Its Origin Clouded In Intrigue And Controversy

The fact that this breed of cat has beautiful blue eyes and highly recognizable color point coat is no accident or result of evolution.  
If we believe the breeder, Ann Baker, the original Ragdoll cats were the consequence of a government experiment back in the 1960's. It seems that one of her neighbor’s cats named Josephine, got into an accident involving a car, and for some reason was taken to a laboratory at the University of California. There was nothing special about Josephine. She was a non pedigreed Persian/Angora mix, white domestic long-haired cat, who by that time already had provided her owners with several litters, that was nothing special. Sired by several unknown Burmese-like cats, one of which had the Siamese point coloration, her litters tended typically to be playfully aggressive.   

The next litter following her surgery however, produced a litter of  
unusually docile and friendly cats. Mrs. Baker claimed that it was all part of a secret government genetic experiment. Genetic experts have rejected this theory and of course the government denied any such project. None the less when Josephine’s subsequent litter produced more of the “ragdoll” type kittens, Baker knew she was on to something. The name “Ragdoll” was coined because these original kittens, and all that have followed, have the tendency to go limp and completely relaxed when being picked up. Already a savvy breeder Mrs. Baker, believing she was on to something new and wonderful, bought several of the kittens and set out to create the new breed known as The Ragdoll cat.

In a brilliant move Mrs. Baker shunned the established cat registry, trademarked the name Ragdoll and started her own registry, International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA) in 1971. Her strict breeding guidelines led to several riffs within the organization, until in 1975 Denny and Laura Dayton, began breeding what is now widely accepted as to days Ragdoll standard. The IRCA dissipated over the years, and after Baker’s death in 1997 other factions emerged which eventually brought us the Ragamuffin line. If you are considering getting involved or you would like more in depth history, the largest international Ragdoll association is the Ragdoll Fanciers' Club International (RFCI)

Disposition And Health
The Breed For You

Remember how this breed of cat got its name. Unlike the Maine Coon, a large cuddly cat whose origins are that of a hunter, the Ragdoll is docile, non aggressive, and a people lover. It is a very striking cat with those beautiful blue eyes, and long-haired Persian-like appearance, without posing the grooming problems usually associated the typical Persian. They get along wonderfully in a mufti pet environment, and kids just adore them.

For the most part the Ragdoll is a hearty, and healthy cat. A healthy Ragdoll with proper diet and exercise can live to be twenty years old. I don’t want to scare you with big medical terms, so I will just say that Ragdolls can suffer from certain heart conditions. They also have a tendency to eat to fast which can stir up their sensitive stomachs and on occasion lead to vomiting. Of course like most cats, they can get upper respiratory and urinary tract infections.

Should We Bother To Train A Ragdoll    
All They do Is Lay Around

It is the between time that you might have to worry about. There are Ragdoll cats that go about their business using the litter box properly every day, get along with their house mates, and leave your furniture alone. Then there are Ragdoll cats that are prone to litter box mishaps, have fits of aggressive behavior, and sink their claws into every piece of furniture you own on a daily basis. If you are considering getting a Ragdoll for the first time or your cat falls into problem type, or you just want to learn everything you can about this magnificent breed than there is help for you. If you continue to surf the net you will be able to find a lot of information on cats, but very few breed specific total information on Ragdolls. For about what it might cost for bag of fancy cat food, a real Ragdoll owner and trainer  has written just such a book. You will learn the secrets and tips on how to guarantee that your cat is healthy, happy, and well mannered.  Please go to: My RecomMANNdations

When clicking on Pet Lovers you will also find other pet related information like how to get rid of fleas once and for all.

Australia is a nation of pet lovers. This adoration is most apparent when you take a look at the Pet Products and Pet Supply industry. The KraMar Pet Company, an Australian owned and operated pet supplies manufacturing company, has seen a lot change in their fifty plus years in the pet product industry. Most obviously is the amount of money pet owners spend on their dogs and cats annually- recent research shows that Aussies spend more on their dogs than any other pet, totaling $2.7 billion annually, which works out at $732 per dog every year.

