Choosing A Breeder

• All catteries should be registered with an registry organization like CFA or TICA. Purchasing a ragdoll from an individual who is not registered is a red flag that he or she may likely be a backyard breeder or kitten mill.
• A quality breeder will not simply adopt kittens to anyone who asks; instead, he or she will screen prospective adopters and make sure that a ragdoll is a good fit for the home. This is a normal and expected practice!
• A quality breeder will provide a written contract, veterinary records, and health guarantee with each kitten.
• Under CFA/TICA guidelines, kittens should be rehomed no earlier than 12 weeks of age to ensure proper socialization with their mother.
• Don’t be afraid to ask a breeder to a video or photograph of their cats, ideally with some form of proof that they are legitimate (such as holding a kitten and piece of paper with your name and that day's date). Many unethical scammers will steal photographs from legitimate cattery websites and pass off non-existent cats as their own.
• Don’t forget to seek out information and reviews on Google and Facebook. Quality breeders will, at the very least, have a social media page, and ideally a website. If their profiles seem poorly-developed or shady, this may be an indication that their cats are not healthy or up to standard.
• If it seems too good to be true…it is! The cost of managing a quality cattery is astronomical, and depending on geographical region, a ragdoll kitten of sound health and excellent bloodlines may range from $1,200—$4,000. Anything less should be treated with great caution. It is far better to save up for your kitten than to buy one cheaply and end up spending thousands of dollars on veterinary care…or worse, a kitten that does not survive until adulthood.

Ragdoll Care

• Ragdolls have long, silky, bunny-soft fur which can be prone to matting. Brush your cat regularly and from a young age to prevent mats and hairballs.
• Kittens should be fed kitten food during their first year of life! Because their bodies are growing, this food is developed by veterinary experts who understand which nutrients kittens need, verses the nutritional requirements of adulthood.
• Ragdoll cats—actually all cats!—should never be declawed unless medically necessary. Please note that our contract explicitly prohibits declawing. If you are experiencing behavioral problems with your cat, we are here to help! Please contact us at the first sign of any health or behavorial problems and we will be in touch. A high-quality, heavy-duty scratching post that can support the weight and size of an adult ragdoll cat is highly recommended; we prefer the SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post.
• Popular kitten toys include springs, pom-poms, crinkle balls, and feather wands. Be aware that kittens are like toddlers: they will put anything into their mouths that will fit! Never play with items that could potentially be swallowed, including baggie ties, strings, or bits of plastic.
• We recommend using World’s Best Cat Litter, which is clumping, completely dust-free, and gentle on small paws. Contrary to belief, most cats dislike covered litterboxes, so an open style is best. You should provide one litterbox per kitten/cat, plus on extra. As adults, an XL litterbox should be provided so your cats do not feel cramped. Tractor Supply stores sell one of the largest available litterboxes at a very affordable price.
• Ragdoll cats are gentle and trusting, and not skilled at defending themselves. Never allow your ragdoll to explore outside without a harness, under close supervision! Alternatively, there are many “cattios” that can be purchased that will allow your cats to enjoy the fresh air without the dangers of roaming.
Do you have additional questions?
Please be in touch!