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I’d be willing to bet the gorgeous ragdoll coat was one of the qualities that drew you to the breed.
the coat of the ragdoll breed
This stunning breed of cat sports a silky smooth coat. it is very similar in texture and feel to rabbit fur. the ragdoll breed is essentially a medium-long-haired breed of cat.
Her luxurious ragdoll coat is one of her best and most sought after features.
However, the ragdoll coat may differ from other cats of this breed. there are slight differences between the look and feel of their fur. the differences are subtle. but nevertheless, there are differences.
Some ragdolls have long hair. guard hairs may only be part of the coat composition. however, I have noticed that my cats’ guard hairs have faded over time.
raggies have a wonderful big fluffy ruff around their necks. this characteristic generally becomes more pronounced as they mature. I think it makes the cat look very elegant and proud.
Their coats aren’t really that prone to tangling. however, as my ragdolls aged they did develop some matting in their tummy area. I suspect it was because they couldn’t get to some of the points to work out the knots.
He would simply help them, cutting the mats carefully and delicately. when they were older my barber shaved them and gave them a lion cut. This not only helped get rid of those nasty belly knots. it also helped them feel more comfortable in the summer heat.
This breed has a nice variety of coat colors and patterns.
related > Ragdoll Cat Characteristics: 10 Reasons I Fell In Love With The Ragdoll Breed
ragdoll coat comparison
These are my two kittens. you will notice that their coats are different.
although not from the same litters, they had the same father.
Their coat and coloration will change over the next few years as they mature.
related > Are two ragdoll cats better than one?
what do ragdoll cats shed?
The bottom line is this. the ragdoll cat is essentially a long-haired cat. and shed for long-haired cats, period. goes with the territory.
However, they don’t shed as much as you might expect, given their thick, lux-rich fur. yes, you will find fluffy dust bunnies rolling under the furniture in my house!
We also wear a light layer of fur on most of our clothing.
I have noticed that the amount of shedding from one cat to another can vary.
The weather, the change of seasons, and their diet will also significantly affect the amount of shedding. if you live in a hot climate, chances are your ragdoll will shed more often.
My babies develop thicker, denser fur in early winter. so of course they ditch that heavier coat in the spring season. so the detachment is a little more frequent in the spring season.
actually, shedding actually makes the coat look healthier. your cat is simply getting rid of old fur, which he no longer needs.
how can I deal with shedding?
get out that vacuum cleaner. Every other day (most weeks), I grab my trusty Dyson and go for a quick spin around the house. note: I don’t have carpets in my house.
but i have 3 cats in my home: 2 ragdolls and one of the heinz 57 variety. it takes 5 minutes to vacuum the house. end of problem.
to be completely honest, my short-haired guy of the heinz variety leaves more of a trail of hair than long-haired ragdolls. just imagine.
what can I do to reduce the shedding of my ragdoll cats?
To reduce shedding and enhance my ragdolls’ stellar fur coat, I regularly add supplements to their diet.
top quality fish oil
- Good quality fish oil – The omega 3 fatty acids will help reduce shedding and help keep your raggie’s coat looking great. ideal for shine and luster.
- put a rubber glove on your hand. slightly moistened glove. go over the upholstered sofa and chairs with the wet rubber glove. this will remove the kitty’s fur very well.
- I like the lily brush. it is not expensive. it’s easy to use. does a pretty decent job of removing cat fur from furniture.
- get used to having at least some hair on your clothes. get used to the fur dust bunnies that will roll around and collect under your furniture. Don’t be guilty of relocating your ragdoll because you just discovered the ragdoll shed! live with it. gosh, it’s just cat fur.
- I keep a lint roller in the hall to remove last-minute hair before I head out. works great.
- vacuum your house regularly or at least where your rags sleep. it only takes a few minutes.
- Feed your boys the best quality food you can. Are you still spilling too much? consult your vet for suggestions to help reduce shedding.
- brush your babies regularly. helps control shedding and picks up excess hair, plus they love the feel (usually!)
- unfurnish your furniture at least weekly.
- check regularly for matting before it gets out of hand. try to remove the mats carefully with a brush/comb or gently clip them, especially on older ragdolls.
