Feeding Your Maine Coon: Nutrition for Growing and Longevity

10/21/2025 | Coontastic Paws | Pet Care & Wellness

By Coontastic Paws Maine Coons of Illinois (St. Louis Metro area)

Why Nutrition Matters

A healthy Maine Coon begins with a healthy diet. Because this breed grows slower and larger than most cats, proper nutrition during every life stage is essential for strong bones, steady growth, and long-term vitality. At Coontastic Paws, we emphasize that nutrition is not just about feeding—it’s about fueling your kitten’s development for a lifetime of health and strength.

From Kitten to Cat: Understanding Growth Stages

Maine Coons mature slowly, often taking three to five years to reach full size. Their bones, joints, and muscles develop gradually, which means their food needs change over time.

Kitten Stage (8 weeks to 12 months)

Kittens require a high-protein, calorie-rich diet to support rapid growth. Look for foods with real meat as the first ingredient—such as chicken, turkey, or fish.

Protein: At least 35–40%
Fat: Around 18–22% for energy and coat health
Calcium & Phosphorus: Support bone development

Feed small, frequent meals (3–4 times per day) during the first six months. Transition slowly to fewer, larger meals as they mature.

Coontastic Tip: Avoid “all life stages” foods for kittens—they may not meet the higher nutritional demands of rapid Maine Coon growth.

Adolescent Stage (1–3 years)

Your Maine Coon’s body is still maturing. Muscle mass increases, and energy levels remain high.

Maintain a high-protein, moderate-fat diet.
Introduce a combination of wet and dry food to support hydration and dental health.
Ensure taurine, omega-3, and L-carnitine are present for heart and joint support.

Hydration is key! Maine Coons naturally prefer running water—fountain-style bowls encourage better fluid intake.

Adult Stage (3+ years)

Once fully grown, Maine Coons benefit from a diet that maintains lean muscle while preventing excess weight.

Choose premium formulas labeled for large or active breeds.
Incorporate high-moisture wet food for urinary and kidney support.
Avoid fillers, artificial colors, and low-quality grains.

Coontastic Tip: Overfeeding can lead to joint stress, heart strain, and digestive imbalance. Always feed by weight, not by eye.

Recommended Nutritional Additions

While a balanced commercial food provides the base, Maine Coons thrive with natural supplements and fresh variety.

✅ Protein toppers: Cooked chicken, turkey, or salmon (no seasoning or bones)

✅ Omega oils: Promote silky coats and reduce inflammation

✅ Probiotics: Support digestion during stress or transitions

✅ Raw or freeze-dried treats: Offer enrichment and dental benefits

Avoid: onions, garlic, dairy, chocolate, or any food containing xylitol.

Transitioning Foods the Right Way (kitten or cat adjustment period)

When changing diets, always transition slowly over 7–10 days:

Start with 75% old food / 25% new food
Gradually increase the new food each day
Watch for soft stool or vomiting—if this occurs, slow down the process

The Importance of Wet Food in a Maine Coon’s Diet (plus Dry & Raw Feeding Insights)

Why Wet Food Matters for a Maine Coon

Maine Coons are large, muscular cats with a unique physiology — and their diet deserves the same level of thought and care we give their breeding, health and home environment. One of the key pillars of proper nutrition for this breed is wet food. Here’s why:

Hydration support. Wet food contains far more moisture than dry kibble — typically around 70-80% moisture in wet vs ~9-12% in dry. Because cats often don’t drink enough water, especially large breeds like the Maine Coon, wet food helps keep their kidneys and urinary tract well-flushed and functioning.
Closer to a natural diet. As obligate carnivores, cats evolved to eat prey — high-meat, moderate fat, minimal carbs. Wet foods are typically lower in carbohydrates, more protein-rich, and more palatable, making them more aligned with a cat’s natural needs.
Weight and health management. Because wet food often has lower energy density (more water, fewer calories per ounce) than many dry foods, it can help prevent over-feeding, obesity, and related issues like diabetes — all of which large, slow-maturing breeds like Maine Coons are vulnerable to.
Encouraging appetite and proper feed timing. Many picky cats prefer the texture and scent of wet food. Regular meals of high-quality wet diet also support growth, coat quality and overall health in kittens and adult cats alike.

At Coontastic Paws, we always integrate wet food as a major part of our Maine Coon nutrition plan. It’s not about gimmicks — it’s about supporting their large frame, slow maturity, and long-term health.

