Questions

It can be overwhelming adding a new family member to your home. However, acquiring a cat or any other pet should never be an impulsive decision. Having a pet is a commitment. Cats can live on average between 15-20 years so ask yourself if you will be willing and if you will be able to provide your Ragdoll with high quality food, regular veterinary care, clean water on a daily basis, a nice scratch post etc. Do you have enough time for your pet?
It is important not only to fall for the looks of a cat but also to read about their temperament and character and see if it is compatible with your life style. If for example you do not have the time to groom your cat 3 to 4 times a week, then you should not go for a Persian as they need daily grooming and care. If you like cats that make their presence obvious then you could go for a Siamese as they miauw a lot. It is said that Siamese are the cats that talk etc. Spynx should be washed on a regular basis. Similar to this, all cats have their own needs. Currently there are over 80 recognized breeds of cats.
In order to make it easier for you, make a small research, read about the characteristics of the cat you are interested in and check if this is what you are really looking for. You can read detailed information about Ragdolls on our website on the link "The Ragdoll".
Bellow you can find some videos with summarised information about some breeds:

               
Ragdoll       Persian       Siamese
                 
           
British Shorthair       Spynx       Bengal

Remember, animals are not toys. They need love, affection, care and you will share your life with them for many years. Are you willing and are you able to do this?



A pedigree is a confirmation that you are indeed buying a cat/dog of that specific breed with specific characteristics. People can claim they are selling you an animal from a specific breed but this can only be proven if they have a pedigree where you can see where they are coming from. Several years ago, I bought a puppy that was supposed to be a Pekinese (without pedigree). When Aida grew up she looked a bit like a Pekinese but she had the body type of a Chihuahua and she had a rather wavy coat which should not be the case for a Pekinese. Hence, it was some kind of crossing that looked like a Pekinese. Does it really matter? Did we love her less? No, Aida was an adorable dog and we were privileged to have her for 11 wonderful years, we were very happy having her around and it did not matter she was not a real Pekinese. All animals are worth being loved.
However, it is a matter of principle and correctness and unfortunately some people just care about profit. Hence when you are paying to buy an animal, a pedigree is a reassurance that your cat or dog will have the looks and the characteristics of that specific breed.
In addition, kittens/puppies can only obtain a pedigree if their parents have a pedigree and if their owners are a member of a cat/dog club. These clubs have specific rules for the well being of animals. For example, it is not allowed to breed with cats that are older than 10 years old or it is not allowed to have 3 litters from the same cat in one year. Furthermore by buying a kitten with a pedigree from a responsible breeder you consciously and subconsciously support a correct way of breeding where the well being of the animal is the first priority.

Responsible breeders put a lot of time, effort and money in order to take good care of their Ragdolls and raise the kittens properly. Breeding cats is not a profitable business but an expensive hobby.

When you purchase a kitten, part of what you are paying for is the quality of a pure bloodline, the veterinary visits, the vaccinations, the cost of registration papers, health certificates, quality food, keeping up the cattery and all the other expenses that help having healthy kittens such us the medical costs for testing the parents for genetic diseases, DNA test etc. Some breeders also include the expenses for neutering your kitten or they neuter the kittens before they go to their new homes.

All these costs plus the unexpected costs are a respectable amount on a yearly basis. Nevertheless, when buying a kitten from a correct breeder you can be confident that all the necessary steps have been taken to breed correctly and that the kitten has grown up in a healthy environment which focuses on the well being of the cat. 

It might be tempting to buy a kitten without pedigree or from an unknown destination at a lower price but remember...a cheap buy is an expensive buy in the long run, both financially as emotionally.

"Don't let the price of a Ragdoll kitten hold you back from getting one. Any present Ragdoll owner will attest to you that they are worth their weight in gold!"

For additional information you can visit the following websites:

http://rfwclub.org/fbargain.htm

http://www.ragdoll-cats.com/Intro.htm

Also read question 6 (professional versus backyard breeding)



