Maine Coon Cat Feeding Questions

What (And How Much) to Feed Cats?

Updated: June 24, 2026

Welcome to our collection of Maine Coon feeding questions. If you're wondering what to feed your cat or kitten, how much to offer, or how often to feed, you'll find those topics and more here.

Is Grain Good for Senior Maine Coons?

by: Salim Matt in Salish Lands, Pacific NW

I'm "uncle" to Franklin, an amazing Maine Coon who used to live with me and now lives with a dear friend.

Franklin is, we guess, at least 15 (he was a rescue) and has lost a considerable amount of weight since I last saw him several years ago.

My friend's vet recommended feeding dry food with grain because of possible heart conditions and cholesterol.

I've checked online and can't find anyone making similar suggestions. I've always heard that grain is bad for cats.

I'm also wondering if dry kibble is still the best choice for Franklin. His appetite is good (I just had a fish dinner and Franklin was clamoring for shares), but he doesn't seem very interested in his kibble.

Has anyone heard of a vet recommending grain for an older Maine Coon?

Thanks for your help!

As for grain, the "grain is bad for cats" idea is widely repeated but not well supported by research.

Grain-free foods are marketed as superior, but the evidence isn't there yet. What's interesting is that grain-free options often swap grain for potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, or tapioca - none of which are actually better for cats nutritionally.

Most prescription diets come in both kibble and canned. If Franklin isn't excited about the kibble, it's worth asking whether the same formula is available in wet - especially for a senior cat who needs to stay interested in eating.

Wishing Franklin a long and comfortable retirement!

Comments:

Teeth?
by: Community Member
With my elderly cats, some as old as 18+, I've wondered whether a loss of interest in kibble might be related to aging teeth, sore teeth, or difficulty chewing.

If Franklin still has a good appetite but isn't interested in dry food, it may be worth trying a wet variety to see if it is easier for him to eat.

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Maine Coon Cat Feeding and Nutrition

by: Sharon in Plattsburgh NY

What do Maine Coon cats generally eat and how much water do they typically drink in a day?

Dry-food-fed cats tend to drink more water to compensate, so fresh water in abundance is non-negotiable. We use a big-dog-sized dish and fill it daily - and our cats have strong opinions about it being wiped out regularly. A dripping faucet goes a long way too, if yours are into that.

Big males especially can be prone to eating too fast and bringing it back up. If that's happening, measured meals usually solve it.

For variety, a mix of dry and wet is a solid everyday approach. Tossing them a small chunk of raw chicken or another protein while you're prepping dinner is an easy way to add some fresh food without overthinking it. Maine Coons tend to love it.

Grocery store brands have improved, but pet stores are still your better bet - an associate at a good one can point you toward their top-quality options quickly.

High-protein, grain-free, and limited fillers like about Orijen Cat Food or Wellness Core are what you're looking for.

Best wishes to Marley, Arthur, Luca and Beppino!

Comments:

Nutrition:

My cat drank a lot of water. I kept a pot of water in the sink, his favorite drinking spot, when he wasn't lapping water up in the shower stall.

Even now, 10 months after he passed, I still keep a pot of water in the sink.

Feeding Blue Buffalo
by: Dean
I highly recommend Blue Buffalo Wilderness for dry and Blue Buffalo Spa Select for wet. It's not cheap, but it is definitely worth it. It has no fillers and no grains. Our two Coonies LOVE it!

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How Much Canned?

I have two growing Maine Coon kittens. They always have access to fresh water and kibble, but what they really want is canned food.

They are about 3 or 4 months old and currently share one can of Friskies each day. They always seem hungry later in the evening.

As a first time Maine Coon owner, I wonder if growing kittens should be getting more canned food.

Reply:

One can a day shared between two growing Maine Coon kittens is on the lighter side, especially at three to four months when they're burning through calories fast. The evening hunger makes sense.

Part of what's working against you is the food itself. Friskies is a budget brand - it's low in quality protein and higher in fillers, which means kittens eating it need more of it to feel genuinely satisfied.

Upgrading to a better wet food will likely reduce the constant hunger without dramatically increasing how much you're serving.

In the meantime, there's no harm in offering a second small serving in the evening at this age.

Kittens aren't at risk of overeating the way adult cats can be - they're growing and they need the fuel.

For a first-time Maine Coon owner, you're already thinking about this the right way. These are not average-sized cats and they don't eat like average-sized cats, especially in kittenhood.

~Carrie

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How Much is Too Much For a Male Maine Coon?

by: Schanda Tierney in St. Louis

Hello. I adopted a male kitten from a shelter about 8 months ago. I didn't even know what a Maine Coon was until the vet said I had one.

Since I've had Memphis, I've had to feed him separately. If I don't watch him, he'll eat his portion and theirs.

It wasn't so bad at first because he couldn't jump high enough to reach the kitchen counter.

I hate feeding the other cats up there, but I have no choice. Memphis is now much bigger than the others, and he jumps on the counter to eat whatever he can find.

