06.05.2022

You don't need to get your kitty shaved—Ragdoll cat grooming solutions are here!

Does having a shaved Ragdoll cat make life easier? Not necessarily. While the feline’s fluffy neck ruffs require a certain amount of care, it’s nothing too drastic.

So, why do some cat parents decide to give their pet a makeover, and how does that affect their fur? In this article, we discuss the basic grooming requirements of the breed and explain whether shaving Ragdoll cats is a good idea.

Can you shave a Ragdoll cat?

Is it a good idea to give your Ragdoll cat a haircut? The short answer is—you can do it, but you don’t have to. Ragdolls are a semi-longhaired breed with a silky coat that isn’t prone to matting, so they don’t need regular trimmings. When it comes to grooming, the floppy cat only requires basic care. 

But what if your Ragdoll’s fur gets super tangled and starts collecting dirt? Before you reach for the electric trimmer, try the following steps:

1. Rub some coconut oil on the matted area
2. Leave the oil on for approximately one hour
3. Brush the tangled fur using a de-matting comb
4. Trim the matted hairs with a nail clipper if brushing them doesn’t work

If the matting starts to spread, consider having your Ragdoll cat shaved. Matted fur can be painful since the tangled hairs often pull on the cat’s skin as they move. The pulling can cause bleeding and abrasions, which can get infected later. 

Shaving can be a bit problematic when it comes to adventurous felines like Maine Coons and Siamese cats because they love exploring the great outdoors, and the long fur protects them from both the cold and the sun, so they’re pretty vulnerable without it. As opposed to them, Ragdolls spend most of their time inside, so shaving shouldn’t be an issue.

How long until a shaved Ragdoll cat grows new fur?

Yes, just take a bit off the side.

Source: Nick Fewings

How fast a cat’s fur grows back depends on its length. Since Ragdolls have semi-long hair, it takes a while for the fur to reach its former fluffiness. A shaved Ragdoll can grow a new coat in approximately six months, so you should take that into account before having them shaved. 

Don’t be surprised if their new coat has a different colour! After shaving, the Ragdoll cat’s body temperature lowers, which can affect the shade of their fur. The floppy cats can have many different colours, including seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, and cream.

How to groom a Ragdoll cat properly

If you tend to your Ragdoll at least twice a week, matting won’t be an issue. But how do you take proper care of the fluffy cat’s gorgeous fur?

Grooming Ragdoll cats isn’t too demanding since they don’t have an undercoat like certain long-haired breeds (e.g. Maine Coons). There are a few areas on the feline’s body where the fur is longer, like the hair ruffs around their necks and their fluffy tails, that should be brushed at least twice per week. 

Ragdolls need:

1. Brushing
2. Bathing
3. Trimming of the claws

Brush up on brushing

I’m fluffy and I know it!

Source: @ragdollcats_lover

Ragdolls are diligent groomers, so you won’t have to interfere with their daily skincare routine too much. Although these gentle giants have good hygiene, they should still be brushed at least twice per week. Besides keeping their fur shiny, grooming is an excellent opportunity to check for potential health issues (e.g. bacterial infections, lesions, flea bites, and similar).

You should start brushing your cat at an early age. While kittens aren’t as fluffy as full-grown felines, they should get used to the sensation. Ragdolls are an affectionate breed, so they’ll most likely relish the attention.

Here are some tips for grooming a Ragdoll cat:

• Start brushing the areas more likely to mat (e.g. the tummy or the back of the legs) and go upwards from there 
• Use a slicker brush or a comb with soft bristles
• Brush the hair towards the tail to even it out
• Finish with a rubber brush to remove any remaining strands

Brushing can help reduce the number of hairballs your cat regurgitates. Ragdolls can sometimes get a stomachache from ingesting too much hair due to the size of the clumps. With regular brushing, there won’t be as many loose strands that your Raggie could swallow. 

Run your cat a bath

Since Ragdolls spend most (if not all) of their time inside the house, they’re not as grimy as outdoor cats. The floppy cat can get by with monthly baths (or emergency clean-ups if they happen to make a mess).

Like with brushing, the earlier you start, the better. Cats don’t like to get wet (with some notable exceptions like Maine Coons), so a Ragdoll may need time to get used to the water. 

To ensure a pleasant experience, follow these steps come bath time:

1. Brush the Ragdoll cat first to remove any dead hair and dirt
2. Fill your sink with lukewarm water 
3. Pour the shampoo in 
4. Clean the feline’s face by tapping it with a damp towel. Do not attempt to submerge them in water because you will scare them. You can soap the entire body except for the Ragdoll’s head 
5. Rinse the shampoo gently. Fill a pitcher or a plastic bottle with lukewarm water and pour it over the cat slowly. Make sure to shield their eyes and ears
6. Double-check if you removed all the shampoo from the fur, or the cat might accidentally ingest it later
7. Dry the Ragdoll with a towel or use a hairdryer if the device doesn’t frighten them too much

Remember to use specially formulated shampoos for cats, preferably ones made for Ragdolls. Your pet can’t share your toiletries since shampoos for humans contain chemicals that are toxic to cats. 

