Don’t you just love how quickly your Ragdoll becomes loving and obedient the moment you crack open that can of food? It’s no wonder, you’re most probably the sole provider of her entire diet. Without you, she couldn’t survive. That’s a lot of responsibility, and, like any other loving pet parent, you want to do your best. So what it the best food for Ragdoll cats?
Ragdoll cats need a diverse diet, high in proteins and vitamins. They need good sources of meat too, not just anything – the ingredients have to specify what animal and what organ the meat comes from. You should be looking for something that has as close to zero cereal content as possible. There are tons of other options too for feeding your cat raw, fresh, home-prepared meals, as well as the occasional treat.
Come along with us as we take a look at your options. We’re going to explore the best dry foods, the best wet foods, the best treats, as well as find out a lot of interesting things about your Ragdoll’s nutrition!
Breed requirements
What does your Ragdoll cat really need in terms of nutrition? Are those needs really any different from any other cat? Some things are common to all breeds, like the need for a varied, mostly wet diet.
However, the Ragdoll cat differs from most other cats in two small, but significant ways:
They tend to eat a lot more than other cats.
Breeders and owners frequently report being amazed by how much food their Ragdoll cat can put away without gaining a gram.
They are also very vocal and will tell you when they need more. This is important because it means that the quality of the food you feed to your Ragdoll matters a lot more.
Poorer quality food may be much less satisfying for your cat, which would make it eat even more, and therefore take huge quantities of unnecessary ingredients into her body, such as grains and additives. This can lead to health problems down the line.
They tend to be kept by most owners as exclusively indoor cats.
Because of their precious, beautiful fur that can get easily matted and dirty, most people never allow their Ragdoll cat free range outside.
This means that there is absolutely no chance for your cat to supplement a bad diet with any juicy critters it catches.
Moreover, this means that they are completely reliant on you for all of their moisture needs too. Their natural diet in the wild would contain 90% of their hydration needs, and they aren’t really used to doing a lot of drinking.
This makes it a lot more important that the food you give your Ragdoll contains all of the moisture they could possibly want.
Keeping this in mind, we can formulate a rough dietary need for an average Ragdoll cat as being close to normal, good quality cat food, with extra protein, nutrients, moisture, and variety.
A word to the wise: avoid food brands that have a specific Ragdoll breed food variety.
While generally, in terms of dry food, the shape of the kibble may be more comfortable for your cat to eat, they often make up for that extra cost by being of terrible quality.
It’s better to let your Ragdoll cat eat normally shaped food that will keep her healthy.
What to look for, and what to look out for
Good quality food is going to be almost self-explanatory. You will see that most of the ingredients on the back are things you recognize.
Ideally, the first three ingredients would be named parts of named animals, such as duck liver, turkey breast, or beef.
There should be little to no “filler”, such as grains. Even though grain-packed foods are cheaper, your cat will need to eat a whole lot more of them to make up for it, so you’re not actually saving any money – especially if you count the veterinarian bills later!
What your Ragdoll’s diet should be made up of:
- As close to 60% protein as you can get
- In the area of 30% fat
- A little (2% to 5%) carbs
- Whole, named meats, including organ meats
- High moisture (ideally, for a Ragdoll cat, you would even moisten the dry food before feeding)
- Healthy treats such as steamed white fish, or unsalted canned fish
- Good quality raw food such as minced beef
Things to avoid in your Ragdoll cat’s diet:
- No highly processed mystery meats (nothing that just lists “meat” as an ingredient)
- No filler ingredients such as grain
- Nothing high in sodium, no cans of brined tuna
- No milk
- Nothing that your cat struggles mechanically to chew
- Nothing that regularly gives your cat diarrhea
- Not only dry food
Best raw food
If you’d like to keep your Ragdoll cat truly happy and healthy, there are a great number of raw foods you can turn to.
The good news is that these are all things you can add to your shopping list on your regular visit to the butcher, and won’t add a lot of expense to your final tally.
Most organ meats are not necessarily used a lot in human cooking and don’t fetch a high price.
When feeding raw meats to your Ragdoll, you don’t have to worry about any mystery ingredients, and you already know that the protein content is going to be very high.
The other positive aspect is that they are naturally well moistened so they will keep your cat hydrated.
Here are some great ideas for raw foods that you can use to supplement your Ragdoll cat’s diet.
- Good quality raw minced beef
- Minced rabbit
- Pork chunks
- Beef, lamb or pork liver
- Beef, lamb, horse, deer, or boar heart
- Chicken and turkey organs if your cat isn’t allergic
- Eyes, kidneys, brain, and tongue, especially from beef or pork – usually these cost the least
Some owners actually prefer feeding their cats mostly raw or even exclusively raw food.
If you’d like to try this but are worried about your cat getting the correct amount of vitamins and taurine, which are extremely important, you can always use something like a commercial raw food additive powder.
We recommend TCfeline’s RAW Cat Food Supplement.
