How Much Should a Ragdoll Cat Eat? [2024 Update]

You have a wonderful ragdoll cat at home, but you are worried about whether their eating habits are healthy. How much should a ragdoll cat eat, and how many times can you feed the right amount of food? No need to worry; this article is all about the topic of ragdoll eating habits.

We’ll address all of your issues and provide the best answer. You just need to scroll the page down, and that’s it. Let’s dive into the details! 

Key-Takeaways: How Much Should Ragdoll Cat Eat?

• Ragdoll Adults & Kitten Feeding Guide:
  • Feed 1.4 big wet cans, 1/2 small wet cans, and 1/4 cup dry food for 8-week-old Ragdoll kittens.
  • 4 to 6-month-old kittens get a whole can of wet food and 1.4 cups of dry food.
  • Adult Ragdoll cats need 1/2 cup of dry food and a whole can of wet food twice a day.
• Instructions:
  • Adjust food based on the cat’s age, weight, and health.
  • Consider more food for weaker or underweight cats.
  • Serve more wet cat food to your Ragdoll to meet calorie requirements. One cup of wet food only contains 120 – 190 kcal (calories), and One cup of dry food contains 300 – 500 kcal.
• How Often Should You Serve Food to Ragdoll?
  • Up to 6-week-old Ragdoll kittens – 5 to 6 times food a day.
  • 1 to 2 months old Ragdoll – 3 to 5 times food a day.
  • 2 to 10 months old Ragdoll – 2 to 3 times food a day.
  • Above 10+ months old Ragdoll – Up to 2 times food a day.

How Much Should a Ragdoll Cat Eat? Brief answer

How much food you should feed depends on your ragdoll cat, its overall health, age, weight, and metabolism. But generally, the routine I follow is similar to what Dr. Lindsay Butzer (veterinarian) suggests. Here’s the overview of it:

• For eight-week-old Ragdoll kittens: Serve 1.4 of big wet food cans and 1/2 of small wet food along with 1/4 cup of dry food.
• For 4-6 month-old Ragdoll kittens: If your cat is older, like 4-6 months old, start giving an entire can of wet cat food and 1.4 cups of dry food.
• For adult Ragdoll cats: You should serve around 1/2 cup of kibble and an entire can of wet food twice a day to an adult Ragdoll cat.

Remember, the amount of food can be high or low depending upon the situation of your Ragdoll. For example, if your Ragdoll is weak as per the age and the weight is low, it’s best to serve them more food (not too much) compared to a healthy cat.

Also, whenever you serve dry or wet food to your Ragdoll, make sure to keep the quantity of wet food higher. One cup of wet food only contains up to 120 – 190 kcal, and one cup of dry food for ragdoll cats whose weight is around 4 – 9 lbs because it provides up to 300 to 500 kcal (calories). So, to meet the requirement of calories, you must serve a sufficient amount of Ragdoll wet cat food.

How Many Calories Does a Ragdoll Cat Need Per Day?

The calorie intake and the weight of Ragdoll are connected to each other. If your Ragdoll weight is 2 – 4 lbs, the cat needs 160 – 270 kcal, while an adult cat weighing more than 10 lbs needs 550+ kcal. You can read the calorie chart below to understand your ragdoll cat’s needs as per their weight. 

Ragdoll Cat Calories Chart – Quick Overview 

Weight	Calories
2 – 4 lbs	160 – 270 kcal
4 –  6 lbs	270 – 370 kcal
6 – 8 lbs	370 – 450 kcal
8 – 10 lbs	450  – 550 kcal
10+ lbs	550+ kcal

If you’re interested in knowing the exact amount of food you should serve to Ragdoll, use the Ragdoll food calculator. Just fill out the form with the correct details like age, weight and whether your Ragdoll is spayed or not.

Then select the condition of your Ragdoll cat and how healthy they are. If they’re weak, you have to encourage your Ragdoll to eat more food like a healthy cat of similar age.

After you fill out the info, click on “See Results”, and you can see the exact amount of food your Ragdoll need as well as the calorie intake.

How Often to Feed Ragdoll Cats?

An adult Ragdoll cat (10+ months old) should be fed two to three small meals per day. However, if your ragdoll isn’t an adult but a kitten, then they need more food. It’s mainly because of the growth factor. 

Kittens have a faster metabolic rate than adult cats. They burn more energy and require more food to fuel their growth and activity. You can check the chart below to understand the difference between the feeding requirements of an adult ragdoll and a kitten. 

