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An elderly man in a green sweater vest washes a soaked blue point Ragdoll cat in a galvanized metal tub full of suds. 10 / 34

Grandpa Wen Decided Misty Needed a Bath. Misty's Face Said Everything.

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Soaked from the neck down, her silky fur clinging in wet points, Misty sits in an old galvanized tub full of soapy water with a look of deep, dignified disappointment. Grandpa Wen leans over the rim in a green sweater vest with his sleeves rolled up, gently working the suds into her coat with one hand and smiling as kindly as he can. A stack of fresh towels waits on the edge of the yard, a green watering can sits by the house, and garden pots line the fence in the soft daylight.

Most cats rarely need baths at all. Cats are skilled self-groomers, and regular brushing usually does more for a Ragdoll's coat than washing does. Occasionally, though, a bath becomes necessary, perhaps after a cat gets into something sticky or dirty. If so, use lukewarm water, only a few inches deep, and a shampoo made specifically for cats, since human and some dog products can be harmful. Keep water away from the face and ears, rinse thoroughly, and towel dry well, keeping the cat warm until it's completely dry, which takes a while with a semi-long coat. Outdoor baths are best on warm, calm days. Many cats find baths stressful, so going slowly and speaking softly helps, and if your cat truly panics, a professional groomer or your vet can advise you.

Ragdolls are generally more tolerant than most cats, which may explain why Misty is sitting still rather than staging a dramatic escape.

Once she's dry and fluffy again, she'll probably forgive him. It may take a few treats and a very long nap in a sunny window first.

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A smiling elderly man on a couch holds a big bowl of popcorn while a blue point Ragdoll cat sits beside him eyeing it.Grandpa Wen Made a Giant Bowl of Popcorn for Movie Night. Misty Noticed.An elderly man repairs a wooden fence with a tool while a fluffy blue point Ragdoll cat sits on a plank sniffing a stick.Grandpa Wen Finally Started Fixing the Fence. Misty Became the Foreman.An elderly man in a navy sweater vest dozes on a cushioned porch swing with a blue point Ragdoll cat asleep against him.The Porch Swing Slowed Down. So Did Grandpa Wen and Misty.A laughing elderly man in an olive sweater vest stands in a kitchen as a blue point Ragdoll cat stands up on its hind legs.Grandpa Wen Was Doing the Dishes. Then Misty Asked Him for a Dance.