Are Ragdoll Cats High Maintenance? Are They Easy To Take Care Of?

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Are you thinking about getting a Ragdoll cat and wondering if they are hard to take care of in terms of being high or low-maintenance? Stay tuned as this article was meant to give insight and understand the needs and requirements of a Ragdoll cat.

Ragdoll cats are not considered high maintenance nor are they low maintenance. They require an average level of regular care that is easy to provide once you learn their habits and get used to their ways. These cats are very independent but they do require affection, attention as well as proper grooming such as brushing, bathing, and trimming.

Below is a list ranging from low to high maintenance requirements as well as some of the equipment needed for a ragdoll cat. This information is to help first-time ragdoll owners get an idea of what to expect in order to provide proper care.

Low Maintenance Requirements.

1. Ragdoll cats don’t require bathing very often since they are rather clean, however, due to the fact that they have semi-longhair they need to be bathed every 4-6 weeks in order to maintain their coat and remove oils and dirt.

2. This means that a good feline-friendly shampoo is required. Something that is safe in case the cat’s skin is sensitive also the shampoo needs to have a conditioning agent to keep the cat’s coat healthy and soft. The Burt’s Bees for Cats Hypoallergenic Shampoo is a great affordable choice, check out the latest prices on Amazon.

3. Their claws need to be maintained with regular clipping or filing. A good routine should be every 2-3 weeks. The Gorilla Grip Premium Cat Nail Clipper works really well, get it now conveniently from Amazon.

4. Lastly, a medical checkup is required every 6-12 months to screen for diseases such as cardiomyopathy and kidney diseases since they are prone to such diseases.

High Maintenance Requirements.

1. Ragdolls are very affectionate and they need companionship. They will follow you around the house and they hate closed doors, therefore it’s difficult to have time alone since these cats love their owner’s attention. They require a lot of their owner’s time as they love cuddling and spending time in their owner’s presence.

2. While ragdolls coat doesn’t tangle very often it’s important that the cat’s coat be brushed at least 2-3 times a week. Unlike Persian cats, ragdolls don’t have an undercoat, therefore they don’t require daily brushing. A few times a week should be fine and it will also help reduce shedding. The Hertzko Slicker Brush is ideal for ragdolls, check it out now on Amazon.

3. Ragdolls do have naturally good teeth however, this should be maintained with regular brushing. Their teeth should be brushed 2-3 times a week to prevent plaque build. The Virbac C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit is a brilliant all-in-one combo that is suitable for ragdolls.

4. These cats are also prone to digestive disorders causing them to have sensitive stomachs. Therefore a change of diet is required, which involves raw foods. This means more preparation, which can be time-consuming and expensive.

5. Ragdolls are big-boned cats as they are muscular and require more food than a normal cat. Its no secret that these cats love to overindulge and it can be a problem as the risk of obesity is always present.

Before you make the final decision on getting a ragdoll you need to analyze your life as well as your lifestyle and make sure you have the time to provide the best care for these cats.

While these cats’ physical requirements are not hard to provide, their need for companionship and human attachment can be high maintenance. The ragdoll breed is very people orientated which can take up a lot of your time.

I highly recommend THE RAGDOLL CAT OWNERS MANUEL which covers ragdoll Cat care, personality, grooming, health, training, costs, and feeding. This will help you gain vast knowledge about the breed in order to provide the best care.

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Let’s take a closer look at the different ways a ragdoll owner must care for their cat.

Ways To Care For A Ragdoll Cat.

1. Grooming

Compared to other cats coats, the ragdoll cat’s coat doesn’t require a lot of treatment as they don’t have an inner layer of hair. Basic brushing which can take you 5-10 minutes twice a week is perfect. This will help with the problem of shedding.

Apart from brushing they tend to not need baths often but this depends on how you care for them and the environment that they live in. If your ragdoll’s coat gets dirty often you should bathe her every2-3 month. Be sure to completely blow-dry the hair as any dampness can be a breathing ground for bacteria and infections

2. Establish routines

Cats respond extremely well to routines as they are pets of habit. This is why you need to routine train them so that they can adjust and become familiar to their daily lifestyle. Some of the daily routines include:

Feeding time – A ragdoll should be fed 2/3 times a day for adults and kittens respectively. The cat must be fed at set times every day. This repetition done daily will create a routine for the cat to get used to.

They will become familiar with the times they receive their food and this will give the cat peace of mind since they know when they will receive their food instead of begging for it. It’s also good to feed them at the same place every day. Be sure to provide good quality nutritious food like the IAMS PROACTIVE DRY CAT FOOD. This product is high in natural proteins with no artificial preservatives and is free from fillers. Check out the latest prices on Amazon.

Brushing and cleaning – these are essential practices that must become routine in the cat’s life. The sooner you set the structure of routine the sooner they will become used to it. Brushing of the hair is essential and cats do like it as it relaxes them, doing it on a specific day of the week will alert the cat of what is required. Making the process simple for both you and the feline.

Litterbox training – litterbox training is very important in order to create boundaries for the cat to defecate. You should position the litterbox in a corner away from distractions and disturbances where the cat can feel comfortable while relieving itself.

Once the cat is used to this practice it will be much easier for the cat since they know where to go when they need to poop or pee. Remember ragdolls are big cats and they need a bigger litterbox. The Petphabet Covered Litter Box is a perfect size. Dimension is 24.8″L x 20″W x 16.5″H. Door opening size 8.2 X 7.8 inches. Get it now from Amazon.

