Maine Coons are big cats with even bigger purrsonalities, but you might be wondering whether a great appetite comes with the territory, too. Whether they’re kittens or grown-ups, these ferocious felines come with a voracious desire for food. What do Maine Coon cats eat, though?
Maine Coons, like all cats, are obligate carnivores which means they’re the happiest and healthiest when they’re munching on animal protein and animal-sourced nutrients. Coons need plenty of protein to keep their energy levels up when they’re hunting, hopping on the highest countertops, and causing trouble.
Coons need a healthy balance of animal protein and animal fats, but they’re more than happy to munch on human food, too – which can be a problem. Overfeeding your Coon can cause her to go from a hunter to a couch potato and develop a myriad of health niggles, from obesity and diabetes to heart disease.
On top of that, feeding your Coon the wrong type of food can cause a catastrophe, too. Whether you allow her to munch on your chocolate donut or share your Sunday roast with her, you’re pretty much setting yourself and your Coon’s digestive tract up for failure.
What do Maine Coon cats eat? What to consider when choosing the right cat food for your Maine Coon? What are the best cat foods for Maine Coon cats on the market? We’re bringing you a few of our favorite tips and tricks to keep your Maine Coon cat slim and trim down below.
What do Maine Coon cats eat?
More often than not, Maine Coon cats are starving within fifteen minutes after they’ve scoffed down an entire can of Fancy Feast. Meowing, pawing at your feet, begging you to toss them a treat or two might make you think you’re doing something wrong.
Maybe your Maine Coon needs more food than an average moggy. Perhaps your Maine Coon burns her calories by running around the apartment, knocking things down, and following you from one room to the other.
Maybe your Coon’s greedy and you need to figure out a way to ensure she’s satisfied after a big brunch.
Maine Coons get the necessary nutrients from animal protein and animal fat which means your Coon needs to feed on cat food that’s packed with these two things. Sure, some veggies aren’t bad for your fluffy friend, but they’re pretty unnecessary in the grand scheme of things. So, focus on protein and fat.
Protein provides your Coon with plenty of energy to run around the apartment, helps build muscle to make her even bigger and better, ensures the health of her skin and coat, and maintains the health of her organs.
Meat and fish are the best way to go about providing your Coon with protein, with an emphasis on chicken, turkey, beef, salmon, tuna, mackerel, and prawns. Fat sounds like something you don’t want your precious purrincess to eat, but fat happens to be an excellent secondary source of energy.
Furthermore, fat provides your Coon with fatty acids such as arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, omega-3, and omega-6 acids which are key to maintaining cell membrane structure.
Whether you opt for wet food, dry food, raw food, or homemade food, make sure you’re providing your Coon with enough animal protein and animal fat on a regular and you’re good to go.
What to consider when choosing the right cat food for your Maine Coon?
Most pet parents opt for commercially available cat food because that’s the best way to provide your cat with everything she needs on a regular.
Whether you gravitate toward wet food, opt for dry food combined with water, or go with the flow, commercially available cat food can save you plenty of time and effort. When you’re struggling to decide on the purrfect cat portion for your Coon, though, you do need to consider a few things.
First things first, high-quality cat food typically contains fewer easily identifiable ingredients – the ingredient list doesn’t contain words like “meat” or “xxx flavor variant” that don’t specify which ingredients are actually in there.
Furthermore, turn a blind eye to cat food that contains artificial additives, preservatives, or colorings. Good meat-based cat foods contain all the nutrients necessary to satisfy your nutritional needs.
Finally, poor-quality cat foods are normally “enriched” with ingredients such as grain, cereals, and vegetables that can be tough on your Coon’s tummy. What does that mean?
We’d argue that the best cat food for a Maine Coon cat contains 50% animal protein, 20% animal fat, and not more than 3% carbs. With that out of the way, we’ve rounded up a few commercially available cat foods that are packed with animal protein, ethically produced, and formulated by vets.
