Hi there! It's been a while since I've been on here, and I’m not sure where this should be (please move if needed), but I'll give it a go!
Jake (RIP) began his life on the streets in Oct 2000, and we lost him to those same streets in Jan 2008.
We adopted a German Shepherd pup in Feb 2008, and decided against getting a new kitten until he’d lost his pup-ness! Well, now I feel that it’s FINALLY time to bring a new little fluffbutt into the house!
I’ve decided against getting a rescue cat this time around. I tried and tried to get Jake to assimilate to inside life, but he was as stubborn as a mule and knew what he was missing!
So, I’ve decided to go down the purebred path (first time, so excited!), and decided on the Ragdoll breed. I have a nephew that comes around quite a lot, so I needed a placid, adaptable cat, which I’ve read this breed is. I’m going overseas to Africa in August, so I’m going to wait until Sept-Oct before adopting, (the kindest thing, I believe), but I want to get as much information on purchasing a purebred cat FIRST before I dive in.
(1) There’s quite a few breeders close to where I live, but most are unregistered and unspecialised. I’ve been doing some research and found this website, http://www.ragdollcats.biz/, and was quite impressed. It seems reputable, but I would like some more information about it. Does anyone know about website? Reviews, feedback, tips? I want to start things right, so I don’t want to go charging in, guns blazing, without a clue!
Moving on, I was browsing RAGANZ, and came across this breeder’s website, http://www.ragalonragdolls.com/, and it seems well-organised and reputable, but again, would like some feedback, tips and reviews on the subject.
(2) This will be the first longhaired/'semi-longhaired cat that I've owned, and I have a few questons about grooming. What equipment do i need? I have a soft brush and a comb, which I would use on Jake (he looooooved the soft brush!
), but are there any other things I need? i.e. shedding brush, scissors etc.?? Also, I've heard that longhaired cats need bathes every month or so, and was wondering if this was true? If so, when should I begin training the kitten to "tolerate" it? Is it possible to train them to actually like water? (doubt it, lol)
(3) I plan on keeping the kitten indoors, (most raggie breeders stipulate this before allowing to adopt out), but we have a small-ish house and I'm worried that he'll get bored with the small space. I have an area outside, where the dog can't get into, which is semi-enclosed and leafy, which seems like a perfect spot for an outside enclosure. All it needs is some mesh on the fence and a new gate and it should be (in theory) impenetrable, but I was wondering if this would be the best option for the little thing? He'll be indoors for at least a few weeks/months before he's introduced to it, and NEVER unsupervised, so I won't be just throwing him out there into the big, wide world. But I just would like someone's opinion on stimulating his environment.
(4) Scratching posts/gyms: Jake HATED them, always preferring to scratch the trees outside, so I never got one. I've had a look on the web for them, but they all seem to be available only in the USA and at a starting price of $300+ plus about $200+ shipping, so I was wondering if it was worth it?? I have someone who could build be one for about $20, but I'm not sure if I should stick with the specially-built designs, in case it isn't safe??
Sorry for the novel guys, but I'm so excited, I've missed having a cat soooo much! Would love any and all feedback you guys could offer me. I understand knowledge on the kitten subject might be a little outdated, and it might seem like I'm a complete airhead, but I don't want to rush into this. I want to start our kitten journey right this time!! Thanks guys!
Jake (RIP) began his life on the streets in Oct 2000, and we lost him to those same streets in Jan 2008.
We adopted a German Shepherd pup in Feb 2008, and decided against getting a new kitten until he’d lost his pup-ness! Well, now I feel that it’s FINALLY time to bring a new little fluffbutt into the house!
I’ve decided against getting a rescue cat this time around. I tried and tried to get Jake to assimilate to inside life, but he was as stubborn as a mule and knew what he was missing!
So, I’ve decided to go down the purebred path (first time, so excited!), and decided on the Ragdoll breed. I have a nephew that comes around quite a lot, so I needed a placid, adaptable cat, which I’ve read this breed is. I’m going overseas to Africa in August, so I’m going to wait until Sept-Oct before adopting, (the kindest thing, I believe), but I want to get as much information on purchasing a purebred cat FIRST before I dive in.
(1) There’s quite a few breeders close to where I live, but most are unregistered and unspecialised. I’ve been doing some research and found this website, http://www.ragdollcats.biz/, and was quite impressed. It seems reputable, but I would like some more information about it. Does anyone know about website? Reviews, feedback, tips? I want to start things right, so I don’t want to go charging in, guns blazing, without a clue!
Moving on, I was browsing RAGANZ, and came across this breeder’s website, http://www.ragalonragdolls.com/, and it seems well-organised and reputable, but again, would like some feedback, tips and reviews on the subject.
(2) This will be the first longhaired/'semi-longhaired cat that I've owned, and I have a few questons about grooming. What equipment do i need? I have a soft brush and a comb, which I would use on Jake (he looooooved the soft brush!
), but are there any other things I need? i.e. shedding brush, scissors etc.?? Also, I've heard that longhaired cats need bathes every month or so, and was wondering if this was true? If so, when should I begin training the kitten to "tolerate" it? Is it possible to train them to actually like water? (doubt it, lol)(3) I plan on keeping the kitten indoors, (most raggie breeders stipulate this before allowing to adopt out), but we have a small-ish house and I'm worried that he'll get bored with the small space. I have an area outside, where the dog can't get into, which is semi-enclosed and leafy, which seems like a perfect spot for an outside enclosure. All it needs is some mesh on the fence and a new gate and it should be (in theory) impenetrable, but I was wondering if this would be the best option for the little thing? He'll be indoors for at least a few weeks/months before he's introduced to it, and NEVER unsupervised, so I won't be just throwing him out there into the big, wide world. But I just would like someone's opinion on stimulating his environment.
(4) Scratching posts/gyms: Jake HATED them, always preferring to scratch the trees outside, so I never got one. I've had a look on the web for them, but they all seem to be available only in the USA and at a starting price of $300+ plus about $200+ shipping, so I was wondering if it was worth it?? I have someone who could build be one for about $20, but I'm not sure if I should stick with the specially-built designs, in case it isn't safe??
Sorry for the novel guys, but I'm so excited, I've missed having a cat soooo much! Would love any and all feedback you guys could offer me. I understand knowledge on the kitten subject might be a little outdated, and it might seem like I'm a complete airhead, but I don't want to rush into this. I want to start our kitten journey right this time!! Thanks guys!
