Table of Contents
Toys!
Your new Ragdoll kitten will need lots of toys! There are many different kinds of toys such as kick toys, catnip toys, tracks, small toys, stick toys, and more!
Stick toys with long ribbons make some of the best toys for showing off your cat’s jumping skills at parties!
If you get toys with feathers can be lots of fun, but you will want to put them away when you can’t supervise your kitten, otherwise, they may decide it is a delicious bird and eat all the beautiful feathers.
Kittens love toys that jingle! They will push balls around all day if given the chance! Just make sure they don’t all end up under the couch!
The toys crinkle… what!? Your kitten will be mesmerized by these shiny little doohickeys. They might carry them around in their mouth or even learn to play fetch with these!
All of our kittens grow up with this ball tower. They love it as kittens, but are adults like it too! Watching them play with this will be as entertaining for you as it is for them! (well… almost).
You will find that your kitten not only likes to play with this toy but also loves to lay in the middle of the circle. Whether you get the track with or without the hills, they will try to put their whole arm through the gaps to GET THAT BALL!!!
If you want to make your cat crazy, this is the tool you need. They will chase that little red dot until they are panting! This makes it a great toy for tiring them out before bed!
Need something to entertain your kitten while you’re at work? This might do the trick! Some cats are a little too smart for these types of toys and would prefer the real thing, but some cats go wild for these toys!
YEOWWW! Brand catnip is some of the best out there. When your kitten first gets home they won’t be very interested in the catnip because they haven’t fully developed their scent glands. But once they do- well let’s just say you might have to stand back (and watch of course).
Another way to give your cat that fuzzy feeling is by sprinkling just a bit of catnip on their favorite places such as their bed, cat trees, or scratchers.
Grooming Supplies
Most Ragdolls do not require much grooming, but it is still important to be prepared. Mink Ragdolls sometimes need a few extra supplies because they have an undercoat. Since they have a single coat, traditional Ragdolls shed their coats seasonally. They always shed a bit, so it is good to brush them at least weekly.
This comb works well for weekly brushing. It won’t pull out their hair but will help remove dead fur so they shed less.
Double-toothed combs are good supplies for minks. The staggered teeth make it possible to remove dead hair in the undercoat to prevent mats.
There are lots of different kinds of nail clippers. We use this kind because you can easily see what you are doing.
This is another option of nail clippers. These are great because they prevent you from accidentally cutting the quick. When your kitten first comes home they will use the red clippers, but as they get older you will need to get the purple clippers. Some of the really big males even require the next size up.
Dry Food
Your kitten will need to continue eating the same dry food they are used to when they first come home. Since they mature slowly, Ragdolls need to continue eating kitten food for 2 years. You will always want to have food supplies on hand so you can always provide it.
Our cats love ProPlan kitten food. It is a great food for them to continue eating until they are 2 years old because it is high calorie. Feed this along with the Royal Canin so that your kitten has multiple options.
After they’ve reached the 2 year mark, your Ragdoll Cat will be ready to switch to an adult dry food. We recommend Royal Canin Indoor Adult Dry Food. Start transitioning them around 1.5 years of age by feeding both foods in seperate bowls.
Wet Food
Feed canned food once or twice daily, refrigerate after opening the can as to avoid spoiling. One kitten will eat about half of a 3-oz can or one-third of a 5-oz can. If they are eating all of the wet food you give them and asking for more you can give them more. Some kittens love wet food more than anything, while other kittens just think it’s kinda… meh. Do not leave their wet food out for more than a few hours so it doesn’t spoil. If they aren’t eating much of it at all, decrease to just a spoonful or a little more.
Just like the dry food, this food is great for your kitten’s development. They love the soft mousse texture more than usual pate wet food.
Fancy Feast should only be given as a treat occasionally since it doesn’t provide as many nutrients as the Royal Canin food. Also, once you start feeding them Gravy Lovers they will prefer it over the pate so it is best to wait until they get a bit older to start giving it as treats.
Water
In the wild, cats get most of there liquids through eating prey. This means that some domestic cats don’t have the instinct to drink water. Since Ragdolls are such a developed breed, they usually don’t have this issue, but you should keep an eye on their water intake. Set up multiple watering stations in your home so they are encouraged to drink more often.
Although it is generally best to avoid plastic, if you are able to find a high-quality gravity water feeder it is okay. Look for one made with BPA free plastic and a filter. Some cats greatly prefer this watering method to traditional bowls or cups.
Some cats love drinking from bowls or cups! If you are going to use this method, you need to check on them frequently to see if they need cleaned or refilled. Avoid plastic bowls, as many are low quality and can release harmful chemicals.
Litter & Litter Boxes
It is very important that your cat always has access to a litter box, they should never be locked in a room without a litter box. When your kitten first arrives, you need to provide extra boxes to prevent accidents. Be prepared with the supplies to put at least one box in each of the rooms they hang out in, where they sleep, play, eat, etc. Once they are older and are fully acclimated to your house you can downsize your litter box collection to the number of cats you have plus one (i.e. two boxes for one cat, three boxes for two cats, and so on).
