What About Vegan And Vegetarian Cat Food
Its understandable to have misgivings about the impact of the livestock industry and the amount of meat used to produce pet food. While we dont recommend any vegan foods, you can learn more about them in this article.
Many cats seem to do well on vegan food. A combination of plant ingredients and synthetic additives are capable of, at least according to our current understanding, recreating the mix of nutrients your carnivore requires. But it may be foolish to believe that we can recreate a perfect facsimile of the nutritional profile found in cats prey. Doing so may lead to unexpected nutritional deficiencies or overloads.
Whats The Proper Diet For Maine Coon Cats
Maine Coons have been domesticated for centuries, but even if they no longer hunt for food like their ancestors in the wild, they still need to eat foods that will satisfy their innate desire to eat fresh meats.
That being said, you dont have to put them on an exclusive wet food diet, though, because even dry cat foods can have real meats. And besides, cats also benefit from munching on dry cat food as this is good for their dental health.
Just make sure, to always have fresh and clean drinking water ready for your feline buddy at all times. You might also want to purchase a cat fountain to encourage him to drink.
Above all, whats most important with your Maine Coons diet is that it should be rich in protein, low in carbohydrates, and with additional vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.
And once again, pay special attention not to overfeed your gentle giant to maintain a healthy weight and avoid complications.
Hip dysplasia is one of the common health issues with Maine Coon cats that are associated with their humongous size.
Hence, it is important to keep him at his recommended weight range for his age and size to prevent painful and debilitating complications in the future.
The Best Cat Food For Maine Coon Should You Buy Breed Specific Cat Food
Whats the best cat food for Maine Coon cats? That is the topic for this article.
Baby lions or giant wild cats these are the common first impressions when one sees a fully-grown Maine Coon cat sporting their winter coat for the first time.
And its not surprising, because they do look the part. Its also for this reason, that many first-time Maine Coon cat owners assume that their cat needs a special diet. But, do they really need it?
Maine Coon is indeed the largest cat breed, but they are already domesticated. Hence, that makes them the largest of all the domesticated cat breeds, and one of the most popular felines in the United States.
Maine coon cats eat just like other domestic cats. And since they are obligate carnivores, their food should be packed with high-quality animal protein for them to get most of the essential nutrients that their body needs to stay in prime condition every day.
Here at FelineLiving.Net we have a dedicated mission to provide cat owners like you with well-researched information so they can provide the best care and nutrition to their cat.
Our readers rely upon the cat food reviews, articles and recall alerts that we research and publish. We also routinely update and review our own reviews ensuring that any changes by manufacturers are brought to your attention.
at a glance: our top 5 picks for cat foods for maine coon
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Wellness Complete Health Grain Free
The Wellness dry cat food is completely grain-free and has a balanced and nutritious blend of high-quality proteins, carbohydrates and select fats. This cat food adopts an indoor healthy weight formula.
This ensures a reduced calorie diet with increased fiber that will help the feline maintain a healthy weight while satisfying its hunger at the same time. The food does not contain meat by-products as well as artificial colors, preservatives and colors.
The cat food is available in two options of salmon and chicken as the meat source. It also includes potatoes, tomato pomace, pea fiber, taurine, L-carnitine, cranberries, dried kelp, ground flaxseed, rosemary and chicory root extracts.
The food is additionally enriched with several minerals and vitamin supplements. The cat food is available in five variants in different sized bags.
Pros: Maintains healthy joints and hip with weight control, prevents harmful bacteria from entering the urinary tract.
Cons: May not suit cats with sensitive stomach because of the chicken content.
What Sort Of Cat Bowl Should I Get
Although lions in the zoo are different from your cat in many ways, the fact remains that both need enrichment when they eat. In fact, part of our duties as owners are that we allow our cats to express natural behaviors- like hunting. The wild ancestors of our domestic cats would have spent most of their day hunting our pet cats can eat a bowl of food in minutes, leaving them with hours of the day to fill. For your cats mental and physical health, you should consider feeding them with puzzle feeders that allow them to express some of this natural behavior. Many types of puzzle feeders are available, from the treat ball style all the way through to those designed like mice for your cat to hunt.
There are a lot of cat food bowls on the market to choose from too, so take a look at our top picks and see if there are any your cat would love.
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Types Of Cat Foods For Indoor Cats
The two main types of cat foods are wet and dry. All are commercially available and vary in calories, water, protein content, digestibility, and taste. Weve highlighted the differences between the two options below.
Wet Food
A good source of H2O, wet food generally contains about 75% water. Although its more expensive than dry food, wet food is popular with picky eaters, easier to portion control, and provides the crucial vitamins, minerals, and amino acids healthy cats need.
