A ragdoll - right for our family?

I am hoping to bring home a ragdoll kitten at the beginning of September. We haven't yet seen the litter, they are too young. I have read up about them on the internet and spoken at length to the breeder but am yet to actually see a real one!

I have been told that they are very affectionate cats but not too demanding, however this is what we were told about British Shorthairs (see my post in behaviour - miserable cat!) and our BSH is not like that at all. So we really want to avoid making a big mistake.

I am a stay-at-home mum so there is usually someone at home for most of the day, have 2 well-behaved children (most of the time!) and our 15month old BSH. We want a cat that will want to greet our DDs from school/nursery, want to play with them, be stroked and petted, curl up on their laps for cuddles, etc. Will a ragdoll be like that???
(edited to add - my DDs will not be allowed to annoy the kitten or over-fuss it!)

Emma

Originally Posted by emsharpe

I am hoping to bring home a ragdoll kitten at the beginning of September. We haven't yet seen the litter, they are too young. I have read up about them on the internet and spoken at length to the breeder but am yet to actually see a real one!

I have been told that they are very affectionate cats but not too demanding, however this is what we were told about British Shorthairs (see my post in behaviour - miserable cat!) and our BSH is not like that at all. So we really want to avoid making a big mistake.

I am a stay-at-home mum so there is usually someone at home for most of the day, have 2 well-behaved children (most of the time!) and our 15month old BSH. We want a cat that will want to greet our DDs from school/nursery, want to play with them, be stroked and petted, curl up on their laps for cuddles, etc. Will a ragdoll be like that???
(edited to add - my DDs will not be allowed to annoy the kitten or over-fuss it!)

Emma

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I think it's impossible to predict the character of a specific cat. Yes, generally Ragdolls are affectionate cats, but to say for sure that your kitten will be that way-it's not possible. I would say see what the character of a kitten your want is like, the best as you can. See if the kitten is freindly, etc. But even then the kitten might change as he/she grows into an adult cat.

I have a ragdoll. He will be 3 in September. I can tell you what it is like living with my raggie.
He is very social. When we have workman around,I always have to chase him away from their tool boxes. He always looks for things to play with in them. When my hubby does any diy,he is right there . I call him my hubby's supervisor Do not close him behind a door. He screams his head off.
He is very trusting. Because of this ,I try to make sure nothing I do will break that trust.
He does flop. I have a bengal also and you can feel the big difference when you hold him versus the ragdoll. Dodger(the ragdoll) does go totally limp when you pick him up and Bullit( the bengal) you can feel every muscle. He loves to be held on his back.
He is not a lap cat. I believe that is because he gets too hot. He will come into your lap for maybe a half and hour for petting and cuddles and then wants down.
He adores my dog. From day one,he just walk over to the dog from his carrier and said you are mine. That is one of the reasons is why they do not make good outside cats. They will walk up to anybody or anything. Very trusting.
Dodger does go to the door when you leave and is there when you come home. And will tell you all about being left alone.
He loves to be brushed and comb. He knows what drawer his brush is in and when you open that drawer he comes running purring very loudly.
He loves to play and fetches nicely. If I am at the puter and do not notice him he will tap my knee to get my attention.
If you get a ragdoll kitten,pick one that is bold not shy. The litter,I got Dodger from all wanted to be pick up and purred when you did. It was hard to pick one, I wanted them all

I have a beautiful seal point four year old Ragdoll I got at the humane society. He is a VERY affectionate guy, loves to lay on my chest and groom my hair. Loves to knead me also. usually get salivia in my ear as a result. He is stranger shy, but i do suspect this may be from his past, which sadly i have no idea what had happened to my Caesar. I believe there are two factors that take place with the personality of any cat, genetics and the environment they grew in. all in all though, i love my kitty, I can't wait until i can post pictures of him. Good LUCK!!

It sounds like a Ragdoll kitten would fit well in your family. All the Purebred Ragdolls I've known have been much like Bullit described here earlier. They are one of the sweetest and most mellow breeds I've ever known. Males seem more affectionate than females, but I'm sure that mostly depends on the cat itself. Good luck!

Sorry but I must say go and visit the kittens and pick one from there. I too have a Ragdoll, his name is Jasper and you can read about him in the thread under Paws and Reflect "this is jasper, remember me?" Jasper is social but only allows petting on HIS terms, I cannot say that his temperment is sweet, moody would be accurate. He is now 1 year and almost 3 months. He was neutered at 4 1/2 months old but is rather agressive and tends to BITE when things are not to his liking. I have been told that he will mellow some with age but you have young children so I felt I must reply to your question. He does not conform to the breed standard temperament and would NOT be suitable around young children. I would say to go and visit and pick out the kitten that way. I hope that this doesn't sound too depressing to you but there are exceptions to every breed as you found out with your British Shorthair. Don't get me wrong, I love jasper to pieces, but he certainly doesn't match up to the "standard" of temperament of a ragdoll and I have meet others who have cats with temperments like my cats, after all, they are CATS not dogs. Maybe you might consider a retired adult breeder whose temperament is known? Good luck and best wishes...