The best food for Ragdoll cats provides complete nutrition, but also accounts for some of their more unusual quirks! Cat food is not JUST cat food.
The field of veterinary science and pet nutrition has come a long way since the early days. No longer are the choices at the pet store limited to “cat food” and “dog food!” Today, there are so many different choices for Ragdoll food, including Ragdoll kitten food and Ragdoll adult cat food.
In this short, focused article, we will introduce you to some of the best food for Ragdoll cats. These recipes will help you meet your Ragdoll cat’s unique nutritional requirements in kittenhood and adulthood.
Ragdoll Cat Food
The best food for Ragdoll cats can change as your cat moves through life.
Ragdoll kittens are generally quite active and playful and can expend quite a bit of energy throughout the day!
In adulthood, most Ragdoll cats are starting to settle down, even to the point of preferring to stay nearer the floor.
Rather than climbing and exploring high spaces like many other cat breeds.
Because of this, and also because the Ragdoll cat’s long, silky fur can easily collect dust and debris outside, many Ragdoll cat owners prefer to keep their cat indoors.
But this also means your Ragdoll – a sizeable breed to start with that can reach 25+ pounds in adulthood – will need extra play and a carefully measured diet to avoid feline obesity.
Choosing the best food for Ragdoll cats can really help keep your cat healthy throughout life!
Best Dry Cat Food for Ragdolls
Because cats in general are obligate carnivores (evolved to eat pure protein diets), simpler cat food recipes typically work best to maintain your cat’s overall health and wellbeing. And cats don’t like to go without! These brands offer some of the simplest and best dry cat food for Ragdoll cats!
Royal Canin Ragdoll Dry Cat Food
You can’t help but feel confident when the cat food is formulated specifically for the Ragdoll cat breed, which is something Royal Canin happens to do especially well.
This dry Ragdoll food* comes highly recommended by Ragdoll breeders and owners.
As a bonus, the kibble is bigger to make it easier for your larger-jawed Ragdoll cat to grasp and chew.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dry Cat Food
This simple, limited ingredient recipe dry cat food* comes highly recommended by Ragdoll breeders.
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After the first few ingredients, the remainder of the recipe focuses on vitamins, minerals and nutrients to supplement your cat’s immune system heath.
Wellness Grain Free Dry Cat Food
This high quality grain-free indoor cat food* is free from grains and other known allergens and comes in several recipes for indoor-only cats.
The nutrient balance is designed to support the health needs of larger cat breeds with lower activity levels like the Ragdoll cat.
Best wet food for Ragdoll cats
Wet cat food can be an important part of your Ragdoll cat’s diet.
It is highly palatable and contains more moisture, which is ideal for when your cat is not feeling well to avoid preventable, dehydration-related kidney failure.
Wet food can also make for a great training treat!
These brands offer some great options for the best wet food for Ragdoll cats.
Hill’s Science Diet Cat Food
This balanced adult cat food by Hill’s* proves that wet cat food can be delicious without packing on the pounds.
This is a popular wet food choice with Ragdoll cat breeders because it can help keep your cat hydrated and slim.
Iams Purrfect Delights Cat Food
This breeder-recommended wet flaked food* is gluten-free and is free from corn, soy and artificial flavors.
It makes a perfect stand-alone meal, accent to dry kibble or treat food.
You can choose from several recipes to keep your cat’s menu interesting.
Wellness Natural Grain Free Cat Food
This grain-free natural wet cat food* is recommended by Ragdoll breeders for its pure protein-based recipe full of real whole food ingredients.
Choose from several recipes to keep mealtime for your Ragdoll creative and tasty.
Best Food for Ragdoll Kittens
Ragdoll kittens, like all kittens, need a daily diet that is formulated with a kitten’s higher nutrient and calorie needs in mind.
These brands are worth considering as you select the best food for Ragdolls as kittens.
BLUE Freedom Grain Free Dry Food
Ragdoll kittens will spend the first year or so of life developing their gastrointestinal system and “putting the internal house in order” so to speak.
It is especially important during this time to ensure your Ragdoll kitten’s diet is pure and free from potential allergens like wheat and grains.
This food comes highly recommended by Ragdoll breeders for its pure-protein, nutrient-enriched formula*.
Royal Canin Babycat Dry Food
Royal Canin’s Mother & Babycat food* can help your Ragdoll kitten put down a firm nutritional foundation for a strong immune system and GI tract development.