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TCfeline’s supplement is meant to be used together with raw meats and adds the necessary vitamins and minerals so that you know you’re regularly giving your Ragdoll exactly what she needs, every single time.
It’s a quick, easy and affordable solution made with 100% human consumption grade ingredients. You can get this supplement here!
Best dry food
As we all know, cats need to take in most of their hydration through their food. So much more so an indoor cat like the Ragdoll! But that doesn’t mean you can’t buy dry food.
A really good quality dry food will contain a lot of protein, and either naturally occurring or supplemented vitamins.
If you take the extra time to warm up some water and moisten the food well before feeding, it should expand quite a lot.
Good quality food can easily quadruple in size when moistened in warm water! By doing this, you provide a truly well rounded, complete meal for your Ragdoll.
We especially like:
Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High Protein Rocky Mountain Premium Dry Cat Food
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This is a great dry food that really hits all of the major points we’re looking for. There are no grain or “filler” ingredients that give no nutrition to your cat, and instead, it’s packed with good, wholesome, named ingredients and all of the vitamins your cat needs.
It contains 42% protein, which for dry food is really high, taurine and antioxidants, which are all important for your indoor Ragdoll cat.
Many reviewers claim that this has helped their cat with all sorts of digestive problems, from excessive vomiting to extreme smelliness.
All in all, this is a great brand that you can trust. Not only that, but they also have a decent range of products, and offer large packages that will save you quite a bit of money. We highly recommend it – Get it here!
Purina Beyond Grain Free, Natural, Adult Dry Cat Food
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We especially like this one because there’s a good amount of variety that’s all the same good quality. This is especially helpful if your cat, like many others, suffers from certain allergies.
You’re still sure to find a tasty, helpful variety here!
A great variety to use for your Ragdoll cat is Indoor Salmon, Egg & Sweet Potato.
There’s no corn, wheat or soy in this or any other of the varieties, and the number one ingredient is whole fish.
Overall, this is a pretty good option if you feed it to your Ragdoll cat alongside other, more protein-rich wet or raw foods. Get Purina Beyond Grain Free here!
Best wet food
Wet food, just like dry food, is an important part of your cat’s diet. Because it’s smellier and easier to eat, cats tend to really love wet food – that doesn’t mean it should be the only food you give your Ragdoll!
Variety is key.
Good wet food should make your cat happy. She should be eager to devour it in one sitting, and it should keep her digestive system in top shape.
We especially like:
Purina Fancy Feast Medleys Adult Wet Cat Food Variety Pack
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This particular wet food is going to give you a LOT of bang for your buck. The variety pack allows your cat to enjoy the flavors of chicken, tuna, and turkey as well as stay happy and healthy through a variety of proteins and vitamins.
We recommend this brand because most users report that even very picky cats are happy to eat it, and Ragdoll cats can very often end up being picky about their food.
Variety is extremely important both for their health and for their continued enjoyment of their meals, and it’s a well-known fact that feeding your Ragdoll cat the same protein for a long time can cause her to lose appetite, have digestive problems and develop allergies.
That’s why variety packs like these make your life a lot easier, and your cat a lot happier! Get these Purina Fancy Feast Variety Packs here!
“I and love and you” Essentials Grain Free Can Cat Food
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This little known brand is actually one to keep an eye on. Quite simply, it has one of the most spectacular ingredient lists out of all of the wet cat foods you can buy online.
While we usually stress that the first three ingredients are vital, this brand can easily be proud of the first six in any of their varieties!
Check out the first six ingredients of the salmon flavor: Salmon, Salmon Broth, Vegetable Broth, Chicken Liver, Chicken, Dried Egg Whites.
Look at the first six ingredients of the chicken flavor: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Vegetable Broth, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Whites, Turkey.
It sounds like something you would gladly eat in a meal, doesn’t it? And so will your cat.
Not only are the ingredients great, but this food also contains all of the vital vitamins and minerals that your Ragdoll cat requires. Get it here!
Best kitten food
Kittens have special needs, and Ragdoll kittens doubly so. They need an extra concentrated formula of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and proteins.
The fact that they are growing means that every calorie is going to be used wisely, and it all goes towards the health of your future cat.
Luckily, there are brands which provide us with good quality kitten food that’s sure to give your little Ragdoll a head start.
We especially like:
WholeHearted Canned Kitten Food – Grain Free Tuna Recipe Flaked in Gravy
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This wet kitten food is exactly what your Ragdoll kitten needs. It’s perfect for picky kittens and contains all of the vitamins they need in order to grow healthy and strong.
It boasts a long list of added bonuses, such as Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Copper Glycine Complex, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin , Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex and many others.
You may recognize many of these elements as the same things prescribed to human babies and new mothers – such as Vitamin B12 or Folic Acid – and they have the same effects on young kittens and mother cats.
Get this Underdog of kitten foods here!
Iams Proactive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food
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Kittens also need a variety of dry and wet foods, so this wonderful dry food is just what you need. It contains a variety of good whole ingredients.