I've increased his portion to 3/4 cup a day and continue trying to keep him out of his sisters' bowls.

I worry about leaving food out all day. As cute as their chubby bellies are, I don't want them to become unhealthy.

How much is too much for a growing male Maine Coon?

Thanks,

Schanda
St. Louis, MO

Reply:

Memphis is a handsome boy, and that name is perfect for him.

You're in a classic Maine Coon situation - one giant, food-motivated boy and two sensible girls who just want to eat their quarter cup in peace.

If Memphis is on a good quality kibble, free feeding is a perfectly reasonable approach for him.

Many Maine Coon owners do it, and this breed tends to self-regulate better than you'd expect.

They're built big and solid, and weight problems are less common than with other breeds - though your vet will flag it at a regular checkup if it ever becomes a concern.

The one thing to watch is eating speed. Big males sometimes inhale their food and bring it back up shortly after. If that starts happening, switching to measured meals or a slow feeder bowl usually sorts it out.

The girls are the trickier part. Counter feeding works, but it's annoying.

Another option is a microchip-activated feeder that only opens for their chips - Memphis can't access it no matter how determined he is. They've become pretty affordable and work well in exactly this kind of multi-cat setup.

You may just have to accept that mealtimes require a little supervision for now. He'll mellow out as he gets older - they usually do.

~Carrie

Comments:
Too much food...
My cats like to, like humans, graze. I always leave a bowl of kibble out along with a big pot of water which I change daily. They never have had a weight problem.

Why Is My Maine Coon Always Hungry?

Maine Coons are big cats with big appetites, and for the most part that's just who they are.

This breed is slow to mature (still growing until around age three or four) so a young Maine Coon burning through calories and asking for more isn't a behavior problem, it's biology.

Food quality matters too. Cats eating filler-heavy kibble are never quite satisfied because the nutrition isn't there, so they keep coming back to the bowl.

A high-protein, meat-first diet makes a noticeable difference in how quickly that hungry look returns.

The good news is that Maine Coons tend to self-regulate better than most breeds.

Free feeding works well for many owners, and weight problems are less common than you'd expect given how enthusiastically they approach mealtimes. Your vet will flag any concerns at a regular checkup.

One thing to watch is eating speed. Big males sometimes eat too fast and bring it back up shortly after. A slow feeder bowl usually solves it.

Another situation is the multi-cat household. A hungry Maine Coon boy will absolutely help himself to everyone else's dinner if given the chance.

Counter feeding works in a pinch, but microchip-activated feeders, which only open for a specific cat's chip, have become affordable and are worth considering if mealtime has turned into a three-ring circus.

The honest answer to "why is my Maine Coon always hungry?" is that you probably just have a Maine Coon.

They're famously food-motivated, they're big, and they like to eat.

Keep the quality high, feed freely if it's working, and try not to let that face guilt you too much - they've been perfecting that look for years.

I Don't Know How Much to Feed My Maine Coon Kittens!

by: Janet in USA

I have 2 part Maine Coon kittens who are now almost 4 months old. I feed them hard food and canned food, which is what the adoption place told me to do.

They are now about twice their original size from 4 weeks ago. I feed them one can in the afternoon, which they share, and I always leave kibble available in another dish.

Of course, they also have a large bowl of fresh water.

They beg, in their own squeaky way, for more food. All they need to do is see me in the kitchen and they start whining. I don't give in because I feel I am feeding them enough for their current weight.

Do you agree with me?

I must admit I'm glad they drink water all day long, something my former cat never did.

It's funny because they will often climb right onto an empty refrigerator shelf when I open the door. It seems like they will do anything for more canned food!

I'd appreciate everyone's opinion. Thank you!

Reply:

Hi Janet,

You're doing everything right! Many kittens just prefer canned food, and if you give in every time they perform hunger, you may end up with very picky eaters on your hands.

As long as kibble is always available, they won't go hungry between canned meals. Maine Coons can be wonderfully dramatic about this - ours have cried as if they hadn't eaten in days, then taken three bites and wandered off like nothing happened.

The refrigerator shelf is very on-brand. Good luck with your little ones!

~Carrie

Comments:

OVERFEEDING - or not
by: JUDY
Buddy gets cooked chicken, canned food, and about 2 tablespoons of Royal Canin kibble a day, plus occasional sardines, liver, or lamb heart.

He's four months old and my husband thinks I'm overfeeding him - but Buddy seems happy and is growing well. He's not a great water drinker though, so I make sure it's always fresh. Anyone else feeding a varied diet like this at this age?

4 month old kitten
by: Bobby
I was shocked by how huge my four-month-old Maine Coon kitten already is! I free feed him and he's doing great. He's playful, friendly, and drinking plenty of water.

He's also claimed the ledge where the Christmas tree used to be, scattered every ornament in the house, and climbs the half-carpeted walls like Spider-Man. I just love him.

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