We love World’s Best Cat Litter! It doesn’t produce as much dust as many clay litters do, it clumps well, and if a little is consumed it’s not a big deal. If you decide to switch to a different type of litter wait until they are comfortable in your home and then do it gradually. If you want advice on how to do this please contact us.
It doesn’t really matter what brand of box you get, as long as it is big enough for them to fit their whole bodies. You will want high enough sides that they don’t accidentally throw litter on the ground. We love the Nature’s Miracle Corner Litter Box because it tucks away discreetly into the corner. It is also big enough for them to fit comfortably and has an open lid for easy entrance.
Cat Trees
It is very important that your cat has at least one tall cat tree. If you have dogs you should have multiple places for the cat to take space, cat trees work great for this. By providing cat trees, you aren’t only giving your cat a fun activity, you are also preventing them from scratching your furniture.
Most pet stores sell cat trees, but it is important to know what to look for. You will want to get a cat tree that has carpet rather than faux fur or polyester. Carpet lasts longer, can be cleaned, and your cats won’t try to eat it. Our favorite cat trees come from Willow Tree Woodworks. Try to get at least one that is at least five feet tall. The tree should have plenty of levels for climbing and lounging as well as places to scratch.
Your kitten will also enjoy smaller trees for scratching. We like to put shorter trees near our beds so that the cats can sleep on them and still be near us.
Supplies for Outings
Although Ragdolls can’t go outside unattended, there are strategies that can make an outing both safe and lots of fun. Preparation is very important for outings, don’t just carry your cat out the front door. Instead, set up a carrier or stroller elsewhere in your home, put the cat in the vessel, and then bring them out the front door. Cats have really poor object permanence so rather than making the connection that the door leads to outside, they will think that the carrier or stroller is a magical portal to outside.
The Come With Me Kitty harness by Petsafe is the best we’ve found. Cats are very flexible so they can slip out of most harnesses, but this one seems to do the trick. When they first come home your kitten will wear the small size. If you plan on bringing your kitty on trips with you it is important they are comfortable in their harness, so put it on them and give them lots of treats!
Pet strollers are a great way to give your cat a safe taste of the outdoors. Unlike a harness and leash, a stroller gives you the power to set the pace and direction. Remember, cats are not like dogs, they will not walk on leash like a dog so if you want to get anywhere a carrier or stroller is a much better bet.
We love the Incognito Pet Carrier by Sturdi. This carrier allows you to bring you cat anywhere without detection (assuming they don’t meow). The flaps can roll up to look like a tote bag or down so your cat can see its surroundings.
Slings are great for outing as well as use around the house. Look for one with a leash attachment if you are planning to wear it outside, that way you can secure your kitty’s harness for safe travel.
Beds & Blankets
You may want to buy your new kitten a bed or a blanket. If so, try to avoid beds that are overstuffed. You may find that your cat prefers to lay on a piece of mail that you dropped on the ground, but beds are still worth a try!
Look for a bed with sides so the cat can curl up into a ball. If the cushion is too fluffy your cat might be nervous about stepping on it. It is a good idea to get a washable bed. You should clean it often so that it doesn’t accumulate fur which can lead to mats.
Blankets can be used to give your cat a designated area on your furniture such as your bed or couch. A lot of kittens like sherpa blankets because it reminds them of their mom. They will knead and potentially even nurse on a blanket if they really like it.
Scratchers
You will want to provide your cat with lots of appropriate places to scratch so that they don’t decide to use your furniture. Cats need the supplies to scratch on something, so it is important to give them a place to do it. When they first come home, it is important to show your kitten where to scratch. If they get confused and use the rug, just carry them over to one of their scratchers.
Cardboard scratchers are great. They are affordable, replaceable, and they come in lots of cute shapes!
Scratching posts are great too! Try to get unoiled sisal rope or carpet. Posts don’t take up much room so you can place them discreetly around the house. That way your kitten will have lots of places to scratch.
Special Supplies For Those With Dogs
If your family includes a dog you may need some additional supplies to ensure your two fuzzy friends get along. You may want a few extra cat trees as they give your kitten an easy escape if your pup is getting too rowdy. Here are a few more things that will make the transition easier.
The Booda Dome Cleanstep Litter Box is the best box we’ve found for maintaining dog-cat relations. No one likes when their dog decides to deliver them a mouthful of Kitty-Roca, this box is perfect for preventing that very thing. We haven’t tried it with a small dog, but it works great with our Golden.
It is important for your cat to have toys that are safe for your dog. ZippyPaws offers many options for small toys that can be used as a fun puzzle toy for your dog and are the perfect size for your kitten to chew and kick. They also sell refills for their toys in case your dog decides to rip up the originals.
This short gate can act as a temporary barrier to rooms you would like your kitten to have access to but not your dog. It can easily be moved to different doorways and is short enough for most people to simply step over. We use this gate on our bedroom doors when we want the kittens to have an easy place to take a break from our dog.
This gate is perfect for spaces you want to designate for your kitten more permanently, such as the room you keep their food in. It has a gate for humans to walk through and a smaller gate for your cat to go through.
If you have any questions about where to get supplies or what supplies to get for your new baby please contact us!
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