Ragdoll Cat Nutrition

Ragdoll Nutrition Article by Katy Stuart

What and how much to feed your Ragdoll cat is a very controversial topic. There are many different opinions out there on the best types of food from commercial versus raw, wet versus dry or combination of both(5). Sometimes they may be recommended special food by the vet. It is unlikely there is a ‘gold standard’ for all Ragdolls as one size does not fit all. Although Ragdoll cats have similar needs, all cats are different. However, there are some nutritional and feeding behaviour basics that you should be aware of when deciding what to feed your cat and their food should never be changed abruptly, unless advised for by a vet for medical reasons(1). 

Cat Digestive Process

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Digestion

When your cat eats, the digestive process actually starts in the mouth. Food is chewed and swallowed and enzymes present in the saliva start to break down the food(1).

When your cat swallows, the smooth muscle of the oesophagus propels the chewed food by muscle contractions towards the stomach. The stomach is the storage and processing place and the ingested food is broken further with enzymes and stomach acid. The acid also helps to eliminate bacteria that may be present. Then the stomach empties its contents into the small intestine with its long absorbent lining providing lots of area for food to be broken down to the essential parts to be absorbed into the bloodstream. The pancreas is an organ that produces enzymes that go into the gut and hormones known as insulin and glucagon for blood glucose and energy management. The liver and gallbladder produce bile which is also used for food breakdown in the intestines. Finally, the undigested parts are moved to the colon (large bowel) and some water and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) are absorbed here and then the leftover bits is what your cat poops out(1).

Cat’s Nutritional Needs

Your cat’s unique nutritional requirements will depend on its size and stage in life. Naturally wild cats are carnivores and this applies to domestic cats as well. They need to get most of their protein from meat and fish as this is easier for them to digest than plant-based protein. There are many essential amino acids that cats require to be healthy such as arginine and taurine. Strict vegetarian diets are not suitable for cats and could lead to dangerous deficiencies(1).

Dietary fat with essential fatty acids are required for energy (they contain twice as much energy as carbohydrate. Cats require a high fat diet up to 50% with no adverse health effects unlike humans(1).

Energy Needs

Cats need a certain amount of energy daily to maintain their activities. Other factors increase energy requirements such as growth, illness, pregnancy and lactation. Energy comes from carbohydrates, protein and fat(1,2).

Average Daily Energy Needs(1):

What is Underweight and Overweight?

It can be difficult to judge by looking at your cat. Not many pet owners have a pet scale to weigh them regularly. Obviously, you can ask your local vet or vet nurse to check for you but sometimes lack of knowledge regarding the Ragdoll breed can lead to vets labelling them as overweight when this is not the case. It is useful to get to know your cat’s body condition and recognise what is the norm for them. Ideally, your cat seems well proportioned, has a moderate waistline and some thin covering of fat mostly over the ribs and tummy. Ragdoll cats have a primordial fat pad which makes their tummies look a little rounded but this is normal for the breed. You should be able to feel their shoulders, hips and spine(1).

If your cat is underweight, they will feel more bony to the touch and the shoulders, hips and ribs may appear more prominent and appear to ‘cave in’. Underfeeding and poor nutritional intake can lead to serious health consequences and increase risk of infections and organ damage if not treated(1, 2).

Alternatively overweight cats will have heavy fat deposits over the lumbar area (back), face ribs and limbs with a protruding belly that may ‘hang down’. Being overweight or obese is also very serious and can lead to osteoarthritis, diabetes and heart disease(1).

Vitamins

Just like humans, cats require essential vitamins and minerals (e.g. vitamin ADEK, vitamins C, calcium, iron (3))  for healthy bodies and they normally get these from their food (unless they are prescribed supplements). Most good commercial cat food brands have the required vitamins and minerals. If you are preparing your own raw diet ensure you are providing all the essential nutrients and check with your vet if they require additional vitamin supplements (1).

Helping To Prevent Feeding Problems

Picky Eaters

Cats that are fed highly palatable diets with single item foods may develop a fixed reliance on one food and this can then lead to food refusal later on when exposed to different foods. It is beneficial to try different varieties of the brand of food you use to widen their tastes. That being said however, Ragdolls have sensitive digestive systems so any changes to food must be done gradually and if any ill effects are seen such as loose stools or vomiting it may be best to switch back to a brand they are ok with. It is very much a process of trial and error to find out what suits them best(2, 5).

