RAGDOLL KITTEN CARE

Ensure Your Ragdoll Kitten Feels Safe and Secure

Make sure your ragdoll kitten feels safe and secure on their first night at home by setting up a quiet area with a bed, food and a litter box. This designated space whether its a quiet corner or a cat kennel with a soft blanket is their sanctuary and if they feel scared they will feel comforted. Keeping the kitten confined to this area when unsupervised will prevent accidents and help with litter training. Consider placing extra litter trays in different areas of the house especially if its big or has multiple levels so the kitten can get to them easily until they get to know the house. With time your kitten will learn the layout of the house and will confidently find their way to their litter tray box.

Minimize Stress for Your Ragdoll Kitten

Keep stress to a minimum on the first night by not having too many visitors. Your kitten is already stressed from the car ride and being away from mom and littermates. It’s normal for kittens to cry for mom and siblings for a few days after they get to their new home. Be present and nurturing with your kitten and establish yourself as their new human. This will help them feel safe and secure as they get used to their new surroundings.

Bonding with Your Ragdoll Kitten

Spend time bonding with your ragdoll kitten during the first few weeks in their new home. Your kitten may already be used to human interaction but it’s important to cement the bond between you and them. Cuddle, gently play and talk to your kitten. By giving them affection and positive experiences you will help them associate you with happiness and security and a lifelong friend. Use this time to shape their personality and deepen your commitment to caring for them for life.

Establish Boundaries During Playtime

You need to set boundaries during playtime with your kitten so they don’t associate your hands with toys. Use toys for rough play and reserve your hands for gentle handling, stroking and cuddling. By doing this you’ll prevent unwanted behaviours like scratching and biting fingers. Consistency will promote good interactions and good play habits as your kitten grows.

Kitten-Proof Your Home

Kitten proof your home to keep your ragdoll kitten safe. Pay attention to anything that could be a hazard. Cords on blinds, electrical cords and toxic plants. Take proactive measures to secure or remove these hazards from your kitten’s reach. By doing this you’ll reduce the risk of accidents and create a safe space for your playful ragdoll to explore and thrive in.

Ensure Optimal Nutrition

Feed your ragdoll kitten the right nutrition by feeding them kitten kibble that meets their higher needs. Look for kibble that says kitten on it as it has the nutrients they need to grow and develop. Leave a bowl of kibble out all the time and a fresh bowl of water so they can graze throughout the day. Replace their water bowl daily to encourage them to drink from a clean source. Unlike dogs, cats don’t overeat so free feeding is recommended. Check with your vet to see when to switch to adult food, usually around 1 year old, based on their individual needs and circumstances.

Feeding Do's and Don'ts

When feeding your ragdoll cats and kittens, it's important to adhere to certain do's and don'ts to ensure their health and well-being:

Do:

Feed your kitten a well-balanced premium food formulated specifically for kittens. Look for products that provide essential nutrients, proteins, and calories necessary for their growth and high energy levels.
Provide fresh water at all times to keep your kitten hydrated and healthy.

Don't:

Feed your kitten dog food, as it lacks taurine, an essential nutrient for cats that can lead to heart disease or vision problems if deficient.
Offer table scraps or milk to your kitten, as these can cause digestive issues and encourage begging behaviors without providing necessary nutrients.
Avoid feeding canned tuna or other human-grade canned fish to your kitten, as they can disrupt vitamin balance and lead to serious health issues.

Following these guidelines will help ensure that your ragdoll cats and kittens receive the proper nutrition they need for optimal health and vitality.

Essential Supplies for Your Kitten

Ensure you're fully prepared to welcome your ragdoll kitten into your home by gathering the following essential items:

Dry food (the current brand your kitten is eating)
Canned food for added variety and nutrition
Food and water bowls for mealtime
Cat toys to keep your kitten entertained and engaged
Cozy bed for comfortable rest and relaxation
Scratch post to satisfy natural scratching instincts and protect furniture
Litter box and scoop for proper waste management
Litter to fill the litter box
Collar with an ID tag for identification and safety purposes

These items are essential for ensuring your ragdoll kitten's health, comfort, and happiness in their new home. For additional recommendations and trusted products, visit our recommended ragdoll products page.

Proper Claw Trimming

Proper claw trimming is an essential part of caring for your ragdoll kitten:

Gently push on each toe to extend the claw, allowing for easy trimming.
Carefully trim off the sharp point of each claw, ensuring to trim less rather than more to avoid the vein that runs within each claw.
Be cautious not to cut too far back, as hitting the vein can cause pain and bleeding.
Pay close attention to the vein, which is typically red or pink in color, though it may be difficult to see in young kittens.
It's normal for trimming to be a gradual process, so don't worry if you're only able to trim a few nails at a time.
Consider using infant nail clippers or clippers designed for birds or small animals for ease and precision.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your ragdoll kitten's claws remain properly maintained without causing discomfort or stress.

