The Ragdoll is a favorite breed among cat lovers seeking an affectionate companion cat with many of the appealing qualities of a dog. These fluffy felines are not all sugar and spice, though they can have some behavior problems and traits that, gone unchecked, can lead to an unruly kitty.
Common Ragdoll Cat Behavior Problems include:
- Excessive self-grooming
- Picky eating
- Over-vocalization
- Dependence
- Obsession with being picked up
- Non-confrontational nature
- Curiosity
The Ragdoll Cat
The Ragdoll cat is more than you could ask for when it comes to a feline companion. This intelligent kitty is easily trainable, enjoys being close with humans, and even gets along well with other pets in the home. Without proper training, socialization, or healthy outlets for energy and curiosity this furry feline can develop problematic behaviors.
Behavior Problems in the Ragdoll cat
Some common problematic behaviors in Ragdoll cats are excessive self-grooming, picky eating, over-vocalization, dependence, and the obsession over being picked up.
Excessive Self-Grooming
It isn’t uncommon for cats to groom themselves, but Ragdoll cats can get carried away. Excessive licking, pawing, and grooming of their long fur leads to hairballs that are not digestible.
You can reduce the number of hairballs your cat gets through daily brushing and regular grooming. By removing dead and loose hair through grooming, your cat will ingest less hair when grooming themselves.
Regular grooming also stimulates oil production from the skin, which keeps both the skin and your cat’s coat nourished and healthy, and it gives you the chance to bond with your cat.
Picky Eating
Ragdolls have a reputation of being picky eaters, in fact, most Ragdoll owners will tell you that their furry friend has changed their mind about liking a food at least once or twice in the past year!
This breed is prone to gastrointestinal problems and food allergies that can worsen by changing diets so, pickiness can be a problem for Ragdoll owners!
If your Ragdoll is a picky eater, it’s a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about the dietary options that are available and what you can do to entice your cat to be a little less selective about their food!
Over-Vocalization
One of the most noticeable behavioral problems in Ragdoll cats is over-vocalization.
Ragdolls are vocal breeds anyway but combine that with their need to take charge of a situation, and you have a very vocal and very loud cat!
Try ignoring your Ragdoll, and they will make sure that you know they were talking to you, continue to ignore them and they will cry louder and begin scratching to get your attention! The Ragdoll breed is perhaps one of the most dependent cats there is.
If your Ragdoll has started being more vocal than usual, the first thing you need to do is head to the vet for a once-over. Sometimes – especially in older cats – cognitive dysfunction can cause an increase in vocal behavior.
Vocal Ragdolls are not always sick – sometimes they just want to see where the boundaries are! In this case, do not give in to your Ragdoll’s every request, or they expect you to come each time they call you.
Try to familiarize yourself with your cat’s personality and their different types of vocalizations so that you can determine when your cat needs your help versus wants your help!
Dependence
Speaking of dependence, this can become an issue for the Ragdoll, too. This feline has a desire to always be beside their human no matter what they are doing. Sometimes having a Ragdoll shadow can be a little too much, and owners complain of tripping over their cats frequently!
The Ragdoll can also get to be quite demanding. This intelligent cat quickly learns that calling for their human can get them what they want, so much so that they often call on human help even when it is something that the cat can do themselves!
To prevent this type of dependence, you must be mindful not to render your Ragdoll helpless by doing everything for them. Just like responding to your Ragdoll’s calls, spend time learning when your Ragdoll needs your help versus wants you.
Obsession with Being Picked Up
As fluffy as their coat is, the Ragdoll is one of those cats you never want to put down, but you must! If your Ragdoll gets used to you holding them constantly, you can quickly wind up with a cat that demands being held and carried all the time!
To avoid babying your Ragdoll, be mindful of how often you pick them up and carry them around. Give your cat space to develop some independence!
Non-Confrontational Nature
The Ragdoll is a very non-confrontational breed which can be a positive thing for cat parents with multiple cats, but it also means that this is not a cat that should ever live outdoors. Controlled walks with a harness and leash are the best way to get this fluffy bundle some fresh air!
The Ragdoll slides seamlessly into a family with multiple pets with little interest in vying for “top spot” so long as they get enough attention from their person!
Be warned, however, that jealousy and sharing may become an issue if multiple clingy cat breeds live within the same house.
Curiosity
Intense curiosity can get the Ragdoll into trouble, too. The Ragdoll is always ready to explore anything and everything in the house and won’t hesitate to nose its way into boxes, bags, cupboards, and drawers. And, if they find something interesting, expect your Ragdoll to track it through the house!
To keep your Ragdoll safe, be sure to keep everything off counters and always install catches on cupboards to protect your cat from dangerous chemicals and medications.
Conclusion / Summary
The Ragdoll is a favorite breed among cat lovers seeking an affectionate companion cat with many of the appealing qualities of a dog. These fluffy felines are not all sugar and spice though they can have some behavior problems and traits that, gone unchecked, can lead to an unruly kitty.
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