Kittens

Kittens

CHOOSING A RAGDOLL KITTEN

When the time for you to choose your Ragdoll kitten has arrived, it is wise to have read all the literature available on the breed to ensure that the kitten will fit in with your lifestyle. It is particularly important that you view adult Ragdolls in their home environment and that the mature cat appeals to you. Kittenhood last such a short time and it is to be hoped that the pet you choose will live a long and happy life as part of your family.

ARE YOU OUT AT WORK?

If you are out at business it is kinder to consider buying two kittens for companionship. It is such a lonely life for a little kitten yo be left for long periods on its own and Ragdolls, especially when young, benefit from having a playmate. The ideal situation is to buy two kittens from the same litter. Two kittens are far less destructive as they will happily amuse one another and then snuggle up close when they have exhausted their energy. They are also less likely to pine if they have to be boarded at a cattery whilst you go on holiday.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A RAGDOLL KITTEN

Take time when choosing your kitten. Ragdoll kittens should be lively, alert and bouncing with energy. Their coats should look healthy. Their eyes should be clear and bright. Their ears should be clean. As a guide a kitten at 13 weeks old should weigh somewhere between 1.4 – 1.8 kilos, please remember that males generally weigh quite a bit heavier than the females. Don’t be afraid to ask us questions that are worrying you, because we will be happy to answer all your queries. If you should be in any doubt, it is best to go home and think it over. You are not under any obligation to buy a kitten just because you have visited. You must be 100% sure that the kitten has the personality that would fit in with your family’s lifestyle as hopefully he is going to be a member of your family for many years to come.

INTRODUCING YOUR KITTEN TO HIS NEW HOME

Leaving his siblings and the security of the only home he has known since he was born is the most stressful time for a kitten. The most confident kitten can become a nervous wreck if its introduction to its new home is traumatic.  We always suggest that you pick up your kitten on a Friday so that at least you spend the weekend monitoring his settling in.

SETTLING IN TO HIS NEW HOME

Don’t be tempted to introduce him to any resident felines for the first twenty four hours – it is better to let him gain confidence in his new surroundings first so that he will be more relaxed when he meets his new companion. Before introducing them, put a little talcum powder on their coats which will help to mask any unfamiliar smells.

LOVE AND REASSURANCE

Initially it is wise to keep the kitten in the room that you are in so that he feels safe. Reassure him with lots of cuddles and his confidence will grow rapidly. In the evening, when perhaps you settle down to watch television, you can then introduce the cat and the kitten under supervision. Patience and gentle integration usually pays dividends. Do remember to make a special fuss of your other cat too so that he doesn’t feel neglected. Once he is confident of his new surroundings and his new playmate, your kitten will be happy to explore and they will soon become the best of friends.

KEEP IN TOUCH

Remember to let us know how the kitten has settled in and keep in touch. We enjoy getting photographs of their progeny to see how they develop.

NEUTERING

All pet kittens should be neutered or spayed at or around 6/8 months of age. Males if left entire will spray, as will females who may ‘call’ frequently and who can also run the risk of pyometra. Your veterinary surgeon will advise what age is best to perform the operation.

KITTEN VISITS

Visitations are done by appointment only and exclusively for serious buyers as this is our home and not a sanctuary or a museum.  You will not be allowed if you visited another cattery on the same day for health reasons as we are very protective about the safety of our Fishbone Ragdolls.

CONTRACT

All our cats, being for companionship or for breeding and showing don’t leave our home without a signed contract, not only to protect me as a breeder and you as a buyer but mostly to protect the well being of the kitten.  In the past we have refused interesting offers for our kittens, however we declined just for the simple reason that the buyers didn’t convince us.

More for a specimen contract click here.

TRANSPORTATION

The delivery of the kitten [outside Malta] is possible and we would be very happy to sell to foreign breeders, like we did in the past, however a lot of importance is given to the well being of the kitten.  We never send kittens as cargo.  Either the buyer comes to Malta to pick up the kitten or otherwise we deliver the kitten to the door of the buyer.  Airlines need also to be chosen according to their pet policy. Lufthansa and Alitalia let pets inside the cabin, so priority is given to these airlines.

METHOD OF PAYMENT

A 25% deposit is to be sent upon confirmation, 50% 30-days before pick-up and the remaining on pick-up.  Although wire transfer and local cheques are accepted, through experience we have found that paypal is one of the safest options for money transactions.