How We Ensure Every Ragdoll Kitten Is Healthy: Our Complete Cattery Protocol Focus

How We Ensure Every Ragdoll Kitten Is Healthy: Our Complete Cattery Protocol

When families are choosing between Ragdoll breeders, the single most important thing they can look at isn’t the website. It isn’t the photos. It isn’t even the prices.

It’s the health protocol — what the breeder actually does, step by step, to ensure every kitten leaves their cattery as healthy as possible.

This post is our answer to that question. Everything we do at Kitten Around Ragdolls, from before we even breed a pair of cats through the day your kitten comes home (and beyond). No fluff. No marketing. Just what happens.

It Starts Before Breeding: Genetic Health Testing on Every Cat

Every cat currently breeding in our program has completed genetic testing. Youngsters retained for possible breeding are tested and their results reviewed before they are bred. We want useful information for pairing decisions and clear records for families. The important questions are which variants were tested, which cat the report identifies, and what the results mean.

We use the Wisdom Panel Optimal Selection feline test, which screens for multiple named genetic conditions along with genetic diversity, blood type, and coat traits.

What This Test Actually Checks

The Optimal Selection panel provides information about named genetic variants and traits, including:

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) — our genetic screening includes the R820W variant in the MYBPC3 gene associated with HCM in Ragdolls. A negative result for this variant is not a guarantee that a cat cannot develop HCM.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) — a serious autosomal dominant condition. One copy is enough to affect the cat.
• Factor XII Deficiency (Variants 1 and 2) — a blood clotting factor variant.
• MDR1 Medication Sensitivity — a genetic variant that can cause severe reactions to common medications including certain antiparasitics, antibiotics, and anesthetics. Critical information for a lifetime of vet visits.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy — inherited eye disease
• Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency — inherited blood disorder
• Gangliosidosis (GM1 and GM2) — progressive neurological diseases
• Mucopolysaccharidoses (multiple types) — storage disorders
• Blood type — critical for both transfusion safety and for pregnancy planning (Type B queens bred to Type A males can produce kittens who die from neonatal isoerythrolysis if not managed correctly)
• Genetic diversity — measured against the typical range for Ragdolls, so we understand how our breeding pairs will contribute to overall genetic health
• Plus 30+ additional inherited conditions

This isn’t a “run once and hope for the best” test. Every cat we bring into our breeding program is tested. Every cat we retain from our own litters is tested before we consider using them for breeding. It’s non-negotiable.

Why This Matters

Comprehensive genetic testing means:

• We learn about the specific tested variants our cats may pass to their kittens; untested or unknown inherited risks remain
• We can make informed pairing decisions that reduce the risk of genetic disease
• We know each cat’s blood type — critical for both breeding decisions and emergency medical care
• We can share test results with you so you know your kitten’s genetic background
• We can help your veterinarian understand any breed-specific considerations for your cat’s lifetime care

Want to see what a real Wisdom Panel report looks like? We’re happy to share one of our actual cats’ genetic reports with prospective buyers on request. It’s transparency in action.

Genetic Testing and Heart Ultrasound Answer Different Questions

The Ragdoll HCM DNA test looks for the R820W variant in the MYBPC3 gene. A negative result means that particular variant was not detected; it does not rule out every cause of HCM. A broader genetic panel still only covers the variants included in that panel. UC Davis explains its Ragdoll HCM test and results here.

An echocardiogram examines the heart’s structure and function at the time of the examination. It does not test DNA or guarantee future heart health. Cornell’s HCM guidance explains the role of heart ultrasound and why genetic results need veterinary interpretation. We value both kinds of information rather than treating one as a substitute for the other.

Ask for the cat’s identity, the lab or examining clinician, the test name, the date, and the actual interpretation. A booked appointment is not a completed examination, and a normal examination at one age is not a lifetime clearance. Discuss the appropriate screening and repeat-examination schedule with a veterinary cardiologist.

Our Genetic Testing and Echocardiogram Progress

Every cat currently breeding in our program has completed genetic testing. We use Wisdom Panel Optimal Selection Feline and publish genetic-report and pedigree links on our Kings & Queens page so families can see the information for themselves. Young kings and queens we are raising for possible future breeding may still have testing ahead of them; their genetic testing is completed and reviewed before they are bred.