Prevent Scratching

Stop your kitten from scratching furniture by getting at least 2 sisal scratching posts. Encourage them to use it by sprinkling catnip or using catnip spray every few days. Get both upright and slanted or flat scratchers and place them in high traffic areas of your home. If you catch your kitten scratching furniture, clap or say "No No!" firmly. Squirt bottles can also work as deterrents. With consistent training, your kitten will learn where to scratch.

Litter Box Training

During litter training, it's crucial to have easy access to the litter box especially in multi level homes. Initially have a litter box on each floor so your kitten can find one easily when they need to. As your kitten gets more familiar with the house, gradually reduce the number of litter boxes. For a new kitten, having one main litter box and a couple of smaller ones in different rooms can prevent accidents. Make sure the litter box is visible to the kitten especially if they follow you around the house. Use non-clumping litter like Tidy Cat Non-Clumping for kittens under 9 weeks old to prevent ingestion issues. After 9 weeks, you can switch to clumping or continue with non-clumping. Scoop the litter box regularly to keep it clean, Ragdolls prefer a tidy environment. If you have other cats, introduce them slowly to sharing a litter box once they're comfortable with each other.

Encourage Eating

If your new Ragdoll kitten isn't eating, it could be due to the stress of transitioning to a new environment. Even though they may appear happy and playful, the change can affect their appetite. To encourage eating, offer wet food a few hours after bringing them home. Slightly warming the food can make it more appealing. Consider feeding them wet food daily for the first two weeks to ensure they are eating well. This routine not only helps them adjust but also strengthens the bond between you and your kitten. Sit with them, pet them, or talk to them while they eat to create a positive association.

Treats for Ragdoll Cats

When it comes to treats for Ragdoll cats, most human food is off limits. But chicken is a Ragdoll favourite and you can boil chicken and feed them the meat and they will love it! Or you can give them wet cat food or high quality cat treats as a treat. Deli turkey meat is another option if you don’t want to boil chicken. Make sure it has no seasoning and make your cat work for it by doing a trick or giving you a high five before you give in!

Teething Phase

During the teething phase which can last until your Ragdoll kitten is about 8 months old you need to provide them with things to chew on. Keep cat toys, small stuffed animals and even plastic drinking straws in every room. When you see your kitten start to bite whether during play or not, immediately offer them one of these toys and redirect their chewing behaviour. This will save your furniture and belongings and satisfy their natural chewing instinct.

Comforting Your Kitten

New kittens cry in the first few nights in a new home. This crying is not constant but may be intermittent. Comfort and talk to your kitten to let them know everything is ok. They’re in a new and unfamiliar place, missing their mom and siblings. Don’t yell, that will just stress them out more. Use this time to bond with your kitten and help them feel safe in their new environment. Spend quality time together and you’ll build a bond and trust with your kitten.

Choosing Safe Toys

When choosing toys for your ragdoll kitten, safety first. Choose toys that are not too small to choke on. No small objects that can be swallowed by accident. Be cautious with toys that have long strings and supervise during playtime to prevent getting tangled.

Leash Training

Ragdoll walking on a leash can be fun for both of you. Start by getting them used to the vest indoors. Gradually introduce the leash and get them comfortable with the feeling. Once they’re ready, start training indoors before going outside. When you do go outside, make sure it’s a secure area like your backyard. Always pick up your cat when entering or exiting to prevent them from running out unsupervised. Not all cats will walk on a leash so be patient and pay attention to your cat’s comfort and preferences. Consider catios or outdoor enclosures for outdoor fun.

Correcting Bad Behavior

Consistency is everything when correcting bad behavior in cats. Use a firm “NO!” and clap your hands to scare them off what they’re doing. Squirt bottles can help with counter surfing and plant digging. Don’t feed from your plate so they don’t associate your food with theirs. Thaw frozen meat in places your cat can’t get to so you don’t have any accidents. With time and consistency you can teach your cat good behavior.

Protecting from Viruses

Protecting your kitten from viruses is key in the first few weeks. Don’t take them outside or to public places, especially pet stores, until they’ve had their last round of shots. Even after shots wait a few weeks for full immunity. When you visit the vet be careful about who handles your kitten as they may have been in contact with sick animals. Ask that the exam table be sanitized before use and don’t let your kitten touch the clinic floor. These precautions will help keep your kitten safe during this vulnerable time.