Chicken is the number one ingredient in this healthy food designed to help your kitten grow into a strong, lean, happy cat.
The kibble is small, designed to be easily eaten by kittens, and most importantly the reviews are raving.
One happy customer said that this kibble helped his Ragdoll kitten regain the correct weight for her age, as well as gave her a smooth, silky coat and happy intestines.
You really can’t ask for anything more from a good quality dry food! Just like adults, Ragdoll kittens need a lot of moisture, so we highly recommend that you use warm water to moisten this kibble for each meal.
You can even mix it with the wet food above or some ground beef for a super-healthy nutrition bomb! Get Iams Proactive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food here!
Best treats
You can’t look into the big loving eyes of a Ragdoll cat and not want to give her an occasional treat. On top of that, the clever Ragdoll is likely to use any means at her disposal to get your attention if she wants something tasty, so you’d better come prepared!
One option for good, healthy treats is to use home-cooked food that is appropriate for Ragdoll cats such as steamed chicken or white fish.
An occasional can of tuna will make your Ragdoll feel like it’s her birthday, but be extra careful not to get fish that’s preserved in brine or salt, as cats aren’t really built to tolerate sodium.
As for treats you can buy, we love these options:
Temp-tations Temptations Classic Treats for Cats
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While we’re not suggesting that these are anything other than junk-food for cats, and need to be taken in moderation, WOW do they pack a punch.
It seems like they must contain the feline version of cocaine because thousands of cats around the world will do absolutely anything to get a bite.
One user sais: “My cats would walk 1000 miles up a hill both ways in the snow just to get one nugget of these bad boys.”
With great power comes great responsibility, so be extra careful with these things. Keep them in a well-locked cupboard, as apparently, cats develop opposable thumbs at the sight of them.
Don’t ever allow your Ragdoll to binge on any treats, including these.
However, if you want to teach your cat any tricks, encourage positive behavior or get them to give up bad habits, these are absolutely the way to go. Get Temptations Classic Treats here!
Pet Craft Supply Naturally Wholesome Single Animal-Source Protein Rich Treats
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A healthier option that your cat will still love are these wholesome protein-rich treats from Pet Craft Supply. These come in beef, chicken, pork and salmon flavors so you can use them even if your cat has certain allergies.
The great thing about these is that they are actually tiny little protein bombs, so instead of being the cat equivalent of potato chips, they are much more similar to gummy vitamins.
There are no additives, there’s only one ingredient, and best of all they are freeze dried.
This preserves the quality of the proteins for a long time without having to add any harmful chemicals into the mix.
These are really a fantastic option for use on a regular basis, especially if you’re training your Ragdoll cat but want to continue giving her a healthy, balanced diet. Get these treats from PetCraft here!
Best food for sensitive, allergy-prone cats
Ragdoll cats can be fussy eaters, and they are also prone to developing allergies and intestinal problems if their food doesn’t completely agree with them.
While it’s always best, in these situations, to go to the vet and get a specialty food recommended, we know very well that sometimes you need something to tide you over until you can do that.
It’s a great idea to keep these special foods in mind so that if anything happens, you’re prepared.
If your cat starts throwing up excessively, having diarrhea, or refusing her food, switch to one that you know is safe until you can get her to the vet.
Keep these links handy should you ever need them:
Hill’S Science Diet Sensitive Stomach And Skin Dry Cat Food
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A great dry food that many cat owners swear by, this sensitive stomach and skin formula is a fantastic stop-gap if your cat is having digestive or dermal problems.
It’s made with high quality, easy-to-digest ingredients, plus vitamins, minerals and amino acids, with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Reviewers say it’s “great for pukey itchy cats”, “Helped my cats with digestive issues, dander, and shedding issues” and “Clean up cat puke LESS!”.
Naturally, it’s quite a bit more expensive than your regular food, but ideally, you would only need to be on this diet until you manage to figure out what your cat is specifically allergic to, and then find an appropriate permanent food that avoids those ingredients.
While the first ingredients in this blend are actually brewer’s rice and corn, the fact that it is an extremely light variety of food is exactly what makes it appropriate in case of digestive distress.
Think of it as the cat equivalent of eating only boiled potatoes and steamed chicken until you get better! Get this dry food here!
Royal CANIN Feline Selected Protein Adult PD Veterinary Diet
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This wet food by Royal Canin may look extravagantly expensive for what the ingredients are, and you can definitely get better quality daily food for much cheaper.
However, the advantage of these great little cans is that they’re designed for those specific moments when your cat is having digestive trouble.
Simple pea starch and sugar and simple duck protein help to lessen allergic reactions from your cat, and make this food very easily digestible and unobtrusive.
Chelated minerals are very easy to absorb, and ensure that your cat will get enough to support her even while suffering from intestinal distress.
Like the dry food above, this shouldn’t be a permanent diet – instead, think of it as a week-long salad and smoothie cleanse.
It’s extremely delicate, and a Ragdoll cat suffering from skin problems will surely feel better, or at the very least not get any worse, while on this diet. Get it here!
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