Best Foods For A Sick Maine Coon

Best Foods For A Sick Maine Coon

Throughout your Maine Coon’s life there’s almost an inevitability it will get ill.

All cats do.

As far as I’m aware, all humans do as well.

Being ill is just part of living.

Some illnesses are symptoms of much deeper issues, but most of the time you would hope it’s just a short term gastrointestinal problem that will pass.

Despite your cat’s natural ability to shed food poisoning or other stomach problems there are things you can do to aid the natural recovery. The important thing is not to panic in the short term as it could easily be a common treatable problem. All cats typically suffer from viral, fungal, parasitical infections as well as eating something that just plain ‘doesn’t agree with them’. While it’s important to keep their energy levels up, in practice this can be hard to do.

Hopefully you can keep them well hydrated and your Maine Coon like other cats is capable of getting water from wet food, which is often more palatable when they are ill.

Scientists at major pet food manufacturers have also come up with meals that are easily digestible, both in texture and in content.

Ultimately if any problem persists and you are unduly worried then no-one would criticize you for making a vets appointment to find the problem.

Is The Maine Coon Prone To Illness And What Are The Common Causes

The Maine Coon is considered a healthy and hardy breed. Along with its large size and personality comes a normally iron constitution.

That said, your cat will get ill during its lifetime. It’s just statistically probable it will happen.

But, it’s not what I’d call prone to illnesses, no.

The Maine Coon comes with a predisposition for Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) which ‘may’ affect certain things but most of the time it’s likely to be the common causes of an ill cat.

Old age aside, if your Maine Coon is in the prime of its life then it’s likely to one of following causes.

Substance ingestion: Despite domestic cats having the proverbial ‘life of riley’, occasionally when they go out they come across food items that they may not agree with.

As well as human foodstuffs it might have accidentally swallowed there are items that are naturally poisonous as well as household chemicals or pharmaceuticals.

Hairballs: Essentially a hairball are pieces of damp wet hair that your car swallows when preening himself. Normally they ball up and this causes the cat to ‘cough up’ the offending item. This is why I recommend grooming regularly.

Parasitical, Bacterial, Fungal and Viral infections: Something unnatural will be happening with your cats digestive system and your Maine Coon will be ill while the problem persists.

Viral infections can often come and go but parasites will need a vet to diagnose.

Diet change: This is a really overlooked one.

Has anyone made a change to the natural food intake of your cat. It might be the food manufacturer, or it might be you are trying different foods.

Perhaps the new food just doesn’t agree with your individual cat.

As the Maine Coon is prone to PKD you should be on the lookout for diseases or illnesses that are emblematic of chronic liver diseases.

Some cats have natural allergies to products such as dairy and gluten, much like humans and feeding your cat these might make them sick.

When switching to a new food you should read all the ingredients indicated.

Moreover, you should only introduce small amounts of any new food to your cat’s diet and monitor their reaction before fully switching to the new food.

You might be surprised to hear that your Maine Coon Cat will be harmed by normal human food such as chocolate and alcohol among other foods that would make them sick.

In any event, a cat with a small problem will feel ‘down’ for a while and be a little lethargic. Sometimes though, a cat will vomit to get rid of the problem.

A Vomiting Maine Coon – When To Worry

When your cat starts vomiting, you might feel helpless as you cannot communicate with them, but you try to find out the cause of the issue.

Sometimes there’s indications of what is about to happen.

Along the evolutionary cycle, cats have learned that if they eat grass then they will induce vomiting. All cats do not possess the necessary enzymes in the stomach to digest the grass.

This will MAKE them ‘throw up’.

In doing so, the Maine Coon will clear its stomach of the offending irritant. Whether it’s fur, parasites, or rotten food.

