Best Cat Food for Maine Coon

The best cat food for Maine Coon can give your pet a long and healthy life. Generally, Maines need high-protein (dry or wet) foods along with complete balanced nutrition for energy, beauty, and overall wellbeing.

In this guide, we will recommend 5 top cat food brands – both wet and dry- that are suitable for this beautiful cat breed. This way, you will always find something your Maine loves.

Just in case you are in a hurry, click on our short summary below to view our Top 5 reviewed products for the best cat food for Maine Coon:

1. Royal Canin Maine Coon
2. Taste of The Wild High Protein Cat Food
3. Purina Pro Plan Indoor Care Cat Food
4. Hill's Science Diet Canned Cat Food for Hairball & Urinary Control
5. CANIDAE Grain-Free Pure Dry Cat

Best Cat Food for Maine Coon – 2022 Top Picks

1. Our Editor’s Pick: Royal Canin Maine Coon Breed Adult Dry Cat Food, 14 lb bag

As the name indicates, Royal Canin is specially formulated for the Maine Coon breed.

Maines have a large stature and their joints need healthy and balanced omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids. Royal Canin food ensures that.

Royal Canin Maine Coon also contains taurine and EPA and DHA to support healthy heart function in this large cat breed.

The specially-designed kibble’s shape is perfect for a Maine’s large jaws – it has a larger-than-average kibble size and perfectly-crunchy texture which this gentle-giant breed loves to crunch on. Most cat parents also stated that this high-quality kibble gave their Coons beautiful, shiny teeth.

Royal Canin Maine Coon breed-specific cat food also contains balanced amounts of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and Omegas for supporting your Maine’s gorgeous coat.

What we like about it

• Great cat food for Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest cats, and other related breeds
• Supports dental health and has ideally sized kibble for easy grasping – perfect for the Maine’s large jaws
• Contains balanced amounts of omegas and amino acids for healthy coats
• Also great for neutered cats
• Maines with sensitive stomachs also tolerated this food well

What we don’t like about it

• The brand does not make wet food specifically for Maines – these cats need moisture to avoid urinary issues. You could try Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Hair & Skin Care Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Cat Food, 3 Ounce (Pack of 24) wet cat food instead.

2.  Taste Of The Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Dry Cat Food With Roasted Venison & Smoke-Flavored Salmon 14lb(Pack of 1)

Maine coon cats need plenty of protein to maintain their strong and lean frame.

Taste of The Wild High Protein with real venison and smoked salmon is not only packed with 42% protein, it is also rich in fatty acids blend, taurine for healthy heart and vision,and antioxidants to support that soft and luxurious coat.

A vast majority of Maine Coon owners have loved Taste of The Wild food which has provided their cats with an excellent health profile.

Many cat parents saw a reduction in dry skin and dandruff in their cats after switching to this food.

This food’s 42% protein comes from venison and salmon packed into delicious meaty kibble that hasa perfectly crunchy texture and large sizeideal for thebreed’s large jaws.

Taste of The Wild also contains probiotics to give your Coon a great digestive system and build its immunity to diseases.There are over 80 million CFUs of live healthy bacteria in it to improve your Maine’s gut flora. (Check out our guide on the best probiotics for cats with IBD).

Maine owners also love the fact that this food is made by an USA-based family with the highest-quality ingredients and scientific protocols, and without the use of grains and fillers. This food is great for all life-stages of Maine Coon cats.

Taste of The Wild brand makes wet food as well

What we like about it

• 42% protein for supporting Maine’s strong and lean frame
• Deliciously meaty, smoky kibble with right size and crunchy texture
• Viables® Probiotics for supporting immunity, digestion, and coat and skin health
• Rich in superfoods and antioxidants.

What we don’t like

• Inconsistent formula. Some bags had smaller kibble.

3. Purina Pro Plan Hairball Management, Indoor Cat Food, Turkey and Rice Formula - 16 lb. Bag

If your Maine is an indoor cat, then they are quite likely to become obese without exercise. Purina Pro Plan Indoor Care food helps with weight as well as hairball management – both of which are common issues in indoor Maine Coons.