As of October 20, 2026, Bowie, Princess, and Bandit have had echocardiograms. Their registered names are Flashyragdolls David Bowie, CH Kittenaround Strawberry Shortcake (Princess), and Familytimerags Purrito Bandito (Bandit). Some breeding pairs already have completed parent echocardiogram screening. We are working through the remaining breeding cats and expect to complete their examinations within the next six months, by April 20, 2027. This is our plan, not a claim that the remaining examinations have already happened.

If having two parents with completed echocardiograms is important to you, ask us about the specific pairing and its actual records before reserving a kitten. A parent’s completed scan does not mean the kitten has had an echocardiogram, and a planned litter is not a promise of availability.

We do not promise HCM-free cats. Genetic results identify the variants tested, while an echocardiogram assesses the heart at the time of the examination. Neither guarantees that a cat will never develop heart disease. We want families to have the reports, understand their limits, and know which examinations are completed and which are still planned.

Veterinary Care Throughout the Litter’s Life

Our veterinary team at Douglas Boulevard Veterinary Clinic in Roseville sees every kitten we produce. Here’s the schedule.

8-10 Week Wellness Check + First FVRCP Vaccine

Every kitten receives a complete veterinary examination between 8-10 weeks of age. This includes:

• Full physical exam
• Weight and growth check
• Heart and lung auscultation
• Eye and ear evaluation
• Deworming as appropriate
• First FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia) vaccine

The FVRCP vaccine protects against three of the most serious viral diseases in cats. If anything unusual is found during the exam, we address it before the kitten goes home — always.

11-12 Week Spay/Neuter + Second FVRCP Vaccine

At 11-12 weeks, kittens return to Douglas Boulevard Vet for their spay or neuter surgery, along with their second FVRCP booster. Every kitten goes home already altered — you don’t have to arrange it, budget for it, or manage the recovery.

A Note on Why We Don’t Do 3rd or 4th Boosters

Some breeders advertise “3 or 4 rounds of vaccines” before go-home as a sign of quality. Here’s the honest picture:

Our queens (mother cats) are fully vaccinated with annual FVRCP boosters as part of our health protocol. This means their kittens are born with strong maternal antibody protection that lasts several weeks into the kitten’s life. Because of this maternal antibody protection, additional vaccines in the earliest weeks often don’t “take” — the mother’s antibodies neutralize the vaccine before the kitten’s own immune system responds.

The two-vaccine schedule (8-10 weeks and 11-12 weeks) is what our veterinarian recommends based on the mother cats’ vaccination status and the timing of maternal antibody decline. Your new vet will continue the schedule with additional boosters as appropriate for your kitten’s ongoing life.

If you or your vet want additional boosters before go-home for any reason, we’re happy to accommodate that on request.

Nutrition: What We Feed and Why

Nutrition is the foundation of long-term health. What a kitten eats during their growth years shapes their coat, their digestion, their immune system, and their lifelong health trajectory.

What We Feed Our Ragdolls

After years of watching how different foods affect coat, weight, energy, and litter-box habits across our cattery, here’s exactly what we feed:

• Dry, free-fed 24/7: Open Farm Pasture-Raised Lamb grain-free kibble — high-protein, grain-free, with named meat as the first ingredient. You’ll find it on our Amazon storefront (Some links are affiliate links, and we only recommend what we actually feed.).
• Rehydrated complete food: Fresh Is Best freeze-dried lamb — a complete food we rehydrate as our wet/canned-food replacement and our kittens’ first starter food. Order it through our affiliate link with code KITTENAROUND15 for 15% off.

Our Open Farm Pasture-Raised Lamb grain-free kibble contains ocean whitefish meal. Our cats are doing well on it. For Fresh Is Best, we use the freeze-dried lamb recipe.

Fresh water: Always available. We use ceramic bowls and clean them daily.

Litter and Environmental Health

What a kitten is exposed to in their litter box matters more than most people realize. Kittens groom themselves obsessively, which means whatever ends up on their paws ends up in their mouths.

