author Sara Thornton DVM                                iCandy RagaMuffins

I recently had an inquiry from someone interested in acquiring a RagaMuffin kitten from me. Pretty typical email. When I responded with general information that I always respond with including waitlist information, price, genetic testing including echocardiograms on the parents, and other details, I got a surprising response.

It appears the inquirer got the impression that RagaMuffins have a significant amount of heart disease. Her background was in a dog breed that has terrible heart disease, so I can understand her concern. But, I didn’t want her to feel that RagaMuffins were in the same league as the dog breed she previously loved.

In fact, RagaMuffins are no more likely to have heart disease than any cat walking down the street. The odds are that around 15% of the general cat population has heart disease. By far the most common presentation is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ( HCM). In some feline breeds, HCM is rampant. Gene mutations were identified in both Ragdolls and Maine Coons that can cause HCM. The good news is those genes can be tested for and findings can be used by breeders to eliminate that cause of heart disease in kittens that are produced. Since Ragdolls are in the background of RagaMuffins, I test every breeding cat.

In addition, I take the extra step to screen my RagaMuffin breeding cats with an echocardigram since many types of heart disease are not detectable via genetic testing. 50% of cats with HCM do not have a heart murmur. So, this means a routine auscultation by a veterinarian has only a 50% chance to suspect a problem. The echocardiogram is the gold standard utilized. Even that is not perfect. A cat can have a normal echo and then six months later develop heart disease. HCM is the top suspect in sudden death of a younger cat. That being said, it is not necessarily a death sentence. When detected, a cat may be monitored and live a normal span in some cases. I had a dear Domestic Long Hair that was diagnosed around three years of age. She lived to 14 with no issues, but then her heart failed.

The bottom line is, I do health clearances including echocardiograms to ensure that I am doing the best that I can to produce healthy RagaMuffin kittens.

author Sara Thornton DVM                                          iCandy RagaMuffins

My RagaMuffin Nougat is ten years old now. He has always been happy and healthy. Long retired from the show ring, he is not retired from the couch or the cat yard.

Like all my cats, he gets regular grooming including nail clips and comb outs. Once a year, they each get a formal check up. Now that I have retired, I keep a notebook with their records in it and dates on my cell phone to remind me when individuals are due for a tune up of any kind.

October came around and Nougat’s name popped up that he was due for vaccinations and annual bloodwork. I do the same with each of my pets that I did for pets that visited me in the hospital: ausculation, palpation, skin, ear, eye and mouth checks. This RagaMuffin had a problem surface. He had a bad tooth. I knew it needed attention.

Since I no longer have a practice, I made an appointment for him with my friend and colleague Dr Denise Jones. At the appointment, Nougat’s mouth was evaluated. She agreed that the sore tooth needed to be extracted. She also felt a couple more teeth needed to be radiographed. I made an appointment for him to return for the procedures.

The night before the dental work, Nougat was separated from the other cats because he couldn’t eat anything overnight. I’m sure he thought that was weird. The early morning was dark, foggy and raining. I drove Nougat to Brunswick Veterinary Hospital to drop him off. Like every pet owner, I hated to see my baby get carried away from me, even though I have every confidence in the team that was taking care of him.

All went well with his procedure. No surprise, I was told RagaMuffin Nougat was a charming trooper. He lost two teeth in total, but the radiographs were clear on the questionable teeth. He came home with me as if nothing had happened. His pain is well under control and he is happy to be home.

I greatly appreciate the care that was taken of my special boy. Taking care of pet’s teeth is an important part of keeping them healthy through their senior years.

author Sara Thornton DVM                                        iCandy RagaMuffins

Now that I have sold my veterinary practice, I want to maintain my license so I can help out another veterinarian if the need arises and do the routine care of my own animals. To keep my license, I need to continue taking approved continuing education. It has never been an issue for me to meet and exceed the required credits. But these days, I have the freedom to concentrate on things that directly interest me most….such as my RagaMuffin cat breeding program.

I recently watched two webinars that were offered for veterinary continuing education credit, but were also open to technicians and breeders. Both were very well done, with good coverage on several subjects. Each provided five hours of education. The first one was the National Kitten Coalition Veterinary Conference. I signed up, knowing I would be unable to attend live, as it was the same day as a cat show. But, they were offering viewing of the recorded sessions at a later date, and by taking a test post viewing, the continuing education certificates were available. The cost of this was very low, maybe $30? in total.

