Ragdoll Cat Forums

Is there a need to bath a cat beyond if he gets obviously messy/dirty for some reason? I never thought about this until someone mentioned it in the staticky thread.

No, I don't believe a bath is necessary. However, giving a bath on occasion will keep your cat used to bathing, for when and if the situation ever calls for a needed bath.
Our neutered boy, almost 9, has only had a couple of baths, he keeps himself well groomed.

Purrs,
Stormi

After hearing about others who bathed their raggies, I decided, hey, maybe I should. So I bought all the stuff to do it right. First to bathe -- Simone -- that was such a nightmare, I never tried it with Samantha who is much more timid and frightened of things than Simone. But the girls look good, their fur looks healthy, and they never smell - so no more baths for either of mine unless they get into something that absolutely requires it.

I bath my ragdoll, Jake, but have never needed to for a mess situation. I do because Jake goes to shows. We are thinking of giving him a 'Christmas bath' because he hasnt had a bath for a while as its not show season, and he tends to need them. His coat goes a different texture(but he doesnt smell. Not quite sure what it is, and it isnt because hes losing his winter coat). Are you getting a ragdoll kitten? Or do you already have a ragdoll? If your getting a kitten, maybe give him/her a bath, while she/he is still quite young, so they grow up getting used to it. She/he might hate it as first, but eventually she/he will tolerate it or even enjoy it, kind of like teaching your cat to let you brush him/her. Jake HATED his first bath, and was trying to climb up our arms with his claws out. But the second time, he knew what was coming and he seemed to think it wasnt that bad, he stayed still and let me do what i got to do.

Im not an expert at all, Jake is my first ragdoll, but that is my opinion. Maybe ask your breeder what he/she thinks.

blueragdoll Wrote:I bath my ragdoll, Jake, but have never needed to for a mess situation. I do because Jake goes to shows. We are thinking of giving him a 'Christmas bath' because he hasnt had a bath for a while as its not show season, and he tends to need them. His coat goes a different texture(but he doesnt smell. Not quite sure what it is, and it isnt because hes losing his winter coat). Are you getting a ragdoll kitten? Or do you already have a ragdoll? If your getting a kitten, maybe give him/her a bath, while she/he is still quite young, so they grow up getting used to it. She/he might hate it as first, but eventually she/he will tolerate it or even enjoy it, kind of like teaching your cat to let you brush him/her. Jake HATED his first bath, and was trying to climb up our arms with his claws out. But the second time, he knew what was coming and he seemed to think it wasnt that bad, he stayed still and let me do what i got to do.

Im not an expert at all, Jake is my first ragdoll, but that is my opinion. Maybe ask your breeder what he/she thinks.

How has Jake done at the shows? He is a gorgeous boy!! We frequently bathe the cats that are going to be shown, and begin at a young age. Like you, even when we may not be showing for a couple of months, I like to keep giving them baths to keep them used to the routine. I trim nails prior to the bath, and that helps a lot. I guess over the years, we have just learned new ways of doing things that work better for us or our Ragdolls.
The coat issue with Jake, may still be stud tail, or just "greasy coat", it can happen to a neutered male. A degreaser should help with that, and sometimes a second wash is needed to make the coat squeaky clean.
I do think it is a great idea to get any kitten, whether just a pet or show become familiar with bathing, starting young and making it part of ones routine. The same should be said of brushing and combing our pets, as one it can be needed to help brush away shedding coat, but many cats enjoy being groomed and it is a great way to have calm bonding time.

Purrs,
Stormi

Atrus gets baths occasionally. In fact, he got one the other night because he had a soft stool and made such a disastrous mess of himself, bathing was the easiest way to take care of it. He does not even attempt to claw or get away very much. Mostly he just meows sadly which makes me feel awful. It is a good thing to get them used to, if you ever need to do it you don't want it to be their very first time. However, if Atrus is in the bathroom with me and I shut the door, he does get very visibly anxious because he thinks he's going to get a bath.

We bathe all our cats especially before a cat exposition.
The kittens are also given baths but I have noticed many new families do not bath them once homed and they look very beuatiful all the same..........

Yes, I do quarterly. Just to keep them fluffy and beautiful! Two of them enjoy it, one tolerates it. I also scrub their teeth, which they do quite well at.

