One of the most difficult decisions to make for your new Ragdoll kitten is deciding what kind of food to feed him or her.
If you go to the pet store, you'll be overwhelmed by the amount of choices available.
But which choice is the best? There are three things you can do to make sure you are picking the right food for your cat.
We'll talk about those next.
1.
Talk with your vet The absolute best choice you can make is to consult with your vet.
This is especially important if your cat has any specific medical needs or concerns.
Ask your vet for some brand name suggestions and discuss what to look for in the food you purchase.
2.
Read the Ingredients One of the easiest ways to determine food quality is by reading the ingredients.
All cat food must have the ingredients listed on the label.
It's best to avoid food with animal by-products.
The ingredient may be listed as "beef by-products" or "chicken by-products.
" By-products are what is leftover from the animal after all the meat has been taken away.
This includes bone, plasma, entrails, and intestines.
Also, look out for the word "meat meal.
" Meat meal can legally contain zoo animals, road kill, and diseased or injured animals.
3.
Watch Your Cat's Energy Level and Appearance Once you've selected a brand of food for your cat, take note of his appearance and energy levels.
Is his fur soft, non-matted, and shiny? Are his eyes bright and clear? How do his stools look? Are they well formed or watery and smelly? Also, watch your cat's energy levels.
Does he seem to play a lot? Or does he sleep all the time (remember, cats sleep A LOT naturally.
Kittens even more so).
If anything seems off, take your cat to the vet right away.
If he checks out okay at the vet, it might be time to try a different brand of food.
Remember, whenever you switch foods it's important to transition slowly from the old food to the new food.
For a period of one-two weeks, gradually mix more and more new food with the old food.
Eventually, your cat will be eating only new food.
This is important because switching foods too quickly can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea.
Once you've switched to the new food, again take notice of your cat's appearance and energy levels.
If something seems off, repeat the process again.
Finding the perfect food for your Ragdoll cat can be frustrating.
But it's an important part of your cat's health and well-being.
It's critical to be patient with the process and don't give up until you've found a winner.
And in case you are wondering, I've found the best food for my cats is the Blue Buffalo brand.
It's a bit pricey, but it's worked well for both of my Ragdoll cats.