Ragdolls are one of the largest domesticated cats in the world. There are several cases where the growth of Ragdolls stops for various reasons.
The diet of these cats needs to be balanced and proportionate to the size of the Ragdoll. That is why you should have a clear idea about the growth of the Ragdoll.
If you are not careful with the amount of food that the cat is intaking, it can grow obese or suffer from malnutrition.
In this article, we will explore the factors that can affect Ragdoll’s growth and the expected size of an adult Ragdoll to give you an idea in this regard.
When Do Ragdolls Stop Growing?
Ragdolls can grow up to a large extent if you are careful about their growth. While being overweight is an eminent problem for the cat’s health, cat owners also faced malnutrition issues for feeding too little.
Hence, when they start growing, you have to know at what pace they grow and when they stop increasing in size to make an effective diet schedule for them.
Ragdoll cats are tiny until they reach one year of age. After that, the cat can undergo a gradual or sudden change in their sizes.
Generally, growth continues until they are four years old. However, if your cat is not growing in this period, several factors are hindering its growth.
Also Read: Types of ragdoll cats
Factors That Might Be Affecting The Growth Rate Of Your Ragdoll:
You should keep a close look at the Ragdoll’s growth during the first four years of its life.
If you observe that the Ragdoll is not growing at the correct rate, you can take the cat to a veterinarian or nutrition specialist for expert advice.
However, knowing the factors that can stunt Ragdoll’s growth will help you avoid the problems altogether. Here are some of them:
1. Mother’s Milk:
Colostrum or mother’s milk is a crucial source of vitamins, nutrients, and antibodies. The kitten should spend at least ten weeks before the breeder takes them away.
It provides the kitten with nutrients for fast growth and protection against harmful bacterias or parasites.
There are powerful antibodies in the colostrum that protects the kitten from those. If you take the kitten away from the mother early, you have to make sure that it finds those needed nutrients from the kitten’s development formula.
2. Nutritious Diet:
Ragdolls have a haphazard growth rate, which remains high initially before reaching a drastic drop when they are one year of age, and it gradually increases as they grow up.
You have to provide the cat with the right amount of nutrients at the right time. Hence, a veterinarian can help you with a balanced diet plan for the Ragdoll.
You can also make sure that the diet plan is valid, with regular visits to the veterinarian. The growth spree also needs unique cat formulas for balanced growth.
3. Exercising:
When you are adopting one of the largest domesticated cats globally, the growth of the Ragdoll becomes a crucial aspect of the ownership.
You have to make sure that the cat is getting sufficient stimulation for balanced growth.
One of the best methods of stimulating a cat is through exercising. Playing with a Ragdoll is probably an uncomplicated job in the world because of the dog-like nature.
4. Disease:
Diseases are the primary concern when the growth of the Ragdoll suddenly stops. You can make sure that the cat does not have any parasitic infestation in its dietary tract.
The problem can go up to the extent when the cat can suffer from malnutrition. Diabetes can also be a reason for such a hindrance to their growth.
There are many diseases in which weight loss is a symptom. In those cases, taking the vet should be the first thing you should do.
How Big Can Ragdolls Get?
Ragdolls are one of the largest domesticated cats, and it is one of the most popular choices for the cat owners who want to own a large cat.
Ragdolls grow extremely fast after they reach the one year mark. It is fascinating to observe a Ragdoll cat grow up to such a large volume.
Appropriate care and dieting should ensure that the male cats weigh between 12 and 22 pounds when they are adults.
For females, the weight is significantly less than their male counterparts. The average weight of a fully grown female Ragdoll can be anywhere between 7 and 16 pounds.
However, these cats can be a little smaller than the Maine Coons. The overall structure of Ragdoll cats is sturdy and muscular. So, if you are a big cat enthusiast, Ragdoll is probably one of the best choices for you.
Conclusion:
Ragdoll cats need proper attention to their irregular growth pattern. You have to maintain a balanced and sufficient diet plan depending on their current state, and it changes with their size.
So, it is crucial to know the expected volume of the Ragdoll according to their size. You should be well aware of the factors that can hinder growth.
If you are careful of those few factors and keep a veterinarian in the loop, your Ragdoll will naturally reach its potential.
Hi There, AJ Oren here. I am the founder of this amazing pet blog & a passionate writer who loves helping pet owners to learn more about their pets through my articles. I am also the content manager of this blog. I have experience in pet training and behavior, sheltering, and currently working for a veterinary clinic.