Up: Oct 11
Abbraccionese Maine Coon Cattery
Maine Coon Kitten Feeding Guide: Diet, Portions & Feeding Routine
- A Maine Coon kitten requires a high-protein, calorie-dense growth diet combining complete commercial Kitten Large Breed kibble with fresh animal protein.
- Because Maine Coons grow for up to 3–4 years, proper skeletal support demands a balanced Calcium-to-Phosphorus ratio (1.2:1–1.3:1) and controlled portions starting at 2 oz (55–60 g) per meat meal at 12 weeks.
At the same time, I always look at the whole kitten: age, weight, body condition, activity level, appetite, and whether the cat has been spayed or neutered. Steady growth and good physical condition matter more than following one universal portion chart.
Cats are obligate carnivores and need high-quality animal protein. In our home, I use a combined feeding routine that introduces kittens to both fresh meat and complete commercial kitten food.
So in our cattery kittens eat a morning meat meal, Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten throughout the day, and always have access to fresh water.
Your Kitten’s Daily Feeding Routine that I Recomend As a Basic Diet
1. Morning: fresh meat meal, starting at about 2 oz at go-home age
2. Throughout the day: Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten dry food
3. Always: fresh, clean water in a stable bowl or fountain, available at all times
4. Going home: Familiar meat mix and dry food are included in the baby box
Need a specific detail?
Jump straight to any topic:
Jump straight to any topic:
01 — Our Feeding Routine
02 — Wet & Canned Food
03 — Dry Food & Royal Canin
04 — Water & Hydration
05 — Calcium & Homemade Meat
06 — Raw Meat & Treats
07 — Joint Support
08 — Vitamins & Supplements
09 — TOP-4 Feeding FAQ
02 — Wet & Canned Food
03 — Dry Food & Royal Canin
04 — Water & Hydration
05 — Calcium & Homemade Meat
06 — Raw Meat & Treats
07 — Joint Support
08 — Vitamins & Supplements
09 — TOP-4 Feeding FAQ
How We Feed Our Maine Coon Kittens
Our kittens grow up eating a combination of fresh meat and Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten dry food.
While we serve the fresh meat meal in the morning, you can schedule this portion for any time of day that best fits your family's routine. Dry food remains available throughout the day.
I prepare some of the meat mixes myself using good-quality meat. I also use ready-made products from My Pet Carnivore.
While we serve the fresh meat meal in the morning, you can schedule this portion for any time of day that best fits your family's routine. Dry food remains available throughout the day.
I prepare some of the meat mixes myself using good-quality meat. I also use ready-made products from My Pet Carnivore.
A typical beef mix may include:
- beef heart;
- liver;
- spleen;
- kidneys;
- muscle meat.
A chicken mix may include:
- whole chicken;
- frames;
- necks;
- feet;
- hearts;
- gizzards;
- liver.
I also use products such as Ground Beef Organ Mix, Beef Hearts, Turkey Hearts, Fine Ground Turkey Giblets, Whole Chicken Hearts, and Fine Ground Whole Chicken from My Pet Carnivore.
How Much Meat Does a Maine Coon Kitten Eat?
At go-home age, one of our Maine Coon kittens usually eats about 2 oz (55–60 g) of meat per meal.
As the kitten grows, the portion gradually increases to approximately 3–4 oz (85–115 g) per meal.
These amounts are a practical starting point, not a rigid feeding rule. I also watch the kitten’s growth, weight, body condition, activity, and appetite.
As the kitten grows, the portion gradually increases to approximately 3–4 oz (85–115 g) per meal.
These amounts are a practical starting point, not a rigid feeding rule. I also watch the kitten’s growth, weight, body condition, activity, and appetite.
Meat portion
Gradually increase to about
3–4 oz / 85–115 g per meal
Dry food
Continue the familiar dry-food routine
What to watch
Adjust portions to your kitten’s individual needs rather than following a rigid chart
Gradually increase to about
3–4 oz / 85–115 g per meal
Dry food
Continue the familiar dry-food routine
What to watch
Adjust portions to your kitten’s individual needs rather than following a rigid chart
Meat portion
About 2 oz / 55–60 g per meal
Dry food
Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten available throughout the day
What to watch
Appetite, growth, body condition, activity
About 2 oz / 55–60 g per meal
Dry food
Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten available throughout the day
What to watch
Appetite, growth, body condition, activity
Why We Pair Fresh Meat With a Complete Commercial Diet
A plain piece of meat or ground meat by itself is not a complete and balanced kitten diet. The meat meal is only one part of our daily feeding routine.
Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten provides the formulated portion of the diet with calcium, phosphorus, taurine, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients needed during growth.
Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten provides the formulated portion of the diet with calcium, phosphorus, taurine, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients needed during growth.
I intentionally introduce my kittens to both types of food before they leave.
This mixed feeding approach gives future families more flexibility and makes feeding easier during travel or on days when preparing a fresh meat meal is inconvenient.
Does Feeding Change After Spay or Neuter?
Whether a Maine Coon has been spayed or neutered is one of the factors I consider when deciding how much food is appropriate.
I do not look at neuter status in isolation. I also watch the cat’s weight, body condition, activity, appetite, and overall growth when deciding whether portions need to be adjusted.
I do not look at neuter status in isolation. I also watch the cat’s weight, body condition, activity, appetite, and overall growth when deciding whether portions need to be adjusted.
Familiar Food Goes Home With Your Kitten
Every kitten leaves with familiar food in the baby box.
I include small portions of the meat mix along with Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten dry food. This provided supply allows you to keep the feeding routine familiar during the first days and weeks in your home.
I include small portions of the meat mix along with Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten dry food. This provided supply allows you to keep the feeding routine familiar during the first days and weeks in your home.
Moving is already a major change for a kitten. I do not recommend changing the diet at the same time unless there is a specific reason to do so.
Wet or Canned Food for Maine Coon Kittens
A Maine Coon kitten can eat a high-quality complete and balanced canned food formulated for kittens if you do not want to continue the homemade meat meal.
You do not have to continue feeding fresh meat if that does not work for your family.
I do not recommend a specific canned food brand because canned food is not part of the regular feeding routine in my cattery.
What matters most is choosing a complete kitten food rather than a complementary food, topper, or treat that is not intended to provide complete nutrition.
You do not have to continue feeding fresh meat if that does not work for your family.
I do not recommend a specific canned food brand because canned food is not part of the regular feeding routine in my cattery.
What matters most is choosing a complete kitten food rather than a complementary food, topper, or treat that is not intended to provide complete nutrition.
Change Food Gradually
A new Maine Coon kitten’s food should be changed gradually rather than immediately after pickup.
During the first days at home, I strongly recommend continuing with the familiar food your kitten receives from me.
During the first days at home, I strongly recommend continuing with the familiar food your kitten receives from me.
If you later decide to change the dry food, meat meal, or feeding style, make the transition gradually over approximately 7–10 days.
Beginning
Keep the familiar diet and introduce only a small amount of the new food
Middle
Gradually increase the new food while reducing the old food
End
Complete the transition if the kitten is adjusting well
A sudden diet change can add digestive upset to the stress of moving into a new home.
the rest of your kitten’s
First-Week Routine: Bringing Kitten Home guide
Yes, you may replace the fresh meat meal with a high-quality, complete and balanced canned kitten food.
I do not recommend one particular canned brand because I do not routinely use canned food in my cattery.
I do not recommend one particular canned brand because I do not routinely use canned food in my cattery.
No, we strongly advise against immediate diet changes. Please keep the familiar feeding routine during the first days at home.
If you want to change foods later, make the transition gradually over approximately 7–10 days.
If you want to change foods later, make the transition gradually over approximately 7–10 days.
Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten: Dry Food & Feeding Routine
All of our kittens are accustomed to Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten before they leave the cattery.
Each kitten also receives a package of familiar dry food in the baby box.
Each kitten also receives a package of familiar dry food in the baby box.
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Abbraccionese
Abbraccionese
I use this food because it is formulated specifically for the growth period of Maine Coons.
This dry formula provides protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in a complete commercial kitten formula.
The kibble is also designed for the larger jaw of a Maine Coon and encourages the kitten to chew rather than simply swallow very small pieces.
Should Dry Food Be Available All Day?
Yes — in my home, dry food stays available throughout the day.
I prefer to keep dry food freely available rather than restrict a healthy growing kitten to only a few large meals.
Cats naturally prefer to eat small portions many times throughout the day. Keeping dry food available allows the kitten to return to the bowl when hungry.
I continue to prefer this free-choice feeding routine as the cat grows, while also paying attention to body condition, activity, and weight.
Cats naturally prefer to eat small portions many times throughout the day. Keeping dry food available allows the kitten to return to the bowl when hungry.
I continue to prefer this free-choice feeding routine as the cat grows, while also paying attention to body condition, activity, and weight.
When Do I Switch My Maine Coon to Adult Food?
In my cattery, I usually begin the gradual transition from Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten to Royal Canin Maine Coon Adult
at around 8–9 months.
This is my current feeding practice.