The second one was the Feline Breeder Symposium offered by the University of Pennsylvania . I was able to watch that live. I don’t think later viewing is possible in this case. Again, the price was very reasonable, $75. Both of these seminars were sponsored in part by companies. I would recommend all breeders take the time to sign up and attend these webinars when offered. While most of the information was a good review for me, I always learn something. Both organizations have offerings every year. The webinar format is great. I was able to sit around with my RagaMuffins and utilize my tablet for a good cause!

author- Lucile Gordon Press                    Presca RagaMuffins

To me, books have always been the basis of knowledge; experience is about applying the knowledge gained from studying the books. Due to a recent event demonstrating an acute lack of knowledge and inexperience in recognizing a common occurrence in cats, it occurred to me I better start looking for help in the event other minor, or major, issues present themselves, thus keeping my blood pressure within normal range.

As a former Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeder (22 years) and a retired ICU Nurse I had an extensive collection of books on every aspect of my Corgis from history to health. And, of course, all kinds of medical reference books pertaining to human health which I still refer to even in todays’ modern and tech savvy world. It occurred to me other Newbies to the world of cats, whether you have a Household Cat, a Show Cat, or are a breeder in training, a few good books could be helpful. Amazon was a great initial resource for me. I purchased five books:

1. Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook (Third Edition)

2. RagaMuffin Cats as Pets by: Lilly Brown

3. RagaMuffin Cats by: Colette Anderson

4. RagaMuffin Cat: So Sweet They Give You Cavities

 5. The Cornell Book of Cats (Second Edition): Edited by Mordecai Siegal

I’m sure the more experienced members of our Club can recommend other books to add to our collections but I’ve started with these and thought I’d share my list with you. Here’s to healthy purrs and nose-bumps!

I think I have said it to many of you before, I do not think there is anything sweeter than a two-
week old kitten. So, intricately made, and from birth they can give a little snapping like sound that they
are already purring. They give support and love back ten fold.
So, in hindsight, yes, 2020 has been a rough year, but in my particular case. I have had plenty of
unconditional support from a little loving fury creature called a RagaMuffin. And seeing that we are
approaching the November Holiday of Giving Thanks, I think it is absolutely perfect for me to say, I am
so very, very thankful for my RagaMuffins, because it is a mutual gift they offer.

author Cathy Foldesi                         RagaMuffin lover

Beware of where you put your cats scratching post.  You might regret your location choice.  In our bedroom our cats have each chosen a piece of furniture to scratch even though we do have scratching posts available for them in other rooms. Our oldest cat sometimes scratched an old chair that my husband used to set cloths on.  We really don’t mind him scratching that chair.  It is not an important piece of furniture.   If we tell him to stop it he does quit.  Ragamuffin Windsor on the other hand. had to pick another piece of furniture to scratch in our bedroom.  He likes needling a bench we have a dog crate on.  I tried to discourage him from his scratching choice but of course failed at my attempts to redirect his behavior.  So, one day I was at Home Goods (one of my favorite stores) and found a small scratching post, for cats, with a bell and a ball on it designed for cats entertainment.  It was only $10 so I bought it figuring if the cats did not like it I would not have wasted a lot of money.  To keep it steady I used a small rope to tie it to the bottom of the bench where Windsor liked pruning his nails.    It worked.  He likes it.  The only problem now is he plays with the bell and ball as he uses the post and sometimes it gets a bit noisy and quite loud while we are sleeping.  Not so much fun for us, but after all cats tend to be a bit nocturnal so his play time choices are a bit different then ours.  Honesty, I fuss a little but really it’s okay as we are glad he likes it and is no longer scratching the bench.  I could cut the bell and ball off  of the post but I am afraid if I do he would no longer like it anymore.  So sometimes we all have to be a little flexible and understanding to each other’s needs, desires, and pleasures.  The truth is I love watching Windsor being a kitten and he really does nothing that is seriously wrong.  So, we let him have fun, even if he wakes us up, and we have saved our bench too.  YAY!

author Cathy Foldesi                                                    RagaMuffin lover

Remember when you were a kid and you enjoyed opening presents and ended up playing with the boxes as much as the contents of the gifts themselves. Fun time right?

