Ragdoll cats rarely need bathing because they groom and maintain their coats very well. An occasional bath may be necessary to remove odors or dirt.
It is best to use a mild pet shampoo for cats; recommendations for products from your veterinarian are always a good idea. In addition to the shampoo you’ll need two large towels to dry your cat.
Ragdoll fur rarely mats; however, if you find matted hair behind the ears or hindquarters, gently comb the mats out before bathing your Ragdoll cat. Do not use scissors to cut your Ragdoll’s coat. If the matting is severe let your veterinarian or professional groomer remove it for you.
Some cats panic when they hear running water. You should fill a large sink with warm water prior to bringing your cat in. Gently immerse your cat in the lukewarm water up to its chest. You may need to hold your cat by the scruff of the neck to get him or her in the water.
When bathing your Ragdoll be sure and keep the shampoo out of the eyes. Gently lather shampoo into your cat’s fur and rise. Dry your cat as much as possible using the towels. You can use cotton balls to dry in and around the ears and eyes.
Until your cat is dry keep him or her in a small, warm part of your house. This bathing process is likely to make your Ragdoll very unhappy; over-bathing your cat can also dry out the skin and could lead to irritation and rashes.
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Both my ragdolls love bathing! Ptolemy , the younger one, enjoys being rinsed with the power shower and dried with a hair drier. He also enjoys being vacuumed with pipe attachment of a powerful Dyson vacuum cleaner! I’ve also had a Persian who enjoyed being ‘massaged’ with a vacuum cleaner.