RAGDOLL CARE & FEEDING

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Feeding and Training information for your Ragdoll

On this page you will find information about how we at Lions Royale Ragdolls feed and care for our kittens and cats.
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This isn't an exhaustive list of foods and 'rules' but rather information on what we have found tha works.  Here you will find feeding suggestions and supplies that we recommend as well as some training ideas. 
I sincerely hope that this information helps to make the transition of a kitten into your home happy and successful.
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    • FOOD

Lions Royale kittens are eating several different brands of kibble mixed together.  We do this because we find that the kittens eat more of the kibble when theres a variety and their growth  and development flourishes.

You can find the kibble at most pet food stores.
Many of these are ‘All life stages’ foods meaning that you don’t switch foods from kitten to adult.  They just eat more of it for kittens.

Check the bite sizes.  Wellness and Royal Canin have tiny kitten kibble which is wonderful.

 Although we are often admonished that cats are obligate carnivores, my experience with feedng raw and exclusively high protein diets hasn't been satisfactory.  I found the cats were too thin, the mothers didn't produce enough milk or maintain their weight, kittens were born small and didn't gain good weight or thrive.   Once I started using products with more carbohydrates our momma kitties were keeping their weight, producing ample milk supplies and not run down as they nursed the litters.  This was enough to convince me that for my cats, this was the right way to feed.   We still offer organ meat but I now cook it after some bad experiences feeding raw. I just won't compromise the health of my kittens for the notion that they should receive raw meat.  The meat is simply an additional 'treat' and not a staple of their diet so the fact that there may be some loss of vitamins with the heating is inconsequential and truly not worth the risk. Since we have been feeding this mix (over a year now) our Ragdolls are larger, heavier and have greater coats than ever before.  They are truly like small bears!  We don't have a picky eater in the house.
Our kittens are currently eating Avoderm kitten, Wellness kitten, Royal Canin Babycat 34,  Nutro Kitten, Iams kitten and Taste of the Wild mixed together.

Don’t feel that you have to go out and buy a variety of kibble. Choose one that you can easily find such as Royal Canin and you can always add something else if you’d like.  Our adult cats really enjoy the Royal Canin Persian formula which has small bites.  Their coats are amazing using this food!

Often the grain free products are very rich for the kitten and it’s necessary to mix it so they don’t get the runs.  This has been our experience.

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    • Some of the kibble brands that I use and can recommend are: 
  • Royal Canin - love the babycat and beauty formula
  • Wellness – all products including grain free
  • Natural Instinct/Prairie grain free 
  • Natural Balance (excellent food – kitties love the green pea formula too!)
  • Avoderm
  • Nutrience
  • Taste of the Wild
  • GO! Natural
  • NOW!
  • Nutro
  • Iams Hairball 
This is not an exhaustive list by any means. There are lots of excellent foods to choose from and many that we haven't tried yet but plan to.
I often get asked ‘What is the BEST food to feed my kitten or cat?’  I can honestly answer that the BEST food is the one that your feline thrives on. They don’t all like or do well with the same food. If you find something that works well, keep using it!  It’s the BEST food for YOUR cat.
 If your kitty develops the runs for any reason with change of environment, food or water etc, you can give the IAMS HAIRBALL formula kibble to help bulk up the stool.  This works very well.
  •  
    •   Feeding method
I leave the kibble down so the kitten can nibble whenever it wants to.  You may opt to feed at certain times and the kitten will learn to eat when the food is offered.  Please also provide access to a constant supply of clean, fresh water.  They do drink lots of water.    
Some pet owners have invested in a good quality Cat Water Fountain which encourages the cat to drink more since they are attracted to running water.
Typically the kittens are given a quarter to a half small can of soft food once or twice a day depending on their size and their rate of growth. If they need it twice a day then I will offer it.  If they are doing well eating enough kibble and they are a good weight, I would offer only once per day. 
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    • Optional supplements: 
You can provide a Wild Salmon oil capsule or Coldwater fish oil from Jamiesons brand about 250 mg, acidophilus capsule from the refrigerated section of the health food store or pharmacy and 250 mg (maintenance dose) capsule Lysine sprinkled and mixed into their canned food.  These are optional supplements for your kitten.  Lysine is now added into many brands of cat food. It’s a harmless amino acid that helps to suppress a virus that causes ‘cold’ type symptoms in kitties such as runny eyes, sneezing, nasal discharge and stuffiness.  It’s tasteless and the kitties don’t mind it at all.
Don’t forget, the kittens are growing until they are 3+ years of age.  Don’t worry about limiting their kibble in the first year (or longer depending on their growth rate.)
Always have the hard kibble out in a small bowl so he can eat it at will.  There is no hard and fast rule for feeding.   Everyone will have to find what works for them.  Just make sure the kitten gets all that it wants plus lots of water.   
I would recommend separate dry food and soft food dishes. Don’t combine the two foods or the kitty will end up wasting it.  Purchase dishes with low sides.  Cats prefer the flatter saucer type dishes than the deep dishes.
Ceramic or steel dishes with a very low rim are great and make sure to have a larger water bowl or, better yet, a self waterer or fountain.  They drink a lot of water!  I'd let the kitten have a dish for soft food and a separate dish for hard kibble which I leave out so they can free feed. 
It’s recommended that you don’t use plastic dishes.  Many kitties develop chin acne and allergies to plastic dishes.
  •  
    • LITTER BOXES:

Any style of litter box is fine.  They have been using an open one but a covered box is fine as well. They have no trouble jumping into a large litter container.  Just show the kitten where it is and how to get into it and they will take right to it.  If the kitten roams up and downstairs, make sure to have a box on each level and show the kitten where to find it.  You don't want him going in your plants or a corner if he can't locate a box.

