How to Groom a Ragdoll Kitten

Cute and cuddly ragdoll kittens are known for their friendly, dog like nature as well as their willingness to cuddle up in their owner̵7;s arms. These kittens, who get their name from the fact that they often go limp as a ragdoll when receiving loving pats, are covered in a luxurious coat that does require some care. To ensure your kitten is as cute as she is lovable, dedicate some attention to grooming this member of your family.

Things You'll Need

  • Tub or utility sink
  • Pet shampoo
  • Washcloth
  • Fingernail clippers
  • Cat nail clippers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash the kitten. Though few kittens enjoy the process, ragdoll kittens do need baths on a relatively regular basis to maintain their coats. Generally, bathing your kitten once every other month will be sufficient; however, if your kitten plays in a dirty environment, more frequent baths may be necessary. Because ragdoll kittens can become chilled quite easily, always wash the kitten in warm water. Use a soap intended for use on pets, and rinse thoroughly to ensure no soap remains on the animal's coat or skin.

    • 2

      Clean around the kitten's eyes. While you don̵7;t want to submerge the kitten̵7;s head in water when bathing it, you should clean around your kitten̵7;s eyes as cats of this breed have a tendency to collect dirt and eye seepage near the corners of their eyes. Use no soap, only warm water and a wash cloth, to remove this unsightly dirt.

    • 3

      Brush the kitten. Select a metal brush featuring closely spaced teeth and run it through the kitten̵7;s coat after the kitten has fully dried from its bath. Continue brushing while petting the kitten to keep her calm until you have removed all excess fur and no more comes off when you brush through its coat.

    • 4

      Clip away any mats. If your kitten develops mats in her fur, take care of these promptly, using a pair of fingernail clippers to carefully clip the matted fur off. If you fail to do this, the kitten may develop skin infections. If the mat is too close to the skin and you are not able to remove it, take the kitten to your veterinarian for removal. Though regular brushing can make mats less likely, even kittens brushed daily can still develop these fur tangles.

    • 5

      Trim the kitten's nails. Use nail clippers intended for use on cats to clip the kitten̵7;s nails. Avoid clipping the nails too far down, taking care to avoid the dark white quick of the nail that you can see through the translucent nail material. If the kitten squirms, consider giving her a play break then returning to clipping so you don̵7;t have to fight her.