Ragdoll Resources
Ragdoll Kitten ChecklistWhat to Buy & How to Prepare Your Home
Getting ready for a Ragdoll kitten is about more than buying a litter box and food. A little preparation makes the first days easier and helps remove everyday hazards before a curious kitten finds them.
01 · The Basics
Start with the supplies your kitten will use every day
Have familiar kitten food, food and water dishes, an appropriately sized litter box, litter, a secure carrier, scratching surfaces, toys, a comfortable sleeping or hiding spot, and basic grooming supplies ready before pickup.
Ragdolls grow into large cats, so it can make sense to buy a roomy carrier, sturdy cat tree, and generously sized litter box from the beginning rather than replacing kitten-sized versions a few months later.
See our full New Kitten Guide and recommended products02 · Food & Feeding
Keep the first meals familiar
A new home is already a major change, so we recommend starting with the food your kitten is accustomed to rather than changing diets on pickup day. Have wet kitten food, kitten kibble, clean dishes, and fresh water ready.
Our feeding guide explains the three-meal routine we recommend for growing Ragdoll kittens and what to expect from their appetite during the first year.
Read the Ragdoll Kitten Feeding Guide03 · Kitten-Proofing
Walk through your home at kitten level
Kittens climb, squeeze behind furniture, chew, bat at dangling objects, and investigate spaces an adult cat may ignore. Before your kitten comes home, look for cords, blind strings, ribbon, yarn, dental floss, hair ties, rubber bands, sewing thread and needles, tiny toy pieces, open trash, and anything else that could be chewed or swallowed.
Check recliners and other moving furniture before operating them, and always check washers and dryers before closing the door or starting a cycle. Keep windows and screens secure, and block access to small spaces where a kitten could become trapped.
04 · Plants & Flowers
Check every plant before your kitten has access to it
Many common houseplants and cut flowers can make cats ill. Toxicity varies by plant, so do not assume something is safe simply because it is common, decorative, or marketed as natural. The ASPCA maintains a searchable database of toxic and non-toxic plants that is useful for checking plants already in your home.
True lilies in the Lilium genus and daylilies in the Hemerocallis genus can cause severe kidney injury in cats. Leaves, petals, stems, pollen, and even vase water can be hazardous. The safest approach is to keep these lilies out of a cat household entirely.
Other plants commonly identified as hazardous to cats include sago palm, tulips, philodendron, pothos, amaryllis, English ivy, and others. This is not an exhaustive list, so check the specific plant rather than relying on a short list.
05 · Essential Oils & Fragrance
“Natural” does not automatically mean cat-safe
Concentrated essential oils and fragranced products deserve extra caution around cats. Exposure can occur through licking or swallowing a product, skin or fur contact, or inhalation depending on how the product is used. Diffusers, liquid potpourri, concentrated oils, and oil-based products should never be assumed safe simply because they are plant-derived.
Keep concentrated oils inaccessible, prevent your kitten from contacting spills or residue, and ask your veterinarian before intentionally using essential-oil products around a cat.
06 · Household Products
Secure cleaners, medications, pest products, and garage chemicals
Keep household cleaners, detergents, laundry products, medications, pesticides, rodent bait, fertilizers, weed killers, antifreeze, paint and solvents, pool chemicals, and similar products closed and out of reach. Clean up spills promptly and follow product-label directions before allowing your kitten back onto a treated surface.
Never give a kitten human medication unless your veterinarian specifically directs you to. Acetaminophen is particularly dangerous to cats, and common pain relievers intended for people can be harmful.
Flea and tick products are species-specific. A product made for dogs should not be used on a cat unless a veterinarian specifically tells you it is appropriate. The FDA notes that some dog flea and tick products can be dangerous or even life-threatening to cats.
See the FDA guide to potentially dangerous household items for pets
07 · The First Room
Give your kitten a smaller place to settle in first
Set up a quiet base camp with food, water, litter, a scratching surface, toys, and a comfortable place to sleep or hide. Some kittens are ready to explore quickly, while others need more time. Starting smaller gives them a predictable place to decompress before gradually opening up the rest of the home.
Read more about the first few days at home08 · Veterinary Care
Plan the first visit with your veterinarian
Your kitten goes home with veterinary paperwork showing the care they have already received. We recommend establishing care with your own veterinarian within 30 days so they can review those records, continue the FVRCP series, plan rabies vaccination at the appropriate age, and discuss future spay or neuter timing.
If you ever suspect your kitten has been exposed to a toxic plant, medication, chemical, or other substance, contact a veterinarian promptly. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or poison-control professional specifically directs you to do so.
09 · Save This List
Your Ragdoll kitten checklist
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