Table of Contents

Copyright Notice............................................................................2

Legal Notices and Disclaimer…………………………..........…….3

Chapter 1 .................................................................................................................8

Origins and History of The Ragdoll Breed.......................................................8

A. The First Ragdolls .......................................................................................8

B. The Ragdoll Franchise ..............................................................................9

C. The International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA) .................10

D. ‘Ragamuffin’ cats ......................................................................................11

Chapter 2.................................................................................................................12

Characteristics.......................................................................................................12

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 ................................................................................................................16

Feeding Ragdoll Cats..........................................................................................16

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:..............................................................................................................23

Health and Fitness...............................................................................................23

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 ............................................................................................................29

Ragdoll Cat Social Needs ..............................................................................29

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 ..............................................................................................................................36

Grooming and Caring for Ragdoll Cats .....................................................36

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 ............................................................................................................40

Obedience and Behavioral Training ...........................................................40

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:..........................................................................................46

Complete Cat Training...............................................................................46

5. Addressing behavioral problems ...................................................46

Chapter 8..........................................................................................................48

Breeding, Neutering and Spaying ......................................................48

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

1. Feeding your queen ..............................................................................54

2. Supplements and vaccines ................................................................54

3. 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...........................................................................................................60

Showing Your Ragdoll Cat ......................................................................60

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.........................................................................................................63

Ragdoll: Pet Owner Laws..........................................................................63

A. The Animal Welfare Act (UK)............................................................63

B. Cat vaccinations........................................................................................63

C. Feral cats......................................................................................................64

Chapter 11.........................................................................................................65

Going on Vacation/Leaving Your Ragdoll at Home.....................65

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.........................................................................................................70

Choosing a Ragdoll Veterinarian ..........................................................70

A. Searching for a veterinarian..............................................................70

C. Inspecting the veterinarian’s clinic.................................................71

Useful Websites..............................................................................................72