A Plan to Switch Safely is Essential.
Sometimes, a raw meat diet is not possible. A Raw Cat Food Diet Transition can be tricky, but we are here to help. We get it – there are sound reasons to switch from raw to kibble diet.
ragdoll kitten food
What kind of food should my ragdoll kitten eat?
If you are adopting a Masterpiece Ragdoll Kitten or cat, you will need decide on your kitten’s diet. Feeding your kitten a raw, feline-specific diet comes with a little learning curve. We can help you continue with a raw cat food diet, or transition to a bagged kibble + canned food routine.
The transition can seem daunting. However, it’s not too hard as long as the kitten follows a schedule, remains hydrated, and takes it slow.
Is switching from raw cat food diet to kibble easy?
Most kittens will gobble up dry cat food. They transition to it immediately because it has been supplemented with “flavor enhancers.” Big food manufacturers spray the kibble with animal fat (which is why the kibble pieces feel oily). The savory smell draws them in, too. But proceed slowly as there are consequences to an overnight diet change.
During the raw cat food diet transition to dry cat food, watch your kitten’s behavior both in and outside of the litterbox. Potty routines are health indicators. If they aren’t eliminating, something is wrong. If they are going too frequently, that’s a bad sign too. A kibble-fed kitten will poop at least daily; consistency will vary depending on the brand, fiber content, and water intake.
Water is Essential.
Your Masterpiece Ragdoll Kitten does not need to visit the water bowl often because her raw food hydrates her. While enjoying a raw cat food diet, your Masterpiece has “eaten her water.” Raw food contains around 70% moisture content, but bagged kibble contains between 6-10% moisture.
A kitten undergoing a raw cat food diet transition might forget to drink water. Theoretically, her thirst should drive her to the water fountain, but we don’t want to rely on that alone. Routinely, serve her foods that you can reconstitute with water or canned foods with higher moisture content. Watch out for overly oily canned food. This can is pretty oily, making for litter box yuckiness.
Raw Cat Food Diet Transition should not be attempted without the introduction of a water fountain because the biggest problem with a kibble-fed diet is constipation, which when left untreated can lead to serious health problems, and even death.
Water Fountain for Fun & Hydration
Water fountains can attract your ragdoll’s attention. Running water piques their curiosity! The moving water is exciting; many will dip their paws in and drink from their paws.
Did you know that cats have evolved to prefer moving water? Instinctively, they believe stagnant (still) water is dangerous water. We never recommend a bowl of still water as the only source of hydration.
Purchase a water fountain. There are many varieties. Just search Amazon for a well-reviewed one. We tend to like PetKit & Uahpet. Find one with no exterior cord for your kitten to chew on when considering which fountain. Also, pay close attention to the price and availability of the filters and other replaceable components. Some are pricey; others are available generically on Amazon.
How to Transition from Raw
Kittens are kittens for eight months. Feed your ragdoll like a kitten for 8-12 months. When on a raw diet, kittens need to eat a minimum of 3 times/day.
During the transition from raw to kibble, offer food three times per day, roughly eight hours apart. After the transition, your cat should free feed dry and enjoy moisture-rich canned food in the morning and evening.
Follow this sample schedule below.
| Day | Raw & Kibble Ratio “Raw” can be freeze-dried raw, home-made raw, commercially purchased raw from Viva, Darwins, etc. | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raw meat with kibble. Ratio 3:1. This means 75% raw, 25% kibble. | Served 3 times daily. |
| 2 | Raw meat with kibble. Ratio 3:1. This means 75% raw, 25% kibble. | 3 times daily |
| 3 | Raw meat with kibble. Ratio 3:1. This means 75% raw, 25% kibble. | 3 times daily |
| 4 | Raw meat with kibble. Ratio 2:2. This means 50% raw, 50% kibble. At this point, you can distinguish his preferences. You might find he’s leaving one of the two behind on the plate, and staring back up at you. Do not let him train you. Stick to the plan (for the sake of his digestive system). | 3 times daily |
| 5 | Raw meat with kibble. Ratio 2:2. This means 50% raw, 50% kibble. If all is going well in the litter box, you might want to offer a wee bit more kibble. On day 4 and 5, watch for food sensitivities. | 2 times daily |
| 6 | Raw meat with kibble. Ratio 2:2. This means 50% raw, 50% kibble. Again, boost the kibbles if the litter box habits are healthy and productive. | 2 times daily |
| 7 | Raw meat with kibble. Ratio of 1:3. This means 75% kibble, 25% raw. | 2 times daily |
| 8 – 11 | From the 75/25% ratio, begin tapering the raw out. Watch for litter box distress. You will also see evidence of digestion problems, if any, on the kitten’s backside. Make sure anal glands do not become impacted or abscessed. | 2 times daily |
Raw Cat Food Diet Transition Warning
If at any point, your cat is struggling with a dry food introduction, reduce the kibble brand and go back to the previous day’s raw-to-kibble ratio. This schedule may be too fast for some, too slow for others.
Each kitten is different.
