As a cat parent, you want the best for your furry friend. And when it comes to food, that means finding something that is both healthy and delicious. There are many ways to feed your Ragdoll; however, you are the one responsible for ensuring that it has a complete and balanced diet. Here are some things to consider so that you can make sure you are feeding the best cat food to your Ragdoll Cat
What is the Best Food for Ragdoll Cats?
When it comes to feeding your ragdoll cat, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. However, a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates is generally recommended. The easiest way to ensure your cat gets the balanced nutrition it needs is to feed it a mixture of dry cat food and wet cat food. Additionally, some experts recommend providing your cat with small amounts of fresh vegetables, such as pumpkin and carrot.
A Cat is an obligate carnivore, which means they require a diet that consists solely of meat. This is in contrast to people, who can survive on a variety of plant-based foods. They need protein and fat to thrive. Feed your Ragdoll a diet that includes meat-based proteins and fats to ensure its proper growth and muscle development. Do not feed it vegetarian foods or dog food, as these will not provide the necessary nutrients it needs. This is especially important for the Ragdoll cat breed as they typically grow to be quite large, usually at least ten to fifteen pounds for females and fifteen to twenty pounds for males. Breeding Ragdolls are generally slightly smaller than regular Ragdolls.
A ragdoll cat’s dental health is impacted by the food it eats. Dry food tends to mechanically remove tartar from the teeth during feeding, and it is best to offer dry food every day.
Can I feed my Ragdoll Homemade Cat Food?
Some people recommend homemade cat food as the best food for ragdoll cats, while others say that commercially canned cat food is just as good or even better. Ultimately, what is most important is that your Ragdoll gets the right type and amount of nutrition. There are a few things to consider when making your own raw food for your Ragdoll Cat:
Calcium/Phosphorus ratio – A cat’s diet should have a range of calcium to phosphorus content of 1.2-1.4:1 in order to provide the best nutritional balance for their cats. Calcium is found in bone and phosphorous is found in muscle meat and organs. Different types of meat will have different levels of phosphorous, with chicken thigh meat containing more than chicken breast meat. A calcium-phosphorous imbalance can lead to health problems.
Vegetables – A small percentage of vegetables can be added to a cat’s diet, as long as the food contains no more than 10% vegetables. The food you feed your cat should consist mostly of meat and other animal-based products. Garlic and onions can cause anaemia in cats and should never be used in your cat’s food. Tomatoes can aggravate arthritis and most vegetables will cause an increase in urinary pH, which can lead to urinary tract issues.
Organ meat – A cat’s diet should contain approximately 10% organ meat. These meats provide important vitamins and other nutrients that are vital for the cat’s health.
Taurine – Taurine is an essential amino acid that cats cannot synthesize on their own. It needs to be provided in the food, so it’s important to feed cat food high in taurine. Taurine deficiencies can cause blindness and heart disease which can be fatal. In the wild, cats consume meats and prey that contain high levels of taurine. Mice naturally have a lot of taurine. While all raw meat contains Taurine to some degree, handling and freezing the meat can decrease the amount. Some meats, like rabbit, have a dangerously low amount of Taurine while chicken hearts have a high amount. Luckily it’s easy and inexpensive to add some taurine yourself to your cat’s raw food. It is recommended to add around 1000mg per pound of meat.
What should I feed my Ragdoll Kitten?
Your kitten’s diet should be based on the advice of your breeder and veterinarian. Your new Ragdoll kitten will have been fed a specific diet by its breeder and you must adhere to their instructions when bringing your kitten home. Keep your kitten fed and hydrated according to the breeder’s feeding schedule, at least until it has become acclimated to its new home. Once a kitten is weaned, it no longer needs milk and may develop diarrhea from drinking milk.
How to Introduce Your Ragdoll Cat to New Foods?
Introducing new foods to your Ragdoll cat can be a challenge, but it’s important to do it gradually, over about a week or two period, to prevent intestinal upsets and diarrhea. Start by mixing a small amount of the new food with his regular food and gradually increase the amount over time. Be patient – your Ragdoll cat will eventually enjoy all sorts of new flavors!
Tips for Shopping for Cat Food
When it comes to feeding your cat, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First and foremost, make sure the food you buy is specifically designed for cats. Ragdoll cats have different dietary needs than other types of cats, so don’t just assume that any type of dry cat food will do.
If you want to change the brand of food that you feed your kitten, go to your local pet store and read the labels on lots of different types of kitten and cat food. Online pet supplies stores will also list the nutrients of each cat food.
When feeding your cat dry food, make sure to choose a food with a high protein content. Protein should be at least 30 percent, preferably higher. Your Ragdoll must have lots of quality meat and fat to reach its characteristically large size, therefore it is recommended that you feed mostly high quality, palatable dry food. Dried food is generally more concentrated than wet food, meaning that it delivers more nutrients per bite. Wet foods typically list less than 12 percent protein.
It is important to compare labels when shopping for cat food for your Ragdoll, as there are significant variations in protein, fat, and minerals between brands. Choose a brand that contains meat products as the first few ingredients.
Royal Canin Feline offer a ragdoll cat food that is formulated exclusively to meet the specific needs of adult Ragdoll cats. It helps maintain healthy skin and coat with a combination of omega 3 fatty acids and omega 6 fatty acids, and is enriched with nutrients including taurine, EPA and DHA to support a healthy heart. The kibble’s unique shape and size are specifically designed for the Ragdoll’s broad jaw, making it easier for the cat to grasp and encourage her to chew. It also helps to support a healthy urinary system.
Royal Canin Ragdoll Dry Cat Food is a breed-specific diet created just for your Ragdoll pure breed. A combination of essential nutrients promotes healthy skin and a healthy coat, keeping his coat shiny and soft. Nutrients like taurine, EPA and DHA support a healthy heart, while omega-3 fatty acids supports bone and joint health. And the pyramid-shaped specialized kibble is designed for a Ragdoll cat’s broad jaw, encouraging him to slow down, chew, and crunch away tartar buildup.
Discover our picks of the best dry food to feed your Ragdoll Cat
When Is the Best Time to Feed Your Ragdoll Cat?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the individual Ragdoll cat’s diet and activity level. Some people prefer to free-feed their pets, while others schedule feeding times.
We feed our Ragdolls a light morning and evening snack of canned food mixed with dry kibble, and we leave dry kibble out for free feeding during the day.
Wet food can spoil after sitting out for several hours. It is important to feed your Ragdoll kitten frequently while it is growing to ensure that it gets the nutrients it needs. If you do not want to free feed, you must adhere to a set feeding schedule and always be home at regular meal times.
When feeding your Ragdoll, keep its wet food down for at least 30 minutes so that it does not have to eat quickly and possibly regurgitate its meal.
How Much Water Should a Ragdoll Cat Drink Per Day?
Make sure your ragdoll cat is getting enough water every day. A fully grown Ragdoll cat should drink around 16 ounces of water per day. A cat needs a daily amount of about 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of their body weight. Fresh water should be available at all times. Two bowls in different locations will ensure that water will always be available if one bowl should be accidentally tipped over. Or you may wish to invest in a water fountain.
A source of running water encourages pets to drink more rather than still water. This fountain has 2 spouts and 4 different drinking modes. The pump is quiet (below 40 dB).
There are many different types of food that can be suitable for ragdoll cats. The best food for your cat will depend on their individual needs and preferences. With these tips, you can provide your ragdoll cat with the best food and nutrition possible.
