DESIGN
by: © COPYRIGHT 2005 REAHSGRAPHICS.COM
The Ragdoll Breed
By definition, a large, medium long haired, pointed, blue-eyed cat
with a relatively low maintenance coat and a gentle disposition.
Normally good with children and other animals. Playful as a
kitten and increasingly mellow as an adult. As indicated by their
name, a cat with a tendency to go limp when picked up.
But is that ALL a Ragdoll is?
That's only the beginning....
A Ragdoll is a companion, a friend, a furchild. A Ragdoll can make
you laugh, help you while you're working, be a quiet companion,
happy to be near you, when you're busy.
Ragdolls are often said
to have dog-like personalities because of their devotion to their
families. There are similarities; Ragdolls enjoy being with
their people. They do like to follow you from room to room and
many want to be actively involved with whatever you are doing.
Others will stay contentedly nearby, watching you or napping. One
will insist on lying in your lap; another will want to lie next
to you or curl up at your feet. Each has it's own unique
personality while sharing the traits that make Ragdolls a joy
with whom to share your home.
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Ragdoll Colors
Seal - Dark Brown, almost black
Blue - a dark bluish gray
Chocolate - Light Brown
Lilac - Light bluish gray
Flame - red
Cream - pale red
Tortie - Seal with patches of red or Blue with patches of cream. A Blue Tortie can also be called a Blue Cream. (females only)
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Ragdoll Patterns
There are three traditional Ragdoll patterns, all of which are
available from AngelDolls~AngelicDolls.
(Pictures - see the Picture Gallery)
Colorpoint - No white. Color is darker on Points (ears, tail, feet, mask)
and should contrast with color of body. Chin, bib and chest are
lightest colored areas.
Mitted - Some white. Dark Points (ears, mask, tail, legs except for feet)
which contrast with lighter body color.Front feet have white
mittens. Back legs are white up to mid-thigh. Chin, bib and belly
stripe are white. A Mitted may have a white blaze on forehead.
Bicolor - More white. Points (ears, tail, mask) darker and contrast with
lighter color on bodyChest, stomach, legs, feet and bib are white.
Lynx - Tabby pattern overlying any of the above patterns.
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Choosing A Pet
Bringing a pet into your home is a major decision. It should be a happy
commitment for both you and your pet that will last the lifetime
of the animal. The perfect cat for you may be a Ragdoll, another
breed, or a lovely kitten or older cat from a shelter.
Choosing the right cat for you should be based on finding a pet who is a
good match for your personality, your life style, the amount of
time you have to commit to a pet and your expectations of the pet
who will share your life. Keep in mind that any pet is a
thinking, feeling creature with needs not unlike those of a
child. It will be totally dependent on you for feeding, grooming,
sanitary needs and attention.
The first step in finding the perfect pet for you is research. There
is a great deal of information about the various breeds
available; both on the web and in books. Compare the breeds that
interest you and narrow your choices down to just a few. Go to
cat shows, visit Breed Club and Breeder websites and, if you have
questions, email breeders to see if the breed in which you are
interested is actually one which you will enjoy having as part of
your life.
When your research is done...follow your heart. Mine lead me to
Ragdolls. Where ever yours leads you...whether to a Ragdoll,
another breed or a lovely cat or kitten from a shelter...I wish
you and your new pet a lifetime of happiness.
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Finding the Ragdoll of YOUR Dreams
Finding the Ragdoll who will share your life is an exciting experience!
You're sure this is the breed for you and you can't wait to find
your kitten. And there are so many beautiful kittens on breeder
websites!
It's time to
start contacting breeders...
Naturally, you will have questions you will want to ask. Expect the breeders to
ask questions of you, also. The kitten who will become part of
your family has been part of their family since birth. They've
raised and loved it...and have a firm commitment to ensuring they
are placing it in a home in which it will be as loved and cared
for as it was in theirs'.
When you contact a breeder, it's helpful to say more than just asking if they have kittens
available. Tell them a bit about you and your family and what
preferences, if any, you have for a male or female...and if
there's a certain color and/or pattern you'd prefer. Let them
know if there's a certain Ragdoll trait which you have your heart
set on. Remember, all Ragdolls are wonderful...but each is an
individual. The more a breeder knows about you and your
expectations, the easier it is for them to judge if one of their
kittens is the kitten for whom you are looking.
It is possible that the kitten you want is available when you start looking. If not, breeders may offer you the option of being on their waiting lists. Feel free to ask about how long they anticipate the wait may be, whether a deposit is required and any terms related to the deposit. And please...if you do find a kitten elsewhere while waiting...let the waiting list breeder know. There may be someone else waiting who needs to hear that they just became a step closer to having their dream come true.
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Homecoming Time!
The big day is almost here! Are you ready?
The Basic Preparations
Food
Ragdolls do require a quality diet...and sudden changes in diets cause tummy upsets, which will make your new Ragdoll very uncomfortable and turns homecoming from a happy time into a worrisome one. Your breeder should give you information on what and when to feed and may send along an initial supply of food to get you started. But before that big day arrives, check availability of the foods either locally or via pet food websites, so you can ensure a happy tummy for your new baby or have time in advance to discuss alternate foods with your breeder. Along with the proper food, fresh water available at all times, changed at least daily, is a must for urinary health. Feeding bowls should be ceramic, metal or glass, to avoid the skin problems that can result from using plastic.