Wet foods are typically lower in carbohydrates and have more animal-based protein than dry foods that can utilize high-carb ingredients and plant-based proteins. The formulas can also be tailored for specific diets or health issues such as gastrointestinal, weight care, renal support, aging, and urinary health.
Unopened cans can be stored indefinitely but should be refrigerated after opening. Not all wet foods are nutritionally complete so read the label and/or mix with dry food to ensure a balanced and complete diet for your cat.
Another version of wet food is semi-moist food, which typically contains around 60-65% water. Some semi-moist cat foods have artificial color, chemical preservatives, or flavors and can be high in sugar and salt, making them an unsuitable choice for some cats. Read the label to understand how semi-moist food will fit into your cats diet.
Dry Food
A Mix is Preferable
Wet Vs Dry Food What Is Better
Dry food is easier for you to store for longer periods of time, and it is more beneficial for aiding in dental health because as a cat chews, the dry food scrapes along with the tooth, helping knock off any plaque or tartar build-up.
Wet food will tend to have more water content, which can be very important in cats with kidney disease or who are prone to urinary tract disease. Kitties are known for not drinking water very frequently, so wet food can help supplement their water intake. Also, another thing to consider is canned food is a little more expensive than dry. Still, a can of wet food will typically provide the same number of calories per feeding as the usual recommended daily amount. Furthermore, if your pet is a finicky eater, they may be more receptive to wet food because of the moisture, and it does tend to smell more appealing.
There really is no right or wrong answer as to which is better. Both quality wet and dry foods will provide all your family friends necessary nutrients to stay healthy. Dry food tends to be what most people feed their cats as it is much easier to feed.
READ MORE: Wet vs. Dry Cat Food Which is Beter?
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Even The Best Dry Cat Food Isnt The Ideal Diet For Your Cat
While even the worst wet cat food manages to give your cat plenty of moisture, all dry food is moisture-deficient. Compared to those who eat a high-moisture diet, cats who eat dry food are at an increased risk of chronic dehydration and urinary tract disease.
Furthermore, almost all kibble has more starch than your cat needs. If you have to give your cat dry food, here are a few tips to help you do it better.
Can Dry Food Fit In Your Mix
Many adult cats can thrive on a full or partial diet of convenient and affordable dry foodsheres a look at the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Convenience. Leave food out in the morning and go about your workday. While some cats are gobblers, most are content to simply graze throughout the day. You wont come home late in the evening to an anxious, hungry cat.
- Freshness. Dry food can be left out if your cat is at home alone for the weekend. A feeding device can ensure they access the right amount of food each day.
- Reassurance. If your cat is a rescue or suffers from food insecurity, just knowing that a bowl with dry food is available can reduce anxiety about eating.
- Cleaning. Dry food is less messy and less smelly.
Cons:
Unsplash/Reno Laithienne
Its likely just fine to feed your cat an all-dry food dietbut be sure to check with your vet who knows your cat and their specific health issues.
If you do feed your cat dry food, make sure that it stays fresh and that your cat has access to water at all times. Its not a bargain to buy a huge bag of dry food if you have only one catdry food should be consumed within two months of opening the package. Store dry food in a cool, dry location, away from sunlight to prevent spoiling, and keep the original bag or container tightly closed.
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Buyers Guide: How To Choose The Best Cat Food According To Veterinarians
Theres a lot of discussion as to the best pet food brands, and finding a good one is very important to pet owners. All of the brands out there are competing for your purchase, so they use a lot of different marketing techniques to persuade you to buy. So, how do we decide on the best or the healthiest cat foods? I highly recommend assessing a food using the WSAVAs guide and also reading The Savvy Cat Owners Guide: Nutrition on the Internet. The Pet Nutrition Alliance also went to the trouble of contacting all of the manufacturers of all of the brands available for sale in the USA and Canada in 2019 and asking them some of the questions recommended by the WSAVA. Their answers can be found here: Manufacturer Report.
The 9 Best Cat Foods For Weight Gain In Underweight Cats
Healthy weight gain in cats is about more than just feeding your cat more. If you want your underweight cat to put on pounds, you need to choose a recipe that has a higher concentration of calories but also keep in mind that quality matters. Cat foods made with high-quality, natural ingredients are more digestible for your cat which means that hell be absorbing more nutrients along with those extra calories. To get you started in shopping for a new recipe, here are our top picks for food for weight gain:
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Royal Canin Maine Coon
Maine Coons command a majestic presence and jaw-dropping allure, but even their genes need some help in sustaining these unique feline attributes.
Looking great requires a lot of work and a healthy and well-balanced diet that meets the nutritional requirements of these giant cats.
