Ragdoll Cat Diet: Nutrition Needs & Feeding Chart

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• Calming Support Chews & Oil: Peanut butter-flavored soft chews that promote calmness during thunderstorms, travel, or separation – without causing drowsiness.
• Hip & Joint Formula: Support your aging or active pet's mobility with our grain-free formula combining full-spectrum hemp extract with joint-supporting ingredients.
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Essential Nutrients Every Ragdoll Cat Requires

High-Quality Protein: The Foundation of Health

Ragdoll cats' substantial muscle mass requires high-quality animal proteins to maintain their strength and support their impressive size.

Protein is the cornerstone of your Ragdoll's diet. These cats need between 35–40% protein in their diet, primarily from animal sources. 

Animal proteins contain all the essential amino acids cats need, including taurine, which is crucial for heart and eye health. Without sufficient taurine, Ragdolls can develop serious health problems, including dilated cardiomyopathy, a potentially fatal heart condition.

When selecting food, look for options that list specific meat sources like chicken, turkey, or fish as the first ingredient rather than meat by-products or meal. The foundation of any healthy cat diet is high-quality animal protein, but this is especially true for Ragdolls due to their large muscular bodies that require more protein than smaller breeds to maintain their strength and structure.

Healthy Fats for Coat & Energy

Quality fats are essential for your Ragdoll's diet, making up approximately 15–20% of their nutritional intake. 

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are important for maintaining that signature silky coat Ragdolls are famous for. These essential fatty acids help reduce inflammation, support brain function, and promote healthy skin.

Look for foods containing fish oil, flaxseed oil, or chicken fat to provide your Ragdoll with these crucial nutrients. Ragdolls with insufficient fat in their diet often develop dry, flaky skin and dull coats that lack the characteristic luster. 

Minimal Carbohydrates

While commercial cat foods often contain carbohydrates, the truth is that Ragdolls have little biological need for them. Their natural diet would contain less than 5% carbohydrates, primarily from the stomach contents of their prey. 

Modern cat foods, especially dry kibble, can contain up to 30–50% carbohydrates, which is far more than your Ragdoll requires. When selecting food for your Ragdoll, aim for options with carbohydrate content under 15% if possible, focusing instead on protein-rich formulations.

Water: The Overlooked Nutrient

Water is perhaps the most critical yet overlooked component of your Ragdoll's diet. Cats evolved as desert animals and naturally have a low thirst drive, which can lead to chronic dehydration when fed primarily dry food. 

Ragdolls in particular are prone to urinary tract issues and kidney problems, both of which can be worsened by insufficient water intake.

For optimal hydration, consider feeding wet food as at least 50% of your Ragdoll's diet. Wet food contains approximately 70–80% moisture compared to just 10% in dry kibble. If your Ragdoll prefers dry food, try adding water or low-sodium broth to increase the moisture content.

Ragdoll Feeding Chart by Life Stages

Ragdoll cats' extended growth period requires careful attention to changing nutritional needs over their first four years of life.

Ragdolls experience a uniquely long growth period compared to other breeds, taking up to four years to reach full maturity. This extended development means their nutritional needs change significantly over time, requiring adjustments to both the type and amount of food they receive.

Ragdoll Feeding Guidelines by Life Stages

Kitten Feeding (0–12 months)

Ragdoll kittens grow rapidly and need nutrient-dense food specifically formulated for growth. During this critical developmental stage, they need approximately three to four times the calories per pound compared to adult cats. 

Start with four small meals daily for very young kittens (2–4 months), gradually reducing to three meals daily by 6 months of age. Free-feeding is not recommended as it can lead to obesity and prevent you from monitoring intake.

Adult Ragdoll Portions (1–7 years)

Adult Ragdolls benefit from consistent twice-daily feeding schedules that help maintain their ideal weight and prevent obesity.

Once your Ragdoll reaches adulthood around 12 months, their metabolic rate begins to slow, requiring adjustments to their feeding schedule and portion sizes. 

Adult Ragdolls need about 20–25 calories per pound of body weight daily, which translates to approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cup of premium dry food or 5–6 ounces of wet food per day for the average 12–16 pound Ragdoll.

