Which is better, a male or female Ragdoll?
This has to be the most commonly asked question and the simplest to answer! The biggest
difference between an altered male and an altered female Ragdoll is size. The altered males
tend to get bigger than the females. Each cat has a purrsonality unique to them, just as a
person does. Much more important than gender is personality!
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Isn't it dangerous to have a kitten so young altered (neutered or spayed)? My vet says 6
months is the earliest it should be done!
As a reputable breeder ALL of our pet kittens will go to their new homes altered. Current,
reliable and reputable research indicates that kittens recover and heal faster and easier
than older cats. More and more vets are becoming aware of this research and in time we
are confident more vets will be adopting this practice. Please rest assured that we at
TruBlueDolls would NEVER knowingly put our babies in jeopardy. The early spay and
neuters are done by a trusted, licensed and experienced vet with the safest anesthesia
available.
Just think, after surgery baby gets to come home to recover under watchful, comforting,
loving and familiar eyes. Their forever homes will never have to worry about dropping baby
off, the stress of waiting to hear that everything has gone well and then worrying through
the recovery of a spay or neuter. All in all this is a wonderful positive procedure for the
babies, their new owners and the Ragdoll breed as a whole.
Breeding an unaltered pet 'just once' to make your money back, educate your children or
to give pets to friends is never acceptable. If you are considering this PLEASE reconsider.
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I have read that certain breeds of cats and dogs are prone to breed specific health issues
(deafness, hip dysplasia). Do Ragdolls have any of these breed specific health issues?
Because the Ragdoll is a relatively new breed and has a large gene pool it is at this time a
robust and healthy breed.
Please be sure the cattery you ultimately purchase from has a genetic health guarantee and
is certified FIV/FELV free.
One issue that occurs in Ragdolls as well as other cat and dog breeds is HCM, a fatal
genetic heart condition. It is important to note that there have been no studies done that
prove Ragdolls have more or less HCM than any other breed. However, Ragdoll breeders
as a whole have been very pro-active in the fight against HCM.
The best way to fight HCM in Ragdolls, at this time, is a donation to help fund a DNA test for
HCM in Ragdolls. This is important so that carriers of this disease can be identified and be
taken out of the breeding population.
Right now there are two ways to know if a breeding line is affected by HCM.
One is scanning of the heart every year after age 1. The drawback with scanning is that
There is NO GUARANTEE that a cat that scans negative for HCM one year will not be
afflicted the very next year. This is not a reason to NOT scan and all reputable breeders will
use this often expensive procedure to try to avoid tragedy. It is, at the moment, the very
best tool breeders have to try to avoid tradegy.
The other way to tell if a breeding line is affected by HCM is when it is diagnosed in a
beloved pet cat. Obviously this a sad and painful event for both the owners and the
breeders of the cat and something everyone would like to avoid at all costs.
Reputable breeders are doing the best they can to fight this deadly disease by scanning
when it's available and appropriate, as well as breeding from lines with no known cases of
HCM. But to truly wipe HCM out more money and awareness is needed. If you can help
Please Do! The faster we raise money the faster a DNA test will be available to wipe out this
deadly disease! Maine Coons already have their DNA test and we need Ragdolls to be
next!!
We believe so much in this that 10% of the price of every kitten sold by TruBlueDolls will be
donated to HCM research until the test is developed!
You can read more about this issue and donate here HCM Ragdoll Research.
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Should I feel bad or guilty about purchasing a pedigreed cat (or dog!) when pet
overpopulation is such an issue?
If you are purchasing from a reputable breeder the answer is a resounding NO.
Without responsible breeders many of the beautiful breeds you see in
magazines, TV, and at cat shows would be extinct. Yes, extinct. It is estimated
that pedigreed cats account for only 3-8% of the cat population and roughly half
of those are Persians. Responsible and reputable breeders are bettering their
chosen breed by breeding only the best of their breed! They are doing their part
to end overpopulation by early spaying/neutering their pet kittens so
indiscriminate backyard breeding and dilution of the breed does not occur.
Reputable breeders carefully screen their adopters to help to ensure their cats
will live a long happy life in a forever home and don't wind up in a shelter. In the
case that an adopter can no longer home a cat, reputable breeders will help to
place it and do everything in their power to ensure it does not wind up in a
shelter. Reputable breeders care about all issues affecting cats, such as HCM,
and donate time and money to help eradicate these issues. Reputable breeders
test their cats for things the average pet owner never has to think about, at great
monetary expense. Reputable breeders research all medical issues affecting
cats, give their cats the best veterinary care and food in order to put the
healthiest cats possible in to your home. Many reputable breeders tend to get
unfairly lumped in to a category that includes money hungry profiters who care
little for their animals and pet overpopulation and much for their bottom line.
There is a HUGE difference between a reputable breeder and the previously
mentioned money mongers. This article will help to steer you in the direction of
someone who cares about their cats long term happiness Finding a Reputable
Breeder . I have included some links to catteries on my links page that I can
wholeheartedly recommend.
In short, when you purchase a pedigreed cat from a reputable breeder you are
supporting the breed you love and helping to ensure the breed is here and
healthy for a long time to come. Now that's something to feel good about!!
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