Kitten food is richer in fat and calories. By this stage, I find that my Maine Coons are developed enough that I prefer to begin moving them away from the richer kitten formula.
at around 8–9 months.
This is my current feeding practice.
Kitten food is richer in fat and calories. By this stage, I find that my Maine Coons are developed enough that I prefer to begin moving them away from the richer kitten formula.
Maine Coon Kitten Food
Active Growth
Around 8–9 Months
Gradual Transition
Maine Coon Adult
As with any food change, I make the transition gradually rather than changing the food overnight.
My kittens are raised on Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten.
They know this food before leaving the cattery, and I send some home with every kitten so the family can continue the familiar diet after pickup.
They know this food before leaving the cattery, and I send some home with every kitten so the family can continue the familiar diet after pickup.
Water and Hydration for Maine Coon Kittens
A Maine Coon kitten should always have free access to fresh, clean water.
Hydration deserves particular attention when a cat eats a significant amount of dry food.
A water fountain can be useful for Maine Coons that prefer drinking moving water.
Many cats are more interested in moving water than still water.
If you use a fountain, clean it regularly. Change the water frequently and replace the filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Many cats are more interested in moving water than still water.
If you use a fountain, clean it regularly. Change the water frequently and replace the filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
I prefer stable ceramic water bowls. Maine Coon kittens can be enthusiastic about water and may touch it with their paws, splash it, or try to move the bowl.
This behavior is not unusual. Some cats touch water to investigate its depth and movement.
This behavior is not unusual. Some cats touch water to investigate its depth and movement.
I do not recommend one particular water brand.
I prefer clean, purified water and do not recommend boiled water as my first choice. Some families also choose water prepared specifically for pets with controlled or reduced mineral content.
If distilled or ozonated water is used, I view it as an additional hygiene measure rather than a guarantee against urinary problems or infections. Giardia and other organisms can be transmitted through more than one route, so water alone cannot provide complete protection.
If distilled or ozonated water is used, I view it as an additional hygiene measure rather than a guarantee against urinary problems or infections. Giardia and other organisms can be transmitted through more than one route, so water alone cannot provide complete protection.
No, a water fountain is not strictly necessary for a Maine Coon. Fresh water in a clean, stable bowl is perfectly suitable.
Calcium in a Homemade Meat Diet for Maine Coon Kittens
Plain boneless meat alone does not provide the calcium-to-phosphorus balance a growing Maine Coon kitten needs.
Meat naturally contains much more phosphorus than calcium. Growing kittens need both minerals as part of normal bone and tooth development.
If you continue feeding homemade boneless meat mixes, remember that meat alone does not provide the same nutritional balance as a complete kitten food.
In my own feeding routine, I use finely ground eggshell powder as an additional calcium source.
Meat naturally contains much more phosphorus than calcium. Growing kittens need both minerals as part of normal bone and tooth development.
If you continue feeding homemade boneless meat mixes, remember that meat alone does not provide the same nutritional balance as a complete kitten food.
In my own feeding routine, I use finely ground eggshell powder as an additional calcium source.
Once a week, I add approximately one dessert spoonful of eggshell powder to the meat mix.
This eggshell powder recommendation applies to the homemade meat component of the diet.
When my kittens continue eating Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten as part of their normal mixed feeding routine, the commercial food also provides vitamins, minerals, and a formulated calcium-to-phosphorus balance.
Important: Plain meat, ground meat, or a few organ meats should not be treated as a complete kitten diet on their own.
No, plain meat or ground meat alone is not a complete and balanced diet. In our normal feeding routine, meat is only one part of the kitten’s daily food.
Raw Meat, Treats & Food Safety for Maine Coons
A small piece of good-quality plain meat can be used as a simple treat for a Maine Coon, but raw food requires careful sourcing, storage, handling, and hygiene.
The meat should contain no salt, seasoning, sauce, or marinade.
I especially like beef and beef-based meat mixes. Organ meats can also be very nutritious, but I use them as part of the overall meat mix rather than feeding large portions of organs alone.
The meat should contain no salt, seasoning, sauce, or marinade.
I especially like beef and beef-based meat mixes. Organ meats can also be very nutritious, but I use them as part of the overall meat mix rather than feeding large portions of organs alone.
Be Careful With Raw Poultry
I am currently more cautious with raw chicken because of reported cases of avian influenza. Turkey is also poultry, so the same attention to sourcing, storage, and kitchen hygiene is important.
Raw meat should be:
- Good quality
- Stored correctly
- Thawed in the refrigerator
- Used within a safe period after thawing
Bowls, utensils, counters, and other surfaces that touch raw meat should be washed thoroughly.
What About Raw Meaty Bones?
