8 Best Cat Food For Maine Coon Cats
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The Maine Coon cat is one of the largest domestic cat breeds. Maine Coon’s can weigh up to 35 pounds, have a big skeletal structure and plenty of muscle mass as well.
The size of the Maine Coon creates challenges that smaller cat breeds do not deal with, when it comes to cat food.
Keep reading to learn how to overcome these challenges and fulfill the nutritional needs of your gentle giant.
Why Should You Trust This Review?
- I am a certified pet nutritionist
- I’ve been a cat mom for 30 plus years
- I have volunteered at cat shelters for over 15 years
- I did 48 hours of research on these cat food brands
The Best Cat Food For Maine Coon Cats Comparison Chart
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Overall Best
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Best Wet Food
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Best Kitten Food
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Best Dry Cat Food
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Best Grain Free
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Best Budget Cat Food
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Best Fresh Cat Food
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Best Low Carb Cat Food
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Best Rated Cat Food For Maine Coon Cats Reviewed
#1 Raised Right Cat Food
Product Info:
- Price Range: ~$2-$3/ Per Meal
- Food Type: Fresh
- Made In: United States
- Protein: 20% Min
- Fat: 9% Min
The Good
- Human-grade cat food
- Fresh to order every week
- No fillers, grains or artificial flavors
The Bad
- Meals aren’t pre-portioned
- Very pricey
Raised Right is a subscription cat food delivery service that delivers customized meals to your door. They guarantee to provide restaurant quality ingredients that are considered human grade, in every meal.
The food contains no fillers or grains, no preservatives or artificial flavors, and they only use the highest-quality, sourced meats.
Raised Right recipes are prepared in a human-grade kitchen that is 100% designed and dedicated to making fresh pet food.
There are several recipes that you can choose for your Maine Coon cat. The first is the Original Turkey Adult Cat Recipe which is full of ingredients to keep your cat’s eyesight razor sharp for stalking. The second is Turkey & Pumpkin Paté for Adult Cats and it is packed with tilapia and salmon to guarantee a softer and shinier coat for your cat. The third is Chicken & Pumpkin Paté for Adult Cats.
#2 Ziwi Peak Canned Cat Cuisine
Product Info:
- Price Range: ~$0.7/ OZ
- Food Type: Wet
- Made In: New Zealand
- Protein: 9% Min
- Fat: 4.5% Min
The Good
- Grain and GMO free
- High amounts of amino acids
- Moisture rich cat food
The Bad
- Thick and chunky consistency
- A little bit pricey
- Some cats refuse to eat
This canned food is manufactured in New Zealand made with free-range 100% lamb, sourced from ethical and sustainable New Zealand farms.
The wild-caught New Zealand Blue Mackerel is high in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. There are several other flavors available as well with the same high quality ingredients.
This cuisine includes 3% New Zealand green mussels, which are a natural source of Chondroitin and Glucosamine that supports joint health which can help Maine Coon’s who may suffer from hip dysplasia.
The food is a chunky loaf style, with a high level of all-natural protein and moisture to entice even the most finicky eater. This food does not contain grains, rice, corn, soy, potatoes, wheat, fillers, sugars, glycerin’s, rendered meals, preservatives, TSPP, BPA, Guar Gum, Agar or Carrageenan.
#3 Royal Canin Babycat Canned Cat Food
Product Info:
- Price: ~$0.3/ OZ
- Food Type: Pate (Wet)
- Made In: USA
- Protein: 9% Min
- Fat: 4% Min
The Good
- Formulated for young kittens
- Kittens take to it quick
- Great for immunity
The Bad
- Contains by-products
- Runny stool
This 1st stage Royal Canin Babycat cat food features an ultra soft mousse that helps your Maine Coon kitten transition from milk to solid food. It is recommended for kittens being weaned to 4 months old.
It Includes an antioxidant complex to help support the immune defenses of the young kitten. It also features a proven Macro Nutrient Profile that is preferred by young kittens under 4 months old and represents the balance between proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
#4 Royal Canin Maine Coon Dry Cat Food
Product Info:
- Price Range: ~$3.1/ Ib
- Food Type: Dry
- Made In: USA
- Protein: 29% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
The Good
- Specific for Maine Coon Breed
- Noticeable improvement in teeth and gums
- No artificial flavors or colors
The Bad
- Contains meal
- Price on the high side
The Maine Coon exclusive formula helps maintain the healthy bones and joints of this large breed cat. It includes a combination of amino acids, vitamins and fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) which help maintain skin and coat health.
