Weight & food intake - Printable Version

Weight & food intake - Printable Version

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Weight & food intake - NatsFan78 - 01-14-2020

When Jaxon first came home he had issues with diarrhea for several weeks, over a month. He gained weight quickly but then lost it just as quickly. He has not had any problems for a few weeks.

He weighed 2.5 pounds when he came home November 9 and he weighs 5.6 pounds this morning. He is five months old today. He eats at least three cans of food each day, often four. Each can is three ounces. He gets Pure Bites freeze dried treats each day as well. Does this sound right for his age?

His vet told me he looked perfect at his last appointment on January 2 and he was 4.8 pounds then. She also told me Ragdolls should never be over 12-14 pounds though so I am not sure how much I trust her opinion on his weight. Jaxon’s dad weighs 17 pounds. I just want to make sure he is on track after he was sick and lost weight. Thank you!

RE: Weight & food intake - Smudge's Mom - 01-14-2020

So happy to here that Jaxon is feeling well. In the old days (15 -20 years ago) the rule of thumb for Raggies was one pound per month of age for the first 12 months. If things have not changed, then Jaxon is right on target. My late Smudge (born 2002) was 19 pounds in his prime and not overweight. His dad and brothers were about the same. His mom was considered petite at only 13 pounds.
I had heard, that as a breed, Ragdolls (and RagaMuffins) had been bred down in recent years, but I don't know if that is true.

RE: Weight & food intake - NatsFan78 - 01-14-2020

Thank you so much! Jaxon’s dad is 17 pounds and from talking to others who have cats from the same breeder the males are generally 17-19 pounds. I expected my Jax will probably be 15-17 pounds. How long do they continue to gain weight? I am guessing it slows down after they turn one but doesn’t stop.

RE: Weight & food intake - Codysmom - 01-14-2020

With mine they gained weight rapidly during their first year, after that they grew a little. A pound a month sounds right to me too. My biggest was Fozzy at 9,6kgs and Katy (his sister) is about 7.3kgs. Cody is underweight he should be around 6kgs, I'm guessing, but he eats well and I've tried to get him to put on weight, but he's always been a really skinny boy. Smile

RE: Weight & food intake - NatsFan78 - 01-14-2020

Thank you! I was worried because he lost weight when he was having tummy issues. He is gaining steady and eats well. He only gets wet food and eats 9-12 ounces a day with some freeze dried treats. Hopefully he will continue his steady gain.

RE: Weight & food intake - JanH - 01-14-2020

There is no "right" weight for a breed. It all depends on the size of the cat. An adult Ragdoll can be fat at 12 pounds and underweight at 20 pounds. The charts will show you how the underweight and overweight will appear. Look down from above and avoid "counting" fur. In any event, absent very extreme circumstances I would not try to diet a cat under one and would use the caloric content of the food as the best method of adjusting weight for adults - or add a kitten to the household for an overweight adult. ; )

Spurts of growth and periods of loss are very common and may need to be monitored, but often will correct themselves when appetite adjusts itself.

RE: Weight & food intake - NatsFan78 - 01-14-2020

Thank you. The vet said he looked perfect for now on January 2 but she doesn’t want him to get over 14 pounds at most full grown. I just wanted to make sure he was on the right track. I will ask to see the other vet at the office next time, she has more experience with the breed.

RE: Weight & food intake - Codysmom - 01-18-2020

(01-14-2020, 09:34 PM)NatsFan78 Wrote: Thank you. The vet said he looked perfect for now on January 2 but she doesn’t want him to get over 14 pounds at most full grown. I just wanted to make sure he was on the right track. I will ask to see the other vet at the office next time, she has more experience with the breed.

Just something I've noticed with my Raggies:

Cody, my first Ragdoll although a male has always been my lightest, he has a long lean body and his bone structure finer than Fozzy's was.
Although Cody eats like a horse he is underweight, even according to the vet and weighs only a bit over 10lbs, but should be between around 12 - 13 lbs to be at his ideal weight for his frame.

This is Cody at around 4 years old.

Fozzy, weighed between 20-21 lbs.

Fozzy at 1,5 years old, you can see his larger bone structure.

Katy, is a good sized girl and weighs around 16lbs.

Katy at just over a year old in this photo.

I think it varies a lot from Ragdoll to Ragdoll depending on breeding etc., you'll see as Jaxon grows and matures what will be the right weight for him. Smile

RE: Weight & food intake - MUM_of_FLUFFY - 01-18-2020

This is such a good topic to discuss because there is such a wide range of "normal".

Fluff is a lilac point like Cody and his frame in size and shape looks very similar. It's quite amazing. I hadn't realised they were so similar in body shape. Fluff's length seemed to double overnight, but he's light and lean. I'm ashamed to say there were times when I wondered if Fluff was the "runt" of the litter because he seemed small and I didn't meet his litter mates. But - like Cody he only weighs in at just over 4 kgs.

I must admit I really do admire those big-boned, gorgeous bi-color ragdolls that Fozzy (rest his sweet soul) and Katy exemplify. I'm sure Jaxon will be perfect - but I think you should post lots more pics so we can check on his progress!!!
Big Grin

RE: Weight & food intake - NatsFan78 - 01-18-2020

Thank you Colleen, I never thought about it like that but it makes sense that weight can differ greatly depending on genetics and bone structure just as it does in humans. You’re babies are so stunning! I love looking at your pictures, you really do need to publish a book with your beautiful pictures.

I agree Fluffy’s Mum, I had no idea the normal range was as wide as it is. I love seeing pictures of other raggies. I am working on a photo collage of Jaxon for each week. I will post the first 3 pictures which will cover 27 weeks next month. He will be 27 weeks on February 19. He has changed so much already!