Advice on feeding a 1 year old female Maine Coon

sargon

High Priest of Freya, The Slightly Bitey.
Super Cat
Joined
Sep 22, 2016
Messages
725
Purraise
577
Location
St. Louis Metro Area
Cats in the 6-12 month range tend to be pretty slender, and fill out a bit in the subsequent year or so and with Maine Coons that takes even longer, so if your vet isn't worried, you probably shouldn't be either.
 

Anne

Site Owner
Staff Member
Admin
Joined
Oct 23, 2000
Messages
40,196
Purraise
6,083
Location
On TCS
Maybe @GemsGem  can add more about any special dietary needs of Maine Coons?
 

Brian007

Furmate and Famulus
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 13, 2017
Messages
1,751
Purraise
2,071
Location
Edinburgh, Scotland.
Can I ask your opinions on Encore dry any flavour and wet fish varieties, please, as I'm a fellow Brit, also a life-long vegetarian, and my dad's gentleman Maine Coon sadly died in August aged 10, but I know about them, so feel vaguely entitled to crash this thread?  

I have a one year old ragdoll who I weighed today at 14.8kg, he's a lot solider than a Maine Coon, and I think not so long in the body, but could theoretically grow just big and heavy in the next three years.  I too started out on Royal Canin kitten until I joined TCS in January, when I swiftly educated myself about their shoddiness.  Unfortunately, I have to use up the 4kg bag I bought him before I can switch to Encore, as money is an issue, especially buying Encore sachets at £1 a pop.  I can't afford to feed him these every day.  I feel ever so guilty about it all, and starting him out on his 1st year on the wrong footing.  I'm getting my 1st Encore 400mg chicken dry tomorrow to try though.  Fingers crossed.

Dudley doesn't like any wet food that isn't fish.  And he doesn't like Applaws.  I never knew how lucky I was that Brian licked the pattern off his bowl no matter what was put in front of him.  I stacking up tins and sachets of expensive wet food that Dudley refuses and will have to go to the Cat Protection.  I could really do with honing in on what to try him on next.

Thanks  
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Columbine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
12,921
Purraise
6,224
Location
The kitty playground
The Encore dry food looks pretty decent. With the wet, do be aware that only the patés are a complete food - all the others are supplementary and should be viewed as a treat only.

As he's such a fussy eater, I suggest you contact several brands of kibble and ask for samples. Not all companies supply them, but many do, or will send you vouchers towards your first bag. I did this for my old, ultra fussy greyhound :rbheart: and it saved me a tremendous amount of wastage (not to mention money ;) ).

These are the foods I like (in no particular order). Some are better than others, and different cats will go for different foods, but I'd be happy to feed any of them. My girl's particular favourites are Thrive, Catz Finefood, Purrr by Catz Finefood, Bozita and GranataPet.


From Zooplus http://www.zooplus.com:-

Wet foods

Grau
GranataPet
Catz Finefood (they also have a range called Purr that is limited ingredient/novel protein)
Bozita tetrapacks (in jelly or sauce - both grain free)
Animonda Carny
Feringa
Terra Faelis (expensive for what it is, but low phosphorus)
Thrive Complete
Forthglade
Animonda Von Feinsten
Leonardo

There are a few other pretty good brands from there (for example Lily's Kitchen), but I feel they're either relatively expensive form the ingredients used, or they contain gums/similar (cassia gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, carrageenan), which can cause tummy upsets in some cats.

Dry foods

Applaws
Feringa
GranataPet (standard Adult range)
Orijin
Purizon


Foods from other suppliers:-

Wet Foods

Nature’s Menu www.naturesmenu.co.uk and various other suppliers
Meowing Heads - www.barkingheads.co.uk / Pets at Home and others
Wainwrights - the trays are a lot better than the pouches, ingredients-wise. Avoid the 'Light' version as it's much lower meat ;) (Pets at Home own brand)
Hi Life Tempt Me (Pets at Home and various retailers, including some supermarkets)
Purely Holistic (Pets at Home)
Aatu http://www.aatu.co.uk

Dry Foods

Aatu
Eden Holistic http://www.edenpetfoods.com
Thrive Complete


Supermarket foods (wet)

Sheba trays in jelly only
Tesco's Finest in jelly only
Butchers Classic cans
Sainsbury's Delicious in jelly only
Asda Tiger trays - pate only
Sheba Fresh Choice in jelly only


I hope this helps some :cross: My old, ultra fussy BSH boy :rbheart: used to adore Thrive particularly. He also loved certain Catz Finefood and Bozita flavours, and some Smilla (from Zooplus. Not listed above because it contains carrageenan, but it's a good, budget friendly option with a high meat content). He was pretty keen on Nature's Menu from time to time too.

