Here you will find a list of objects your kitten will need and enjoy and that you should buy before it arrives.
This list is quite personal and is only a suggestion because these are products which I have used for years with which I am very happy. My cats are happy and healthy.
A line with feathers and soft or hard plastic balls are necessary but other toys are not because for a Ragdoll its best playmate is its human companion.
You can find excellent products on www.zooplus.it which is a German company selling all over Europe and well known in Italy.
Good selection with cheaper prices than in shops depending on the quantity of the order or on different promotions.
For online orders of 35€ or more, delivery by courier is free. Delivery times are quick (3 working days) safe, easy and convenient with excellent assortment of products.
BOWLS
You need 4 bowls: 2 bowls for dry food always available, 1 for water, 1 for wet food. Cat needs flat (not deep) and large bowl because of his receptive whiskers.
The best are made of stainless steel/ceramic. Plastic bowls are easily scratched and can be unhygienic so they must be changed often.
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/ciotole_gatti/acciaio_inox/ciotole_in_acciaio/328531
LITTER TRAY
Choose a deep one (border 20 cm) so that the litter is not spread around the house.
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/lettiera_gatti/cassettine_igieniche_gatti/70073
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/lettiera_gatti/cassettine_igieniche_gatti/520452
CLUMPING CAT LITTER
Remove excrement daily using a scoop. Put a layer of at least 5cms of litter so that when the cat digs in the in the sand it does not end up doing its business directly on the plastic surface, the cleaning of it could result difficult as faeces and urine will not absorb. ‘Extreme Classic Lavender – triple action’ absorbs odours, does not create does not create dust and absorbs well (it will not irritate the cats eyes).
This litter is not cheap but is a saving in the long run if it is cleaned every day, you just need to add a little every now and again and a bag can last up to 2 months. Do not try to save on litter: the heavier type is better because it does not spread everywhere.
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/lettiera_gatti/lettiere_vegetali/worlds_best_cat_litter/174741
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/lettiera_gatti/lettiere_vegetali/worlds_best_cat_litter/137269
FOOD (DRY FOOD AND WET FOOD)
Dry food should always be available alongside water which should be changed daily (bottled natural water, because tap one has too much lime scale). Wet food 2-3 times a day (a quantity which the kitten decides). During the growing phase of the kitten it can eat whenever it wishes. If you have the patience you can cook the meat, veal or turkey, chicken or meat (never pork)cut into cubes and given in a little of the cooking liquid. Breeders do this for kittens up to 3 ½ months of age, but the new owner can feed it perfectly well with food in pouches (excellent Royal Canin because it has select food for each growth phase).
NEVER GIVE WET FOOD STRAIGHT FROM THE FRDGE AS IT CAN CAUSE SEVERE DIARRHOEA AND STOMACH CRAMPS. WET FOOD ROOM TEMPERATURE.
DRY FOOD
2 types of dry food always available in 2 separate bowls (never mix two types of food in the same bowl.
PURIZON KITTEN – excellent dry food (2-12 months)
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/cibo_secco_gatti/purizon/kitten/482779
ROYAL CANIN KITTEN – the second growth phase (4-12 months). They can have this up to 14 months, even thought the packet says up to 12, it is fine to continue with it.
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/cibo_secco_gatti/royal_canin/royal_canin_gattini/39759
Royal Canin dry can be replaced with Purina One Junior (1 – 12 months)
PURINA ONE JUNIOR
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/cibo_secco_gatti/purina_one/junior/195793
IT VERY IMPORTANT TO SEAL THE PACKET WELL ONCE OPENED OTHERWISE THE FOOD CAN LOSE ITS FRAGRANCE AND BECOME UNAPPETISING.
It is better to replenish the food bowl several times a day rather than just once.
WET FOOD
Prefer wet foods with fish and not with chicken (chicken can develop food allergy).
SHESIR KITTEN – TUNA WITH ALOE
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/cibo_gatti_scatolette/schesir_cibo_gatti/gattini/521194
COSMA ASIA (THAI) – TUNA WITH CRAB, TUNA WITH SALMON
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/cibo_gatti_scatolette/cibo_umido_gatti_cosma/lattine_umido_gatti_cosma/76917
COSMA NATURE – TUNA WITH SHRUMS
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/cibo_gatti_scatolette/cosma_nature/cosma_nature_cibo_gatti/430885
COSMA ORIGINAL – SKIPJACK TUNA, PACIFIC TUNA
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/cibo_gatti_scatolette/cibo_umido_gatti_cosma/cosma_original/583447
FERINGA (CLASSIC MEAT) – TACCHINO CON ZUCCA E ERBA GATTA (TURKEY WITH PUMPKIN AND CATNIP)
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/cibo_gatti_scatolette/feringa/kitten/489748
Royal Canin KITTEN INSTINCTIV in sauce (in salsa)
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/cibo_secco_gatti/royal_canin/royal_canin_gattini/39759
SCRATCH POLE – VERY IMPORTANT
For Ragdoll – stable and sturdy scratching post with large support surfaces, removable cushions for washing in the washing machine and resistant columns – ideal for large cats.