Along with the pampering of pets it is important that pets are taught how to behave correctly, to the benefit of owners, neighbours and other animals. Celebrity dog trainer, Steve Austin, from the Kramar Pet Company, recommends a range of pet products that can help you during the training process. These pet products include dog collars, cat collars, cat leads, dog leads, KraMar’s Supa Naturals Pet Treats, Wagwear dog apparel, and a large range of fun pet toys. KraMar manufacture and sell over 2 million collars and leads per annum, so they are the pet suppliers you can rely on as they know what they’re talking about. Also, all KraMar products are backed with a 100% unconditional guarantee.

All these pet products will help in your effort to train your furry friends to stop some of their worst habits, such as jumping up, barking, scratching, digging and more. Distract your dog with pet toys that are mentally stimulating, as most bad behaviors stem from boredom, says Steve Austin. At the first sign of scratching direct your cat to a scratching post so they know this is the spot for scratching. If they persist to claw the family furniture consider covering their main scratching spots with aluminium foil or double sided tape, as cats hate the feeling of both.

We all love our cats and making sure they are healthy is one of the most important things that we do. You need to be aware of that there are warning signs when your cat is not feeling well. If your cat is not eating the way it normally used to this can be a good sign that your cat may have some type of issue. When you see this happening the most important thing you wanted to is take your cat to your vet and have them checked out thoroughly. If your cat is having an issue you want to catch it early enough so that your veterinarian can treat them.

Get Free: Cat Health Tips

It is always a good idea to have a great relationship with your veterinarian. This is mainly because if you have an issue you want to be able to call them at any time to find out what is wrong. There are other issues that can happen such as bringing a new cat into the home that can cause your first cat to have problems as well. Of course this does not mean that they are sick it just means they may not be accepting the new animal very well. you may find that they are marking their territory with urine and this is really common with bringing in a new cat.

How to Improve: Your Cats Health

Remember the you need to always watch your cat to make sure they do not have some kind of ailment.  In many cases you will see a change of behavior and this will tip you off that something is wrong. The most important thing you do is take your cat to your veterinarian so that they can treat them.

A cat carrier is a very important thing to have when you get your first cat. It is essentially one of the first things you should buy because you will need it to bring your cat home. Besides bringing your cat home, there are other reasons why cat carriers are important to have.

Riding in the car
• For their safety it is best that cats ride in a carrier when you drive. If you were to get in an accident, without a carrier they would have nothing holding them back and the chances of them getting hurt are much greater.
• For your safety it is better that a cat is in a carrier instead of just free. This way you don’t have to worry about what they are doing. You also don’t have to worry about them getting into places they should be such as under your brake pedal.

Going to the veterinarian office
• You will need a cat travel carrier to transport your cat in when you go to the vet office.
• It is better for your cat’s safety to have a carrier so that they don’t get attacked by another cat or a dog that is at the vet office.
• If you cat is scared of new situations, a travel carrier may help them overcome this fear.

Going to a pet store
• Again you will need a cat carrier bag to take your cat with you in the car. This is for your and their safety.
• Many pet stores require your pet to be on a leash, since most cats don’t walk well on a leash, a soft cat carrier is your next best option. This allows you to still take them places and they can enjoy it because they are not fighting the leash and collar.

While cleaning out the litter box is not a wonderful chore that anyone enjoys, it is a necessity for your cat. This is, after all, your cat’s bathroom area and cats have a tendency to be very fastidious.  If your cat suddenly starts having litter box problems and using the bathroom elsewhere, this might be a sign that you need to be cleaning that box more often. However, it can also be a sign of other problems, including serious medical conditions.

Reason #1: Busy Location

Cats are private animals. While a dog will do its business outside with everyone in the world watching and think nothing of it, cats have to relax in order to get the job done. If the litter box is located in an area where people are always coming and going, that’s going to be upsetting to your cat and he or she is likely to go elsewhere in the house, usually some place quiet like a corner.

Now, if you haven’t moved the litter box and if the traffic in the area hasn’t increased lately, but your cat has suddenly stopped using it, there’s probably another good reason.

