Table of Contents
- The Importance of Feeding Your Maine Coon Well
- What Most People Feed Their Cat
- Wet Vs. Dry Food Vs. Raw Food
- How Much to Feed Your Maine Coon
- How Frequently to Feed Your Maine Coon
- Feed at the Same Time Each Day
- Keep the Same Diet After Bringing Home a Cat
- FAQs: Maine Coon Diet
The Importance of Feeding Your Maine Coon Well
We’ve all heard the saying “You are what you eat” and understand the consequences of overeating and bad diet in humans, and a bad Maine Coon diet can be just as detrimental to your cat.
What and when you feed your cat can determine how long they live, their quality of life, and whether they suffer diseases down the road.
And it can sometimes be hard to distinguish if a cat is truly malnourished; they may not be skin and bones, but they could be silently suffering from nutritional deficiencies from the food they’re being given.
Cats in the wild can forage for their own food and obtain the natural diet that is best suited for them, but a cat in your household is dependent on the food you provide. And on top of that the Maine Coon diet can be a tricky one to nail down as Maine Coons are physically quite different than the average house cat.
What Most People Feed Their Cat
Most people provide only dry food bought from the local supermarket and call it a day, but this is most certainly not an adequate diet for a Maine Coon. While it may be much cheaper and convenient than providing wet food, it’s the equivalent of a human eating sugary cereal all day and can have serious health consequences for your cat. There are plenty of alternative, healthier Maine Coon diet options that will be explained next.
Wet Vs. Dry Food Vs. Raw Food
With all the options on the market, it can be difficult to figure out which foods are worth paying top dollar for and which are going to be good enough for your cat.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they eat almost exclusively meat. In fact, their diet should consist of no more than 5% carbohydrates and most of their protein should come from an animal source.
With that being said, it’s hard to accomplish this nutritional requirement by providing only dry food because most commercially available dry foods contain a lot of carbohydrates, fillers, plant protein, and other ingredients that are not naturally found in a wild Maine Coon diet. More often than not, the bag will claim that the dry food is well-balanced and provides complete nutrition, but in reality nothing could be further from the truth.
Another important consideration is your Maine Coon’s water intake. Cats in the wild get most of their hydration from their diet, not by actually drinking water as most people think. Canned cat food is about 70-80% water, while dry food is only about 10% water. Although you can make up some of the water loss by providing a bowl or fountain of water, it’s still not usually enough to cover the difference.
Raw food is meat that is uncooked or partially cooked, and most closely mimics what cats actually ate in the wild. Although this is the most time consuming and probably expensive way to feed your cat, it’s arguably the best way of ensuring your cat will get all of their nutritional needs met. Raw cat food can either be bought or prepared at home, and can be a great addition to your Maine Coon’s diet even if it’s just once per week.
So which is better? The answer lies somewhere in the middle. If your Maine Coon is healthy and doesn’t have special dietary requirements, then mainly wet food with dry food being supplementary and raw food being optional will likely be fine. Focus on quality as well; it’s worth paying a little extra for food that has been highly rated as opposed to just buying the bargain brand at the local grocery store.
As always, no cat is the same, and it’s best to consult your vet on the best Maine Coon diet for your particular cat.
How Much to Feed Your Maine Coon
The amount of food provided will change depending on the age, weight and activity level of your cat along with what you’re feeding them (dry or wet food) and whether their pregnant or lactating or spayed or neutered.
Foods with higher nutrient density can be served in smaller portions.
According to All Feline Hospital, indoor cats should receive about 20 calories per pound and outdoor cats should receive about 35 calories per pound. A can of wet cat food typically contains between 200-250 calories, so a 10 pound cat should receive about one can of wet cat food per day (10lb x 20 calories = 200 calories).
Figure out how much to feed your Maine Coon by body weight here.
How Frequently to Feed Your Maine Coon
Unless your cat has an exceptional ability to self-regulate their eating, it’s not a good idea to leave out unlimited food all day, especially dry food. It’s okay to leave dry or wet food out all day if you use measured portions that make sense for your cat’s weight and activity level, but no more. A good Maine Coon diet includes plenty of calories and nutrients, but not too many, as even Maine Coons can suffer from obesity and diabetes if overfed.
