What’s the best cat food for Ragdoll cats? That is the topic for this article.
Baby lions or giant wild cats – these are the common first impressions when one sees a fully-grown Ragdoll cat sporting their winter coat for the first time.
And it’s not surprising, because they do look the part. It’s also for this reason, that many first-time Ragdoll cat owners assume that their cat needs a special diet. But, do they really need it?
Ragdoll cats eat just like other domestic cats. And since they are obligate carnivores, their food should be packed with high-quality animal protein for them to get most of the essential nutrients that their body needs to stay in prime condition every day.
Do Ragdolls Need to Eat More Than Other Cats?
With their size, it would indeed help to give them a little bit more than your smaller indoor cats, but giving them huge portions regularly can simply put them at risk for feline obesity. We’re sure you don’t want your feline companion to be a diabetic cat eventually.
So, to prevent any weight-related complications in the future, it’s best to simply follow the feeding recommendations given by your vet or the feeding recommendation based on your Ragdoll cat’s age and weight, which is often found at the back of your Ragdoll cat food’s label.
Another important consideration when feeding Ragdoll cats is that it would take two to five years for them to reach their full adult weight.
First time Ragdoll pet parents might find the need to feed their cat more so he would get bigger the soonest time possible, but this isn’t healthy. As mentioned earlier, this would only lead to feline obesity, diabetes, and many other health issues.
What’s the Proper Diet for Ragdoll Cats?
Ragdolls have been domesticated for centuries, but even if they no longer hunt for food like their ancestors in the wild, they still need to eat foods that will satisfy their innate desire to eat fresh meats.
That being said, you don’t have to put them on an exclusive wet food diet, though, because even dry cat foods can have real meats. And besides, cats also benefit from munching on dry cat food as this is good for their dental health.
Just make sure, to always have fresh and clean drinking water ready for your feline buddy at all times. You might also want to purchase a cat fountain to encourage him to drink.
Above all, what’s most important with your Ragdoll’s diet is that it should be rich in protein, low in carbohydrates, and with additional vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.
And once again, pay special attention not to overfeed your cat to maintain a healthy weight and avoid complications.
Hip dysplasia is one of the common health issues with Ragdoll cats that are associated with their humongous size.
Hence, it is important to keep him at his recommended weight range for his age and size to prevent painful and debilitating complications in the future.
6 Best Cat Food for Ragdoll Cats
Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care
Nourish your Ragdoll cat to help them reach their full potential by providing them with a great diet. And you can achieve this with Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight and Hairball Care dry cat food.
This irresistibly crunchy kibble is made up of real chicken, chicken meal, and turkey that helps maintain strong muscles.
This special formula is crafted with L-carnitine to help burn fat and support a healthy metabolism, which are two important health considerations with big indoor cats.
This recipe also contains a proprietary fiber blend with dried beet pulp to help reduce hairballs all year round.
Additionally, this premium cat food contains taurine to support cardiac health. And it is enriched with vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids to promote a beautiful and healthy coat and ensure your Ragdoll cat’s health is in prime condition at all times.
This recipe is also free from fillers and is recommended by veterinarians. Your Ragdoll will definitely love the perfect blend of natural flavor and nutrients in these crunchy and tasty kibbles.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Recipe
Ragdolls take years to fully reach their adult weight and size, so it’s important that Ragdoll pet parents stay informed about this attribute unique to this large cat breed.
Pet owners who are not aware of this can unknowingly overfeed their kittens believing that their cat needs to eat more to grow faster. Hence, weight-related issues can slowly start even at an early age.
And that’s why a special diet like this with the perfect blend of ingredients to support healthy weight and lean muscles is important for Ragdolls.
Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight for Adult Cats is rich in protein, and it contains L-carnitine to burn fats and to promote a healthy metabolism.
This recipe is perfect for indoor Ragdoll cats, and for mature ones that are no longer as active as when they were younger. For health reasons, cats living under these conditions need to eat fewer calories.
And this premium cat food is crafted especially for that purpose, while also ensuring that each kibble is packed with nutrients that can provide them with complete and balanced nutrition.
Hill’s Science Diet is also made in the USA, so you are assured that every ingredient meets strict requirements for purity and nutrient content.
This recipe is also fortified with vitamins, minerals, and clinically proven antioxidants to support your Ragdoll cat’s immune system and overall health and wellness.
It’s made from high-quality and natural ingredients without artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and chicken by-product meals.
And though this dry cat food isn’t a breed-specific diet for Ragdolls, it is still packed with the essential nutrients that can provide your Ragdoll cat with a complete and balanced diet for a lifetime of health and happiness.
Purina Fancy Feast Poultry and Beef Grilled Collection
Treating your Ragdoll to a tasty, and moisture-rich wet food once in a while can be helpful to add variation to their diet.
