18 Deadly Foods To NEVER Feed A Maine Coon

Some seemingly innocent foods lurking in your kitchen can be deadly to your Maine Coon, leading to fatal poisoning, organ failure, and life-threatening conditions

You might think it’s a harmless treat, but chocolate, garlic, and onions are just a few of the silent killers for your beloved feline. Even dairy, which seems so innocent, can cause severe digestive distress.

Before offering anything to your Maine Coon, think twice – it could be the difference between life and death!

Dangerous Foods To AVOID

While some foods may seem harmless, they can be extremely harmful or even deadly to your Maine Coon cat. It’s crucial to be aware of these dangers to ensure your feline friend’s health and safety.

Here are some of the most common harmful foods (source 1,2):

1. Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two substances that are highly toxic to cats.

These compounds can lead to symptoms such as:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rapid heart rate
• Muscle tremors
• Seizures (severe cases)

Dark chocolate is particularly dangerous because it contains much higher levels of theobromine compared to milk chocolate. The toxic dose varies based on the size of the cat, but even small amounts can cause significant health issues.

If your Maine Coon consumes chocolate, it is critical to seek veterinary assistance immediately.

2. Onions And Garlic

Both onions and garlic, whether raw, cooked, or in powdered form, contain compounds that can cause hemolytic anemia in cats.

This condition involves the destruction of red blood cells, which leads to:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Organ failure (severe cases)

Eating onions or garlic can cause gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting and diarrhea. Even small amounts of these foods, consumed regularly, can accumulate in a cat’s system and cause long-term health damage.

Maine Coons, like all cats, are particularly sensitive to these ingredients, so it’s crucial to avoid feeding them anything containing onion or garlic, including in prepared foods (source 1).

3. Grapes And Raisins

While the exact substance that makes grapes and raisins toxic to cats remains unidentified, they can cause acute kidney failure.

Symptoms usually appear within a few hours of ingestion, and they include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain

In severe cases, kidney failure can lead to organ collapse and death.

Not all cats will react to grapes or raisins, but it’s best to avoid giving these fruits to your Maine Coon altogether, as even small quantities have been known to trigger severe reactions (source 1).

4. Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages and foods containing alcohol are highly toxic to cats, and even small amounts can cause significant health issues.

When consumed, alcohol can severely affect the liver and brain, leading to symptoms such as:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Respiratory distress and coma (extreme cases)

Cats are particularly sensitive to the effects of alcohol, so it’s essential to ensure that they never have access to alcoholic drinks or products containing alcohol, such as certain desserts or syrups (source 1).

5. Caffeinated Beverages

Caffeine is another substance that is toxic to Maine Coon cats, and it can cause a range of symptoms including:

• Restlessness
• Rapid heart rate
• Muscle tremors
• Seizures

Cats are much more sensitive to caffeine than humans, and even small amounts can cause serious reactions.

Coffee, tea, energy drinks, and chocolate-based products are all sources of caffeine that can be harmful to your Maine Coon.

If your cat ingests any caffeinated beverages, it is crucial to take them to the vet immediately for treatment (source 1).

6. Dairy Products

Many cats, including Maine Coons, are lactose intolerant, which means they cannot properly digest lactose found in dairy products.

When lactose is not digested, it can cause digestive upset, including:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Flatulence
• Abdominal discomfort

While the idea of a cat enjoying a bowl of milk is a common stereotype, it’s a bad idea for most cats. It’s better to avoid feeding dairy to your Maine Coon and stick to cat-friendly treats (source 1).

7. Raw Meat And Fish

Feeding your Maine Coon raw meat or fish poses several risks, particularly because raw meat can contain bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella or E. coli, which can cause food poisoning.

Additionally, raw fish contains an enzyme that destroys thiamine, a crucial B vitamin for cats.

A thiamine deficiency can lead to neurological problems, including:

• Difficulty walking
• Seizures
• Coma

If you must feed your Maine Coon fish, it should always be thoroughly cooked to eliminate these risks. Source

Owners wishing to feed their cat a raw diet should follow these IMPORTANT GUIDELINES.

