Maine Coons are giant cats. They can weigh up to 18 pounds – far more than the average 9-pound housecat. They also tend to be more active than your average domestic shorthair.
When you combine both of these factors, you end up with a feline that needs quite a bit of food. It isn’t odd for Maine Coons to eat twice as much food as other cats.
With a cat this size, choosing an appropriate food is essential. Their joints are already under excess strain. They don’t need to be carrying around more weight. Keeping Maine Coons lean is essential for their health.
Keep reading for our reviews of the 10 best cat foods for Maine Coons.
After careful review, Smalls is our choice for overall best cat foods for Maine Coon cats. Smalls’ fresh cat food has four protein choices, chicken, beef, fish, and turkey. The proteins are available in smooth or ground texture to appeal to the finicky felines in your life. The natural ingredients in Smalls cat food include chicken hearts to provide your cat with taurine, an amino acid that helps with vision, heart muscle function, reproduction, and digestion. The recipe includes a small amount (under 5%) of vegetables to provide cats with vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy diet while keeping the carbohydrate content low.
You can also opt for some freeze-dried raw cat food as an add-on to your fresh subscription. Your Maine Coon cat is sure to enjoy the crunch of the freeze-dried raw turkey, duck, and chicken over traditional kibble, and the food is delivered straight to your door. Keep in mind that this diet is subscription only, so you can’t just run to the store if you’re running low, but you can contact them and get an earlier delivery. You also must have freezer space to store your meals, and there’s a $10 shipping charge.
Pros
Moisture content is good for digestion
Human-grade ingredients
Cats love the taste
Low in carbohydrates
High in quality protein
Cons
Requires freezing
$10 shipping charge
2. Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food – Best Value
Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food is not the best food on the market – far from it. However, it is pretty cheap for what you get. If you’re on a strict budget, this formula is easily the best cat food for Maine Coons for the money.
It includes turkey as the first ingredient. Turkey is a solid protein and fat source for most felines. However, the ingredient list does go downhill from there. For instance, chicken by-product meal is added as the second ingredient.
The lower-quality ingredients are how they keep their price down, though.
In total, this food contains 34% protein. Much of this protein comes from plant-based sources, though. Corn gluten meal and soybean meal both contain high amounts of protein per ounce.
This formula is specifically designed for cats with sensitive stomachs. However, that doesn’t mean that only cats with sensitive stomachs can benefit from it.
It does include plenty of added vitamins, like omega fatty acids.
Purina is also a very safe company. They have very few recalls – an essential aspect of choosing cat food.
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls is a high-end option for those with a bit of extra money to spend. There are several flavors, with most of them available in variety packs. We took a look at the chicken flavor specifically, but any flavor would likely be very well suited for your Maine Coon.
The ingredient list is stellar. Chicken is the first ingredient, followed by various chicken-based ingredients. Chicken broth and chicken liver are both included, for instance.
With a protein content of 9%, this recipe should have more than enough for your average Maine Coon. Even more active cats will be able to thrive on this food. Much of the protein comes from animal sources, making it more high-quality than the protein offered by other brands.
The high moisture content may be particularly good for cats with UTIs and similar problems. This recipe does include both broth and water, making the moisture content extremely high.
None of the formulas include artificial flavors or preservatives. They are also free from by-product meal, corn, wheat, and soy. For the most part, only high-quality ingredients are used.
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, pea protein, tapioca starch, peas
Protein:
40%
Fat:
18%
Blue Buffalo is a rather famous brand that is known for being higher-end. For the most part, Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food falls into that category.
Chicken and chicken meal are the first two ingredients. These provide complete protein and plenty of amino acids for your feline. It features other high-quality ingredients as well, such as menhaden fish meal and dried egg products.
However, there are some lower-quality ingredients as well. This food is relatively high in peas, for instance. These are high in protein, but the protein isn’t exceptionally as bioavailable as animal-based protein. Much of the protein list on the bag likely comes from this lower-quality source.
This formula is high in antioxidants and vitamins. It is completely balanced for your Maine Coon.
There is absolutely no corn, wheat, or soy in this product. It is also free from artificial flavors and preservatives. You wouldn’t want to eat tons of artificial ingredients – so you shouldn’t expect your cat to, either.
