Maine Coons stand out from other felines due to their size and fur length. What do these unique cats eat, and do they need a specific diet?
Ensure your furry friend gets the best, and read on to become a Maine Coon feeding expert!
An animal protein-based diet is preferred by Maine Coon cats. Like every different cats, they may be obligate carnivores. They need to eat excessive stages of protein to fuel their excessive activity stages and preserve their frame in shape and wholesome. Protein-rich, low grain dry-meals, moist food, uncooked food, or a mixture of all 3 are high-quality for Maine Coon kittens and cats. But what do these cats need to be healthy and happy members of your family? The answer is nutritious and balanced Maine Coon Food!
Discover the top ingredients, feeding tips, and nutritional insights to keep your Maine Coon thriving.
Do Maine Coons Need Special Food?
If you are a Maine Coon owner or want to purchase or adopt a Maine coon cat, it is important to know that the Maine Coon diet is one of the most important aspects of Maine Coon health.
They require a diet high in animal protein and fat, with moderate carbs from a combination of wet cat food and Maine Coon dry food. You should also know how to feed kittens.
The best cat food for purebred Maine Coon cats would have plenty of lean meats, fish, eggs, and poultry in their daily meals. Maine Coon cats also need plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids to keep their coats healthy and shiny, so fish should be included whenever possible.
If your particular brand of Maine Coon Food does not include all of the necessary healthy ingredients, talk to your vet about supplements that can be given in addition to dry food.
One of the most popular dry foods specially formulated for Coon cats is Royal Canin Maine Coon 31, which I usually use to feed my two Maine Coon cats. It’s also the only breed specific food I’ve been able to find on the market.
It is especially important to pay attention to supplements that can reduce inflammation and increase joint support. This may be particularly important for pedigree Coon cats (like other pedigrees) because of risks related to specific genetic health conditions, like hip dysplasia or heart enlargement, called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). It is also necessary to learn about food-related Maine Coon allergies and ways deal them.
What is a healthy Maine Coons diet?
Maine Coon care can require a special diet, which will help maintain a healthy weight, protect skin and fur, and help minimize health problems, such as hip dysplasia.
It’s important to pick cat food with supplements that help with joint protection and relief, plus supplements to fight off inflammation and regenerate joint tissue.
The most important supplement to look for is glucosamine hydrochloride. Chondroitin and fish oil are also importran. Omega-3 and omega-6 help reduce blood pressure, reduce the likelihood of blood clotting, and protect the skin. Linoleic acid, found in omega 6, helps keep its healthy coat shiny and soft.
Most breeders recommend a high-quality dry food that contains omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids; vitamins B, C, E, and H (biotin); glucosamine; chondroitin; digestive enzymes; and probiotics. Maine Coon cats eat an average of 11 meals per day and a large quantity per meal.
Best Food for Maine Coon Cats
There are many choices, but it is your responsibility to look for the best food for Maine Coon and to ensure your cat gets the necessary supplements, minerals, and vitamins. Giving your pet a healthy diet will minimize health risks and help your coon cat live a happy and healthier life.
When picking out cat food, ensure the first ingredient is protein, like fish or chicken. Here, I have listed a few of the best cat foods according to my own experience:
1. Royal Canin Maine Coon 31
As a Maine Coons owner, I recommend the Royal Canin Maine Coon 31 for your cat. I always keep Royal Canin Maine Coon 10kg food stock for my cats. The Royal Canin Maine Coon cat food is tailor-made to meet the dietary needs and health requirements of Maine Coons. The cat food is safe and offers high-quality Maine Coon supplements necessary for optimal health.
Nutritional Content
Royal Canin Maine Coon 31 comprises all the breed-specific nutrients needed for Maine Coon cats to stay healthy, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and other trace elements.
It contains high-quality proteins, including animal-based proteins, to help Maine Coon cats maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints. It is also rich in essential fatty acids, including Omega-3 and Omega-6, to help keep their skin and coat healthy.
Additionally, it contains a balance of carbohydrates, including prebiotics, to provide Maine Coons with the energy they need to stay active and healthy.
Royal Canin Maine Coon cat food also contains a range of vitamins and minerals to help Maine Coons stay healthy, such as vitamin A for eye health, vitamin D for bone health, and iron to help keep their red blood cells healthy. It also includes a selection of trace elements to help support the immune system and overall health.