This food helps with hairballs as it contains fiber – the fiber breaks down the hairballs and allows them to pass off with ease.

It’s delicious high-protein formula (nearly 40% protein) keeps your cat full longer, so it won’t be overeating – which is great for obesity prevention.

The high-protein is also effective for supporting lean muscles in large breed cats like Maines. Compared to Purina Pro Plan Adult Food, this food contains 10% less fat to prevent obesity in large indoor breeds.

Purina Pro Plan also contains live pre and probiotics (chicory root) that support healthy digestion and immunity in your Coon. It is also rich in taurine and vitamin A for healthy vision.

Its large kibble chunks (shaped as star, moon, and hearts) are also perfect for your cat’s large jaws. They measure about 4mm x 7mm x 8 mm.

What we like about it

• Helps in weight as well as hairball management in Maine Coons
• Has helped many Coons with greasy and matted coats develop softer, healthier fur.
• High protein formula supports lean muscles
• Probiotics for healthy coat, digestive health, and immunity
• Large kibble perfect for the Maine’s larger jaws.

What we don’t like

• Has a strong fishy scent which humans might not love but most cats love.

4. Hill's Science Diet Urinary Hairball Control, Adult 1-6, Urinary Track Health & Hairball Control Support, Wet Cat Food, Chicken Minced, 5.5 oz Can, Case of 24

The reason why we love Hill’s Science Diet wet cat food for hairball and urinary control is because Maine Coons are susceptible to both these issues.

This vet-formulated food could help prevent both these problems. Many users have stated that the food prevented urinary infections and hairballs vomiting in their Coon cats.

The number one ingredient in Hill’s Science Diet wet cat food is water which is very important for preventing UTIs in cats. It also contains protein in the form of turkey and chicken – both of which are easy to digest and help maintain lean muscle mass in indoor cats.

Dried beet pulp and soyabean meal provide fiber for dissolving hairballs – allowing them to pass out with ease.

Hill’s Science Diet also contains omega essential fatty acids and Vitamin E to support healthy coat and skin in Maines and other cat breeds with luxurious coats.

This high-quality wet food is made in the USA from natural ingredients sourced from reputed sources.

What we like about it

• Vet-recommended food for urinary health management and hairball prevention in Maines
• High in lean protein, aids in weight management
• Omegas and vitamin E support healthy skin and luxurious coat

What we don’t like

• Texture is inconsistent. Some cans have a lot of gravy, others tend to be dry. This could be due to smaller batches of production.

5.  Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Premium Dry Cat Food, Real Salmon Recipe, 5 lbs, Grain Free

Coons are often susceptible to allergies so, a limited ingredient diet is usually better for them. That is why we have selected CANIDAE grain-free dry cat food in our list of best cat food forMaine Coon cats.

This food has helped many Maines reduce allergies and food sensitivities thanks to its gentle formulation.

This grain-free food contains salmon as its first ingredient which is generally well-loved by most cats. It also provides highly digestible protein along with omega essential fatty acids to support healthy and soft coat.

Sweet potatoes provide fiber and prevent hairball in long-haired cats like Coons.

The whole-food ingredients in CANIDAE are also known to support your cat’s digestion. It also contains probiotics for healthy digestion, immunity, and skin-and-coat health.

What we like about it

• Excellent grain-free food with limited ingredients for sensitive Maines
• Contains Probiotics for healthy immunity, digestive, and skin health
• Omega essential fatty acids and canola oil support gorgeous coat
• Big and blocky kibble ideal for large jaws

What we don’t like

• Contains potatoes and peas which some cats are allergic to.
• Kibble crumbles into dust during transport. Packaging needs improvement.

What are Some of the Special Features of Maine Coon Cats?

Large cat breed

Maine Coons are special cats. They are a large cat breed weighing between 10 and 20 lbs. Unlike other cat breeds, they do not reach maturity until they are about 3 years old.

Luxurious long coats

Maines have luxurious long coats that need special grooming. Their coat is one of the most important features of their physical beauty.

Indoor cats (mostly)

Maine Coons can be completely indoor cats, although it is up to the owners whether they want them to move freely outside.