And if you are looking for nutrient-dense and flavorful canned food that won’t put a hole in your pocket, you should consider Purina Fancy Feast Cat Food.
It’s available in different flavors, and you can also purchase a variety pack with 24 cans. Their Poultry & Beef Grilled Collection features 24 3-ounce cans of their three recipes: Chicken Feast in Gravy, Turkey Feast in Gravy, and Beef Feast in Gravy.
Each can is portioned to be complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats featuring tender, slow-cooked tasty cuts that are sure to please your cats.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Kitten Chicken Recipe
Kittens need all the nutrients that their bodies can safely and effectively use to support their growth and development.
And you can start by feeding them with high-quality animal protein to satisfy their needs and desires as obligate carnivores.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Kitten formula is sure to catch your young cat’s delight with its meaty flavor that comes from a real deboned chicken.
With its 40% crude protein content, your kitten is nourished enough to grow with strong bones and healthy muscles.
This kitten formula is also enriched with taurine for your kitten’s cognitive and eye health, and it contains fatty acids like the ones found in his mama’s milk. Moreover, its DHA and ARA content helps promote healthy growth and development.
And this nutritious chicken meal also features Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits – a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, to support your kitten’s immune health.
Additionally, this recipe is grain-free, and it doesn’t contain corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or meat by-products.
Natural Balance L.I.D. Green Pea & Duck Formula
Feed your Ragdoll a tasty limited ingredients diet that would entice him to eat. This grain-free limited ingredient cat food is specially made for cats with food sensitivities.
With only a few ingredients and only one source of animal protein, which is a duck, there is a very slim chance that your Ragdoll cat would exhibit an allergic response to this meal. And if he does, at least you already have an idea which food he is potentially allergic to.
Also, despite having fewer ingredients, Natural Balance L.I.D. Grain-Free Cat Food is still loaded with vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients that your Ragdoll cat needs to thrive while fighting his food sensitivities.
This recipe also contains essential fatty acids that help promote healthy skin and coat, as well as taurine to help keep his brain and eye health in prime conditions.
Instinct LID Paté Real Turkey Recipe
This premium wet food is formulated with cage-free turkey as its first ingredient, which is easily digestible meat and novel protein.
So, feeding this flavorful meal to your sensitive cat won’t be hard on his belly, and it has a slim chance of triggering allergic reactions since turkey isn’t a common ingredient to most dry and canned cat foods.
Aside from having only one source of animal protein, this cat food recipe also uses peas as its sole vegetable source.
Additionally, each moisture-rich bite of this delicious pate is loaded with vitamins, minerals to provide your Ragdoll cat with complete and balanced nutrition.
And to top it all, it is also gluten-free, and it is free from corn, wheat, or soy, as well as chicken, eggs, dairy, grain, and potato.
Your majestic Ragdoll is sure to find solace again in this nutrient-dense wet food that is made in the USA using only the finest ingredients.
Read Also:7 Best Cat Carriers For Ragdoll Cats
What’s a Nutritionally Balanced Diet for Ragdoll Cat Breed?
The Ragdoll is a majestic-looking cat, with its size, stature, and healthy fluffy coat.
And as pet owners, we must provide them with complete and balanced nutrition to ensure that they grow at a healthy rate, and achieve the right physical proportions for their age.
The portions of fresh cat food that you should give to your Ragdoll can be influenced by several factors: his age, activity level (outdoor or indoor cat), special health needs, and your veterinarian’s recommendations.
However, generally speaking, Ragdoll cat breeders find that their cats do pretty well with a free-feed diet when they were still kittens and young adults. However, as they reach middle age, they can easily gain weight.
Hence, during this stage, it would be beneficial for them to have a low-calorie diet to reduce their chances of being overweight even if they have access to kibbles all day round.
Nonetheless, Ragdoll cats need the same basic nutritional requirements as other domestic cats. And as obligate carnivores with huge built and naturally active demeanor, they could thrive better on a high protein diet. In contrast, you should give them a diet that is low in carbohydrates to ensure a healthy growth rate.
On top of that, it’s best to feed them with a high-quality cat food with probiotics and enough fiber to promote healthy digestion and support gut health.
You should also check their canned cat food or kibbles to ensure that they have the vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that they need to support their overall health and wellness and promote a healthy coat all year round.
Additionally, cats cannot produce their own vitamin A, vitamin D, and arachidonic acid, so, it would help to choose cat food recipes with these specific nutrients.
They would also need supplemental vitamin K, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), niacin, arginine, and healthy fats in their diet.
Finally, when buying food for your Ragdoll cat in the United States, don’t forget to check for the stamp of The Association of American Feed Control Officials to guarantee that your Ragdoll cat will benefit from a well-balanced, and nutritious diet.
How You Should Deal With Ragdoll Food Allergies?