American Journey Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food is the next best cat food for Maine Coons on our list. It is grain-free and made with primarily animal-based ingredients. For instance, the first ingredient is deboned turkey, followed by both turkey meal and chicken meal. Dried egg is added a bit further down the list, providing extra protein, fat, and vitamins for your feline.
It is crafted in the United States. However, it uses ingredients from around the world. It isn’t entirely “made in America,” therefore.
It includes no corn, wheat, or soy and is also free from artificial preservatives.
This recipe is extremely high in protein at 40%. When you’re trying to satisfy an active, 18-pound cat, this extra protein may be precisely what you need.
With natural fruits and veggies, this American Journey recipe is also high in antioxidants. Taurine has been added to support healthy eyes, which omega fatty acids prevent skin and coat problems.
Caster & Pollux is new on the cat food scene. They focus almost exclusively on organic cat food – which is unique compared to other offerings on the market. If you’re looking for organic cat food, this recipe is one of the best on the market.
However, because it is organic, it is also costly. Unless you’re looking specifically for organic food, you probably don’t want to pay the costly price tag.
Besides being organic, this food is pretty average. It includes chicken and chicken meal as the first two ingredients. As you can probably guess, these are high-quality proteins. However, it also includes quite a bit of peas. Both peas and pea protein are included.
Much of the protein in this food likely derives from these peas – not the chicken. We would much rather feed our Maine Coons meat-based protein, and we’re sure you would too.
There are various “superfoods” included in this recipe as well. For instance, it includes cranberries, flaxseed, and coconut oil. All of these ingredients provide a little boost to your cat, particularly by added antioxidants and omega fatty acids.
The Canidae Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food is specifically designed for cats with sensitive stomachs or sensitivities. It includes only limited ingredients, making it much easier for you to avoid your cat’s sensitivities.
This formula is made with just eight ingredients – on top of the usual vitamins and minerals that are added. It does not include corn, wheat, or soy either. Probiotics are included to support your cat’s overall digestion.
The ingredient list is pretty high-quality. Chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal are the first three ingredients. These provide the nutrition your cat needs to thrive, especially the necessary protein and amino acids.
Peas are included pretty high on the ingredient list. However, they are significantly below the meat sources. Pea protein is not included at all.
You are going to pay for this quality brand, though. They are pretty expensive.
Plus, they also aren’t as tasty – likely because they’re just using fundamental ingredients. If your cat is used to tons of artificial flavors, they likely aren’t going to take very kindly to this food!
Out of all the cat foods on the market, Go! Solutions Carnivore Chicken, Turkey + Duck Cat Food is easily one of the most expensive. It is easily triple the price of other cat foods on the market. It’s that expensive.
For the high price, you are mainly receiving animal meat and protein. The first eight ingredients are some sort of animal protein. These range from chicken meal to salmon meal to deboned trout. All of these animal meats are high-quality and plenty suitable for most Maine Coons.
With so much meat, the protein content is relatively high at 46%.
This formula is completely grain-free and doesn’t contain any corn, wheat, or soy.
However, the price often makes this food difficult for cat owners to afford. Plus, most cats simply don’t need the added protein or excessive amount of animal meat. Unless your cat is highly active, you likely don’t need this formula.
The ingredient list starts with chicken, which is excellent. However, it goes downhill from there. Brewer’s rice, corn gluten meal, and whole-grain corn follow as the next few ingredients. In moderation, none of these ingredients are necessarily bad. However, we would rather not see them as a significant source of nutrition – as they appear in this recipe.
This formula is relatively low in protein. At 29%, it is one of the lowest that we’ve reviewed.
Probiotics are included, which may help felines with sensitive stomachs. Vitamin E and omega fatty acids are both included to support your cat’s skin and coat. However, even those without skin problems may benefit from these added ingredients.
Fancy Feast is a rather popular brand. You can find it at most stores – both online and in person. However, this brand is relatively low-quality. It is incredibly inexpensive, which likely contributes to its popularity.
The first ingredient is poultry broth. While broth does add moisture and nutrients to the food, the vague label of “poultry” hints at a potentially lower-quality ingredient. There are other vague ingredients as well.
