Maine Coons are large, active cats that need the highest quality and balanced nutrition. Industrial food allows you to save time on preparing food for your pet and provides it with all the necessary nutrients. Choosing the right food is not an easy task , since among the wide range there are often products of poor quality.
Kinds
Ready-made dry food is very popular among Maine Coon breeders due to its ease of use and storage, relatively low cost and high calorie content. In addition, the food granules massage the pet’s gums and help maintain oral hygiene, helping to cleanse the teeth of plaque and tartar.
Economy
Economy class food does not contain natural whole meat ; instead, dried animal protein is added - fish or meat meal. The main part of the ingredients in such feeds are grains, soy, and artificial additives. At the same time, the animal may show interest in such food, which is explained by the content of flavorings, flavor enhancers and salt in it.
The poor composition determines the low cost of production. However, this is a dubious advantage, since the Maine Coon will require a larger portion, and the amount of nutrients received by the pet is very small.
Middle category
The quality of these foods is higher than that of economy class products, but they should be given to Maine Coons with caution and infrequently. Due to the content of soy, grains and preservatives, such food is dangerous for cats with weak bones and the genitourinary system.
Premium
Due to the high content of meat and meat products, premium food contains many times more protein of animal origin than economy food. However, the presence of chemical preservatives and various cheap substitutes cannot be ruled out.
Super - premium class and canvas rating
The food in this segment is made from natural meat (up to 70%), fresh vegetables and herbs. The composition does not contain artificial flavors, preservatives, soy, grains and by-products, but there are natural vitamins A and E, and thanks to the technology of their production, the benefits of all ingredients are preserved as much as possible.
The best food for Maine Coons among super premium and holistic products:
- Go! Natural Holistic;
- Concept For Life;
- Primordial Adult Cat Holistic;
- Carnilove;
- Grandorf;
- Acana;
- Orijen;
- EarthbornHolistic;
- Innova;
- Canidae
Feeding Maine Coon with holistic food excludes the consumption of other foods.
Medicinal
Most diseases are treated through the combined use of medications and medicinal feed prescribed by veterinarians. Experts recommend the following ready-made diets:
- Royal Canin Obesity DP42 Feline or Satiety SAT 34 Weight Management, Hills Prescription Diet Diabetes/Weight Management m/d Chicken or Prescription Diet Weight Reduction r/d Chicken – for obesity;
- Hills Prescription Diet Urinary Care s/d Chicken, Royal Canin Urinary S/O LP34 Feline or Urinary S/O High Dilution UHD34 Feline – for urolithiasis;
- Hills Prescription Diet Joint Care j/d Chicken, Royal Canin MOBILITY Feline MC28 – for joint diseases.
It is allowed to use medicinal feed for the prevention of any diseases. Thus, food made for castrated animals helps get rid of excess weight and urolithiasis, and products enriched with chondroitin and glucosamine help avoid joint problems.
Prohibited Products
Fish is not recommended - high fluoride content can cause urolithiasis, especially for castrated animals. An exception may be sea varieties, no more than once a week. It is strictly forbidden to give Maine Coons chicken or fish bones - this leads to damage to the stomach and esophagus. Pork is not suitable due to its fat content. Fried, salted, smoked, peppered foods, sausage, and canned food are prohibited. You should also not give cats sweets, such as cakes, sweets, chocolate, etc. Potatoes should be avoided among vegetables, because starch is not absorbed by the intestines of such animals. You should not add legumes such as beans, peas or soy to the Maine Coon's menu.
How to read the composition?
The ingredients used to make the food are listed on the packaging. However, some manufacturers, when indicating the word “meat,” mean by it products of processing of bones, hooves, wool or horns of animals. For normal growth and development, the Maine Coon needs proteins, and the health of the pet depends on how they are preserved.
The standard list of ingredients includes:
- meat (indicating the type, which allows you to determine whether the food is suitable for a cat with allergies);
- cereals;
- vegetables;
- fruits;
- vitamins and minerals;
- ash content (not always indicated).
Ash is ash rich in potassium and phosphorus. The Maine Coon's body practically does not absorb ash, and for kittens and sick animals it is completely dangerous.
The maximum permissible ash content is 6 - 7%.