Reason #2: Cat Preferences

Cats seem to be a lot pickier than dogs about everything from toys to food to sleeping locations. They are also sometimes very picky about their litter boxes. Many cats like certain types of litter better than others, possibly because of the way it feels on their paws. Other cats have litter box type preferences. While some love to have the covered boxes for more privacy, others prefer something that is a little more open so they can what is going on around them.

As with the first reason, if you haven’t made any changes that might upset your cat’s preference but he or she has suddenly stopped using the litter box, there is probably a different reason as the root cause.

Reason #3: Medical Problems

In some cases, a urinary infection or some other health problem can cause cats to have litter box problems. They may have a hard time going to the bathroom or may associate the litter box itself with discomfort which makes the box undesirable. If the sanitary reasons and the first two reasons don’t seem to explain the sudden change in your cat’s behavior, you should seek advice from a veterinarian immediately. Your cat might have a very serious health problem.

If you cat is defecating outside the litter box, he or she may have worms, gas, or other intestinal distress so a vet visit is definitely recommended. Remember that once your cat starts using the bathroom outside of the litter box, cleaning it with a solution that will destroy the enzymes in the urine or feces is essential. Otherwise your cat is going to continue to view that spot as an appropriate choice for going to the bathroom.

Reason #4: Behavioral Problems

If you’ve ruled out all of the other reasons, you’ll have to start thinking like your cat and trying to pinpoint what may be the real problem. Anxiety can be one reason. A cat that doesn’t like to be left alone may use the bathroom outside the litter box as a sign of separation anxiety. A cat that's angry because a new family member or pet has come into the picture may also start protesting by not using the litter box correctly.

When emotional issues are involved, you may find it harder to pinpoint the cause. However, you may be able to work with your vet on figuring out the best way to solve the problem so your cat can start using the litter box again and you can cut down on cleaning the carpet and other areas of your home.

Unfortunately, it's very hard to fix a behavioral problem if you don't know the exact cause. However, with patience and love, you might be able to find the cause and fix the problem. Sometimes medication can help. Do your research before taking any drastic measures. Always remember that no matter what he or she does,  it's not done to spite you. Cats are not capable of those 'humanoid' feelings. If your cat is having litter box problems, he doesn't deserve to be punished or God forbid, euthanized, just because we don't understand his reasons.

If you want to read more stories and find very useful information about your cats and dogs, please visit me at http://www.yourpetsuniverse.com

Does your feline friends get the treatment they need to prevent health problems? One can say he or she gets shots, but they need to prevent other health problems cat? To learn more about health problems for your feline friends, you can find here in this article.

The health of your fluffy kitten will be your responsibility to take care of this means that you need to know about the problems they may have. There are many diseases and parasites that cats can get. It is therefore important to find the right medication for your cat.

What are drugs? We mean the prevention of heartworm. Heartworm in a kitten or cat can cause death within a few years. The heartworm attacking heart to eat the heart resulting in a shorter lifetime. Fortunately, there are many types of medications that may help prevent worms from entering the heart. Watch your cat and clean the outside of the litter every night. Be sure to visit the veterinarian on a regular basis.

Is your fur ball of joy having a lot of hairballs? There are many new foods that can help them fight against hairballs and minimize hairball, they have to suffer.

When you avoid most of these health problems, you'll have a healthy cat. However, there are more health problems than you know. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is one thing which is common in most cat-friendly. You will come across situations where your pet has a urinary tract infection because of the litter you use.

You should know by now that you need to take your friend to the vet. The vet will give your pet the right medication to help him through the ICU. UTI often happens with men and rarely females. Unties may be the death of your cat if you do not receive the watch.

Another problem of ill health that is cats can get feline leukemia. This is the most common cause of cancer in May and to harm your cat's immune system. That is why it is important to get your cat’s right vaccine to prevent this problem. The problem of feline leukemia is to ensure there are no other cats around, because it is very contagious and can be given to other cats.

The responsibilities that you as owner of a pet are to make sure you give your pet the right care. Taking your bundle of joy to the vet can prevent any prolonged suffering problems with their health. Cat health problems can be handled easily when you get to him before the problem starts. In order to find additional information on how to help your cat avoid the health problems mentioned in this article, you should consult the Internet for more information on these health problems. The animal that you have at home must be in perfect health and needs to be loved by you.