Are Ragdoll Cats Good with Children?
Families looking to add a furry new addition to their home might be asking, “What is the best cat breed for children?” Due to their sweet and friendly nature, Ragdolls are often considered the top cat breed for kids. In this blog post, we will explore key considerations for families looking to adopt a cat and why Ragdolls are the purr-fect choice for households with children!
Child-Friendly Cat Breed
When it comes to choosing the best cat breed for families with young kids, the Ragdoll typically takes the top spot on the list. The Ragdoll is easy-going and is often referred to as a “puppy-cat” due to how dog-like they are. Not only are they exceptionally loving, but they are social, mellow and typically very tolerant. Ragdolls make amazing companions for people and children of all ages!
Why Are Ragdolls Good with Kids?
Due to their sugar sweet temperament, the Ragdoll makes an ideal pet. They possess many personality traits that makes them incredibly well-suited for children.
Low Aggression: Ragdolls are well-known for their laidback nature and they rarely display any aggressive tendencies. Unlike other cats that might bite or scratch when they feel threatened, Ragdolls tend to be more nonreactive and forgiving.
Patient and Tolerant: The Ragdoll is usually uncomplaining with people and not easily startled. They also tend to be more patient to discomfort than other cat breeds. The original founder of the Ragdoll, Ann Baker, believed that Ragdolls couldn’t feel pain because of how tolerant they acted. While we now know this is not true, it emphasizes how easygoing the Ragdoll truly is.
Affectionate: A wonderful trait of the Ragdoll is their unbelievably loving nature. Ragdolls are known to follow their owners around the house all day, seek out affection and curl up on a warm lap. They usually crave love and companionship.
Floppy: Another unique feature to the breed is their Floppy Ragdoll Temperament. When a Ragdoll is picked up, they have a tendency to go limp and floppy. Hence the name “Ragdoll”!
Social and Friendly: Ragdolls also tend to be outgoing and interactive with humans. They tend to enjoy the companionship of people and thrive in a household environment.
Young Child Holding a Ragdoll Kitten
Ragdoll Cats and Energy Levels
If you are considering the addition of a Ragdoll into your family, it’s important to understand their activity level. This can help you decide whether they might be a good fit for your home.
Moderate Activity: Ragdolls are adored for their calm demeanor. However, they still need mental stimulation and engagement, making them a “moderately active” breed of cat. They are a great mix of sweetly playful and relaxed.
Playfulness with Kids: While Ragdolls do tend to be more calm and mellow than other breeds, they thrive when given regular play sessions. This makes them an excellent choice for children who enjoy playing and interacting with animals. With Ragdolls, it’s essential to balance their playtime with periods of rest and relaxation so they don’t get too tired. When looking for the Best Ragdoll Cat Toys, there are numerous options to choose from that both your Ragdoll and your children are bound to love!
Ragdolls as Emotional Support Animals for Special Needs Children
Ragdoll cats are also known for their incredible emotional support capabilities. They can provide a calm source of emotional stability, making them a beneficial companion for children with special needs, specifically those on the autism spectrum or with anxiety disorders.
Sensory Comfort: The tactile experience of petting a Ragdoll’s soft, plush coat or having a Ragdoll lap cat can provide comfort and soothing to special needs children. This may help anxious children calm down during moments of overstimulation.
Routine and Stability: Ragdolls thrive on consistency and routine. Children with special needs also typically do best in a predictable environment that brings a sense of security. This makes them a good match for one another. The steadiness of a Ragdoll can help alleviate stress for children who may be easily overwhelmed, creating a sense of security and emotional grounding.
Training Ragdolls with Children
Adopting a Ragdoll can provide a unique opportunity to train your cat alongside your children. Not only does this foster a strong emotional bond between your Ragdoll and children, but it can help cultivate important life-long skills within your children. If you have kids, we have included some essential factors to consider as you begin to train your Ragdoll.
Supervision: Although Ragdolls are usually very laidback and docile, it’s still essential to supervise your children, especially during the initial training process while the Ragdoll and child are first becoming acquainted and comfortable with one another. This will ensure that you are able to model appropriate behavior and establish safe boundaries for both your cat and children.
Positive Reinforcement: Ragdolls, like most cats, respond well to positive reinforcement. When your Ragdoll exhibits favorable behavior, be sure to reward them with a treat or affection. This reinforces their positive actions and encourages the development of good habits in your Ragdoll.
Respectful Boundaries: It is essential to teach children how to respect their feline companion. Children should be taught how to read a cat’s body language, such as learning when a cat may be uncomfortable with handling. This will minimize potential conflicts and promote a happy home.
Teaching Responsibility: Caring for an animal is an excellent way to instill a sense of responsibility in children. There are some simple cat chores, such as feeding, brushing, playing and scooping the litter box, that kids can easily take part in. This can help children develop a sense of ownership and accountability.
Cat Breeder for Families
When searching for a cat breeder for your family, it is essential to find one that focuses on breeding kittens with sweet, loving personalities that are suitable for homes with young children. At Pastel Ragdolls, we are dedicated to producing Ragdoll kittens that are very true to the Ragdoll breed and what you read about online. We are incredibly picky about the personalities of our breeding cats and have spent many years weeding out Ragdolls that didn’t meet our high standards.
Ragdolls and Their Bond with Children
We have sent Pastel Ragdoll Kittens to many homes with young children, even as young as 2 years old. Often, we are sent back the most adorable photos of our Ragdoll kittens playing, snuggling and sleeping with their young human best friends. There is truly no sweeter sight than a Ragdoll deeply bonded with a child!
Ragdoll Adoption FAQs for Families
When considering the Ragdoll breed, there are many important factors to take into account in order to ensure it’s the right fit for your family. This section will help you navigate some common questions and topics associated with Ragdoll cats.
Ragdoll Pricing: How much should a Ragdoll kitten cost?
Ragdoll Cat Size: How big does a Ragdoll get?
Ragdoll Shedding: Do Ragdoll cats shed?
Male vs. Female Ragdoll: Should I get a male or female Ragdoll?
Ragdoll Colors and Patterns: What colors and patterns do Ragdolls come in?
Ragdoll Health Issues: What are the most common Ragdoll health concerns?
Find Ragdoll Kittens Near Me
If you are looking for Ragdoll Kittens for Sale, we have another blogpost that details exactly How to Find Ragdoll Kittens Near Me. We recommend steering clear of Facebook when searching for a Ragdoll kitten due to the high number of pet scammers on that platform. Instead, you should utilize online Ragdoll breeder listings (such as TICA), Google and Instagram. Be sure to do thorough research when Choosing a Ragdoll Kitten Breeder.