Does anyone have a Ragdoll (cat)?

[Katie&Micah]

I've been reading up on the breed and am convinced that I MUST have one. Up until now I've only ever adopted from the humane society. If you have a Ragdoll I'd love to see pics and info about the breed/your cat.

Are they really as mellow as they say? Was yours easy to train?

[trefoil]

I don't have a ragdoll, but am intrigued by this notion of "training a cat". :p Before we got our cats, we we planned to train them not to do a few things. Sadly, it turns out our cats are far smarter than we are and they have instead trained us. They have us wrapped around their furry little paws.

All kidding aside, I do have a friend with a Ragdoll and she loves the breed. However, she has found her little guy to be very needy. He loves being in the room with her and is very much a people-cat, that also means that he has a hard time being separated from people and when she needs to shut him in a separate room for a bit, he howls/scratches like there is no tomorrow. That is the only downside that I can remember her mentioning. She does love her cat and the breed. :)

[Hello Kitty]

Yes! My parents got one when I was in HS, and he's soooo mellow and very lovey. The only downside to him is his incredibly long hair, which requires a lot of grooming.

If you are interested in a breed, I would recommend going to a CFA show, if possible to meet breeders and get a feel for them. CFA.org also has a breedlist where they list out breeders and you can get in touch with them.

When you talk about training, what do you mean?

[greenbunny]

Because I'm all about advocating shelter adoption, here's a link to Ragdoll Rescue:

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/IL297.html


There are also location-specific ones, if you google "ragdoll rescue" you should be able to find one near you. If you fall in love with one that isn't close by, you can probably arrange rescue transport.

[Katie&Micah]

Trefoil..

Thanks so much for the honest info! I've had several special needs and high maintenance cats.. including my current kitty. I don't have any problem with that. That's actually something that drew me to the breed.. they are described as *the ultimate lap cat* and I've read that they do follow you room to room.. which my Sophie also does.

Seb's Kitty..

Ohh thank you for that advice.. I will definately check into that. As far as training from what I've been reading in some cases it is pretty easy to train ragdolls to walk on a leash, fetch, roll over, etc. typical dog things I guess.

Greenbunny..

Thank you thank you thank you!!! I never thought I would *buy* an animal. I've loved all my shelter rescues soooo much. I'm looking at the link you posted right now and Illinois definately isn't too far to drive for the right kitty. This seems like it could be the best of both worlds.. the breed I want while helping a kitty who really needs it.

I'm so excited to get so many responses already. Thank you all!

[greenbunny]

I have to admit I adore ragdolls, and I was sighing over some of the ones on there...but a lot of them are asking to be adopted with a sibling, and 3 cats is a bit much for us to handle right now! Plus our cat is an attention hog, too.

Please update when/if you get one, so we can coo over cute pictures!

[Katie&Micah]

It will probably be 3 months or so.. but I'll definately update when we get one!

[Katie&Micah]

I thought I'd post some adorable ragdoll pics I found.. I definately want a seal or blue mitted.. Some examples..

http://www.brieroserags.com/Jenna3.jpg
http://www.brieroserags.com/sealmitted.jpg
http://www.katzablanka.com/images/absleep.jpg
http://www.brieroserags.com/somoma4months.jpg

Aren't they just gorgeous!!! I must have one..

[Freckles]

We adopted a Ragdoll kitty 9 years ago. My husband is NOT a fan of cats, but he adores our baby. He is the sweetest kitty ever. Ragdolls are very affectionate, slightly needy, and they love to be cuddled. You can cradle them like a baby, and they just go with the flow. Very smart & easy to train.

Here is Kermit the Cat

http://static.flickr.com/72/177241631_43fd2b681b.jpg?v=0

Ragdolls have beautiful markings. They don't use their claws to harm anyone even in defense. Such sweet babies, and very pretty.

I will take updated pics.....My kitty isn't a fan of the camera though.....

[solongtogo]

What a pretty breed! Why are they called ragdolls?

[kam]

This breed looks so sweet! Just beautiful.

[Hello Kitty]

Why are they called ragdolls?
Because they flop just like a ragdoll does when you hold them.

Katie, in HS, my ex-BF got a blue pointed ragdoll, after playing with my parents' cat. It's a beautiful color!

[Freckles]

Why are they called ragdolls?

Yeah, they do just let you mold them. I can cradle Kermit and he just lies there upside down purring like crazy. They are very trusting & friendly.

[solongtogo]

Because they flop just like a ragdoll does when you hold them.



sounds like my kind of kitty!

[Katie&Micah]

Freckles..

