Can Maine Coons Drink Milk?

Movies and TV shows have always shown that cats love milk, but can Maine Coons drink milk?

After all, just because your cat finds one kind of food to be a delicious treat doesn’t mean it’s actually healthy for your cat!

Milk is bad for cats because they do not carry the enzyme lactase, which is used to digest the lactose in milk. This can cause indigestion, diarrhea, and vomiting. Furthermore, cow’s milk does not contain the nutrients essential to a cat’s diet and instead contains a lot of fat and sugar.

Milk is not considered a healthy treat for cats, but there are plenty of other foods that your Maine Coon will love!

Read on to find out what’s safe to give to your cat, and what isn’t.

It’s common for a lot of owners to wonder, can Maine Coon Cats drink milk. After all, a cat drinking milk is a trope frequently seen in popular culture.

Just because cats love milk, however, doesn’t mean it’s good for them; there are two reasons why cats shouldn’t drink milk:

1. Lactose-Intolerant

The first reason cats shouldn’t drink milk is because they’re lactose-intolerant.

In order to digest the lactose in milk, you need an enzyme called lactase. Unfortunately, cat’s digestive systems do not contain lactase, so drinking milk leads to indigestion.

In some cases, drinking milk can cause your cat to have diarrhea or vomiting, which will end up making your cat dehydrated.

While milk can’t kill your cat, it’s still incredibly unhealthy.

Surprisingly, however, cats are actually born with the enzyme lactase, which they use to drink their mother’s milk as kittens.

As they grow older, however, they lose that enzyme and become lactose-intolerant.

2. Milk Is High In Fat

Secondly, milk is very high in fat, and low in other nutrients that your cat needs, such as protein.

Drinking milk can lead to weight gain, and a cat full-on milk might not eat its cat food, which contains the nutrients it needs to stay strong and healthy.

Still, there is a stage of life where cats actually need to survive.

The difference is that this milk is provided by their mother. Kittens drink milk for the first six to eight weeks of life before they’re weaned onto solid food.

We humans like to drink cow’s milk, which is filled with nutrients designed for young calves.

Baby cows need an entirely different nutritional profile than baby cats, who need lots of protein and a small number of carbohydrates.

If you were to give a kitten cow’s milk instead of a cat’s milk, it would die from malnutrition.

Why Do Cats Like Milk If They Are Lactose Intolerant?

If cats are lactose intolerant, then why do cats love milk?

The domestic cats we know and love today originally evolved in the desert, where they had to be crafty about finding food. As a result, they are designed to enjoy foods high in fat, which would have been advantageous in the dry, harsh desert.

To discover more about where the Maine Coon cat breed originates from, check out my article ‘Where Do Maine Coons Originate From?‘.

Milk is very high in fat, so your cat will naturally love to drink it.

However, since your cat is fed all the food it needs, and no longer has to struggle to find food like its ancestors in the desert, it has no need for milk.

In fact, not only will drinking milk likely result in indigestion, but it will also lead to unhealthy amounts of weight gain (source 1).

Can Cats Drink Lactose Free Milk?

Since lactose is what leads to indigestion in cats, lactose-free milk will allow your cat to enjoy this treat without worrying about an upset stomach.

This doesn’t mean that feeding your cat milk is still a good idea, though.

Lactose-free milk is still high in fat, and lacking in the other important nutrients that your cat needs.

Altogether, milk is unhealthy and unnecessary for cats.

If you want to give your cat a treat, stick to treats specifically designed for cats.

Is Milk Good For Older Cats?

Milk is not good for senior cats, either. In fact, it’s even more dangerous!

Senior cats are a lot frailer than younger cats, and drinking milk can cause serious problems.

Diarrhea and vomiting that can be caused by drinking milk can severely dehydrate your cat, which can be especially dangerous to a senior cat, particularly if that cat has any other underlying health conditions.

What To Do If Your Cat Drinks Milk

If your cat accidentally manages to drink some milk, don’t worry.

While it will probably lead to indigestion, it won’t kill your cat.

You should, however, make sure that you immediately remove the milk from your cat so it can’t drink anymore.

It is important to then monitor your cat for the next few hours to make sure it doesn’t become too sick.

If your cat is unable to stop vomiting or passing diarrhea for a long period of time, take it to the vet right away.

Please keep in mind that this is extremely rare in the case of drinking milk, so you probably won’t have to worry too much.

My Cat Will Only Drink Milk

If you regularly give your cat milk before learning milk was actually a problem, you may have inadvertently taught your cat to prefer milk over water.