Premium Dry & Wet Food Brands We Recommend

And here are a few quick summaries:

ORIJEN Dry Cat & Kitten: High-protein, animal-rich dry formula.
ORIJEN Premium Wet Cat Food: A matching wet formula with animal-based ingredients, ideal for hydration + nutrition.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dry Cat Food: A well-known premium dry brand oriented toward higher protein.
ACANA Premium Pâté Wet Cat Food: Wet food with very high animal ingredient percentage; good wet diet choice.
Royal Canin Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food: Premium dry aimed at indoor adult cats; good for larger indoor breeds needing control.
Tiki Cat After Dark Canned Cat Food: Ultra high-meat wet food, very appealing and rich.
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Wet Cat Food: Another good wet option with natural ingredients.
Purina ONE Tender Selects Dry Cat Food: More budget-friendly dry option but still above entry level.
Purina Pro Plan Kitten: High protein formula, with real chicken as the first ingredient

How to choose:

For wet food: Look for real animal meat first ingredient, minimal fillers/grains, high moisture.
For dry food: Choose a brand with high-quality protein, appropriate for large breeds, avoid excessive carbs or fillers.
Always ensure the food is labeled appropriate for life stage (kitten, adult, senior) and ideally meets AAFCO standards.
Rotate wet flavors periodically to keep stimulation and variety.

Raw Feeding: Pros, Cons & What to Consider

Many breeders and pet owners ask about raw feeding — especially for a large breed like the Maine Coon. Here’s how we break it down at Coontastic Paws (We do not feed raw):

Pros of Raw Feeding

Raw diets can offer very high digestibility and a more natural prey-type format.
Some cats on raw diets show softer coats, smaller better formed stools, more energy and leaner bodies.
Raw diets tend to be low in carbohydrate, which is more aligned with feline physiology as obligate carnivores.

Cons / Risks of Raw Feeding

There is a real risk of pathogen contamination (Salmonella, E coli) both for the cat and the household.
Many raw diets (especially homemade) fail to meet complete nutritional balance (vitamins, minerals, taurine) in long term.
Raw feeding may not be ideal for households with immunocompromised humans, young children or seniors.
Storage, handling, food safety, and cost are all higher with raw diets.

How to Supplement & Use Raw Wisely

At Coontastic Paws, if we were to include raw or freeze-dried raw, we’d do so as a supplement to a high quality wet + dry program, not as the only diet — unless the diet is professionally formulated and balanced.

Key considerations:

If feeding raw, choose a commercially prepared raw that is AAFCO-compliant or formulated by a veterinary nutritionist.
Always handle raw food with proper hygiene: wash surfaces, keep cold, avoid cross-contamination.
Use raw as a part of the diet, not necessarily 100% unless you’re comfortable and experienced. Many experts say: “Any amount of raw is better than none”.
For Maine Coons (slow-maturing, large frames) ensure the diet supports bone, joint, heart, coat development — these require balanced minerals and nutrients.

What to Avoid Feeding & Signs of a Well-Balanced Diet

Things to Avoid

Foods with high levels of fillers, corn, wheat, soy, and large amounts of carbohydrates.
Dry-food-only diets without adequate moisture — hydration issues and urinary risk increase.
Homemade diets without professional guidance (risk of deficiencies).
Raw bones or feeding raw improperly handled, risking gastrointestinal injury or pathogen risk.
Trusting “budget” brands without checking ingredient quality or nutritional completeness.

Signs of a Well-Balanced Diet for a Maine Coon

Sleek, shiny coat with minimal mats and healthy underside.
Nice muscle tone, not overweight or underfed — for Maine Coons this means a lean but solid build.
Healthy appetite and consistent stool that is firm and well-formed.
Strong energy, playful behaviour and good mobility (important in slow-maturing large breed).
Proper hydration: clear urine, frequent access to fresh water, healthy litter box habits.
Good growth milestones if kitten: slow and steady, not rushed, with correct skeletal and muscular development.

Final Thoughts from Coontastic Paws

For a majestic and large breed like the Maine Coon, feeding isn’t just putting food in the bowl — it’s providing a foundation for health, growth, longevity and beauty.

Wet food plays a key role in that foundation by supporting hydration, appropriate nutrition and aligning with the cat’s natural carnivorous design. Dry food can complement this with convenience and dental support, but should be chosen carefully. Raw feeding offers benefits but demands knowledge, hygiene and balance.

At Coontastic Paws, we believe in feeding with intention: selecting high-quality brands, balancing wet/dry/optional raw, avoiding shortcuts and listening to our cats’ bodies. When our cats thrive, we know we’ve done right — and you can too.

When choosing foods for Maine Coons, quality counts. It’s not about price alone — ingredient quality, digestibility, life-stage appropriateness, and nutritional completeness matter most.