The percentage of fruits and vegetables in the feed is small, but their presence is necessary - thanks to the vitamins and fiber they contain, animals digest food better. Beneficial for cats of this breed:
- carrot;
- peas;
- sweet potato;
- apples;
- blueberry;
- cranberry;
- pumpkin.
The food also contains herbs that help maintain Maine Coon health:
- calendula;
- alfalfa;
- chamomile;
- dandelion;
- fennel;
- rosemary;
- seaweed.
Despite their low content, these components are necessary for the Maine Coon. Thus, seaweed serves as a source of iodine, a deficiency of which is often observed in animals.
Basics of proper nutrition
The very first and most important rule can be called food choice. You need to decide on the type of food - it will be natural food or industrial feed. By choosing ready-made food, you can sometimes pamper your pet. But mixing these two types is not recommended.
If you choose to eat natural food or use it as a treat, it is important to know that adding salt and all kinds of spices is prohibited.
It is also recommended to refrain from feeding food from the table. Such food is not beneficial, but only contributes to poisoning and disease.
Natural nutrition must be supplemented with essential vitamins.
Sprouted grass is useful in the Maine Coon's diet. Greens are rich in fiber and carbohydrates, which aid digestion. You can grow the grass in a pot at home and provide free access for your pet. Seeds are purchased at the market or at a pet store.
Your pet should always have fresh and clean water available. Do not use tap or boiled water. Bottled or filtered water will do.
The best brands
Food for Maine Coon should be selected taking into account not only the physiology of this breed, but also the individual characteristics of a particular individual - health status, activity level, age. The best food for Maine Coons are:
- Hiils;
- Eukanuba;
- Nutro Choice;
- Brit Care;
- Nutram;
- Natyka;
- Pronature Holistic.
Special mention should be made of the Royal Canin brand , which has developed an individual diet for kittens (labeled “kitten”) and adult Maine Coons: Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten and Royal Canin Adult Maine Coon. These foods are enriched with Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, contain taurine, EPA and DHA and other beneficial components, and their granules are adapted for the jaws of Maine Coons. You can also choose food for Maine Coon of any age from the wide range of the Pro Plan brand.
Carnilove Duck & Turkey for Large breed
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The best solution for Maine Coons prone to allergies. A complete hypoallergenic holistic treatment that fully satisfies the needs of large pets and helps improve their health. Grain-free food is perfectly balanced and thanks to this it has a positive effect on the appearance of Maine Coons, the condition of their muscles and skeleton. It is also great for neutered animals. The basis of the diet is game meat, turkey and duck. It is complemented by a variety of herbs and berries, which saturate the pet’s body with antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. The diet also contains fish oil and chicken liver, which not only enrich the composition of the food, but also make its smell attractive to cats.
Cat food Carnilove Duck & Turkey for Large breed cats
Advantages:
- premium composition
- no allergens
- increases cat's energy
- large amount of proteins
- reasonable price
- minimum consumption
Flaws:
- rarely found on sale
This concludes our article. When choosing between ready-made food and natural products, do not forget that for proper nutrition, the Maine Coon needs a variety and balanced diet. The pet's menu should include offal, sea fish, dietary boiled meat, all kinds of grains and vegetables. Most often, it is much more profitable and easier to give your cat dry and wet super-premium or holistic food. Such diets contain everything necessary for the full functioning of a pet. The main thing is to choose the right food, taking into account the characteristics of your pet. Enjoy the shopping!
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Right choice
The main rule for feeding Maine Coons is not to mix natural food and dry food, since different enzymes are produced to process food. Among finished products, preference should be given to grain-free super-premium food or holistic food made from natural meat. When it comes to grains and carbohydrates, it is better to opt for foods containing rice, lentils, etc., rather than wheat or corn.
Food for Maine Coons must contain at least 26% protein.
Rating of food for Maine Coons
To determine the best food, we carried out a large amount of work: analyzed dozens of nominees, studied the composition, took into account customer reviews, as well as veterinarians’ assessments. Additionally, the selection took into account the following criteria:
- Availability of useful supplements;
- Prevention of stones and hairballs;
- Croquette size;
- Degree of digestibility;
- How much does it improve digestion?