In the wild, cats will catch and eat small animals up to 15 times per day, so although they normally eat fairly frequently, it’s because wild game has very few calories.
In general, kittens up to six months of age can be fed up to three times per day and often eat a bit more per pound in body weight than an adult cat (they’re growing, after all). After about a year old, cats can be fed once or twice per day. Try to space the meals out as equally as possible throughout the day (for example, if you feed twice daily then serve each meal 12 hours apart).
Feed at the Same Time Each Day
Cats are creatures of habit and can easily be trained to expect their meal(s) at the same time each day. Use this in your favor to build their feeding into convenient times in your daily routine. For example, if you don’t want to encourage your Maine Coon to wake you up early in the morning, make it a habit of feeding them right before you go to bed and never right when you wake up. An excellent Maine Coon diet also includes you and your needs as well!
Keep the Same Diet After Bringing Home a Cat
A Maine Coon who is new to your home is likely to already be stressed with the new environment, scents, sounds, etc. and you don’t want to add a new diet on top of that. Give your new cat time to adjust to the new home and feel comfortable before transitioning them off their old, familiar diet.
FAQs: Maine Coon Diet
First and foremost, never give your Maine Coon human food. Foods that are safe for humans, such as milk, can cause stomach upset and other health issues in cats. Also, avoid giving your Maine Coon any type of raw meat or fish, as they can contain harmful bacteria that can make cats sick.
Another thing to avoid is giving your Maine Coon any type of processed food, such as canned cat food, or anything that contains preservatives, dyes, or other additives. These can be extremely unhealthy for cats and can cause long-term health issues.
Finally, never give your Maine Coon any type of “treat” that is not specifically made for cats. This includes things like popcorn, chips, or even dog treats. These can cause digestive upset and other health problems.
For kittens 3-5 months old, it is important to feed them a balanced diet of high quality, wet and dry food. Wet food is a great source of moisture and can help prevent dehydration, while dry food can provide the necessary nutrients and calories. Look for a kitten-specific food that is formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of kittens, such as higher protein and fat content. Avoid any foods that contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, as these can be harmful.
Kittens 5-12 months old should continue to be fed a balanced diet of wet and dry food, but their portions should be increased to match their growth. During this stage, it is important to introduce a variety of flavors and textures to encourage healthy eating habits.
For kittens 12 months and older, their diet should still consist of wet and dry food, but the proportions should be adjusted to match their activity level. Look for a food that contains taurine, an essential amino acid that helps support the immune system and eye health. As with all cats, it is important to provide plenty of fresh, clean water at all times.
The answer is both yes and no. Maine Coon cats are very independent and can tolerate being alone for extended periods of time, but that doesn’t mean they should be left alone all day every day. Like any pet, Maine Coons need companionship, attention, and stimulation to stay healthy and happy.
If you work long hours and can’t be home with your Maine Coon during the day, the best thing you can do is provide them with plenty of entertainment and activities to keep them occupied. Make sure to provide your cat with plenty of toys and playtime, as well as a comfortable, safe place to sleep. You can also set up a scratching post or window seat for your cat to enjoy for hours.
If you’re not able to provide your Maine Coon with regular companionship and stimulation, consider getting a companion for them. Having another cat or dog in the household can help reduce loneliness and boredom, and can provide your Maine Coon with a companion to play and cuddle with.
The average lifespan of a Maine Coon is between 10 and 15 years. Some cats may live longer, and some may not reach the average life expectancy. The key to a long and healthy life for any pet, including a Maine Coon, is proper care and nutrition.
While some cats may enjoy the occasional raw meat meal, it is important to understand that raw meat can carry bacteria and parasites that could make your cat sick. Therefore, it is always important to consult your veterinarian before introducing any new food into your Maine Coon’s diet.
It is also important to consider the nutritional value of raw meat. Feeding your Maine Coon raw meat will not provide them with the balanced diet they need to stay healthy. Instead, it is recommended to feed your cat a diet rich in quality proteins, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals. This can be achieved through a combination of high-quality wet and dry cat food.