Early diagnosis of food allergies is important to stop the uncomfortable symptoms. If you suspect that your Ragdoll is allergic to any ingredient of his cat food, don’t hesitate to seek veterinary guidance immediately.
Some of the common signs that you should watch out for include itchy skin, bloating, and vomiting.
Treating food allergies can start through the process of an elimination diet, or by conducting food tests to find out the culprit to your Ragdoll cat’s allergic reactions.
Feeding your Ragdoll cat with a limited ingredient or hypoallergenic diet would also help since these cat foods contain fewer ingredients.
FAQs About a Ragdoll Cat’s Diet
Should You Buy Breed Specific Cat Food?
No, you don’t have to stick to a Ragdoll cat food and potentially snub other cat foods that are equally or even more nutritious and that your Ragdoll cat would even love more.
There are a lot of trusted pet food brands nowadays that produce high-quality cat foods. These kibbles and wet foods are packed with the essential nutrients that your Ragdoll cat needs to have complete and balanced nutrition.
If you are a bit lost, you can start with the best cat foods that we’ve featured above, and don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian for recommendations if that will give you an added layer of assurance.
How Much Should You Feed Your Ragdoll?
The amount of food your Ragdoll should consume won’t necessarily rely on his breed but other more important factors such as your Ragdoll cat’s health, age, and activity level.
Ragdoll cats are naturally active and playful, so they need a well-balanced diet that can provide them enough nutrients to keep up with their high energy levels.
Generally, just like with other cats, Ragdolls tend to be more active when they are younger. As they age, their desire and energy level decreases, so you should also adjust their diet accordingly.
And as mentioned earlier, make sure to only give your Ragdoll cat high-quality pet food that is rich in protein, low in carbohydrates, and fortified with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to support them holistically.
Also, pay attention to the ingredients of your Ragdoll cat’s food making sure that there are no fillers and preservatives, such as corn, and wheat, because these will only bulk up your Ragdoll cat without providing useful nutrients.
And worse, these ingredients will only increase your Ragdoll cat’s likelihood of developing health problems eventually.
Dry or Wet Cat Foods: Which is better?
Feeding your Ragdoll with high-quality dry food or kibbles is preferable over premium canned food. Dry cat food can provide the same nutrients as wet food, and it can be more helpful in promoting dental health.
Chewing kibbles can also serve as an exercise to strengthen your Ragdoll cat’s jaw, and to keep his teeth sharp and healthy. Also, you can free-feed your Ragdoll cat with dry food since it stays fresh longer than a Ragdoll wet food.
In contrast, the food debris from wet food can easily get caught in your Ragdoll cat’s teeth, which can only give way to plaque and tartar buildup, bad breath, and other more serious periodontal diseases, and dental health problems.
And of course, feeding your Ragdoll cat wet food all the time can be expensive, especially if you have a bunch of felines with you.
Nonetheless, it’s not bad to give your Ragdoll wet food occasionally as this can also add variation to his diet, which is good for his health and appetite.
Wet food is also great for cats who are not fond of drinking water since they contain more moisture than dry food. And as we know, cats need to be well-hydrated to keep their kidneys healthy.
Is It Okay to Add Variations to your Ragdoll cat’s Diet?
Yes, it’s definitely fine to add variation to your Ragdoll cat’s diet. It doesn’t mean, though, that you will have to change his food now and then because doing so can upset his stomach, especially if it’s done all of a sudden.
You can add variation by incorporating wet food into your Ragdoll cat’s weekly diet. You can also add treats, and homemade cat foods, as well as toppers.
Also, if you notice that your Ragdoll cat is losing interest in his current dry food, you can gradually introduce a new brand of kibbles to his diet.
By doing this, you can ensure that his food is always appealing to him, and so he won’t end up getting bored eventually in eating the same cat food for what seems like an eternity.
Should You Treat Your Ragdoll as an Outdoor Farm Cat or an Indoor Cat?
Not all Ragdoll cat owners can let their expensive feline buddies wander outside the safe boundaries of their home.
And there are several reasons for this, such as their location, the dangers of being attacked by wild animals, the risk of being stolen by other people since Ragdolls have a high resale value, the dangers of being hit by cars, and the list goes on.
Hence, your decision to get your Ragdoll cat accustomed to the outdoors or to safely secure him inside your home is up to you. However, it doesn’t mean though that keeping your Ragdoll cat indoors will deprive them of a happy and healthy life.
Your active and playful Ragdoll can still have a good quality of life inside the comfort of your home. And you can do so by providing him with enough outlets for his energies, such as scratchboards, cat poles, and toys.
It would also help by giving him an area where he can see the view from the outside. You can also build him a catio, so he can still have access to the outdoors safely.
And more importantly, you have to allocate playtime with him because this will serve as your bonding time, and it will keep him physically and mentally stimulated.
Every second spent playing with your cat can also encourage him to exercise, especially when your Ragdoll cat is getting older.
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