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2023 Author: Alex Livingston | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 11:39
The Ragdoll is a cat desired by many people for its affectionate and calm temperament. There are, however, some ailments specific to this breed that potential owners should be aware of. These cats love to be in the company of their humans and willingly follow them around the house in order to be with them as much as possible: this makes it easier for you to observe their health and behavior and notice if something is wrong. So let's see what the common diseases to which the Ragdoll.
Cleaning
This is not a real health issue, but the Ragdoll's long coat needs to be brushed daily. The undercoat can easily knot causing discomfort for the animal, especially in some areas of the body. Knots can too irritate the skin because the hair retains sebum and dirt; the cat may also persistently lick the area in an attempt to untie the skein.
Since it is a kitten, get into the habit of brushing your Ragdoll every day; do not force him to sit still and sit, as this will instinctively make him averse to cleaning sessions. Work on the animal's coat as long as it allows, then move on to another area of the body.
Fur balls
An additional benefit of regular brushing is the reduction or elimination of the possibility of hairballs forming: the longer the hair is, the more they are a problem for the cat. They can cause intestinal obstructions which also lead to serious consequences. Brushing off unwanted hair prevents this.
Heart problems
The Ragdoll breed is associated with increased sensitivity to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. This disorder consists in the thickening of the external part of the heart muscle, to the point that it stiffens and struggles to contract adequately: the result is that the blood is not pumped correctly.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects cats of every age, but it is usually discovered during a period of stress or extreme activity when the heart rate increases. Symptoms include loss of appetite, breathing problems, depression, vomiting, lethargy.
There is no cure for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but drug therapy can prolong the life of the cat.
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