How Much Does It Cost To Feed A Maine Coon?
Maine Coon cats definitely don’t come cheap so it is quite understandable that so many first-time owners purchasing or adopting one of these adorable cats want to know how much does it cost to feed a Maine Coon?
It will cost you anywhere between $700 and $1000 per year to feed your Maine Coon cat. This is because Maine Coons require a higher caloric intake than most other cat breeds, and a diet packed full of protein. The exact cost of feeding your Maine Coon will depend on the food you feed the feline e.g. dry food, wet food, or raw food.
While Maine Coons are not much more difficult to take care of than the average cat, buying or adopting one is still a big responsibility.
In this post, you will discover everything you need to know about feeding a Maine Coon cat. Our tips and advice will help you decide whether a Maine Coon cat is an ideal choice for your family.
How Much Does It Cost To Feed A Maine Coon?
Popularly known as gentle giants, Maine Coon cats are the largest domesticated cat breed in the world, with the average Maine Coon weighing anywhere between 8 – 25 lbs.
With their laid-back and ever-loving personality, these remarkably playful felines fit well into just about any household and have a reputation for getting along with children and other pets.
Maine Coons have long, thick luscious coats that come in 75 different colors.
Many owners find the large selection of Maine Coon coat colors fascinating, learn why in my article.
Although these cats are independent and not excessively clingy, you will find your Maine Coon loving towards all their family members.
These large cats are also:
- Highly Intelligent
- Love talking to their owners
- Remain loyal to their owners for as long as they get good quality care.
When it comes to feeding a Maine Coon cat, you might be wondering if Maine Coons eat a lot.
This is not a surprising query since these large cats are well known for their high activity levels.
It is logical for you to therefore assume that they need even more calories to run, jump and climb.
Well, in answer to your query … the amount of food your Maine Coon eats depends on the type and quality of its food.
Whilst these large cats do have a reputation for eating a lot compared to other cat breeds, taking their extraordinary size and weight into account, it is safe to say that they do not eat a lot.
The Maine Coon breed survived for many years in the wilderness, where their primary diet was raw food. They are obligate carnivores and, in the wild, they used to feed on:
- Small Rodents
- Birds
- Mammals
- Reptiles
- Insects (sometimes)
Unlike in the wilderness, domesticated Maine Coon cats do not need to hunt for food.
Instead, it is the responsibility of their owners to ensure they get high-quality cat food. Protein is arguably the most important part of Maine Coon’s diet.
These cats will also need a level of other nutrients to grow correctly and maintain their energy levels.
Your Maine Coon requires a healthy, well-balanced diet, and here are recommended dietary requirements:
Proteins
Proteins are an essential part of a Maine Coon cat’s diet.
This breed is known for its high activity levels, and the large quantities of protein provide huge amounts of energy, helping maintain reasonable energy levels.
It is estimated that an adult Maine Coons diet should contain between 25 to 40 percent proteins.
Carbohydrates
Although Maine Coon cats prefer a diet rich in proteins, they will still require small amounts of carbohydrates for healthy growth.
On average, an adult Maine Coon should be fed food with a minimum carbohydrate content of 10 to 20 percent.
Fats And Fatty Acids
Small amounts of healthy fats and fatty acids can help preserve the Maine Coon’s shiny fur.
Some of the useful, healthy fatty acids to add to your Maine Coon’s diet include:
- Taurine
- Arginine
- Arachidonic acid
No matter what fatty acids you feed your Maine Coon, it is recommended to feed your cat with a diet containing about 10% fat.
Vitamins
Like humans, Maine Coon cats need all kinds of vitamins to stay healthy.
Vitamins promote growth and help improve the health of your Maine Coon cat.
For this reason, make sure that your Maine Coon cat feeds on foods rich in vitamins:
- A
- B
- K
- Niacin
Maine Coon cats are known for their good appetite and large bodies. They are also very playful and require enough food to maintain their weight and well-being.
On average, Maine Coons need roughly 30 calories per pound of body weight every day to live a healthy life.
The exact amount of food your cat needs will depend on its age, weight, and lifestyle.
Meanwhile, if you have a highly energetic Maine Coon, make sure you review the table below to determine the correct calorie intake for your feline:
| Cat Weight | Daily Calories |
|---|---|
| 10lbs | 250 – 300 |
| 12lbs | 300 – 360 |
| 14lbs | 350 – 420 |
| 16lbs | 400 – 480 |
| 18lbs | 450 – 540 |
| 20lbs | 500 – 600 |
There are many options available on the market when it comes to cat food, each offering variety to your Maine Coon’s diet, whilst also providing unique health benefits.
To ensure that your cat is getting quality, it is always advisable to do your due diligence and go with a familiar and trusted brand.
In this regard, you may want to consider Royal Canin Maine Coon Breed Adult Dry Cat Food which costs $65 per 6-pound pack (read more about it in this article).
