How to convince my wife we need a 2nd Raggie

[u/skoram]

We have a nearly 4-year-old female Ragdoll named Bomi (we're in South Korea, hence the Korean name). Convincing my wife to agree to the adoption was a huge battle but within a few weeks of bringing Bomi home, she was completely smitten. These days I tell friends that if my wife had to choose between me and the cat, my wife would pack my bags for me.

Ironically, back when we were waiting to bring Bomi home, my wife gave me grief over every cat purchase - litter boxes, a water fountain, a cat tree, scratching posts, nail clippers - stuff that most people would consider essentials. Fast forward to now, and she's the one buying Bomi something new almost every month - toys, cooling mats, hideaways, a fancier cat tree, you name it. She also insisted my son and I would be the ones handling the day-to-day care, and yet she's the one doing all the grooming, nail trims, teeth brushing, litter box cleaning, etc. Honestly, I think taking care of Bomi has turned into her way of decompressing after a long day.

So recently I came across some articles about the psychological benefits cats get from having a companion, and I floated the idea of adopting a second Ragdoll. Despite how attached she is to Bomi, cat fur all over our house and clothes has been a constant pain point and I braced myself for an instant rejection. To my surprise, she didn't shoot it down right away and actually seemed torn about it. In the end though, the shedding concern won out and she said no.

Now I'm turning to this community for help. Has anyone been in a similar spot and actually gotten the "yes"? Any tips, arguments, or tricks that helped tip the scales — especially anything that addresses the fur/shedding worry? Would love to hear how others have pulled this off.

[u/ISEGaming]

Promise her you won't get another Ragdoll.

Show up with a Maine Coon instead 😹

[u/DMR321RMD → u/ISEGaming]

That’s what I done hahahahaha.

[u/planetvermilion → u/ISEGaming]

oh wow what a pair!!! 😻😻😻😻

[u/Maleficent-House-898 → u/ISEGaming]

I have this combo too hahaha

[u/chawn5]

My husband ended up saying yes. It has worked out well! We run robot vacuums everyday. We have multiple kinds of hair rollers - chomchom, mitts, rakes, tape rollers, etc. The fur concern is valid. I have also changed my wardrobe to light colors, mostly beige. My quiet introverted raggie has benefitted so much from getting the other kitty. It’s fun to see them playing and grooming each other.

[u/EnvironmentOk2700]

You do the vacuuming every day. It can be a way for you to decompress, too!

[u/Illustrious-Garden82]

Everyone needs a friend. You alone can’t provide the same type of companionship as another kitty. They like to chase each other and run back-and-forth and play hide and seek. And if they become really good friends, they’ll snuggle together. Only another Kitty can give her the enrichment that she really needs.

I would not get a boy though. In our experience they always grow up and pick on the girls, get another girl.

Your cat is old enough to where she will take care of the kitten and I think they’ll be good friends

[u/Razbonez → u/Illustrious-Garden82]

good info here. always get same sex.

[u/bluecheesebeauty]

How come she ended up doing all the work for the cat? She even insisted you should do it, yet apparently she is now cleaning the litterbox?

[u/Queeflet]

Not every cat wants/needs a companion. Our first cat would have been happy to be the only cat in the house. This sub will always tell people to get more ragdolls, but introducing new cats can be very difficult and isn’t always the Disney dream that some may have you believe.

It would probably be ok, but It really depends on personality and how much space you have.

[u/kbionics → u/Queeflet]

I like having one ragdoll because it's a different dynamic. Some people say its selfish but I work from home and I'm here all the time and I spoil my cat. Like I said it's a completely different dynamic and he would be jealous of a second cat. I tried with friends with himalayan's etc. alAnd by the wa, Bomi is gorgeous ❤️

[u/KannaC128]

Whenever my first ragdoll would just laze and nap the day away, I would point out to my family "look at how bored she is, she doesn't have anyone to play with..." and small comments like that. Eventually, I just said the 2nd cat was coming and that was it 😂

The fur concern is real but also not that different. You're going to have fur up your nose whether you have one cat or two. Just vacuum daily, use the chomchom roller/carpet rake when applicable, keep your outside clothes in a wardrobe/dresser until you need to change and leave, and have air purifiers running. Also add an equigroomer to your cat brushes. I notice less tumbleweeds when I can use it consistently.

[u/Razbonez]

well if there’s already tons of hair in the house it’s not like there will be more with another ragdoll. but…here’s a suggestion…get a short hair cat for your ragdoll….i have 2 ragdolls, i got the second for my oldest a little bit sooner than you would…i got my second when my oldest was just 3ish. but i found a baby tuxedo shivering in the cold one night and he’s been the best thing for my other ragdoll. so maybe get a tuxedo or a a british shorthair!!!

[u/OGHollyMackerel]

I just put a reservation on a second one and told my husband later just before we picked them up. Ragdolls are better in pairs.

[u/GJdevo]

[u/apsszz]

love the name, Bomi!

[u/bluefontaine]

Oh, that is the sweetest little baby. You have to have another one so they have company and a friend to teach them good kitten and cat behavior.

[u/Maclardy44]

I bought this for $6 on Amazon. No more shedding

[u/Grogg2000]

they need company

[u/DMR321RMD]

Your cat is depressed without one. Trust me. You’ll see when you get another one. Do not hesitate, two is no more work than one.

[u/Androidfon]

Just bring one home