Ragdoll cats are known for their exceptional coat, which you may be pleased to hear is relatively easy to maintain than other cat breeds.
The Ragdoll Cat is a medium to long haired cat breed. Its coat is none mating and has a silky and shiny appearance, and is similar in texture to that of a rabbit’s fur. A Ragdoll’s Coat is all white when it is born but in the first few weeks of its life, it will develop its color and pattern.
The Ragdoll cat is known for its fluffy mane of fur around its neck, which becomes more pronounced as they mature.
Despite its fluffy coat, the Ragdoll Cat breed does not have an undercoat, unlike many other cat breeds. The absence of an undercoat results in less hair shed by the cat. There is a belief that Ragdoll Cats are hypoallergenic due to their lack of undercoat, but sadly this is not true.
Although the Ragdoll cat is said to be one of the easier breeds to look after, there are a few things you should take care of to maintain a healthy and beautiful coat. It is important to maintain the coat with some regular grooming and with a good quality diet.
Here are some tips on how to maintain a Ragdoll cat’s coat.
Groom your cat regularly, preferably every other day to remove the loose hair. It is essential to make grooming a positive experience that both you and your cat enjoy.
If grooming is new to your Ragdoll kitten, then start slowly and keep the sessions short until your cat gets used to the brush.
Offer them a treat at the end of the grooming session to reaffirm that grooming is a positive experience.
If your cat doesn’t enjoy the brush, try using a grooming glove instead.
Many Ragdoll Cat owners recommend using a metal brush on the body and a bristle brush for the face. While other owners are big fans of a rubber grooming brush.
When grooming your pet, start with the tummy and the back of the legs. Mats can form on these areas first.
First, brush your cat’s body fur up towards the head. Doing this will help you check for any bites or fleas. Then smooth the hair back down by brushing it towards the tail.
Ragdolls, like all cats, have a summer and winter coat, so they will become fluffier in the colder months. As the weather becomes warmer again, you will notice that they will start to shed a lot of fur, so groom them more regularly during this time to cut down on the number of furballs and remove the dead hair.
Elderly cats may struggle to groom themselves as they age, and as a result, their fur may become matted, so it is important to groom them daily if you notice their fur condition declining. If that occurs, it is advisable to shave their rear end so that faeces does not become trapped in the fur and cause ulcers or other skin conditions.
Feed your cat a good quality diet. A lack of nutrients can cause your cat’s fur to shed more than usual. It is essential to feed your cat a balanced diet in vitamins, minerals, protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
How to get rid of mats on cats
Even though Ragdoll have non-mating fur, eventually you will find yourself dealing with cat hair mats. These are the dense, tangled clusters of hair that make your cat look like an angora sweater, and that you spend hours trying to groom out of their fur. Here’s our top tips for getting rid of mats in your cat’s fur.
- Prepare the matted area by sprinkling talcum powder or corn starch onto the mat and work it in with your fingers. The talcum powder will help you loosen the mat.
- Try and break the hair mat apart with your fingers.
- Use a wide-tooth metal comb to gently brush out the mat.
- Using scissors to cut the edges of the mat, making it easier to untangle with your fingers or comb.
- Never bathe your cat before attempting to remove a mat as this could make it more difficult to remove.
If the mats are only affecting your cat’s fur, a professional groomer will be able to remove them either by combing or by shaving them off with electric clippers. If the mats are affecting the skin as well then a trip to the vet may be advised as it may cause inflammation and irritation of the skin. If your cat has stopped grooming itself all together then that may suggest it is suffering from a serious health issue, so again a trip to the vet is advised.
Recommended brushes for a Ragdoll Cat Coat
- Easy grip brush is flexible and gentle
- Groom, bathe and massage your cat
- Helps prevent hairball formation
Keep your fur baby’s coat looking sleek and shiny with the powerful brushing action of the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush. This easy-to-use grooming tool is perfect for gently and effectively removing even the most stubborn of tangles and knots from your pet’s undercoat, thanks to the uniquely designed bristles that curve slightly to penetrate thick fur, without scratching or irritating the skin.
Forget about shedding - Our Glove easily removes loose pet hair and tangles so no fur goes flying Enhanced five-finger design - allows you to groom hard-to-reach places like face or tail.
Pets love glove - Rubber tips provide a gentle relaxing massage. Petting is better than pet chasing. For short, medium & long coat - Extra gentle for daily grooming. Perfect for sensitive & young pets Make your grooming routine easy - With this glove, you'll keep your pet attractive and home hair-free
Find the best brushes to use on Ragdoll Cats