Benefits of the Royal Canin Maine Coon cat food
- It is specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of Maine Coon cats.
- It is designed to help Maine Coons maintain strong bones and joints, healthy skin and coats, and good eye health.
- The food also contains a balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements to provide Maine Coons with the energy they need to stay active and healthy.
- The food is designed to be easy to digest, making it ideal for cats with sensitive stomachs.
- The food is also enriched with prebiotics to help support intestinal health.
- Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten food is specially designed for Maine Coon kittens up to 15 months old.
- Royal Canin Maine Coon wet food is exclusively made to meet the specific needs of Maine Coon adult cats.
2. Meowing Heads Cat Food
My second priority for cat foods for Maine Coon is Meowing Heads. The brand of cat food is known for its unique, high-quality ingredients. The company offers a range of natural and healthy cat food tailored to meet cat-specific needs.
Nutritional Content in Meowing Heads Cat Food
Meowing Heads cat food is formulated to provide cats with all the essential nutrients they need, including protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. Meowing Heads carefully selects ingredients to provide cats with a wholesome and balanced diet, focusing on essential proteins and fats.
The ingredients include dried fish, salmon, chicken, ground oats, egg, sunflower oil, salmon oil, minerals, vegetable fiber, natural seaweed, dried tomato, carrot, cranberry, and vitamins. The vitamins and minerals in the food are carefully chosen to ensure that cats get the right balance of essential nutrients.
Benefits of Meowing Heads Cat Food
- It contains healthy and natural ingredients that provide cats with the nutrition they need.
- The food is designed to be easy to digest and packed with nutrients, so cats can stay healthy and energetic.
- The food also contains taurine, an essential nutrient for cats that helps keep their eyes and heart healthy.
- It is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, making it a safe and healthy choice for cats.
3. Iams cat foods
Another brand I recommend is Iams, owned by Mars, Incorporated. Iams Cat Food is a nutritious, balanced diet for cats of all ages and sizes. It is made with high-quality ingredients, including chicken, chicken by-product meal, fish oil, and other wholesome ingredients. This cat food is also fortified with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to ensure optimal health and well-being of cats.
Nutritional Content in Iams cat foods
Iams Cat Food has all the essential nutrients to help keep cats healthy and active. It contains chicken, chicken by-product meal, ground whole grain corn, corn grits, corn gluten meal, dried plain beet pulp, chicken fat, natural flavor, dried egg product, and other wholesome ingredients.
It is fortified with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, including vitamin E, Niacin, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Inositol, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Taurine, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, L-Carnitine, and Rosemary Extract.
Benefits of Iams cat foods
- Iams Cat Food provides cats with a balanced diet to meet their nutritional needs.
- It is rich in protein from chicken and other wholesome ingredients to help maintain strong muscles.
- The vitamins and minerals in the food help support healthy bones, teeth, and eyes.
- Fish oil’s omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help promote healthy skin and coat.
- Iams Cat Food is formulated to give cats energy to stay active and alert.
Instructions to feed your Maine Coon cats
Experts recommend feeding Maine Coon cats 2-3 meals daily, depending on their age, size, and activity level. It is necessary to balance dry cat food and gravy wet cat food. It is important to feed the correct amount of food to ensure your Maine Coon cat is not overfed.
Overfeeding can cause a variety of problems in cats, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease. Overfeeding can also lead to digestive problems, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
Cats aged 5 to 10 years are more likely to have weight problems. There were a few Maine Coon cats that gained over 40 lb weight. Lower-calorie food can be incorporated to help control obesity. Water is vitally important.
Overfeeding can also raise Maine Coon Costs. Obesity in cats can be very costly to treat and require expensive medications and specialized diets. It may be tempting to give milk to your cat, but they don’t tolerate it well because of the high fructose content.
Protect Your Cat from Tainted Food Products
In 2007, pet owners were distraught when over 10000 animals became sick or died due to tainted food products. Over 2,500 cats died from the melamine found in imported wheat gluten, rice gluten, and corn gluten. To be aware of pet food recalls and discover the latest in safe foods, you can visit the FDA website: fda.gov.