Ragdoll Cats: Dealing with Hairball Problems
Oct 19th, 2006 by Rob
Hairballs are a problem for many cat owners. Ragdolls do not suffer fewer or more hairballs than any other breed; however, one hairball on your hardwood floors or Berber carpet is one hairball too many. Hairballs are as much a problem for your Ragdoll cat as they are for your floor. If your cat develops a hairball and is unable to pass the hairball an intestinal blockage could develop, requiring surgery to correct.
Whenever your cat grooms its fur, he or she is swallowing hair that will collect in the digestive system. This hair collects and forms a densely matted hairball. When the hairball reaches critical mass your cat will hack and cough until it is expelled. This is the nasty blob of mucus and hair you are all too familiar with. So how can you reduce the frequency of hairballs with your Ragdoll cat?
The easiest way to reduce hairballs is to brush your Ragdoll on a daily basis. Regular grooming of your cat’s fur with a brush will reduce the amount of loose fur swallowed by your cat. Less fur swallowed when your Ragdoll cat grooms means fewer hairballs on your floors and furniture. If you have a severe hairball problem you may need to consult your veterinarian. There are medications that can improve your cat’s digestion and help to discourage the formation of hairballs.
Hairballs are unpleasant and painful for both you and your Ragdoll. Regular grooming, proper diet, and regular checkups with your veterinarian are the best way of combating your hairball problems.
Absolutely no hair balls and she grooms herself almost all day long!! I don’t know if we are lucky or if it is her Royal Canin #34 Hairball cat food. The breeder raised her with it, the previous owner’s did not change it, and we have not changed it either. It smells horrible, but she will not eat anything else. I guess it is don’t mess with a good thing or a cat’s food.
One word: Petromalt.Our Ragdoll likes the malt flavor very much; it contains some vitamins from the malt extract and Niacin. Use in moderation: too much and she gets a bit runny.Just a couple of times a week + brushing/combing seems to work well. I give a blob about the size of my little fingernail and she licks it off my finger. By the way, I’ve never had a cat that enjoyed combing & brushing as much as she does — sure makes it easy to keep her coat like cashmere.
Hi, any suggestions on the kind of brush i should get for my ragdoll???. Also, this is my first ragdoll, she is still a baby getting her shots, have you heard any controversies with regards to FIP vaccine? The vet says they will not fix her unless she gets all her shots, yet i heard this breed is not supposed to get the FIP. Comments, please.