When your large, cuddly feline sniffs over your dinner plate, you may wonder, what human food can Maine Coon cats eat?
Check out the information below to learn the answer to this question and more!
There are numerous meats, fruits, vegetables, and grains that are human food but are safe for Maine Coons. Owners must carefully decide on new human food additions for their Maine Coons, and human food should not replace a feline’s regular diet. Even cat-safe foods like bananas, tuna, or rice must be given in moderation and under supervision.
Learn all about some of the popular human food offerings that are safe for Maine Coons.
Some human foods are even good for this lovable cat breed, so keep reading to find out more!
What Human Food Can Maine Coon Cats Eat?
The Maine Coon cat is a large, affectionate breed that steals the hearts of cat lovers around the world.
They are well-known and adored for their:
- Intelligence
- Playfulness
- Striking Tufted Ears
- Broad Chests
- Long, Fluffy Tails
These gentle giants tend to form close bonds with their owners, and some owners enjoy sharing snacks with their feline friends too!
But what human foods are safe for cats to eat, if any?
Fortunately, there are plenty of choices when it comes to human food suitable for cats.
Here are some human foods that your Maine Coon cat can eat:
Bananas
It may strike cat owners as an odd question, but can Maine Coons eat bananas?
In short, yes!
Bananas are a safe, nontoxic fruit that Maine Coons can enjoy in moderation.
Maine Coons will not be able to taste the sweetness of bananas, but they may enjoy the texture.
Potassium and fiber are two key ingredients in bananas that could benefit a Maine Coon.
Even so, bananas are not necessary for a Maine Coon’s diet.
Any non-meat human food treat should only consist of 10% of a cat’s daily food intake.
Eggs
While raw eggs are not safe for cats due to the bacterial risk they pose, cooked eggs are acceptable.
Raw eggs may contain Salmonella or E. coli bacteria, so be wary when your Maine Coon is around this food.
Cooked eggs offer a good source of protein for Maine Coon cats, and they are likely to enjoy the flavor.
Do not add any salt or seasoning to the eggs though.
Eggs should not be a daily meal. Simply offer plain, cooked eggs as an occasional treat.
Tuna
Maine Coons need animal protein in their diets, but can Maine Coons eat tuna? Is the “chicken-of-the-sea” a healthy option?
Plain, cooked tuna is fine for Maine Coons.
If you want to treat your Maine Coon to the occasional tuna snack, avoid canned tuna.
This form of tuna contains a high sodium content, and too much sodium can be unhealthy for cats.
Pumpkin
Pure, canned pumpkin or freshly cooked pumpkin is perfectly safe for Maine Coons to consume as an occasional treat.
Cats experiencing constipation may benefit from the fibrous content of pumpkins (source 1).
Besides regulating bowel movements and possibly boosting intestinal health, pumpkins do not offer much nutrition to felines.
A small spoonful on occasion is the most pumpkin that Maine Coons should consume.
Rice
Can Maine Coons eat rice, considering their need for animal protein?
The answer is yes!
Plain, cooked rice is safe and non-toxic to Maine Coons and other cats.
As long as there are no oily or buttery additives, rice is safe and will not upset a cat’s digestive system.
White, brown, jasmine, and other types of rice are all safe to consume provided they are fully cooked.
In fact, cats with diarrhea, kidney disease, or IBD may benefit from the bland chemical makeup of rice.
Whilst rice does not offer protein, it may help cats digest their normal high-protein diets more easily.
Just remember to keep fried rice, seasoned rice, or uncooked rice out of a Maine Coon’s dinner bowl.
Salmon
Maine Coon cats will probably enjoy a salmon dinner as much as you do, and they will get some nutritional benefits from salmon’s high fatty acid content.
Raw salmon is acceptable in small doses, and cooked salmon is fine, as well.
Besides omega-3 fatty acids, salmon offers protein, B vitamins, and potassium.
Since the protein in salmon is animal protein, it is perfect for a Maine Coon’s digestive system.
Raw Meat
With a Maine Coon cat’s wild origins of hunting live prey in mind, it may not come as a surprise that the answer to the question – can Maine Coons eat raw meat, is yes!