As the kitten gets older you will need much larger litter boxes, two are preferred for your adult Ragdoll and three are needed if you have two Ragdolls. Ragdolls tend to like to pee in one and poop in another.   
  • What type of litter: 
We simply use a clay litter from Costco.  We have a lot of kitties so buying specialty litter is out of the question.  For one or two cats in a household I highly recommend a natural corn litter called ‘Worlds Best Cat Litter’.  It handles just like clay, doesn’t stink when wet, can be scooped and the waste flushed down the toilet. It’s a lot lighter in weight than clay too.  It clumps very similar to clay.

Fresh4Life is an absolute favourite if you go with clay. It's very pleasant to scoop for the odor control.

I’ve tried Swheat Scoop wheat litter but didn’t care for it as much as I found that it stuck to the bottom of the pan and I didn't like the smell when it was wet. Others love it so this is just my opinion. 

The Feline pine is ok if you get it in the shavings type but it tends to be messy.  I’ve never liked pellet litters for the cats but others really like the Feline pine litter pellets.

The smell is better than clay for sure.

I know a lot of people worry that the kittens will eat the clay litter and get sick. I've never had that happen.  Babies have never shown such a desire to eat the litter that they've swallowed enough to harm themselves. Even when it's stuck on their feet, they normally pull it off and don't swallow it or it passes through their system without any issue. 

  
  •  
    •  Suggested Supplies

  • Cat Nail Scissors (not the large guillotine type used for dogs)  Cat nail scissors are definitely necessary for their little nails which grow very quickly.  Just take the sharp tip off every week to two weeks and it deters the kitten from scratching furniture.  
  • Unine Off – spot cleaner for accidents 
  • Jamieson brand Wild Salmon or Coldwater Fish oil or a pet specific QUALITY brand from a pet supply store that uses NATURAL products tested for metals and toxins. 
  • Acidophilus for digestion found in the refrigerated section of the health food store or Loblaws Lysine in 200 or 250 mg capsules to be mixed into the soft food 
  • Scratch or chew deterent  Lemon juice or ‘Bitter Apple Spray’ for any wires that the kitten could reach to chew on. 
  • Canned compressed air to deter the kitten from areas that are off limits.  DO NOT spray directly on or near the kitten as it can cause great harm.  The noise of the air escaping the can will deter the kitten!
  • Kitty Climbers/trees.  They climb on the highest kitty condos that I buy and love it.  Definitely use cat nip to attract them to it so they prefer to use it rather than furniture. 
  • Cat Scratchers.  You can definitely purchase sprays which deter scratching but you need to provide appropriate areas for scratching which is a natural activity for cats.  They love to scratch on the items I buy for them.  There are many varieties of cat scratchers and climbers.  Cardboard is very attractive to cats as are the Sisal ropes and even cedar scratchers which tend to be a bit pricey.   Get a scratch post for sure, even if you have a kitty condo.  One favourite is a sisal scratcher post with two sisal rattle balls that hang down and it has a solid square base.  The kittens climb up and down on that and you can put cat nip to attract as well.  Cardboard scratchers are great in any shape or size.  They love those but they do get a bit messy as they use them with bits of paper being shed.  You'll want to vacuum it off. 
  • A medium steel comb and a soft brush is excellent for their coat.  I like to use the soft kitten slicker to fluff their ruff, chest, tail and britches.  Ragdolls are self maintaining for the most part but enjoy the bonding when you groom them.

Other Considerations

  • Pet Insurance is wonderful for peace of mind, especially since Kittens are so delicate.  PetSecure.com in Canada gives you your 6 weeks of complimentary insurance which we set up for you when you take your baby home. They wills send information to review and you could opt to continue that coverage.

  •  INTRODUCTION & TRAINING
Ragdolls are very smart so don't be afraid to train and expect behaviour the same as you would with a pup.  They can be stubborn but for the most part are eager to please.  Many families find that clicker training, as they do with puppies, works wonderfully!  Even adult cats that we have adopted out have been trained to use the toilet and respond to the clicker for treats and tricks. 

I'd let the kitten explore at its own pace so he can feel at ease on his own terms.  Don’t force it to be held or try to keep it in one spot right away.  It needs to explore and make sure it’s comfortable before he will seek out new family for attention.  Right away show the special room or area with the litter box, food and water where he will be able to feel safe as he adjusts.  

Let it have the crate available with the door off and a nice soft blanket inside so if he feels unsure he can go to the 'safe', quiet spot.  Not that the kitten will, but it's nice to have it there during the introduction period.  They are very social and will want to be with you at all times. 

A kitten that is quite independent and confident with it's litter mates is often quite different one on one with you.  It will be looking for you to fill the role that the litter mates played. This little kitten will be following you, calling for you and making you the center of their world.

I hope this helps to get you started with your preparations for introducing a kitten into your family. 

 

                 

                    
     



  

  

 

This adorable kitten, shown at 6 weeks, is "Lionsroyale Patriarca Lovebug', a Lilac Bicolor male ragdoll sent to live with Pat Brownsell of Patriarca Ragdolls in Spain. 
His eyes are really a startling blue!  Amazing for a Lilac cat.