Cool Things about your Ragdoll
History
Characteristics
Appearance
Care
Myths
Ragdolls vs. RagaMuffins
CFA
Ragdoll Profile
Ragdoll is sometimes called a "low-maintenance breed". Ragdolls of course need as much care as any other cat, but they donīt have any breed-specific features which need special attention.
Although Ragdollīs long coat may look like a big job, it is actually very easy to take care of. Unlike Persians, which need grooming every day, Ragdolls have a mat-resistant coat which needs hardly any care at all. It is good about once a week to brush or comb the coat to remove loose hair. This controls shedding and prevents hairballs.
Although this
is still a subject of controversy, some breeders recommend that Ragdolls shouldnīt
be given live vaccines. In general Ragdoll is a healthy breed and doesnīt have
any other special medical concernes. Certain lines might be prone to some
defects, so you should always get your Ragdoll from a good breeder who gives you
a health guarantee.
Because of their trusting nature, Ragdolls should never let go outside alone. Letting cats roam free in the modern-day world is very dangerous anyway. An indoor cat lives a healthier life and in urban invironment lives about ten years longer than an outdoor cat. Your cat could get hit by a car, killed by a dog or something or someone worse, end up to a lab or a university for tests or someone might steal it or take it to a shelter. Many people still think that keeping a cat indoors is cruel, but outdoor cats are very likely to meet a violent death. Luckily Ragdolls adapt well even to small apartments and they can be easily trained to walk on a leash.
Also keep in mind that Ragdolls can be more than three times bigger than normal cats, so donīt buy the smallest carrier, litter box etc., especially if you are getting a male!
I am not going to go any further on general cat care, because the subject area is very large and there are many books written on the subject. Before having a cat, get some cat books from the library (and preferrably buy a good one to your home too).