The habit of scratching is an instinctive one. It is the way cats have of marking their territory. By scratching the pole the kitten leaves not only a visible ‘signature’ but also an unmistakable trace of its scent. Between the pads under its paws there are glands which secrete a personal scent, too subtle for humans to smell but which is a way of identifying each other for cats. It communicates information for intruders about the age, sex and health of the cat which left it.
The habit of scratching is a way of performing a manicure, ridding themselves of the old surface of the claws and maintaining them in good condition. It is also a good workout which lengthens and oxygenates the muscles and strengthens the paws.
https://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/tiragraffi/tiragraffi_medio/fino_a_140_cm/408766
This is one of the models of scratch poles of the firm RUFI, website www.drapaki.pl
This international company is probably the best company in the world in the production of scratchers for Ragdolls. Its scratchers are not cheap (rather expensive), but they are in great shape for 10 years and more.
TOYS
TUNNEL – with rustling material on the inside – excellent !
http://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/giochi_gatti/tunnel_sacchi_gatti/283944
LINE N°1 – which I recommend highly, it makes a fun noise
http://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/giochi_gatti/giochi_gatti_canne_pesca/canne_pesca_giochi_gatti/289763
LINE N°2
http://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/giochi_gatti/giochi_gatti_canne_pesca/canne_pesca_giochi_gatti/289319
These toys are hard wearing, they do not get broken or spoiled and the cats love them.
CAT CARRIER
The best type of carrier is the bag for cats, it is soft, waterproof, easy to manage and can be used with a shoulder strap. Once it has been assembled it has sides and a roof which are rigid and will not fall on the cat. When it is not needed it can be folded and be put away, taking up less space. It is excellent for place journeys (it goes under a seat easily and conforms to the measurements required by various airlines).
1) Get the size ‘L’ so you can use it when the cat gets bigger
http://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/accessori_viaggio_gatti/borse_trasporto_gatti/171366
2) Excellent, elegant bag ‘sturdibag’ ‘L’ size, at present available from zooplus only in RED
http://www.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/accessori_viaggio_gatti/borse_trasporto_gatti/sturdi/156508
This bag is more expensive but I highly recommend it.
IMPORTANT SUPPLEMENTS AND VITAMINS
1) Multivitamin paste (12 essential vitamins) important during growing phase. Excellent for adult cats in spring and autumn, give a dose of 2 cm directly from the owners finger (it has a which cats enjoy)
2) MALT SOFT EXTRA paste, vital for the removal of fur balls. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PRODUCCTS TO KEEP, ESPECIALLY DURING THE MOULTING PHASE.
During the Ragdoll’s daily hygiene it swallows fur that it cannot digest; if the owner does not help then the worst case scenario is an operation.
Therefore you should always keep a tube of this paste that cats love, giving them 2 cm from the fingers during spring and autumn.
Link for both pastes :
http://t.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/compresse_paste/vitamine_gatti/107600
GROOMING
1) FINE – TOOTH COMB, COMB WITH ROTATING TEETH AND A BRUSH WITH ROUNDED BRISTLES.(Ragdolls have sensitive skin). Brush the cat to remove dead hair, which would otherwise be ingested or spread around the house. The Ragdoll does not have an undercoat and for this reason does not tangle and knot (like for example a Persian cat). Despite this it should be brushed twice a week.
It is important to get the kitten used to the brush from a tender age so that it may become a pleasurable ritual. Pay special attention to the armpit area and between and behind the legs.
2) SCISSORS. It is important to check on the length of the claws. House cats do not have the opportunity to naturally wear down their claws. The scratch pole does not help to do this. Long claws are irritating and can get stuck in toys during play, this can be painful, if it cannot retract them it may risk losing a claw or at worst a toe. The Ragdoll’s nails are sensitive up to about half of the length and if cut too short may bleed and cause pain. Only the transparent part should be cut, very carefully. It is best to be shown the procedure by a vet, even if it is quite simple. On the internet you can find videos and photos illustrating the procedure. It is important to get the kitten used to this from a young age, it is also good to massage the pads and paws. On the zooplus website there are some excellent scissors at 3€. Vets use ones of 50€ but they perform in the same way.
http://t.zooplus.it/shop/gatti/ igiene_gatti/cura_pelo_gatti_igiene
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WORMING TWICE A YEAR
I am against worming tablets as they need to be given often and can cause vomiting due do the difficulty of digestion.
I recommend other products against parasites and insects.
I suggest an excellent combined product for both internal and external parasites called ‘Stronghold’ which can be bought in the pharmacy with a vet’s prescription.
Use the blue packet of 3 or 6 tubes for cats weighing from 2.6 to 7.5 kg.
Apply twice a year (every six months a tube of ‘spot on’) directly onto the skin between the shoulders at the base of the neck (this is a place the cat cannot lick itself).
This is an excellent product, it is important however not to ‘overload’ the Ragdoll with different products several times a year.
BE CAREFUL: STRONGHOLD BLUE BOX FOR CATS. STRONGHOLD FOR DOGS IS FATAL FOR CATS BUT NOT VICE-VERSA.
WHAT YOUR RAGDOLL NEEDS IS YOUR UNCONDITIONAL ATTENTION, COMPANY, LOVE FOR HIM. YOUR RAGDOLL IS NOT INDEPENDENT, IT IS AN ETERNAL KITTEN WHO CAN’T STAND BEING ALONE !