FAQ & Policies

The Ragdoll is best known for a gentle, relaxed and affectionate nature. Most are people-oriented, follow their family around the house, greet visitors calmly and enjoy being held; the breed’s name comes from the way many of them go limp when picked up. They are playful without being frantic and tend to be quiet-voiced.

Temperament does vary between individuals, and early socialization plays a big part in how a kitten matures. Ragdolls are sensitive and respond best to gentle handling and a calm, predictable home.

Ragdolls are one of the largest domestic breeds. Adult males commonly weigh in the mid-teens of pounds and females somewhat less, and they are slow to mature: full size, coat and colour develop over about three to four years. A ten-week-old kitten gives only a hint of the cat it will become.

Less than many longhaired breeds, but still a regular commitment. The semi-long coat is silky with little undercoat, so it resists matting, but it needs combing two or three times a week with a steel comb, more during seasonal shedding, paying attention to the ruff, behind the ears, the armpits and the britches. Nails need trimming every few weeks, and ears and eyes should be checked routinely. Most Ragdolls come to enjoy grooming if it starts early.

We recommend that Ragdolls live indoors. They are trusting, not especially street-wise, and their size and coat make them conspicuous. Many families provide safe outdoor time through a secure catio, a screened porch or harness-and-leash walks. Indoors, tall scratchers, window perches, puzzle feeders and daily play keep a Ragdoll content.

Ragdolls are generally tolerant and sociable, and many live happily with gentle children, cat-friendly dogs and other cats. Because they are trusting and slow to defend themselves, interactions with young children should be supervised, and children taught to be gentle and to let the cat rest undisturbed. Introductions to existing pets should be gradual, calm and positive, with the kitten starting in a room of its own. Tell us about everyone in the household when you inquire so that we can talk through the fit.

No cat is guaranteed to be hypoallergenic. Cat allergies are usually triggered by a protein in saliva and skin dander rather than by hair, so a Ragdoll’s coat offers no particular protection, although some people find individual cats easier to live with than others. If allergies are a concern, spend time with adult Ragdolls before committing and consult an allergist. We would rather you were certain than disappointed.

Ragdolls are pointed cats: the body is pale and the ears, face, legs and tail carry the colour. The three patterns are colourpoint (dark points, no white), mitted (white mittens, chin and chest) and bicolour (a white inverted V on the face with white chest and legs). Colours include seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red and cream, with lynx (tabby) and tortie variations. Kittens are born almost white and their colour develops over the first months. Each kitten’s profile states its colour and pattern.

Each profile shows the kitten’s name, sex, colour and pattern, current age, price and availability, with a description and, where they have been observed and recorded, notes on personality, socialization so far and documented veterinary care. Where something has not yet been recorded, the profile says so rather than assuming it. Photographs are of the individual kitten; until a photo has been added, a placeholder is shown.

Ragdoll kittens are generally ready to leave for their new homes at around twelve to sixteen weeks, once they have had their kitten vaccinations, are confidently litter-trained and eating well, and are socially mature enough to settle in a new household. The age shown on each profile is updated as the kitten grows, and the go-home timing for a particular kitten is confirmed in writing.

Availability on the website is updated as conversations progress, but the only confirmation that counts is written confirmation from us. Sending an inquiry does not reserve a kitten. When a kitten is in discussion with a family it may be marked “Inquiry in progress”; once arrangements are agreed it is marked “Reserved”, and “Gone home” once it has been collected or delivered.

Use the inquiry button on any kitten card or profile. A short form asks for your name, email, a little about your household and your preferred arrangement for bringing the kitten home. We reply personally, usually with a few questions of our own, and the conversation goes from there. General questions can be sent through the Contact page.

It helps to think about who lives at home, whether there are children or other pets, whether the cat will live indoors, how many hours the household is empty on a typical day, your experience with cats, your plans for grooming and veterinary care, and whether you would collect the kitten or need delivery. None of this needs to be perfect; it simply helps us have a useful conversation.

Ask exactly which veterinary care has been documented for the kitten, which screening has been done on the parents and with what results, what records and registration paperwork (if any) will come with the kitten, whether it goes home altered or on a spay/neuter agreement, what the written health guarantee covers, what the reservation and any deposit terms are, how pickup or delivery would work, and what support is available after the kitten comes home. A good cattery welcomes these questions.

You receive the record of examinations, vaccinations, deworming and any other treatment that has been documented for your individual kitten, in writing, before and at handover, together with the parents’ screening results where available. We do not state that any specific care has been completed unless it is documented. The Health Guarantee page explains this in more detail.

Two hereditary conditions are particularly relevant to the breed: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart-muscle disease for which a known Ragdoll genetic marker can be tested, and polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which also has a DNA test. Responsible catteries screen breeding cats for these markers and for infectious diseases such as FeLV and FIV. A negative DNA result reduces but does not eliminate risk, which is why continuing veterinary care and, where advised, periodic cardiac screening remain important. Ask us for the specific results and dates for your kitten’s parents.

Kitten vaccination courses (typically FVRCP) are given in several doses over the first months of life, so a kitten going home at twelve weeks may still have a dose due, plus rabies where required locally. Regular deworming and flea prevention continue throughout life, and spay or neuter timing is agreed with your veterinarian if the kitten has not already been altered. Your own vet will schedule the remaining doses, boosters and preventive treatments.

At a minimum, the veterinary record for the kitten and any written agreement between us. Where applicable, this may also include registration paperwork, a health certificate required for interstate travel, microchip details, the parents’ screening results and feeding guidance. The exact documents for your kitten are confirmed in writing before handover.

Start the kitten in one quiet room with its litter tray, food, water, scratcher and bed, and expand its territory gradually over several days. Book an examination with your own veterinarian soon after arrival and take the records with you. Continue the same food and litter for the first week or two before changing gradually. Begin gentle combing and nail trims from the start, keep play sessions daily, and keep introductions to children and other pets calm and supervised.

An inquiry opens a conversation and carries no obligation on either side. If, after talking, both sides wish to proceed, availability and the agreed arrangements are confirmed in writing. The specific reservation procedure and any deposit terms are set out in the Policies section below once they have been confirmed by the cattery.

Many catteries place pet kittens either already altered or on a written spay/neuter agreement, and provide registration paperwork accordingly. Our actual terms are set out in the Policies section below once confirmed; until then, please ask and we will tell you exactly what applies to the kitten you are interested in.

Every inquiry receives a personal reply. We aim to answer promptly and to be honest, including when we think a different kitten or a different breed would be a better fit. Email is our main channel; a telephone number is optional on the form and is used only if you prefer to talk.

Pickups are by confirmed appointment. Pet-nanny in-cabin delivery to eligible destinations in other states is quoted and confirmed individually and is not available to every destination. The Delivery & Pickup page explains both options in detail and has the forms to request an appointment or a quote.