Familytimerags Wrote:

blueragdoll Wrote:I bath my ragdoll, Jake, but have never needed to for a mess situation. I do because Jake goes to shows. We are thinking of giving him a 'Christmas bath' because he hasnt had a bath for a while as its not show season, and he tends to need them. His coat goes a different texture(but he doesnt smell. Not quite sure what it is, and it isnt because hes losing his winter coat). Are you getting a ragdoll kitten? Or do you already have a ragdoll? If your getting a kitten, maybe give him/her a bath, while she/he is still quite young, so they grow up getting used to it. She/he might hate it as first, but eventually she/he will tolerate it or even enjoy it, kind of like teaching your cat to let you brush him/her. Jake HATED his first bath, and was trying to climb up our arms with his claws out. But the second time, he knew what was coming and he seemed to think it wasnt that bad, he stayed still and let me do what i got to do.

Im not an expert at all, Jake is my first ragdoll, but that is my opinion. Maybe ask your breeder what he/she thinks.

How has Jake done at the shows? He is a gorgeous boy!! We frequently bathe the cats that are going to be shown, and begin at a young age. Like you, even when we may not be showing for a couple of months, I like to keep giving them baths to keep them used to the routine. I trim nails prior to the bath, and that helps a lot. I guess over the years, we have just learned new ways of doing things that work better for us or our Ragdolls.
The coat issue with Jake, may still be stud tail, or just "greasy coat", it can happen to a neutered male. A degreaser should help with that, and sometimes a second wash is needed to make the coat squeaky clean.
I do think it is a great idea to get any kitten, whether just a pet or show become familiar with bathing, starting young and making it part of ones routine. The same should be said of brushing and combing our pets, as one it can be needed to help brush away shedding coat, but many cats enjoy being groomed and it is a great way to have calm bonding time.

Purrs,
Stormi

Hi Stormi,
Jake has done quite well at his shows, he has only been to two so far, the first one he was very naughty and won nothing, but that is understandable being his first time. The second time, he was very well behaved and one Best Ragdoll Kitten in Ring One and Reserve ragdoll kitten in Ring Two. He also got 3rd best group one kitten in ring one and sixth in ring two. And to top it all of he got best eye colour and shape in the ring one kittens.
The trimming the nails, I find in the hardest of thw whole bathing thing. Jake HATES it, making it harder as he squirms around.
Will giving him a bath help with the 'stud tail' or greasyness? Or will I have to get a degreaser?
Cheers,
Cloe

That is wonderful that Jake is doing so well!! Congratulations to you and to him!! His "attitude" is to be expected at a first show, it is wonderful that his shows after have been fun!!
If his coat is not too greasy, then you could bathe him with regular (blue) Dawn dishsoap. It works very well and getting through the grease, and you may even want to repeat. You want to hear the coat become "squeaky" clean.
If he seems to have an overall greasiness, and stud tail, there are a few degreasers that I have used. Goop works ok, but was not my favorite, then we tried F1R2 Super Scrub, and I liked it, and it worked well with all my cats coats.
However, when we got Bellus, his coat did become more greasy than our other Raggies, and I asked for advice from other Ragdoll breeders, and was recommended "The Grimenator". I love it, and use it most often. I first used it, and used it first, and then used the Jerob Snowy White, to help whiten blue or white areas, but it almost defeated the purpose, as after the cat was dried, the coat was more weighted down and didn't fluff like I hoped. The next times I have used it, I make sure and use any other shampoo or brightening shampoos first, and use the Grimenator last and I get the results that I want.
For an excessively greasy coat, I will repeat with the Grimenator, and I have no complaints.
I hope that helps. I have found it is best to use different products, and find what works best for you.
Keep me updated on Jake's wins, that is exciting and also fun to share the news of wins!! Give Jake a belly rub or special treat from us. When is your next show?
When trimming nails, try the football hold. Have Jake at your side, and you can use your arm to contain his body and you can have both hands free to trim his nails. You may try giving him a treat inbetween each paw. Having another person hold the cat, also works well. I have also tried different nail trimmers, and have found some are just easier to work with.

Purrs,
Stormi