- Percentage of natural ingredients;
- Class – economy, premium, super-premium;
- Packaging volume;
- Price.
For convenience, all food has been divided into two classes: super-premium and premium.
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Important points
You can minimize the risk of problems with excess weight and digestion by following feeding rules:
- Introduce complementary foods for kittens gradually: natural food in a minimal amount, dry food – in a soaked form;
- new products give 1 per day;
- As your pet gets older, you should reduce the number of feedings by increasing the serving size;
- you must follow the daily feed amount indicated on the packaging;
- castrated and sterilized animals must be given appropriate food;
- The cat should always have access to clean drinking water.
It is important to remember that every animal is different and feeding standards may vary for each cat.
How much to give a kitten?
| Age | Natural menu | Industrial diet | Daily norm | Number of feedings |
| Up to a month | Goat's milk, kitten formula | Cat milk replacer or infant formula | 50 - 70 ml | Up to 2 weeks – 10, from 2 to 4 weeks – 8 |
| 1 month | Mother's milk, low-fat meat broth, whole goat's or cow's milk, boiled minced meat | Cat milk replacer or infant formula | 60 - 100 g | 6 — 7 |
| 2 months | Mother's milk, cow's or goat's milk, fermented milk products, broth, boiled minced meat, finely chopped raw meat, pre-frozen or treated with boiling water | Cat milk replacer or infant formula, canned food for kittens | 80 - 120 g | 5 — 6 |
| 3 months | Mother's milk or its substitute, whole milk, fermented milk products, boiled minced meat, raw meat, low-fat broth, chicken egg yolk, raw carrots, green apple | Cat milk replacer or infant formula, canned and semi-moist kitten foods | Former | 5 — 6 |
| 4 – 6 months | Whole milk, fermented milk products, boiled and raw meat, lean fish, boiled offal, raw vegetables | Pates, wet food, soaked dry food | 100 - 160 g | 4 - 5 full feedings and 1 - 2 snacks |
| From 6 months to a year | Meat, offal, milk, dairy products, fish, broths, eggs, vegetables, fruits, herbs | Before teeth change - wet food, soaked dry food, after - 75% dry and 25% wet food | It fluctuates, the final serving volume is 180-260 g | 2 – 4 |
For adults
The daily diet of an adult Maine Coon should contain 25 - 40% protein, 10 - 30% fat and 2 - 5% fiber.
| Option 1 | Option 2 |
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When feeding ready-made food, you need to choose it based on the composition, as well as the age and health of the cat.
Sterilized cat
Sterilized cats should be fed specialized food that contains trace elements and nutrients in the required quantities. With a natural diet, the diet should include meat, offal, vegetables and a vitamin and mineral complex (Radostin, Cat - Mineral Tabs, Tsamaks). It is acceptable to consume kefir, yogurt and cottage cheese.
Due to the high content of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, the consumption of which leads to urolithiasis, it is necessary to exclude fish and some by-products rich in minerals from the menu of a sterilized cat.
Authorized Products
The Maine Coon cat breed is quite extraordinary, and you should feed them only with properly selected food; food from the owner’s table will not be suitable for this. Meat should be purchased only from trusted sellers and before feeding it raw to an animal, it should be frozen for at least 5 days - this will destroy parasites. Preferred varieties: rabbit, beef, turkey or chicken. You can also give by-products such as liver, heart, kidneys. But it is worth considering that the calorie content of such food is significantly reduced, therefore, portions should be increased in volume. And of course, food should not contain salt or spices. It is better to feed meat products with porridges cooked in water, because cereals are needed in the animal’s diet. But you should avoid rolled oatmeal, which leads to an imbalance in carbohydrate balance.
Fermented milk products, such as cottage cheese, sour cream, kefir or natural yogurt without additives, must be present in the Maine Coon breed's menu - the cat has a weak intestine, and such food helps stimulate the microflora. It is worth remembering that some fat content should be present in these products. The only thing you should avoid is milk, because it is poorly digested by such animals. Be sure to include raw or boiled vegetables in your diet, such as cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, pumpkin, cucumbers, beets and others. They should be mixed with meat instead of porridge in a ratio of 1 to 2. You should definitely add chicken or quail eggs to your diet.
