix canned food with warm water or kitten replacement milk until it constitutes a loose paste. Do NOT use regular cow’s milk this is too heavy for kittens and could cause in indigestion.

Dry food

After another four to five weeks, your kitten should be ready for dry food. To make the change easier, moisten dry food with a little warm water in the first few feedings. It’s also essential to choose high-quality supplements to dry food and some of the good brands are Iams®, Science Diet®, and Nutro Kitten®. Science Diet Feline Growth® is popular among Ragdoll kittens. Supplements can be provided twice a day with morning and evening feeding. You can switch to adult food after approximately 12 months.

Choosing and preparing kitten food

Ragdoll kittens have fragile stomachs, so take extra care in choosing kitten food. Food should always be warm or slightly above room temperature. Discard all food that has been left out for more than 30 minutes, especially in the summer. Bacteria grows fast in warm, wet foods and may possibly upset your kitten’s stomach, or even lead to food poisoning. To stop wasting food, just observe how much your kitten eats at a time so you know how much to prepare per feeding.

House flies can easily contaminate kitten food, so keep your feeding area as fly-proof as possible. Wash the feeding bowl daily with hot, soapy water and replace water in the drinking bowl several times a day. Wash the drinking bowl at the same time and refill with fresh water.

Table scraps can be given occasionally, but don’t make regular meals out of them. Cooked human foods do not contain the nutrients necessary for your kitten’s growth. Generic cat food from groceries are better, but Stellarhart recommends high-quality foods from specialty pet stores. Also, cats don’t like the smell of plastic and metal containers, so use only glass drinking bowls.

Dry vs wet foods

Dry foods are generally better for your Ragdoll, except in the breastfeeding and introductory stage. They work your kitten’s chewing muscles and help keep the teeth white. Dry food consists in the main of meat and vegetables, and can be moistened or served dry. Serving them dry allows your cat to nibble throughout the day, rather than eating one large meal at a time. Dry food ought to contain about 9 to 10% moisture, 8% fat, and 30% protein.

Moist food contains about 75% moisture and equal amounts of fat and protein. Not all moist foods are the same some are all-meat or all-fish, while others are a mix of meat and vegetables. The former should not be used for regular meals, as your cat can get addicted and refuse to eat other foods. The small treat cans of variety foods are usually all-meat or all-fish. As with kitten food, moist foods ought to be warmed to room temperature before serving.

Semi-moist food has about 35% water, 27% protein, and 7% fat. Most of them are nutritionally balanced, very tasty, and can be left out for nibbling, but they spoil quicker than dry food.

Kitten treats

Occasional kitten treats will not harm your kitten, but take care not to fill them up so they can still eat regular meals. Treats ought to not provide any more than 10% of your kitten’s daily caloric intake. Look for hard chew treats to help improve your kitten’s dental health

B. Feeding Ragdoll Adults

Ragdolls are not very active, so they gain weight faster than other cats. Do not let them become obese provide them only 70 calories per kilogram of body weight. A lot of what people believe to be cats’ favourite foods are actually harmful. Here are some of the most common cat food myths:

Fish

Fish may be good for cats, but it can’t cover all their nutritional needs, and too much of the same nutrients can be harmful. Tuna is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which need vitamin E to break them down. too much tuna in your cat’s diet can cause yellow fat disease (steatitis).

Milk

Milk is rich in water and carbohydrates, but many cats are lactose intolerant and get digestive problems a few hours after drinking milk. Regular cow’s milk can cause diarrhoea and loose stools, which can lead to malnutrition and dehydration. If your cat likes milk, use replacement cat milk instead.

Catnip

Cats love the smell of catnip leaves, but it can cause short-term behavioural changes. Catnip is a hallucinogen and may possibly put your cat in a state of near delirium. Some effects include rolling, rubbing, chasing phantom mice, or simply staring into space. Although it’s not addictive, catnip has no place in your cat’s diet.

Dog food

It could be more convenient to feed your cat and dog from the same dish, but it’s not very healthy for either pet. Cats require more protein, taurine, preformed vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, and arachidonic acids, which they can get from a meat-heavy diet. A shortage of these nutrients can make your cat seriously ill, and an overdose can have the same effect in dogs.

Low ash diets

A popular belief among cat owners is that diets low in ash can help discourage urinary tract infection. But that’s only partly true. Ash is not a single nutrient, but is actually a group of minerals including calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. Lower levels of magnesium keep urine at its normal, slightly acidic state, but reducing other minerals will have no effect.

Other foods to avoid

Alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol can be toxic and cause fatal complications.

Baby food.
Many baby foods contain onion powder, which can be harmful to the blood.

Fish and meat bones.
Small splinters can cut into the digestive tract and lead to bleeding.

Caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate).
Caffeine can affect the cat’s heart and nervous system.

Citrus oil extracts.
This can lead to stomach upsets and vomiting.

Fat.
Animal fats can lead to pancreatitis.
Don’t feed your cat fatty cooked meats, or at least trim the fat off first.

Grapes and raisins.
These contain a toxin that can harm the kidneys.

Human vitamin and iron supplements.
Excessive iron can damage the liver, kidneys, and the lining of the digestive tract.

Liver.
Liver is safe in limited amounts, but an excess can cause vitamin A toxicity.

Macadamia nuts.
Unknown toxins in macadamia can damage the muscles, digestive system, and nervous system.

Marijuana.
Marijuana can lead to vomiting, depression, and irregular heart rate.

Mushrooms.
Some mushrooms contain highly toxic substances that can affect multiple systems and even cause death.

Onion and garlic (powdered, cooked or raw).
These contain disulfides and sulfoxides, which can cause anaemia. They are harmful to both cats and dogs, but cats are more vulnerable.

