Hi I am thinking about adopting a 6 year old Ragdoll male. He is absolutely gorgeous. However, my only reservation is the fact that I work full time and will not be home during the day to spend a great deal of time with him. I could spend mornings, evenings and some afternoons with him, but for five days a week, I am out of the house for close to 10 hours of the day. Will this be a huge problem>>?? Thanks for your help!!
You may be able to find out since he is older. Ragdolls can be fine alone - and some really want company more frequently than others. Sounds like it is worth giving it a try - and the "fix" is what you should do anyway for yourself, which is to have another cat (or dog). Two are much less than twice the trouble and much more than twice the fun. However, some single Ragdolls can be very happy too. It is just that there are few examples of it because most Ragdoll owners have more cats, including more Ragdolls.
If you have the chance, I'd say, take it!! Bet before long you're so in love with the one you'll want another - but you'll also be able to judge if he's happy being alone or not. I'm not at home for about 9.5 hours a day because I work, but my husband is home. Although I have two ragdolls, my husband reports to me that mine sleep all day (with the exception of around 15 minutes at lunch when they get up, eat and go to a new sleeping place) and wake up about 15 minutes before I walk in the door at night -- then they are ready for pets and cuddles. On weekends they are with me all the time, and seem worn out and ready for me to go back to work on Monday so they can get back to sleeping! My ragdolls are 5 years and 8 years.
Hi -
I, too, am struggling with the same concern. I just adopted a 4 1/2 yr old Flame Point Ragdoll (female) and I know she was used to having 2 dogs (English Bulldogs) as companions, and well as being able to go outdoors with them (not a good idea since she is front declawed!). Once she is settled and I give her a few months to really see her nature, I may be faced with looking to get a second Ragdoll.
I previously had a Ragdoll (female) for 17 years - at the time I also had a male Siamese that was 5 yrs older than her. They got along great, although my male Siamese actually liked being an only cat (he was previously in a home with 2 other cats who definitely bossed him around). Once my Siamese passed on, my Ragdoll blossomed into an even more wonderful lovebug and she adored being an only cat.
Can you observe the cat in its current environment? Is he used to being alone? If there are other pets, what does the 'pecking order' seem to be? All of that might be helpful in knowing how he might do as a single cat.
Valerie
TeresaK Wrote:If you have the chance, I'd say, take it!! Bet before long you're so in love with the one you'll want another - but you'll also be able to judge if he's happy being alone or not. I'm not at home for about 9.5 hours a day because I work, but my husband is home. Although I have two ragdolls, my husband reports to me that mine sleep all day (with the exception of around 15 minutes at lunch when they get up, eat and go to a new sleeping place) and wake up about 15 minutes before I walk in the door at night -- then they are ready for pets and cuddles. On weekends they are with me all the time, and seem worn out and ready for me to go back to work on Monday so they can get back to sleeping! My ragdolls are 5 years and 8 years.