For instance, meat by-products are included as the fifth ingredient. By-products refer to any part of the animal that isn’t usually processed for human consumption. It’s the leftovers, but precisely what part of the animal those parts are is a mystery. You never know whether you’re getting quality organ meats or feathers.
Plus, the by-products are simply labeled as “meats.” We have no idea where they came from! In other words, this ingredient is mystery meat.
With that said, this recipe does include added taurine and all the necessary vitamins and minerals. It is an altogether meal for your cat – it just isn’t the best one!
Pros
Inexpensive
High in moisture
Cons
Unlabeled meats
Plant-based protein included
Low fat
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Cat Food for Maine Coons
Purchasing cat food for your Maine Coon should not be taken lightly. Our cats are what they eat – especially when they’re a massive, energetic Maine Coon. If we want our felines to maintain a healthy weight and stay illness-free, a proper diet is vital.
Sadly, picking a great diet can be difficult. There are a lot of misconceptions out there – many of them pushed by cat food manufacturers themselves. It can be hard to know what food is best for your cat.
In this section, we’ll go over everything you need to know about your Maine Coon’s nutrition.
Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
Maine Coon Dietary Needs
For the most part, Maine Coons do not have specific dietary needs. They can eat any quality, commercial cat food.
However, they are more prone to obesity and joint problems than other cats. After all, Maine Coons are already huge. You don’t want them overeating and becoming even bigger.
Choosing a food that is high in protein and fats is essential. Too many carbohydrates may contribute to obesity. Of course, you want to ensure that your cat doesn’t overeat either – which is less about the food itself and more about your feeding habits.
Maine Coons are also prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a particular kind of heart disease. Taurine and similar heart-healthy vitamins may help prevent this condition.
Of course, cats that already have an underlying condition should be given food that can help manage it, if possible. However, it is never too late to choose a nutrient-rich food that may help prevent certain illnesses.
What Makes a Good Maine Coon Food?
Several factors go into separating great cat food from subpar cat food.
When it comes to Maine Coons, high-quality protein is essential. These felines are pretty large and very active, so they need more protein than other cats. The protein should be meat-based, if possible, as cats may not absorb amino acids and similar nutrients from plants.
Healthy fats are essential as well. You don’t want to feed your feline just any fat, though. Animal-based fats are preferable, as they tend to be higher in omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids can improve your cat’s skin and coat health.
They may also help improve joint health. If your cat has arthritis, omega fatty acid supplements may be suggested for this reason.
Because Maine Coons often have joint issues, extra omega fatty acids are suggested.
Some carbohydrates are recommended for Maine Coons. While they don’t need tons of carbohydrates, they are essential for normal functioning and growth.
Many Maine Coons consume a little too much food, which can cause obesity. This breed often does not do well with free-feeding. Instead, we recommend carefully measuring out the exact food they need.
You may need to switch your cat to a weight-management diet if they begin to show signs of obesity. These diets are often lower in fat and calories while remaining high in fiber. You can also consider switching your obese Maine Coon to wet food, as the added moisture will help them stay fuller for longer.
Of course, you should double-check that the cat food is designed to be a complete diet – and not a supplement. Check that the food follows AAFCO guidelines, as this will ensure that it includes all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Most quality cat foods will include added vitamins and minerals to ensure that they provide your cat with everything they need. If there aren’t any added vitamins on the nutrient list, you should be pretty cautious about feeding them to your Maine Coon.
You may want to choose a cat food that includes added taurine. This nutrient is beneficial for heart health, and Maine Coons are already pre-dispositioned to heart problems. Therefore, some extra taurine likely won’t hurt.
Conclusion
Smalls Fresh Cat Food is excellent cat food for most Maine Coons. It includes high-quality animal ingredients throughout the ingredient list. The protein content is relatively high, and it includes everything most Maine Coons need to live healthy lives. We recommend selecting Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food if you’re on a budget. While this food doesn’t include highly high-quality ingredients, it is inexpensive and provides a complete diet for your feline. Purina is also a very safe company with few recalls, so you aren’t sacrificing safety. We hope that our reviews and buyer’s guide provided you with enough information to find the perfect cat food for your Maine Coon. Choosing the right cat food for your cat doesn’t have to be complicated with the correct knowledge and our reviews.
