If you are wondering if ragdolls get fluffier with age, look no further. In this article, we are going to explain everything we know from our experience and after reading the article, you can instantly answer it to your friends, colleagues, or anyone.
Do Ragdolls get fluffier with age?
To put it briefly, yes, Ragdolls do get fluffier with age. A ragdoll kitten is not as fluffy as an adult cat. A young cat has shorter, more delicate fur that is more susceptible to falling out.
The hair is still in a nascent stage of growth, making for a sparser coverage( even then, it can be quite considerable). Ragdoll cats are generally on the fluffier side of the spectrum and grow thick, luxuriant hair on and around a lot of their external anatomy.
The neck, of course, is a prime spot. The hair here is thicker and longer than in most other body parts. It gives the cat excellent padding. Simultaneously, a presence of thicker hair calls for better and more frequent grooming.
The tail and abdomen are other hair-prone regions. Even though Ragdoll cats have medium-size tails, the length is hardly the main draw.
It is the circumference that has star power, with the ends being particularly bulbous. You must maintain proper hygiene as the tail is likely to gather and store in its hairy crevices a lot of dirt. The abdomen, too, being a flattish surface of a significant area, becomes a resting surface for stray dirt and debris.
Grooming is imperative, as is the caution that you must exercise along with it. Cats, even though fans of a vigorous belly rub, are skittish when touched on their bellies.
Ragdoll has fluffy paws, too, and generally hates to have their toes fiddled. Grooming is not essential unless you find that the fur has grown to an unmanageable extent and is causing mobility problems for your cat.
When will your Ragdoll cat get fluffy?
As mentioned earlier, Ragdoll cats take a while to grow into maximum fluffiness. The general estimate is at four years- an adequate timespan to place a functional grooming routine. Grooming, remember, is essential.
The one quality about Ragdoll fur that makes it more durable than many other breeds is the lack of an undercoat.
It indicates a lower frequency of shedding. They also have stricter guard hairs than a lot of other cats.
Studies have linked the growth of the coat to maturity in a cat.
Every Ragdoll has a specific threshold value for their coat- a specific amount of time until the coat witnesses periodic, consistent growth. Post this, the growth stops.
Ragdoll cats are likely to have fluffier coats during the winter than in the summer and for a good reason.
They need the extra insulation, and thanks to adaptive techniques, the coat naturally grows fluffier with the onset of a cooler clime.
A Ragdoll might be at its fluffiest best during the winter of its fourth or fifth year.
How do I make my Ragdoll cat fluffy?
For the most part, a Ragdoll’s inevitable fluffiness is a natural progression.
However, if you are looking to boost growth and desire a customized version of fluffy, you could employ a few tricks to bring this about.
1. Grooming regimen
You can use a strategic grooming regimen to boost hair growth.
It comes as no surprise that healthy hair grows faster and exhibits an improvement in texture and quality.
An early start is always a good idea. Ensure the regimen you implement does not stress your cat out, which could have an opposite effect.
Be gentle but thorough. Steer clear of the use of excessive force.
Ragdoll cats like cuddles from their owners, and this works as an advantage during the brushing and un-knotting process.
Using a pin-and-bristles brush is a good idea- the pins help untangle the knots while the bristles improve hair texture.
2. Proper nutrition
The key to everything is good health. If you find your Ragdoll is not as fluffy as it should be or as you’d like to be, the answer could lie in a lack of adequate nutrition.
Cat food has certain additives that help maintain cat skin and hair. Namely, vitamin B7 and fatty acids EPA and DHA( present in oily fish).
If you are in the habit of making the cat food yourself, make sure to add these supplements.
3. Prevent diseases
A disease-free cat is far more likely to have a fluffier coat than one with diseases. A skin condition such as eczema or a rash often causes hair to fall out.
4. Prevent a pest infestation
Tic and flea infestations cause a cat to scratch itself, which can eventually trigger hair loss compulsively.
In addition to this, pests are potential carriers of disease, and you must immediately remove them if spotted.
5. De-stress your cat
A cat could be perfectly healthy and yet experience hair fall if it happens to be a victim of stress.
Cats, when stressed, over-groom themselves and are in the habit of pulling hair out frequently. Your job, at a time like this, is to try and calm your cat down.
6. Keep thyroid, if present, in check.
The thyroid is a common ailment in Ragdoll cats and comes with its barrage of side effects such as hair loss, weight loss, and increased appetite.
Luckily, medication can help keep the condition in check and the symptoms at bay.
Why are some Ragdolls fluffier than others?
A possible explanation as to why some Ragdolls are fluffier than others may be due to genetic differences. A study in genealogy may help determine the exact explanation.
It is also essential to keep in mind the necessity for an age parity.
A Ragdoll of 5 will always be significantly more fluffy than one aged two years old. It is because Ragdolls get fluffier with age.
They reach their peak fluffiness around four years of age, following which a considerable increase in fluffiness is unlikely.
Conclusion
A fluffy breed as it is, I find the explanation behind why Ragdolls get fluffier with age fascinating. It is a simple theory, but one rife with the knowledge that pervades a feline kingdom.
As a cat owner or a cat lover, you might find it worth your while to delve into these questions too.
Hi There, AJ Oren here. I am the founder of this amazing pet blog & a passionate writer who loves helping pet owners to learn more about their pets through my articles. I am also the content manager of this blog. I have experience in pet training and behavior, sheltering, and currently working for a veterinary clinic.