- a quick guide to dealing with your ragdoll cat’s matted fur
I give my kids vitamins rx, ultra efa daily, as recommended by my holistic vet, per the directions on the bottle. there’s a good chance your cats won’t like the taste of fish oil, especially if it’s something new you’re introducing into their diet.
I suggest adding just a small drop mixed with wet food to hide it, until they get used to it (if ever! cats can be so finicky!)
Another taste-masking trick is to sprinkle nutritional yeast over food with the hidden fish oil. Hopefully, they’ll love nutritional yeast more than they hate the taste of fish oil! my boys love it. now they ask for ‘chispitas’ in their food!
but what about cat fur on my furniture?
There are some easy solutions to removing leather from furniture.
just grab the lily brush and give it a few good swipes in your chair and it’ll grab the fur your babies have so kindly deposited on your cute furniture nicely. works fine.
lily brush – does a great job for a quick chair clean!
should I buy a rag doll if I’m sensitive to cat fur?
I’ve heard that allergy sufferers are less sensitive to ragdoll fur coats. but I can’t confirm this for sure.
I was tested and found out I had a mild allergy to cat dander or fur many years ago. recently, i was retested and showed absolutely no allergies. just imagine.
If in doubt, get yourself (and your kids) tested for cat allergies and sensitivities before adopting a ragdoll cat or any cat.
preparing your rag doll
My raggies take very good care of their coats. my boys are wonderful groomers, as are most cats. although they are long haired, I have not found it necessary to brush them very often. (maybe I’m just lazy).
However, a quick brush over really fluffs them up. it makes them look dumber. I love the loose look.
I just use a simple metal comb to groom myself. I also really like a small polishing brush. my kids love the feel of the slicker brush.
Tip: The key to making grooming quick and easy is to start a routine when they are young. most will like the feel of the brush or comb and will enjoy it quite a bit.
I give my kids a treat when they’re done with a quick brushing session. Regular brisk brushing will also help control fur dust rabbits in your home. it will also reduce skin deposits on clothing and furniture.
related to >establishing routines for your ragdoll cat
bathing your ragdoll cat
When I would take my boys to my backyard and they would get really dirty, I would give them a quick bath.
however, I never found that bathing enhanced the appearance of the ragdoll coat. however, it freshens his “scent” and makes his fur fluffier.
If you want to bathe your babies, I don’t recommend bathing them too often. unless you have a specific reason to.
brushing will improve his coat more than bathing. excessive bathing can dry out their skin.
Use a shampoo recommended for cats only. dog shampoo is not okay for a cat. I like dirt bath products as they don’t have any nasty chemicals or junk in their formula.
hairballs
yuck. hairballs.
I have not found my long-haired cats to have more hairballs than any other short-haired cat I have owned.
I think the hairballs are caused by a dietary disorder. cats must be able to process and digest the hair they take from the toilet.
I add high-quality fish oil to my kids’ food every day. helps with digestion and hairball production. it also helps produce a shiny, healthy coat, reduces shedding, itchy skin, allergies, and dander.
My two ragdoll kittens are almost 10 months old and neither has ever had a hairball. my 7 year old rescue cat has only thrown up 2 hairballs (that I know of).
If your cat has hairballs, see your vet. they may have some suggestions as to why this is happening.
are dirty pants a problem for the ragdoll?
long-haired raggies have very baggy pants. so are dirty bottoms a problem with this breed?
no.
If your butts are constantly gross, consider changing your diet. they may not be digesting well. or they may have food sensitivities, but as a general rule, there should be no “stuff” hanging out of their pants after using the litter box.
if their pants are filthy, they’re great groomers. they will take care of it.
If you find it necessary to frequently remove the doodoo from your pants, you may want to consider adjusting your diet.
in the meantime, your baby may need a little help cleaning up his dirty pants, if he hasn’t managed to get those messy knick-knacks off.
7 tips for dealing with and being realistic with your rag cat’s fur
If you’re thinking about bringing a ragdoll cat into your home, there are a few basics you’ll need to adopt.
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The ragdoll coat is one of the best characteristics of this breed: stunning, thick and luxurious. with a little effort, a simple and regular grooming routine, you can help him keep his coat at its best.
When they’re in their best health, their coats will not only look healthier, but they’ll shed less.
but don’t demand that of me!
check out the video version of the article!
