Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Origins and History of The Ragdoll Breed

• A. The First Ragdolls .......................................................................................8
• B. The Ragdoll Franchise ..............................................................................9
• C. The International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA) ................................10
• D. ‘Ragamuffin’ cats ......................................................................................11

Chapter 2

Characteristics

• A. Temperament .............................................................................................12
  • 1. Ragdolls are best indoors......................................................................12
  • 2. Ragdolls are smart.....................................................................................13
• B. Appearance...................................................................................................13
• C. Colors and Patterns..................................................................................14
  • 1. Colors..............................................................................................................14
  • 2. Patterns...........................................................................................................14
• D. Development................................................................................................15
• E. Elderly Ragdoll cats...................................................................................15

Chapter 3

Feeding Ragdoll Cats

• A. Feeding Ragdoll Kittens .........................................................................16
  • 1. Introductory food.......................................................................................16
  • 2. Switching to dry food...............................................................................16
  • 3. Choosing and preparing kitten food ...............................................17
  • 4. Dry vs wet foods.........................................................................................17
  • 5. Kitten treats..................................................................................................18
• B. Feeding Ragdoll Adults............................................................................18
  • 1. Food Myths .................................................................................................18
  • 2. Other foods to avoid................................................................................19
• C. Feeding Pregnant Ragdolls..................................................................20
• D. Supplements to avoid..............................................................................21
  • 1. Alfalfa powder and sprouts..................................................................21
  • 2. Raw vegetables .........................................................................................21
  • 3. Spices.............................................................................................................22
  • 4. Yeast ...............................................................................................................22
  • 5. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)......................................................................22

Chapter 4:

Health and Fitness

• A. Common Ragdoll cat diseases............................................................23
  • 1. Hip dysplasia.........................................................................................23
  • 2. Feline hypertrophic myopathy............................................................23
  • 3. Constipation...........................................................................................23
  • 4. Dental problems...................................................................................23
• B. First aid for Ragdoll cats.......................................................................24
• C. Required inoculations and when to administer .......................24
  • 1. What do inoculations do?.....................................................................24
  • 2. What inoculations does my Ragdoll need? ................................24
  • 3. When should inoculations be administered?.............................25
  • 4. Can pregnant Ragdolls be vaccinated? ......................................25
  • 5. Are there any possible reactions?..................................................25
• D. Treating external parasites .............................................................26
• 1. Fleas .........................................................................................................26
• 2. Mites..........................................................................................................26
• 3. Ticks .........................................................................................................27
• E. Treating Internal Parasites ..............................................................27
  • 1. How your cat can get worms............................................................27
  • 2. Common types of worms....................................................................27

Chapter 5

Ragdoll Cat Social Needs

• A. Understanding cat behavior ............................................................29
  • 1. Biting and scratching.............................................................................29
  • 2. Deliberate aggression..........................................................................29
  • 3. Finicky eating..........................................................................................30
  • 4. Shyness ...................................................................................................30
  • 5. Wool-sucking ..........................................................................................30
• B. Cat body language................................................................................31
  • 1. Aggression – Relaxation ...................................................................31
  • 2. Contentedness and happiness.......................................................31
  • 2. Playfulness and humor ......................................................................32
  • 3. Disgust and repulsion..........................................................................32
  • 4. Attention seeking...................................................................................32
  • 5. Territorial mode ....................................................................................32
• C. Interacting and playing with your Ragdoll Cat .....................33
  • 1. Why playing with your cat is vital..................................................33
  • 2. Using cat toys .........................................................................................33
  • 3. Reminders when playing with your Ragdoll ..........................34

Chapter 6

Grooming and Caring for Ragdoll Cats

• A. Brushing......................................................................................................36
• B. Bathing .......................................................................................................36
• C. Clipping your Ragdoll’s nails ............................................................36
  • 1. How to determine if your cat has eye irritations .................37
  • 2. Treating Ragdoll eye problems .....................................................38
• E. Cleaning your Ragdoll’s ears............................................................38
  • 1. How to check the ears.........................................................................38
  • 2. How to clean the ears..........................................................................38

Chapter 7

Obedience and Behavioral Training

• 1. Introducing your Ragdoll into your home.................................40
• 2. Litter box training..................................................................................40
• 3. Correcting litter box problems........................................................41
• 4. Teaching house manners..................................................................44
  • Further Reading: Complete Cat Training Book..............................46
• 5. Addressing behavioral problems ...................................................46

Chapter 8

Breeding, Neutering and Spaying

• A. Becoming a registered breeder, breeders code, criteria and ethics ...48
  • 1. Qualifications............................................................................................48
  • 2. Registering................................................................................................49
  • 3. Breeding your first litter ...................................................................49
  • 4. Selling your kittens ..............................................................................50
  • 5. The Breeders’ Code of Ethics..........................................................50
• B. Breeding and Registration Policies .............................................51
  • 1. Rules.............................................................................................................51
  • 2. Registering your litter ........................................................................52
  • 3. Fees and grading ..................................................................................52
• C. Using Stud Lists......................................................................................53
  • 1. What are stud lists for? .....................................................................53
  • 2. Where can I get stud lists? ..............................................................53
  • 3. How can I add my stud?......................................................................53
• D. Feeding your queen ..............................................................................54
  • 1. Supplements and vaccines ................................................................54
  • 2. Delivery ........................................................................................................54
• E. Caring for and special needs of kittens.......................................55
  • 1. Kitten food.................................................................................................55
  • 2. Inoculations................................................................................................55
  • 3. Bringing your Ragdoll home .............................................................55
• F. How to grade and list your kittens ...............................................56
  • 1. Listing..........................................................................................................56
  • 2. Grading.......................................................................................................56
  • 3. Levels of recognition.............................................................................57
• G. Neutering and Spaying........................................................................58
  • 1. Benefits of spaying and neutering................................................58
  • 2. How it's done ...........................................................................................58
  • 3. When to spay or neuter.......................................................................59

Chapter 9

Showing Your Ragdoll Cat

• A. Spotting good Ragdoll characteristics for the purposes of showing.    ......60
  • 1. Size and posture .....................................................................................60
  • 2. Colors and patterns................................................................................60
  • 3. Health..............................................................................................................61
  • 4. Quality.............................................................................................................61
• B. Preparing for Showing..........................................................................61
  • 1. Signing up.....................................................................................................61
  • 2. What you need..........................................................................................61
  • 3. Preparing for shows .............................................................................62
  • 4. Breed standards.......................................................................................62
  • 5. Judging .........................................................................................................62

Chapter 10

Ragdoll: Pet Owner Laws

• A. The Animal Welfare Act (UK)...................................................................63
• B. Cat vaccinations........................................................................................63
• C. Feral cats......................................................................................................64

Chapter 11

Going on Vacation/Leaving Your Ragdoll at Home

• A. Boarding kennels......................................................................................65
  • 1. How to choose a pet kennel...............................................................65
  • 2. Questions to ask the boarding kennel before signing up your cat...............................................................................................................66
• B. Pet sitters.....................................................................................................67
  • 1. Advantages of hiring a pet sitter ....................................................67
  • 2. How to choose a pet sitter..................................................................67
  • 3. Where to find a good pet sitter........................................................68
  • 4. Things to do before leaving your pet with a sitter................69
• C. Vet boarding...............................................................................................69

Chapter 12

Choosing a Ragdoll Veterinarian

• A. Searching for a veterinarian..............................................................70
• C. Inspecting the veterinarian’s clinic.................................................71
• Useful Websites..............................................................................................72