This food is designed to be highly digestible and is packed with essential nutrients and prebiotics.
The kibble is nice and small to make it easy for your kitten to grasp and chew.
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Kitten Food
This highly recommended dry kitten food* is a favorite for kittens aged at least 8 weeks and up to 12 months old.
Be sure choose the Indoor Kitten formula if you’re keeping your cat inside.
Best Food for Ragdoll Cats
We hope you have found this guide to the best food for Ragdoll cats helpful and informative as you choose the best food for your precious fur baby!
Remember, it is always a great idea to involve your cat’s veterinarian in this process as well.
Especially if you are having a hard time deciding which food to try.
Does your Ragdoll Cat have a Favorite Food?
Did we mention it here?
Please drop us a comment to let us know – we love to learn from our readers!
Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.
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My ragdoll cat and kittens have never liked hills science diet wet cat food and I’ve tried to introduce it in many different ways. They do like hills dry cat food in different varieties. They love purina fancy feast of all sorts and plain old friskies wet cat food. They have 100 percent clean health checks from my vet each year. So feed them what they like. Sometimes I cook them a chicken breast or a piece of fish.
I had the same issue with Vet recommended wet and dry foods for my Ragdoll who is now a male 13 month old, who was found in a friends backyard with no mother in sight at about a month old. I am use to mixed domestic tabby type cats so this Large Breed is really been a learning experience. We exercise him A LOT, but he is still getting fat. I have asked the Vet numerous times for help, but he is so popular here in Burbank CA that you can’t get an answer by email or even in person (you mostly just see the Vet Techs who make you feel stupid if you ask any questions) except the same stupid response over and over: feed him the Hills wet/dry food which the cat tries to bury like poop anytime I tried to feed him either. I have had some success with the Blue Wilderness Grain Free Dry/Wet Foods but I don’t know how much in ounces to feed each day of either. Would love to know how much wet/dry food anyone out there feeds a large male year old Ragdoll to maintain or even lose a bit if weight. Any help, anyone?
My ragdoll is 11 months old we feed him royal canin veterinary care neutered male wet and dry food. We generally mix them together he doesn’t like the dry food too much. If they have been neutered we have been advised to feed him this special type of food cos it is low calorie. We only feed him 1 1/2 pouches of wet with about 30g of dry throughout the day. We have him checked and he is at a good weight.
Joan, I don’t know how much you’ve read about Ragdolls but male Ragdolls can easily get to 20 lbs! They also continue growing for 2 years! In fact, it can take up to 3 full years to fully develop their coat, color & size. Our breeder, who is one of the finest in the country, told us that it is normal for Ragdolls to carry some belly fat and that we should not let our vet tell us we should put them on a diet. So you need to decide if he is really getting fat or is he just a healthy growing boy. We have six month old sisters & they are already 7 lbs. Good luck & I know you’re going to really love this guy & how blessed to have found him!
i adopted a male rag, who I’ve had since late January. He is now 11 months old. He had some kind of allergy and scratched all his ruff off. In fact, down past his shoulders, it’s now very short. Not bare, just lacks fluff.
Tried antihistamines, change of food, no difference.
Any suggestions other than steroids?
Hi Ronnie, my ragdoll had environmental allergies. I started him on antigen therapy, which is a shot under the skin of the allergen, and little by little, the body stops attacking the allergen. It was very effective, but slightly costly. The shot can be tough to administer at first, but you will both get used to it. I highly recommend.
We have a male Ragdoll Leo, who will be a year old next week. He’s 12lbs. I read that Ragdolls should grow a lb every month so he’s the right weight. Our breeder told us his uneutered dad is 18 lbs and that leo being neutered could grow to about 20lbs.
Thank you for posting this! 🙂
Ragdolls are very large cats. As yours is growing ….they continue to mature for 3 years……don’t concern yourself about putting him on a diet.
Cats usually stop eating when they are full. Cats will try to cover food that they don’t like or are finished with. Just enjoy him.
I agree my girl loves fancy feast.My Angora won’t touch any of
Other wet food.
Hey there,
My four year old “Lovie” has only eaten Ragdoll Dry formula by Royal Canin and Fancy Feast wet food. She is healthy and tolerates both well. Problem is lately I can’t find the Roayl Canin anywhere. I’ve been searching everywhere. What dry food can you recommend? I even called Roayl Canin and spoke with customer service.