Obesity

It is all too easy to over feed your cat as you may not realise exactly how much you are feeding them, especially if you use the free feeding method. Obesity in Ragdolls can lead to joint and bone problems in ageing(6). Familiarise yourself with the feeding quantity guidance based on their weight and age.  If you think your cat is putting on unwanted pounds then it may be best to switch to a timed feeder which will measure out the quantities required. Only use treats occasionally and incorporate them into play. Play and activity are important to help prevent obesity in cats and reduce boredom and destructive behaviour (2,5,6).

Food and Training

Food can be used as a reward in training your cat but don’t forget to take into account the calorie content of any supplemental treats you are giving(2).

Food Aversion

Cats can develop an aversion to certain foods for example when feeding is paired with a bad experience such as sickness after eating. If severe it can lead to food refusal and anorexia would require medical intervention(2). 

Dietary Changes

As discussed previously, it is best to make dietary changes slow and gradual, mix in 50/50 ratio of old food with new food over a period of five to seven days until the cat gets used to it.

Nutrition and Ragdolls

As indoor cats, Ragdolls are often sedentary but they do need a reasonable amount of energy to sustain their large build(6). It has been noted that this breed does tend to eat a lot more than other cats and are very vocal when hungry(4). Feline vets usually recommend 40-45 calories per day for every kilo of their body weight. Around 200-400 calories a day. Although subjective, the common weight range for Ragdolls is(3): 

Feline nutritionists recommend giving Ragdoll cats high protein cat food (50%)(4). Each gram of protein contains four calories. Protein rich meals can also help satiate your Ragdoll cat’s appetite and they will feel fuller for longer. Ideal protein sources include high quality meat and fish. Pet food manufacturers often use animal derivatives which are basically cheap cuts and leftovers from the meat industry and these are substandard for Ragdoll cats. Check the protein content of the food you buy for them. Food with only vegetable proteins is not adequate for a cat’s needs(5). Some manufacturers produce synthetic proteins to achieve the minimum level in their foods but it is still uncertain if they are digestible and effective(3.)

Although fat is an important part of a cat’s diet, Ragdolls can put on weight easily if consuming too much fat so lower fat options are usually better(5). Avoid giving too many fatty treats or tidbits from the dinner table.

It is also best to reduce the carbohydrate content in their diets as they can be difficult for Ragdolls to digest and cause gastrointestinal upset and overfeeding carbohydrates can lead to obesity(3, 4.)

Ragdolls will get their vitamins from meat/fish and some are synthetically added to manufactured pet food to meet their requirements(3, 4.) 

Hydration

It is important that cats drink adequately, some cats do struggle with taking in enough fluids. They need on average 50-60mls per kilo body weight per day. More if they suffer from conditions such as IBS or cystitis(3,5). Providing wet foods is a good way to improve their hydration. There are also cat soups and broths available. Water fountains can encourage your cat to drink if they are not interested in a bowl of water. Keep the water regularly topped up with fresh and ensure you clean out the bowl or fountain once a week. Also consider using multiple fountains around the house.

Dry Food For Ragdolls

This is a controversial topic. A lot of vets (and Ragdoll owners) do not recommend dry food as it has more carbohydrate and less protein than wet and the processing methods reduce the moisture content to 10%. If you are only feeding dry to your ragdoll ensure they have adequate hydration by (3):

-Using complementary wet foods where possible as a side dish

-Soften the dry biscuits with soups, broth or sodium-free gravies

Wet Foods For Ragdolls

Normally Ragdolls on a complete wet food diet do not have problems staying hydrated as the wet food contains 70-80% moisture or 110ml-130mls fluid per serving. Wet food is an easy way to prevent dehydration, some wet foods can be filled with inadequate contents so it is important to pick a good brand. It may be better to go for a grain-free product with whole meat and no artificial additives(3,5). To ascertain the carbohydrate content, add the moisture, crude protein and fat percentage together and subtract from 100(3). Then avoid cat foods with >3% carbohydrates. Also, it is important to give wet foods at room temperature or slightly warm as cold foods can upset their stomachs(5). 

