heartache. Buying a Ragdoll Kitten, even from a breeder, can
be a minefield. Here are 6 things you should look for when
going to a breeder for a Ragdoll kitten.
Ragdoll cats are one of the most popular breeds at the
moment. There's good reason for that. The Ragdoll cat is
affectionate and a pleasure to have around. But you really
have to be careful about where you buy your kitten from
because not all breeders are created equal, and you don't
want to end up with a kitten that has health problems.
1. Ask your breeder if the kitten is a full-bred Ragdoll.
It may seem like a silly question to ask, but it's something
you really need to know. Some breeders are cross-breeding
the Ragdoll with other breeds in order to get new colours
and patterns. A Ragdoll cat is only considered to be a
fullbreed when its four generations out from any cross.
2. If a breeder is asking a much lower price than most
others in the area, ask why.
It's possible that the breeder is cutting corners and not
telling you the full story. It's a shame, but you have to be
on the lookout. It could be something as simple as they are
trying to attract more customers, or they have more kittens
this year than expected, but you should ask the question all
the same.
3. Is the kitten 12 weeks old or more?
If you want a well-adjusted kitten then its essential that
you wait until the kitten is at least 12 weeks old. This
gives the chance for the breeder to socialise the kitten, as
all good breeders will know how to do. In addition to this
the kitten's immune system will be much stronger. Make sure
that the kitten has had at least one of its shots. Steer
clear of any breeder offering kittens up at 8 weeks. If they
are doing this it is to save costs, since a kitten grows
especially fast in the time between 8-12 weeks. You're much
better waiting to get your Ragdoll. It will be easier on
you, and easier on them.
4. Get a health guarantee and contract.
Never buy a kitten without a health guarantee and contract.
This protects both you and the breeder. Remember to read the
contract carefully. Don't just take their word for it. A
breeder will be more than happy to sign a contract if they
are certain that their breeding stock is disease-free. Make
sure it's at least a two year guarantee, as some defects
don't show up until a cat is fully grown.
5. Visit the cattery.
If it's at all possible you should visit the cattery and see
the conditions the cats are bred under. There are several
things to look for: overall cleanliness; whether the males
and females are separated to prevent inbreeding; are the
cats with kittens kept separate from the other cats? Just
make sure that the cats aren't too separate. If they
look like they are getting by with a minimum of human
contact this can be just as bad. They'll be nervous around
strangers and you don't want that.
6. Make sure the kitten is socialised.
If the kitten runs away from humans, then there is a good
chance it hasn't been socialised. This will make for a
nervous kitten and maybe even a nervous or neurotic cat when
the Ragdoll cat grows up. If you buy a kitten that isn't
socialised it's going to be hard on them to move...and even
harder on you.
A Ragdoll cat is one of the most beautiful and loving cats
you can buy. When going to a breeder for a cat, you need to
be aware of the pitfalls, so that you and your new kitten
will be happy.
Trudy McDonald
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