A cat turned on his "dad" mode and started caring for kittens in need after moving indoors.Dakota and BunnyFosterBabyCatsDakota, an orange tabby named after the street where he was found, was rescued after surviving on his own for quite some time.Jillian, the founder of FosterBabyCats, gave him a spare room after he was fixed and treated for a wound. Though uncertain if he would adjust to living indoors, she wanted him to experience the comfort and warmth of a home.Before long, he turned on the charm and proved he was meant for indoor life.FosterBabyCatsDakota, estimated to be two years old, had endured the harsh realities of street life. When he was served a plate of freshly boiled chicken, he devoured it, delighted to have a full belly.He was gentle and easygoing with the female cats in the house, happily letting them call the shots.He nestled into Jillian's lap for the first timeFosterBabyCatsTwo days later, Dakota hopped onto the couch beside Jillian. With a gentle nudge of his head, he nestled into her lap, ready for some cuddles. "The first time he started making biscuits and comfort nursing on a soft blanket, I knew he wasn't planning on going back outside."He followed her everywhere, even into the bathroom while she showered, as if he were her little guardian.He follows his foster mom everywhere, even into the bathroomFosterBabyCats"He's very loyal to whoever he claims as his human."When he joined Jillian in the foster room, he found her tending to two tiny rescue kittens. At first, he was unsure about them, but he kept checking in on his foster mom. After a few visits, he decided to lend a paw.FosterBabyCats"The first time I witnessed some softness from him was when I was helping Bunny (tortie) go potty, and he let her grab his neck to comfort her."One day, he settled next to the incubator, inviting Bugs (gray and white kitten) to come closer. After a few sniffs, he tenderly washed his face and groomed his fur. "Now, he comes running to help when he knows it's time for their bottles."FosterBabyCats"I haven't quite figured out if Dakota likes the idea of kittens or if he's just caring for them because he thinks they are my babies, and he's trying to support me. Either option is very sweet, and I appreciate him no matter what the motive."Every night, he comes to help get the kittens ready for bed. "I'm pretty sure Bunny thinks she's exactly the same size as Dakota."Dakota and BunnyFosterBabyCatsThe kittens lean into him whenever he grooms them, soaking up all the affection."It has to be so nice to experience being groomed by another cat for the first time. He has done a spectacular job of keeping them clean and allowing them to experience the love of a 'mom cat'something I can't replicate as a human foster mom."Dakota and BugsFosterBabyCatsWhether Jillian is relaxing on the couch or making dinner, Dakota wants to be part of the action. "He thinks he's an integral part. Taking a shower? He'll stand watch.""He's only known me for a few months, and he's fiercely loyal. I hope he can find his own forever home with someone who has more time for him; he deserves all the love and attention."FosterBabyCatsDakota has learned to enjoy life and rediscovered his inner kitten. He now plays with toys and the kittens' new furniture, making sure everything is well-tested for when Bunny and Bugs are bigger.But above all, he adores his people, trailing them like their most loyal companion.FosterBabyCats"Dakota is so protective and possessive. He needs a very special home that will adore that about him."He's loving his new life as an indoor cat, showing his human how grateful he is every day with biscuits (kneading), head bumps, and purrs.FosterBabyCatsShare this story with your friends. More on Dakota (in OH) and FosterBabyCats on Instagram@FosterBabyCats and Facebook or to adopt at their site FosterBabyCats.org.Related story: Cat Thought to Be a 7-Week-Old Kitten When Found Along the Road but Turns Out She's Much Older

Providing your cat with a healthy, balanced, and high-quality diet is critical for them to stay in optimum health, and your beloved Ragdoll is no exception! But finding the right balance of high-quality food and something that your cat will enjoy can be challengingor not. Some cats are picky, while others are less so.Either way, since shopping can be time consuming, we researched and compiled a list of cat foods that are all great options for your kitty. We hope that these reviews will lead you to your Ragdolls next favorite food. Theres also a buyers guide to help make your decision an informed one.Important Note: This article has been reviewed by one of our veterinarians to ensure accuracy and safety. However, the opinions and insights expressed are those of the author and may not fully represent the veterinarians perspective. This information is intended to complement, not replace, personalized veterinary guidance. If youre considering changing your cats food, we strongly recommend consulting with your vet to ensure the new diet is appropriate for your cats health needs. Click to Skip Ahead Our Top Pick ComparisonOur ReviewsBuyers GuideOur Selection ProcessWhy Trust PangoVet?Final Thoughts A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2025 Rating Image Product Details Smalls Ground Bird Cat Food USDA-certified Available in different textures All-natural, sustainably sourced CHECK PRICE Cat Chow Indoor Hairball & Healthy Well-priced