Royal Canin Maine Coon cat food also contains nutrients, such as taurine and EPA and DHA, which may contribute to cardiac health. The kibble features a king size pieces adapted to the Maine Coon’s unique large squared-shaped jaw encourages them to chew.
#5 Open Farm Homestead Turkey & Chicken Dry Cat Food
Product Info:
- Price Range: ~$1-2$/ Per Meal
- Food Type: Dry
- Made In: USA
- Protein: 37% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
The Good
- No hard-to-digest grains, fillers, or artificial preservatives.
- Made with 100% humanely raised ingredients
- No chicken or poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, gluten or soy
The Bad
- Contains plant based ingredients
- Low moisture content
Open Farm uses only the highest quality ingredients to give your pet the premium nutrition they deserve. That means humanely raised meat free from antibiotics and growth hormones, non-GMO fruits & veggies and functional superfoods go into the recipes.
Nearly all of their ingredients are sourced in Canada and the United States with the exception of coconut oil and certain vitamins and minerals that are not available in North America. These particular vitamins and minerals are sourced from Europe and the coconut oil comes from Indonesia, the Philippines or Thailand. They source their Lamb and Venison from New Zealand.
Their variety of grain-free options puts them above many of their competitors in this area. There are some recipes that do include garbanzo beans and lentils which are not necessary in a cats diet and can be difficult for some to digest.
#6 Purina One Hairball Formula Cat Food
Product Info:
- Price Range: ~$1.3/ Ib
- Food Type: Dry
- Made In: USA
- Protein: 34% Min
- Fat: 14% Min
The Good
- Helps control hairballs
- Veterinarian recommended
- Low budget
The Bad
- Sensitive stomachs may not handle well
- Contains meals
Purina ONE Hairball Formula adult dry cat food is made with real chicken as the #1 ingredient. This dry cat food provides 38 grams of protein per cup.
The easily digestible formula contains 0% fillers and contains vitamins and minerals for well-rounded nutrition, to meet 100% of your adult Maine Coon cat’s requirements.
The special blend uses natural fiber to help control hairballs which Maine Coon’s are prone to.
#7 Smalls Cat Food
Product Info:
- Price Range: ~$2.00 – $3.50/ per meal
- Food Type: Fresh
- Made In: USA
- Protein: 21.2% Min
- Fat: 8.05% Min
The Good
- The meat and produce are sourced from US suppliers
- Grain free recipes
- Plans for every budget
- Free shipping
The Bad
- The food must be refrigerated
- Website is hard to navigate
- Food packaged in large portions
Smalls offers premium-quality recipes right here in the USA. Not only are their products made with fresh ingredients, they are prepared the same day they are purchased and frozen at the peak of freshness.
Smalls currently offers only three different recipes that include protein sources from beef, turkey and chicken. They also provide customers with many meal plan options for those who are on a tight budget but want the best for their cat.
The price of Smalls depends on your cat’s needs, the recipes you choose, and your delivery schedule. With this in mind you will be paying about $2.00 to $3.89 per day per cat depending on the plan you choose and not entirely on cat size.
Their goal is to provide cats with a meal plan that is good for both nutrition and affordability. Smalls offers plenty of options to customize your cat’s meal plan to keep you on budget.
#8 Blue Wilderness Dry Cat Food
Product Info:
- Price Range: ~$2.8/ Ib
- Food Type: Dry
- Made In: USA
- Protein: 40% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
The Good
- High Protein
- Low in carbohydrates
- 100% grain free
The Bad
- Price on the high side
- Pieces maybe very hard to chew
For Maine Coon cat owners who want to feed your cat high protein without grains, there’s few other choices than BLUE Freedom.
Free from the grains and gluten’s and there is food for all ages the Maine Coon breed. Made with natural ingredients and a precise blend of vitamins, minerals and antioxidant-rich kibble.
It contains no by-product meals, no corn, wheat or soy and nothing artificial. It is also made with high-quality protein and natural fiber sources, meaning the BLUE Freedom recipe is made to support weight control in cats.
With the addition of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, this cat food formula is made to support your cat’s healthy immune system no matter the age or breed.
Maine Coon Cats Eating Habits
Maine Coon cats do not need a special diet even though they are naturally big cats that are high energy, almost kitten-like throughout their entire life. However, all that energy requires quality food to fuel it.