8 paw-licking cat foods for Maine Coon cats
What do Maine Coon cats eat? Welp, we’d say that Maine Coon cats eat everything you allow them to eat, but they’re more than happy to munch on these 8 paw-licking cat foods that deserve a spot on your groceries list. What are you waiting for? Read on!
1. Royal Canin Feline Nutrition Maine Coon Slices In Gravy
Starting with a great option to consider for adult Maine Coons, Royal Canin Feline Nutrition Maine Coon Slices In Gravy contains everything your Coon needs and more. So, these slices come in pate form rather than kibble which means they’re much more hydrating and nourishing.
With a bunch of nutritional advantages, 8.5% maximum moisture, and Maine Coon-specific ingredients, these slices are guaranteed to keep your Coon happy and healthy.
We do, however, need to underline that these Royal Canin slices are much more expensive than other affordable alternatives at the store, but they’re formulated specifically for Maine Coons.
2. Cat Chow Complete Dry Cat Food
Cat Chow Complete Dry Cat Food contains heaps of healthy ingredients, with a pretty high protein content and many added vitamins and minerals.
Contrary to popular belief, dry food can be a great source of nutrients for your Maine Coon – make sure she drinks plenty of water afterward and you’ve got nothing to worry about.
Cat Chow dry food is much more affordable than Royal Canine which might be something you’re on the hunt for, too. Although not specifically designed for Maine Coon cats, Cat Chow dry food contains everything your Coon needs to have a shiny coat and strong muscles.
3. Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food
Human-grade fish, beef, chicken, and turkey sound pretty freakin’ delicious, right? Whenever you’re struggling to figure out the best way to keep your Maine Coon strong and sturdy, you can turn to Smalls cat food for help.
Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food contains a healthy percentage of moisture to keep your kitty hydrated, human-grade ingredients, plenty of protein, and taurine, an amino acid that ensures your Coon maintains great vision, heart muscle function, reproduction, and digestion.
Smalls’ cat food can be rather expensive, though, and that’s why we recommend treating your Coon with a packet or two every now and then.
4. Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Chicken Feast Cat Food
Maine Coons adore Fancy Feast, but we do need to wonder if they’re onto something. Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Chicken Feast Cat Food happens to be one of those affordable alternatives we turn to when we’re on the hunt for something quick and simple.
Packed with protein, high in moisture, and inexpensive, we’re not surprised that Fancy Feast attracts attention from pet parents and cat connoisseurs. However, we do need to mention that Fancy Feast contains unlabeled meats, plant-based protein, and a low percentage of fat, too.
5. Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food
What do Maine Coon cats eat? Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food! With turkey as the star of the show, plenty of protein, fat, and omega fatty acids, and an attractive price point, pet parents are rooting for Purina cat food.
Purina’s a safe company that experiences very few recalls which might be something you’re keeping an eye on. Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food might be aimed at cats with sensitive stomachs, but they’re purrfect for Maine Coons, too.
6. Caster & Pollux Organix Chicken & Sweet Potato Cat Food
Caster & Pollux might be new to the cat food scene, but they’re far from unqualified and uninformed.
Caster & Pollux Organix Chicken & Sweet Potato Cat Food comes with a myriad of organic ingredients that promise to keep your Maine Coon purring the day away. Made with organic chicken, sweet potatoes, and peas, you know you’re getting your money’s worth.
Cranberries, flaxseed, and coconut oil promise to provide your cat with a boost of antioxidants and omega fatty acids.
7. Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Wet Cat Food
We’re obsessed with Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Wet Cat Food, although we’re aware that breaking the bank for a can of cat food might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Questionable price point aside, Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Wet Cat Food comes with a high moisture content, a high protein content, high-quality ingredients, and no artificial flavors or preservatives. We’re rooting for the chicken flavor, but any of the flavors available at the store are suitable for a Maine Coon cat.