Thanks so much for pics of your gorgeous bi-color! How is the upkeep on his fur? I've read that it almost never mats but it's a bit hard to believe which such long fur. I believe Seb's Kitty said that here parent's r.d. required quite a bit of grooming.

Did you adopt through your local humane society? Or a breed-specific rescue group?

Seb's Kitty..

If I had my way I think I'd get one of each color! lol It's really hard to decide between the blue and the seal.. both are gorgeous.

I thought I'd post this description found on www.brieroserags.com in case anyone else is interested in learning more about the breed.

Ragdolls are among the largest of cat breeds and take 2 to 3 years to develop their full size. Neutered males can weigh between 15-20 pounds and females weigh about 5 pounds less. A ragdoll male holds the Guiness Book of Pet Records as the largest breed of domesticated cats. The coat of the ragdoll is semi long and unbelievably soft like a rabbit. The fur almost never mats and needs no grooming. Ragdolls are not as suspicious and shy as most cats and this causes them to be very vulnerable as an outside cat. That is why ragdolls are meant to live indoors where it is not as dangerous.

Ragdolls are wonderful companions who insist on being in your presence every minute they can. They love following you from room to room and they act very much like dogs. They even love to be with dogs more than other cats. One of my ragdolls cries in distress at the door everytime I take her favorite dog for a walk. She just doesn't understand why she can't come too. Ragdolls even like to fetch toys.

[Katie&Micah]

My absolute favorite r.d. pic so far.. isn't she beautiful?

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d920b3127cce92d305930e5a00000010109AbsmrFs1as

[Natasha]

Darn cat allergies! they are so pretty, i'd love to have one...

[Freckles]

Thanks so much for pics of your gorgeous bi-color! How is the upkeep on his fur? I've read that it almost never mats but it's a bit hard to believe which such long fur. I believe Seb's Kitty said that here parent's r.d. required quite a bit of grooming.

Did you adopt through your local humane society? Or a breed-specific rescue group?
Ragdolls do NOT require a lot of grooming. Their fur is very different----very long, but soft & silky like a rabbits. We do brush Kermit once a day, because he loves it, but he doesn't need per se. He is very easy to care for. I wipe his fur with cat bath wipes once a week, but it's not necessary either. He just enjoys it----they seem to be a bit more sensitive than other breeds, and really love attention. :D

They are highly intelligent & easy to train. Kermit can even fetch like a dog. ;D He doesn't scratch anything like most indoor cats do, because he uses his scratching post instead....very easy to train compared to other breeds. They are mellow, but like to be where you are...so they are often like your shadow. They like to play, but they are gentle---never use their claws. Also, Ragdolls are total lapcats---very affectionate & friendly. Kermit isn't whiny or bossy, but he does like attention that's for sure. In terms of meowing---Ragdolls have quiet voices...they don't chat alot, and they never just whine. Kermit will give me a meow as if he's saying something, and if I meow back at him{HA!} we can have a little cat conversation, but otherwise he is pretty quiet. He does purr like crazy though.

We will always adopt {or buy}Ragdolls going foward, because they truly are the sweetest kitties. They are difficult to find at shelters, because people keep them rather than give them up. We put ourselves on a waiting list in AZ, and the shelter called us once Kermit was brought in. He was 3 months old when we adopted him. You could also research a reputable breeder---the cost for a kitten is typically $600.+ Ragdolls are all white when they are kittens & their color comes out as they grow. They are HUGE cats----Kermit is very long/tall & weighs 18 lbs.
He is a blue point bi-color----They have such pretty markings. And beautiful big blue eyes. As you can see I love my ragdoll---even my husband's brother who HATES cats has a soft spot for Kermit. They just win you over with their cute little personalilities.

Darn cat allergies! they are so pretty, i'd love to have one...

Actually, Ragdolls are GREAT breeds for those who are allergic due to the fact that they shed less & they have a different style fur which I guess has different danders....My husband is allergic to cats as well and he has no problem around Kermit. Granted he would be immune by now, because once you live with a pet for awhile you become used to their dander and it no longer has the same effect, but even in the beginning he had no issues.

[manda_kate]

I've been wanting another kitty (already have one, and a dog, too, so DH says no) and these kitties are SO GORGEOUS! I am a huge cat lover, and I would love to make a ragdoll mine! It sounds like my kind of kitty!~

[Katie&Micah]

Freckles,

Your description is making me want a r.d. even more! Every breeder I've found seems to be in the $600-$650 range like you said. Soo... since our budget isn't ready for that right now and I love adopting I think we'll go that route. Still not quite ready for another cat. We'll be moving in the next couple of months and I'd like to wait until after that.

