A menu for every age
Needs change over time
Kitten : A rich and highly digestible diet is necessary during a long growth period, with meals spread throughout the day and monitoring of development.
Adult : The ration must cover the needs of a large-sized cat without excess calories, taking into account activity and sterilization status.
Senior : With age, it is necessary to preserve muscle mass, support kidney and joint functions, and adjust energy density if activity decreases.
Which food?
Kibble, wet food, or home-cooked diet?
The Maine Coon benefits from a complete diet rich in animal proteins, in the form of good-quality kibble, wet food, or a combination of both. The mix of wet and dry is often beneficial to support hydration while contributing to oral hygiene.
Amounts
How much should you give?
Daily quantities must be adjusted according to age, weight, neutering, activity level and the energy density of the chosen food. It is preferable to base your reasoning on the manufacturer’s recommendations and then refine according to the observed body condition.
| Weight | Daily amount | Meals/day |
|---|---|---|
| 4 - 6 kg | 70 - 100 g | 2 |
| 6 - 8 kg | 94 - 132 g | 2 |
| 8 - 10 kg | 118 - 164 g | 2 |
Change
Managing the food transition
Any change in diet must be done gradually over 7 to 10 days in order to limit digestive upsets. The slow introduction of the new food, by increasing its proportion each day, helps the Maine Coon accept the transition more calmly.
Hydration
Water: do not overlook it
Hydration is an important point in this breed. Clean, fresh water must always be available, ideally at several access points or via a fountain, especially if the diet is mostly dry.
Little extras
Treats, in moderation
Treats should remain occasional and be included in the calculation of the daily ration. It is better to favor small, quality rewards and avoid excesses that quickly promote overweight in a large-sized cat.
Good habits
For a top-notch bowl
- Weighing the cat regularly helps adjust the ration before excess weight sets in.
- Splitting meals promotes better day-to-day appetite management.
- Combining wet food and kibble can improve overall hydration.
- Choosing bowls and feeders suited to its large size makes for comfortable feeding.
Never give
As with other cats, you should avoid in particular chocolate, onion, garlic, grapes, alcohol, coffee, cooked bones and very fatty or very salty foods. These products can cause digestive, nervous, kidney or cardiac disorders that are sometimes serious.
