Raw Feeding the Maine Coon: Science, Safety, and Ratios#

There is a movement in the Maine Coon world that rejects the “brown pebbles” of commercial kibble in favor of the diet nature intended: raw meat, bones, and organs. Proponents claim it produces massive growth, glossy coats, and zero-smell litter boxes. Opponents warn of Salmonella and fractured teeth.

As with most things, the truth is in the middle—and in the chemistry. Feeding a 20lb cat is not as simple as throwing a chicken breast in a bowl. According to Feline Husbandry, improper raw feeding is a leading cause of nutritional osteodystrophy (soft bones) in kittens.

If you are going to feed raw, you must become a chemist. Here is the formula for the Maine Coon.

The Calcium:Phosphorus Ratio (1.2:1)#

This is the single most critical number for a Maine Coon kitten.

Meat (Muscle): High in Phosphorus. Low in Calcium.
Bone: High in Calcium.

The Danger: If you feed your Maine Coon only muscle meat (chicken breast, steak) without bone, his Calcium:Phosphorus ratio inverts. His body will pull calcium out of his own skeleton to balance his blood pH.

Result: Paper-thin bones, spontaneous fractures, and “Rubber Jaw.”

The Fix: You must feed edible bone (ground chicken necks, rabbit ribs) or add a calcium supplement (Bone Meal or Eggshell powder) to every meal. The ideal ratio is 1.2 parts Calcium to 1 part Phosphorus.

The Thiamin (Vitamin B1) Risk#

Feline Husbandry warns of a specific danger for raw feeders: Thiaminase. Some raw fish (especially carp, herring, and some tuna) contain an enzyme called Thiaminase that destroys Vitamin B1.

Symptoms: If a Maine Coon becomes Thiamin deficient, he develops neurological signs: head tremors, “star gazing,” and seizures.
The Rule: Never feed raw fish. Cooked fish is safe (cooking destroys the enzyme), but raw fish is a neurological gamble.

The “Pathogen” Problem: Salmonella & E. Coli#

Can cats get Salmonella? Yes. But the bigger risk is You. A cat’s digestive tract is short and highly acidic; they often pass pathogens without getting sick. However, they shed that Salmonella in their stool.

The Cattery Risk: If you have kittens or immune-compromised cats (FIP risk), raw food introduces a bacterial load that can overwhelm a weak immune system.
Protocol: If you feed raw, you must treat your kitchen like a biohazard lab. Stainless steel bowls, immediate cleaning, and no “grazing.”

The Balanced Recipe#

A safe “Frankenprey” diet generally follows the 80/10/10 Rule:

80% Muscle Meat: (Chicken thighs, beef heart, rabbit). Note: Heart is crucial for Taurine.
10% Edible Bone: (Wings, necks).
10% Secreting Organ: (Liver, Kidney, Spleen). Note: Liver provides Vitamin A, but too much causes toxicity.

Tasin TS-108 Electric Meat Grinder

If you are serious about raw feeding, you need a grinder that can crush chicken bones. This is the entry-level workhorse for catteries.

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Conclusion#

Raw feeding can transform a Maine Coon’s health, but it requires precision. “All meat” is not a complete diet. “Whole prey” (ground with bone and organ) is the only safe path for a growing giant.

References#

Pedersen, N.C. (1991). Feline Husbandry. “Nutrition and Nutritional Disorders,” p. 325.
Pierson, L. (DVM). CatInfo.org: Making Cat Food.
National Research Council (NRC). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats.
Walsh, L.G. (2013). The Maine Coon Cat.
[cite_start]Journal of Feline Medicine. Thiamin deficiency in cats. [cite: 2298]