No matter how much we cats hate to admit it, sometimes we need help with grooming ourselves. And I’m talking about bathing. Some cat breeds, like my neighbor, a Bengal called Bengie, enjoy going for a swim. But, like most cats, we Ragdolls are not exactly over the moon about the idea of taking soapy baths.
So, if there comes the time when you, my hooman friend, realize that you need to bathe your Ragdoll, I, a gorgeous and humble Ragdoll Kylie, will help make this journey easier, both for you and my fellow brother/sister.
Let’s start with the fact that love or at least tolerance for something is instilled from an early age. Therefore, if you plan on bathing your Ragdoll cat regularly, make sure you get them used to baths when they are kittens.
Do Ragdolls need baths
In most cases, it is not necessary to bathe us at all. We are known for being clean freaks judging by our extensive grooming and many other habits. The only time Ragdolls need baths is if we get into a mess that we can’t or shouldn’t cleanse ourselves, such as spilled gravy on our fur. Bathing helps, especially in irritating situations when our tongues just can’t reach the filthy spot out there.
Our hooman parents carry great responsibility for Ragdolls’ good looks. Because of such a long and thick coat, in order to keep it in good condition, parents’ daily duties cover thorough brushing. Some of them take a step further and bathe us as well to get that silky shine.
Bathing your Ragdoll cat is not harmful to the coat, as long as you use the right type of shampoo. If you plan to incorporate regular baths into the routine, you need to bathe your Ragdoll cat about once a month. Forcing us to get our fine coat wet more often will not only be extremely stressful for us but will also interfere with the natural skin oils that we produce, which can lead to irritation and great discomfort.
You wouldn’t want that for us, would you?
How to bathe a Ragdoll cat
Now that you know a little more about Ragdoll cats and baths, let me teach you how to handle our washing so that it becomes stress-free both for you and us. Yet, before we start, let me remind you to use a cat-safe shampoo suitable for our skin and coat.
Here’s a 5-step Kylie-approved routine that’ll help you get a Ragdoll kitten used to being bathed:
- First, run some warm water in the tub. The water should be around 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). It may take a few tries before you find a temperature we like, but your cat will let you know. The tub should be filled to about the middle of the cat’s chest. Depending on the size of your Ragdoll baby, this is about four to five centimeters deep.
Placing a mat at the bottom of the tub would be a huge plus, as it helps with traction and stability. With the mat, our chances of slipping are lower; therefore, we’ll feel more comfortable. Trust me, your Ragdoll will be grateful for this. - Now comes the hard part: getting your Ragdoll cat into the tub. Not all of us like water, but we appreciate tenderness, so please lower your furry friend into the tub slowly and gently. When you’re done with that, start gently rinsing its body with warm water. Never try to bathe the cat’s head, especially the ears. Stick to the main body of your Ragdoll cat.
- Lather up the shampoo and delicately rub it all around the Ragdoll’s body, including hard-to-reach areas such as your cat’s armpits. Just like water, the shampoo should not be applied to the head (including eyes, nose, ears, and mouth) and other sensitive parts of the cat.
- After ensuring your cat is squeaky clean, do a final rinse before taking a dry towel and wrapping the cat up so you can help it dry off. If you want to make it easier on yourself, you can use a hair dryer to help the drying process. Make sure that the hair dryer is not directed at the skin or face and set it to the lowest possible heat setting. Do pay attention to how your Ragdoll reacts to the device. If the noise is too much for my fellow brother/sister, let them dry naturally.
Hoomans actually developed a cool thing – a pet hair dryer box. It does the job, same as a hair dryer but is less noisy and distressing for pets. We love boxes, and we hate noise. I think it’s a win-win. - Finally, be a good hooman – give your cat a treat or two after the bath; they deserve it.
How often should you do it
The frequency with which to bathe the Ragdolls varies, and one must consider not only the coat and season of the year but also the habits and lifestyle of the animal. We may require bathing every 3-4 weeks or just a few times per year.
Some of my cat friends do such a great job cleaning their fur themselves that their hoomans don’t bathe them at all. So, it all depends on your cat’s lifestyle and needs, as too frequent bathing may be harmful to your pet.
Do Ragdolls like baths
Just like hoomans, we Ragdolls all have different personalities. Thus, some Ragdolls like bathing, while others have their fur standing on end when just thinking about water. Some, like me, dislike taking baths as it’s so tiring to groom all that long, wet fur afterward, ugh. It is important for owners to take into account the preferences of their pets because forced bathing can injure your cat and cause distrust. Well, that’s the way the fish cookie crumbles.
We cats are generally afraid of water, so if you want us to become accustomed to it, help us get used to bathing from an early age, following my detailed routine above. Giving adult Ragdolls their first bath can be a traumatic experience as they will most definitely be petrified with fear and make a break for it. If my fellow brother/sister keeps resisting baths, it’s better to ditch this idea altogether.
What if your Ragdoll cat doesn’t like baths
As I just said, some of us just can’t accept being washed with water, then you’ll just have to swallow the bitter pill. Most Ragdolls lead a domestic lifestyle anyway, so they are unlikely to get that filthy. They can easily handle basic self-grooming. If your Ragdoll cat doesn’t like baths but needs to be cleaned, try to do it in the most comfortable way possible. For example, use a warm, damp towel or wipes and gently wipe your cat’s coat with them. Hoomans even developed a cat brush in which you can insert a wet wipe. This brush not only grooms the fur but also cleans and removes stray hairs in a way that they won’t be flying all around the house.
Conclusion
As you have seen, every one of us cats is an individual. Accordingly, some Ragdolls like baths, while others simply hate it and run for their life as soon as they hear the sound of water.
Unfortunately, I can’t give you a definite answer on behalf of all cats as to whether or not your Ragdoll needs baths. Think about bathing as a pure necessity. It’s useful for removing dead fur during molting periods and getting rid of parasites and dirt. I’d advise you to give your Ragdoll’s long, silky hair a thorough brushing and a good nail trimming before bathing.
Naturally, the key to a good bathing experience for all is listening to your Ragdoll. We’re smart felines, so if you pay close attention to our cues and preferences, you’ll be able to create a stress-free environment, making the entire process more enjoyable for both you and us.