Ragdoll Kittens

Ragdoll kittens grow fairly rapidly for their first year and then keep growing at a steady pace till they are about three-four years old(3.) Their diet should be rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. Aim to feed your kitten three-five times a day with a good brand of wet food and offer some complementary specialist kitten dry food in-between to keep up their energy intake. Be guided by appetite. If they are still hungry give more wet food (rather than giving larger amounts of dry food.) There are some that believe that they can become ‘addicted’ to the dry foods and then reject wet food later on but this is subjective. 

When they get to about one year old their appetites will taper off and you can reduce to one to two wet food meals a day and dry food in-between (if you are free feeding) or you can use a timed feeder. There are risks with free feeding as it can lead to obesity if your cat is not very good at regulating his appetite versus intake but some cats will eat what they require and no more(4,5). It is important to monitor their eating habits and weight/body proportions accordingly. 

How to Evaluate Branded Cat Food For Ragdolls

There are many well established cat food brands that cater for large breeds such as Ragdolls and Main Coons. It is impossible to recommend one brand over another as every cat is different and it depends on their age, stage of life, weight, medical history etc. so it is best to familiarise yourself with what the different brands contain and how these compare to your cat’s nutritional needs(8). 

Aim for a high quality dried food supplemented with some complementary wet food tins or pouches. If you decide to feed your cat solely on wet food then make sure the brand is described as a ‘complete wet food.’ Qualities to check for and specificity for certain physiological needs(6):

-High meat content/high protein – this is good for kittens and adult cats

-Hypoallergenic/gastrointestinal/sensitive- for cats with possible food allergies, loose stools, unexplained vomiting

-Vegetable fibres – some cats may require more fibre in their diet if constipation is an issue

-Cranberry extract- can help with urinary tract infections

-Omega3 – important for development, skin and hair

-Probiotic/prebiotic- help with digestion and gastrointestinal regularity

-Other condition-specific cat foods include: convalescence, diabetes, hydration, renal, liver disease, oral care and hairballs. Most brands produce cat food for different life stages/age i.e. kitten, adult, older cats, sedentary/neutered, indoor or outdoor and multi cat household. 

It can be difficult to decipher the calorie content of cat foods as usually it is just the ingredients listed and percentages of protein, fat etc. You can use an app to calculate, for example at www.fnae.org/carbcalorie.html (7,8). On average, dry cat food is around 350-400 calories per 100g and wet food is 150-250 calories per sachet/tin. To decide on the quantity to feed your cat, calculate their body weight (in kilos) multiplied by the recommended intake and then compare the dry and wet food energy quantity and set your feeding plan. 

Here is a worked example:

 Male adult Ragdoll cat weighing 9 kilos:

9 kilo x 40 kcals = 360 kcals per day requirements

1 x 80g wet sachet = 150 kcals and dry food is 300 kcals per 100g

Daily feeding plan- 1 pouch of wet and 2 x 35g portions of dry food or equivalents.

This is only an estimation and it is not necessary to be precisely accurate but it helps to give owners a rough idea of the amounts that are adequate for feeding and reduce risk of overfeeding(7).

Conclusion

It is important for cat owners to have a good understanding of exactly how and what to feed their cats and is especially important for Ragdoll owners as this breed does have more specialist needs particularly with the gastrointestinal issues. Be familiar with the cat brands available and don’t be fooled by the glossy pictures and fancy slogans. Check the label and the ingredients. It will always be trial and error to find what suits your cat best but you will find it much easier if you know where to look for the information and understand how to determine your cat’s nutritional needs.

References

1. ‘Your Cats Nutritional Needs- A Science Based Guide for Pet Owners’ published by National Research Council 2006
2. Feline Behaviour Guidelines by the American Association of Feline Practitioners 2004 
3. Best Foods For Ragdolls, viewed on 21st April 2022 at:www.untamedcatfood.com/blogs/nutrition/best-food-for-ragdoll-cats-uk
4. The Best Food For Ragdolls, viewed 21st april 2022 at: www/purrcraze.com/best-food-for-ragdoll-cats
5. Feeding Your Cat, viewed on 21st April 2022 at: www.ragdolllove.com
6. What Do Ragdoll Cats Eat? Viewed on 21st April, available at: www.pawforadvice.com/waht-do-ragdoll-cats-eat
7. Feline Nutrition Awareness Effort. Viewed 24th April 2022. Available at: www.fnae.org
8. Feline Nutrition – Nutrition for Optimum Health and Longevity of Your Cat, 2011 by Lynn Curtis