The Best Food for Maine Coons: Top Brands & What to Look For#

If you ask 10 Maine Coon breeders what to feed, you will get 10 different answers. “Raw only!” “Grain-free!” “Whiskas is fine!”

I have navigated the Raw vs. Kibble debate, and my philosophy is simple: High Protein, High Moisture, Low Carb. Maine Coons are massive animals. They cannot thrive on sawdust and corn filler. They need muscle fuel.

Here is my no-nonsense guide to picking a brand that won’t bankrupt you but will keep your giant healthy.

The “Big Three” Requirements#

Before I name brands, you need to know how to read a label.

1. Protein > 40%: Look for “Guaranteed Analysis.” If you are feeding dry food, protein needs to be high.
2. First Ingredient = Meat: Not “Chicken Meal,” not “Corn Gluten,” but “Deboned Chicken” or “Turkey.”
3. No Fillers: Avoid corn, wheat, and soy. Maine Coons have sensitive stomachs; these ingredients often cause litter box disasters.

Top Picks: Dry Food (Kibble)#

I only use kibble as a “snack” or for grazing, but quality matters.

• Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein: This is the holy grail. It has almost zero carbs and extremely high animal protein (59%). It is expensive, but you feed less because it’s dense.
• Tiki Cat Born Carnivore: Excellent high-protein baked kibble.
• Orijen / Acana: High quality, biologically appropriate ingredients. (Note: Check recent formulas as they change ownership).

Top Picks: Wet Food (Canned)#

Wet food is non-negotiable for hydration to prevent kidney issues.

• Weruva / B.F.F: My cats love the “Oh My Gravy” lines. High quality, human-grade meat.
• Ziwi Peak: The “Rolls Royce” of canned food. It’s air-dried/canned venison and lamb. Expensive, but incredible for their coat.
• Feline Natural: Another New Zealand brand. No gums, no fillers, just meat and water.

The “Budget” Reality#

I get it. Feeding a 20lb cat exclusively Ziwi Peak costs a mortgage payment.

• The Hack: Mix high and low. Feed a high-quality grain-free kibble (like Costco’s Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain) and top it with a mid-range wet food (like Fancy Feast Classic Pâté—yes, the Classic Pâté is actually decent because it’s low carb).

Conclusion#

The best food is the one your cat will eat that doesn’t cause diarrhea. Maine Coons have sensitive guts. When switching foods, do it slowly over 10 days. And remember: Calories matter. A growing male kitten needs almost double the calories of an adult. Keep the bowl full until they are 12 months old.

Resources & Further Reading#

• CatFoodDB: Unbiased database analyzing cat food ingredients.
• Feline Nutrition Foundation: The obligate carnivore diet.