Cat food can be classified into dry, moist and semi-moist foods. Each has its advantages, and Ragdolls need various types of food at different stages. Kittens need whole breast milk and wet food, while adults need more protein and dry food. Pregnant Ragdolls have special dietary needs that also change throughout pregnancy.
Ragdoll kittens should only be nursed for the first four to five weeks. Cat milk includes all the nutrients necessary for the growth of the kitten, including antibodies that help prevent disease. Breast milk also carries other antibodies that the mother produced to fight previous illnesses.
More food should be provided after four to five weeks, as the kitten requires more nutrients to support its rapid growth. The introductory meal should be easy to digest. Mix canned food with warm water or kitten milk replacer until it becomes a loose paste. Do NOT use regular cow’s milk, it is too heavy for kittens and could cause indigestion.
dry food
After another four to five weeks, your kitten should be ready for dry food. To facilitate the change, moisten the dry food with a little warm water in the first feedings. Choosing high-quality dry food supplements is also critical, and some good brands include Iams®, Science Diet®, and Nutro Kitten®. Science Diet Feline Growth® is popular with Ragdoll kittens. Supplements can be provided twice daily with morning and evening feedings. You can switch to adult food after about 12 months.
Choosing and preparing cat food
Ragdoll kittens have fragile stomachs, so be very careful when choosing kitten food. Food should always be lukewarm or slightly above room temperature. Throw away all food that has been left out for more than 30 minutes, especially in the summer. Bacteria grow quickly in warm, moist food and may give your kitty an upset stomach, or even lead to food poisoning. To stop wasting food, just watch how much your kitty eats at a time so you know how much to prepare per meal.
Houseflies can easily contaminate kitty food, so keep your feeding area as fly-proof as possible. Wash the feeder daily with hot soapy water and replace the water in the drinker several times a day. Wash the drinker at the same time and refill it with fresh water.
Table scraps can be given from time to time, but do not make regular meals out of them. Cooked human food does not contain the nutrients necessary for your kitten’s growth. Generic cat food from grocery stores is best, but Stellarhart recommends high-quality food from specialty pet stores. Also, cats don’t like the smell of plastic and metal bowls, so use only glass bowls.
dry vs wet food
Dry food is generally best for your Ragdoll, except in the nursing and introduction stage. They work your kitty’s chewing muscles and help keep their teeth white. Dry food consists mainly of meat and vegetables and can be moistened or served dry. Serving them dry allows your cat to nibble throughout the day, rather than eating one large meal at a time. Dry food should contain 9-10% moisture, 8% fat, and 30% protein.
Moist foods contain about 75% moisture and equal amounts of fat and protein. Not all wet foods are created equal, some are just meat or fish, while others are a mixture of meat and vegetables. The former should not be used for regular meals, as your cat may become addicted and refuse to eat other foods. Small cans of assorted food treats are usually just meat or fish. As with kitten food, wet foods should be warmed to room temperature before serving.
Semi-moist food is about 35% water, 27% protein, and 7% fat. Most of them are nutritionally balanced, very tasty and can be left to snack on, but they spoil faster than dry foods.
kitten treats
Occasional kitty treats won’t harm your kitty, but be careful not to fill her up so she can still eat regular meals. Treats should not provide more than 10% of your kitty’s daily caloric intake. Look for chewy treats to help improve your kitty’s dental health
B. Ragdoll Adult Feeding
Ragdolls are not very active, so they gain weight faster than other cats. Don’t let them get obese give them only 70 calories per kilogram of body weight. Much of what people think are cats’ favorite foods are actually harmful. Here are some of the most common myths about cat food:
Fish
Fish may be good for cats, but it can’t meet all of their nutritional needs, and too much of the same nutrients can be harmful. Tuna is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which need vitamin E to break down. too much tuna in your cat’s diet can cause yellow fat disease (steatitis).
Milk
Milk is rich in water and carbohydrates, but many cats are lactose intolerant and have digestive problems within hours of drinking milk. Regular cow’s milk can cause diarrhea and loose stools, which can lead to malnutrition and dehydration. If your cat likes milk, use replacement cat milk instead.
catnip
Cats love the smell of catnip leaves, but it can cause short-term behavior changes. Catnip is a hallucinogen and can possibly put your cat in a state close to delirium. Some effects include rolling, rubbing, chasing ghost mice, or just staring into space. Although not addictive, catnip has no place in your cat’s diet.
dog food
It might be more convenient to feed your cat and dog from the same bowl, but it’s not very healthy for either pet. Cats require more protein, taurine, preformed vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, and arachidonic acids, which they can get from a diet rich in meat. A shortage of these nutrients can make your cat seriously ill, and an overdose can have the same effect on dogs.
low ash diets
A popular belief among cat owners is that low-ash diets can help discourage urinary tract infections. But that is only partially true. Ash is not a single nutrient, but is actually a group of minerals that include calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. Lower levels of magnesium keep the urine in its normal, slightly acidic state, but reducing other minerals will have no effect.
Other foods to avoid
Alcoholic drinks.
Alcohol can be toxic and cause fatal complications.
Baby food.
Many baby foods contain onion powder, which can be harmful to the blood.
Meat and fish bones.
Small splinters can cut the digestive tract and cause bleeding.
Caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate).
Caffeine can affect the cat’s heart and nervous system.
Citrus oil extracts.
This can cause stomach upset and vomiting.
Fat.
Animal fats can cause pancreatitis.
Don’t feed your cat fatty cooked meats, or at least trim the fat first.
Grapes and raisins.
These contain a toxin that can damage the kidneys.
Vitamin and iron supplements for humans.
Excess iron can damage the liver, kidneys, and the lining of the digestive tract.
Liver.
Liver is safe in limited amounts, but too much can cause vitamin A toxicity.
Macadamia nuts.
Unknown toxins in macadamia nuts can damage muscles, the digestive system, and the nervous system.
Marijuana.
Marijuana can cause vomiting, depression, and irregular heartbeat.
Mushrooms.
Some mushrooms contain highly toxic substances that can affect multiple systems and even cause death.
Onion and garlic (powdered, cooked or raw).
These contain disulfides and sulfoxides, which can cause anemia. They are harmful to both cats and dogs, but cats are more vulnerable.
Persimmons.
Persimmon seeds can clog the intestines.
Potato, tomato and rhubarb.
These can be harmful to the nervous, digestive, and urinary systems. The leaves and stems could also be toxic.
raw eggs
Raw eggs can damage your cat’s hair and coat.
Salt.
Salt and salty foods can cause an electrolyte imbalance, a potentially fatal condition that affects the heart and nervous system.
String.
String beans and other vegetables may not be digested, which can cause blockages.
Sugar.
Sweets are high in empty calories, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and dental problems.
Yeast dough.
Yeast can expand in the stomach during digestion, causing it to rupture.
Once you’ve educated yourself on the unique requirements of ragdoll cats, you’ll instinctively know what’s good or bad for your cat.
