Ragdoll kittens have shorter, finer fur by comparison to adult cats. Their coats can take quite some time to reach their potential thickness and length. Many owners wonder when Ragdoll kitten will get fluffy and are surprised by the answer.
When will my Ragdoll cat get fluffy? The short answer is not until it is 3 to 4 years old. After this, a Ragdoll will be at its absolute fluffiest during the colder seasons. So it’s fair to say a Ragdoll will be fluffier every winter after it is 4 years old.
You’ll have to exercise patience for 3 or 4 years if you’re wondering when Ragdolls get their full coat. Whilst you’re waiting, you’ll have plenty of time to develop a good grooming routine to help keep your Ragdoll’s developing coat in a healthy, pristine condition.
Fluffy Ragdoll coat care
If you’re wondering if all Ragdoll cats are fluffy, the answer is yes they are. Some may be fluffier than others but all Ragdolls have lush, fluffy coats.
They get a particularly fluffy neck ruff which becomes more prominent with age.
Their coats are unusual because they lack the undercoat present in many medium to long-haired cats. This means they don’t shed as much as some cats.
Some Ragdolls can have longer guard hairs than others.
If you begin a gentle grooming regime while your Ragdoll is a kitten, it will make it easier to keep this up throughout its adult life.
Grooming is essential to keep all that beautiful fluff knot-free. Start with short sessions and gradually increase the length of time spent.
Make sure grooming is always a relaxed experience. Never rush it as your cat will sense tension and be less likely to cooperate in the future.
If you aim for a grooming session every other day, you’ll keep your Ragdoll’s fluffy coat, clean and shiny and minimize shedding too. This is in your interest as you won’t have to vacuum up cat fluff so often.
A good grooming session allows you to build a bond with your Ragdoll. If you build up your cat’s trust in you, it will learn to love grooming sessions.
If groomed from a young age, most Ragdoll cats are quite happy to relax on their owners’ laps for ages, belly up, to be thoroughly combed through.
Use a pin and bristle brush for the best results – the pins tease out knots and the bristles smooth the hair.
Ragdoll coat health
Once it reaches maturity if your Ragdoll’s coat doesn’t look as healthy or as fluffy as you think it should, there are several possible causes.
When a cat molts, you’ll notice a fine layer of hair is shed quite evenly from its coat. If you notice clumps of hair falling out and bald spots appearing, this is not a usual feature of shedding.
Here are some things you can check out.
Poor nutrition
Correct nutrition is essential to help a Ragdoll’s fluffy coat develop and to maintain it once it has fully grown. Good quality cat food is generally nutritionally balanced to provide all a cat needs to keep it healthy.
Two components of cat food help to keep their skin and coat in good condition:
- Essential fatty acids EPA and DHA (Omega-3 oil) as found in oily fish
- Vitamin B7
Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil is a popular cat supplement containing omega-3 oils that are recommended for coat health.
If you make your own cat food, ensure you add all the supplements your Ragdoll needs.
Skin complaint
Ragdolls, like all cats, can occasionally develop skin conditions such as a rash or eczema which can lead to hair loss. If you suspect this is the case, get your vet to check your cat out as soon as possible.
Parasites
Fleas, ticks, and mites can cause a cat to scratch incessantly and this can lead to hair loss not to mention sore skin. Keep a lookout for such parasites and remove them as necessary. There are some very effective topical treatments available from your vet.
Thyroid problems
Cats are prone to hyperthyroidism and one side effect of this condition is hair loss. You’ll also notice other symptoms such as increased appetite and weight loss.
If you suspect your Ragdoll has a thyroid condition, please take it straight to the vet as it can be controlled with medication.
Stress
A stressed cat sometimes over-grooms and pulls out its own fur. There are many reasons why cats develop stress and the root cause needs to be diagnosed for the sake of their overall health.
Changing seasons and Ragdoll fluff
Like all cats, Ragdolls have a lighter summer coat and a fluffier winter coat. These coat changes occur throughout their lives.
As spring arrives, a Ragdoll sheds its winter coat to make way for its slightly less dense summer coat. Then as fall nears, the summer coat gives way to a much fluffier winter coat.
If you want to experience a Ragdoll at its absolute fluffiest you’ll have to wait for winter each year. You may think a Ragdoll’s coat will not thicken up if it lives indoors because it doesn’t experience a particular drop in temperature.
The fact is, indoor Ragdolls still get fluffy winter coats because, contrary to what seems logical, winter coat growth is triggered by the lack of sunlight and not a drop in temperature.
Which parts of a Ragdoll get the fluffiest?
Ragdolls are probably one of the fluffiest cats in the world. The lengths and thickness of fluff vary from cat to cat and also vary in different areas of a Ragdolls body.
Necks
Ragdolls have a very regal-looking neck ruff. The fluff in this region is particularly long and thick compared to other areas of the cat’s body. This part needs extra grooming to ensure no deep knots form close to the skin.
Tails
A Ragdolls tail is medium length but very bushy and fluffy. They tend to collect all sorts of debris here so don’t neglect this area when you groom your Raggy.
Tummies
Ragdolls can be quite protective of their fluffy tummies which is why you need to groom this area gently and patiently. If you notice your cat getting angry or stressed, top immediately. This is another area that often collects all sorts of dirt.
Legs
The fluff on a Ragdolls legs is not as long as elsewhere and is relatively easy to manage.
Toes
Ragdolls have large paws with plenty of fluff present. These should be left alone – cats usually really hate having their paws fiddled with because they are very sensitive.
There’s no need to groom or trim your Ragdoll’s paws – at least, I wouldn’t recommend it.
When Will My Ragdoll Cat Get Fluffy? – Conclusion
It takes time for a Ragdoll’s coat to develop into its full fluffy glory. You may have to wait up to 4 years. In the meantime, follow our diet and grooming tips to ensure your Ragdoll grows the best-conditioned fluffy coat possible.
Here are some of my favorite products for cats
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope you found it helpful whether you own a cat or are considering it. I thought I’d share a few of the cat products I love which you might find really useful too.
The following are Amazon affiliate links, and if you decide to use them, I’ll earn a small commission from Amazon at no cost at all to you.
An indoor cat tree: This is an excellent item to satisfy a cat’s urge to climb and scratch. There are several sizes to choose from so you can pick the right height for your home. Our cats love this Amazon Basics tree with multi-levels, scratching posts, and a little hideaway.
Drinking fountain: Cats love to drink from flowing water. Many don’t seem to drink enough so a fountain is a good way to get them interested. This Orsda Fountain is quiet, has a large capacity, and looks stylish too.
Scratcher Lounger: The more cat-scratching posts you have the better. Many cats like to claw horizontally which is why we chose the PetFusion Ultimate cat scratcher. It has seen quite a bit of action from 4 Maine Coons but still looks great.