These naturally skilled hunters require:
- Animal Protein
- Healthy Fats
- Taurine
- Vitamins A, B, and K
- They also require:
- Arachidonic Acid
- Niacin
The best part is that all these vitamins and minerals are in raw meat.
When Maine Coons eat raw meat in their diets, they are more likely to be healthier, more energized, and even have silkier coats, thanks to all the valuable nutrients in raw meat.
Carrots
This crunchy orange veggie is cat-safe in small quantities.
Carrots do not necessarily provide much nutritional benefit to Maine Coons, but they are not toxic.
Carrots should only be given to Maine Coons in moderation, and they must be finely chopped to mitigate the risk of choking.
Cats have a tougher time chewing and digesting carrots than humans do, so do not feed large quantities to your Maine Coon.
Peas
Peas are yet another type of cat-safe human food. They are even a common ingredient in many commercial cat foods.
Vitamins C and A help make peas nutritious for cats.
The fiber content in peas may also be beneficial to cats in small quantities.
While peas do have protein, it is not animal-based, so Maine Coons do not benefit from that aspect of peas.
Overall, this vegetable is safe in moderation.
Chicken
Boneless, cooked, plain chicken is a perfectly safe human food for Maine Coon cats to eat.
Not only that, it is an ideal source of protein with plenty of health benefits too.
Chicken’s high protein content helps support cats’ heart functions, vision, and even their fur.
This essential nutrition strengthens cats’ immune systems and gives them more energy.
Broccoli
The first human food that comes to mind to share with a Maine Coon may not be broccoli, but it is cat-safe!
Small amounts of raw or cooked broccoli are fine for Maine Coons to eat, though they may not be too interested in this human food.
Steamed broccoli without seasoning or salt is the best way to offer this veggie.
The fibrous texture may benefit your Maine Coon cat’s digestive systems, but only in small quantities.
It is important that you chop broccoli into small pieces before serving.
Oatmeal
Another cat-safe human food is oatmeal.
Plain oatmeal, whether raw or cooked, is an acceptable snack for Maine Coons.
It is not uncommon for oats to be an ingredient in commercial cat foods.
Some human oatmeal dishes contain additional ingredients, like sugar or artificial flavors.
These ingredients are not healthy for cats, so be sure to only use plain oatmeal.
Blueberries
If a Maine Coon happens to be interested in blueberries, they can safely eat a few at a time.
Blueberries are not toxic to cats, and they can be a unique treat every once in a while, as long as the blueberries do not exceed about 10% of the cat’s daily diet.
Foods That Harm A Maine Coon
Some human foods are safe for Maine Coons, but some are moderately or extremely toxic to these furry felines.
It is vital that you do not feed a Maine Coon cat the following foods:
1. Chocolate
Most pet lovers already know that chocolate is toxic to cats, and this includes Maine Coons.
There is a stimulant in chocolate (higher levels in dark chocolate than milk chocolate) called theobromine that is very toxic to felines.
Eating chocolate can cause Maine Coons to experience symptoms like:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Heart Complications
2. Fried Foods
While humans tend to enjoy fried foods, they are not appropriate for cats due to the high levels of oil and salt.
High-calorie, high-sodium foods are unhealthy for cats and may lead to weight gain or diabetes.
3. Pizza
A greasy, cheesy pizza might be perfect for satisfying a human’s taste buds, but can Maine Coon cats eat pizza?
The quick answer is no!
Several components of a standard pizza are not safe or healthy for cats to consume.
The high calorie count, dairy content, and high sodium levels all make pizza unhealthy for cats.
What is more, some toppings, like onions, garlic, or mushrooms, are toxic to cats.
4. Sugary Foods
Sugar is not directly toxic to cats, but sugary foods are high in calories, and they may lead to obesity and diabetes in Maine Coons.
Sugary foods may eventually cause dental disease, and eating too much sugar in one sitting may cause cats to vomit or have diarrhea (source 1).
Conclusion
So, what human food can Maine Coon cats eat?
Several choices within different food categories are safe for these gentle giants.
With the above list of human foods cats can eat, you will be well-equipped to share a few snacks side-by-side with your beloved Maine Coon.
Remember to only feed your cat human food in moderation and consult a vet if you notice strange symptoms or side effects after your cat eats a new food.