What to Expect from the Raw-Food-to-Dry Transition
Transition from Raw Diet
Once you’ve established reliance on kibble, your ragdoll can enjoy “free feeding” her dry food. You will find her caloric need varies as she grows and develops. There will be times when she doesn’t eat the recommended amount and there will be times she seems to eat more than what is recommended on the package. During the first year, food intake can change.
Can I feed wet or canned foods?
After Day 7, consider adding a little limited-ingredient canned wet food in with this concoction. “Limited Ingredient” just means the label doesn’t list a lot of fillers or preservative – juicy meat & broth.
Kitten-Feeding Pro Tip
Feed the kitten in front of you. If she’s under a year old, she’s a kitten and her caloric demand will vary. Do not rigidly follow the bag’s directions. Food labels provide serving suggestions, not mandates.
Watch weight.
After your kitten is a year old, limit her intake of kibble so she doesn’t become obese, lethargic, and prone to heart conditions as she ages. Bored or anxious kitties overeat.
Study the litter box
It’s a good idea to watch what your ragdoll leaves behind in the box. Those deposits are health indicators. And if you see problems, consider whether a vet visit is necessary.
Don’t skip the canned food.
Remember to keep up the wet food servings at least once a day for your adult. Be sure to refill the water fountain and keep it clean. It doesn’t take long for the interior to become slimy and the pump to be clogged.
When to See The Vet
Navigating health care systems + Balancing Nutritional Needs
It’s common for bloggers and feline expert to encourage pet owners to see the vet. There are times when your ragdoll needs to see a vet.
- Frequent Runny Stools (more than three per day = diarrhea)
- Odd color or abnormal stools
- Unable to keep foods down (vomiting in excess)
- Lethargy
- Dehydration (pinching-the-skin test)
- Refusal to Eat
I caution ragdoll owners to balance your own research with your veterinarian’s nutritional advice. General practitioners are burdened with a large spectrum of problems in a variety of animals. While these knowledgeable, compassionate veterinarians can make recommendations, they are not able to witness what you can at home. Often, an in-person visit with your favorite vet can not be entirely comprehensive. We have worked with a variety of physicians, all of whom have shared tidbits of wisdom and information to augment my own research, but no single office visit has solved a particular digestive and gastrointestinal problem because diagnosis and treatment is sometimes tricky. Most problems fall into the following categories:
- parasite or bacteria
- a lack of fiber (constipation)
- food sensitivity or allergy
- irritable bowl syndrome
Parasites are treatable but can resurface if not treated long enough, or if the cyst form (egg) of the parasite is still living in the environment. They can sometimes live for months in the litter box, carpets, other pets who aren’t active shedders). Learn as much as you can on your own.
Often, a vet is scratching his head, clueless so he resorts to an IBD diagnosis when the cat is merely struggling with food sensitivities. We have witnessed cats recover from most health problems by switching to a raw diet, even after trying all the prescription diets.
Raw Cat Food Transition: Food Sensitivities
Slow (Ingredient Introduction) Wins the Race
During a raw cat food diet transition, your cat will encounter a lot of new ingredients. In fact, most ingredients in bagged dry food will be new to her, so her tummy may react negatively. Bagged kibble comprises protein, fats, soluble fiber, and vegetables cooked at high temperatures. Cooking at such temperatures reduces the vitamin and mineral content. Pet food manufacturers know this, so they add back in the nutrients (supplements).
Many bagged foods contain starches, such as rice, potatoes, oats, corn, and other carbohydrates. These fillers are the most likely source of tummy irritation for felines, as they are unnecessary parts of their diet.
Typical reactions include vomiting, diarrhea, & constipation. Regurgitation could result from a “Scarf & Barf” habit: kitty overeating too quickly. She may have not chewed thoroughly enough. She has gorged, stuffing her face with tantalizing nuggets, but her esophagus rejects the packed-in dry food. An absence of moisture combined with rapid gobbling caused reflux. It’s not a big deal; she’ll learn, and you can help her by serving small amounts of kibble at a time.
Diarrhea is more likely to be a reaction to food sensitivity. It is possible that, with time, she can adjust to the new ingredients. If she produces loose stools for longer than three days, perhaps there is cause for concern. Reduce the kibble offering. Don’t immediately jump to a new food–even if your vet recommends this. Changing things up frequently can cause kitty to double up on reactions! Just reduce the serving size while increasing raw or freeze-dried raw food. Her transition will take more time. You’ll want to adjust the suggested schedule.
Constipation is generally a sign of too much fiber and/or too little water. Remember that freeze-dried is often high in fiber (bone content), so you will see firm stools. Straining to potty can cause different problems. Consult this chart. Level 2 is ideal.
If, at any time, you see levels 5-7, reduce the new kibble or canned food, as this type of stool could be a result of intolerance of the new ingredients. If levels 5-7 continue, the vet may want to do a fecal to be sure she doesn’t have a parasite.
Most families find success in the transition. I rarely hear anyone say they have trouble adjusting to the kibble. If you have chosen a good brand with adequate nutrients and limited ingredients, your Masterpiece will enjoy a fairly healthy life. While I truly believe raw is the most humane diet to feed a cat, sometimes it just is not possible.
