Ragdoll Cat Health

Watching your cat play and move about your home will reveal much about his condition and health. Do an informal exmination of your cat at least weekly-without him suspecting a thing! Disguised as a pleasurable grooming, petting and massage session, a casual, comprehensive nose-to-toes once-over will reveal bumps, lumps, tender or painful spots, weight gain or loss, and external parasites.

Nose -- Any discharge, sniffing or frequent sneezing is a reason for a trip to the veterinarian.
Eyes -- Take a good look at his eyes. They should be clear with no cloudiness, bulging, redness, or inflammation. As you play with your cat, be alert for signs of visual problems. Test "visual pursuit" by swinging or tossing a toy across his field of vision. His eyes should track the object rapidly and accurately. If your cat starts bumping into things or missing his jump targets consistently, take him to the veterinarian for his eye checkup.
Ears -- If you noticed your cat scratching or digging vigorously at his ears, or shaking his head repeatedly in distress, he may be afflicted with ear mites. Get him to the veterinarian without delay.
Mouth and Teeth -- Look for red and swallen patches on his gums, swellings in the throat, cheeks, mouth or on the tongue, or broken or cracked teeth. Check for large buildups of calculus or tartar on his teeth. This can lead to painful infections and other health problems. Bad breath can indicate gingivitis or periodontal disease, cancer, or mouth tumor. An ammonia odor can indicate kidney failure.

Cat Grooming

If your cat is longhaired, he'll need careful, extensive grooming every single day to prevent mats. Mats are not only unattractive - they can cause pain by restricting movement and keep air from circulating to the skin, encouraging fungal and bacterial infections. A badly matted cat must be completely shaved.

Start with a confident, positive attitude. Your cat will respond to your good mood and confidence. Alternate between long petting strokes with your hands, a medium bristle brush, and a wide-tooth comb. A comb with rotating metal teeth works well for breaking up soft mats. Be sure to groom his ruff, behind his ears, his underarms, tummy and rump. Dont' forget his tail! Don't test your cat's patience trying to remove all mats at once.