Age	Feeding Rate
Up to 6 weeks	Meal up to 5 – 6 times a day
1 – 2 months	Meal up to 3 to 5 times a day
2 – 10 months	Meal up to 2 – 3 times a day
Above 10 months	Meal up to 2 times a day

My Ragdoll Cat Doesn’t Eat Much? Reasons & Solution 

There could be several reasons why a Ragdoll cat may not be eating as much as usual. Here are some possible reasons and solutions:

1. Illness: If your Ragdoll cat is not feeling well, it may have a decreased appetite. If you notice other symptoms, such as lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhoea, it’s important to take your cat to the veterinarian for an evaluation.
2. Dental problems: If your Ragdoll cat has dental issues, such as broken or loose teeth, it may be hesitant to eat. A veterinarian can examine your cat’s teeth and provide treatment if necessary.
3. Stress: Stressful situations such as a new environment or changes in routine can cause a loss of appetite in cats. Try to reduce stressors and provide a calm environment for your Ragdoll cat.
4. Diet: Your Ragdoll cat may not like the food you are offering. Try offering different flavours or textures of cat food to find one that your cat likes.
5. Ageing: As cats age, they may experience a decrease in appetite. Senior cats may benefit from smaller, more frequent meals and softer, easier-to-digest food.

What are the Best Foods for Ragdolls?

Ragdoll cats require a balanced and nutritious diet to maintain health and live a longer life. To make sure they live healthily, I always prepare their diet plan following the criteria below. 

1. High-quality dry cat food: Look for brands that contain high levels of protein and essential nutrients, and avoid those that contain fillers such as grains or artificial preservatives.
2. Wet or canned food: Wet or canned food can be a good option to supplement your cat’s diet with additional moisture and nutrients.
3. Raw or homemade food: If you prefer to feed your cat a raw or homemade diet, consult with a veterinarian or feline nutritionist to ensure that the food provides all the necessary nutrients in the right proportions.
4. Treats: Ragdolls love treats, but make sure to limit their intake, as excessive treats can lead to obesity and other health problems. Look for healthy, low-calorie treats, or consider making your own.

Read about the 5 best dry foods for Ragdoll adults and kittens

Ragdoll Feeding Guide for 2024: Final Words

In short, how much a Ragdoll cat should eat depends on various factors such as age, weight, and activity level. All of these points determine the appropriate portion of food and feeding frequency. So always consider the factors, and if you’re confused, the best is to consult with a vet. They’ll examine your cat and let you know about a well-balanced diet and proper feeding routine. 

To make the best decision, please read my other blog titled “What Do Ragdoll Cats Eat? [Dry or Wet Food].” This will help you understand the best food type for Ragdolls and how much you should feed them.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. How much should a Ragdoll cat eat per day?

The appropriate amount of food to feed your Ragdoll cat daily depends on its weight. For cats weighing up to 4 lbs, food containing 160 – 270 kcal is suitable. If your cats weigh 4 – 6 lbs, then 270 – 370 kcal. 

While 6 – 8 lbs, cats should be fed 370 – 450 kcal, and for cats weighing up to 8 or more than 10 lbs, food containing more than around 550 kcal and more than that is appropriate. 

2. Why is my ragdoll cat always hungry?

There are several possible explanations for why your ragdoll cat always seems to be hungry. These include not getting enough food, poor quality food, medical conditions, and behavioural issues. 

To address these issues, make sure you are feeding your cat appropriately, providing high-quality, nutritious food, consulting with a vet to rule out medical issues, and considering providing more mental and physical stimulation for your cat.

3. How often do you feed ragdoll cats?

As a general rule, the age of your ragdoll cat determines how often they should be fed. For kittens up to 2 months old, it’s recommended to serve food 4-5 times a day to meet their high energy and nutritional needs.

From 3-10 months of age, Ragdoll cats should eat a maximum of three times a day. And once your Ragdoll cat reaches 10 months of age or older, you can further reduce their feeding frequency to two times a day. 

4. When should you stop feeding kitten food, Ragdoll?

You should stop feeding kitten food to your Ragdoll cat when they reach 12 months of age or ideal adult weight (9 – 18 lbs for males and 7 – 14 lbs for female cats).

Related Posts:

• How much should a Ragdoll cat eat?
• Best Dry Food for Ragdoll Cats Under $50 [2023 Update]
• How Big Do Ragdoll Cats Get? (Smallest to Biggest Size)
• How Old Do Ragdoll Cats Live? [Facts You Should Know]
• Ragdoll 5 Most Favorite Wet Food [With Real Meat]