Prone to weight gain

Being indoors, they might not get adequate exercise. They will gladly spend all day lounging on the sofa! Also, their large body weight demands food and frequent munching.

Combined together, these behavioral aspects can quickly cause rapid weight gain in a Maine.

Need a balanced diet

That is why, it is important that you, as a cat parent, provide proper nourishment, exercise, and the right diet to prevent unhealthy weight gain in your Coon.

What are the Common Health Issues in Maine Coon Cats?

Maine Coons are known to have the following health concerns:

A) Hairballs

Like all long-haired breeds, hairball problems exist in Maine Coon cats. Your cat could swallow large amount of fur while grooming itself.

This forms a hairball in its stomach which it regurgitates along with food.

Larger hairballs can even get dislodged in the cat’s intestine which could require an operation for its removal.

You can prevent hairballs by grooming and brushing your pet regularly. Also keep your pet’s fur trimmed and short. (Check out the best grooming brushes for long-haired cats).

Thankfully, these days, there are special medicines and diets that could prevent hairballs in Maines.

These medicines typically contain petroleum jelly which helps loosen the hairballs and allow its natural passage.

Cat foods for hair ball control contain fiber in the form of pumpkin or beet pulp. These foods dissolve the hairball and allow it to pass out of your cat’s stomach through its bowel movements.

B) Hip and elbow dysplasia

These issues arise in most large breed cats and Maines are no different.

While dysplasia is usually a part of the normal aging process, you can prevent and manage it through a healthy diet. Look for the best cat food for Maine Coon with balanced omegas, proteins, and minerals for stronger bones.

Exercise your pet and make sure it remains lean throughout its life to prevent unwanted pressure on its joints.

C) Urinary and Kidney Issues

Urinary infections and struvite and kidney stones are also sometimes common in these cats.

Speak to your vet about the best food for preventing these problems. Sometimes, it helps to feed foods with higher moisture content to prevent these issues. Check out our guide on best cat food for urinary health.

D) Obesity

Indoor Maine coons, as explained above, are known to suffer from obesity and unhealthy weight gain. Through proper diet and regular exercise, you can prevent it from worsening.

What are the Features to Look for When Selecting the Best Cat Food for Maine Coon?

A healthy diet can keep your Coon looking and feeling good for 10-15 years.

Here are some features to consider when selecting the best cat food for Maine Coon cats:

1) High-quality balanced nutrition

Maine Coons need protein-rich diets. Select a grain-free food with highly digestible protein source like poultry or fish.Avoid foods with grains as some Maines are known to be allergic to them.

Omega fatty acids are also very essential for these cats. Maines need a diet rich in fatty acids to keep their coats luxurious andprevent dry skin, dandruff, and other skin and coat problems.

They also need EPA and DHA to give them a strong and healthy heart.

The food should ideally contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals for overall health and well-being. You must also look for a fiber-rich food to prevent hairballs.

Your cat also needs taurine for healthy vision and heart as well as probiotics for its digestive health and immunity.

The foods we have shortlisted above contain most of these nutrients.

2) Wet, dry, or semi-moist foods

This choice depends entirely on you and your cat’s texture preferences.

Many pet parents, especially those who have to leave their cat alone all day, prefer feeding dry foods which can be left outside all day without worrying about spoilage.

However, your cat needs plenty of moisture too. Moisture is important to prevent urinary issues and bladder stones.

You could feed your Maine one serving of wet food in the evening when you are home and dry food at other times.

Speak to your vet about the right feeding portions and schedule based on your cat’s overall health profile.

3)  Size of the kibble

In case you decide to feed the best dry cat food for Maine Coon, you might want to select food with larger kibble size. Since these cats have big and strong jaws, they find it easier to pick up larger kibble and they love crunching down on it.

Conclusion

The best cat food for Maine Coon consists of protein for lean muscle mass, healthy omegas for skin and coat, fiber for hairball prevention, and probiotics for immunity and digestive health. It should ideally have a larger kibble size for its larger-than-average jaws (in case you choose dry cat food).

Based on these features, we recommend the Royal Canin Maine Coon which is specially designed for this beautiful breed and checks most of the boxes above.

Do check out our other recommendations as well.