Do Maine Coons need special food?

Maine Coons do not NEED special food but there is an argument that they might BENEFIT from a special food such as made by Royal Canin, a large pet food manufacturer based in France, which has jumped on the bandwagon of Maine Coon health concerns which have been thoroughly documented on the internet. 

Image: Royal Canin (annotated by MikeB).

This is the point: Maine Coons suffer from hip dysplasia - a lose joint between the socket of the hip and the ball of the femur; a joint problem. And patella luxation - a knee cap that moves from its normal capping position.

RELATED: What can a Maine Coon owner do to help their cat with hip dysplasia?

To use this inherent weakness in this popular cat breed Royal Canin make a product called "Royal Canin Maine Coon Adult dry cat food" which is "especially formulated for adult Maine Coon cats; King Size kibble encourages longer chewing, with glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints".

So, there you have it: a special cat food for the health-disadvantaged Maine Coon (MC). Does the food do any good, is the logical question?

Well, the first, general point there is that it is unwise to solely feed your cat dry cat food as it leaves them mildly dehydrated. This cat food should not be the sole diet for an MC which will weaken its effectiveness. Dehydration can lead to cystitis and the high carb content of dry foods may encourage Type II diabetes.

Clinical Reviews says that...

"Research shows that supplementing your body with glucosamine, could help slow down the degrading of cartilage. In addition, it can reduce inflammation from active usage and helps support normal functioning of your joints."

Comment: I don't see how slowing down the degrading of cartilage can help Maine Coons as this about a loose joint. Helping to reduce inflammation may help, however. The food might have marginal health benefits but don't bank on it. That said, if you feed your MC dry food and if he/she likes this product, it makes sense to use it. Royal Canin are a well-known, well-established brand.

Chondroitin also helps by absorbing fluid into the cartilage. Once again, I am unsure about the benefits to MCs. If the joint is loose and that damages the cartilage and the bone when it makes contact, I am skeptical about chondroitin improving MC hip joint health. Note: the larger kibble size is better for oral health however as they have to chew on it.

Royal Canin also make a dry cat food for Maine Coon kittens but it seems to be pretty much standard cat food but say this about it. I am not convinced. Note: don't solely feed your MC dry foods for the reason mentioned above.

Due to the size and breed type, the Maine Coon kitten has a longer growth period than other cat breeds. Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten has been specially designed to meet these needs, with a nutrient-rich recipe that provides long-term healthy support. The patented antioxidant complex with vitamin E promotes the development of a strong immune system.