This should be divided into two meals to prevent hunger and reduce the risk of digestive issues like hairballs. Adult Ragdolls benefit from foods specifically formulated for large breeds or active adult cats, with protein levels around 35–40% and moderate fat content around 15–18%.

Senior Ragdoll Nutrition (7+ years)

As your Ragdoll enters their senior years around age 7, their nutritional needs change once again. Their metabolism continues to slow, activity levels often decrease, and they become more prone to health conditions like kidney disease and joint issues. 

Senior Ragdolls need fewer calories, about 18–22 calories per pound of body weight, but need higher-quality protein to maintain muscle mass.

Consider transitioning to a senior-specific formula that features easily digestible proteins, reduced phosphorus to support kidney health, added joint supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin, and increased moisture content. Many senior Ragdolls benefit from eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.

Support Your Ragdoll's Gentle Nature with Bailey's CBD

At Bailey's CBD, we understand that Ragdoll cats deserve the gentlest, most effective care to support their unique needs. That's why we've developed veterinarian-formulated products specifically designed with sensitive cats in mind, backed by Dr. Robert J. Silver, DVM. 

Our premium formulations use single-source USDA organic hemp from a farm in Boulder, Colorado, processed through subcritical CO₂ extraction in the only lab of its kind in the US. This specialized processing method avoids harsh solvents, ensuring each batch delivers consistently high purity and quality without fillers, chemicals, or harmful additives.

We believe transparency and safety are paramount when it comes to your Ragdoll's wellness. Every Bailey's product undergoes rigorous third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and we provide a QR code on each product so you can confirm the exact contents of what you're giving your cat. Our commitment to quality extends to our licensing with the Department of Health, giving you complete peace of mind. 

When you choose Bailey's CBD, you're choosing products crafted specifically to complement your Ragdoll's gentle nature and support their overall well-being alongside proper nutrition.

Here are some of the CBD products we made for cats:

• CBD Oil for Cats - Organic full-spectrum hemp extract enhanced with MCT oil and terpenes to support mobility, calmness, and overall well-being of your Ragdoll cats. 
• Calming CBD Cat Chews - Chicken & cheese flavored treats with additional ingredients like GABA, passion flower, theanine, and more to calm your cats during stressful situations like vet visits, grooming, or routine changes. 
• CBD Pet Shampoo - Perfect for maintaining your Ragdoll's luxurious coat and skin health with 300mg CBD plus nourishing ingredients like organic aloe, avocado oil, and colloidal oatmeal. 

Just as you provide premium nutrition to support your Ragdoll's large frame and distinctive coat, our commitment to quality means you can trust our complete wellness approach for your beloved companion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can Ragdoll cats eat human food?

While small amounts of certain human foods can be safe for Ragdolls as occasional treats, many common foods are toxic to cats. Safe options include small pieces of cooked chicken, turkey, or fish without seasoning, bones, or skin. 

Avoid onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and foods high in fat, salt, or sugar. Human foods should never make up more than 10% of your Ragdoll's diet, as they don't provide the balanced nutrition these cats need.

How do I know if my Ragdoll is overweight?

Given their large frame and fluffy coat, determining if your Ragdoll is overweight can be challenging. The best method is to feel for their ribs—you should be able to feel them under a thin layer of fat, but they shouldn't be visibly protruding. 

When viewed from above, your Ragdoll should have a visible waist between the ribs and hips. Ragdolls weigh between 10–15 pounds for females and 15–20 pounds for males when at a healthy weight, though there can be considerable variation between individuals.

Why is my Ragdoll always hungry?

Persistent hunger in Ragdolls can stem from several causes. First, check that you're feeding appropriate portions for your cat's size, age, and activity level—Ragdolls need more food than smaller breeds but can easily become overweight if portions are too generous. 

Medical conditions like hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or intestinal parasites can increase appetite despite adequate feeding. 

How can natural supplements like CBD support my Ragdoll's wellness?

Bailey's CBD collection for cats can help support your Ragdoll's overall wellness and comfort. Our CBD Oil for Cats may promote balance through the endocannabinoid system, which can be beneficial for these gentle, sometimes sensitive cats. 

Our Calming CBD Cat Chews can help during stressful situations, while our CBD Pet Shampoo combines 300mg of CBD with skin-loving ingredients to support your Ragdoll's magnificent coat. 

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.