After about one year of age, when the permanent teeth are fully developed, I may occasionally offer a raw meaty item such as a chicken neck or foot.
These foods should always be given under supervision.
Make sure the cat is chewing properly rather than attempting to swallow a large piece whole.
These foods should always be given under supervision.
Make sure the cat is chewing properly rather than attempting to swallow a large piece whole.
Never give cooked bones to a cat.
We highly recommend beef-based meat mixes and high-quality commercial raw products.
While poultry is an option, we are currently cautious with raw chicken and turkey due to avian influenza concerns.
While poultry is an option, we are currently cautious with raw chicken and turkey due to avian influenza concerns.
A nutritious raw mix typically combines muscle meat with specific organ meats like heart, liver, and kidneys.
However, a homemade meat mix is not a complete diet on its own and should be paired with a formulated kitten food to ensure proper calcium and nutrient balance.
However, a homemade meat mix is not a complete diet on its own and should be paired with a formulated kitten food to ensure proper calcium and nutrient balance.
I use and recommend My Pet Carnivore for commercial raw components.
Their ground organ mixes and whole heart products are excellent, high-quality additions to our feeding routine alongside our homemade preparations.
Their ground organ mixes and whole heart products are excellent, high-quality additions to our feeding routine alongside our homemade preparations.
Joint Support for Growing Maine Coons
From around 7–8 months, I sometimes add a cat-specific joint support supplement to my Maine Coons’ feeding routine, usually about once a week.
Maine Coons are large cats that continue growing and developing for a long time. As their bodies become heavier, their bones, ligaments, and joints carry more load.
I do not insist on one particular brand.
Maine Coons are large cats that continue growing and developing for a long time. As their bodies become heavier, their bones, ligaments, and joints carry more load.
I do not insist on one particular brand.
Depending on the product, joint support formulas may contain:
- glucosamine
- chondroitin
- hyaluronic acid
- omega-3 fatty acids
Age + Frequency: From around
7–8 months, usually about once a week
7–8 months, usually about once a week
I choose products made specifically for cats and follow the amount indicated by the manufacturer.
I usually mix the joint supplement directly into the morning meat meal or wet food.
Do Maine Coon Kittens Need Vitamins?
A healthy Maine Coon kitten eating an appropriate complete kitten food does not automatically need additional vitamin complexes.
If your kitten continues eating a complete kitten food such as Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten, the food already supplies the main vitamins and minerals needed during growth.
More is not always better.
Giving several supplements at the same time can result in unnecessarily high amounts of certain vitamins or minerals.
For me, supplements are exactly that: support, not the foundation of the diet.
The foundation remains:
If your kitten continues eating a complete kitten food such as Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten, the food already supplies the main vitamins and minerals needed during growth.
More is not always better.
Giving several supplements at the same time can result in unnecessarily high amounts of certain vitamins or minerals.
For me, supplements are exactly that: support, not the foundation of the diet.
The foundation remains:
- complete and balanced nutrition;
- good-quality animal protein;
- healthy body condition;
- regular physical activity;
- fresh water.
For adult and senior cats, I may also periodically consider supportive formulas containing B vitamins, depending on the individual cat and its needs.
Usually, no. A healthy Maine Coon kitten does not need extra vitamins if they are already eating a complete and balanced commercial growth diet.
No, you should avoid stacking supplements. Combining multiple vitamin complexes with a complete commercial diet can lead to unsafe, elevated levels of certain minerals in a growing kitten.
TOP-4 Maine Coon Kitten Feeding FAQ
We recommend starting with about 2 oz (55–60 g) of fresh meat per meal alongside free-choice dry food. As the kitten grows, the meat portion may increase to 3–4 oz (85–115 g).
For more details, see Section 01 — Our Feeding Routine above.
For more details, see Section 01 — Our Feeding Routine above.
Yes, I recommend keeping dry food available all day for Maine Coon kittens.
This allows them to naturally eat smaller portions throughout the day, provided you continue to monitor their overall body condition, activity, and weight.
This allows them to naturally eat smaller portions throughout the day, provided you continue to monitor their overall body condition, activity, and weight.
Begin transitioning to adult food at approximately 8–9 months of age.
Mix Royal Canin Maine Coon Adult with their kitten formula to make the change gradually over several days, rather than switching overnight.
Mix Royal Canin Maine Coon Adult with their kitten formula to make the change gradually over several days, rather than switching overnight.
Move the meat meal to the evening or serve it before bedtime.
Your kitten can keep the familiar mixed feeding routine while the schedule becomes more comfortable for the family.
Your kitten can keep the familiar mixed feeding routine while the schedule becomes more comfortable for the family.