3. Companionship.

Ragdolls are very people orientated as they love the time and attention their human counterparts give to them. They are really soft with a placid nature and feed of their owner’s affection. Often regarded as Dog-Like these cats will follow their owners around the house to seek affection.

Ragdolls are very dependent on human interaction, therefore one needs to spend proper time caring, cuddling and playing with their ragdolls.

4. Medical Checkups.

Medical checkups are required once or twice a year so that a full examination can be done. The veterinarian will do a full body checkup to check on the general health of the cat. These vet visits are very important to check for underlying issues that may occur in the cat

Ragdolls are prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which is a hereditary condition that affects the heart. This condition if caught early can be treated and will prevent heart failure. They are also prone to periodontitis which affects the gums and can destroy the gum and jaw bone. These are enough reasons to never skip your annual vet checkups for ragdolls or any other cat breeds.

5. Dental hygiene

Ragdolls normally do have a good set of teeth but they require brushing to maintain it. Brushing your ragdoll’s teeth 2-3 times a week should be fine. It will take you about 5 minutes to do so as its easy to do once the cat get used to it. When brushing make sure you remove any leftover food and plaque to prevent bacteria growth.

Failing to brush your ragdoll’s teeth will result in oral and dental issues. Tartar buildup is most common as a result of poor oral hygiene and will therefore require professional cleaning. Another issue is gingivitis which is a form of disease that affects the gum which causes inflammation. These are enough reasons to get a good oral hygiene routine that works for you.

6. Diet

A ragdolls diet is pretty much the same as every other domestic cats as they don’t require a special diet, however it’s common for some ragdolls to have sensitive stomachs. In this case a raw diet is required to help with vomiting.

A normal ragdoll will require foods that are nutritious which contain high levels of protein, moderate levels of fats, and omega 3 and 6 with low levels of carbohydrates. These nutrients can be consumed from normal cat food such as kibble and wet foods.

The type of food you feed your cat determines their health in the long run as what they eat will affect their well-being. Foods from reputable brands can be fed which should be free from fillers, starch and artificial ingredients. These foreign ingredients when consumed over a long period of time can be harmful to the cat and can reduce the cats lifespan.

7. Equipment

Getting the right equipment is essential for just about any cat nothing in specific for ragdolls. Its important to get the cat a good scratching post as it allows the cat to shed the sheaths of their claws on the post rather than on the furniture. All cats scratch and they will look for things to scratch on like furniture if they don’t have anything to do so.

When picking a scratch post, choose one that is big and strong enough for a ragdoll cat. You want the post to be sturdy and fixed so that the cat can feel free and safe while using it. The SMARTCAT PIONEER SCRATCH POST is ideal for ragdolls. Check it out on Amazon.

Ragdolls are also needy and they love affection, especially the attention given by their owners. This makes them clingy at times so you need to keep them entertained. Good interactive toys are a perfect way to keep them occupied. Toys like Rotating Feather that’s motion sensed and entertaining. Another great toy is the Automatic Self Rotating Ball with Smart Built-in Program.

When it comes to beds for ragdolls make sure you get one that’s the right size with good comfortability. The Bedsure Cat Bed is a good pick as it’s big enough with a smooth, water-resistant feature. The dual reversible design is comforting for cold winter nights as well as warm summer days. The bed is washable with removable cushions for machine wash. Check out the great reviews as well as the latest prices, conveniently from Amazon.

8. Cat-proof your home

Apart of taking care of a ragdoll cat is also cat-proofing your home to provide a safe environment. Cats are inquisitive and mischievous. They will want to roam about and figure things out for themselves and are unaware of certain dangers that may lurk within your home.
Therefore remove all dangers from easy to access areas. The following tips can be used to help cat-proof your home.

  • Always close the toilet seat after use as cats are fascinated by the twirling of water once you flush. Try your best to keep the bathroom door closed to prevent any possible dangers.
  • Never leave a fireplace unguarded.
  • Remove certain plants that are poisonous.
  • Never leave a fish tank in areas within the cat’s reach.
  • Remove all glass vases and ornaments from the surroundings.
  • Make sure the pool is always covered with a net.
  • Clear up all plastic bags and dispose of it immediately.
  • Store all harmful chemicals such as detergents and lubricants in a safe place.

9. Exercise

Ragdolls require exercise in order to keep them in shape. Fun, engaging and interactive toys will do the trick in creating ways for them to be more active. These cats like to play and can be entertained for hours with the right toys. Toys that have movement will attract their attention as they are life-like. This will trigger their natural predatory instincts and will keep them occupied for longer.

Its even better for you to spend time and play with your feline as this can help for bonding while the cat gets their daily exercise in.

Related questions

1. Are Ragdolls better in pairs ? yes, Its always better to have ragdolls in pairs so that they may not be lonely and keep each other company, however you should get both of different genders so that they can complement each well. Both of the same genders can be regarded as competition.

2. Do ragdolls get along with other cats ? yes, ragdolls do get along with other cats well. Cats that are docile with a peaceable nature will do well with ragdolls. As ragdolls are not aggressive and are very social.

3. Do Ragdolls get attached to on person ? yes, the tend to bond with their owners or anyone who they spend a lot of time with. Ragdolls do love human companionship but it takes a while for them to get used to others.

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