Persimmons.
Persimmons seeds can obstruct the intestines.

Potato, tomato and rhubarb.
These can be harmful to the nervous, digestive, and urinary systems. The leaves and stems could possibly also be toxic.

Raw eggs.
Raw eggs can damage your cat’s hair and coat.

Salt.
Salt and salty foods can cause electrolyte imbalance, a potentially fatal condition affecting the heart and nervous system.

String.
Strings from beans and other vegetables may possibly not be digested, which can cause blockages.

Sugar.
Sweets are high in empty calories, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and dental problems.

Yeast dough.
Yeast can expand in the stomach during digestion, causing it to rupture.

Once you have educated yourself as to the unique requirements of ragdoll cats you will instinctively know what is good or bad for your cat.

Discover the trade secrets of Ragdoll Cat care, training, breeding and showing. Visit http://www.ragdoll-cat-care.com

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Let me share a short story with you about the Ragdoll breed and how they came into being. When I first read about this I was drinking a can of Diet Coke and almost ended up with it all over the monitor. I have a feeling you’ll find it as amazing and amusing as I did.

I’m going to break the story up into stages, even though it is interwoven. The reason I am doing this is that the story of the creation of the Ragdoll breed is convoluted to say the least. It took me a few reads to really understand what happened. So here it is…a short history of the Ragdoll Cat, and how they came into being.

There once was a woman named Ann Baker and she lived in California. She had two cats, Josephine and Daddy Warbucks. These two cats were to become the sires of a great breed of cats. Without going into excruciating details about it, Daddy Warbucks lived up to his name and eventually with Joesphine’s kittens and his genes a new breed of cat was born.

Ann Baker called them Ragdoll cats and then trademarked the name, demanding royalites from other breeders using the name “Ragdoll” for cats.

She started a cat registry in 1971, after breeding more Ragdoll cats from Daddy Warbucks, called The International Ragdoll Cat Association and claimed that the breed differed in 5 ways from other breeds of cats:

1) They were relatively large;
2) They are less sensitive to pain;
3) They lack skills for self preservation;
4) Their fur does not mat together; and
5) Their bodies go limp when you hold them.

This was all very sane, but it didn’t stay that way for long.

It’s an X-File!

In a move worthy of Fox Mulder she started making very, very unlikely claims about the reason for the Ragdoll’s traits. Some were out of this world. Literally. The Ragdoll Cat is not what you think it is, according to Ann Baker, who claimed that the genetics of the Ragdoll cat were from part of a secret government experiment in genetics…and that aliens gave her the breed. There were even more claims than this, but I don’t know how you can possibly top that.

Despite her eccentricities Ann Baker was credited with setting the standard look and temprement of the breed. She was not the breeder that brought the Ragdoll cat international recognition, though. Denny and Laura Dayton are responsible for that happening.

While Ann Baker was taking a walk on the wild side they were setting up the Ragdoll Fanciers’ Club International, and it was they that managed to get the breed registered with the NCFA, making the breed a recognised purebred.

You can think what you like. Maybe Daddy Warbucks was kidnapped by aliens and then became the father of a whole new breed of cats. Maybe it was hard work and careful breeding. I’m leaning toward the latter, personally. But if you see a flying saucer above your house, and are wondering why it is there, it could just be aliens wanting the return of their genetic cousin. You never know…

If you want to learn more about Ragdoll Cats, check out my blog on Ragdoll Cat Book Reviews.

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Did you know that Ragdoll cats are most sought after for their personalities? I’m going to list 7 traits that make the Ragdoll cat a pleasure to own.

If you’ve ever wondered if a Ragdoll cat is the one for you, then these points may clear it up for you. Onto number 1…

1. They go limp when held.

This is actually a little bit of a myth. Not all Ragdoll cats will go limp when held. Most do, though. They are a very relaxed breed of cat, and most love to be held. It sets them apart from many other breeds.

2. The breed is people orientated.

Ragdoll cats become very attached to their owners. By nature they are a very social animal and simply love interaction with the people around them. If you don’t like a cat that hovers around a Ragdoll cat may not be the cat for you.

3. As a breed they are calm yet love to play.

The breed retains a lot of kitten in them as they grow up. Overall they are a calm cat, but if you put a toy in front of them watch out! There’s nothing more fun than watching a cat kick a ball around the house. The good news is that they won’t be rough while they are doing it. Gentleness is part of the breed.

4. They adapt to living in small spaces well.

A Ragdoll cat is perfect for a small apartment, and as long as you don’t introduce them to the great outdoor, they will willingly stay inside. It’s part of their relaxed nature to adapt easily to living in an apartment.

5. You can train a Ragdoll cat to do tricks.

You’ve heard the saying that dogs have masters and cats have staff? They are one of the few breeds who will put that aside and allow you to teach them tricks. They are an intelligent breed and all it takes is a little encouragement and you are off and running. They will retrieve toys, fetch, and shake hands among other things. You can have hours of enjoyment teaching your cat new tricks.

6. They are not destructive in the home.

Most cats prefer to climb, jump on surfaces and generally get into tight spaces. Not so, the Ragdoll cat. They are one of the few breeds that actually prefer floor level to jumping up on the kitchen bench. This makes them ideal if you have a lot of breakables.

7. Their plush coat does not require excessive grooming.

Despite having a long coat they are one cat that does not require you to brush them every other day. One of the characteristics of the breed is that their coat does not mat easily, and is so fine and light it doesn’t tend to get caught in the fibres of furniture, either. This is yet another reason they are a great indoor cat.

If you are thinking of getting a Ragdoll cat, then these are 7 good reasons to look more closely at the breed. Just remember that each cat is an individual, and not every characteristic will apply.

If you want to learn more about Ragdoll Cats, check out my blog on Ragdoll Cat Book Reviews

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