A good rule of thumb is to feed a high quality dry food mixed with occasional wet food several times a week to meet the nutritional needs for your growing Maine Coon. Maine Coons also like to eat throughout the day, so it is recommended you leave food out for them where it is accessible all the time.
Maine Coon Cats Food Allergies
Maine Coon cats can develop allergies or an intolerance to ingredients often found in commercial cat foods. The most common ingredients that cause allergies are chicken, fish and corn, as well as grains and dairy products. However, an allergy can develop to any protein to which the cat is repeatedly or constantly exposed, and sometimes, allergies develop over time.
Food allergies can manifest as itchy skin, rashes or excessive grooming, or as digestive symptoms, including vomiting or diarrhea. Digestive symptoms often mimic those of inflammatory bowel disease.
Raw Food Diet and Homemade Food For Maine Coon Cats
Making raw and homemade cat food for your Maine Coon does take a bit of work, but is worth it for the health of your cat. Raw cat food is the only type of food that resembles what your cat would be eating in the wild.
Some of the main ingredients needed to make raw cat food are raw animal protein such as raw meat, raw organs, raw egg yolks as well as cooked egg whites. Steamed vegetables such as green beans or sweet potatoes make a nice addition. Vitamin supplements can be added because they can help in balancing out the nutritional value of the food.
To learn more about making your own cat food check out www.catnutrition.org or www.petdiets.com.
What Not To Feed Your Maine Coon Cat?
While not all of these items are guaranteed to harm your Maine Coon, there are some that should be avoided to lower the risk of health problems. To learn more about what foods cat’s should not eat read: What Foods Cats Should Not Eat
Chemicals
Preservatives are common in many cat foods as a way to improve the shelf life. Other chemicals are used as a moistening agent to give treats and foods a softer texture. Many of these chemical cocktails are illegal for use in human foods and known to cause cancer, kidney problems, and liver damage. Here is some of the common culprits to look out for:
- Ethoxyquin
- Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
- Propylene Glycol (PG)
Fillers
These are used by cat food manufacturers to cut cost. as well as owners to cut costs and save money. The trade-off is that cats who live off foods with high concentrations of fillers are often less healthy, over weight and have a lower life expectancy. Common fillers include:
- Corn
- Wheat (gluten)
- Meat “by-products” (waste products from the rendering process, like bone meal and grease)
- Rendered fat
Cooked Bones
These are bad in homemade recipes or as a treat. They can splinter causing internal bleeding and intestinal issues.
Grapes, Avacados, Macademia Nuts and Raisins
This group of foods can cause severe and acute kidney failure in your Maine Coon. Symptoms are equivalent to human food poisoning.
Conclusion
It is often a daunting task to find the perfect food for your Maine Coon cat. Since they are naturally big cats, that are high energy, they require high protein food to fuel it. Choosing the right diet for your Maine Coon will help insure good health and a long life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best food for Maine Coon cats?
Maine Coons are obligate carnivores and can get all their necessary nutrition from the meat and flesh of smaller animals if living in the wild. They do not need carbohydrates or vegetables to survive. The best food would be home made or the next best thing, Nom Nom fresh cat food.
How much does a Maine Coon cat eat?
The amount of food your Maine coon can eat depends on their age, size, the type of food and their level of activity. Kittens have smaller stomachs and higher energy requirements; therefore, they will need to be fed more frequently. It is best to always have food out for your Maine Coon to snack on.
What is the daily calorie intake for a Maine Coon cat?
The average calorie content per meal is around 23 to 35 calories, depending on size, lifestyle and life stage of your cat. For an adult 10 pound cat roughly 230 calories per day is ideal.
What do Maine Coon cats like to eat?
Maine Coon cats likes both wet or a dry cat food diet, and feeding a mixed diet has a lot of benefits. Dry food helps to clean the teeth and gives your cat a chance to eat freely which Maine Coons enjoy. Wet food helps to keep your cat hydrated which is important for all cats. Either way your cat needs a high protein low carbohydrate diet.
Lisa
Thank you very much for this article! In two weeks time I'll be getting two Maine Coons myself and it's definitely helpful to see which food they need! Really looking forward to them!
Sapph
What did you decide to feed them? I have one, but I'm worried that he isn't eating the right things.
Cat Mania
Our cats usually eat Nom Nom unless they are testing out other cat food brands for reviews.