Sanitary Needs
Naturally, your new addition is going to need litter and a litter pan. Your breeder may suggest a particular type of litter that her cats are used to or one that is safer for use by young kittens. As an only cat, your Ragdoll will need one pan per accessable level of your home, and it should be located in a quiet but easily accessable area. In a multiple cat home, the normal ratio is one pan per cat per level, although less may work if pans are quickly scooped or automatic litterboxes are used.
Remember that your home is going to be an entirely unknown new world for your Ragdoll. The best way to assist it in learning where it's supposed to potty is to have a pan in the same room in which it will spend it's "quiet time" while becoming accustomed to your home. Any later relocations of litter pans should be done slowly. To minimize the possiblity of litterbox avoidance, and ensure a sweet smelling home, the pan(s) should be scooped at least twice a day, with litter changed and pans washed weekly.
Scratching Supplies
The Scratching Post
Most Ragdolls are naturally good about use of their claws and breeders do work to train them to use scratching posts. There are many options available in scratchers, both in size and style, to match any home or budget. Disposable, corrogated cardboard ones make excellent secondary scratchers to use throughout the house, but a cat also needs an upright post on which it can stretch to full length while scratching. Since a Ragdoll grows into a large and heavy cat, their upright scratcher should be at least 3 feet tall with a heavy base so it doesn't tip. If using a carpeted cat tree, for safety's sake please consider using one with cut pile carpet. Jumping from a cat tree, while a claw stays hooked in loop pile carpet is a painful experience!
Nail Clippers
While scratchers help to avoid inappropriate scratching, claw length also needs to be addressed. Overly long claws aren't good for the cat...and if the cat with overlong claws runs across the furniture or their owners...those claws aren't good for them, either.
The easiest way to avoid unintentional scratches is by regular claw clipping. There are many types of claw clippers available, from simple sissor types with hand rests to spring-loaded. Claw clipping is easiest done when the cat is relaxed and, based on how relaxed can be done either all at one time or just a few claws at a time. It is not necessary to clip close to the quick unless you are comfortable and experienced in clipping. Just taking off the pointed nail tip should be enough.
If you would like more information on clipping claws, sources for cat scratchers or trees, or would just like to see Ragdolls enjoying cat trees, please visit:
RagDoll Fanciers Worldwide
Grooming
Since the Ragdoll has a lower maintenance coat than other longhair breeds, grooming time and equipment can be kept to a minimum. A laptime grooming session with a greyhound comb and/or pin brush can help you to keep your Ragdoll looking wonderful.
If you would like to take grooming to the next level, and learn some of the tips and products we breeders use for grooming and bathing those beautiful show cats, we're happy to share with you. Just visit:
RFW Grooming Product Tips
RFW Basic Show Bath
Toys
Yes, I finally got to the fun stuff! There's a world of toys out there...and they're almost as much fun to buy as to watch your new baby play with. Most are pretty safe...as long as one follows the same guidelines one would use with a child in the "everything in the mouth" stage. For me, that means anything that could be chewed off and swallowed...bells, eyes, ribbons, tails on toy mice...all gets removed. I avoid fur covered mice because cats can eat the entire fur covering...which can result in intestinal obstruction. I also don't use toys with elastic strings...much to easy for an excited cat to get dangerously tangled in them while playing. Mylar crinkle balls are a particular favorite of my cats. An wonderful interactive toy for the homecoming phase is the type that dangles from a stick, such as Da Bird. It works well both for helping the cat learn to enjoy playing with their new family and, if there's other cats in the house, when the newcomer is ready to meet his/her future cat friends, that type of interactive toy allows all of them to learn to enjoy playing together...which is the prelude to playing with each other.
A Veterinarian
If you are already a cat owner, then you should be fine in that area. Nothing to do but make the appointment for the homecoming checkup.
If this is your first pet, then now is the time to find a good vet. You may choose to have a wellness check done to ensure that your Ragdoll is as healthy as it's breeder believes it to be. You may only need a vet for annual checkups, periodic vaccinations or illness or accidents. But for whatever reason you will be using your vet, you will be entrusting him/her with a precious life that you love...better to find one while you have time to choose now than to have to trust in a quick decision later.
And that's the basics. A quick house check, the type you'd do to make sure everything was safe for a crawling baby or toddler, a safe, quiet room for your new baby to start his new life in, whatever extra goodies you want and, of course, film for the camera!
You have the basics, you have your breeder to help you with any questions that arise and, any day now, you have your Ragdoll!
Whether it's one of mine or someone else's, I am thrilled for you. I remember the day my first Ragdoll came into my life. I wish you as much happiness with yours as I found with mine.
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Poisonous Plants
There are many plants which are hazardous, or even deadly, to domestic pets. Even an indoor only cat, such as a Ragdoll, can be harmed by common household plants. For safety's sake, it's easier to avoid or eliminate plants that could be toxic to your pet, substitute safe ones and, if possible, provide a small pot of cat grass to indulge your cat's desire to nibble.
In the event that your cat does ingest part of a poisonous plant, he or she should should be rushed to a veterinarian post haste. It will be helpful for the vet if you can bring a leaf of the plant with you.
Listings of both toxic and non-toxic plants can be found on the Cat Fanciers' Association website:
Toxic Plants
Non-Toxic Plants
There are many plants that aren't safe for pets...and that can make plant shopping very difficult. If you'd like to have a printed copy of the ASPCA poisonous plant list to take with you when plant shopping, you can download the zipped file here
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