Choosing a kitten is a special and important step. At the Belgian Ragdoll Club, we are happy to guide you with reliable information and advice. Here, you will find everything you need to know about responsibly acquiring a Ragdoll kitten – from selecting a reputable breeder to checking health tests.
Take your time to get well-informed and discover which of our members currently have kittens available. Together, we ensure the well-being of these wonderful cats!
1. Membership of an Association:
A reliable breeder is always affiliated with a recognized association that issues pedigrees. These breeders must adhere to the rules of the association, such as applying for a pedigree for all kittens born. If a breeder offers you the choice of a kitten with or without a pedigree, this is a red flag. A pedigree costs only around €15 and does not justify a significant price increase. If in doubt, always verify whether the cattery is genuinely affiliated with the mentioned association.
2. Kitten’s Age:
According to FIFe regulations, kittens can only leave for their new homes from 14 weeks of age. In Belgium, it is mandatory to neuter kittens before they go to their new homes. Most breeders will allow kittens to leave between 14 and 16 weeks. If a kitten is moving abroad, a rabies vaccination is required, and the kitten can only travel at least 21 days after the vaccination.
3. Breed Purity:
A purebred Ragdoll without a pedigree cannot be verified, as you cannot be sure of the genetic background without it. The Ragdoll is a hybrid breed, and avoiding inbreeding is essential by knowing the lineage of the cats being bred. Without a pedigree, you risk paying too much for a kitten that may not be 100% purebred. There is also a risk of genetic diseases and inbreeding due to unknown ancestry.
4. Health Testing:
Good breeders test their cats for diseases such as HCM, PKD, and FIV/FeLV. These tests are costly and are done through DNA, ultrasound, and blood tests. Breeders who do not prioritize these tests do not prioritize the health of their bloodlines. Always ask for the test results of both parent cats.
5. Neutering:
In Belgium, neutering before rehoming is mandatory. Kittens recover faster from the procedure than older cats, and there are no proven negative effects of early neutering.
6. Costs:
A Ragdoll kitten with a pedigree is not cheap, but a good breeder incurs many costs for testing, vaccinations, passports, microchipping, pedigrees, deworming, special food, shows, expensive breeding cats, education/training, and socialization.
7. Guarantee:
Every good breeder sells a kitten with a purchase contract and/or guarantee contract and will follow legal regulations.
8. Visits:
Young kittens are susceptible to diseases, which is why many breeders delay visits until the kittens are older. Respect the breeder’s choice and avoid visiting multiple breeders in one day to prevent the spread of diseases.
9. Living Environment:
When visiting a breeder, pay attention to the hygiene and living conditions of the cats. The environment should be clean and free from strong odors. Ask to see the kittens’ parents and observe their health and behavior.
Take the time to do thorough research and don’t be tempted by cute photos or sad stories. Contact the breeder (by phone, video call, or visit) to get a good impression.
We, as the Belgian Ragdoll Club (BRC), do not issue pedigrees but advise our members and organize workshops to keep them informed about proper breeding practices. While we cannot provide guarantees, we do our best to raise awareness among our members about ethical breeding in the interest of animal welfare.
On this page, you will find which members currently have kittens available:
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