Similar to humans, cats can become sick, be infected by viruses etc. Your vet is the right person to help you and find the right treatment for your pet. In addition to this cats can suffer from genetic diseases or become infected from sexually transmitted diseases and prevention plays a very important role. It is impossible to foresee and prevent everything as we are talking about a living organism but breeders can have a certain contribution.
Some genetic diseases can have terrible consequences or lead to death. Responsible cat breeders screen their cats in order to minimize the risks. Nobody can ever guarantee that a kitten or an adult cat will never become sick. However if one of the parents has any of these diseases, they should not be allowed to breed in order to prevent them from passing these disease to the descendants (kittens).
How are our cats screened for these diseases?
The vet is doing a blood test as well as an ultrasound of the kidneys and the heart. DNA tests are also available. These tests are very costly and this is one of the reasons why kittens from a breeder are not cheap. However, buying a kitten from a responsible cat breeder who is testing his/her cats is an extra guarantee that you would enjoy the company of a healthy kitten without having unexpected, dramatic surprises and expences.
Diseases in detail
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Polycystic Kidney Disease are genetic diseases (they can be inherited) with death as result (more information follows bellow). Responsible cat breeders screen their cats in order to minimize that their cats suffer from these diseases. In case any of the parents has any of these diseases, then they are not allowed to breed.
1. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a genetic disease and it is the most common heart disease for cats. The occurrence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a significant cause of sudden unexpected cardiac death. HCM is frequently asymptomatic until sudden cardiac death, and for this reason some suggest routinely screening.
2. Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD or PCKD, also known as polycystic kidney syndrome) is a cystic genetic disorder of the kidneys. PKD is characterized by the presence of multiple cysts (hence, "polycystic") in both kidneys. The cysts are numerous and are fluid-filled resulting in massive enlargement of the kidneys. The disease can also damage the liver and pancreas.
3. FeLV and Fiv
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that infects cats. FeLV is usually transmitted between infected cats when the transfer of saliva or nasal secretions is involved. If not defeated by the animal’s immune system, the virus can be lethal. The disease caused by this virus is a form of cancer of blood cells called lymphocytes (a leukemia).
Cats infected with FeLV can serve as sources of infection. Cats pass the virus between themselves through saliva and close contact, by biting each other and through a litter box or food dish used by an infected cat (rarely happens). Transmission can also take place from an infected mother cat to her kittens, either before they are born or while they are nursing.
Overwhelming epidemiologic evidence suggests FeLV is transmissible to neither humans nor dogs. There is strong evidence kittens under the age of 4 months are susceptible to infection, but at the age of 8 months are resistant - hence it is a good idea to keep young pet kittens indoors, where virus exposure is minimal or non-existent.
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus that affects domesticated housecats worldwide and is the causative agent of feline AIDS. From 2.5% up to 4.4% of cats worldwide are infected with FIV. FIV is more closely related to human immunodeficiency virus HIV
FIV was first discovered in 1986 in a colony of cats that had a high prevalence of opportunistic infections and degenerative conditions, and has since been identified as an endemic disease in domestic cat populations worldwide.
The primary modes of FIV transmission are deep bite wounds and scratches, where the infected cat's saliva enters the other cat's bloodstream. FIV can not be transmitted from cats to humans.


Loving animals and wanting a specific pedigree cat or dog is not a contradiction. Personally I started with Ragdolls because I fell in love with their blue eyes and their nice colour combinations. In addition, I really liked their temperament which matched my way of living. It is important not only to fall for the looks of a cat but also to read about their temperament and character and see if it is compatible with your life style.
If for example you do not have the time to groom your cat 3 to 4 times a week, then you should not buy a Persian as they need regular grooming and care. If you like cats that make their presence obvious then you could go for a Siamese as they miauw a lot. It is said that Siamese are the cats that talk etc.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with stray cats. On the contrary, they are adorable, loving and fantastic companions. I am the first one recommending the adoption of cats from shelters and I have often saved abandoned kittens and tried to give them a home or keep them. Our dog Rosa is a dog that was abused and abandoned by her previous owner. We are very happy having her and we cannot miss her as she is giving us so much love and affection.

Question-Stary

These are some of the kittens we have saved



As said in question 3, depending form the country you live in, there are several ways pets could be offered to you.

There is a very big difference between" professional" versus backyard breeding. Backyard breeders are usually not a member of a cat/dog club, do not test their cats for sicknesses and very often do not even test if the bloodlines match before mating them. Their cats/dogs usually do not have a pedigree; hence, the kittens/puppies do not have a pedigree. The kittens/puppies are usually not vaccinated correctly nor are they treated for parasites.

I know many unpleasant stories of backyard breeders and if you would ask your vet in Cyprus, I am sure he would be able to tell you many more stories.

I recently heard of a story where a backyard breeder mated her cat without testing if the bloodlines match. Four kittens were born, 2 of which were blind. The reason? There was a very high incest rate but they only realised this when it was too late :(.

An other example is when an acquaintance of mine brought his Persian to a Tomcat to mate. The owner of the male Persian allowed his cat to wonder around in the neighbourhoods and when a female cat was going to be mated he kept him inside. The result was that the male cat was infected by Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) (the equivalent of AIDS but for cats). The result was that the cat of my friend also got infected.

Pets from unknown destinations.

Some people or pet shops in Cyprus often offer pets from unknown destinations. In order to avoid misunderstandings, I would like to emphasize that not all pet shops work like this and that some of them work in a correct way or are breeders themselves.

Isn't it strange they can offer you any breed you like and any colour you like? Doesn't it ring a bell?

Avoid buying a pet from an unknown destination (whether it has a pedigree or not) as they are usually bred in awful conditions as the only purpose of the so called breeder is money. The parents of the kitten/puppy are usually kept in very small cages, are not vaccinated or cleaned properly, they deliver kittens 2-3 times a year as they are focused on profit and quantity and not quality. In addition to this, the animals do not grow up in a house, surrounded by people and love and this results in unsociable pets.

Recently the police discovered what I would call a breeding factory (not in Cyprus) and the pictures were on Face book. I would like to share some of them with you so that you can understand what I am talking about.

Please, do not promote an unethical and wrong way of breeding. It is your choice.



