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Adopting a Rivendoll Kitten

We are a small family cattery dedicated to breeding healthy, happy, lovable ragdoll kittens completely content with living indoors.
We are contacted frequently about the availability of our kittens and one question I am often asked, is why we won't let our kittens go earlier than 12 to 14 weeks. This, I hope will help you understand why registered breeders will not allow kitten to leave their care until they are at least 12 to 14 plus weeks old. I appreciate that many people love to see them as tiny balls of fluff and fun, but I tell anyone who will listen to try not to adopt a kitten less than 12 weeks of age.
My 1st reason is that I am more confident that our kittens are going to stable homes, when the welfare of the kitten is the most important factor. I allow our kittens to wean themselves at their own pace, as the mother cat will set her own schedule for weaning her kittens. If weaning is accelerated, but the kitten has not adjusted to life without Mum, there is a potential for conflict or problems down the road. This does not guarantee there will never be any problems but offers the best possible start to life.
My 2nd reason is that kittens become independent at their own pace. Kittens learn all their litter box training and general hygiene from Mum and this is an ongoing lesson. The kittens learn from watching her, as much as anything else. If a kitten is removed too early they don't benefit from the continuing lessons.
My 3rd reason is that the kittens get passive immunity to illness from the mothers milk. This starts to decrease by about eight weeks and at this time we begin our vaccination schedule. By supervising these vaccinations, we feel much more confident about the health of our kittens when they are ready to leave for a new environment. They are also desexed and microchipped prior to adoption. It is the vet's advice that these procedures are not to be undertaken until the kitten is at least 12 weeks old.
We believe that our kittens are extremely well socialised. That is, clean and tidy in their habits and well on the way to learning what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. All our kittens are born in their own bedroom and raised in our home along with our Clumber Spaniel, Tori. They are also socialised with our adult ragdolls, visitors and grandchildren.
This all makes the transition from our house to yours so much easier for them and also ensures that they are completely content with living indoors. While the kittens learn to be social with each other at an early age, it is the period between 
10 - 12 weeks that makes the biggest difference, as this is the time they individually bond with humans apart from their litter mates. Yet another reason to hang on to them a little longer.

Below are some common FAQ's

English Springer spaniel and Ragdoll

CAN A RAGDOLL AND OUR DOG GET ON TOGETHER?
Ragdolls get on extremely well with dogs and does not take them very long before they are
socialising together. All our kittens are raised with our Clumber Spaniel and are often found cuddled up sleeping with her.

Cuddling Ragdolls

ARE FEMALES MORE AFFECTIONATE THAN MALES
No, we don't believe this to be the case based on the experience we have had . All cats have their own personalities. When kittens are desexed at 12 weeks they really don't display any different gender based hormonal behaviours.

Red Bicolour ragdoll

WILL MALE KITTENS SPRAY?
When male kittens are desexed at 12 weeks old they have not developed the  hormones that would cause them to "mark" their territory and behave no differently than females.

Seal Bicolour Ragdoll Boy

WHAT ABOUT MY OTHER CAT?
This can be a quick or sometimes a somewhat slower process, but will resolve itself over time. It really does depend on the personality of the older cat. Our kittens are accustomed to being with older cats and know where they stand in the pecking order.
They will eventually accept each other with the less human interference the better.

Blue Colourpoint Ragdoll

SHOULD I KEEP MY KITTEN INDOORS?
Ragdolls are happy to stay indoors as they are born and raised inside our home and this is all they know. Care
must be taken to ensure that they are protected from accidents, disease and also for the benefit of the native birds and animals. A responsible cat owner will keep their cat
indoors or with an outdoor enclosure where they can enjoy both worlds safely.

Seal Point ragdoll Kittens

CAN I HAVE A PHOTO OF MY KITTEN?
Once you have chosen you kitten and paid your deposit we are happy to forward photos as your kittens grows. Of course you are welcome to visit your baby but we do prefer between 11.00a.m. and 2.00p.m. We would appreciate your assistance as we often have multiple appointments on these days. You just need to contact me to arrange a suitable time.

If you would like to email us at rivendoll@bigpond.com

or

Send us a message from our Contacts page.

There’s no better feeling than when we match one of our precious pets with their caring new owner. It’s why we put so much time, love and effort into making sure these special animals continue to be bred.  To find out more or to be

placed on our Waiting List so as to be kept up to date with new litters born and availability, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to tell you everything you need to know about the process.  

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