Ragdoll cats behavior
This is a link to a post about this cat’s behavior, which, frankly, is not that different to other cat breeds but definitely laid back. Ragdolls, like Siamese are born white as pointing is heat sensitive. It takes about 2 years to have a settled color. Ragdolls are slow to mature (aged 3).
Photo of Jack: copyright Andreas Solberg
Ragdoll cats may shed less than Persians but you’re going to have a bit of fur maintenance (regular grooming) and clearing up to do. They shed a lot it seems too. As for being docile, I think not. Placid maybe but not necessarily lap cats. I think whether a cat is a lap cat or not is a characteristic personal to the cat rather than a cat breed trait. Or it may be in part a result of early kittenhood training.
This has a bearing on whether they are exactly suited to permanent indoor living. It would seem that the word is out that they should be kept in.
Above: Ragdoll cats – A fine Raggie – photo copyright Helmi Flick
Ragdolls like human company a lot. But you know all domestic cats do. It is the relationship upon which their existence depends after all. Anyway, Ragdoll cats may need human company more than average and this may make them more vulnerable outside. Of course, cats can catch diseases such as FIV and FeLV outside, but then it is possible that I’ll get knocked down by a bus. Life is full of risk and we shouldn’t try make life risk free because we spoil life if we do. It is a balancing exercise as for all things. It is our duty to provide as full a life for our cats as possible (and as safe as possible).
Because of their long fur they will produce fur balls. Ragdoll cats are not hypoallergic (no cat is except perhaps the Allerca cats but we aren’t sure about that are we?).
Because they like company and are quite vocal they ask you a lot of questions (basically requests, you know what I mean).
They do not dislike water. Some cats actively like it such as Bengal cats and the other wild cat hybrids (Bengal tiger for example).
In 2016, a cat adopted us. He was a stray, but we soon learned he was domesticated and fixed. My daughter believes he is a ragdoll. He fits the characteristics: size, demeanor, eye color etc. Can you view the pics and tell me what you think. I have other pictures of him.
Hi Dale. Thanks for commenting. It seems the years with the breeder may have affected her character. She is definitely anxious as you say. Chronically anxious it seems. I guess you have checked her out for cystitis. A long shot. Anxiety can cause cystitis and cystitis causes inappropriate elimination.
I presume she is spayed by the way. If not please spay her.
Sometimes a cycle can be set up. A cat pees on the carpet. The owner becomes annoyed. The cat becomes anxious. The cat pees some more on the carpet through anxiety and so on. That cycle needs to be broken. Is he litter trained? Crazy question perhaps but worth asking.
Are you around the home a lot or not much? If you are away a lot that may cause anxiety and her reclusive nature. It can also lead to cystitis as mentioned. Personally I don’t like the idea of drugs because it just treats the symptoms. If you have totally covered all the possible causes then drugs might be the answer but they must be a last resort.
What does your vet say? I’d try and interact more with her. Play with her. Be around her more etc.. If you don’t have the time for this it would be a shame because I think it may be the cure but it will a slow process I feel. Although I may be incorrect about the cause.
I presume she is a full-time indoor cat. If not and she goes outside sometimes there may be a cat outside who terrorises her. Sometimes indoor cats can be upset by the presence of cats outside who they can see through the window. That is a long shot to but may be worth checking out. I am speculating because I don’t know the full facts.
There is one last possibility: rehoming with a retired person who has time. But this may seem crazy to you and I’d understand if it is. Good luck.
Hello, I picked up my Rockstar from a breeder here in Vancouver Canada. She is a retired breeder who apparently never gave her owner kittens. I’ve had her for a year now(she is 4). She has issues with peeing everywhere. Bathtub, bed, my rug, and most recently my couch. I have been using Feliway but it only seems to work for a while. She spends most of her time alone in the basement. I got a kitten this past summer. They seem to get along. When I pick her up to pet her she has a look of “why are you touching me”. Will she ever warm up to me or is she destined to be anxious forever. I’m tempted to try drugs to keep her happy.
Thanks Art. Nice to hear from a visitor who has some personal experiences of the very popular Ragdoll or RagaMuffin (a very similar cat).