Bringing Home a Ragdoll Kitten: What to Expect

So, you’re about to welcome a fluffy bundle of joy into your home. Congratulations! There’s nothing quite like the excitement of bringing home your Purrsace kitten. But let’s be real: even the most angelic kitten can bring a bit of delightful chaos into your life.

1. The First 48 Hours: A Whole New World

Your kitten has just left everything familiar behind. Mum, siblings, smells, and sounds. It’s completely normal for them to feel shy, confused, or overstimulated at first. Some kittens will explore instantly, while others may hide under the couch for a few hours (or days).

Tip: Take a few days off work if you can. Your presence during this adjustment period builds trust and helps your kitten settle in faster.

Note: If you or anyone in your household has never lived with a cat before, we recommend checking for cat allergies specifically to long-haired breeds like Ragdolls before committing. It’s better to be prepared than to face heartbreaking rehoming later.

2. Hide and Seek Experts: Expect the Unexpected

One moment they’re under your feet and the next? Nowhere to be found.

Kittens are curious and very good at squeezing into unexpected places. Don’t be surprised if you:

• Find them curled up inside a wardrobe

• Discover them snoozing in the back of a kitchen drawer

• Hear tiny meows and realise they’re stuck behind the washing machine

Sometimes you’ll play hide and seek for what feels like forever, only to find them nestled into the smallest nook somewhere you’d never expect.

Keep wardrobes, cupboards, and drawers closed whenever possible. They can easily sneak in without you noticing, especially if they zoom past as you’re opening the door.

3. Zoomies, Scratching, Climbing… and Night-Time Shenanigans

Kittens are naturally energetic and curious. Ragdolls may grow into calm lap cats, but they start life with plenty of spark:

• Zoomies at 3am? Absolutely.

• Climbing screen doors or curtains? Highly likely.

• Counter surfing and table exploration? Yes.

• Chewing cords or blinds? If it dangles, it’s a toy.

Many kittens will also meow at night seeking comfort, company, or just a bit of attention. This is totally normal in a new environment.

Don’t be surprised if they knead your hair at 2am, climb onto your chest to purr loudly, or decide your blanket-covered feet are fair game. It’s adorable… until it’s not.

Whether you choose to let your kitten sleep in your room or set them up in a cosy space of their own is entirely up to you. Some families love having their kitten nearby, while others prefer to establish boundaries early on to get a solid night’s sleep. There’s no one-size-fits-all—it’s about what works for your household.

Whatever you choose, consistency is key. Kittens adapt best when they know what to expect.

4. Cat-Proofing: Making Your Home Safe

Think of your kitten like a furry toddler. Before their arrival:

• Close toilet lids to avoid accidental splashes or tumbles

• Secure windows and doors (kittens can push through flyscreens or slip through small gaps)

• Tidy away cords and chargers or use protective covers

• Remove toxic plants and small swallowable objects

• Block access to crawl spaces or behind heavy appliances

• Provide vertical play areas like scratching posts and cat trees to discourage curtain climbing

5. It’s a Big (But Beautiful) Commitment

Kittens require patience, time, and consistency. There might be a few sleepless nights. Your couch may take a hit. You’ll probably spend more time than expected looking for them or trying to remove them from your pillow at midnight.

And yes, you’ll need to groom them. Ragdolls have soft, semi-long coats that can mat without regular brushing. Skipping grooming duties means you’ll likely find fur on your clothes, couch, sheets… and occasionally just floating through the air like confetti. Stay on top of it and invest in a good brush. You’ll thank yourself later.

It’s a transition for them and for you. Feeling overwhelmed at first is normal. But with time and love, your kitten will learn the rules, settle into your rhythm, and become a cherished part of your life.

Please note: We're here for you! Send us a message whenever if you need any tips. There's no judgement here! We want to make this transition as smooth as possible for you and your furbaby.

6. Important Things to Understand Before Adopting

• Ragdolls need companionship. They aren’t the type to happily snooze alone all day. If your household is often empty, you’ll need to commit to enriching their environment or consider adopting in pairs.

• Strictly indoor cats. Ragdolls are not street-smart. They must be kept safely indoors, or allowed outside only in fully enclosed, escape-proof spaces (like catios).

• Vet costs and care. Adopters should be financially prepared for desexing, vaccinations, flea/worming prevention, dental care, and potential emergency costs. We strongly recommend pet insurance.

• They take time to mature. Ragdolls don’t fully settle into their adult temperament until around 3–4 years old. You’re not adopting a placid adult. You’re adopting a baby who will grow with you.

• They are emotionally sensitive. Ragdolls do best in calm, nurturing environments. Loud or high-stress households may affect their confidence and sense of safety.

• This is a long-term commitment. Ragdolls can live 15–20 years. This is not a short phase. It’s a lifelong companion who will depend on you through changes in work, living arrangements, and family dynamics.

  
  

7. Setting Up for Success

We recommend:

• Creating a safe room for their first few days

• Providing lots of play and gentle handling

• Offering multiple scratching options

• Sticking to routine feeding and litter training (we’ll guide you!)

• Ensuring secure boundaries and closed-off “no go” zones

• Being realistic about sleep and boundaries. It’s okay to protect your rest

• Deciding early on where your kitten will sleep and being consistent

And remember: we’re here to support you even after adoption. You’re not alone on this journey.

Bringing home a kitten is equal parts heartwarming and hilarious. They’ll melt your heart, steal your socks, and sometimes disappear into your linen cupboard. They might meow through the night for cuddles or surprise-pounce on your toes at dawn. But they’ll also fill your home with warmth, wonder, and joy.

And once your kitten feels safe, secure, and has all their needs met and once boundaries are gently and consistently set, you’ll realise it’s absolutely worth it. That deep, trusting bond you’ll share is what makes raising a Ragdoll such an incredibly rewarding experience.

Welcome to the Purrsace family! Your adventure starts now.