Do Ragdoll Cats Shed – Managing Dander and Allergies

Shedding is a topic that comes up quite often when searching for the perfect companion for your family. So when it comes to Ragdoll cats, it’s no different. So, do Ragdoll cats shed? 

Ragdoll cats shed. They tend to shed much less than your average cat because they don’t have much of an undercoat. Undercoats are one of the most significant contributors to how much your cat will shed.

So while you’ll have to clean up a bit of fur, you won’t be finding mountains of fur collected in your corners like you will come with other breeds. Below are a few tips to stop your cat from shedding, tips for grooming, and much more about dealing with ragdoll cat hair. 

How Do I Stop My Ragdoll From Shedding

While you won’t be able to stop your cat from shedding, there are ways to reduce it. You’ve probably heard one of the essential factors in maintaining a healthy coat on your animal starts from within. Paying close attention to their diet and keeping it well-balanced will reduce the amount of fur your Ragdoll leaves around your house. 

Another best practice to reduce the amount of shedding is frequently brushing your Ragdoll. At least once a week, run a brush through their fur, and you’ll get rid of most of the loose hairs. Run your hands over their fur afterward to see if anything comes off in your hands. That will let you know if you’ve brushed out most of the loose fur. 

Do Ragdoll Cats Need Grooming

Ragdoll cats are typically pretty good at grooming themselves, but you’ll still want to help them keep up with their hair. You don’t need to take them out to an expensive groomer, but weekly brushings like we spoke about above is recommended. 

Start brushing your Ragdoll when they’re a kitten, so they get used to it. Give them some treats here and there and make it an enjoyable time. If you introduce brushing to them later in life, they may not find it fun and choose not to cooperate.

There are different types of brushes you can buy. A fun one is more of a mitten you can wear that will grab the loose hairs while you pet your cat. If you have a Ragdoll that isn’t keen on being brushed, that may be worth a shot since it’s less noticeable.  

Aside from reducing shedding, brushing your Ragdoll cat will help keep their coat shiny and free of knots or mats. You’ll also love how fluffy and shiny your Ragdoll looks after a nice grooming session. 

It’s important to keep your Ragdoll’s nails trimmed up by clipping them every two weeks. When a cat’s nails get too long, they can grow into their pad, which is quite painful. It is also a reason they’ll start clawing at furniture. It would be best if you even tried to brush their teeth every day to keep their smiles clean and healthy. 

Do Ragdolls Need Haircuts

You don’t need to get your Ragdoll’s haircut. Their beautiful coats are perfectly maintained with some simple brushing, a well-balanced diet, and their excellent grooming techniques. Cutting a Ragdoll’s hair can change the color of their coat and get rid of their fluffiness.

Typically when someone shaves their Ragdoll’s fur, it will grow back in what a darker shade. Eventually, the coat does tend to lighten up, but it takes a long time. It will also take a long time to get their fluffiness back after you’ve shaved off their fur.  

In the end, it’s not worth it. Allow your Ragdoll to keep their long coat. After all, that’s part of what draws people to get a Ragdoll to begin with. 

Are Ragdoll Cats Hypoallergenic

While many rumors are floating around that Ragdoll cats are hypoallergenic, unfortunately, they are not. Since they don’t have much of an undercoat and shed less, they may be better suited for someone with mild allergies that are only allergic to undercoats. 

However, fur isn’t the leading cause of an allergic reaction when it comes to cats. Many people who are allergic to cats are allergic to their dried saliva, not just the fur. Since they regularly clean themselves with their tongue and their saliva dries onto their coat, it gives the illusion that the cat fur triggers the allergy. 

Even if the cat cleans themselves around your furniture or licks the couch for whatever reason, that dried saliva can impact someone with cat allergies. 

Are Ragdoll Cats High Maintenance

Ragdolls are typically a low maintenance cat. They are the perfect companion for someone looking for a cat that loves human interaction. With Ragdolls loving human affection, they may not be the best suited for a home where they’re always left alone.

They tend to have a docile personality and will turn into a ragdoll when you pick them up. Make sure you lift with your legs since these furbabies tend to weigh between 15-20 pounds. 

Even though they’re big, it’s best to keep Ragdoll cats as an indoor cat unless you have them on a leash outside. They are true lovers and not fighters. If they get into a scenario where they need to defend themselves, it’s not in their nature to know how to fight and protect themselves. 

If you’re looking for a more mild-mannered cat, a Ragdoll cat is a perfect choice. They aren’t extremely vocal like some other cats. You may hear from them if they’re hungry or want a little attention, but it won’t be super loud. 

Are Ragdolls Puppy-Like

Ragdoll cats have a reputation for being a puppy-like cat due to their behaviors. Much like dogs become attached to their families and love to follow them around, so do Ragdolls. They will crawl into your lap like a lapdog and snuggle up for a nap. 

Some Ragdoll cats are even trained to come when you call them. They also love stimulation and tend to enjoy the typical dog’s game of fetch. While they might not be running after a tennis ball, they’ll go crazy if you fling a small toy or a hair tie across the room and bring it back.  

Are There Short Haired Ragdoll Cats

If you find yourself looking at a short-haired Ragdoll cat, there are two possibilities. If your Ragdoll is still a kitten, their hair may seem a little shorter. Sometimes their full length doesn’t come in for a few months. 

The other possibility is the Ragdoll isn’t purebred. If a Ragdoll was bred with another short-haired cat, you might end up with a short-haired cat. However, to be a Ragdoll cat, it must be purebred. Ragdoll cats will typically come with papers from being registered through their breeder.  

There are a lot of breeders out there that will charge top dollar for a cat. They claim to be a Ragdoll, but that isn’t registered because it’s not genuinely purebred. However, that doesn’t mean those cats will be less loveable and won’t have the beautiful color pointed coat of a Ragdoll. 

It’s always important to do your research before investing in a Ragdoll cat, as they can be quite pricey. You want to make sure you’re getting what you paid for. 

Why Is My Ragdoll Cat Not Fluffy

There are a few things to consider when you’re looking at the fluffiness of your Ragdoll’s coat. The first would be age. Sometimes Ragdoll cats don’t get entirely fluffy until they’re a few years old. So don’t be alarmed if your kitten hasn’t hit its’ full potential yet. They will with time!

If your cat has reached the age where they should have all their fluff, consider looking into their diet. As discussed earlier, a cat’s coat starts from within. If you want to make their coat fluffier and shinier, you have to make sure they’re receiving all of the nutrients they need. 

Did you overbrush their fur? With the lack of undercoat, it is possible to brush them too much. You want to brush them weekly but gently. If you notice their coat is a bit lackluster, slow down on the brushing or consider getting a different type of brush that isn’t pulling the hair. It’s just to get the loose hairs and prevent knots. 

Final Thoughts

Ragdoll cats are a larger, semi-longhaired cat with piercing blue eyes. They are considered to have a color pointed coat, as their bodies tend to be lighter, while the legs, ears, tails, etc. tend to be darker.

Overall, Ragdoll cats are an excellent addition to your family. If you’re looking for a cat that won’t shed at all, you’ll probably have to look into a hairless cat. If you think you can handle the gentle grooming it takes to minimize the already reduced shedding from these Ragdoll cats, they’re a perfect choice!