Frequently asked questions
If there is no paperwork registering the kitten, there is no definite way of knowing the breed of a kitten, its bloodlines, or if its parents have been health tested. Buying/selling unregistered kittens supports unregulated breeding practices. GCCF set minimum standards which registered breeders would have to at least meet.
In order for cats to be registered as 'active' (for breeding) with the GCCF, they must be DNA tested negative for HCM (the most commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats, believed to be inherited in most cases).
Another breed-relevant test is PKD (an inherited kidney disease) - this is low prevelance and it is not a requirement to carry out this test, but we still test our cats are all are negative (normal/clear) for this disease too.
All breeding cats should be FIV and FeLV free - responsible stud owners will require all Queens to have a test to prove they are clear before the Queen visits their stud.
Registered kittens = regulated practices which encourages responsible breeding.
Benefits of neutering
- For male cats it reduces: the want to roam, urine odour, spraying urine/marking, hormone related behaviour.
- For female cats it prevents: cancer of womb or ovaries, pyometra (life threathening womb infection), stops her coming into heat and vocally calling for mates every 2-3 weeks for approx. 8 months of the year (at which time she will likely be off her food and unsettled)
Early neutering
Dog owners usually have questions about early neutering in kittens, and we understand why, as dog lovers ourselves, however... dogs and cats are very different! Cats sexually mature sooner, and are 'in season' (call/in heat) far more often than dogs are, and during this time females will be noisy (day and night!) will be off their food and lose condition, with an increased risk of suffering from pyometra. Males will 'spray' urine to mark their territory.
The research...
"Early neutering has been carried out in Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America for many years and is now gaining popularity in the UK, where some breeders have also been “converts” for many years.
Despite some historical worries about the growth and development of kittens which are neutered early, studies have demonstrated that there are no adverse effects provided that a suitable anaesthetic is used.
The Cat Group, of which the GCCF is a member, has produced a policy paper on neutering which emphasises the benefits of early neutering in both pedigree and non-pedigree cats.
Although early neutering means more expense to the breeder... most genuine pet kitten buyers are delighted to find that although their kitten may cost a bit more, it will not require a routine visit to the veterinary surgeon for a whole year!"
(GCCF 'Early Neutering', 2022).
It is generally recommended that cats are neutered at four months or younger/before puberty. Kittens recover quickly, is safer in the short term and has long term benefits. Do your own research, but studies conducted by experts such as Phillipa Welsh (BVSc Hons) conclude that neutering of cats at six months is based on tradition and has no positive scientific evidence base, and increasing the number of cats neutered by four months will lead to an improvement in the health and welfare of cats.
Early neutering, in cats, has no detrimental affect to them - our kittens have grown into large adult cats, in fact, some have grown to be larger than their unneutered parents!
We do not sell unneutered kittens... so if this does not suit, please look elsewhere.
Our cats, and the kittens we raise, are raised within a home evironment, sharing space with children as well as adults. They are cuddled, played with, groomed and cared for.
The primary period of socialisation begins at two or three weeks old, when a cat's lifelong level of comfort and companionship with humans is determined. In a kitten's second month, it begins to learn what is 'normal' and 'safe' and in its third month is curious of toys and household items. We do not underestimate the importance of kittens growing up experiencing all of the sights and sounds of home life.
If kept indoors, a Ragdoll's life expectancy is around 15yrs. A cat allowed to roam has a life span of 2-5yrs. A cat kept indoors knows no different and the Ragdoll has a wonderful, gentle and trusting nature who would not do well being allowed to roam.
Ragdolls are very sociable cats and do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. If there is nobody at home for much of the day, or even for your kitten to have another for company, consider getting two! Kittens from the same litter have grown up together and would be good company for each other in their new home.
The more relevant question is, how will your dog be around a kitten? A kitten new to your home would be entering your dog's territory, so at the very least you will need to ensure that your kitten has a safe space, particularly during introductions. Ragdolls are also indoor cats, so you really have to consider how you will let your dog in and out of the garden while also keeping your Ragdoll safe. Ragdolls are not street wise and our kitten contracts require you to sign and agree to not allowing the cat to roam.
There are differing opinions on this but our view is: a kitten's personality is based on its character and not determined by gender. Breed type, nature and nurture help form a kitten's personality.
People often want to know which gender is 'best' because they already have an older cat, and sometimes want to know how the kitten would be with their existing cat. Our kittens leave at 15-16 weeks of age and have been raised with their mother and our other adult cats. The feedback we receive is that our kittens settled in very well, and very quickly, in their new homes. We cannot comment on how welcoming your existing cat will be towards a newbie, but some settling in disagreements are to be expected before, hopefully, becoming the best of friends.
