Ragdoll Cats and Kids?
Jenny, some might wonder if cats and children make a good combination? I wanted to share my story with you as it has been such a blessing and huge success!!!
I have had a pet free daycare for over 30 years. This past September, I brought home two baby Ragdolls, Mocha and Mitzy. I fell in love with them instantly and was excited for the kids to do the same. Having no experience with kittens and children, I just did what comes naturally with children. I introduced Moch and Mitz as babies and needed to be treated as such. I would never leave an infant unattended with children, therefore did the same with the baby kittens. I let the children know that they were just like the babies in daycare and taught them to treat them the same. With supervision the children were slowly introduced to the kittens handling them only with me right there.
This has been amazing as now Moch and Mitz are as much in love with the kids as they are with them. Mocha and Mitzy wait by the door for the kids to arrive and have to be everywhere they are. My kids are gentle and respectful of how to handle and treat them and it has truly been the best addition to our family and daycare. We love them so very much.
Adding Mocha and Mitzy has been so wonderful in so many ways. The kids love them, and even more importantly, Mocha and Mitzy love the kids.
I have wonderful pics from day one of the small fur balls being held gently by the kids. I have pics of their little faces deep in their fur kissing them. I wish I could share them but I am a licensed daycare in Minnesota and it’s illegal to share their little faces online.
As I have said, I am no expert with cats and kittens. I
just treated them as babies that need to be treated with tender loving care, and for us it worked.
I have two cats that are content, mellow and the most loving and they are that way with everyone they meet. I am so grateful!
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,
So true,Ragdolls just radiate so much love too those their brought up around,in Mocha andMitzis case children.I think their story is so neat,how they love being around the children.Proof that Ragdolls become very envolved with family and the life they have grown accustom too,My two dolls have been raised around me and my husband that is now a crazy cat lady,excuse me a crazy cat Man,were both 50yrs old and we dance with them drag them around the house in a laundry basket fast is their favorite speed its good exercise,Ragdolls become very involved with those that raise and love them and want to be a part of mostly everything going on in our house if Im baking Murphys 2yrs old and totally investigates everything im doing.Ragdolls and people a great combo.Wonderful life you both have Mocha and Mitzi,Bye Lisa B
Ragdolls are purrrrfects!
thanks, Janet. I have done this both when they are awake & napping. It muct be me.
I’ll keep trying.
Nancy
Loved your photos. I just melt when it comes to “ragdolls”. I have two of my own.
I would like to bring up a topic for discussion. I am having a terrible time clipping my kittie’s claws.I hate the thought of bringing them to the Vet or Groomer to do something I should be able to do myself. All the literature make it look so easy. I have tried all the suggestions. Anyone have a suggestion ( or solution)?
Nancy
Nancy – I have two kittens (6mos & 8 mos) and I have found that I can easily clip their nails when they are napping! If I try and do it while they are awake then it’s trouble. Also, before you attempt it touch their little paws a lot and push their toes out so their nails are exposed. I did this too and I think it helped them get used to me clipping the nails. Once you are successful you will find it’s pretty easy. Good luck!
I should clarify – touching their paws a lot when they are awake not sleeping as you want to get the deed done quickly!
What a heartwarming story! I would’ve looked forward to going to school more if they had Ragdolls 🙂 FYI I’ve also read that kids that are exposed to cats early are less likely to have allergies to cats.
What a beautiful story! Thanks so much for sharing it. Those kids are the luckiest children on earth to get to love on those wonderful babies. So great that they are learning how to respectfully play with those adorable furballs and get such great love in turn. You remind me of my daughter’s daycare when she was young (she’s 26 now) because they had such an amazing lady like you who loved animals and shared that love with them. Wonderful story♥♥♥♥
You should be commended for doing this! Teaching kids from a young age to respect animals is just the best education for everyone. This is a great great story!!! I wish all kids could have an opportunity like this. Love love love this!
Janet, thank you for your kind words.
Thank you to all of you that have had such wonderful things to say on here about my kids, Rags, and daycare.
How absolutely adorable!! <3 You are giving the children AND the cats an incredible experience. I loved all the pictures!
Thank you so much. I’m so happy to have the opportunity to share with all of you!
If i had kids and lived in minnesota i would definitely want them in that day care 🙂
Me, too! 🙂
Awwwww thank you. That’s so nice.
Eli, thank you for such a wonderful compliment. I have amazing children in my care and now have two amazing fur balls to share with them.
What a lovely, heartwarming story! I had such a big smile on my face as I read this story and after looking at all of the wonderful pictures I was still smiling and I had tears in my eyes from all the love I see here. Amazing!
Mocha and Mitzy (and little Bella) are SO VERY BEAUTIFUL & ADORABLE! What a beautiful family you have and what lucky kitties!
Ragdolls and children…perfect. The innocence of both the Ragdolls and children are a perfect match. Does my heart good to read a story such as this…Truly!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Big hugs!
Patti & Pink Sugar 🙂 <3
Oh Patti, thank you so much. I love sharing what little Mocha and Mitzy have done for all of us. It is truly amazing all the love and contentment a person feels from them.
I live in Minnesota and have four kitties, three of whom are rag dolls. I may need to come visit! Great story!
Wonderful, you are welcome to visit anytime! We would love to have you! I would also love to see your four fur balls!
ditto what lynn said. i think whenever you can teach someone (child or adult) about animals and how they should be respected and cared for, you are doing the best work on the planet. we are guardians and we all need to learn that. animals are living, breathing, feeling, just like we are and we need to love and care for them and protect them from the worst predator out there.. ourselves.
Well said!
Yes Patricia, I agree!
Thank you. It wasn’t just the children that were learning…..it was me too. That is what was so amazing, they teach all of us so many things.
So cute!! I’m set on getting a ragdoll now.
Awesome!! I’m so excited for you!
How great- you’re helping to raise a new generation to love and respect kitties!
Thank you! I had no knowledge of kittens, but they turned out to be just like children. It worked out well. I’m very grateful as everyone is happy with our little additions.
Awwww that’s Awesome! You will be so happy as it is unbelievable the love that they bring to your family. I’m totally addicted to them. Good luck finding the right Raggie for you! I hope your story is just as amazing as ours was. 🙂
Lol, how cute!
Thank you!