Natural fiber for controlling hairballs Nutritionally balanced for indoor cats CHECK PRICE Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Chicken Main ingredient is deboned chicken Psyllium seed husks and cellulose help with hairballs Omega-3 and -6 for healthy skin and coat CHECK PRICE Royal Canin Feline Breed Nutrition Formulated specifically for the Ragdoll breed Enriched with EPA, DHA, and taurine Nutrients keep the coat healthy and soft CHECK PRICE Purina ONE +Plus Healthy Kitten Affordable Four antioxidants for immune system support High in protein for developing muscles CHECK PRICE The 10 Best Cat Foods for Ragdolls1. Smalls Ground Bird Cat Food Best Overall Check Latest PriceMain ingredients:Chicken, chicken liver, green beans, peasProtein content:55% (dry matter basis)Fat content:30% (dry matter basis)Calories:1,401 kcal/kgSmalls offers nutrient-rich, human-grade cat food that is tailored to the specific dietary needs of cats. The Ground Bird Cat Food makes the top of the recommendation list. This recipes primary ingredient is deboned chicken and a blend of natural ingredients like green beans, peas, and kale, offering exceptional benefits to cats, particularly those of the Ragdoll breed.Smalls recipes are all USDA-certified and sustainably sourced. Each is gently cooked to preserve nutrients and natural flavors. They also cater to all life stages by offering different textures.The convenience of a fresh food delivery service is that you never have to worry about running out of cat food or having to compromise your cats nutritional needs when buying a bag of cat food on a whim. All of these reasons are why we chose Smalls Ground Bird Cat Food as the best cat food for Ragdoll cats.Pros All-natural, sustainably sourced USDA-certified Slow-cooking preserves natural flavors and nutrients Available in different textures Delivered to your doorCons Unable to purchase in-store2. Cat Chow Indoor Hairball & Healthy Weight Dry Cat Food Best Value Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonMain ingredients:Chicken by-product meal, whole-grain corn, soy flourProtein content:30%Fat content:5%Calories:358 kcal/cupThe best cat food for Ragdolls for the money is Cat Chows Indoor Hairball & Healthy Weight Dry Cat Food. The indoor formula contains natural fiber to help control hairballs and aids in healthy digestion. Purina claims that the food is nutritionally balanced for cats that arent that physically active and includes 25 essential vitamins and minerals for their overall health. However, while this food is an excellent price, it does contain artificial colors.Pros Well-priced Natural fiber for controlling hairballs Nutritionally balanced for indoor cats Contains 25 essential vitamins and mineralsCons Contains artificial colors3. Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Chicken & Brown Rice Hairball Control Adult Dry Cat Food Premium Choice Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonMain ingredients:Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown riceProtein content:32%Fat content:15%Calories:389 kcals/cupBlue Buffalos Tastefuls Chicken & Brown Rice Hairball Control Adult Dry Cat Food is our pick of a premium choice food for your Ragdoll. It will help control hairballs with the use of psyllium seed husks and cellulose, and natural fiber aids in digestion. The main ingredient is deboned chicken, and the sources of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids will work wonders on your Ragdolls coat. Blue Buffalo also uses LifeSource Bits, a blend of important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune system support.The issues with this food are the price and the small size of the kibble, which might be problematic for particularly large Ragdolls.Pros Main ingredient is deboned chicken Psyllium seed husks and cellulose help with hairballs Omega-3 and -6 for healthy skin and coat LifeSource Bits for antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals includedCons Small kibble Expensive4. Royal Canin Feline Breed Nutrition Ragdoll Adult Dry Cat Food Best Overall Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonMain ingredients:Chicken by-product meal, corn, wheatProtein content:30%Fat content:16%Calories:402 kcal/cupAnother great cat food for Ragdolls is Royal Canins Feline Breed Nutrition Ragdoll Cat Food. Ragdolls have beautifully soft, fluffy coats, and this cat food has the right balance of nutrients to keep them that way. It has omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for large cats like the Ragdoll, and is enriched with taurine. The kibble is also the right shape and size, as its made explicitly for the Ragdolls jaw.The flaw with this cat food is that the main ingredients might not appeal to some owners, but cat food manufacturers always check the nutrition of their food to ensure that a cat will have a healthy and balanced diet.Pros Formulated specifically for the Ragdoll breed Nutrients keep the coat healthy and soft Enriched with EPA, DHA, and taurine Kibble is the right size and shape for the RagdollCons Main ingredient is chicken by-product meal5. Purina ONE +Plus Healthy Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food Best for Kittens Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonMain ingredients:Chicken, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten mealProtein content:40%Fat content:18%Calories:514 kcal/cupThe best dry food