If you’ve ever been drawn to the idea of owning a Ragdoll cat, this might be the right time for you. These adorable felines have been gaining in popularity and you might be thinking about getting one soon. It is important to do your research and find a reputable ragdoll cat breeder to purchase your new kitten or cat from. Read on to learn more about the terms of a ragdoll cat breeder contract, what you should expect from a contract, and what to look for to avoid making a bad decision.
Each Ragdoll Cat breeder has a purchase contract. The main components of a purchase contract for a new kitten are the health guarantee, the vaccination records, and agreeing to have the kitten spayed or neutered.
What is Included in the Contract?
Health Guarantee
A health guarantee for the purchaser is the most important part of the contract. Most Ragdoll cat breeders guarantee their kittens to be healthy and free of parasites, such as fleas, ear mites, and round worms. Reputable Ragdoll breeders will guarantee their kittens against genetic problems for at least the first year.
In order to protect yourself, most breeders would like you to visit your veterinarian as soon as possible after getting the kitten home, usually within seventy-two hours, for an independent check-up. You might want to arrange to stop by your veterinarian on the way home from the breeder’s with your new kitten. This way, you’ll avoid having to take your Ragdoll kitten away from its new environment during the critical first week of settling into its new home.
Vaccinations
When you pick up your Ragdoll kitten, the breeder will give you a written record of its first vaccinations. Bring this with you when you visit the veterinarian for the first time. The most common vaccinations that your Ragdoll kittens should have had are the three-in-one distemper vaccine, with or without chlamydia. Distemper vaccinations should be given between six and eight weeks old, followed by another vaccine between eight and twelve weeks old, one after twelve weeks of age, and then yearly boosters. Each breeder will have their own personalized vaccination protocol.
Some buying contracts may address the issue of whether to vaccinate your Ragdoll kitten for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Some Ragdoll breeders fear that the administration of this vaccine could infect their kittens with FIP. However, most veterinarians believe that the modified live virus used in this vaccine is not a risk factor for FIP.
It is important to be cautious when administering the FIP vaccine to Ragdolls, as this could void their warranty. Ragdolls are generally indoor cats and their chances of being exposed to this virus are minimal.
There is also controversy surrounding giving Ragdoll the feline leukemia vaccine, which is typically given around twelve to sixteen weeks of age. Some breeders question whether it is worth taking the risk of vaccinating their Ragdolls against the virus, as there is a low chance that they will be exposed to it being typically indoor cats.
Neutering
When purchasing a Ragdoll cat, you will be asked to have any Ragdoll kitten that is not being used for breeding neutered or spayed (if it hasn’t already been done by the breeder). You will be asked to pay a much higher price for breeding and/or show-quality Ragdolls versus pet-quality Ragdolls.
Neutered cats tend to enjoy a longer life and better health. If a female is not spayed, she may develop uterine infections called pyometra after several estrus cycles. If a male is not neutered, he may spray pungent urine to mark his territory. Unneutered Ragdoll females may spray urine in order to attract mates.
Most Ragdoll cat breeders recommend that female Ragdolls be spayed between the ages of four and seven months, while males should be neutered at seven months plus. If your breeder does not have a preference, ask your vet when the best time would be for your Ragdoll Cat.
Most breeders will require written proof from a veterinarian that your cat has been spayed or neutered. This proof can usually be supplied by giving your breeder a copy of the paid invoice from your veterinarian.
Other Requirements
Some breeders will put restrictions on declawing kittens, while others will restrict to whom and where the kitten goes in the event that you can no longer take care of it. A common stipulation is that your Ragdoll Cat is to be kept as an indoor cat only due to its trusting nature. Many breeders request specific things from their clients, and these requests are generally reasonable. If you have any questions or concerns about the contract, discuss them with your Ragdoll breeder. They will be able to explain why they have put these restrictions are in place.
It is important to read and understand the purchase contract before purchasing a Ragdoll cat. Some terms in the contract may be negotiable with the breeder, so don’t hesitate to ask questions and get answers. A good Ragdoll breeder will not be reluctant to discuss any terms in the contract with you.
Buying a Ragdoll cat can be a daunting task, but it’s important to do your research before making any decisions. By reading this article, you should have a better understanding of what to expect when buying a ragdoll cat.