Since the floppy cat doesn’t leave the house much, you don’t have to bathe them in flea-control products. Cleansing and deodorising shampoos should be more than enough to maintain their luscious fur.

Fine, I’ll take a bath, but we better play fetch later!

Source: @orvos.martin

Keep your Ragdoll cat in trim

Ragdolls aren’t scratchers by nature, but they still need to get their claws trimmed from time to time. If not, the overgrown claws can get caught in the furniture and break, causing injury.

While trimming is typically done by the vet, cat parents can take on the responsibility as well. Ragdolls are hopelessly devoted to their humans, so they’re unlikely to make a fuss.

Here’s how to trim a cat’s claws at home:

1. Get a high-quality nail clipper that’s designed for trimming cats
2. Have the Ragdoll sit in your lap to relax
3. Take their paw and press it gently to expose the claws
4. Clip one nail and wait to see the cat’s reaction. If the Ragdoll shows any signs of discomfort (e.g. folding back their ears), stop immediately. Try again once they relax

What could cause matting in Ragdoll cats?

Shedding is the most common reason behind matting in Ragdoll cats. As their hair falls out, the loose strands get caught up in the fur, creating tiny knots. 

Ragdoll cats shed less than you’d think, given their overall fluffiness. Like other long-haired breeds, their fur changes according to seasons. As the temperatures drop, the floppy felines fluff up to stay warm, and, come spring, they shed their thick winter coats. 

Increased shedding can be related to poor nutrition. Dull, matted fur is often a sign the feline’s diet isn’t working for them. 

To maintain their luscious mane, Ragdolls need a diet with lots of: 

• Protein—Animal protein is the most important nutrient in the feline natural diet. It’s their primary energy source that delivers essential amino acids, like taurine, and sustains all vital bodily functions
• Fatty acids—Polyunsaturated fats, like the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, give the fur its shine and nourish the skin. Good sources of fatty acids are chicken, turkey, and fish, while pork and other fatty meats should be avoided
• Moisture—Dehydrated cats lose skin elasticity and often have sunken eyes and dull fur. A combination of insufficient water intake and unhealthy skin can lead to serious health issues

Shiny fur and a healthy kitty—Untamed will make it happen!

With regular servings of our high-quality wet food, your cat’s fur will never lose its shine! Untamed is a firm believer in natural, fresh ingredients that mirror the feline’s innate carnivorous diet. Our feline delicacies are:

• Rich in protein—They have twice the amount of animal protein than commercial standards in a single serving
• Made with whole meat—We use human-grade whole meat, which is naturally high in taurine and high-quality protein
• Vet-formulated—Recipes are designed in collaboration with vets to meet the physiological needs of your cat
• Ethically made—Our cat food is made of ethically reared whole meat, dolphin-safe tuna, and sustainably caught fish 
• Approved by fussy eaters—Notoriously picky eaters discover the irresistible aroma of Untamed food

Unlike kibble and other heavily-processed products, Untamed food is gently steamed with minimal alteration. We rely on the natural qualities of whole meat to nurture your cat from head to paw. 

Numerous loyal customers have provided valuable feedback that depicts the long-term perks of joining the Untamed clowder, such as:

What do you mean, I can’t eat all of it?

Image (c) Untamed

We’ll help you create a personalised meal plan

You can fill out a brief questionnaire on our website and cherry-pick the optimal meal plan for your cat. Provide details about their general preferences, food sensitivities, and current life stage, and select the products you think fit those requirements. 

Untamed offers delicious whole meat recipes cooked in natural gravy or soaked in mouth-watering jelly. We don’t include sugar, grain, vegetable protein, animal derivatives, or any questionable foods in our products and instead use premium:

• Chicken breast 
• Chicken liver
• Duck breast
• Lean ham
• Salmon fillet
• Tuna steak
• Sardine and mackerel fillet
• Shrimp

Along with the thrilling combinations of different meat cuts, we also have two hypoallergenic recipes! Tuck-in Tuna in Jelly and Chocka Chicken in Jelly are made with a single source of protein for kitties who struggle with food allergies.

Want to see more of our menu? Check out the table below:

Tuck-in Tuna with Shrimp—delicious, nourishing, and dolphin-safe!

Image (c) Untamed

How to sign up 

Ordering cat food online is a cakewalk with Untamed! Get your starter pack at a competitive price within a day, with no additional shipping fees. Follow these steps to become a member of the Untamed community and receive monthly supplies of cat food:

1. Visit our Try Now page
2. Tell us about your cat’s eating habits
3. Select the products and place the order 

If you’d like to change the date of a particular delivery or adjust the initial order, please reach out to us—we’re happy to help!