Ragdoll cats are famous for their good hygiene, luxurious fur, vivid blue eyes, and docile personality though. Unlike most fluffy cat breeds (Persian, Himalayan, Maine Coon), ragdoll cats often have single coats with very much petite undercoats.
Brushing your ragdoll cats at least twice a week could heavily help not only regarding tangle, grease, and dirt removal but also lets you spot any potential health issues, like lesions or flea bites, lately. They’re barely moody, so most enjoy the bonding time that comes with grooming.
We’ve put together this stepwise ragdoll cat grooming guide to show you how to brush your ragdoll cat with the right technique, frequency, and brushes. Plus, you’ll find some pro tips along the way!
Related Read: How To Maintain Ragdoll Cat’s Coat
Tips for Brushing Your Ragdoll Cat
Start Early
Indeed, ragdoll cats are pretty calm and diligent groomers, but if they’re not familiar with getting groomed from an early age, they might resist the brushing process afterward. Young cats adjust faster to new things, even if they’re not the bravest when they’re first introduced to brushing, bathing, or in general, grooming routine.
Naturally, ragdoll cats are blessed with semi-long hairs so the faster you get your ragdoll accustomed to grooming, the easier it will be to maintain their gorgeous coat. Whereas, don’t worry if you’ve adopted an adult Ragdoll, though.
With consistency and gentle handling, even older ragdoll cats can learn to enjoy brushing sessions. The key is to make it a positive reinforcement from the start.
Choose the Right Brush
Since ragdolls don’t have undercoats, you might need to be more conscious, cause the last thing you want is to use a brush that hurts their skin under incredibly silky fur. Pick the best ragdoll brush that is easy to use and gentle over your cat’s skin.
If your kitty isn’t comfortable with soft bristle grooming brushes or tends to get hyper, we recommend trying out grooming mits as an alternative. They’re even more handy and could be a great addition to your ragdoll grooming sessions.
Create a Calm Environment
Normally, you won’t see your ragdoll get hyper or in a grouchy mood, but the fact is, they do have their moments, just like any other cat breed. Start in a quiet place or from their safe space. Let your ragdoll cat play with the brush. Most likely, they’ll give them a good sniff, which helps make the whole process less intimidating
Honestly speaking, a calm cat is way easier to groom than one that’s scared or all over the place. If you’re a new ragdoll cat owner, take it easy if somehow grooming sessions don’t go smoothly or like you’ve imagined.
Bear in mind, that short, frequent grooming sessions are healthier compared to lengthy ones. And it’d be even better if you finish up with a little treat, so your ragdoll cat loves getting attention from you!
Start With Stomach & Legs
Begin with your cat’s stomach and legs and then work your way to the back, head, and all the way down to the tail. We know it might sound counterintuitive, but trust us on this. These areas often have a lot of loose hairs, and commonly developed tangles, and starting here can make the rest of the grooming process much smoother.
Most ragdoll cats are pretty chill about having their belly brushed, especially if you’ve built up trust. Use silicone or rubber bristles gentle brushes with light strokes to prevent discomfort. As you move on to other areas like the head, chin, and tail, keep the same gentle approach. If your Ragdoll seems to be enjoying it, great! But, If they start getting antsy, take a break or move to a different spot.
Pro Tip: Avoid brushing against the natural direction, and don’t overlook challenging portions such as behind the arms and the backs of the legs for best results.
Tackle Tricky Tangles with Brush & Comb
If your kitten has some stubborn tangles or mats, especially around the neck or chest area, switch over to a comb for a more precise touch. Opt for a detangling comb with both fine and wide-toothed sections.
Start with the brush to loosen things up, then follow with a comb to gently work out any remaining knots. This technique is particularly useful for the fluffier parts (like around the neck & along the chest and belly) of your Ragdoll’s coat.
Follow Routine
The truth is, you need to be consistent if you don’t wanna see your ragdoll kitten shiny coat become matted and unkempt. The frequency of brushing your ragdoll cat mainly depends upon the cat’s age, breed, and somewhat we think the environment they are in.
Kittens can usually get by with a weekly brush, but once they hit adulthood, you’re looking at twice-weekly sessions to keep that coat in check. And heads up – when spring and fall roll around, you might even need to perform brushing more often, most likely, 3 times a week. This is because of the humidity (high moisture content in the environment) that restricts your ragdoll coat from expanding and that’s what leads to tangles.
After spending a fair amount of time researching, we’ve seen that more fluffy and denser coat ragdoll (like Mink ragdolls) needs a bit more brushing rather than super silky coat ragdolls like chocolate ragdolls. The fluffier the coat, the more attention it needs to stay tangle-free and gorgeous.
Do a Wellness Check
Brushing your ragdoll kitten or cat at a healthy frequency not only keeps your cat’s coat looking shiny but also helps reduce hairballs. Fewer loose strands mean less hair for your cat to swallow, which directly prevents stomachaches that result from ingesting too much fur.
As you groom, keep an eye out for any signs of trouble like fleas and ticks, skin irritations, red spots, or unusual lumps. Fleas and ticks often show up around the ears, neck, and under the forelegs. They’re sneaky and can be hard to spot until they’re already a problem, so keep an eye out during grooming to catch them early.
Wrapping Up…
We are sure, brushing your Ragdoll cat doesn’t have to be a chore now. In fact, it surely is a great bonding experience for both of you. The key is to make grooming sessions pleasant and relaxed. Start early with your Ragdoll kitten to build good habits, but don’t worry if you’re working with an older cat – they can learn to enjoy it too. Use soft bristle brushes and be gentle and consistent in your approach. Ragdoll kittens are usually calm and friendly, with laid-back personalities. And they’ll be absolutely over the moon if you finish the brushing session with a treat for their good behavior.
Written By: Usman Malik | Reviewed By: Ali Abbas | Fact Checked By: Aqib Zulfiqar
