If you have owned your ragdoll since they were a kitten, chances are you have wondered “When will MY ragdoll kitten get fluffy?”. Unfortunately, patience is key here!
When Will My Ragdoll get Fluffy? A Ragdoll cat is a large breed and features a lightly colored body, dark tails, ears and legs, and may be mitted, bicolor, or color point (no white at all). Their coat and size do not reach their peak until they are aged between three and four years.
Now you know just how long it can take for a Ragdoll to really reach his peak. To fully understand the “fluff” that is the trademark of this breed, and how you can help with coat growth, keep on reading.
How Can I Help with Coat Growth?
Perhaps you are concerned about your ragdoll’s hair growth even though they are beyond the age of maturity and still do not have a fluffy coat. Hair loss could be at play here.
Thankfully, you can help your cat overcome hair loss and stimulate coat growth. Although we have some suggestions, we always advise speaking with a vet for the best advice.
Firstly, hair loss should not be confused with shedding, which is normal. However, if you notice large clumps of fur, poor diet may be the culprit.
Nutritional deficiencies can cause hair to fall out.
Your vet can help your cat begin using vitamins to restore hair and recommend a good food for your pet. After all, nutrients like vitamins, minerals, protein and omega-3 fatty acids are critical for your cat’s good health and handsome appearance.
In some other cases, parasites or pests may be the reason for a cat to lose hair. Itching and scratching can become so harsh that clumps of hair go missing. They may be allergic to something in their environment, too.
Lastly, a medical problem such as hyperthyroidism may be the reason your feline friend is experiencing trouble keeping hair.
They Get Fluffier During THIS Time
I bet you know what we want to tell you. As all cats, Ragdoll cats have a summer fur and a winter coat.
Regardless of their age, a Ragdoll will always be fluffier during the colder months. Changing coats is an automatic process all cats go through.
So if you are waiting for the ultimate fluffiness in your Ragdoll cat, just wait until it gets a little colder. What is interesting here is, that it has not only to do with the temperature.
Cats and other living beings also respond to daylight length. So when the days get shorter, even an indoor Ragdoll cat will grow a winter coat, just because it is in their DNA to do so.
What Should A Standard Coat Look Like?
Ragdoll aficionados know that these cats are large in size and have a somewhat long coat that grows in a pointed pattern. Their eyes are blue as an ocean and striking in nature-and it really complements their coats.
They have bodies that are lightly colored and limbs and tails that are darker in color. Their paws have tufts of fur and their tail is reminiscent of a fluffy feather pen; a plume that really stands out.
More on Coat Patterns
Their neck is a good place to admire the fur of a ragdoll cat. This is a spot in which the hair is short on the face, fluffs out around their necks, and then gets short once you reach the shoulders.
Your ragdoll may be a seal, chocolate, tortoise, or a combination of lynx and tortoise (called torbie). Cream and red are other colors that you may find in a ragdoll’s coat.
A mitted ragdoll has four white “sock feet”, and a white tummy and chin. Sometimes they have white faces that feature a blaze or star shape.
Bi-colored ragdolls have whiter on their faces and bodies than a mitted cat, especially on the chest as well as the tummy. Their backs may also feature this color. It is not uncommon to see a V shape on their faces, also.
Meanwhile, a Colorpoint ragdoll has no white on their body or face.
How To: Care for Your Ragdoll’s Coat
Start by making sure that you make grooming a positive thing. Go slow, be patient and kind, and have a treat ready for a job well done.
Be sure that you only groom your Ragdoll when they are feeling relaxed and happy. If they seem tense or would prefer not to be handled, just wait until they calm down and try later.
Keep grooming short until your cat gets used to the brush. Then, you can go for longer sessions. The first session may only be about 5 minutes-that’s okay. Be sure you praise her and offer a treat, so grooming is always seen as a good experience.
Brushing your Ragdoll every other day will be good thanks to their mid-length hair. This will help you get rid of snarls, dirt and dead hair-and it will also help reduce the amount of hairballs you have to clean up around the house.
Steps for Good Brushing
Begin by brushing the legs and tummy. Snarls and mats do form here most often, so untangle them first using a comb or brush.
Then brush the entire body of the cat against the fur, or “against the grain.” Push the hair up toward the head as if you were trying to make it stick up. This will help you see any bites, fleas or other irregularities. Then, brush it going the correct way, making it look nice and neat.
You can care for the tail by parting it down the middle and brushing it on each side. You can use some organic talcum powder on your cat to aid in the removal of the harshest tangles, and gently loosen them up with fingers. Mat splitters are also available at your groomer’s or online.
If you have a very bad tangle, do not agitate your ragdoll-just have a professional groomer take a look at it.
Benefits of Coat Care
As your ragdoll grows, you should take care of their coat and form good habits so that when they do reach full maturity, you will be ready to handle all the things that come with caring for a longer-haired cat.
Caring for your Ragdoll’s coat does more than just keep them looking beautiful. It also provides a great bonding experience for you both, and cats generally enjoy the feeling of the brush going over their skin.
The way the brush massages the skin stimulates blood flow, which helps the coat grow. Oils on the cat’s skin are spread around and help the coat stay shiny and healthy-looking.
For a longer haired cat, it’s a good idea to brush every day. Given that the ragdoll has mid-length hair, you should aim to brush every other day.
Doing this will make sure that you keep tangles, dirt, and debris out of their fur, and will also help you take note of any fleas or parasites that may have attached to your cat.
It will also aid you in preventing fur from matting which happens with longer-haired cats.
A Special Note on Shedding
Ragdolls, being cats of a longer-hair breed, really tend to shed quite a bit! There are ways you can help reduce this shedding and make it easier for everybody involved.
For starters, you can pick up a brush designed to help prevent shedding or even a shed glove. You put the glove on and pet your cat-and the hair can be pulled off and discarded after the session is over.
Fish oil is a good supplement that can make a coat shine and also reduce shedding. Ask your vet for a good supplement brand.
Related Questions
Do Ragdolls Get More Affectionate with Age?
Yes, ragdolls can become this way as they get older. They go through different life stages as they mature. A kitten is likely less affectionate when compared to an older cat who has had time to get to know their owner. Every ragdoll is different, however.
How Long Does It Take for A Ragdoll to Be Fully Grown?
Ragdolls are slow to mature, and it may take them 4 years to reach their full size and weight. Kittens are always born white, and the colors develop over time and are complete at two years. The great thing about ragdolls is that they don’t have any health or genetic issues specific to their breed.
How Do I Know If My Ragdoll Is Purebred?
Some signs to look for are blue eyes, coloration associated with the breed, the size of the cat, and the texture of the coat. Non-blue-eyed Ragdolls, for instance, are not recognized by major Ragdoll enthusiast groups.
Conclusion
Your Ragdoll will take some time to mature, but it will be worth it. Be patient and soon enough you will have the fluffy, beautiful cat you have always dreamed of.
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