How Much Do Maine Coon Kittens Eat?

Maine Coon kittens should consume between 40-45 calories a day, per kilogram of body weight. Feed them high-quality kitten food that is nutritionally balanced and produced by trusted pet food manufacturers, like Royal Canin.

Maine Coons are obligate carnivores so need a diet high in protein to support their muscle growth and energy levels.

How Much Do Maine Coon Kittens Eat?

Maine Coon kittens need huge levels of energy to sustain a healthy growth rate and grow into a healthy-sized adult Maine Coon.

Their tiny stomachs and immature digestive tracts cannot handle large portions though, so owners should only feed their kitten small meals.

Maine Coon owners should feed their kittens 40-45 calories a day, per kilogram of body weight, divided into four meals per day, initially.

For example, a 12-week-old kitten weighing between 1.5 – 2.4 kg (the equivalent of 3.30 – 3.74 lbs) needs to consume between 79 – 190 kcals a day. They should therefore eat four portions of 19.75 – 47.5 kcals a day.

At 4 months of age, owners can adjust the number of servings per day to 3 meals, and then 2 meals per day when their kitten reaches 6 months old.

If you are feeding your Maine Coon kitten a diet primarily dry cat food based, make sure they always have enough water to stay hydrated.

Maine Coon Kitten Feeding Chart

Despite having a slow growth rate and not achieving full size until between 3-5 years of age, the Maine Coon kitten will grow rapidly during its first year of life.

Maine Coon kittens have growth spurts between:

• 2-3 months
• 8 months
• 1 year

Owners should pay close attention to how much they feed a Maine Coon kitten at these ages, since their kitten may need to eat more to fuel their growth spurt.

According to Untamed Cat Food, Maine Coon kittens should be fed the following number of calories according to their weight, per day:

What Do You Feed A Maine Coon Kitten?

Feed your kitten high-quality cat food produced by trustworthy pet food manufacturers, like Royal Canin.

These obligate carnivores need a diet containing high levels of protein, sourced from animal protein. The best sources of animal proteins are:

• Chicken
• Pork
• Beef
• Liver
• Salmon
• Tuna

Protein should be the first ingredient listed on your cat’s food label and is key to a Maine Coon kittens diet because it fuels their:

• High Energy Levels
• Muscle Development
• Organ Maintenance
• Coat Health
• Skin Health

Maine Coon kittens do not need special food, however, they do require a diet higher in protein than normal kittens. Buy cat food with over 50% animal protein.

The best food for Maine Coon kittens contains:

• High Levels Of Protein
• Essential nutrients
• Healthy Fats
• Fatty Acids
• Fish Oils
• Low Levels of Carbohydrates
• Grain-Free
• Vitamins (A,B,K, Niacin)

Always make sure that your Maine Coon kitten has access to fresh water, especially if you feed them dry cat food (dry kibble).

Maine Coons can be picky eaters, so offer your Maine Coon kitten a range of cat foods to find the ones they like the most.

If you notice them experiencing any Maine Coon Food Allergies, remove the food immediately and monitor them closely.

Maine Coon kittens have changing dietary requirements as they grow, so make sure you read this cat food guide to understand when Maine Coons should stop eating kitten food.

If you are interested in feeding your Maine Coon kitten a Raw Diet, follow this guide.

Best Maine Coon Kitten Diet

Maine Coon kittens should be fed a healthy well-balanced diet, including:

• High Levels Of Protein
• Healthy Fats and Fatty Acids
• Low Amounts Of Carbohydrate
• Vitamins And Minerals

1. Protein

Maine Coon’s require high levels of protein in their diet, to ensure they grow at a healthy rate.

Protein provides energy to this playful breed and gives your kitten enough strength and energy, to support their large frame.

Sources of animal protein, include:

• Chicken
• Fish

2. Healthy Fats And Fatty Acids

Maine Coon kittens need a small level of healthy fats and fatty acids to help maintain their shiny fur coat. Below are two great additions to your kitten’s diet:

• Arachidonic Acid
• Amino Acids e.g taurine and arginine
• Omega-3 and Omega-6

3. Carbohydrate

Avoid giving your Maine Coon kitten cat food that is high in carbohydrates, as this can result in weight gain.