If Dudley likes the Encore pouches, I'd say the nearest to them are Purely Holistic and Hi Life Tempt Me. Both are significantly cheaper than £1/can too :D
 
Last edited:

Brian007

Furmate and Famulus
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 13, 2017
Messages
1,751
Purraise
2,071
Location
Edinburgh, Scotland.
Thanks for that that's a great help.  I'll print it off actually.   
 And study them.  I'm a nerd for research  
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #27

sunshineclare

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 28, 2016
Messages
532
Purraise
325
Location
London, UK
Hi all thanks for everyone's input, I'll read and reply properly later. We tried the cans of feringa from Zooplus. Even our moggy cat who will eat anything, refused it. It smelt and looked disgusting. In various flavours all the same. I bought a bunch of if stupidly and have it to our local animal shelter!

I can't see the pates say complete food. Will try though thanks columbine! Also we ordered thrive from Amazon as its out of stock everywhere else. It doesn't have the best reviews on there. The bad are really bad - mouldy black spots on chicken from 2 separate orders, mostly liquid... Still ill try it and see what they think [emoji]128578[/emoji][emoji]128578[/emoji] will check the other brands too.

Is it ok to feed organic mincemeat for humans just as is or slightly warmed? We have tried lamb and beef they love it. The 6 yr old moggy won't touch it even though he had no probs catching and eating mice and rats before we got him!! Why dya think that is?! He eats everything normally!!

Should we try minced chicken? If you can get that?! I don't eat chicken so not sure!! I read somewhere pork is bad for cats?? Why's that?

lol mad that buying organic beef mince words out cheaper per portion size than thrive canned haha!
 

Columbine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
12,921
Purraise
6,224
Location
The kitty playground
Feringa doesn't smell great, but most cat foods don't (to me anyway)! My girl isn't as keen on some Feringa flavours, but loves their lamb and rabbit one. Just proves how different cats' tastes can be :rolleyes:

With the Thrive, I guess any company can have a bad batch. It happens sometimes. I've been feeding it for a couple of years now, and have never had a single problem. I've not heard any bad reports of it here either, and our members are generally pretty quick to post about that kind of thing ;)

The Applaws is listed on their website as being complete, and a quick glance at the ingredients list will back that up (look for vitamin and mineral listings/additives).

No, it is NOT safe to feed any kind of ready minced meat raw/part raw - organic or otherwise. The regulations regarding bacteria in 'human' meat are less strict than those for meat for raw feeding, and it is far more likely to have a high bacterial load. This is because the expectation is that that it'll be properly cooked, killing off the bacteria in the process. Using ready minced meat as a basis for a cooked homemade recipe is absolutely fine though.

If you want to use supermarket/butcher meat, buy whole cuts and grind them yourself. Alternatively, buy minced meat made for raw feeding (such as the Nature’s Menu frozen blocks and free flow minces). There are tons of other raw food suppliers out there, but Nature’s Menu is by far the easiest to find ;)

There is nothing at all wrong with feeding pork to cats - it's a common protein choice for novel protein diets (for cats with allergies). Processed pork products, such as ham and sausages, aren't great though, due to the high salt content.
 
Last edited:

1CatOverTheLine

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 6, 2017
Messages
8,674
Purraise
34,611
Hi all thanks for everyone's input, I'll read and reply properly later. We tried the cans of feringa from Zooplus. Even our moggy cat who will eat anything, refused it. It smelt and looked disgusting. In various flavours all the same. I bought a bunch of if stupidly and have it to our local animal shelter!

I can't see the pates say complete food. Will try though thanks columbine! Also we ordered thrive from Amazon as its out of stock everywhere else. It doesn't have the best reviews on there. The bad are really bad - mouldy black spots on chicken from 2 separate orders, mostly liquid... Still ill try it and see what they think [emoji]128578[/emoji][emoji]128578[/emoji] will check the other brands too.

Is it ok to feed organic mincemeat for humans just as is or slightly warmed? We have tried lamb and beef they love it. The 6 yr old moggy won't touch it even though he had no probs catching and eating mice and rats before we got him!! Why dya think that is?! He eats everything normally!!

