Whether you are a new owner of a Maine Coon cat, or you are looking to change your cat’s diet, it will be helpful to know about the best foods available for them to be able to provide them with the right diet.
Maine Coon cats are a particularly large breed, and they can weigh significantly more than other breeds.
They often look heavier than they actually are due to their large amounts of fur that can get even thicker during the winter months.
It is often a misconception that this breed of cat requires a lot more food than others, but this isn’t actually true.
Just like any other cat, their food portions will be based on their age, lifestyle, and level of activity.
Due to their size, they can often put on too much weight without you even realizing, which can lead to conditions like obesity and diabetes.
This is why it is so important to provide them with a healthy and nutritious diet that is going to give them everything that they need from their food.
To help you with this process, we have created a list of the best cat food for Maine Coon cats.
In a Hurry?
Have you just welcomed a Maine Coon into your household and need the best food right this second? We thought this might be the case, so we have put our top pick here for your convenience.
Taking our number one spot is the Royal Canin Maine Coon Breed Cat Food. This pet food is designed specifically for the Maine Coon breed, so it will definitely be suitable for your cat.
It is a dry food that is formulated to cater to all of their nutritional needs and supports a healthy diet. As it is breed-specific, it will target all of your Maine Coon’s needs more efficiently than other brands of cat food will.
- Designed specifically for Maine Coon cats
- Caters to all nutritional needs
- Supports a healthy and well-balanced diet
- Contains heart-healthy nutrients
- Promotes oral health and hygiene
- Supports healthy skin and coat
1. Royal Canin Maine Coon Breed Cat Food
This cat food is great for Maine Coon cats as it is specifically designed for the breed, and it is formulated to meet all of their nutritional requirements.
This food is for cats that are older than 15 months and contains omega-3 and omega-6 acids that support healthy bones and joints, which can often be put under strain due to the breed’s size.
This type of cat food helps to maintain a healthy heart as it contains a blend of nutrients that help to keep the heart healthy like taurine, EPA, and DHA. Its amino acids and other vitamins will also help to support healthy skin and will keep their coats healthy and shiny.
The cube-shaped kibble design is made for the Maine Coon’s large, square jaw, and it can be easily chewed, and also works to promote oral health and hygiene by helping to remove tartar build-up.
Pros
- Formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of Maine Coon cats
- Omega-3 and omega-6 acids that support healthy bones and joints
- Helps to maintain a healthy heart with a range of nutrients
- Cube-shaped design works well with their jaw type
- Promotes oral hygiene by helping to remove tartar
Cons
- While cats love it, it might not be the most cost-effective choice
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2. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Cat Food
This cat food is an Amazon’s Choice product, which highlights how popular and highly-rated it is. With this food, you have the option to choose between either a wet or dry formula, and there are three different flavors available to choose from.
For the dry food, there are multiple sizes available, so you can purchase however much that you need.
This food contains high-quality proteins and uses real meat instead of the artificial flavorings of some other cat food brands.
There is 46% protein, which helps to protect muscle mass, and there is 20% less fat in this food than others by the same brand. This is a great food for Maine Coon cats because, as a larger breed, this food can help them to manage their weight.
Their advanced formulas help to support urinary tract health, weight management, and healthy aging. It also provides a 100% balanced diet that means your cat will be provided with everything that they need from their food.
Pros
- Option to choose a wet or dry formula
- Range of flavors and sizes to choose from
- Contains high-quality proteins and uses real meat and poultry
- Helps to protect muscle mass through high protein
- Great for helping to maintain the weight of a Maine Coon cat
Cons
- None to make a note of
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3. Solid Gold Holistic Dry Cat Food
This cat food has two flavors available and three sized bags to choose from. The product is natural and free from any grains, which makes it gluten-free.
This is a great option for Maine Coons cats, as they often suffer from allergies of different types that can sometimes be related to food.
The recipe is low in carbohydrates and high in protein, which makes it ideal for cats who are particularly active. Maine Coon’s can be prone to diabetes due to their size, so this food is perfect for the breed.
This food is also rich in omega acids for coat health, and the ingredients also provide a source of amino acids that can improve your cat’s metabolism.
It contains fiber-rich prebiotics that help your cat to achieve optimal gut and digestive health. It also comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can be assured that the company aims to provide the highest quality food that they possibly can.
Pros
- Varied sized and two flavors to choose from
- Natural ingredients that are free from all grains
- Low in carbohydrates but high in protein
- Great for cats who are prone to diabetes
- Can improve metabolism, gut health, and digestive health
Cons
- Crumbly consistency can be quite messy
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4. Hill’s Science Dry Cat Food
The fourth spot on our list goes to the Hill’s Science dry cat food, that is clinically proven to reduce plaque and tartar build-up in adult cats, which helps to improve their oral hygiene. It aims to improve your cat’s dental health while freshening their breath at the same time.
Your Maine Coon’s thick coat will be healthy and shiny if they eat this food as it contains both vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids. It is made with natural ingredients that you can trust, and it contains antioxidants that help promote a healthy immune system.
This food is not artificially colored, flavored, or preserved either, so there is less harmful content for you to worry about.
Pros
- Proven to reduce plaque and tartar build-up
- Improves overall oral hygiene
- Vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids for a healthy and shiny coat
- Antioxidants for a healthier immune system
- No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Cons
- Dry food lacks in moisture
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5. Wellness Natural Pet Food Dry
Our final pick for this list is the Wellness Natural Pet Food for cats. It’s no surprise that animals crave meat, and this food is packed full of quality animal proteins that are full of nutrients.