for kittens is Purinas ONE +Plus Healthy Kitten Formula, which has chicken as the main ingredient. It contains DHA for a growing kittens brain and vision development, in addition to four antioxidant sources, including vitamins A and E, for immune system support. Its high in protein for developing muscles and has added calcium for strong bones and teeth. It doesnt contain artificial preservatives or flavors and is quite affordable.However, many kitten owners have found that after their kittens ate this food, their poop was much stinkier than before.Pros Chicken is the main ingredient Affordable Four antioxidants for immune system support High in protein for developing muscles No artificial preservatives or flavorsCons Can make poop stinky6. Purina Pro Plan Hairball Control Pate Wet Cat Food Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonMain ingredients:Ocean whitefish, water, meat by-productsProtein content:9%Fat content:3%Calories:82 kcal/canPurinas Pro Plan Hairball Control Pate Wet Cat Food is full of natural fiber to help with digestion and hairballs. It has ocean whitefish as the main ingredient (several other flavors are also available, including chicken, turkey, and salmon) and is a high-protein wet food.It contains antioxidants for the immune system and vitamin A, and taurine. It also doesnt have any artificial colors or preservatives. However, there are picky cats out there that might decide that this food is not for them.Pros Vet recommended Full of natural fiber to help with hairballs Main ingredient is ocean whitefish High-protein wet food No artificial colors or preservativesCons Picky cats might not like it7. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natures Evolutionary Diet Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonMain ingredients:Deboned chicken, chicken meal, pea proteinProtein content:38%Fat content:16%Calories:410 kcal/cupBlue Buffalos Wilderness Natures Evolutionary Diet Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food has deboned chicken as the first ingredient. This particular food is a great option for indoor cats for digestion help and maintaining a healthy weight. It has the LifeSource Bits that Blue Buffalo uses in all its dry pet food, which are balanced combinations of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.It doesnt contain artificial ingredients or meat by-products and is grain-free. Unfortunately, some cats dont seem to like this food, and the LifeSource Bits also tend to be ignored.Pros Deboned chicken is the first ingredient Helps indoor cats maintain a healthy weight Aids in digestion and helps with hairballs LifeSource Bits for antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals Doesnt contain artificial ingredients or meat by-productsCons Picky cats might not like it Some cats dont eat the LifeSource Bits8. Royal Canin Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonMain ingredients:Chicken meal, corn, brewers riceProtein content:27%Fat content:11%Calories:325 kcal/cupRoyal Canin Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food is meant for indoor adult cats aged 1 to 7. The blend of fiber provides relief from hairballs, enabling them to pass safely through the digestive tract. The calories are controlled to help indoor cats maintain a healthy weight, and theres highly digestible protein for easier digestion and better-quality poop.Finally, the kibbles texture and added minerals work together for improved dental health. However, while this wont affect all cats, some cats might experience upset stomach with this food.Pros Blend of fiber for hairballs Controlled calories for weight management Highly digestible protein for digestibility and poop quality Minerals and kibble are great for dental healthCons Some cats might get an upset stomach9. Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Dry Cat Food Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonMain ingredients:Chicken, chicken by-product meal, corn gritsProtein content:30%Fat content:5%Calories:302 kcal/cupIams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Dry Cat Food has been formulated with L-carnitine, which helps maintain a healthy metabolism and weight by burning fat. It additionally includes beet pulp to help reduce hairballs and aids in healthy digestion. It has omega acids that are great for your Ragdolls beautiful coat. Its made with real chicken and is quite affordable.The flaws here are that not every cat seems to enjoy this food, and some cats might experience stomach upset.Pros Includes L-carnitine for healthy weight and metabolism Has beet pulp for hairballs and healthy digestion Omega acids for a healthy coat Affordable Made with chickenCons Not all cats like it Might give some cats stomachs upset11. Fancy Feast Classic Seafood Feast Canned Cat Food Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonMain ingredients:Ocean fish, liver, meat by-productsProtein content:12%Fat content:5%Calories:88 kcal/canFancy Feast Classic Seafood Feast Canned Cat Food is a tasty wet food available in multiple flavors. The first ingredient is ocean fish, and its fortified with essential vitamins and minerals for your Ragdolls overall health. If your cat is sensitive to grains, this food is grain-free.However, the texture of this pt tends to be drier than it should be. Also, picky cats dont love this food, perhaps because it isnt moist enough.Pros Wet food with many flavors