What are ragdoll kittens tremprament meant to be like?
March 23rd, 2010
We just bought a ragdoll kitten, and we thought they were meant to be docile. I know kittens are meant to be active and playfull, but ours bites and scrathes us all the time, not aggresive bites. We have only had it for about 4 days, and have kept it in one bedroom and give it plenty of affection. It always seems to want to hide under the bed. Is there any reason for this or anything we should do?
Additional Ragdoll Cat Info
Hi there,
It takes several years for a Ragdoll cat to mature into the "docile" cat reputation that it deserves. All kittens are a bit "crazy" and highly energetic.
http://www.rfci.org/info/description.php
Kittens will chase and try to "capture" anything that moves, in fact. Hands and feet are very magnetic attractions, and of course this behavior is not to be encouraged. Your kitty is practicing her "predatory" behavior, but she is not to do that on you.
When your kitten starts to bite or scratch you, simply put the kitten on the floor and toss an appropriate toy. Praise your kitten when she plays with the toy. Do not hit her or yell at her when she is biting or scratching. This will only cause her to become more "aggressive’ in the "fight" and get her afraid of you. Cats always do best with positive reinforcement, and negative reinforcement is not proper feline "training".
Get your vet to teach you how to trim her nails so they are not as sharp. Kitten’s nails are very sharp so keeping them trimmed is very wise.
Your kitten has only been with you for 4 days. It takes time for a cat to feel at "home" in a new residence. There is so much to see and learn about. It is good that you are keeping her in one room for now. Please give her a scratching post, and a carton with a sheet or piece of flannel in it, as a little "den" for her. Keep litter box as far from her food and water as possible. Cats don’t appreciate their food close to where they eliminate.
You can slowly let her out as she is less "nervous". Hiding under the bed is a sign of anxiety. When you are not in the room with the kitten, try and leave some soft soothing music on for her if possible.
Your kitten will slowly get more accustomed to the smells in your home and feel less like hiding. Then you can slowly let her out to explore, but do supervise her.
A Ragdoll doesn’t reach full maturity until about three years of age, but she should slowly calm down before that. It might be a good idea to get her a feline companion soon, so she has a playmate, and will play with her friend the way that cats play, and will be less interested in "hunting" you.
Your kitten is perfectly normal.
Good luck with her. Make sure she gets her vaccinations, and talk to your vet about having her spayed when she is about 4 months old.
Hope this helps,
Troublesniffer
Owned by cats for over 40 years
Former CFA registered breeder of Siamese, and Oriental Shorthair cats