[Fenway]

I thought I'd bump this thread so I can post a picture of our little one.
We named him Fenway, and we get to pic him up from the breeder on July 21, when he is 12 weeks old.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/Fenway.jpg

I've always had shelter/rescue cats. This is my first Ragdoll.

Do any Ragdoll owners have any advice for us?

[Freckles]

Ragdolls are the sweetest breed. They have so much love, and are easy to train if you make the time. I wish you much luck and years of happiness. Kermit is 10 Years Old and at time seems like a kitten. We adopted a dog a year ago, and he totally went with the flow. Such a good kitty.

BTW, I am from Boston, so I love the name.
Please let me know if you have concerns. Overall, Ragdolls are the best breed.

[Fenway]

Thanks Freckles.

I've done so much research, and I think we're ready for him. I can't find anything about the breed that I don't like. bought him a bunch of toys yesterday, and I'm going to look for a kitty bed today.

Do you recommend a certain kind of scratching post? Does Kermit tend to scratch a lot?

[Freckles]

Kermit scratches his scratch post only. We attached the post to a doorway about 1 Year ago, and it really worked for Kermit. He only scratches there. He doesn't scratch outside that area. He is needy in that he wants to be cuddled. He hides under our bathroom sink when he is scared by the midwest storms. I will only adopt/buy a ragdoll going forward. My hubby loves him, and he has allergies, but ragolls don't have an effect.

[rileyandfredsmom]

I have a Ragdoll as well, unfortunately, she displays very few characteristics of a Ragdoll. We adopted her as a 6 year old and she didn't come with just a suitcase of baggage, we had to make room in our walk-in closet for her baggage! She lived in a home for 6 years in which she was constantly beaten up on by the male cats that lived there....we adopted her after she had been at the rescue for a month and she still had open sores from the final attack from the males.

She doesn't rag (not all ragdolls actually rag) when she is fully awake but if you catch her almost asleep and she knows no other cat is in the vicinity, you are my husband and you pet her belly for over 30 minutes, she might rag. She weighs only 9 pounds and is VERY loud when she cries. She does sleep with us every night and when she is feeling confident she will sit in our laps.

I love this breed though and that is why we rescued her. She is a sweet little girl and can be very affectionate - she just got the raw end of the deal in her first home. We have had her for almost 3 years and I don't think the emotional scars will ever be healed completely. And the sad thing is, she is a perfect specimen of the breed (if she was bigger she would be show quality). My DH and I have looked and looked for another one just like her but to get one with her coloring and markings, we would have to pay $800 - $1000....That would save 8 - 10 pets from a kill shelter so there is no way that will EVER happen.

If you can find a ragdoll at a shelter or rescue, I highly recommend them...they are wonderful!

[Fenway]

x-posted with my journal

We picked up Fenway yesterday, and he is the best kitten ever. He is so sweet and cuddly, and very playful. He follows us from room to room and cries if he can't see us. He doesn't seem to be easily intimidated. We had people who wanted to meet him coming and going all day yesterday, and he played and cuddled with everyone.

He's very jealous that the keyboard is getting more attention then he is right now. lol.

Pics coming soon!!

ETA: Questions for other Ragdoll owners:
He has a light musky smell to him. I don't remember ever having a cat with that smell. Could it just be the smell from the breeders house or is it a characteristic of a RD?

We can't get him to use is scratching post. He prefers our furniture. any suggestions?

[Fenway]

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_3340.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_3339.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_3330.jpg

[sdianems]

One of my ragdolls cries in distress at the door everytime I take her favorite dog for a walk. She just doesn't understand why she can't come too. Ragdolls even like to fetch toys.
LMAO! My cat does this.....and I know there is no ragdoll in there! Actually, it breaks my heart to hear him howl at the door when Tasha and I go for a walk :)

[Katie&Micah]

awww.. he's beautiful!!

[Fenway]

More pics of our new baby:

http://static.flickr.com/73/213149540_16d52f7853.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/78/200418005_1a88639292.jpg?v=0

Computer geek:
http://static.flickr.com/71/200418721_e4b0ac7937.jpg?v=0

[TracieB]

Aw! Fenway is adorable! I'm totally sold on the idea of a Ragdoll... now just have to find one ;).

[Fenway]

I thought I'd post some new pics of Fenway. Look how much his face changed!!


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/Fenway.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/155/414118856_f73fd40cc0.jpg

He is so big! He is almost a year old and is already 15 pounds.
Catzilla:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/414118633_5e3af0d069.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/414118526_9b49bcf64e.jpg

[Fenway]

One more thing. I could have sworn I posted this in here, but I don't see it.