We Use Cat Butler Pea-Based Clumping Litter Exclusively

Cat Butler pea husk litter is what we use throughout our cattery. Here’s why it matters:

• Non-toxic if ingested — because it’s made from pea husk, if a kitten accidentally swallows some during grooming (and they do), it won’t harm them. Traditional clay litters contain silica dust that can cause respiratory and digestive problems, and some clumping clay litters can expand dangerously in a kitten’s stomach.
• Dust-free — no silica dust means no respiratory irritation for kittens whose developing lungs are especially sensitive. This is critical for a breed prone to any respiratory sensitivity.
• Natural clumping — makes daily cleaning easy and keeps the box hygienic between full changes
• Biodegradable and flushable — better for households and better for the environment
• No perfumes or chemicals — no synthetic fragrances that can irritate kittens or cause allergic reactions
• Softer on paws — better for kittens learning to use the box and for adult cats with sensitive paw pads

We use XXL stainless steel litter boxes (28″×20″, 12-19″ walls) — never plastic. Plastic boxes absorb bacteria in the microscopic scratches from claws, and no amount of cleaning fully eliminates that. Stainless steel is non-porous, sanitizable, and lasts forever.

Cat Butler offers our families 20% off with code kittenaroundragdolls20 — so you can continue the same litter your kitten is already used to.

Microchipping Before Go-Home

Every kitten leaves us microchipped, with the chip registered through nanochipid.com. Nano chips are half the size of traditional microchips (about the size of a grain of rice), which means:

• Less invasive placement
• Less discomfort during implantation
• Same universal scanning compatibility

Your kitten is registered under your name and contact info from day one — we transfer registration to you before go-home. Peace of mind if they ever slip out an open door.

Insurance Activation Support

Every one of our kittens goes home eligible for Trupanion pet insurance with a 30-day free trial. We provide you with the activation code and instructions.

Pet insurance activated within the first 30 days of ownership means your kitten’s coverage begins immediately — before any conditions can be considered pre-existing. This one small step can save families thousands of dollars over the life of the cat.

Codes:

BR1KA6821 (most states)

BR2KA6821 (New York)

Call 833.701.7993 to activate.

Written Contract and Health Guarantee

Every kitten goes home with a comprehensive written adoption contract that includes:

• Genetic health guarantee
• Return-to-breeder clause (if you ever cannot keep your kitten, they come back to us — no questions asked, no matter how many years later)
• Clear terms around your rights and ours
• Documentation of everything included with your kitten

The contract is real. It’s enforceable. It exists to protect both our kittens and our buyers.

Lifetime Breeder Support

Here’s the part nobody puts in their marketing materials, but it matters more than any of the above:

We support our families for the life of the cat.

When you have questions about your Ragdoll six months, six years, or sixteen years after go-home, we’re here. Questions about food. Behavior. Health concerns. Grooming. Introducing them to a new pet. Age-related changes. Anything.

Our families text us photos. They call us when they’re worried. They send us updates on their kittens’ birthdays. We treat every Kitten Around Ragdolls cat as part of our extended family, forever.

That’s not a slogan. That’s how we operate.

What’s Coming Next

Everything above is the foundation of what we already do — and it’s a lot. But we’re not stopping there. In a few weeks, we’ll be announcing an additional layer of testing that goes even further: a comprehensive fecal PCR panel that screens for 16 different pathogens on every litter before go-home.

Stay tuned. And in the meantime, if any of this raises questions — or if you’re evaluating breeders and want to compare protocols — we’re always happy to talk.

The Bottom Line

Every ethical breeder should be able to explain, in detail, what they do to ensure their kittens are healthy. If you’re evaluating a breeder and they can’t or won’t answer these questions — genetic testing, veterinary care, vaccination schedule, feeding protocol, environmental practices, insurance eligibility, contract terms — that’s a red flag.

If you’re evaluating us and want more detail on anything above, please reach out. We’d love to answer your questions.

Because at the end of the day, your kitten’s health is the whole point.

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to our Amazon storefront and Fresh Is Best. As an Amazon Associate and Fresh Is Best affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we personally use and trust with our own cats and kittens.

Looking to bring home a Ragdoll kitten from a breeder committed to health at every level? Check our available kittens or join our waitlist for upcoming litters. We’re a TICA-registered cattery in Sacramento, CA, breeding for health, temperament, and the traditional Ragdoll standard.