More often than not, the name of a breed can tell a lot about where the breed comes from or what its personality is like. The ragdoll cat is no exception to this rule, with its name describing quite a bit about its personality.
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Do Ragdoll cats like to be picked up?
If there is anything that Ragdoll cats are known for, it is the fact that they tend to become ragdolls when you pick them up and hold them. Ragdolls are known for the fact that they enjoy being held and will actively seek attention from you so that you can hold it.
Ragdolls love to be held and cuddled
Ragdoll cats are considered to unofficially be the most cuddly breed of cat that you can adopt. Many of them will want to stick by your side at all times, sometimes even being insistent when it tries to climb into your lap. Ragdoll cats are the perfect cat for people who simply want to hold and adore their precious feline friends.
Ragdoll Cats and Affection
Aside from their common name as ragdoll cats, some people will refer to these cats as “puppy cats” and for good reason too. Their demeanor resembles that of an eager puppy, especially the fact that these cats will be more than happy to climb on top of you and settle down. There are even quite a few people who can teach their ragdoll cats to perch on their shoulders, not unlike a parrot would.
This is because ragdoll cats are one of the few types of cats that were bred to be solely companions. Most cat breeds were developed with hunting in mind, even if it wasn’t the main focus, because that was considered one of the primary purposes of having a cat. The ragdoll cat was one of the first well-known cat breeds to be bred solely as an affectionate companion.
It is important to note that the amount of affection that these cats crave can actually be somewhat troublesome if you are not the kind of person who appreciates clingy pets. One of the defining factors of this breed is the fact that they crave being held by their people, and this is something that they will often try to seek out from you.
It is even recommended that you adopt a companion cat to go along with your ragdoll cat, as they can quickly become lonely or feel neglected and rejected if you are not there to be able to provide the attention that your ragdoll cat seeks out. When all is said and done, if you are looking for a cat that expresses its love through physical affection, the ragdoll cat is going to be the perfect cat for you.
Holding a Ragdoll Cat
One thing that you will quickly notice is that there is a very good reason why the ragdoll cat has the name that it does. These cats, in addition to actively seeking out being held by their people, will often become a ragdoll in your arms. That is to say that they will relinquish full control to you and will go limp in your arms so that you can position and hold the cat in any way you wish.
It should go without saying that positions that are uncomfortable to the ragdoll cat or holding the cat in a way that causes pain is not going to be unnoticed by your ragdoll cat. These cats become ragdolls because they trust you to treat them well, so you should not betray that trust. Even if the cat is being a ragdoll, you should still treat its body gingerly so that everyone can be happy.
There are, unfortunately, some situations where a ragdoll cat may not want to be held. For example, if you have just adopted your ragdoll cat, it may need some time to adjust to its new home and the people inside of it. These cats tend to have a fairly affectionate personality, so it won’t take too long for the cat to warm up to you, but it is still important that you let it have enough time to adjust to its environment.
More questions about Ragdoll cats
How Big Can a Ragdoll Cat Get?
If you are going to be holding your ragdoll cat, you are going to want to have a good idea of its size so that you can know what to expect. These cats tend to be on the larger side of things, being a fairly tall and long breed. They can weigh between 12 and 20 pounds, with some cats easily exceeding 20 pounds and still being a healthy weight.
Do Ragdolls Shed?
If you are going to be holding your ragdoll cat often, you should be prepared for the clean-up duty that ensues with shedding cats. Unfortunately, these cats do shed, but not as much as you might think. With proper grooming habits, you won’t have to worry too much about shedding.
What If the Cat Doesn’t Want to Be Held?
All cats are different and there might come a time when your ragdoll cat doesn’t seem to want to be held at all. In these cases, you can try to convince your cat to tolerate being held by offering it treats, catnip, or pets. You can also work on establishing a routine and letting the cat have its space, as you shouldn’t smother a cat who doesn’t want to be held.