It is nutritious and formulated to meet the nutritional needs of purebred Maine Coon cats.
When planning on how to feed your Maine Coon, it is worth noting that older Maine Coon cats are less energetic and, as a result, they eat less food.
If you have a youthful yet adult Maine Coon cat, you will need to feed the feline with a diet that provides it with enough energy.
Whether you feed your Maine Coon dry food or wet food, or a combined diet, you should make sure the potions provide the required amount of calories.
The food must be fresh but can be divided into sizable meals.
You can choose to feed your Maine Coon:
- Dry food
- Wet food
- Raw diet
- Combination of the above
If you are a first-time owner wondering how much dry food should a Maine Coon eat, here is an overview of food a Maine Coon can have:
1. Dry Foods
The majority of your Maine Coon’s diet consists of high-quality dry foods.
Dry food promotes teeth and jaw health and should be available to your Maine Coon throughout the day. It lasts longer and can be left out for the cat to eat at their own discretion.
These are my favorite Maine Coon dry foods because they offer great nutritional value, and our male Maine Coon loves eating them.
Thankfully, premium dry cat foods are reasonably priced, costing anywhere between $25 to $70 per bag of food, depending on size and brand.
For a dry food diet only, your Maine Coon needs about 55 to 75g of kibble a day.
When serving your cat, keep in mind that one cup of dry food has around 300 calories.
2. Wet Food
As the name suggests, wet food is rich in moisture content, which makes it a good option for Maine Coon cats that do not drink enough water.
Relative to dry cat food, wet foods are more expensive and tend to go off faster.
Depending on the brand you purchase, high-quality wet food can cost anywhere between $1 to $5 per can.
When it comes to wet cat food, you must feed it to your Maine Coon only 2-3 sachets a week, the remaining calorie intake should be provided via dry food.
Every 6oz can of wet food provides about 250 calories.
3. Homemade Cat Food
Of all Maine Coon foods, this is the most affordable option. However, it requires effort and monitoring since you have to provide each food group with your Maine Coon requirements.
On average, good quality homemade Maine Coon food costs $300 to $400 per year.
4. Raw Diet
Commonly known as freeze-dried cat food, a raw diet is highly nutritious because it closely matches the Maine Coons natural diet.
Feeding your Maine Coon a raw diet helps improve their dental health and digestion. As a result, your Maine Coon cat will have high energy levels and an improved furry coat.
Depending on where you are buying your raw meat, 100 grams of raw meat can cost upwards of $65.
How Much To Feed A Maine Coon Kitten
With purebred Maine Coon cats costing an average of $1,000, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that a Maine Coon diet is also like an investment.
Maine Coon cats have a reputation for eating a lot more than most domestic cat breeds.
All in all, though, it is imperative to take into account what life stage your Maine Coon is before feeding it.
Typically, Maine Coon kittens should be fed a kitten diet until they reach one year old.
Other veterinary professionals recommended up to 9 months, but this latter opinion is likely based upon the fact that ‘normal’ cats reach full size by 2 years, compared to Maine Coons who reach full size between 3-5 years.
The key ingredients in a Maine Coon kitten diet should be:
- High levels of proteins
- Low carbs
- Carbohydrates
- Vitamins
- Minerals
Unlike adult Maine Coons that need a diet with 25-40 percent protein, Maine Coon kittens should be fed food with a minimum protein content of 30% to 50%.
Generally, Maine Coon kittens require a different diet than Maine Coon adults.
The nutritional needs of your Maine Coon kitten also change as the kitties grow, which requires you to be cautious with whatever food you buy for your cat.
During kittenhood, your Maine Coon cat will be very energetic and lively, so need higher levels of protein.
As long as your kitten is getting enough exercise, some vets recommend that you allow them to eat as they choose.
In a nutshell, Maine Coon kittens require nutrients and extra calories for development.
The total cost of Maine Coon kitten food will depend on:
- Age
- Activity Level
- Sensitivity
- Genetic Predispositions
Feeding a Maine Coon kitten will therefore cost you roughly $200 more than feeding an adult Maine Coon per year.
One of the best ways to ensure that your Maine Coon kitten grows healthy is by purchasing kitten formula from a reputable brand and occasionally mixing it with the best-wet food for Maine Coon kittens (source 1).
Royal Canin offers one of the best Maine Coon kitten formulas you can buy.
This wet kitten food sold on Amazon is the best-wet food for Maine Coon kittens and is formulated for Maine Coons kittens up to one year old.
Maine Coon Raw Food Diet
Protein is the most important part of the Maine Coon’s diet.
One of the best ways to ensure your cat gets enough proteins is by offering it raw meat.
Considering that these obligate carnivores and previously wildcats used their dependable hunting skills to survive in the wild many years ago, it is safe to say that a Maine coon raw food diet is one of the best and most natural diets for your cat.