Ragdolls love to play fetch. Here is a short clip of Fenway:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zyQkVkd2Go

[Katie&Micah]

Oh wow.. he's gotten so big!! Is he still a great cat?

We never did end up getting a r.d. And now that I'm pregnant I can't see us taking on anything new. Someday!

[vwinkel]

Adorable pics! Now I want a ragdoll. . .

[PinkMartini]

I've been in love with the breed for a few years now - ever since my aunt had one. I just couldn't justify spending $500/$600 on a cat. Now that I know it's possible to adopt one, I'll have to look into that once we move. They are such beautiful cats....

[Fenway]

Oh wow.. he's gotten so big!! Is he still a great cat?

YES!! He is so great. We call him our dog. He greats us at the door, cries when we leave, follows us from room to room. He is a little mischievous though. He likes to hang out on top of the fridge, so he pushed off some glass candle holders to make room for himself. He also hides around corners and jumps out and "attacks." Cute during the day, but terrifying in the middle of the night when I'm wandering down the pitch black hallway toward the bathroom. I'm trying to convince DH that if he had a friend to play with he'd get in less trouble. ;)


I've been in love with the breed for a few years now - ever since my aunt had one. I just couldn't justify spending $500/$600 on a cat. Now that I know it's possible to adopt one, I'll have to look into that once we move. They are such beautiful cats....

The way I see it is so many people don't bat an eye at spending that kind of money for a pure breed dog, and generally speaking, cats live longer, so you get more for your money. :p
Actually, I've always had shelter cats, but DH is allergic to cats. The RD breed doesn't have the same cat dander, so DH is fine with Fenway. He was worth EVERY penny.

[Freckles]

Fenway has such pretty markings!

[greenbunny]

I just couldn't justify spending $500/$600 on a cat. Now that I know it's possible to adopt one, I'll have to look into that once we move.

Just to warn you, many rescue groups will charge higher adoption fees for purebreds, so don't be disappointed if you can't find one for $40 like a tabby at the local SPCA. My Bella is a purebred Birman, and we paid $400 for her at a shelter when she was seven years old.

[Peppy]

I've been in love with the breed for a few years now - ever since my aunt had one. I just couldn't justify spending $500/$600 on a cat. Now that I know it's possible to adopt one, I'll have to look into that once we move. They are such beautiful cats....

PinkMartini: For your reference, I would try Petfinder (www.petfinder.com) if I was looking to adopt a Ragdoll. When you do the search, enter "ragdoll" under breed, and it will give you all of the ragdolls in your area that are adoptable (provided the place registers with petfinder). It should include those at shelters and rescue groups.

There are also a bunch of Ragdoll rescues that you can find if you do a google search for "Ragdoll rescue." Greenbunny is right that they might charge a bit for an adoption, although if you get one through a shelter or a non-breed specific rescue group, chances are the cost will be whatever they charge for any other cat in the shelter.

[Fenway]

After writing about what an awesome cat Fenway is, we had an incident today. I thought you would like to see the damage a 10 month old kitten that doesn't know his own strength (15 pounds or so) can do.

We still love him but, well, see for yourself:

That F#&%ING CAT!!!! He'd make a lovely scarf...
Look at him sleeping. Looks like a little angel, doesn't he?
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_1515.jpg

Yeah, well, Catzilla attacks:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_1517.jpg

Destroyed the coffee table (note the chips in the hardwood.)
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_1519.jpg

The lamp must have scraped the front of the table on the way down:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_1520.jpg

And splintered the hardwood floors on impact...
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_1524.jpg

[ysolde]

Ah, the Joy of Cats!

[Katie&Micah]

oh wow! he really did a job..

[greenbunny]

:eek: Wow! What a wrecking ball!

[eli1126]

Oh, the joys of being a cat mommy!

[Peppy]

I saw this on Catster, and thought I would post it here in case anyone is looking for a Ragdoll. It looks like a Ragdoll Rescue group in Oregon just got an urgent request to take in nine purebreds because the owners are ill. They are between 2 and 5 years old and the Rescue group is looking for fosters or adopters. I have no idea if they adopt out of state or how they transport, but the link is here if anyone is interested:

Ragdoll Rescue (http://www.catster.com/forums/Shelters_Rescue_and_Fostering/thread/390937)

[rileyandfredsmom]

This is our Ragdoll, Cleo. She is the one with all the problems but she is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. She was asleep so she wouldn't get up so I could get a full shot of her. :rolleyes:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/423252616_3edce4c019.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/129/423252606_3bb21a4e14.jpg?v=0

[Katie&Micah]

oh wow! gorgeous kitty.