Royal Canin Maine Coon Dry Food is a specially formulated protein-rich diet perfect for your cats lustrous long coat, joint health, and healthy digestion.
It is packed with Taurine, DHA, and EPD to support your cats cardiac health, and its fortified with vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin E, B vitamins, niacin, zinc, potassium, manganese, and a lot more.
It also has a fiber blend that contains dried beet pulp to help reduce hairballs, which are a major problem during the shedding season.
Additionally, Maine Coons can weigh as much as 24 pounds or even more, and such body weight can cause immense pressure to their joints.
Factor in their playful nature to their size, these giant cats really need extra bone and joint support good thing that this dry food is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate that all help in promoting strong bones and joints for this large breed cat.
Also, considering the huge mouth of Maine Coons, you are right to think that they could easily swallow small kibbles without chewing them, which can put them at risk for indigestion.
Purina One Urinary Tract Health Formula Dry Food
Purinas ONE Dry Cat Food is designed to promote good urinary tract health. It manages this by reducing urinary pH levels and providing a low magnesium content.
Suited for adult cats, it contains healthy omega-6 fatty acids that boost the sheen of your cats coat and aids in keeping skin healthy.
Purina are a well known respected brand, and you can be assured that all of the contents are of the highest quality. Real poultry or fish is used which provides the best natural sources of protein.
They promise a 0% filler food, meaning that each and every ingredient found in this dry food has a purpose.
Its available in a variety of other formulas designed at other health needs, from hairball prevention to sensitive digestion systems.
Purinas special health formulas are fantastic, but shouldnt be used as a cure for any illness in the same way a prescription food would be used. Speak to your vet first if you have any health concerns.
You can find more by clicking through to view the product details above.
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Royal Canin Kitten Thin Slices In Gravy Best For Kittens
This cat food comes very highly rated by vets and owners alike. It has been developed by scientists at Royal Canin to provide optimal nutrition for growing kittens. Theyve balanced for gentle growth whilst still providing energy for play, meaning this kitten food will keep your cat happy and well-fed to 12 months of age.
The protein content is 55% and theyve named the protein sources, so you know exactly what it is that your kitten is getting. It also contains added vitamins, minerals, and taurine to ensure theres everything your cat needs. Theyve even thought to make the slices smaller to make it easier for those tiny teeth and mouths! Theyve made the cans quite small though, which means you might get through several a day as your cat gets older.
For discerning cats, the best wet cat food for the money has to be the Purina Pro Plan Savor range. There are lots of flavor combinations, all of which have been formulated to be complete and balanced without losing out on the texture that interests your cat. Its also high in protein and contains added omega three and six to give your cats coat gloss and shine.
All in all, as far as wet cat foods go, we think this is the best value cat food on the market, and its the best Purina cat food out there too.
Measure Your Cat’s Food
It is very important to measure your cat’s food with a proper measuring cup. Depending on the situation, when we are asked or think about a cup, our answers will be very different. When we think of a cup of coffee, especially if the morning is a bit rough, a cup better be the size of a soda bottle. But if we think of a cup of espresso we think of a tiny cup. Either way, we just think of a cup.
Why should this matter to you as a cat owner? It matters because when it comes to your cats weight and their overall health, the myriad of empty containers people frequently use to scoop their cat’s kibble aren’t the cups we veterinarians are talking about. This especially becomes a problem when a cat owner feeds the number of cups the pet food bag suggests and they are using the extra-large coffee cup variety.
Using a Digital Scale to Measure Cat Food
As doctors always say, The scale dont lie! That is why measuring your cats food by weight rather than volume is more accurate. While a measuring cup is great, we can always be off a little when we eyeball how much is in the measuring cup. And the size of dry kibble can affect how much food actually fits in a measuring cup. But when you know the weight of what you should feed your cat, you can be exact every time you feed with a digital scale.
Available at:
Why Measuring Your Cat’s Food Matters
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Hills Science Diet Adult 11+ Chicken Recipe Dry Senior Cat Food
Protein: 28.0% | Fat: 18.0% | Fiber: 3.5% | Moisture: 8.0%
This senior cat food formula from Hills Science Diet is one of the best cat foods for older cats available today, without a doubt. Hills recently revised their formula to better cater to the needs of older cats, and the response from the community looks to be excellent. Chicken remains the number one ingredient and is coupled with natural sources of vitamins and antioxidants to support your cat in its old age. Hills manufacturer their foods in the USA, with a focus on excellent ingredient quality. Their focus on delivering deliciously healthy senior cat food is reflected in opinions of the 95% of buyers on Chewy who would recommend this food. Hills Science Diet Adult 11+ Senior Dry review.