A growing breed
Ragdolls are a large, slow-maturing breed — many keep filling out until they are three or four years old. Kittens need a complete diet formulated for kittens (look for "complete and balanced" for growth on the label) until your veterinarian advises moving to an adult food.
How often to feed
- Young kittens do best with several small meals a day rather than one or two large ones.
- Measure portions and keep an eye on body condition: you should be able to feel the ribs under a light layer of fat.
- Fresh, clean water should always be available. Many cats drink more from a wide bowl or a fountain.
Changing foods
Your kitten will go home with details of the food they have been eating. Keep that food for the first couple of weeks, because moving house is stressful enough. When you do change, mix the new food in gradually over 7–10 days, increasing the proportion a little each day.
Foods to avoid
- Cow's milk — most cats are lactose intolerant.
- Onion, garlic and chives, grapes and raisins, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol and xylitol.
- Cooked bones, which can splinter.
When to call your vet
Contact your veterinarian promptly if your kitten stops eating for more than a day, has repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, or seems lethargic. Kittens can become unwell quickly.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your own veterinarian knows your kitten best.