Unfortunately, taking away milk from your cat altogether can have disastrous results.

The best method to wean your cat off milk is to dilute it over a period of several weeks.

Start out with just a little bit of water, then gradually increase the amount of water you mix into it until your cat is drinking only water (source 1).

How Much Water Do Cats Drink A Day?

Cats require about 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water for every five pounds of body weight.

With the average cat weighing about 10 pounds, most cats require about 7 to 9 ounces of water per day (source 1).

Since Maine Coons are typically heavier, weighing between 10 and 25 pounds, they require more water on average.

When eating wet food, however, cats may require less water, as they get some amount of water from their food already.

Make sure that your Maine Coon cat always has access to fresh, clean water.

Many cats also prefer running water, so you might want to consider investing in a small fountain instead of the usual water bowl.

This is our Maine Coons favorite cat water fountain. If you’re interested in taking a look, you will find it available on Amazon.

Many owners are surprised to discover that their Maine Coon cat doesn’t just LIKE water, they LOVE water!!

This has definitely been true for our male Main Coon who loves to pat the water off his cat water fountain, and go outside to sit in heavy thunderstorms!!

So why is this particular cat breed so obsessed with water?

If this is a question you’ve been wondering, why not read my article ‘Why Do Maine Coon Cats Love Water?‘.

What Do Maine Coons Eat?

The Maine Coon breed developed naturally in the state of Maine, where they used their natural hunting instincts to take down mice, rats, and other prey for food.

Today, most Maine Coons are fed a very different diet, but it’s important that the cat food you buy still provides the same amount of calories and nutrients as they would eat in the wild.

Here are the three main types of food that you can provide for your Maine Coon:

Dry Food

Dry food is the most common type of cat food, and a high-quality brand will provide all the nutrients your cat needs.

It is possible to feed your cat only a diet of dry food, but it’s not ideal.

Providing wet food alongside dry food gives your cat more enrichment, as well as provides more moisture. You should also avoid giving your cat dry food only if it’s prone to urinary problems.

Wet Food

Wet food is more flavorful than dry food, and also provides more moisture for your cat.

Most cats seem to significantly prefer wet food, so it’s a good idea to give your Maine Coon wet food a few times a week.

You should not provide a diet that is only wet food, however, as it can be damaging to your cat’s teeth. Instead, provide both wet food and dry food.

Raw Food

A more specialized diet for Maine Coon Cats is a raw food diet.

While this diet can be more expensive and significantly more time-consuming to prepare, it can be enriching for your Maine Coon to eat raw food, which is more similar to what it would eat in the wild.

While you might be tempted to buy your Maine Coon the cheapest food you can find at the pet store, keep in mind that not all foods are created equal.

You’ll want to find high-quality food that will meet these Maine Coon Cat’s dietary requirements:

Protein

Protein is the most important part of a cat’s diet. Maine Coon Cats especially require high amounts of animal protein.

There are eleven types of amino acids that cats need from protein:

Arginine
Histidine
Isoleucine
Ieucine
Iysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Taurine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine

Fat

Next, cats need a moderate amount of fat in their diet.

They specifically need Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential to healing wounds, keeping your cat’s skin and coat healthy, and managing inflammation.

Carbohydrates

Cats require a low amount of carbohydrates.

Many cheap cat foods use high amounts of filler content, such as grains, which are high in carbohydrates.

While it’s important for your cat to get some carbs, too many can result in weight gain and malnutrition.

Vitamins

Cats are able to produce some vitamins on their own, but the rest need to be included in their diets.

The vitamins that cats require are:

Vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12
Thiamin
Riboflavin
Pantothenic Acid
Niacin
Pyridoxine
Folic Acid
Biotin
Choline

High-quality cat food should contain all of the vitamins that your cat needs.

Minerals

Cats require the following minerals in their diets:

Calcium
Phosphorus
Potassium
Sodium
Chloride
Magnesium
Iron
Copper
Manganese
Zinc
Iodine
Selenium

Look for cat foods that are labeled by the AAFCO, which regulates which cat foods contain the correct amount of vitamins and minerals (source 1).

Do Maine Coons Need Special Food?

If you’re worried about meeting your cat’s nutritional requirements, you might be wondering, can Maine Coons eat normal cat food?

Overall, it’s ideal for every kind of cat to have a high-quality diet that contains a lot of protein and a low amount of filler content. However, this is especially essential to Maine Coons.

Maine Coons spend three to five years growing before they reach their full size. If they do not receive proper nutrition at a young age, their growth can be stunted.

These cats require great amounts of protein to keep up with their enormous size!

