Balanced & Practical: A Hybrid Feeding Guide for Your Purrsace Ragdoll

Lani with her kittens

At Purrsace, we believe in giving our Ragdolls the very best start in life and that begins with what goes into their bowl. We raise our kittens on a carefully planned hybrid diet of raw meals, high-quality kibble, and targeted supplements. This method supports optimal development, coat quality, digestion, and long-term health.

We encourage our future pawrents to continue this feeding approach after adoption, but understand that every household is different. If you choose to transition your kitten to a different diet, please do so gradually to avoid upset tummies.

A high-quality diet, supported by this hybrid method, can help your Ragdoll live a longer, healthier life often reaching 15–20 years with fewer chronic issues like kidney disease, obesity, or dental problems.

Why Hybrid Feeding Works

Our method combines the best of raw and kibble:

• Raw meals deliver species-appropriate nutrition with fresh proteins and natural moisture

• Kibble provides balance, backup nutrition, and convenience (We also use a gravity feeder for premium kibble in low-traffic areas, ensuring consistent access to food during busy days or when raw isn’t available.)

• Supplements (Carnivite, probiotics, Nutripet/Energel) help ensure full nutritional coverage

We use Buddy fresh pet meat rolls. These are sold in local pet stores (We buy it in bulk from Derrimut Pet Food Shop)

We start our kittens on Royal Canin Mother & Babycat dry food and transition to Royal Canin Kitten and Royal Canin Indoor Adult food. Always stored in a gravity feeder.

Our Bulk Prep Method (Raw Portion)

1. Protein Base

Boiled chicken, raw kangaroo, beef, rabbit, venison or similar. Ensure minced meat is pet grade. Rotate proteins for variety and balanced nutrition.

2. Moisture

Filtered water or homemade low-sodium beef bone broth (no onion, garlic, or added salt)

Moisture is critical, especially as cats naturally have a low thirst drive. Hydration in meals helps support kidney and urinary health.

3. Supplements

Carnivite, probiotics, and Nutripet (or similar)

• Carnivite provides essential vitamins, taurine, and amino acids

• Probiotics (Such as Synbiotic) support digestive and immune function

• Nutripet (or Energel) offers a high-calorie boost with essential micronutrients for growth, recovery, or picky eaters

4. Add-ons for Nutrition & Enrichment

Examples: Dehydrated chicken liver or hearts, whole egg (including crushed shell), powdered eggshells, pumpkin purée, sardines (in spring water), cat-safe coconut oil, or fresh cat grass.

These optional additions boost meals with calcium, healthy fats, fibre, and natural micronutrients. They also offer sensory and behavioural enrichment. We also recommend offering healthy treats like raw chicken necks (always under supervision) to help keep teeth clean, and cat grass to aid digestion and provide stimulation.

Use these in moderation, and rotate weekly to keep meals both exciting and balanced.

5. Mix & Store

Combine all ingredients well. Portion into freezer-safe containers or silicone trays and freeze immediately. Defrost in the fridge overnight before serving.

Water: The Unsung Hero

Cats often won’t drink enough on their own, so hydration must be encouraged. We highly recommend a cat water fountain to ensure:

• Continuous access to clean, running water

• Improved hydration for kidney and urinary health

• A more natural drinking experience that cats are drawn to

Troubleshooting & Common Issues

1. “My kitten suddenly stopped eating”

• Rotate proteins to keep meals interesting

• Try warming food to room temperature

• Add sardine water, goat milk, or a small amount of raw egg

• Check for dental issues or environmental stressors

2. Raw food storage & safety

• Freeze immediately after prep

• Defrost in fridge, never at room temperature or microwave

• Discard uneaten portions after 30–45 minutes

• Always handle and clean bowls with food-safe hygiene

3. Picky eaters

• Limit treats between meals

• Stick to scheduled feeding (don’t free-feed raw)

• Enhance flavour with toppers like freeze-dried meat or broth

• Temporarily reduce kibble to encourage interest in raw

4. Loose stools during transitions

• Slow down transition speed

• Add plain pumpkin puree or a probiotic

• Avoid feeding kibble and raw in the same meal, space meals 6–8 hours apart

5. Refusing new protein types

• Introduce new proteins gradually

• Mix new proteins with familiar ones

• Try interactive play before mealtime to boost appetite

Our hybrid feeding method helps kittens grow into strong, healthy, and well-adjusted adults. It supports:

• Digestive health

• Shiny coats and strong teeth

• Balanced growth

• Better hydration

• Longevity and reduced risk of chronic illness

We’ve designed this method to be both nutritionally sound and easy to maintain. With thoughtful planning and a little prep, it becomes a seamless part of daily life for you and your Ragdoll.