FRUSTRATED
Our 2 Ragamuffins also will not eat the Science Diet wet food. They prefer the Fancy Feast with sauce or gravy so that’s what I give them. They are both 8 years old & are very healthy!
My ragdoll is a big canned fancy feast extra gravy fan! And indoor canned friskies, I’m thinking its due to the veggie content. But I learned very quickly not to leave my sack on the floor of the kitchen (with fresh red meat inside) unattended while unloading the rest of my groceries..lol..I would find my 1 ragdoll inside the sack with a package of fresh meat tore open and eating as fast as she could while the other cats stood by watching..lol..so as a treat I feed the ones who will eat it raw hamburger from time to time!
Oh my…. I laughed. My Gracie loves meat too!!
Me. I only have domesticated heinz57 and they have the same ability to find any meat but will only open and eat the chicken.
My year and a half male Rag doll has bladder crystals. It breaks my heart to see him in pain.
Me too
1 year old pure breed Ragdoll has the same thing ? Hill’s perscription food via vet
I have 2 (1 ) year olds so I put them on same food
Not pleased w ingredients but I think it’s working ?♀️
My Ragdoll also had bladder crystals. I know how heartbreaking it is to see your cat suffer.
My Vet put him on Prescription Diet Feline C/D. His bladder crystals went away and he was a happy cat again! He ate Feline C/D throughout his life, and he loved it! I hope your cat is feeling better.
I need something that will help put weight on my 2.5 year old.
I can feel his hip bones and they protrude,like you can see them.
I know he’s an exceptionally picky eater. I have no idea what to feed him.
I want to get some weight on him,but have know what to feed him..
What would you suggest?
This is my suggestion, I’m no vet..just a lifetime lover and researcher of cats and cat breeds…
kitten foods are richer and higher in fat content due to their activity levels. That would be my suggestion and I hope it helps! good luck and God Bless you and your sweet boy!
My rag doll cat 10 yrs old is continually hungry could it b because I’m buying cheap cat food
Why would you feed cheap food to a superior cat breed? Please, if at all possible buy a better food…. and grain free if possible. It’s SO important to have a quality healthy diet.. just like for us humans. If it’s a budget concern, which I understand, at least opt for the Purina ONE Grain free versions of both dry and wet foods. Fancy Feast pate flavors are also grain free. Your kitty will live longer and be so much healthier! 🙂
If your concerned about price Felix, fancy feast and ultimates are good nutritious and cheap branded cat food, please don’t feed your cat only dry food it can cause lots of problems long term problems at least incorporate a healthy half dry, half wet food diet, please feed your furry friend as well as your would your own child they are your family
Our ten year old Ragdoll developed insulin dependent diabetes after slowly switching over from science diet to Royal Canin extreme hairball control (or something like that can’t remember exact name and it’s no longer available). I wish I’d never fed him dry food now that I know more about the pitfalls and susceptibility of the breed. Try to research foods early on and go with better food choices than we did. It’s hard to change the diet of a ten year old cat
My male rag doll kitten loves Iams proactive healthy kitten mixed with fancy feast kitten either chicken and turkey and slowly integrating salmon and whitefish tuna.
I have a kitten who is now 18 weeks old and I feed it royal canin wet and dry food I was wondering about my arms does your cat really like it looking for advice I might change later on
My female ragdoll constantly refuse to eat having tried many brands of food. She will eat canned tuna in water and mushed up prawns alongside her dry food. However, I worry if these may cause her problems later or if it’s safe for her to have. She is ten now.
I have 2 male litter mates almost 4 years old. I have fed them Taste of the Wild feline dry food for the entire time. I don’t know if this is a good one or not, they seem to like it but they do tend to throw up a few times a week or have hairballs….they don’t really like the hairball gel I’ve tried…one acts likes he’s always hungry….I don’t brush them often so that could be part of the issue but when they throw up it’s sometimes whole unchewed kibbles. Any suggestions?
I have 2 ragdoll boys turning 7 years old. Wondering what wet/dry food they should be eating at this age. They have been eating RC ragdoll kibble, and Purina indoor wet.
