I am new to this board and to Ragdoll cats in general, and was hoping I could get a few questions answered.
1) How well would a normal Ragdoll do in a house with a large breed dog and another cat? I own a well trained German Shepherd and an easy going and lazy cat, both of whom would greatly enjoy another cat in the family, but I have often seen people warn against Ragdolls and other pets, and/or state that their Ragdolls must go to a home with no other pets.
2) How vocal are Ragdolls? I passed on Siamese cats because they are known to be vocal - one loud, talkative dog is all I am up to for now!
3) I have searched for Ragdoll cats/Ragdoll mixes on Craigslist and Petfinder, and have noticed that they are by no means common (no surprises, honestly). I am willing to wait, but also am eager to for a second cat now. I am open to cats of all ages and my only requirement is that the cat gets along with dogs and cats (and people!). Does this sound like an unrealistic expectation?
Thanks everyone for your help!
1/ Both of my cats (1 year and 11 months) get along well with dogs because they were introduced very early - if you get a kitten I would think that introducing them to your dog and cat would go well assuming the introductions are done slowly.
2/ Ragdoll cats are not known to be vocal - but again I would think that there would always be exceptions to any breed.
3/ The only way to know for sure that you have a "Ragdoll" is if you purchase it from a reputable breeder (with papers).
Ragdolls can get along with other animals, we have lots of members who own large dogs and other cats. I'm wondering if the ones you are seeing that need to go to homes with no other pets, are the retired breeders that are available. I often see them listed as best going to a home as an only cat. Ragdolls are very social and for the most part do well with other animals. However, I would think (and I have nothing to back this up) that a kitten would do better to assimilate into a household that already has an established dog and cat.
While Ragdolls are considered quiet cats, there are some that are fairly vocal. I have one that is pretty vocal, and another that is extremely quiet (rare meows). I don't think that even vocal Ragdolls are as vocal as a Siamese is though.
Be very careful of Ragdolls advertised on Petfinder and Craigslist. What you will find is that unless they have papers where they have been purchased from a breeder, they are truly not Ragdolls, but rather Ragdoll wannabes or look alikes. If you have chosen to pursue a Ragdoll based on the characteristics of a Ragdoll, then you should look for one that is pedigreed so you know what you're getting. Otherwise, you are probably not getting a Ragdoll.
I agree with previous posts, but you can find (VERY)occasionally the registered Ragdoll on petfinder.. there is one named Ava that I cannot get out of my mind. Best to go through a reputable breeder if you can.
It's nice to meet you and I hope to hear more from you!
Each Ragdoll is an individual and, like a child, one gets what one gets.
However, as a breed Ragdolls are not vocal, particularly as compared to a Siamese. Many just chirp and burr.
As to Ragdolls and dogs, the issue is usually the dog. Ragdolls tend to love other creatures and bond particularly well with dogs. Often our Ragdolls bond most closely with the dog over the cats, although getting along with all. Dogs, particularly as they get older, can be territorial and can attack a cat unexpectedly if the dog decides whatever the cat is eating is his food. That is more of an issue than the Ragdoll getting along with the dog. I know of one breeder who had a page of pictures of Ragdolls she had bred in their new homes cuddled with "their" dogs, big and small.
Teresa - you are absolutely correct, the statement applied to retired breeders being rehomed. I was exploring the option of adopting a retired breeding cat, but the "no other pets" requirement is proving difficult. What, may I ask, is the reasoning behind making that request for a retired breeder, but not for a kitten or a younger cat?
Jan - My dog, while protective of our home and his people, is well behaved and I have made sure that he has a full understanding that 100% of all things belong to his person, aka Me. The cat will not be eating his food - in his mind, the cat will be eating MY food. He gets along very well with our current cat, and we leave her food bowl right on the floor in my room, and the dog never touches it (the cat litter was a different story, but we took care of that, too!). My dog is incredibly social and loving, and I feel that he will enjoy having another cat.
As for where to get a Ragdoll, I will be perfectly satisfied with a "wannabe"/Ragdoll mix. If the cat resembles a Ragdoll and has a similar temperament, then papers do not matter to me.
