Known for their wild and mysterious heritage, it is only in recent decades that the Maine Coon cat breed has become domesticated.
So, are Maine Coons still natural hunters, and what do Maine Coon cats hunt?
Formally a wild cat breed, the Maine Coon is now domesticated but still likes to hunt outside if given the opportunity to. Maine Coon cats hunt animals smaller than themselves, from small insects to mice, rats, rabbits, squirrels, and birds.
In this post, you will learn more about the food and diet of the Maine Coon cat, but also about their hunting instinct, which animals they can hunt and what are their limits.
What Do Maine Coon Cats Hunt?
Maine Coons are muscular cats with a rectangular body shape.
They have broad chests, thick legs, and long thick semi-water-repellent fur.
Whilst the Maine Coon cat breed might have originated in Maine, United States, no one truly knows how they first arrived in the US state known for its cold winter climate.
These previously wild cats used to be outdoor cats, but eventually became a working breed that was kept by farmers in barns and houses to keep their premises free of rodents.
Having only been domesticated in recent decades, the Maine Coon is now one of the most popular cat breeds in the world.
If you have been wondering what do Maine Coon cats hunt, then it is safe to say that the diet of a wild Maine Coon cat would ultimately have depended upon their environment.
However, generally speaking you can expect a Maine Coon to hunt the following types of animals:
- Mice
- Rats
- Small birds
- Insects
- Small lizards
- Small mammals
- Rabbits
- Squirrels
What Do Maine Coon Cats Eat?
Maine Coon cats have slightly unique dietary requirements, compared to other cat breeds.
For example, Maine Coon needs a diet high in protein to preserve their good health, muscular build, and high energy levels.
These large cats require a special diet that looks roughly as follows:
- 30-50% Protein
- 20- 30 % Carbohydrates
- 2 – 5 % Fiber
- Fat
Maine Coons need approximately 24 – 35 calories per day per pound of body weight, which means that cats weighing 8 – 25 pounds require 190 – 875 calories per day (source 1).
However, keep in mind that these are general requirements and your Maine Coon’s diet should be adjusted according to their:
- Lifestyle
- Level of physical activity
- Age
- Life stage
What Do Maine Coon Cats Eat In The Wild?
What Maine Coon cats eat in the wild is different, though, as they had to use their hunting skills to capture and consume live food.
Most of their diet in the wild consisted of:
- Small Rodents
- Birds
- Reptiles
- Insects
Protein was essential for these large cats to maintain their muscle mass, however, wild Maine Coon cats would have needed more fat in their diet to obtain calories.
Do Maine Coons Kill Other Cats?
It is not thought that Maine Coon cats would kill other cats.
However, technically, a cat could kill another cat in a very rare or extreme situation, though this is not thought to be a common occurance.
Maine Coons are not known for being hostile toward other cats nor for being able to aggressively hunt or kill other cats (source 1).
Do Maine Coons Kill Birds?
Yes, a Maine Coon could kill a bird if it caught it!
As natural hunters, Maine Coon cats are as likely to hunt and kill birds as any other cat if given enough free time to explore and hunt.
These formally wild cats have the natural ability, strength, patience, interest, and stealth to kill a bird.
Will A Maine Coon Kill Chickens?
Maine Coon cats are not naturally predisposed to attack chickens.
However, they may enjoy chasing chickens around and show a general interest in them.
In more severe situations, a cat may attack a chicken if it is hungry, poorly socialized, or has access to them.
Are Maine Coons Good Ratters?
Having lived in the countryside all my life, I’ve often wondered do Maine Coons kill rats?
The truth is that Maine Coon cats are famous for being good ratters! In fact, catching mice and rats on the farms was the main job of the Maine Coons ancestors.
Maine Coons have great hearing and sight, whilst also being very agile and very intelligent which allows them to learn, detect, catch, and even kill rats with ease.
Do Maine Coons Catch Mice?
These large cats are very agile and efficient are catching mice.
Their patient and playful nature enables them to chase their prey for long periods without fatigue.
Can A Maine Coon Kill A Fox?
It is not thought that a Maine Coon could kill a fox. This is because foxes are much bigger, stronger, and more dangerous than Maine Coons.
Thus, it is more likely that your Maine Coon would try to avoid the confrontation.
However, it is possible that a bite from a Maine Coon could become infected and eventually kill a fox.
Can A Maine Coon Kill A Coyote?
Maine Coon cats are incapable of killing a coyote.
Whilst the Maine Coon could defend itself with their strength and skills from an attack, ultimately a coyote is considerably larger and stronger.
As a result, a coyote would probably prevail in a fight with a Maine Coon.
Can A Maine Coon Kill A Human?
Maine Coon cats cannot kill humans.
These large cats are known for their affability and calm, friendly nature, so if you were wondering if a Maine Coon can kill you, you are safe!
However, a Maine Coon might attack a human if feeling threatened or trapped. In such a situation they may react violently toward the human if feeling stressed.
Whilst it’s highly unlikely a Maine Coon could kill a human, it is important to mention that cat bites left untreated can quickly become infected, possibly resulting in death.
Will Maine Coon Hunt Rabbits?
A Maine Coon cat will hunt and kill a rabbit, and all kinds of rodents.
If a cat sees a wild rabbit outside the house, it is likely to try to hunt it, unless the cat is properly socialized.
Conclusion
What do Maine Coon cats hunt?
As you will have seen, Maine Coon cats hunt a wide variety of small animals if given the chance, from small birds to mice and rats.
Their need for a high protein diet, and naturally impressive hunting skills make them excellent hunters, a skill many sailors and farmers realized before these large cats were domesticated.
Maine Coons, however, are not aggressive cats; on the contrary, they are very friendly and ideal for family environments.
They also have their limits when it comes to their hunting abilities, as they will not be able to hunt bigger or stronger animals, although they will be able to defend themselves if necessary.