Discover the best Maine Coon raw food diet in this article.
To help you understand this dietary choice in greater depth, take a look at the pros and cons of feeding your Maine Coon a raw food diet. These factors will help you determine if it is a good choice for you and your cat:
Pros
- Improved digestion
- Healthier coat
- Increased energy levels
- Less poop
- Natural diet
- Healthier skin
Cons
- Possible high prices
- May cause bacterial health problems
- It can be challenging to introduce
Many Maine Coon owners skip raw food diets because they can be too pricey and require more work and effort than serving dry cat food.
Research finds wildly varied costs for Maine Coon raw diet food, ranging from .61 cents to $3.67 per day. This means it may cost you between $18 to $110 to feed your Maine Coon cat raw meat per month (source 1,2).
Homemade Maine Coon Cat Food
Making homemade cat food is one of the best ways to treat your Maine Coon cat. It is also an alternative way to avoid health problems.
Even better, making your own cat food allows you to choose quality ingredients that match the nutritional needs of your Maine Coon.
The most interesting thing about homemade Maine Coon cat food is that it can help save a lot of money. Although the exact cost of homemade food depends on the individual ingredients used, the average cost of homemade Maine Coon Food is thought to be about $9 to $30 per month.
For the most part, this means you will be sending less than $1 to feed your cat every day.
The main ingredients needed to make good quality homemade Maine Coon food are:
- Raw Meat
- Raw Organs
- Raw Bones
- Vitamin Supplements
A good quality meat grinder will do the grinding job.
Maine Coon Treats
Typically, the best diet for a Maine Coon cat includes high-quality dry food and good-quality wet foods no more than 2-3 times a week.
As important as feeding your Maine Coon cat high-quality foods is though, you will need to reward your Maine Coon with treats.
When giving your Maine Coon cat treat, always keep in mind that this breed is prone to obesity.
On average, Maine Coon treats can cost you anywhere between $10 and $20 per year.
Importantly, your cat doesn’t need to get a treat every day.
Some of the best treats for your Maine Coon cat are these:
Feline Greenies
These natural dental care cat treats are available on Amazon and cost between $2.34 to $29.20:
Temptations Mix
Your Maine Coon will love these crunchy and soft cat treats. They can be bought on Amazon using this link, and cost between $27.50 to $30.98.
Best Food For Maine Coon Cats
The best food for Maine Coon cats is rich in animal-based protein, balanced with small levels of carbohydrates, healthy fats, and other essential nutrients.
However, with a lot of options in the market, choosing the best food for your Maine Coon can be challenging.
If you are a first-time owner stuck in the process of choosing the best food for your cat, here are some of the best Maine Coon foods to consider.
These high-quality dry cat foods use high-quality natural ingredients. Although each food has a unique formula for your Maine Coon, you can’t go wrong with either option.
Do Maine Coons Eat A Lot?
You may be wondering whether your Maine Coon cat will eat more than you can afford?
Typically, Maine Coons cannot be classified as pets that eat too much, especially when considering their body size and weight.
The quantity of food your cat eats depends will ultimately depend upon whether the food is dry or wet, and the quality levels of the food you are providing.
High-quality food has enough nutrients that make your cat satisfied faster. Therefore, when a Maine Coon feeds on quality food, it will not eat a lot.
Keep in mind that Maine Coons are supposed to be fed in quantities proportional to their weight and intensity of activeness.
Do Maine Coons Need A Special Diet?
Do not strain your finances trying to find a special diet for your Maine Coon. This cat breed does not require to be fed on a special diet.
Just try as much as possible to feed your feline a quality diet that can fuel its natural energy.
Make sure to provide your cat with dry food and mix it with wet food at least 3 times a week. Dry quality food helps the cats enhance jaw and teeth health.
And remember, even though your Maine Coon appears kitten-like for their entire life, these large cats have very high natural energy.
Conclusion
Maine Coon cats are obligate carnivores. They are also extremely active, which means they need a lot of proteins to maintain desirable energy levels.
I hope this post comprehensively discusses the subject of how much does it cost to feed a Maine Coon, and helps you understand how you can help your cat stay happy and healthier.
Whether you elect to give your Maine Coon cat dry food, wet food, or homemade food, always keep in mind that Maine Coons are prone to obesity, so never overfeed them. On average, it will cost you $1,000 to feed your Maine Coon per year.
Related Questions
1. How Much Does A Full Breed Maine Coon Cost?
On average, a purebred Maine Coon cat costs $1,000. The price can vary wildly from $800 to upwards of $2,000, depending on the breeder, your location, and genetic dispositions.
2. How Much Should A Maine Coon Cat Weigh?
Maine Coons are the largest domesticated cats, and their average weight varies from 8 to 25 lbs.