When buying a kitten, whether it is a Ragdoll or not, ask if the parents are tested for the most common diseases (PKD, HCM, Felv ad Fiv). Ask to see both parents, check the environment they live in. Are they growing in a good environment or are they isolated in cages or small rooms? Are they well groomed and clean? Do they get enough attention? Is the owner breeding for a hobby or is it a business? If the cats are living in the house, close to their owners, then the kittens will be sociable, healthy and playful. Kittens should be vaccinated before going to their new homes. If cats live in isolation, give birth very often and are not tested for diseases…I would really think twice before buying a kitten from that breeder or pet shop. It is not very difficult to distinguish a hobby breeder from a business minded breeder. Never buy a kitten if you do not know its whereabouts as you are taking a big risk that could have dreadful consequences.


A pet is a kitten sold to a person who is not planning to breed (not even one litter) but is planning to have it as a pet. These kittens are neutered. They do have a pedigree but it is clearly mentioned on their pedigree that they are pets and breeding is prohibited.

A kitten for breeding is a kitten sold with breeding rights, which means that the owner is allowed to breed with it (according to the rules of a cat club). The price is much higher than a kitten sold as a pet (usually double or more). Please not that I do not sell cats for breeding in Cyprus but I am willing to give you all the advice needed if you are planning to start a cattery. In other words, all kittens sold by Aramis de Neria in Cyprus are neutered.

The definition of a kitten sold as pet or breed is not really known in Cyprus. Some breeders are selling their kittens for a certain amount with a pedigree and a bit less without a pedigree. The result is that people might be tempted to breed because it is fun, because it would be a nice experience for the children or they end up having kittens without wanting them or without knowing how to deal with a pregnancy just because their cat was not sterilised and at the end even if they have might have had the best intentions, they create problems in their ignorance and end up with kittens which can not be adopted and end up in shelters or the streets.

Almost in all European countries kittens are sold as pets or for breeding and I hope my fellow Cypriot citizens will understand and respect this rule.



Question-ScratchIt is in the nature of a cat to scratch. In order to make your cat happy and if you do not want your cat to destroy your furniture then you absolutely need a scratch tree/post.

Our kittens learn to use it from a very young age and only a small effort is necessary from your side once the kitten is at your place.

Where to put the scratch tree in the house?
It has to be placed close to the living area where you spend most of your time. Ragdolls always like being around you so if the living room is used more often and you place the scratching tree in the bedroom, it will not work. The scratch tree is like their domain in the house and the higher it is the better as they can observe everything from there.

What is a good size for a scratch tree?
There are different sizes on the market. Out of my experience I recommend you a high scratch tree with several levels. Do not buy the very small ones as it will never be used by your cat. The minimum size should be around 150cm.

- Scratch Posts
It is in the nature of a cat to scratch. In order to make your cat happy and if you do not want your cat to destroy your furniture then you absolutely need a scratch tree/post. For more information see question 9.

- Cat Litter Trays
Invest in a good cat litter tray. There are several models and shapes available. Chose a litter tray that is user friendly as you have some that do not open/close easily. Ragdolls are rather big cats so do not buy the smallest litter tray as your cat will not fit in.

- Cat Bowls
Stainless steel, porcelain or plastic?
It is much better using porcelain or stainless steel bowls as plastic bowls as the smell of the food remains in the bowl (even after washing it) and cats do not like this. Never use the same ball for food and afterwards for water. Cats have a sensitive scent of smell and they will not appreciate this.

- Pet Carrier
A pet carrier is a must. Please never put the cat in your car without a pet carrier, it can be very dangerous both for you as for your cat. In general they are not expensive but do not buy the cheapest one. Prefer a pet carrier with strong and durable plastic and you will have it for many years. Do not buy the smallest one as they are too small for Ragdolls.

- Brushes
Contrary to Persians (who almost need to be brushed daily) Ragdolls' coat rarely makes knots. Brushing is particularly important during changes of season as cats shed more hair during this period. A cat can remove a lot of loose hair for herself when she licks her fur. When a cat gets hair in her mouth, it swallows it. So when cats groom themselves, they can ingest a great deal of hair, which is later vomited out as hairballs. Hence, brushing will remove this loose hair before the cat does it for herself and so reduce the production of hairballs.

Two kinds of brushes are mainly used:
1.A brush is used for removing dead hairs from your pet’s coat.
2. The Anti Comb brush allows knots and tangles to be removed from all coats leaving your pet with a healthy, shiny coat.

- Pet Food Container
It is very important to keep the food in sealed containers as it keeps the food fresh and it keeps the moisture out.

- Cat drinking fountains
There are several fountains in the market. It is not really necessary to buy one; this is an extra luxury for your cat. The Drinking Fountains constantly circulates water through its filter to ensure that the water is pure and fresh.


Here you can find a list with poisous plantsfile pdf

 

More questions? Do not hesitate to send us an e-mail

Our Ragdolls

Banner-Our2

Tiberius is the International Cat Association's 2012 (TICA) Best Chocolate Lynx Point Ragdoll of the year of 2012!!! I am so proud of him.

Read more

Kittens

FPK-1

Current Kittens

Contact us for more information

Read more