Lilly
We got Lilly as a companion for our first Ragdoll, Tyler. Tyler began attacking my legs (in a playful but painful way) every time I went to bed, and then he would meow endlessly and very pitifully, so we decided he needed another companion.
The first few days after we got Lilly were ROUGH! She was insanely hyperactive, tearing through the house, climbing the curtains and generally terrorizing our home’s inhabitants. I called the breeder (who claimed that Lilly was her favorite kitten) and told her that we were concerned. Her response was “don’t worry, she’ll calm down.” I seriously had my doubts, but she was right – Lilly did calm down…eventually!
Today, Lilly is the darling of our household. Her personality definitely leans more towards a Siamese rather than a Ragdoll because she’s very active (she climbs to the top of my bureau – 7 feet high – every morning and then dive-bombs onto our bed…it’s not a fun way to wake up!), she’s also very vocal and she doesn’t go limp when she’s held.
Lilly is, however, very affectionate and loves to flop over and have her belly rubbed. She’s probably the most intelligent cat I have ever had (and I’ve had many). For example, as a kitten she knew how to play ‘fetch’ intuitively, she knows how to get into things that completely stump our other cat, she knows our schedules and she ‘answers’ when we talk to her.
Surprisingly, for all her mischief, if I tell her not to do something, she immediately stops doing it and doesn’t sneak back to it when I’m not looking. Tyler is the complete opposite! Lilly is just so much fun to have around and I’m really glad we stuck through her ‘maniac’ phase because she is the sweetest and most special cat I have ever had. I love, love, love her!
Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,
Hi Katrina,
I’m Tyler & Lilly’s owner. I can tell you about our experience, but since each cat is different, you may not have the same results!
Before Lilly, Tyler used to be very upset at night. Now it is not an issue at all. He has become much more playful and ‘younger’ with her around (he’s 4 years older) but they do occasionally have their spats. Even though he is neutered, he will from time to time jump on top of her and bite her neck, just to show her who’s boss, I guess!
Interestingly, Tyler is definitely more devoted to my husband and I than he is to Lilly – probably because it was just the three of us for 4 years. Lilly is equally attached to all of us, but sometimes I think she favors Tyler.
We’re really, really glad that they have each other and I think the male/female dynamic works well. Tyler no longer seems lonely and we feel less guilty when were away at work (even though they nap 90% of the time) and go away for the weekend.
I’m really sorry to hear about your female kitty, I know how sad and awful that can be. Tyler’s sister died from FIP and Tyler tested positive for high levels of the corona virus but at 8 years, he’s still perfectly healthy. It was because we were so afraid he would die or infect a new cat that we took so long to get Lilly. We’re so glad we finally did!
Good luck with your decision. I wish you the best!
Hi i have a 14 month male seal mitted ragdoll and we love him so much and give him so much attention but he does seem a little unhappy and i thought if we got another ragdoll they could play together. as he walks around the house meowing of a night so I was thinking of getting a female for pets only as ours is ddesexed.
I previously had a female and she was so affection and adorable but we lost her to FIP just before she turned 1. so very sad.
just reading about Tyler and Lilly seems like they were in a similar situation.
thanks
katrina
Hi Jenny
yes we are thinking of getting another ragdoll for our 14month old male called shadow as he is doing the same as what Tyler did meow through the night etc so we are thinking of gettinbg a female so you highly recommend having 2 ragdolls ???
I appreciate your feedback and advice
thanks katrina
Katrina,
As far as giving advice on getting another one – I don’t know if I feel comfortable giving the advice unless I understand your way of life, your kitty, etc.
So in other words, things to consider when getting another one:
1. Do you think your kitty will get along with another cat?
2. Have you considered the financial committment x2?
3. Do you have the time to properly introduce them so that they get along?
There are a lot of factors to consider and honestly, this makes me want to pose this question to Facebook or even has a blog post.
I do like having two kitties – they enjoy each other company and I enjoy them together and independently. I do know of two cats though that don’t get along at all, so that could be a problem too.
Want me to do that?
Jenny
Oh and as far as Tyler and Lilly on this post – that was written by the folks that own him – I can reach out to them and see what they have to say too.