Shedding is a natural process of an animal’s coat. But we can’t deny that’s one of the least enjoyable parts of pet ownership.
That’s why frequent grooming is essential. Not only does it keep your home as fur-free as possible, but it also keeps your pet (and house) looking pristine. Isn’t that something we all want?
Brushing your Ragdoll may not seem like a big deal, but there’s an art to pet grooming. With Ragdolls, you must deal with long fur and possibly fur matting. This can be challenging, so we’re listing our 12 best Ragdoll cat grooming tips to make the process easy as pie.
Top 12 Ragdoll Cat Grooming Tips
1. Gather All Your Supplies Before Grooming
Some cats are ticking time bombs, so it’s nice to have everything in place when you start grooming your cat. You’ll save time and energy if all your supplies are ready to go, even if you’re not bathing your cat.
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Hepper Cat Brush |
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Hepper Cat Nail Clippers Set |
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2. Ensure Your Cat is Calm
Ragdolls tend to have very gentle personalities, but some kitties may need some help with relaxation, so consider your cat’s personality before moving forward.
Start with a play session to get your cat moving and in a good mood. You can offer some calming cat treats or your kitty’s favorite treats in the process.
3. Clip Nails (If You Can)
Trimming cat nails can be challenging. This is a step that many cat owners prefer to skip, which is understandable. You don’t want to hurt them, and you certainly don’t want cat scratches up and down your arms. Still, it’s a good skill to learn. Your Ragdoll needs to have trimmed nails, especially if you try bathing them. All you need is a simple set of nail trimmers, a towel or blanket, and some kitty treats.
But if this makes you nervous, have your vet’s office trim your cat’s nails instead. It may stress your cat out, but it is better than never trimming your Ragdoll’s nails.
4. Use a Non-Slip Surface in the Tub
Cats want to feel secure. It’s one of the reasons they sink their claws into everything and don’t appreciate water. Proving a non-slip surface in the tub will help if you plan to bathe your Ragdoll. It also helps the bath move faster because you’re not scrambling to calm your cat every time it slips. A thick towel or blanket will suffice if you don’t have a mat.
5. Don’t Leave the Water Running
Cats aren’t ready to jump in the tub at their own will, so you need to make the tub or sink seem like a safe space. On top of providing a non-slip surface, turn the water off so as not to spook your kitty. Ideally, you should run the bath water while getting everything else ready to go. This allows the water to cool and makes the space more relaxed and quieter.
6. Use a Brush
You already know how much Ragdolls shed, and most of that fur sticks to the rest of your cat’s fur. A great way to remove all the hidden fuzz is to use a brush. There are different types, some have metal teeth to reach deep into your Ragdoll’s coat, removing unwanted fur. These tools are highly effective and gentle on your cat’s skin. Once you remove the extra fluff, your cat’s coat looks shiny and healthy.
7. Be Careful with Mats
Speaking of mats, you’ll have to deal with some fur matting if you have a Ragdoll. Mats are tricky because you don’t want to hurt your cat by brushing them out. Brushing your Ragdoll is simple if you don’t have to work around mats. Ideally, you want to start brushing your cat’s tummy with a wire comb, working your way up to the back and the legs.
But if you have to handle mats, you may need to start at the top and work your way down. The following video shows you how to properly brush a Ragdoll from start to finish.
Applying a tiny amount of coconut or olive oil to the mat and surrounding skin helps moisten the fur, making it easier to brush. Just remember to be gentle. You can always have a professional groomer shave the area and let the fur grow back if it comes down to it.
8. Consider a Deshedding Brush
There are always flyaway hairs after you brush your cat. Much of the fur has loosened, so this is a perfect opportunity to use a de-shedding brush.
A de-shedding brush has finer teeth that penetrate the double coat, removing more hair than your standard pet brush. There are a couple of options you can try, depending on what you and your cat prefer. You can try a rubber brush, which massages your cat’s skin as you brush. Or you can go with a standard metal brush like the Furminator. This brush was made to tackle long coats and thick fur—perfect for your Ragdoll.
9. Don’t Forget the Ears
You don’t have to bathe your Ragdoll regularly, but you should keep an eye on their ears regularly. It helps to check your cat’s ears weekly to ensure they stay fresh and free of debris.
To clean your cat’s ears, you only need some cotton balls to gently remove any possible debris. If your cat’s ears appear dirty or have an odor, you should get them checked by your vet.
10. Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
Brushing your cat’s teeth is vital for its health in the long run, so it helps to be in the habit of using an enzymatic toothpaste and toothbrush on a daily basis and, of course, when you groom them. It’s also easy and can be done in a few minutes.
Apply a small dot of toothpaste on the toothbrush and swipe the toothpaste along your cat’s teeth. If your kitty is used to this from an early age, it will be an easier task. You’ll be happy that you took the time to brush your cat’s teeth as your Ragdoll ages.
11. Feed the Best Diet You Can Afford
The overall condition of your Ragdoll’s fur is a strong indicator of your cat’s health. Your cat’s fur should be shiny, soft, and smooth. The skin should be supple and free of blemishes and flakiness.
Diet is the best way to maintain this ideal coat and skin condition paired with regular grooming. A well-balanced diet rich in high-quality proteins with the right amount of vitamins, minerals, fat, and carbohydrates is what you should aim for.
12. Reward Your Cat
At the end, and during, your grooming session, don’t forget to reward your Ragdoll. Grooming isn’t fun for cats, even if you’ve made the experience as stress-free as possible. Giving your cat something to look forward to is nice and will teach your cat that grooming isn’t always a bad experience.
Conclusion
It’s only a matter of time until you have to reach for the cat brush and shampoo. Even so, cat grooming doesn’t need to be complicated. Ragdolls are generally calm cats to handle. Occasionally, you’ll have to deal with mats, which can be frustrating since these take more time to deal with. But regular grooming can prevent the annoyance of dealing with knotted fur.
So, brush your Ragdoll once a week, limit the baths, and feed the best diet you can afford. We’re confident your Ragdoll will shine like a runway model.
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Featured Image Credit: VeronArt16, Shutterstock
Contents
- Top 12 Ragdoll Cat Grooming Tips
- 1. Gather All Your Supplies Before Grooming
- 2. Ensure Your Cat is Calm
- 3. Clip Nails (If You Can)
- 4. Use a Non-Slip Surface in the Tub
- 5. Don’t Leave the Water Running
- 6. Use a Brush
- 7. Be Careful with Mats
- 8. Consider a Deshedding Brush
- 9. Don’t Forget the Ears
- 10. Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
- 11. Feed the Best Diet You Can Afford
- 12. Reward Your Cat
- Conclusion
