The best cat food for Ragdoll cats keeps your calm and cuddly feline in great shape. As the name implies, Ragdolls are a docile breed. The first generation, bred in the 1960s, had the trait of going floppy when picked up - hence the name. But this is not the case with contemporary Ragdolls; extreme docility was bred out, as it was a hindrance to their wellbeing. But what is true of this large breed is their affectionate nature, fluffiness and big appetite. The best cat food will keep their mesmerising blue eyes shining bright from kittenhood to senior.
Along with Persian, Scottish Fold and Maine Coon cats, Ragdolls are known for being laid-back. They don't require as much stimulation as a high-energy breed, such as Bengals. They're relaxed and content just doting on their paw-rents and following you around with a puppy-like nature. Crucially, there are two factors to bear in mind when feeding Ragdolls: they are a larger-than-average cat and a low-energy breed. This is not to say that Ragdolls need cat food for overweight cats, rather it is to understand the traits of the breed to ensure you get the portion size and composition of nutrients right for your beautiful lap cat.
Best cat food for Ragdoll cats at a glance:
• Best dry cat food: Royal Canin Ragdoll Adult Dry Cat Food – View on Amazon UK
• Best wet cat food: Royal Canin Intense Beauty Care in Gravy – View on Amazon UK
• Best budget cat food: Sheba Fine Flakes Poultry Collection in Jelly – View on Amazon UK
There are a couple of universal factors regarding cats and their food. Firstly, all cats are obligate carnivores, meaning it is essential for them to have a meat-based diet. Also, taurine that's present in chicken is essential for maintaining a cat's heart, muscle function and eyesight. The benefits of dry cat food are significant as a quality kibble that's convenient, easy to portion, and will contain everything a cat needs, plus contribute to good dental hygiene. Alternatively, you can opt for wet cat food that offers tastiness, texture and extra hydration.
Ragdolls take longer to develop than other cats; they are fully grown at four years. In contrast, other cat breeds reach maturity between one year and 18 months. Therefore, it's essential to give them age-appropriate food in the portion size that's right for their developmental stage. Fully grown female Ragdolls weigh between 3.6 to 6.8kg and male Ragdolls are larger, with a bulky frame, and weigh between 5.4 to 9.1kg. A final note, Ragdolls absolutely love running water, therefore a cat water fountain is a must-have for this sweet-natured, placid and loyal breed. For more information on how to cater to Ragdoll's easy-going tendencies, scroll to the FAQ section below.
Best cat food for Ragdoll cats
Best dry cat food for Ragdoll cats
Amazon/Royal CaninFor bushy tails and bright eyes, Royal Canin Ragdoll Adult Dry Cat Food is specially formulated to give this placid breed their optimum nutrition. Ragdoll cats have a broad jaw, and this kibble is specially designed for them to grasp and chew it easier. The dry cat food is formulated to support your cat's skin, coat, heart, bone and joint health, urinary system, and oral hygiene. It contains specific nutrients like amino acids, vitamins, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Refer to the feeding guide on the packet to ensure you are giving your Ragdoll the right portion for their size and activity level.
Customer review: "She started on the kitten pouches and kitten food by the same brand this specific Ragdoll kibble gives a gorgeous sheen to her coat she is healthy and loves it."
Pros
- Special kibble designed for a broad jaw
- Complete cat food for Ragdolls
- Amazon's Choice
- Well reviewed by Ragdoll owners
Cons
- Contains wheat gluten
Best wet cat food for Ragdoll cats
Amazon/Royal CaninKeep your fluffy beauty in great shape with Royal Canin Intense Beauty Care in Gravy Adult Wet Cat Food. If a cat is well-nourished it shows in their bright eyes and glossy fur. Royal Canin Intense Beauty has specific nutrients for the maintenance and renewal of your Ragdoll's skin and coat. It contains increased levels of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, B vitamins, biotin, and zinc to nourish the hair and maintain a shiny coat. Additionally, this wet cat food helps reduce mineral concentration to prevent urinary stones. In pouch form, it offers a controlled calorie portion to maintain your cat's ideal weight.
Customer review: "I have a semi-long hair who loves his food, but he does have a skin condition. He had some bald patches from excessive grooming and after feeding him two sachets a day, his coat has come back thicker and his skin is less flaky."