Should we try minced chicken? If you can get that?! I don't eat chicken so not sure!! I read somewhere pork is bad for cats?? Why's that?

lol mad that buying organic beef mince words out cheaper per portion size than thrive canned haha!
My cats have just asked me to suggest, on their behalf, that you "try roast duckling, goose, grouse and pheasant, and perhaps some nice lobster tails as snacks."

No, no - don't thank me.  Only too happy to be of help.

;)

.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #30

sunshineclare

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 28, 2016
Messages
532
Purraise
325
Location
London, UK
 
My cats have just asked me to suggest, on their behalf, that you "try roast duckling, goose, grouse and pheasant, and perhaps some nice lobster tails as snacks."

No, no - don't thank me.  Only too happy to be of help.

;)

.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!


Thank you!! I'll be sure to attempt to please our fluffy beauties with those LOL!!


If they would be so gracious as to try it to see if it might be to their Royal Liking hahaha!! Nice one!! :-)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #31

sunshineclare

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 28, 2016
Messages
532
Purraise
325
Location
London, UK
Columbine, haha, yes most cat foods don't smell great - and it doesn't really matter it's not like Im gonna eat it myself anyway haha, it's just the Feringa smelt AWFUL!! And looked awful too. Thanks for the advice about minced meat. Ok will stop that. Why do you think the moggy cat won't eat it when the kittens have done? when the moggy cat was eating rats and mice?!
 

1CatOverTheLine

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 6, 2017
Messages
8,674
Purraise
34,611
 
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!


Thank you!! I'll be sure to attempt to please our fluffy beauties with those LOL!!


If they would be so gracious as to try it to see if it might be to their Royal Liking hahaha!! Nice one!! :-)
Very good; they might thank you.  Remember though - no gold-plated bowls, though - strictly solid 18k.

.
 

Columbine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
12,921
Purraise
6,224
Location
The kitty playground
Thanks for the advice about minced meat. Ok will stop that. Why do you think the moggy cat won't eat it when the kittens have done? when the moggy cat was eating rats and mice?!
Not all cats are equally receptive to raw food, regardless of whether they've had to hunt to survive in the past. Kittens generally transition much more readily than older cats do, as they're less set in their ways and have a less fixed concept of what constitutes food.

When I tried raw, my girl would eat it provided I'd coated it in enough yummy toppers (I had to roll little balls in crumbled freeze dried treats or even pulverised kibble to get her to consider it :rolleyes: ), but my old boy wouldn't even look at it - it simply didn't register as food with him!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #35

sunshineclare

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 28, 2016
Messages
532
Purraise
325
Location
London, UK
Not all cats are equally receptive to raw food, regardless of whether they've had to hunt to survive in the past. Kittens generally transition much more readily than older cats do, as they're less set in their ways and have a less fixed concept of what constitutes food.

When I tried raw, my girl would eat it provided I'd coated it in enough yummy toppers (I had to roll little balls in crumbled freeze dried treats or even pulverised kibble to get her to consider it
), but my old boy wouldn't even look at it - it simply didn't register as food with him!
Yes our youngest Mojo seemed like he was brought up on raw food he loves it. The other kitten Mia who is a year old now had rubbish food growing up it seemed, felix adult cat food which is shit anyway, as a kitten... they both loved the raw mince before I read your post saying there might be too much bacteria in it. They've lapped it up so far! But Angel the oldest still wouldn't even see it as food as you said !! super interesting....

they're not too rapt in the thrive treats, I bought some from the vet the other day, seems like it would be like eating super salted popcorn or something - ok for a minute, then you're like, ***?! It seems so dried out and nasty - not tried it myself lol - just looks weird!! they loved it as first and now not to impressed - the amazon prime didn't arrive so we;ve not tried the  other thrive, if it gets sold out this fast won't bother will try something else...
 

Columbine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
12,921
Purraise
6,224
Location
The kitty playground
Yeah, freeze dried treats do look weird when you're used to kibble-type or soft treats. They're usually pretty popular with the cats though! As I think I said before, I mostly crumble them to use as food toppers for a little more variety (or to persuade Asha to eat a food she's less keen on!).