[Fenway]

Wow. She is beautiful!

[PinkMartini]

Do ragdoll's have siamese blood in them? (I.E. were they 'created' using siamese?) Anyone know? Most of the ragdoll's I've seen look like long haired siamese....

[HeatherFL]

After our Himalayan passed away when we were kids, my mom got a Ragdoll because they were similar but didn't shed as much. We got one and he had such a personality! I am highly allergic to cats now-even ragdolls :(, but maybe someday I'll be able to have another!

Cleo and Fenway are just adorable!

~H.

[Fenway]

n the early '60s a woman in Riverside, California, by the name of Ann Baker created the RAGDOLL by breeding what was believed to be a white female Persian-type cat [Josephine] to a Seal Point Birman. One of the male offspring from this breeding was then bred to a Burmese. This was the foundation for the Ragdoll. (see a more detailed history) Ann bred Ragdolls in both the solid and pointed varieties. As early pedigrees show, they were also bred in various colors, such as black and white, tortie, mink, smoke and lynx to name just a few. She believed that the solids were necessary to maintain size, enhance eye color and other various features of the pointed Ragdoll. Here is an early pedigree with some of her cats, look for the cattery name of "Raggedy Ann" to see the colors used. (early Ragdoll pedigree)

More here (http://www.ragglerock.com/ragdoll/history/index.asp)

[Fenway]

Heather- DH is VERY allergic to cats, but Fenway doesn't affect him at all. Have you been around any Ragdolls recently?

[PinkMartini]

Thanks lilydawg. I was going to guess Burmese too

[HeatherFL]

lilydawg I was in the last couple of years, but not since late 2005. Anytime I am around any cat it's awful. I guess I could do shots and try with the Ragdolls again, though. Then I'd just have to convince Todd to get a cat LOL!

~H.

[Fenway]

lilydawg I was in the last couple of years, but not since late 2005. Anytime I am around any cat it's awful. I guess I could do shots and try with the Ragdolls again, though. Then I'd just have to convince Todd to get a cat LOL!
~H.

I've been telling DH that Fenway will get into less trouble if he had a friend to play with. Well, after he destroyed the coffee table,(post 41) DH said in a very sarcastic way, "we should get another one so it can ruin the other coffee table." :o

I guess that means we won't be getting another one any time soon. lol.

[HeatherFL]

Lol!

[rileyandfredsmom]

Thanks for the compliments on Cleo, she is a pretty little girl.

On Fenway's behalf, the table was much too small to accomodate a big boy like himself, with a kitty of his stature, bigger tables are required! ;)

I have had cats all my life and understand that nothing is ever going to stay perfect when they are around. Every table in our home has at least one scratch and we bought a cheapo dining room table because we couldn't find a glass-top table we liked....we knew a wooden table would be a disaster and didn't want to spend too much money on it.

My poor DH, who never had inside only kitties and is a FREAK about keeping things looking spotless has had a difficult time with this but our love for the kitties far surpasses the need for perfect furniture!

[Fenway]

My poor DH, who never had inside only kitties and is a FREAK about keeping things looking spotless has had a difficult time with this but our love for the kitties far surpasses the need for perfect furniture!

That statement sums it up for us!! We still love our Catzilla:p

[Fenway]

Do your ragdoll cats have a dingle-berry problem? I've had his backside shaved a couple of times to prevent this, but I was thinking it might make sense to buy clippers and do it myself.

Does anyone else shave their cat? What clippers do you use?

[greenbunny]

lilydawg, I bought a grooming kit from www.PetEdge.com. The specific model I bought is discontinued, but it's very similar to this one:

http://www.petedge.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2776&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=12&iSubCat=36&iSubSubCat=71&iProductID=2776

I definitely recommend a rechargable cordless model for convenience. The different-length combs are also great. We use different sizes to keep her belly and neck ruff from getting out of control, and I trim her backside without a comb to get it very short and prevent dingleberries.

I have to admit it takes some time to learn, so don't get nervous. The first time I trimmed Bella, she looked like she had an accident with a weed wacker. It tales several tries to learn to taper it properly.

[Fenway]

Thanks, Greenbunny.

It's Fenway's 1st birthday today. Nothing says Happy Birthday like a trip to the groomers and a butt shave. :)

[Katie&Micah]

lol

Happy Birthday Fenway! Enjoy your buttshave!

[Fenway]

Lol!