Tumbleweeds of Hairballs in my Living Room? Shedding in Ragdoll Cats

One of the most charming things about Ragdoll cats is their long and luscious coats. Their thick coats consist of two undercoats and one guard coat. The fur of Ragdoll cats are especially helpful for these New England cats. It helps keep them warm during Maine’s harsh winters.

Their fur also gets longer around the neck and tail area. Because of the ruff and their bushy tail, a lot would say that Ragdolls are dressed for winter. Ragdolls look majestic because of their beautiful coats. But with all these fur, one thing that you would probably think about is shedding.

Shedding

It’s normal for Ragdoll cats to shed. It is how they lose dead hair naturally. There may be seasons when they don’t shed too much but you can’t really stop them from shedding. It’s part of having pets in the house. Normally, if there are no health concerns related to your Ragdoll cat’s shedding, all you have to do is vacuum regularly.

Do Ragdoll cats shed hair?

Just like other cats, Ragdoll cats do shed hair. And since they have so much fur, you can expect a bit more shedding. Some Ragdoll cats shed often. It helps to brush them regularly to prevent matting and too much hairballs. There are some people who opt to use deshedding tools to combat the shedding.

How much hair do Ragdoll cats shed?

Not all Ragdoll cats shed heavily. It may have something to do with their coats. Some owners find that they always have to take care of furballs around the house. For some, it’s not too much of a problem. Ragdoll cats who have fluffier coats might probably shed more than those that have silkier textured coats. This is where coat care comes in. Sometimes, the amount of shedding might have something to do with the condition of a Ragdoll cat’s coat.

Should you be concerned of your Ragdoll cat’s shedding?

While shedding is a totally normal of a cat’s life, there is such a thing as excessive shedding. You should make sure that your Ragdoll cat is not losing way too much hair. Not all cats’ shedding patterns are the same. Some shed seasonally while some shed all year round. One way to tell if your cat is shedding excessively is if it seems that your Ragdoll is coughing up or vomiting way too much hairballs. If you can see some bald patches or if there is some redness on the skin under their coats, it will be best to take your cat to the vet for evaluation.

Here are some reasons or causes of too much shedding:

• Allergies
• Poor diet
• Hormonal imbalances
• Fleas
• Stress

There may be other factors. But if you feel that your Ragdoll is losing an abnormal amount of hair, then it’s better to schedule a visit to the vet. They say, though, that prevention is better than cure. So as cat owners, regular grooming should always be observed; especially for a long-haired breed such as the Ragdoll.