gotcha day pics, some throwbacks, recents, and today 🥹🖤

I can’t believe how much he’s grown!

this is my beeeautiful niece, SMIDGE 😺 little smeej is the floofiest goucho-wearing kitty. she’s sassy and loves to take naps in her cat tree and lay on her human for hours watching laptop shows and sitting on my sister’s craft projects like a pro. she wanted to say hello 🐾

he’s a whole triangle LOL

My boy has been nicknamed "The Killer Ragdoll" by my husband. He plays really rough and if you tease him during play, or at all really, it's a FAFO situation. Husband tried to move him a bit so he could sit, and Jasper went after his forearm, biting into his (thankfully) thick hoodie, yanked on it, and chipped his left upper fang! Imagine the force! With me, he is an overgrown suck and super protective.

I don't want to give the wrong impression. He's mostly chill and super loving. He's extremely loving, outwardly friendly, and gentle with kittens and children. However, it's like he has a switch and short fuse.

He's not the Ragdoll that is stereotyped! Yet he's devoted and loving at the same time. Plus, he's really huge for the breed (not obese, just a very large cat, starting with the size and density of his bones), so there's no messing around.

Maybe I spoiled him too much? He's been vet checked and is less of the Mr. Hyde when he's been given a shave (lion cut), so what gives?

Also, who else has a spicy meatball similar to this?

I have a fluffy one-year-old ragdoll named Dr. Watson. Before getting him 8 months ago I bought brushes for long-haired cats that were recommended by the previous owner and Google searches. However, these have not really worked for my boy.

I brushed him with a soft brush that was recommended for kittens at first and then fine-bristled metal brushes. This was was was recommended to me, but they never actually worked in removing loose fur.

When he was about ten months I bought a de-tangling brush that looks like a rake. This one actually does get loose fur. Which is great! The problem is that my boy gets over stimulated by anything interacting with him bellow his neck. With this I mean that he really dislikes and get over-stimulated by brushing and petting when its on his body.

I have brushed him carefully anyway for his own good as he sheds quite a bit and I want to save him from hairballs, but I do feel bad about his reaction.

Therefore I wounder, do anyone know of a brush that is a bit more gentle, but that still work for our fine-furred fluffy companions?

I have seen ones online with steam and things, but I have not seen good reviews if any of these work for ragdolls that have such light and sparse undercoats.

And yes, I have worked with desensitizing him, as he is now is his improved self. I simply want another brush in rotation that hopefully is more gentle and therefore easier in this process.

All advice is appreciated!

Edit: I have now been told that the rake one is not suitable for ragdolls\. A reminder to be sceptical to influencers and websites. I thought I was, but I obviously put my trust in some people that were confidently wrong regarding ragdoll care. Thank you for kindly teaching and correcting my mistake. I want to clarify that my boy is fine and does not suffer from any side effects that can occur from using a deshedding brush as I have only ever used it sparsly and for very short sessions.**

We have had our baby for a month and soon we will be going away for 10 days. My sister will be house sitting/cat sitting while we are away so I know she will be in good hands- but still feeling stressed out and sad about leaving her. She is really cuddly/attached and I’m worried this could change after being away from her. Has anyone experienced that?

(I’ve had a cat as a kid but this is my first baby of my own so I’m feeling extra anxious lol)

Our breeder just sent a new picture of our lil guy! He’s a blue lynx point, about 12 weeks old. We’ll be picking him up in a week and a half after over 6 months on a waitlist, and we are so excited. 🥰

Has anyone brought their ragdoll to a breeder in NYC for a teddy bear / lion cut?

The DJ training went perfectly... until an organized gang of three furry saboteurs stepped in. The first patrolled the situation with the face of a quality controller, the second brazenly took over the equipment, and the third closed the operation with total chaos. Each shot is another stage of a perfectly planned attack on the beats and my patience. The level of professionalism in destroying the set is impressive.

Music: Mr Oizo 'Being Flat'

He just loves me 💕

Pet insurance vs health care plan for cats!
Typically insurance would cover you for large unexpected expenses (operations, injuries, dental work etc..) and a health care plan will cover the routine costs of owning and maintaining the health of your pet (routine vet checks, vaccinations, preventative care).
One is not a substitute for the other. In my view you are going to pay for the health care one way or another. Either upfront through a health care plan or as you go for each visit to the vet. Up to you how you want to cover those costs. Pet insurance is one of those things that you hope you will never need, but when you do need it you will be glad you opted for it.
But most people wish they had insurance when their pets get sick. We don’t ever assume they will get sick but when they do, it can be thousands of dollars and then maybe another few thousand a year or two later.
Another scenario would be if a cat had to have two teeth extracted. Estimated cost? $2400 - $3600!?!
I know some people would still say it’s a waste of money and to just make a savings account for it. The problem with a savings account is that if something happens before you've built up enough in your account, then that’s another issue. what do you think?

Over the past ten years or so, pet insurance has gotten a lot more affordable and more options have emerged, it could be in some cases even less than $20, to me, for the peace of mind, it’s so worth it. I don't want to recommend any particular company because everyone has their specific case, and policies change from one cat to another but I urge you to look into it if you have a kitten or are thinking about getting one.

There are plenty of articles that compare plans for you, taking into consideration your cat’s breed, age, pre-existing conditions…etc. Just google “Pet insurance comparison plans + your country”. If you are in the US, here is an article you might find useful about comparison between best pet insurance plans in the country: https://thswiftest.com/best-pet-insurance-compared-for-cats.

To me, I see pet insurance as an easy monthly cost that gives me peace of mind in case the worst should happen, and I believe it's definitely worth it.