Kittens are the same way.  If you haven’t had the fun of watching your cat with a bag or box, please take the time to give your kitten these items.  Pure joy for all.

You will laugh as your cat will probably play endlessly with  a paper bag or box.  RagaMuffin iCandy Windsor has had a paper bag on our floor all week.  He runs and attacks it over and over. He pushes it all over the room. He  hangs out inside it too.  Once, it was a surprise to me when I  went to move it and he was resting in it.  We watch and listen for the rustling of the paper and we start laughing. I gave him a box with paper in it and he did not really enjoy it but he adores the paper grocery bag.   He has not destroyed it with his nails but so what if he did. I would just get him another bag to enjoy.

We haven’t had a young kitten in our home for many years and I must admit I had forgotten how cute they are.  Our older cats have been wonderful and we have enjoyed them a lot but they  pretty much stopped playing with toys by the time they were three years old.  It is funny to see our other older cat’s expression when Windsor is playing hard.  Seth our 11 year old cat is a Norwegian Forest Cat.  He looks at the RagaMuffin kitten playing and seems to say “you crazy kid, I did not sign up for all of this”.  Windsor also enjoys the toys on a string that have a bird -like sound device on them.  He runs up and attacks them often throughout the day.  If I am in another room I get a chuckle out of hearing him playing with these toys. We have two of them hanging on door knobs.  Windsor plays hard and rest even harder. After playing awhile he naps and even snores a little bit.  And, of course he is a wonderful cuddler and loves to snuggle. He loves to have his forehead and chin scratched.  A few extra kitty treats, now and then, are always a welcomed pleasure for both cats.  I am going to get out another box for Windsor to try, and put some paper in it to see if he like this box better.

Now, folks please go get a paper bag or box out for your kitten and have FUN!

Added note… Please do not use plastic bags as this could be dangerous for your cat.

Yes, Windsor liked the smaller box with paper in it.

So yes, the fun continues!

editor Sara Thornton DVM                                            iCandy RagaMuffins   

A number of years back, I was emailed a handout to help explain to people about the challenges involved with breeding RagaMuffins or any other  cats. This was meant to eliminate surprises new breeders may encounter. The goal is to help one decide whether or not breeding is an adventure to pursue. I have modified the original document, but am unable to give credit to the original writer as I don’t know who it is!

Sometimes, without realizing what is involved, new breeders become discouraged and quit breeding after a short time. This is disappointing for everyone involved: the new breeder, the breeder(s) who provided the initial breeding cats, and the mentor(s) who may have spent many, many hours helping the new breeder get started. There are some things that each potential breeder should know up front. 

The Profit Myth:

One of the great myths about breeding cats is that breeders make a lot of money.

Very few, if any, cat breeders make a profit. A prospective breeder might wonder how this can be true. Well, first, there is a substantial investment to get started and second, the ongoing expenses of running a good cattery are more than anyone expects. The original breeding cats, supplies, equipment, food and vet bills can easily run more than the income from selling kittens. So,  this venture should be considered more of a cat loving hobby than a viable source of income.

Stud Challenges:

Keeping intact (not spayed or castrated) cats is very different than having cats as pets. Of course the more intact cats one has, the more of a challenge that this becomes.

Intact cats often spray urine to mark their territory. When males are not neutered, the smell of their urine is pungent to say the least. If they are kept in a breeder’s home, the home will likely have an unpleasant smell. Many people cannot live with intact males in the same ‘air space’ so breeders may need to consider a separate place where the stud(s) are housed.

Some stud owners have separate buildings that are properly ventilated and heated to house their males. If a breeder has more than one stud, he/she may need to keep them separate or fights may occur! Even though the studs may be housed in separate quarters, a cattery owner  must find time each day to spend time with them so that they get the proper attention and affection to remain lovable RagaMuffin kitties.

Once intact males mature, some will cry loudly to let the world know that they are ready, willing and able to perform their breeding role. Some males are louder than others so it makes sense to be sure that neighbors will not be bothered by the noise.

Queen Challenges:

Many think that only intact males spray. However, many intact females also mark their territory, especially when they are in heat, by spraying or urinating on carpets, bedding, furniture, etc.  While many products claim to eliminate urine odor, it is very difficult to do so. Most  breeders elect to remove wall to wall carpets in favor of easier to clean floors with washable area rugs. Waterproof mattress pads are a must and some also use them under slipovers on living room sofas and chairs.

