What you are about to read may save you a lot of 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.