This is because carbohydrates produce fast-released energy that turns into fatty cells that are stored if the cat does not use them whilst playing.

These are the key signs that your Maine Coon is overweight.

4. Vitamins And Minerals

Your Maine Coon kitten needs a range of vitamins and minerals in their diet, to ensure they are receiving a healthy diet that aids the correct physical development.

Here are some nutrients that your cat benefits from:

• Vitamin A: Helps maintain a kitten’s vision, bones, and skin.
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K2

If you’re concerned your kitten isn’t consuming the correct vitamins, consider giving them these Maine Coon Cat Supplements.

Purchase cat food brands that are approved by the AAFCO, which extensively researches cat dietary requirements.

Maine Coon kittens require a different diet than adult Maine Coon cats so you will need to adjust you adjust your kittens’ diet, in line with this advice.

When considering how much to feed your Maine Coon kitten, you must take into consideration the cat’s activity levels.

Choosing The Right Diet For Your Kitten

There are a few different kitten diets that you may wish to consider:

Dry Food

Feed your Maine Coon kitten high-quality dry food, designed to make your cat chew their food vigorously. Regular vigorous chewing helps to strengthen your cat’s jaw.

When your kitten reaches 9 -15 months of age, you can start feeding them adult cat food.

Wet Food

Your Maine Coons diet should not be primarily filled with wet food, since the moisture and deposition might damage the health of their teeth.

Read more about this in our Maine Coon Teeth Guide.

Wet food does not encourage chewing to the same degree as high-quality, dry food. However, it is beneficial for Maine Coon kittens that do not drink much water.

These are my favorite Wet Kitten Foods.

Kittens should not be fed more than 2-3 sachets of wet food a week because it can damage their teeth.

Raw Food

Some pet parents opt for Raw Food for their Maine Coon kitten since the diet Maine Coon cats ate in the wild, before being domesticated.

Learn all the dos and don’ts of the Maine Coon Raw Food Diet.

Kitten Treats

Treats for Maine Coon kittens vary, so make sure you check the nutritional value of each one by reading the ingredients list.

These cat dental treats are ideal for supporting your Maine Coon Kitten’s Teeth.

Foods That Harm Maine Coon Kitten

Whilst you may want to feed your Maine Coon kitten human foods as a treat, keep in mind that many are not suitable for your felines, and may also be fatal.

Never feed your Maine Coon kitten the following human foods, since they can be massively toxic to your cat:

• Dairy
• Onions
• Raw Eggs
• Chocolate
• Gluten
• Grapes
• Raisins

Always check the ingredients label on cat food to ensure it does not contain the following ingredients:

Gluten

Gluten is common in wheat-based diets and should be avoided because it can stick to your cat’s teeth, possibly causing the deposition of tartar.

It also does not promote good digestive health.

Grain Based Food

Whilst grains are unlikely to cause actual harm to your cat, it is recommended that you avoid them to prevent your cat from becoming obese.

Large Fish

Larger fish, like tuna, should not be fed to a Maine Coon kitten. This is because large fish may contain higher levels of mercury, which is not beneficial to your Maine Coon.

If you are keen to feed your kitten fish, stick to smaller fish like sardines since they are likely to contain less mercury.

Cat Food Regulation

Various pet food supply regulatory authorities have been set up across the world to ensure felines are eating a diet suited to their physical needs.

Each country has its particular pet food regulations. Here are two examples:

1. United States

The Association Of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) produced guidelines for manufacturers and suppliers on what all cat food must contain.

Check cat food packaging for the AAFCO stamp, to guarantee your feline is receiving a well-balanced, nutritious diet (source 1).

2. United Kingdom

The Pet Food Manufacturing Association (PFMA) is the leading trade body for the UK pet industry. They have 85 members, which accounts for 90% of the pet food market (source 1).

Learn about the United Kingdom’s Cat Food Guidelines.