Part of the appeal of Ragdoll cats is their gorgeous long silky coat. Of course though, all cats shed and so Ragdolls drop a fur trail behind themselves like every other cat. But does their longer fur create more of a problem. Do they shed more than other breeds? In fact, exactly how much does a Ragdoll cat shed?
One of the first things most people want to know about any cat breed is how much fur they leave in their wake… and how often they do so.
Some people with allergies want to understand how much dander they’re likely to come into contact with. Others can’t stand the thought of constant vacuuming to remove shed cat fur.
If you’re concerned about shedding and are considering providing a home for a Ragdoll cat, then this post is designed for you.
Table of Contents
- How Much Do Ragdoll Cats Shed?
- Are Ragdoll Cats Hypoallergenic?
- How to Reduce Ragdoll Cat Shedding
- Grooming Ragdoll Cats?
- Summary
- Related Posts
How Much Do Ragdoll Cats Shed?
All cats shed. Indoor cats tend to shed a little all year round. Outdoor cats shed more during the autumn and spring.
During autumn, outdoor cats lose their fur to make way for new fur that will keep them warm during the winter months. In the spring, cats shed this winter coat to help keep cooler during the warmer months of summer.
Ragdoll cats follow this shedding pattern just like every other cat. Even indoor Ragdolls will shed seasonally, though stable year round indoor temperatures will likely mean there’s a more gradual shed throughout the year.
However, the one thing that leads Ragdolls to shed far less than some other breeds is their lack of an undercoat.
Most breeds of cat have a top coat and an undercoat. The top coat is an outer coat that protects a cat from its environment (rain, wind, sun, etc.). The undercoat is a softer and more fine layer of fur that helps keep a cat warm.
The undercoat is the fur that tends to shed more during autumn and spring. Because it helps to keep a cat warm during colder times, it’s shed at the end of spring to keep a cat cool and during the autumn to make way for new fur growth.
Cats that have an undercoat and a top coat are known as double coated. Double coated cats shed a lot more than single coated… and the good news for the purposes of this article is that Ragdolls are single coated.
So although Ragdoll cats do shed, they don’t shed as much as the vast majority of cat breeds.
However, Ragdoll cats are not hypoallergenic.
Are Ragdoll Cats Hypoallergenic?
It’s sometimes stated that Ragdoll cats are hypoallergenic… this is not the case. However, although Ragdolls are not 100% hypoallergenic, they are less likely to cause allergies than some other cat breeds.
The reason for this is precisely because they are single coated. Because they don’t have an undercoat, Ragdoll cats don’t shed as much as double coated cats. This means there’s less fur and dander to come into contact with.
However, this doesn’t mean Ragdolls are hypoallergenic… but then again no cat is.
What it does mean though is that lower shedding cats shed less fur and dander, meaning in turn there’s less allergen saturation.
How to Reduce Ragdoll Cat Shedding
You can’t stop a Ragdoll cat shedding but you can take steps to reduce the amount of fur and dander a Ragdoll leaves in its wake.
Firstly, and I guess most obviously, is grooming. A regular brush, at least a couple of times a week but maybe even daily, will help to collect fur that’s on the verge of shedding. The net result being it won’t then find its way to your floors and furniture.
If you capture fur before it sheds, you’ll save on vacuum bags! Joking aside, although it won’t prevent a Ragdoll shedding, regular vacuuming will help to collect any rogue fur that does end up on your floors and furnishings.
A good grooming session should result in fewer hairs coming away when you run your hand over your Ragdoll’s coat, post grooming. That’s when you know you’re grooming session is done.
Some people recommend bathing Ragdolls regularly to minimise shed fur, and this may help. However, it’s also important not to wash any cat too frequently.
Bathing cats too often can result in dry skin that makes shedding more likely. As a general rule, if you keep your Rag doll as an indoor cat, you’ll only need to bathe it once every 1 to 2 months at most.
However, if you allow your Ragdoll outdoors, it’s long coat will get mucky more quickly and you may find it needs more ad hoc bathing.
Diet is another area that can lead to excessive shedding. Ragdolls need a healthy diet that delivers the nutrients it needs and access to water so they can hydrate itself intuitively.
Like us humans, cats need the right balance of vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats to maintain a healthy coat.
Okay so we humans don’t have coats, but you get the picture!
Grooming Ragdoll Cats?
Of course Ragdoll coats require a bit of maintenance, especially if they are outdoor cats. But even if a Ragdoll never leaves the house, its coat still needs regular grooming.
Regular grooming will help to keep shed fur down to a minimum. It will also keep your Ragdoll’s fur looking as gorgeous as it can.
However, it’s not always easy to groom cats. Even Ragdolls with their relaxed personality struggle to be polite about accepting it!
Early exposure to the grooming process can help Ragdolls come to terms with it. Of course it’s not always possible to groom a cat from kitten-hood, especially if you’ve adopted or rescued it.
If you’re grooming an older cat, it may be an idea to have treats as a distraction!
You may also need to give an older Ragdoll time to get used to the idea of the grooming brush. Let it investigate the brush. Allow it to sniff it and perhaps you might even gradually brush its cheeks initially.
From there it’s a small step to start gently brushing areas it usually enjoys being stroked, before tackling more sensitive areas.
Over time your Ragdoll should become accustomed to the grooming process and perhaps even enjoy it!
Want to know more about Ragdoll coats? Find out about Ragdoll cat coloring.
Summary
If you’re bothered about shedding and want to find a cat that doesn’t shed fur or dander, you’ll be disappointed. Sadly, all cats shed and Ragdolls are no different.
However, even though Ragdolls have long coats, they are not the worst cat breeds in terms of shedding.
Of course this might not be much comfort if you suffer from allergies. However, while Ragdolls aren’t hypoallergenic (no cat is), they’re perhaps not as bad for allergy sufferers as many other breeds.
Do you own a Ragdoll cat? How much does your Ragdoll shed? Do you have questions about shedding? Please leave your comments or questions in the section at the end of this page.
Related Posts
- A Guide to Ragdolls
- How Big Do Ragdoll Cats Get?
- The Personality of Rag doll Cats
- Ragdoll Cat Blog
The post How Much Does a Ragdoll Cat Shed? A Guide to Ragdoll Shedding appeared first on My Dear Ragdoll.