With the Thrive canned food, I have no clue what's going on. I've never known supply to be this limited :scratch: I'm not so surprised about Zooplus, as they've had a run on pretty much everything because of their recent 10% off all foods promotion, but don't understand the supply issues with other retailers :dk: Hopefully it's only a temporary thing :cross:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #37

sunshineclare

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 28, 2016
Messages
532
Purraise
325
Location
London, UK
Hi Columbine Columbine

Does thrive normally look like this? We bought the complete kitten chicken one and the complete ocean fish which is what's pictured:

in the super expensive teeny tiny cans and


Looks like someone's puked in the bowl!! Lol, I know I'm not gonna eat it but for the money we both expected something I dunno, less watery?!

Is it always like this? The kitten chicken one was even worse?? Like baby food like it's meant for super tiny kittens??

To be fair Mia did eat a bit of it so hope she is getting good nutrition but not feeling super enthusiastic about carrying on with it especially given its super high price and super limited availability!

Interested to know your thoughts! [emoji]128578[/emoji]
 

Columbine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
12,921
Purraise
6,224
Location
The kitty playground
Yes, that how it looks. The Ocean Fish if by far the most liquidy and gross looking though (mind you, I've yet to see a cat food that doesn't gross me out :lol3: ). The chicken varieties just look like shreds in gravy/sauce - to me, anyway. I've never tried the kitten one though.

This was Asha's breakfast (Tuna thrive)
It's more calorie dense than it looks though, and is comparable to things like Catz Finefood in terms of servings. For me, there's also the bonus that there's zero wastage (something I can't say for other brands). The food bowls always look like the labrador's got to them (she takes her self imposed job as chief dishwasher very seriously :rolleyes::lol3: ).

I know it's expensive, and I wouldn't feed it exclusively for that reason (though it was often the only food my old boy wouldn't eat), but it is a good food, and one that I'll keep in rotation. Ultimately, for me it comes down to what the cats like. I feed it because Asha adores it - I think it's her favourite food - and that makes it worth it to me.

If Mia isn't so keen, then obviously you'll feel differently. I just figured it was a good start point, as she really enjoyed the Applaws shreds, and Thrive is the nearest equivalent I've found in a complete food ;) You'll know how Mia feels about it when you've used up what you've bought, and I suspect that will be the ultimate decider for you.

The supply issue is a new thing - I've not had any problems in the past. Not sure what's going on there :scratch:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #39

sunshineclare

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 28, 2016
Messages
532
Purraise
325
Location
London, UK
OK thanks columbine, your pictures look lots nicer than ours - our is literally tiny teeny bits of possibly at one point fish like shreds, floating in mostly water - your tuna one looks like it might have actually come from a tuna - !!

We will keep trying, I'll take a photo of the kitten chicken paste one, we bought 12 cans of each but the cans are soooo small thats why we liked the applaws as we can get the bigger cans which makes it somewhat less expensive and can share between all 3 kitties :-) I've got a bunch of tidying to do, still got to check out your other links, will do this soon :-)

Best wishes, Clare :-)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #40

sunshineclare

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 28, 2016
Messages
532
Purraise
325
Location
London, UK
Hey @Columbine just wanted to say, Zooplus now seem to have stock of the Thrive and we bought a bunch of it, have various flavours, Chicken and Liver, Ocean Fish, Tuna and Salmon and I think some other Chicken one or it might've just been those 3 - they all seem to like it especially Mia - which is great - so thank you so much again for the pointer with this, it's the same price as the Applaws in bulk from Zooplus and with the 7% off on the account plus Quidco, it all helps :-)

She is still fairly thin but maybe she is just lanky and is growing like that - she looks in super healthy condition and has a lovely soft, fluffy coat and is definitely still growing - I guess Maine Coons can have very varied genes - it's just because Mojo's dad was HUGE at 9 months - and Mojo our little boy is now 11 months (much smaller than his dad was at 9 months as Mojo was the runt of the litter!) but he is SOOO much stockier than MIa - maybe that's cos he's a boy and she's a a girl - but Mojo's mum wasn't as lanky, she was around 2, and Mias mum was fairly lanky but not as much as Mia, she was also about 2 - and there was another beautiful female Maine Coon where we got Mia from and she was much stockier than both Mia and her Mum -

The vet a month or so ago said she is fine and nothing to worry about so hopefully she will fill out - lol I know most cat owners have the opposite problem to this haha - just want to make sure she is growing Ok and getting all the nutrition she needs, she still loves the Orijen cat and kitten dry food too and drinks a lot of water, so think she's ok. Any thoughts always appreciated. Thank you :-)
 
Top