Pros
- Healthy skin and shiny fur
- Rich in Omega fatty acids
- Palatable chunks
Cons
- Mix or alternative this with dry cat food to maintain dental health and give variety
Best budget cat food for Ragdolls
Amazon/ShebaSheba's Fine Flakes Poultry Collection in Jelly boasts a high meat content and ingredients for complete nutrition. Conveniently packaged in 85g pouches, it offers four delectable varieties—chicken, duck, turkey, and poultry—in a savoury gravy. This popular wet cat food is free from artificial colours and preservatives. Sheba Fine Flakes offers delicious flakes in melting jelly, perfect for inspiring affectionate cuddles. It's suitable for adult and senior cats over 12 months old. Serve three pouches daily to a 4kg cat at room temperature alongside fresh water.
Customer review: "Sheba is a good brand when you don't want to break the bank but want to give your cats some good quality food. For one, it doesn't have that "cat food" smell, so you feel good about giving it to them, as you know there's actually meat in there. The 80g portions are perfect for all wet or wet/dry mixing. I have two cats and for each meal give half a pouch and a bit of dry food for texture mixed together. They always wolf it down."
Pros
- Amazon's Choice
- Complete and balanced cat food
- Value for money
- Easy to serve
Cons
- Best offered in conjunction with kibble for the added benefits of dry cat food
Best high-protein dry cat food
Tippawswww.tippaws.com
Keep your Ragdoll's blue eyes smiling with Tippaws Turkey & Chicken. Tippaws is a favourite with Take A Break Pets for their vet-approved high protein dry cat food. Advances in pet food technology enable brands like Tippaws to produce kibble by cooking at lower temperatures – below 70°C – for longer periods. The low and slow process preserves proteins, maximising digestibility and nutrient availability for your cat. Containing 70 per cent turkey and chicken meat, this quality kibble will please the fussiest of felines.
Interested in finding out more? Read Tippaws ultimate guide to dry cat food.
Customer review: "Fantastic alternative to commercial dry foods. My fussy cats seem to love it, along side their usual wet food."
Pros
- Premium ingredients
- Vet-approved
- Contains prebiotics
- Samples available
- Grain-free
Cons
- Feed in conjunction with a wet cat food to give variety
5.
Katkin
Best Ragdoll kitten food
Katkinwww.katkin.com
Keep their big appetites satisfied with Katkin's specially-tailored cat food. Ragdoll cats have a longer development phase and reach full size at the age of four. In their kitten years, Ragdolls need plenty of food to fuel their growth spurts. Katkin advises that Ragdoll kittens need between three to five meals a day during their first six months. Katkin kitten pouches contain the perfect balance of protein, carbs, fats and vitamins in the form of fresh cat food.
Provide Katkin with information about your cat's breed, age and weight and the fresh cat food subscription service will be specially tailored to give your furry feline the best start in life.
Want to find out more? Read Katkin's guide to Ragdoll kitten food.
Customer review: "This is simply the best kitten food even. My cat loves all the recipes and the quality of the food is evident, in her response by eating it down so happily and speedily. As soon as you open the packet, the smell and texture are so above anything else that is out there. My kitten's coat is the softest I have ever seen, her digestion is tiptop, and we both couldn't be happier."
Pros
- Fresh cat food that's conveniently supplied in frozen packs
- Human quality ingredients
- Quality nutrition that maintains healthy weight and coat
Cons
- Subscription service only
Best premium wet cat food for Ragdolls
Lily's Kitchenwww.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Give your Ragdoll the quality protein needed to maintain a healthy coat and energy with Lily's Kitchen Chicken Tasty Cuts in Gravy. This wholesome wet cat food combines the chunky texture of real meat and natural ingredients. Free from added sugars and grains, Lily's Kitchen recipes provide everything cats need for optimal health and vitality. Lily's Kitchen is one of the best cat food brands for premium ingredients.
Find out more about Lily's Kitchen subscription service.
Pros
- Quality ingredients
- Easy to eat and digest
- Tasty meaty chunks
Cons
- Customer reviews are not accessible
Best raw cat food for Ragdolls
Bella & Dukewww.bellaandduke.com
If you are considering a raw cat food diet for your feline without the mess and faff – Bella & Duke have got you covered. This Tempting Turkey with Rabbit and Lamb is one of several meals that are designed to give your cat the very best ingredients as nature intended. Cats are obligate carnivores and, therefore require meat as an essential part of their diet.
Customer review: "My cat has really improved since switching to Belle and Duke. She has less indigestion, gas and is so much more energetic. Took a while to get her convinced of the switch from her previous wet food but three weeks later she woofing down the food."