8. Yeast Dough

Yeast dough is another hidden danger for cats. When ingested, yeast dough can expand in the stomach as it ferments, causing: 

• Painful bloating
• Intestinal ruptures (potentially)

Additionally, as the dough rises, it produces alcohol through fermentation, which can cause symptoms of alcohol poisoning, including:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy

Never give your Maine Coon raw dough or any baked goods that contain yeast (source 1).

9. Xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar substitute commonly found in sugar-free gum, candies, baked goods, and even toothpaste. When ingested by cats, xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Symptoms of xylitol poisoning include:

• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Loss of coordination
• Liver failure (extreme cases)

If your Maine Coon eats anything containing xylitol, immediate veterinary attention is required (source 1).

10. Cooked Bones

Cooked bones, whether from chicken, turkey, or other meats, can splinter easily, causing serious issues for cats. The splinters can puncture the digestive tract, leading to severe internal injuries and potentially life-threatening infections.

Cooked bones can also pose a choking hazard. Always ensure that bones, particularly cooked ones, are kept out of reach from your Maine Coon, and provide safe chew toys instead. (source 1).

11. Sugary Products

Sugary products are harmful to Maine Coon cats due to their inability to digest sugar properly. They can cause:

• Gastrointestinal upset
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Tooth decay

Sugar also disrupts their digestive system, leading to issues like diarrhea and vomiting.

Ingesting sugary foods can increase the risk of developing diabetes and behavioral changes.

Artificial sweeteners like xylitol (detailed above) are especially toxic, causing hypoglycemia and liver failure.

To protect your Maine Coon’s health, avoid sugary foods and ensure they have a balanced, protein-rich diet.

12. Gluten

Gluten can also be harmful to Maine Coon cats, though it’s less commonly an issue than in some other animals.

Since cats are obligate carnivores, their digestive system isn’t designed to process grains, including gluten.

Gluten can cause digestive issues, allergies, skin problems, and obesity in Maine Coon cats, as they are not equipped to digest grains. It may lead to:

• Weight gain
• Malabsorption of nutrients
• Skin irritation

Long-term gluten consumption can result in chronic health issues. For optimal health, Maine Coons should be fed a meat-based, gluten-free diet.

13. Raw Eggs

Raw eggs are harmful to Maine Coon cats because they can contain salmonella or E. coli, which can cause food poisoning.

Additionally, raw eggs contain avidin, a protein that binds to biotin (a B vitamin), potentially leading to biotin deficiency over time. This can affect the cat’s:

• Coat
• Skin
• Overall health

To keep your Maine Coon safe, avoid feeding them raw eggs.

14. Mushrooms

Mushrooms are harmful to Maine Coon cats because some varieties contain toxins that can cause: 

• Liver damage
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Seizures
• Even death

Even non-toxic mushrooms can cause gastrointestinal distress. It’s best to avoid feeding mushrooms to your Maine Coon to prevent any potential health risks.

15. Human Medicines

Human medicines are harmful to Maine Coon cats because many common medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen, are toxic to cats.

These can cause:

• Liver failure
• Kidney damage
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Death

Cats metabolize drugs differently from humans, making human medications dangerous even in small doses.

Always keep human medicines out of reach and consult a vet before giving any medication to your Maine Coon.

16. Avocados

Avocados are harmful to Maine Coon cats because they contain persin, a toxin that can cause: 

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Heart problems

While some animals are more sensitive to persin, it’s best to avoid giving avocados to cats altogether. Even small amounts can lead to gastrointestinal distress or more severe health issues.

17. Nuts

Nuts are harmful to Maine Coon cats because they can cause gastrointestinal upset, including: 

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain

Some nuts, like macadamia nuts, are particularly toxic to cats and can lead to muscle weakness, tremors, and even hyperthermia.

Additionally, nuts are high in fat, which can contribute to obesity and pancreatitis in cats.

Learn more about Maine Coon cat teeth and the health issues this large cat breed is prone to, in this article.

18. Liver

Liver is harmful to Maine Coon cats when fed in excess because it contains high levels of vitamin A, which can lead to vitamin A toxicity.

This can cause symptoms like: 

• Bone deformities
• Joint pain
• Digestive issues

While small amounts of liver can be a healthy treat, too much can result in toxicity.