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+--- Thread: Ragdoll Hair Becoming Coarser (/showthread.php?tid=342)
Ragdoll Hair Becoming Coarser - Ryan Started the Fire - 03-04-2020
I have a 10-month-old Ragdoll. His hair is getting coarse starting from the base of his tail traveling up his back. He is definitely a purebred and the rest of his hair is very soft. No change of dry food recently. Is this normal? Anyone have any idea why this is happening?
RE: Ragdoll Hair Becoming Coarser - JanH - 03-04-2020
Is he neutered?
If so, then consider hydration. You can "tent" him. Pull the skin over the sh a shoulders up. When released, it should smoothly move back. If it holds up a bit, holds together and moves back more slowly, then he may be dehydrated. One should do this enough to know what it looks like when he is properly hydrated.
I cannot think of other medical issues that would cause this, so it may be normal for him or a stage - and not cause for concern. Of course, a vet visit is never a waste if it gives you peace of mind.
(Welcome and keep posting - including pictures.)
RE: Ragdoll Hair Becoming Coarser - Ryan Started the Fire - 03-04-2020
(03-04-2020, 08:56 AM)JanH Wrote: Is he neutered?
If so, then consider hydration. You can "tent" him. Pull the skin over the sh a shoulders up. When released, it should smoothly move back. If it holds up a bit, holds together and moves back more slowly, then he may be dehydrated. One should do this enough to know what it looks like when he is properly hydrated.
I cannot think of other medical issues that would cause this, so it may be normal for him or a stage - and not cause for concern. Of course, a vet visit is never a waste if it gives you peace of mind.
(Welcome and keep posting - including pictures.)
Thanks for the reply - and the welcome!
He is neutered. I tented him and his skin bounced back right away. He drinks a lot of water, and I feed him wet food once a day.
His dry food is Hill's Science Diet Indoor Kitten. I've heard it's very good quality. Should I try a different food? Could that be it?
RE: Ragdoll Hair Becoming Coarser - admin - 03-04-2020
It's best to stay with a kitten food until he's at least a year old because kittens have specific nutritional requirements for growth and development. Then you might want to consider a food designed to foster a nice coat.
Welcome to the forum! This is a tutorial to help you post pictures here:
https://ragdollcatguide.ca/showthread.php?tid=10
RE: Ragdoll Hair Becoming Coarser - NatsFan78 - 03-04-2020
Sorry, I do not have any advice to help. I just wanted to say welcome to the forum! I look forward to seeing pictures of your baby.
RE: Ragdoll Hair Becoming Coarser - JanH - 03-04-2020
Hills Kitten is fine for him. I would not expect a food to have this consequence.
Try a bath, perhaps. (Clip claws first and do not immerse him. Let him stand on a towel or something that gives good footing and run warm water over him to wet and rinse. Rinse, rinse and rinse. You can use a pet shampoo or even Dawn dishwashing liquid. If it seems oily at all, it may be stud tail - which can happen in neutered cats.)
Perhaps ask the breeder if this has been seen in his relatives.
RE: Ragdoll Hair Becoming Coarser - Smudge's Mom - 03-04-2020
Also it could be the natural maturing from Kitten down to adult fur. What you are calling coarse may just be subjective. Have you had other Ragdolls?
RE: Ragdoll Hair Becoming Coarser - Codysmom - 03-04-2020
Hello and welcome to the forum! I fed mine Hill's kitten and then transitioned them to the Hill's for adults when they were older and they did and still do very well.
Glad you've joined us and hope to see photos of your kitten soon.
RE: Ragdoll Hair Becoming Coarser - MUM_of_FLUFFY - 03-04-2020
Hi and welcome to the forum! I don't have an answer for you but I do look forward to hearing updates and hope to see some photos soon!
I do have a question, how long ago was he neutered? I've heard that it can take some time for their hormones to settle down, and as Jan H wrote:
If it seems oily at all, it may be stud tail - which can happen in neutered cats.