Pros
- Four flavours to choose from
- Protein from quality meats
- Raw meals are conveniently portioned
Cons
- Takes up freezer space
Best dry cat food for senior Ragdoll cats
Amazon/Perfect FitPerfect Fit Senior 11+ is specially formulated to support their changing needs as they age. Enriched with essential nutrients like glucosamine, chondroitin and a higher protein content, it promotes joint health, maintains muscle mass, energy levels, and manages weight effectively. Fortified with zinc, taurine, vitamins E and C, and balanced minerals, this dry food also ensures a healthy skin and coat. Also, it boosts natural defences, aids digestion and supports urinary tract health. This kibble is a complete cat food that provides the tailored nutrients for your senior Ragdoll.
Customer review: "Bought for my Ragdoll. She likes Harringtons but thought it would be nice to try this one for a change. She loves it. Cooled water makes it even nicer."
Pros
- Optimised nutrients
- Rich in chicken
- Supports urinary tract health
- Complete cat food for senior cats
Cons
- Customer comments that they didn't receive the right number of packs
Our verdict: What is the best cat food for ragdoll cats?
We recommend a high-quality cat food formulated specifically for Ragdoll cats, containing balanced nutrients for their needs, such as Royal Canin Ragdoll Adult Dry Cat Food. It promotes healthy skin and coat with balanced nutrients. With protein to support their large frame and heavy bones. This kibble aids urinary tract health. Also, it encourages dental health with its kibble design that's specially shaped to suit a Ragdoll cat's broad jaw.
To give variety and additional nutrients, supplement this kibble with Royal Canin Intense Beauty Care. This nutritionally rich wet cat food provides protein and fatty acids to keep your Ragdoll's coat looking and feeling sumptuous.
FAQs: Best cat food for Ragdoll cats
What are the benefits of Ragdoll cats?
Friendly, affectionate and relatively calm, Ragdoll cats make wonderful family pets. According to Purina's Ragdoll cat breed information: "Ragdoll cat personality will give the impression that they’re nothing but a very cuddly dog". The key benefits of this laid-back, loveable and pretty breed include:
A gentle and affectionate temperament. Ragdolls have a docile and relatively quiet nature and love to be close to their human companions.
Their laid-back demeanour means they are generally easy-going, making them suitable for families. They typically get along well with children and other pets, making them excellent family pets. Watch them carry their favourite toys around in their mouth and meet you at the door with dog-like loyalty.
Purebred Ragdolls have striking blue eyes and pointed colouration. Beautiful in appearance Ragdolls have silky, semi-long coats in various colours and patterns. Ragdolls are born pure white and their unique colouration develops in their first few weeks.
What are the drawbacks of Ragdoll cats?
These laid-back felines adore lounging on the sofa, but don't be fooled by their relaxed nature—they still appreciate a hearty meal served with love. While Ragdoll cats have many positive qualities, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:
Ragdolls have silky, dense and luxurious coats that shed moderately, requiring regular grooming to prevent mats and hairballs. It's generally easy to maintain their coat with daily brushing.
They can become strongly attached to their owners and may experience separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. Be attentive, because of their quiet nature it can mask signs of pain.
Ragdolls are a large breed. It can take up to four years for them to reach full-size maturity, so they need good nutrition in their kitten and young adult years. However, Ragdolls also have a tendency to be lazy, therefore need you to coax them into playing. Encourage them to exercise by spending a bit of time playing with them everyday. This will prevent obesity issues that are common with the Ragdoll breed.
Ragdoll cats are often more expensive to purchase compared to other breeds due to their popularity and pedigree, and they may also require higher-quality food and veterinary care.
How much should I feed my Ragdoll cat per day?
Feeding a Ragdoll cat is easy when you follow the feeding guide on the packaging of commercial wet and dry cat food. There is generally a chart that states in grams how much to feed your cat, based on their weight range. Ragdolls are large breed cats, but rather energy-efficient (ahem, lazy) therefore to get the balance right a complete cat food that can be portion-controlled is recommended.
The amount you should feed your Ragdoll cat per day will vary based on age, weight, activity level, and whether they are neutered.
As a general guideline, Ragdoll cats between 5–7kg typically require around 70g of kibble, plus a pouch of wet cat food split into two meals per day. It's essential to follow the feeding recommendations provided on the cat food packaging and adjust the portion based on your cat's individual needs and any advice from your vet. Additionally, ensure your Ragdoll has access to fresh water at all times.
Monitor your cat's body condition and adjust their diet accordingly. If your cat is showing signs of sickness, sometimes, it's simply a case of switching to cat food for sensitive stomachs that are grain-free and hypoallergenic. For dramatic weight changes, consult your vet for personalised feeding recommendations.
Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things cats and dogs. In her other life Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.