The Ragdoll’s coat is one of its most recognisable traits: semi-long, soft, silky, with a fuller ruff on the chest and "trousers" on the hind legs. Compared with other long-haired breeds it tends to form fewer tangles, because the undercoat is less abundant. But fewer never means none: regular, gentle grooming remains part of daily care. Here we describe the tools we use and what they are for, for information only.
Tools first, then the gesture
You do not need many tools. You need a few, suitable ones, used well. The temptation to accumulate accessories is understandable, but for the Ragdoll’s semi-long coat an essential kit covers almost every need.
The combination comb
This is the tool we consider fundamental. A metal comb with one half of wider-spaced teeth and one half of finer teeth lets you work in two stages.
– The wide-toothed half loosens the coat and finds any tangles without pulling.
– The fine-toothed half finishes the job and picks up loose hair, especially in the more delicate areas.
– Passed right down to the base of the coat, it tells us whether the coat is really clean or whether a small tangle is forming beneath the surface.
Teeth with rounded tips are preferable: the comb should glide over the coat, not scratch the skin.
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The pin brush
The pin brush, with metal or plastic pins mounted on a soft base, is useful for an overall pass over the body. It smooths the coat, airs it and removes loose hair on the surface. It is the tool many cats get used to most easily, because the sensation is similar to a caress.
It is best to choose pins with protected tips and always to use the brush in the direction of the coat, with long, light strokes.
The soft slicker brush
The slicker brush has many fine, bent metal wires. In its soft version it can help during moulting periods, when there is more loose hair, and on the fuller areas such as the ruff and the trousers.
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It must, however, be used with a very light hand. The wires, if pressed, reach the skin and can irritate it. That is why we consider it a supporting tool, not one to use every day over the whole body.
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The grooming glove
The rubber or silicone glove with small raised nubs is the gentlest of all. It does not loosen tangles and does not reach deep, but it picks up loose hair on the surface and is an excellent way to begin, especially with a young cat or one not used to grooming. For many cats it is simply a moment of cuddles.
A word of caution: blades and undercoat
There are tools designed to remove large amounts of undercoat quickly, often with a toothed blade. On a Ragdoll we urge the greatest caution.
– The Ragdoll’s undercoat is sparse: there is not much to remove, and aggressive work risks thinning the coat.
– A blade can cut or break the guard hairs, altering their silky texture.
– On a cat’s thin skin, wrong pressure can cause irritation.
If in doubt, better a comb and a few extra minutes. And if the coat has tight or matted tangles, the safest choice is to ask your veterinarian or a groomer experienced with cats for advice, rather than trying to cut them out yourself.
The most common mistakes
– Brushing only the surface. The coat looks tidy, but tangles form at the base, especially behind the ears, under the armpits and on the trousers.
– Pulling at a tangle. A tangle should be opened gently, holding the coat at the base so as not to pull the skin.
– Sessions that are too long. Better a few minutes often than one long session now and then.
– Insisting on sensitive areas. The belly and hind legs are delicate for many cats: approach them calmly and gradually.
How to get your cat used to it
Grooming should be a calm moment, not a contest. In our experience, getting the cat used to it from an early age makes a big difference.
– Start with the glove or the pin brush, on the areas where the cat likes to be stroked, such as the cheeks and back.
– Choose a moment when the cat is relaxed, for example after play or after a meal.
– Keep sessions short and stop before the cat shows signs of impatience.
– Associate grooming with something pleasant: a calm voice, a caress, a small reward.
– Respect the signals: if the tail flicks or the cat moves away, pick it up again another time.
Over time many Ragdolls come to look forward to this moment: minutes away from screens that do both the cat and whoever is brushing it good.
In summary
A combination comb, a pin brush, possibly a soft slicker brush and a glove: in most cases that is all you need to keep a Ragdoll’s coat in order. More than the tools, what counts is regularity and a gentle touch.
If you would like to know more about the daily care of a Ragdoll, we invite you to read our information guide Living with a Ragdoll or to write to us privately.
Photo: iStock.com/anastas_