to choose from First ingredient is ocean fish Grain-free for cats sensitive to grainsCons Pt a bit dry Picky cats might not like itBuyers Guide: Choosing the Best Ragdoll Cat FoodLets discuss in further detail what food you should choose when shopping for your Ragdoll and why.Important Information on Comparing Dry and Wet FoodWhen looking at the nutritional values of pet food, the guaranteed analysis listed on the package and included in our tables can be misleading because its based on the total weight. To get a correct reading, you need to eliminate the moisture content to compare a dry and a wet diet. If the moisture is not eliminated, the protein and fat content will appear much lower in wet food compared to dry food.To better understand if wet food aligns with dry matter recommendations, adjusting the foods moisture content is necessary. The guide below offers a simple, quick method to estimate dry matter equivalents. Please note that this is only an approximation, not a precise calculation.Moisture Content Multiply Nutrient Level By70%3.3375%480%585%6.66Indoor Cat FoodAlmost all the food on this list is for indoor cats, and theres a good reason for that. Ragdoll cats are generally considered indoor cats only, as they are large yet floppy cats that tend to have docile and trusting natures. This can make them more vulnerable than other cat breeds to everything from predators to cat snatchers.Indoor cats need environmental enrichment since they dont have the same opportunities to run and get exercise. Ragdolls are more prone to weight gain and hairballs due to overgrooming. This is why its important to play with your cat often and to consider food formulated for indoor cats.Image Credit: Fayzulin Serg, ShutterstockPortion SizesRagdoll cats tend to eat more than most other breeds, which isnt surprising given how large they arethey can weigh up to 20 pounds! They are also quite vocal about whether they like their food or when they think that its dinnertime.High-Quality FoodYou should become familiar with the ingredients in cat food. The first five ingredients tend to make up the majority of what goes into the food. Meat should be the first one, and named meat is best, such as chicken or beef. Cats are obligate carnivores, and roughly 70% of their diet should be animal protein.Food ChangesWhat your Ragdoll eats will depend on their stage of life. Kittens have different nutritional requirements than adults, and adult cats need different food from seniors. Most cat food manufacturers make food designed for all life stages, so you can usually stick with the same flavors that your cat already loves.However, there are times when you need to put your cat on a special diet due to a food allergy, intolerance, or urinary, kidney, gastrointestinal, or endocrine issues. Before you switch your Ragdoll to a new food, though, discuss it with your veterinarian. Any switch should be slow and gradual, and youll want to give your Ragdoll the best food designed to keep them healthy.Our Ragdoll Cat Food Selection ProcessThe cat foods for Ragdolls we reviewed in this article were chosen by PangoVets writers and editors, in collaboration with our experienced veterinary team, based on personal experience with the product, knowledge and expertise about the pets care needs, brand reputation, and reviews across multiple retail outlets from other customers that have purchased and used the product. The combination of these factors allows us to gather a wide range of information to help you choose only the best cat foods for Ragdolls and ensure you have the most accurate information about these products to promote proper care, health, and well-being of your beloved pets.Why Trust PangoVet?PangoVets licensed and experienced veterinarians have a knowledge base that extends to all kinds of petsfurry, scaly, and featheredand want only the best for pets of all shapes and sizes. We also have experienced writers and editors who are pet owners with a variety of different pets, and we love our pets as much as you do. We recognize pets as part of our family. We make sure to only choose products from reputable brands highly rated by customers as well as products that we have personal experience with, to ensure that every cat food for Ragdolls featured in this review is high-quality and safe for your pets.ConclusionThe best overall food for Ragdoll cats is Smalls Fresh Cat Food. These meals were tailored to the specific dietary needs of felines. That said, Cat Chows Indoor Hairball & Healthy Weight uses natural fiber for hairballs, and it is the best for the money.Our third choice, Blue Buffalos Tastefuls Hairball Control Natural Cat Food, includes psyllium seed husks and cellulose for hairballs and has deboned chicken as the main ingredient. If youre looking for food for your Ragdoll kitten, try Purinas ONE +Plus Healthy Kitten Formula, which has chicken as the first ingredient and doesnt contain artificial flavors or preservatives. Finally, Purinas ONE +Plus Healthy Kitten Formula is vet-recommended because it is high in fiber for hairballs and contains real ocean whitefish as the main ingredient.We hope that these reviews have steered you in the right direction for your cats new food, but it all comes down to your choicesand your Ragdolls taste buds!Featured Image Credit: TarasBeletskiy, ShutterstockThe post 10 Best Cat Foods for Ragdolls 2025 Reviews & Top Picks appeared first on PangoVet.