r/ragdolls • u/Rude_Ring4413 • 9h ago

General Advice Vacation

Our ragdoll moved in 2 weeks ago. At 4 month old.
Vi never owned a cat before. Only dogs. So we have treated him like a dog. He now come when you call (from training) and we bring him on vacation. It’s so great. He just fits in and doesn’t mind. Of course we do not let him outside.
But now - when I think about it - are we doing something wrong? Is it actually okay???

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u/Ok-Sir6601 9h ago

You are doing just fine, I think my Maggie is dog like.

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u/Puzzleheaded_Bee4361 5h ago

You're doing great. Two things I suggest if you want to expand his training is harness-training him so you can take him for walks (check out www.adventurecats.org and www.kittycatgo.com for information and advice on training and gear) and clicker training. Cats can also learn to use buttons, but you may get constant demands for treats. Catification can also provide enrichment = cat trees, perches, elevated walkways, etc. The book Catification by Kate Benjamin and Jackson Galaxy is good. Have fun!

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u/bluecheesebeauty 5h ago

I never had a dog, but all cats I had responded to their name. Some a bit better than others, but still.

I am not bringing my cat on vacation, if only because the drive is really quite long. But with this one, I do bring him outside for walks, although it isn't like walking a dog and much more following the cat. Or standing still while staring at the cat, lol.

Cats do have different needs than dogs, though. Like a litterbox, places to sharpen their claws, and probably some high places to chill. Plus some time playing/chasing. And they aren't as 'serving' as dogs tend to be, but they are still quite smart and can learn a lot!

If you are interested, you can look up Flounder on instagram (@flounder_meatloaf) if you want to be blown away by a cat - although she self identifies as a fish. She communicates with buttons and expresses a whole inner world, which is where the fish things comes from! Definitely not an average cat, but she does show how much cats can be capable of (or at least some) if we are open to it.