It pairs the very best qualities from both science and nature to provide your Maine Coon cat with the diet that it needs to thrive.
The recipe used will deliver everything that your cat needs to be healthy, including energy for exercise, a shiny and healthy coat, and a strong immune system.
It also helps to promote healthy eyes and strong teeth and even has controlled minerals for supporting the urinary tract.
This product comes with a ‘catisfaction’ promise that you will be able to find suitable food from this brand that your feline friend will love.
Their confidence in their product means that if you are not happy with the quality of the food, or your cat doesn’t like it, you can send it back for a full refund.
Pros
- Full of quality meat proteins that provide the best nutrients
- Contains everything that your cat needs to thrive
- The special guarantee means that you won’t be disappointed with this product
- Provides your cat with the energy they need daily
- Promotes healthy eyes and strong teeth
Cons
- Consistency can be too dry
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Buyer’s Guide
Maine Coon cats are a beautiful breed with thick coats and big personalities.
We understand that you would want to provide them with the best possible diet, and there are some things that you may need to consider before choosing the right food for them.
There are two options for cat food that are wet food and dry food. It can be difficult to decide which is best for your cat, but both options will provide the nutrients that they need.
The choice often comes down to personal preference. Some cats may prefer to eat one over the other, and some cats will completely refuse to eat a certain type of food.
Dry cat food may be more convenient as it can be left out for a longer time than wet food. Dry food is also more beneficial in terms of oral hygiene as the consistency helps to remove any build-up of plaque and tartar.
However, wet food may be more appealing to cats that are fussy eaters, and it also can be recommended for cats with urinary tract problems due to its wet consistency. There is also water in this product that can aid in keeping them hydrated.
You should also look out for products that state that they are ‘complete,’ as these types of food have all of the essential nutrients that your cat will need. This typically comes with a reputable brand that you can trust will have your cat’s best interests in mind.
The alternative to this is complimentary food, which are treats that should be given only on occasion. Make sure that these are only given in moderation to avoid excessive weight gain.
The Maine Coon breed is one that is known for being of a much larger size than other breeds of cats. This is why it is more important to monitor their weight and provide the correct food portions.
Keeping them at a normal weight will ensure that they do not develop conditions that are related to obesity, like diabetes. It will also provide a healthier future for your cat.
Hip dysplasia is also a common concern for this breed due to their size and weight putting more pressure on their joints. Hip dysplasia is an orthopedic condition that affects the condition of the hip joints.
This is usually due to abnormal development of one or both of the hip joints, which will only continue to degenerate over time. Cats with hip dysplasia can also be prone to other related health conditions.
This condition is rare among cats but more common with the Maine Coon breed.
Another health issue that is more common with Maine Coon cats is dental disease. This makes it really important for you to look after their oral hygiene, and there are foods available that specifically target dental health. This is likely to be the best option for you.
A proper diet can eliminate or lessen the risk of many different health conditions, which should be greatly considered when choosing the best food for your cat.
This breed of cat in specific also requires a high amount of protein, so you should make sure that this is reflected in their food.
The reason that they need a high protein diet is that it plays a huge part in the growth and development, and it also gives them the energy that they require for exercise.
Their physical development is really important because of the size that they will grow to. They need to have the muscle mass to be able to support their larger weight.
Maine Coon cats have broad jaws that need to be kept strong and healthy. They have great hunting skills, and their food needs to be high-quality so that they can vigorously chew and break up their food.
This will help to exercise and strengthen their jaws and is another reason why you should give your cat dry food instead of wet food.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Big is a Maine Coon Cat?
Maine Coon cats are a very popular breed, specifically in North America. The average cat is around 9 or 10 inches in height, but a Main Coon cat grows to roughly 10 to 16 inches in height.
There is quite a significant difference between the two, and this also applies to their weight too. While an average cat weighs typically around 3.6 to 4.5kg, a Maine Coon can way almost double this at roughly 5.9 to 8.2kg.
Males are usually bigger than females, but the breed is definitely on the larger size.
These cats will also take much longer to become fully grown, and the process can take up to four years. By 4 to 5 years old, they should be fully grown adult cats. They can also look a lot bigger than they actually are because they have long fur that can be very thick.
People tend to think that their large weight means they need much more food than other cats. The amount of food that they eat will depend on their lifestyle, age, and how active they are.
Cats that are prone to laziness should be monitored as they are more likely to gain weight quicker.
Are Maine Coon Cats the Biggest in the World?
Maine Coon cats are up there with the biggest domesticated cats in the world.
They are well-known for their large size, weight, and masses of fur. They aren’t the only cats of similar size though.
Other large breeds of cat include:
- The Ragdoll
- Norwegian Forest Cats
- Persian
- Siberian
Are Maine Coon Cats Friendly?
Maine Coon cats are typically very laid back when it comes to people, and make very friendly guests in your home. They aren’t too demanding of your time and attention and will often occupy themselves.
However, with that being said, they will also cuddle up and fall asleep on your lap whenever they feel like it.
Maine Coon cats can also be quite vocal and will let you know when they require some attention. They sometimes make little chirping noises and can often sound more like a bird than a cat.
These cats are also very inquisitive by nature and are always curious to learn more about people and their surroundings. They can even be trained to do tricks, but often won’t cooperate if they don’t feel like it.
They tend to be referred to as gentle giants because of their loving and loyal temperament. They definitely have a huge personality and are ready to play most of the time.
The male cats are usually more social and boisterous, and the female cats like to socialise, but will also entertain themselves when they need to.
