Ragdolls are predators. Never forget that when you’re trying to decide what foods you should feed your new Ragdoll. That might explain why your Ragdoll rejects the food you prepare for him. You may have difficulty getting your Ragdoll to eat if you’re giving him non-meat based foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, nuts, seeds, etc.
How should you feed your Ragdoll?
You must not forget that Ragdolls share a recent common ancestor with the largest of felines — cougars, lions and tigers — so take that to heart as you’re feeding your Ragdoll. Never will you witness a full grown tiger on National Geographic eating an apple, drinking milk or chewing grass in nature. You also would never observe a young lion cub in the wild drinking the milk of a cow, or any other animal. As ridiculous as these examples appear, that’s exactly what many people feed their Ragdolls. So you should not act surprised if your Ragdoll goes hungry. Ragdolls are different from us and unlike dogs. With respect to their nutrition, they are very strict, and you must realize that. Ragdolls consume almost entirely proteins and fats as opposed to omnivores like humans who also need vegetables and fruits. A human would probably end up with a lot of ailments if he ate the Ragdoll’s diet. They are not at all like people and they are not little dogs. Quite often, you’ll find owners who feed their Ragdolls just like they feed themselves and their dog, although the Ragdolls diet is much more specific. In fact, dog food is fatal to Ragdolls over time because it doesn’t meet their nutritional needs and it’s often loaded with carbs, which Ragdolls can’t digest properly. Many times, when you see an overweight domestic Ragdoll it’s because she was given a diet heavy in carbohydrates. Too many carbs over an extended period also puts them at risk of diabetes. The Ragdoll’s digestive system is not designed for carbs. They are to be avoided.
how to take care of the young Ragdoll
Satisfying Your Ragdoll’s Appetite
Before deciding on a specific food for your Ragdoll be certain it is deemed acceptable by the American Association of Feed Control Officials. Satisfying the requirements guarantees that the Ragdoll is receiving the required nutrition. Pay no attention to marketing “hype” terms like “natural”, ” premium”, ” gourmet”, and “super-premium”, as there is no guideline that defines them. Always feel free to ask the doctor which food she recommends as well. Once you’ve decided on the best food, it’s now the time to let your Ragdoll make the final decision. If the Ragdoll eats it with no problems and appears to enjoy it, it is a great pick. On the other hand, if your Ragdoll doesn’t tolerate the food, you need to be ready to give a different choice. If your Ragdoll doesn’t like the food you have fed him, a harmful hunger strike is possilbe. If she ever decides to a hunger strike, the Ragdoll runs a high risk of liver failure at a minimum and at worst death. Don’t swap foods abruptly, either. Make certain you replace the old food a little at a time over a week. This makes it easier for your Ragdoll to accept and reduces the chances of somach discomfort.
Ragdoll Feeding Time, Snacks, and Portion Size
How much food do you need to feed your Ragdoll? Well that depends on some elements you might not expect. For example, is the Ragdoll an indoor or outdoor cat? Has the Ragdoll had sterilization surgery? Both of these answers are crucial in establishing your Ragdoll’s dietary requirements. Your best bet is to consult your Ragdoll’s doctor, who will set your Ragdolls ideal weight and daily nutritional requirements. Take initiative about asking your vet about your Ragdoll’s food and weight. Once you learn how much your Ragdoll needs, don’t deviate. It may seem like too little to you, but it will keep your Ragdoll at a ideal weight. It’s hard to help overweight Ragdoll lose weight, so it’s best to keep yours at its proper size. The next step is to set up the Ragdoll’s meals. Ragdolls like to eat all day, so it’s just best to leave meals out for them where it’s accessible all the time. You can give out half in the morning before leaving for work and the other half in the evening. Keep treats to a minimum. The more treats they get, the less room they’ll have for their core dietary requirements.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Ragdolls
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