I’ve took on a 2 year old rag doll with dietary problems hes constantly got lose poop what would be the best thing to give him kind regards davina
Hi Davina I have the same problem we’ve had scans and blood tests and have all come back clear, he just won’t eat he’s so fussy, he weighs 3.2kg I just want to know what wet food to give him. He has had loose poo 💩 for a week now hence the trips to the vets. It can be dangerous to their organs if they don’t eat but he is drinking a lot. Have you had any joy?
When we got our kitten he continuously had poop issues, diarrhea. Our vet put him on RC gastrointestinal kitten food and he still has daily pre/probiotics. Resolved the issue immediately.
I had the loose poop issue and sprinkled a little of my probiotic on his food and fixed issue FAST!
TRY PARSLEY FLAKES IN YOYR CATS FOODMITS GOOD FOR THE BLADDER,AND A BLOOD CLEANSER, NOT TOOMUCH THOUGH, ALL THE BEST.
My beautiful bailey is just over 4 months old, he had an intestinal intussusception which required major surgery and as a result has had quite a lot of his intestine removed, so his diet is really important I am currently giving him hi-life chicken which is 50% meat and grain free also wet as dry foods are a definite no, he seems to be hungry all the time is there a food that he could have that would satisfy him more.
Any advice would be welcome.
When I look at the ingredients list on the others available the meat content is lower and the use meat by products which is also a no as you don’t know what that is!!
Does anyone know if the food I am giving him is good enough.
Thanks Sonia
Check with your vet for a prescription of Hills a/d wet food the d/d food is good for adults too. And also always always always leave dry food out so he can eat any time. Cats don’t over eat when they know there is always food available.
My daughter in laws male kitten which is under a year old jumps up on tablets looking for food. How many grams should they give him in morning and evening
Hi, I have 2 British shorthair boys who are 10 years old, last September we acquired a ragdoll baby boy. He has been eating royal canin second stage dry food and we are now contemplating slowly weaning him on to adult food as he has also been neutered! Would it be ok for him as a ragdoll to eat the same food as my other two boys , who eat royal canin British shorthair food? Not sure what’s in the different breed foods wether it’s the actual ingredients or the shape of the food! Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Hi I got a male ragdoll who now 11 years old. Main thing with ragdoll as longer hair best feed something with hairball if possible I mix half iams hairball dry food in with some indoor cat go cat as he indoor too which leave out for him during day then give him same sort wet cat food morn and night as gave my short hair cats in past. Know a friend who got both shorthair and ragdoll and because they eat together norm she just mixes some iams hairball in with the dry food that she always gave the shorthair one so they both get a mix that way. Ragsolls also more likely to dehydrate than most other cats though so make sure either drinks lot of water or has some wet food too although it good to give them both wet and dry food really.
Hi, Most definately not. Your Ragdoll stage 2 kitten needs all the ingredients in his food to build his insides well, so do not take him off of his stage 2 food until he reaches 1 year old.
My ragdoll cat and kittens have never taken to Hills Science Diet wet cat food, despite my best efforts to offer it to them in a variety of ways. Hills dry cat food comes in a variety of flavours that they like. Purina gourmet feast of all kinds and plain old friskies wet cat food are their favourites. Every year, my veterinarian gives them a clean bill of health. As a result, feed them what they want. I occasionally prepare a chicken breast for them.
Hi there, we have had our male Ragdoll for 10 months after finding him on a pre-loved site, he will be three years old in October. He has wet food from Katkins (only likes the chicken & turkey), this is delivered frozen every fours weeks. When we first had him he vomited a fur ball every day since being on Katkins he hasn’t vomited for 3 months. His poo has reduced in size and smell. Unfortunately, we have discovered he has gingstitus so has a little dry food to crunch on to help along with the good quality Katkins. He weighs 5.2kg loves a roam in the garden under careful watch.
Hi
I live in Australia
We have a 4 year old female Seal Point ragdoll called Nikki:
She has dry food on hand to nibble on it varies between the expensive hills and supermarket dry food.
Her daily diet varies between meat in packs stir fry steak and off cut beef from butcher cut into strips .
Cooked fish and raw prawns which she go’s Ape over!
She has off lead access around our fenced pool and yard.
She wears a collar and we’re able to take her on long walks just like a dog.
She talks continuously to advise me of all her needs , will abay all commands such as come cross stay no etc !
This keeps he fit focused happy and healthy.
Michael & Frances
Hi, I am getting for the very first time a medium hair ragdoll. My concern he was born October 12 2021. What food is great to start him up.