Females also cry loudly when they are in season. Like the males, they will call loudly, night and day. During spring and summer, females tend to call approximately every two to three weeks for approximately seven days at a time.

Marketing and Sales:

Placing kittens and retired adults is a tremendous responsibility. You will need to market your cattery with a web site and Facebook page. Keeping those Internet resources up to date takes time and energy as well as a bit of skill. 

It takes time to interact with potential kitten purchasers. Responsible breeders want to ensure that our babies are placed in appropriate, loving homes. Screening potential buyers via email and telephone is a time consuming activity. 

Vet Bills & Health Problems:

Of course there are normal veterinary expenses. These include health clearance tests and vaccinations for your breeding cats, for example tests for FeLV, FIV and routine kitten vaccinations. Many RagaMuffin breeders are also spaying and neutering kittens prior to placing them in homes. This adds to the expense, but protects the kitten in the long run. 

There are also the unforeseen expenses that may crop up. Upper respiratory, urinary tract problems, diarrhea, and dental  all should  be addressed by a professional. 

Complications can, and DO, arise either during pregnancy or during delivery and this is when the vet bills can really start to add up. Each litter will have to be treated should problems occur while they are in your care.

Perhaps the most difficult thing is when a breeder loses one or more kittens because they were premature, had congenital issues, or had an illness. Sadly, this will eventually happen under the best of circumstances.  In addition, thankfully not often, a breeder may lose a beloved queen to complications in the birthing process. This is the other side of the joy of bringing beautiful RagaMuffin kittens into the world.

Foot Loose and Fancy Free?

Maintaining  breeding cats will greatly curtail a breeder’s ability to be away from home. A responsible breeder can’t just get up and go. If a queen is due to deliver kittens,  the breeder must be available in case of difficulties; this is despite having plans attend a wedding, a birthday party, Christmas festivities, or any other event. Things can go wrong very quickly.

Showing your Kittens:

One goal for breeders is to produce cats that match the standard for the RagaMuffin or to come as close as possible. Participation in cat shows gives a breeder the opportunity to see other RagaMuffins and also to meet with other RagaMuffin breeders and discuss issues relevant to the breed. Attending cat shows is another expense of being a breeder. There are entry fees and travel expenses, including sometimes eating out, staying in a hotel, and traveling to a distant location.

In addition, attending a cat show can take significant amount of time: filling out paperwork, assembling everything required to go to the show, arranging transportation and for a cat sitter if you will be away from home, bathing and grooming for the cat, traveling to the show location, being at the show itself (usually on a weekend), and traveling back home again. The shows are usually a lot of fun, but they will be another item in the budget. 

At this point, I believe prior to starting a breeding program, a person should get a quality RagaMuffin premier ( spayed or castrated cat) and show it for a year. That year will be spent learning how to evaluate cats, groom kitties and make friends with quality breeders who can mentor.

Cat & Kitten Care:

Breeding cats (and any ‘teenagers’ or neutered adults), need to be  fed and watered regularly along with routine litter box maintenance. Regular grooming is an important part of their care as well. The living quarters must be cleaned, and food and water bowls washed. Kittens must be weighed at least once daily for several weeks to monitor their growth. If  newborns have difficulty nursing, or their mother has no milk, they must be  raised by hand. This means feeding every two to four hours 24 hours a day.

Socializing kittens with play and cuddling is an important and fun part of being a breeder. It needs to be done daily and requires knowledge of kitten behavior to accomplish successfully. 

Having a sick kitten or cat is always a worry. It is the duty of a breeder to spend the time and money needed to care for ill animals.  As wonderful as they are,  just one litter of kittens can be exhausting. . While we call this a hobby, it is actually a full-time job from which there are really no true breaks or vacations and little, if any, monetary compensation.

Forever a Breeder

Once placed in a home, a breeder’s responsibility does not end. Providing advice for the pet owner when needed is imperative. In addition, a responsible breeder is willing to take back any kitten at any time during its life. People’s lives change due to illness, divorce, etc and it is the duty for a breeder to ensure that any cat that he/she bred will always have a home.