Can A Ragdoll Cat Have Short Hair – Length, Coat Facts

Ragdolls are a popular breed of cat because of their distinct traits. Their name comes from how they relax all of their muscles when being picked up, going limp like a ragdoll. They are also known to have beautiful bright blue eyes and long silky fur. If you are thinking about adopting a ragdoll, but you are not sure if you are ready to take on that much fur, you might be wondering, can a Ragdoll cat have short hair?

Ragdoll cats cannot have short hair. Ragdoll cats are known for their medium to long hair with a silky texture. However, mixed Ragdoll cats that are crossbred may have shorter hair.

A pure bread ragdoll cat cannot have short hair and will always have medium-long hair. 

What Kind Of Hair Does A Ragdoll Cat Have

One of the most instantly recognizable features a ragdoll has is its fur. Even when they are kittens, they have longer hair than most other cats do. So you can tell right away if you have a ragdoll.

Ragdolls will always have medium-long hair that is silky soft. While the length and texture of their hair will always be the same, there are many variances they can have in the color of their coats. Some different ragdoll coats that have been identified are chocolate, blue, lilac, red, and most commonly, cream.

There can also be variations in these patterns that cause multiple colors to appear in their fur. Typically these variations will cause a different color to be on their paws, the tips of their tails, or their faces. Some ragdolls even have a tortoise-colored coat, which looks beautiful on their long fur. 

If a ragdoll is born with short hair, then it is most definitely not purebred. Even with cats that are not purebred ragdolls, if they have some ragdoll genes, they are usually very strong and will still make their hair a little longer than normal. A ragdoll would have to be mixed with very strong short hair genes to have naturally short hair. It is most likely a scam if someone is trying to sell you a shorthaired ragdoll. 

Should I Cut My Ragdolls Hair

Ragdolls never need haircuts. Their hair will grow naturally and will fall out on its own when they shed. Even if you are in a warmer climate, you do not need to give them a haircut. Their fur helps them regulate their body temperature, so they can take care of that independently.

Never shave your cat’s fur, either. Cats have very sensitive skin and can easily be hurt when they are being shaved. Plus, they don’t need it. There is never a truly good reason to be shaving your cat. With ragdolls specifically, shaving them can also change the color of their coats. Ragdoll owners found after shaving their cats that their fur grew back darker. It still grew back just as soft as before, but it was a different shade, and some of their patterns changed as well.

You should only consider cutting your ragdoll’s hair if it has become matted or there is something stuck in it. Especially if you allow your cat to go outside, there is a higher chance that all kinds of little things could get caught in their fur. Or if their fur has not been properly taken care of, they could start to matt. In these circumstances, you just want to cut out the affected area without cutting more than is necessary. Then clean the area and take care of their fur as it grows back.

Is Ragdoll Fur High Maintenance

Ragdoll fur is most definitely more high maintenance than other cats’ hair. Kitties will do plenty of grooming themselves, but they will still need your help to keep their fur feeling soft and looking shiny. It is recommended to brush your ragdoll’s fur twice a week.

Luckily, ragdolls are known for being very snuggly and love to be fussed over, so it should be relatively easy to sit them down for a good brushing twice a week. Also, when brushing them, consider using a brush with soft bristles as opposed to metal ones. The metal ones can irritate their skin, and if you are going to be brushing them frequently, you want them to be as comfortable as possible.

Besides that, there is not much else you need to do! Cats are relatively self-sufficient and do not like feeling dirty anyway, so they will frequently clean themselves. If you allow your cat to go outside, you may want to introduce a bath to their routine to keep any dirt off the outdoors.

You can explore many brands to bath them with; some of the most popular are baby wipes for cats. These are super easy to use because there is no water or soap necessary. You take the cloth and wipe their fur down to leave them feeling nice and fresh.

Are Ragdolls More Likely To Get Hairballs

If you adopt a ragdoll cat, expect to experience much more hairballs than you would with another cat. Fur length plays a big factor in how many hairballs cats get. This is because they regularly clean themselves and use their tongues to do so; naturally, they will ingest some hair.

The thicker their coat is, the more fur they are going to swallow. If their fur is long, this only makes that swallowed fur tangle up more in their stomachs. 

Cats are also more prone to hairballs as they age. As they age, they develop more fur on their bodies and become more efficient at grooming themselves, so of course, they are going to experience more hairballs the older they get. Hairballs are natural, though, and not something to worry about. An increase in hairballs won’t harm your cat; it will just mean more time spent cleaning up for you.

On the bright side, cats tend to experience more hairballs when they are shedding more frequently in the warmer months. So it should only be the summertime when their hairballs feel excessive; otherwise, the rest of the year will be easy to maintain!

Things To Consider

If you have a ragdoll that has short fur, consider taking them to the veterinarian to learn more about its breed. Their short fur will mean that they are mixed with something else, and it may be essential to learn about that other breed so that you know the best way to take care of their fur. Plus, a veterinarian will be able to confirm what breed your cat is, so if you think you have a purebred, all it takes is one quick visit to know for sure.