Caring for a Ragdoll Cat
Oct 7th, 2005 by Rob
The Ragdoll cat is often referred to as the “little maintenance required cat.” This is somewhat true as Ragdoll cats are fairly self-sufficient; however, they still need to be cared for like any other cat. Ragdoll cats have a medium to long-hair coat. Caring for a big fluffy cat may seem like a lot of work at first; their coats are in fact fairly easy to care for.
Ragdolls are not like Persian cats that need to be groomed every day. Ragdoll cats have a relatively mat-proof coat that requires little care. Your Ragdoll cat will handle much of the grooming on their own. It is good idea to brush or comb your cat once a week to remove loose hair. This will reduce the amount of hair on your clothes and furniture as well as prevent hairballs.
Your Ragdoll cat should have regular veterinary checkups; they may require periodic teeth cleaning performed by your vet. There is some controversy on the subject of vaccinating Ragdoll cats. Some breeders recommend that Ragdoll cats should not be given vaccines. For the most part, Ragdoll cats are a very hearty breed of cat. You should talk to your vet and make an informed decision about vaccinations. Ragdoll cats, like any other breed of cat are susceptible to feline distemper and other diseases; vaccinations could save your cat. When shopping for a Ragdoll cat make sure you choose a quality breeder that offers a health guarantee.
Due to their trusting natures, you should be very careful when letting your Ragdoll cat outside. Indoor cats typically live healthier lives than outdoor cats. Your Ragdoll could be hit by a car, attacked by a dog, or even be stolen. Ragdoll cats adapt easily to their environments so keeping one in a small arparment should not be a problem. Ragdoll cats can even be trained to walk on a leash! One thing to keep in mind as your Ragdoll cat matures is that they are the largest breed of domestic cat. Remember this when purchasing accessories such as carriers and litterboxes as your Ragdoll cat could quickly outgrow them.