FREEZE-DRIED RAW · CAT FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is the gentle giant of the cat world — one of the largest domestic breeds, with a big rectangular frame that keeps filling out slowly until three or four years of age. That long, muscular growth curve is the single biggest factor in how you should feed one.

Like every cat, the Maine Coon is an obligate carnivore — built to run on meat, organ, taurine and moisture, not carbohydrate. To build and hold all that muscle without piling on fat, they thrive on a lean, high-protein, high-moisture diet. Freeze-dried raw is made for exactly that job.

Adult weight13–25 lb
TemperamentGentle, friendly, easygoing — the “gentle giant”
Lifespan12–15 years
CoatThick, shaggy, semi-long water-shedding double coat

Consistently one of the most popular cat breeds in the U.S. (CFA)

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What your Maine Coon actually needs

Cats are obligate carnivores — they're built to run on meat, organ and moisture. Here's what matters most.

Large, slow-maturing frame
Needs: Sustained high animal protein into young adulthood
Freeze-dried raw delivers meat-first protein to build and hold lean muscle across the Maine Coon's long three-to-four-year growth curve.
Big appetite, calm indoor pace
Needs: Calorie control to prevent excess weight
A measured, protein-dense raw portion keeps a hungry Maine Coon full and satisfied without overfeeding a low-energy lifestyle.
Breed heart-health awareness (HCM)
Needs: Ample taurine for cardiac muscle
Raw meat and organ are naturally taurine-rich — foundational dietary support for a breed that carries cardiac risk.
Thick, water-shedding double coat
Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids for skin & coat
Fish-based raw recipes supply the omega-3s that keep the Maine Coon's dense, shaggy coat plush and conditioned.
Low natural thirst drive
Needs: Moisture built into the meal
Rehydrated raw adds water a Maine Coon won't drink on its own, supporting urinary and kidney health in a large-framed cat.

How much to feed your Maine Coon

Quick answer: a healthy adult (13–25 lb) needs about 1.7–3.3 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two or more small meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean body and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weight	Freeze-dried per day	Per meal (×2)
13 lb	1.7 oz	0.8 oz
16 lb	2.1 oz	1 oz
19 lbtypical	2.5 oz	1.2 oz
22 lb	2.9 oz	1.4 oz
25 lb	3.3 oz	1.6 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.13 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active pets need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed your Maine Coon

Build a Maine Coon's bowl around complete-and-balanced freeze-dried raw, rotating poultry and fish recipes to support lean muscle, a healthy heart and that thick, weatherproof coat. Rehydrate each meal with a little warm water to add the moisture this big cat often won't drink on its own.

Land Animal's cat recipes are high in animal protein and naturally taurine-rich, with low carbohydrate — a strong everyday match for a large, slow-maturing, indoor breed like the Maine Coon.

Feeding by life stage

Kitten: Maine Coon kittens grow slowly for three to four years — keep protein and calories generous and feed 3–4 meals a day through the long growth phase to fuel that big frame.
Adult: Transition to measured lean maintenance once growth slows; calorie control matters for a large, calm, indoor cat that gains weight easily.
Senior: Prioritize highly digestible protein and moisture to protect muscle mass, kidneys and heart as a big-bodied cat ages.

Common concerns — and the diet connection

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)Maine Coons carry breed risk for HCM; a taurine-rich, meat-first raw diet supports cardiac muscle — diet supports heart health, it does not replace cardiac screening.
Indoor weight gainA large, easygoing indoor cat with a big appetite gains weight easily; measured, protein-dense meals keep them lean and full on fewer calories.
Hip & joint comfortCarrying a heavy frame stresses joints; lean body weight from controlled, protein-dense feeding helps maintain comfortable movement.
Urinary & bladder healthThe moisture in rehydrated raw helps keep urine dilute — important support for a low-thirst, large-bodied breed.
Coat & skin conditionOmega-3s from fish recipes help keep the thick double coat conditioned and the skin healthy underneath.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding your Maine Coon: what to know

Because Maine Coons grow for years, keep them on a generous, protein-rich plan well into young adulthood before transitioning to lean maintenance — rushing the switch can shortchange a frame that is still developing. Their relaxed, indoor-leaning nature means they won't always burn off extra calories, so measure every meal rather than free-feeding.

Feed to a lean body condition: even a 15-pound Maine Coon should have ribs you can feel under a light covering of fat, plus a visible waist from above. Two or more small daily meals suit their easygoing pace, and a splash of warm water on the food boosts both moisture and aroma.

Cat feeding questions

How much should I feed a Maine Coon?

A healthy adult Maine Coon (13–25 lb) needs roughly 1.7–3.3 oz of freeze-dried raw per day — about 0.13 oz per pound of ideal body weight — split across two or more meals. Feed to a lean body, not to current weight, and adjust by body condition.

Are Maine Coons prone to obesity?

Yes. They are large, food-motivated and indoor-leaning, so they gain weight easily. Measure every meal and lean on protein density to keep them full on fewer calories rather than free-feeding.

How long do Maine Coons keep growing?

Three to four years — far longer than most cats. Keep them on a generous, protein-rich plan through that long growth phase before switching to lean adult maintenance.

Is raw food good for a Maine Coon's coat?

Yes — fish-based raw recipes supply omega-3 fatty acids that help keep the Maine Coon's thick, shaggy double coat plush and well conditioned from the skin out.

Does diet affect Maine Coon heart health?

A taurine-rich, meat-first raw diet supports cardiac muscle. Maine Coons carry breed risk for HCM, so pair good nutrition with regular vet cardiac screening — diet supports health, it doesn't replace veterinary care.

Should a Maine Coon eat wet or dry food?

Cats are obligate carnivores with a low thirst drive, so a high-moisture, meat-first diet beats dry kibble. Rehydrated freeze-dried raw combines high animal protein with the water a Maine Coon won't drink on its own.

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“My picky indoor cat actually finishes her bowl now — and she’s drinking less because the food has real moisture back in it.”
— Dana & Miso
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— Theo & Pepper

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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual cat's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.