Ragdoll Cats and Corgi Dogs
We got our two Ragdolls last October at age 13 weeks and 16.5 weeks (different litters, same breeder – the older one took a while to gain enough weight to be spayed so it actually worked out perfectly to get them at the same time). We got our corgi from her breeder 10 days later. So we went from having no furbabies for a few months to having three in just ten days! The corgi was 3 years old at the time and was retiring from the show ring and was planned to go back to the breeder next season to have a second litter. After two seasons with the timing not being right, the breeder decided to just let us keep her and she was spayed recently and ours for good. The corgi had never seen a cat before and the kitties had never seen a dog before.
When the corgi arrived, the kitties were still at the stage where they had a “safe room” (my husband’s and my bedroom) for nighttimes and some of the daytime, so we used that to our advantage. We allowed the corgi to spend time in the rest of the house when the kitties were in the bedroom, then we would put the corgi in our (safely fenced) back yard while the kitties were exploring the house. This went on for some time, with them being able to smell each other and share the same space at different times. They could also see each other through the screen security door to the back yard. I would feed them on each side of this door each morning (at first, a fair way from the door, working up to directly beside it). I basically allowed them all to adjust to each other’s smell and presence without 
actually being able to touch. Within a week or so, the kitties were snuggled on one side of the screen door while the dog was on the other side. They even were touching noses through the screen – adorable!!
Next step was letting the dog in the house with the kitties “on the loose” from their safe room. I sat on the couch with her on her lead, just as a precaution, and allowed the kitties to come and say hello. They were so happy to be with her that they sat up on the couch back and kneaded with their paws, then got down on the couch and snuggled. I did this each night for a few nights with the lead, then started doing it without the lead, but keeping the dog just on the couch, and then when it was abundantly clear that all three would be great friends, we just let the corgi roam freely with the two Ragdoll kittens.
They love each other so much! I have a feeling the corgi thinks they are her puppies or something, because she will clean out the insides of their ears (eww!). All three will snuggle on my bed. The corgi does tend to want to snack on their poo, but I just keep the litter trays extra clean and that solves that issue (I know I could block them off and have seen the special door your parents have, but manage the way things are). Hope that helps! Kind regards, Gaye from Brisbane
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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,
I love corgis, My dog molly is a beagle corgi mix, if you get a chance please vote for her in this photo contest Please vote for my dog Molly in a contest to win 6 months of Canidae Dog food? https://www.facebook.com/canidaepetfood?sk=app_244041225639079&app_data=23475-564990
I love this story! My mum has a tri-colour corgi and when I come to visit I bring my two ragdolls with me. My boy actually tries to play with the corgi! She’s such a beautiful dog, her temperament is the best. Sadly she is getting old and has recenlty gone deaf, so she doesn’t even realize when my boy is trying to play with her! But she is so good with the cats. My girl ragdoll is skittish but the dog never bothers her. Beautiful breeds Ragdolls and Corgis!
Thanks so much Belle. That is lovely that you have also had a great experience with a corgi and your Ragdolls. My second corgi’s mum was a tricolour: I love them! I am sorry your mum’s corgi is getting on now. Hopefully despite the loss of hearing she will remain healthy for some time yet. <3
Hi Gaye,
What a wonderful story! Boy you were brave to get 3 furries at one time. You did an amazing job of introducing them. They all are just adorable and you gave them the most beautiful names ever. They all must be so proud of their Mom. I used a leash on my RD kittens when they came so I could pull them out of the way fast if my older Maine Coon, got too aggressive. Never really had an issue, but it was a great tool to use if needed. Thank you for sharing your sweet story. They are all just precious.
Aww, thank you Teresa! 🙂 I love Maine Coons btw. My (late) rescue kitty Princess looked a lot like a Maine Coon, and most likely had some in her. She was nowhere near as big as a purebred Maine Coon though.
Yes, the wanting to eat cat poop thing is icky, that’s for sure!! I just scoop right afterwards and foil the corgi’s dastardly plans. 😉 Thank you for your lovely comments about our babies! 🙂
what a wonderful story and i love the pictures of the dog on her back just like the cats. i’ve had dogs that really loved the cats too and it’s so fun to watch them play and love on each other. and yeah, i don’t know why but dogs do seem to like to eat cat poop.. BLAHHHH and ACK!!! someone told me that it’s some mineral or something that is in the poop. i think it’s just that they eat cat food. either way it’s gross. they look like a wonderful threesome though, thanks for sharing your adventure.
I love a happy ending! Sounds like you did everything perfectly to have a peaceful and loving home. Took your time and let everyone feel safe. Congratulations on all your fur babies and melding them in a wonderful pack!