There are many Ragdoll breeders here in Oregon, however, I e-mailed one about one of her retired breeding cats and never did hear back. I have also seen the prices and while I understand that pets cost money, I am not keen on spending $800 - $1000 for a kitten at all. Even $400 - $500 is out of my comfort zone and I saw that for a pet quality kitten from a breeder many here will disapprove of.
Most breeders who are retiring their breeders, just understand their cats and know what kind of situation they will do best in. I have a retired breeder and I know she wishes she was an only cat. I got her at 3.5 years. I have another I got at 18 months and she would love to have another playmate.
If you're uncomfortable paying in $400-$500 to a backyard breeder (oh, and add on a couple of hundred dollars for the additional vet visits they'll require - I can practically guarantee you), then chances are the only way you'll find a ragdoll in your price range is to keep searching out on Petfinder and Craigslist, and hope that someone just happens to need to rehome their ragdoll. Since you say that you aren't in a hurry, then that may eventually pay out for you.
Well, I'm uncomfortable paying a backyard breeder, period, actually. But yes, the idea is that I don't want to pay $400 and think that if by rescuing, I can save a life, bring a cat into the family, and not spend that much, it'll be a win-win situation for everyone.
However, out of curiosity, what makes you certain that a byb kitten will cost hundreds of dollars in vet visits? An adopted cat is the equivalent of a backyard bred cat in the sense that they are not bought from reputable breeders, and wouldn't one of those be equally likely to develop health issues? Also, are there actually any health problems common among Ragdolls specifically?
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, by the way. Still learning!
(03-05-2010 11:02 PM)qvh Wrote: [ -> ]I will be perfectly satisfied with a "wannabe"/Ragdoll mix. If the cat resembles a Ragdoll and has a similar temperament, then papers do not matter to me.
But that is the point. One only gets the predictability of the breed by getting a pedigreed cat with papers from a reputable breeder. Otherwise, one might as well get a $100 moggie, which is fine and who may be the best cat ever, but you lose the greater predictability of a pedigreed cat.
As for the price, we lose thousands of dollars a year breeding. We already subsidize the cost of the kittens. Do not search for a $400 (or less) Ragdoll. Rather than getting a $400 Ragdoll, you will get a $100 moggie for $400.
You can get retired breeding Ragdolls for less or adults who need to be rehomed, but those are harder to find.
No problem in not being comfortable spending over a certain amount, but just do not try to get a Ragdoll. Perhaps look for an older shelter cat. On the other hand, the purchase price of the most expensive Ragdoll is a minor part of the average lifetime expense of properly caring for a cat.
I am fully aware of the expenses of caring for a pet - my dog cost me initially $1200, but another $3,000 was spent on shots, vet appointments, training, equipment, food, toys, etc in the first 6 months. And to think, he didn't even have any health problems! I am 100% capable of providing for my pets, and money is not an issue. If there is an emergency, we'll be able to cover it, and we'll definitely be able to afford food and all supplies needed for care. However, I have to say that my cat did not cost me more than $20 - $35 a month as far as expenses go. She came to me spayed and with all of her supplies and up to date on all health checks and shots. Hasn't had a problem yet, and all she costs us is the food we pay and yearly vet visits.
No need to preach to me about reputable breeders, I won't be looking for a $400 cat. I know how to pick the reputable breeders from the backyard breeders, and know that there is justification for the prices that the cats are at.
I simply do not want to pay it, which is why I would prefer to adopt. And why not, if it saves a life? It can't be that no one on this board has adopted a cat labeled as a Ragdoll or Ragdoll mix, and gotten a cat that does act in many ways like a Ragdoll. As far as predictability - well, if it's an already full grown cat, I'll wager that most of the cat's traits and overall temperament will have already been determined, wouldn't it?
As an example, if I adopt a 4 year old, matured Labrador Retriever who is happy, sweet, friendly as can be, and has OFA'd hips and elbows prior to being rehomed, then I already know it's temperament, and papers wouldn't be worth much. Predictability? I already know the Lab is friendly and sweet and a good family dog, and if those are the traits I'm looking for, and that dog has it, that's all I need. He's Lab enough for me!