You can feed your Maine Coon normal cat food, so long as it’s made from high-quality ingredients.

Some owners prefer to feed their treasured Maine Coon a raw food diet. Their reasoning for this is that the diet is more closely linked to the food that this particular cat breed would have eaten in the wild.

For more information on this fascinating subject, read my article:

‘Maine Coon Raw Food Diet‘, or click on the picture below.

How Much Do Maine Coons Eat?

The Maine Coon’s large size means that it needs a lot more calories than most cats, so you’re probably wondering, how much should I feed Maine Coon Cats?

On average, a cat will need between 20 and 35 calories per pound of body weight, depending on how active they are.

Adult Maine Coons

Since Maine Coons average between 10 and 25 pounds, their calorie needs can be anywhere from 200 to 875 calories every day.

In terms of volume, most Maine Coons need about 9 ounces of wet food or 3 ounces of dry food each day.

Maine Coon Kittens

If you have a younger cat, you might be wondering, how much should I feed my Maine Coon kitten?

Kittens need a lot more food than older cats to keep growing consistently. Since they’re incredibly active and grow at a rapid pace, you should allow them to eat as much food as they want.

In general, you can allow your kitten to eat until it is full.

Maine Coon Raw Food Diet

Since Maine Coons were once accustomed to hunting down rodents in the wild, you’re probably wondering can Maine Coons eat raw meat?

You might be surprised to discover that it is actually safe for Maine Coons to eat many kinds of raw meat, and lots of Maine Coon owners like to provide a raw food diet.

The Maine Coon raw food diet requires a lot more time and patience, as you’ll need to measure out exactly how much to include within each of your cat’s meals:

Protein
Fat
Carbohydrates
Vitamins
Minerals

If you’re curious about feeding your cat a raw diet, you can find Maine Coon raw food recipes for people who have already done all the math!

However, it’s important to keep in mind that, while cats are used to eating raw food in the wild, that doesn’t necessarily mean that raw food processed by humans is safe.

Raw meats can be contaminated by pathogens like E. coli and many other dangerous things, which can easily kill your cat.

Overall, while feeding your Maine Coon a raw diet does have benefits, it’s a very personal choice and depends on how much time and money you have available.

Can Maine Coons Eat Raw Chicken?

Technically, Maine Coons can eat raw chicken.

However, the raw meat you buy at a grocery store is kept longer and comes in contact with more contaminants, meaning your cat is more likely to become sick from eating it.

Furthermore, raw chicken bones splinter and can get caught in your cat’s throat, so you should not give your Maine Coon raw chicken if it also contains bones.

Can Maine Coons Eat Fish?

It is safe to give your Maine Coon fish as a treat, but first, keep in mind that you should not give your cat, fish to eat every day.

Fish is not a proper supplement for actual cat food:

Fish contains high amounts of fatty acids
Fish does not contain enough Vitamin E

Can Mane Coons Eat Tuna?

A common question owners ask is, can Maine Coons eat tuna?

Tuna is a favorite food for cats, and it’s okay in small quantities. However, only feed your cat unsalted tuna in water.

You should not give your cat tuna as a meal, however, because it doesn’t contain the proper nutrients, and your cat can gain weight or become malnourished.

Finally, large quantities of tuna can eventually lead to mercury poisoning (source 1).

Can Maine Coons Eat Bacon?

You should not give your cat bacon, as it contains high levels of fat, grease, and salt.

You should never give your cat meat or other food that has already been seasoned, as salt and other seasonings can be dangerous to your cat.

It’s okay to feed your cat a tiny bit of bacon every once in a while, but it’s not a good idea to get into the habit of feeding your cat table scraps.

Bacon and other kinds of ham are also much fattier than most kinds of meat, so it’s better to feed your cat, fish, or poultry instead (source 1).

Can Maine Coons Eat Fruit?

Many fruits are safe for Maine Coons to eat, but you should avoid giving them to your cat anyway.

Just because they aren’t toxic doesn’t mean they’re good for your cat!

Fruits are high in sugar and don’t provide any important nutrients for your cat.

Furthermore, there are many kinds of fruit, such as grapes, cherries, and citrus fruits that can be dangerous or even deadly to cats!

Instead of giving your cat human food, stick with cat treats, which contain ingredients that are actually good for your cat.

Do Maine Coons Eat Plants?

If you’re the kind of person who has a lot of house plants, you might be worried about your Maine Coon eating them.

Unfortunately, these playful cats can find dangling plants quite enticing.

Cats are actually more likely to chew on plants because they view them as toys, rather than trying to eat them as food.