Thank you so much Lynn! <3
I’m starting to believe that cleaning another’s ears is something that’s bred into Corgis or something. Sharkly cleaned Dannyboy’s ears all the time, and then Barkly cleaned his ears. Later when we got Vlad, Barkly started cleaning his ears too.
I’m really wondering what makes them do that. You’ve got a female Corgi, so that could be explained away as “mothering.” But our Corgis have both been males. I’ve always found it to be an odd habit for sure.
That’s very interesting that your male corgis did the ear cleaning!! I guess it must be a corgi thing. 🙂
Awesome! I have 2 Labs and 2 kittens and they really took no time at all to get used to each other. They are all great friends. It’s gettin a little tight on our queen sized bed these days as all of them want to be there. So hard to keep them off! I have literally an inch of bed. Ridiculous. Ragdolls are just so easy going it still amazes me and so are Labs. A great combination!
I just love Labradors!! I can imagine that with two labs and two Ragdolls, your remaining bed space would be rather small. 😉
Plus the hubby!
Naah, don’t worry about him. 😉 Just kidding!!
Hi, Gaye!
What a sweet, sweet story! Wow – all three of your furry babies are so beautiful! The pictures just warmed my heart and put a big smile on my face!
Thank you so much for sharing such a lovely story with us!
(And, lucky you, for living in Australia! I think you Aussies are just the nicest people in the world! I’ve worked with quite a few wonderful folks from Australia in my career and it such a pleasure to know them.)
Big hugs!
Patti & Pink Sugar 🙂 <3
Thanks so much Patti for your lovely comments about our babies, and about Aussies. 🙂 Yes, Australia is an amazing place to live, especially Brisbane (those down south don’t know what they are missing!). <3
🙂
My dog, Yoda, is a Corgi mix!
Prossimo was a surprise addition and I have a very small house so I don’t have a “safe room” available. I was going to put Prossimo in a giant dog crate for a couple of days with highly supervised treks out to see how they did (I had done that in the past with foster cats).
However, Yoda is VERY respectful of cats and Prossimo had zero reaction to her from the crate. The first trek out was his last – he just stayed out. He wasn’t worried about her at all and in fact has ruled the roost from the moment he arrived!
Zero to three pets in three days – insanity!! So sweet how they were all snuggled through the screen. The pic of the kitties belly-up and side-by-side is cracking me up!
They are adorable and look very happy.
That’s great things worked out so well for you too! 🙂
Oh,WOW! I love the Seal Bicolor or Chocolate Bicolor! He or she is beautiful/handsome!
Happy New Years!
Thank you so much! We think she is pretty gorgeous too. <3 Her name is Coco!
Oh, what a beautiful name for a BEAUTIFUL cat!
I have two Ragdoll cats now (Nico), Blue Bicolor male Ragdoll and Anya, Blue Mitted female Ragdoll. They are litter mates, born August, 14th Thursday 2008. So their both 5 years old;-)
I did own a Sealpoint Ragdoll in 2004 to 2005. His name was Tadpole, he died at 15 years old:-(, miss him to death.
I dream of owning a Chocolate Bicolor Ragdoll, and name her Delilah:-)
Aww thank you! Coco is a seal bicolour. Her mum (I am pretty sure) is a chocolate pointed and her dad is a blue bicolour. Our other Ragdoll is a blue mitted, and her name is Sapphire. I love the names of your babies (including your future chockie one!). I am so sorry for your loss. 🙁 Before our Ragdolls, we had two rescue kitties, who I adopted at six weeks way back in 1994. Punky lived till she was 16 and Princess was 18 when she passed away in April 2012. I still miss both of them every day so I understand how you feel. <3
Sapphire, that’s also a BEAUTIFUL name! When you said “Sapphire”, it made me think of my other cat (not a Ragdoll), well, her name is “Saphira”. The name comes from a book. She is back and white (shorthaired), and is 7 years old. She is a trouble-maker, and loves to drive me INSANE!! Lol;-) but I love her anyway. 🙂
Sorry about your kitties. I know the feeling. ((((Hugs!))))
I hear you’re from Australia? Wow! I am from Florida, United States. 🙂
Oh, by the way; I write a blog about my Ragdolls, if you’re interested then you can check it out at: http://lifewithRagdolls.blogspot.com
🙂
I will definitely check out your blog! Brisbane has a similar climate to Florida, as far as I know. Have never been anywhere in the States except Southern California a few years ago, but one day hope to get to the East Coast! 🙂
Yeah, Florida is AWESOME, they have GREAT beaches and all kinds of cool stuff! You should go one day, lol.
🙂