Ask ten Maine Coon breeders what to feed your cat and you will get ten different answers — some of them delivered with the intensity of a religious conviction. The raw vs kibble debate is one of the most heated topics in the cat community, and it can be genuinely confusing for new owners trying to do right by their cat.

We are going to give you our honest take — what we feed our cats, why we made those choices, and what the actual evidence says. We are not going to tell you there is one right answer, because there is not.

What Cats Actually Need

Cats are obligate carnivores. This is not a dietary preference — it is a biological fact. Cats require animal protein to survive. They cannot synthesize certain amino acids (like taurine and arginine) that other animals can make from plant sources. They have a limited ability to digest carbohydrates. Their bodies are designed to get moisture from their food, not from a water bowl.

Understanding this baseline makes the food debate much clearer. The question is not "should my cat eat meat?" — the answer is always yes. The question is what form that meat should take and what else should be in the diet.

The Case for High-Quality Kibble

Kibble is convenient, shelf-stable, and — when you choose the right brands — nutritionally complete. The key word is "right brands." Not all kibble is created equal. Cheap kibble is often high in carbohydrates, low in quality protein, and full of fillers that cats do not need and cannot properly digest.

High-quality kibble from brands that use named animal proteins as the first ingredient, keep carbohydrates low, and include taurine supplementation is a legitimate option for Maine Coons. It is not our first choice, but it is a reasonable one if you are choosing carefully.

For specific brand recommendations, see our post on the best food brands for Maine Coons.

The Case for Raw Feeding

Raw feeding — whether commercial raw, prey model raw, or a balanced homemade raw diet — most closely mirrors what a cat would eat in the wild. High protein, high moisture, low carbohydrate, and bioavailable nutrients that have not been degraded by cooking.

The benefits we have observed in our own cats on a raw diet include better coat condition, leaner muscle mass, smaller and less odorous stools, and better hydration. Many breeders and vets who work closely with Maine Coons are strong advocates for raw feeding.

The downsides are real: raw feeding requires more preparation, more storage space, and more knowledge to do safely. Improperly balanced raw diets can cause nutritional deficiencies. Raw meat carries bacterial risks that need to be managed carefully, especially in households with immunocompromised people.

What We Feed Our Cats

At Dashing Coons, our adult breeding cats eat a combination of high-quality wet food and commercial raw. We prioritize moisture content above almost everything else — cats that eat dry food exclusively are chronically underhydrated, which puts stress on the kidneys over time.

Our kittens are weaned onto wet food and introduced to raw gradually. When kittens go to their new homes, we send them with a feeding guide and recommendations for how to transition them to whatever diet you choose.

The One Thing Everyone Agrees On

Whatever you feed your Maine Coon, make sure it has access to fresh water at all times. Maine Coons are prone to kidney issues as they age, and hydration is the single most important factor in kidney health. Many cats prefer running water — a cat fountain is one of the best investments you can make.

If you have questions about what to feed your kitten when it comes home, we are always happy to talk through it. Reach out anytime — we provide ongoing support to all of our families, not just at go-home.