Regardless, there are many kinds of plants that can be harmful or even deadly to cats, so you should do your research and only keep non-toxic plants where your cat can reach them.

Some common plants that are dangerous to cats include (but is not limited to):

Chrysanthemums
Lilies
Pothos
Azaleas
Rhododendrons
English Ivy
Aloe
Begonias
Dieffenbachia

Meanwhile, some common indoor plants that are safe for cats include:

Spider Plants
Areca Palms
Bromeliads
Bamboo
African Violets
Echeveria
Orchids

Keep in mind, however, that just because some plants are safe for cats, doesn’t mean that your cat is safe for your plants!

Many cats will dig in pots, chew on leaves, or even knock plants over!

The Maine Coon is an especially clumsy cat that is known for knocking all sorts of things over on accident.

Toxic Human Food For Cats

Unfortunately, not all of the food we humans enjoy is safe for our cats. Here is a list of foods that are toxic to cats (source 1).

Chocolate and Caffeine: Chocolate and caffeinated foods contain methylxanthines, a substance that is incredibly dangerous to cats. It can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and other severe symptoms that can lead to death.

Alcohol: Since cats are so much smaller than humans, they can easily suffer from alcohol poisoning. Alcohol consumption can result in dizziness, disorientation, and nausea. Too much alcohol can kill your cat.

Onions: Onions, garlic, chives, and other plants related to these are extremely dangerous to cats and dogs. Not only can they cause anemia, but in large quantities, they can even cause death.

Grapes: Grapes, as well as raisins, are among the most dangerous foods for cats. Even small amounts can result in kidney failure.

Nightshades: The nightshade family is a large group of plants that includes eggplants, potatoes, and tomatoes. Each part of these plants can be very toxic to cats.

And Many More: This is not a comprehensive list of foods that are toxic to cats, as there are countless foods that can be dangerous to our feline friends. While it’s okay to feed your cat table scraps occasionally, you should always research beforehand to find out if it’s safe for your cat to ingest or not.

What Should I Look For In Cat Food?

When searching for cat food, it’s important to look at the ingredients rather than the price.

Here’s what to look out for when finding a kind of food for your Maine Coon:

High Protein: You’ll want to choose a food where the first listed ingredient is a kind of protein. Look for a named meat source, like beef, fish, or a kind of poultry.

Moderate Fat: Search for the fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6, which are essential to a cat’s diet.

Low Filler Content: Cheap cat foods use large quantities of grains, corn, and other filler carbohydrates. Avoid this, as these only contain empty calories and will lead to malnutrition and weight gain.

Avoid Low Quality Ingredients: Avoid ingredients like bone meal, byproduct, or anything containing the word “digest.”

Best Food For Maine Coon Kitten

Your Maine Coon will need kitten food for about a year before switching to adult food.

All kittens need a huge amount of protein and calories to grow properly, but this is especially true of the Maine Coon.

Most owners choose both wet food and dry food.

For dry food, some of the best choices for Maine Coon kittens include Blue Buffalo Wilderness, Hill’s Science Diet, and Purina One.

For wet food, some excellent considerations include Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, or Hill’s Science Diet.

Kittens can be picky, so it’s best to try a few different foods until you find something your kitten likes. Then, when your cat is about one year old, you’ll want to slowly wean it onto adult food.

Best Wet Food For Maine Coon Cats

Choosing wet food is incredibly important. While it’s possible to feed your cat only dry food, it’s usually healthier to feed a mix of both wet food and dry food.

Weruva Wet Cat Food Pouches, which can be found on Amazon, is made from natural ingredients and includes high-quality protein as their main ingredients.

Tiny Tiger Pate Beef & Poultry Cat Food, which can be found on Chewy, is a grain-free cat food that includes the perfect amount of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients for your cat.

Finally, if you have a cat that suffers from allergies, Blue Buffalo Duck & Potato Cat Food is an excellent option, as it forgoes many of the ingredients that cats are commonly allergic to.

Conclusion

Since cats are commonly viewed as loving milk, many owners wonder, can Maine Coons drink milk?

Maine Coons are actually lactose intolerant, and the high amount of fat present in milk can lead to weight gain.

Keeping your Maine Coon on a diet filled with large amounts of protein, a moderate amount of fat, and a low amount of carbohydrates will ensure proper growth and keep it healthy for many years.

While you can feed your Maine Coon human food occasionally, always do your research to make sure it isn’t toxic, and only feed table scraps in moderation to avoid weight gain.

Can Maine Coons Drink Milk?