At Willetteragdol, we get many
requests from new parents for a
list of things your baby needs to
get them started off on the right
paw.  We've put together a
"Wish List" to help get you started:

 

• Cat carrier  

We do not send any of the babies home
without a cat carrier. This is for their safety,
as well as yours while driving. Please keep in
mind that ragdolls are a large breed as a rule.  
Get a good carrier that should last the life
of your baby, keeping in mind...some of our
babies can grow to be VERY LARGE cats.
Females average 15-17 pounds when mature
and males will grow even larger (our largest to
date was Fergus who grew to 22 pounds!). We
will not allow your kitten to go home in a cardboard box (yes, it has happened in the past. Believe it or not, we have had people show up to pick up their kitten with a cardboard box). Please have the appropriate travel carrier with you on kitten pick up day.

 

• Tooth brush and kitty tooth paste

This will save you money and your baby's smile.  A child's soft bristle tooth brush works well. Most cats like chicken flavored toothpaste. Never use human tooth paste on your baby.  

 

• Nail trimmers

Start them young and treat as you go. We will be more than happy to show you how to trim your kitty's nails. 

 

• Toys!

Ragdolls are like a puppies....if you don't give them toys, they will take your stuff. Your stuff will become their stuff....buy the toys. Also, please don't wrestle with your kitty. Wrestling with them/using your hands as toys will teach them to associate you as being a toy, and this becomes much less cute as they get older. Kittens love anything that dangles from a string. However, a word of warning...any string toys should be used under adult supervision to avoid accidental strangulation. Also, the plastic ring with the little ball is another favorite toy.  Laser toys are fun and a great way for your baby to get exercise.  Any toys that scream or chirp are always a good choice...kittens  love grass hoppers than chirp, mice that squeak, etc.

Trust us....buy the toys.

 

• Cat tree

All of our kitties are members of the Audubon Society (we feed the birds so they can "bird watch" from their cat tree). Place your cat tree in or near a window. For more Raggie fun, please buy a bird feeder and feed the birds outside of said window.  This will entertain your fur kid for hours and help the birds too, especially during the winter months when food is difficult for our feathered friends to find. We suggest a cat tree that is at least five feet tall. 

 

• Brush and comb 

You can use a human grade brush or a metal comb. Brushing a couple times a week is adequate with most kittens. No, your cat does not need a bath. Cats are self groomers. If your kitten has poop on her butt, please use a baby gentle wipe, or a face cloth with Dawn dish soap. A drop of baby shampoo also works well.

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• Dishes

Small, ceramic/glass plates for wet food please. Water bowls in glass/ceramic also. You can purchase them at any dollar store. If they break, it’s not a big deal. Your kitten's water should be changed with every feeding. Standing water will cause Giardia and diarrhea, so please change that water frequently. We suggest feeding your kitten 3 to 4 times a day. 1/2 of a can of food, alternating flavors. If your kitten finishes the half can, please give her the rest. Wet food can remain down for a few hours. Dry food, give just a handful. Remember, dry food is only for snacking. Shallow bowl for dry food .  Leave it down for the day. Replace it daily in a clean, fresh, shallow bowl daily. All dishes/bowls need to be glass or ceramic. Using metal bowls is OK , although we prefer glass for our ragdolls. Why not plastic? So glad you asked. Plastic dishes will cause chin acne with Ragdolls. If
this happens, contact us and I will teach you a quick remedy, which uses 
Stri-Dex pimple pads for sensitive skin. Once a day for however long you see
black heads.

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• Dry and wet food  

Kitten food, of course. We recommend giving kitten food until your baby is 18 months old.  We also recommend both dry and wet (canned). By nature, cats (all cats...lions, alley cats and tigers too!) do not drink enough water. The number one killer of cats is kidney failure. Wet food is a very important source of extra moisture. Please ask us for your kittens diet as it does vary between litters. We do feed Royal canin kitten in a pink can...slices in gravy, among other foods. Please do not buy the loaf. If your Kitten turns up their nose, and if you purchase through chewy.com, simply call chewy and they will tell you to donate the remainder and will credit your account. This is true for toys as well. Most people are not aware that Chewy does this.

 

• Radio or TV

Please, if you're gone for the day and your baby is alone, leave the TV or radio on for them. This breed is very intelligent and will need something to do.  

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• Ceramic fountain

Please do not get one unless you are prepared to clean it every other day, take the motor apart, clean it and then return to the base.  All our cats have fountains. We have them in all kitten rooms .  

 

• Litter Boxes

One and a half boxes per kitty, minimum. Also, a cat litter scoop and unscented scoopable cat litter. We strongly recommend that parents not change the litter we use, which is Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal. If after your kitten gets acclimated, you prefer to change to a different brand, please mix the two litters together and slowly switch over to the brand of your choice. We have tried all of the litters on the market and we find that Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal is the best for our kitties. We strongly DO NOT recommend "World's Best" cat litter. People LOVE this cat liter, but ragdolls do not. While it may be a good litter, we have experienced problems when using it with our ragdolls. We honestly cannot stress this enough. Use these only if you want problems such as UTIs  and voiding outside the box. Why? Cats hate this litter .  Please buy what your cat likes, not what you like.
 

Litter boxes … please buy a big Litter Box or you can purchase them from us. We sell NVR Miss boxes here. We recommend 1.5 boxes per kitty.

One kitten = two boxes 

Two = three boxes and so on. 

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• Scoops and containers 

We suggest metal scoops. Please purchase more than one, they have a tendency to go missing...Especially if the person didn't put them in the proper place, like my husband. LOL. You can get a little bucket or containers to keep your scoops in.  Please scoop at the minimum of twice a day. No one should have a dirty toilet. Your kitten should not walk on poops to poop. You don’t want to use a dirty toilet, neither does your cat.

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• Scrubby brush to clean your litter boxes and scoops

You can purchase scrubby brushes at any dollar store, usually a pack of three for a buck.

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Toys? Fluff YES! 

Toys are so important, that we purposely mentioned it twice! Lots and lots of toys. Puzzle toys are also recommended… your Willetteragdol is one smart kitten.   

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• YOU!

Play with your kitten/cat! All cats need time with their families. This is especially important with new kittens who are in the process of bonding with their new families and acclimating to their new home.

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11.  We send home a packet that includes medical records, blue slip with either TICA or CFA.  All our breeders hold both pedigrees.    

 

 

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If you have any questions whatsoever, please respect our policy of contacting us between 12-7 PM. If it is an emergency, you can contact us 24/7.

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... Did we mention toys?