Some common cause of vomiting in Maine Coon Cats include:

• Ingesting of hairballs that could cause internal blockage making your cat vomit. Other signs of hairball ingestion include loss of appetite constipation and diarrhea.
• They are switching to new food which your cat is not used to. Think what happens when a vegan tries meat again after years without. A whole new set of foods are reintroduced that the body may react badly to at first. This can be the effect with a diet change.
• Eating quickly making your cat regurgitates, thus vomiting
• Eating non-food items that could interfere with their digestion system making your cat vomit.
• Overfeeding your cat – if you leave too much food in the bowl it may eat too much, and this could make them to throw-up
• Diets which are of poor quality might make your cat sick, especially those which contain empty calories and low-quality ingredients.
• Parasites, ingesting poison, foreign bodies, reaction to medication and viral infections.
• Chronic vomiting could be a sign of serious health problems such as gastritis, heartworm infection, and liver failure, pancreatic among other serious health issues.

It’s normal for your cat to eat grass on an occasional basis, vets say.

If a cat eats a little grass, it might help it to get rid of the hair it could have swollen accidentally.

Your cat should not, however, consume too much grass or eat chemicals in grass such as pesticides.

Moreover, you should be careful with other household plants that can be poisonous to cats and could make them vomit.

You should research the plants that could harm your cat before planting a garden..

All vomiting should not make you call a vet,however some symptoms are more serious and indicate that your cat might be in serious danger.

The following signs or combination of the signs should make you call your vet immediately.

• If your cat vomits blood
• Cats can show that they are pain and if you can sense that your Maine Coon Cat is in pain call the doctor immediately. Purring can be pain related as well.
• If your cat’s gums turn yellow or pale
• If they consume something poisonous, do not hesitate to call your vet.
• If they are trying to vomit and they cannot
• A swollen abdomen is a sign of danger
• Cat fever is an indication of something serious which needs the attention of the vet.

Treating a cat that is vomiting involves limited feeding for more than 24 hours while ensuring that they drink water so that they stay hydrated.

You should, however, re-introduce the food slowly to avoid triggering vomiting once again. Vomiting is normal for cats.

However, if the condition does not stop with home remedies, it could be a bacterial or viral infection which needs the attention of a vet.

Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach and Vomiting

Although vomiting is common in cats, owners should take caution when dealing with the condition as it could also be a sign of a complex condition.

Domesticated cats tend to have very sensitive stomachs, unlike wild cats.

Picking a diet plan that works for your cat could help it with stomach upsets and avoid foods that contains high amounts of soy, seafood, grains, and dairy products as these trigger vomiting in cats.

As a rule, it might be wise to think about liquid style foods like purees and Purina Felix Fun sauces.

Among the following are top picks most Maine Coon owners swear by as the best cat food for sensitive stomachs, according to their experience with the food.

Purina One Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dry Cat Food: Most Maine Coon owners, say that this food worked well with their cat.

It contains antioxidants and is packed with highly digestible ingredients that will work even for older cats.

Real turkey is the number one ingredient making the food one of the diets rich in real protein for your cat.

The food contains approximately 34% proteins which are good for skin and stomachs, and it is cheaper than ordinary food brands.

Hound & Gatos Grain-Free Cat Food: This brand contains a minimum of 10% protein and has a high moisture content as it’s wet food.

The food contains real chicken as the first ingredient, with all the minerals and nutrients required for your cat. It is free of soy, grains and other filler elements.

The high moisture content will help your cat if it does not like drinking water making it a good option for a vomiting cat

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Gastrointestinal: This food brand has high amounts of energy and is great for cats that are losing weight due to vomiting.

It is easy to digest making it the best for ill Maine Coon cats.

The food is filled with essential omega-3, and fatty acids obtain from real animal proteins

Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Grain-Free Cat Food: This food is made to human standards and is most favored among cat owners.

It contains a high percentage of proteins along with a high calorie count.

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach and Skin Chicken: Scientists and nutritionists are instrumental in the production of this cat food. It does not contain any artificial preservatives or color additives.

It is made of rice and eggs, and it contains omega, fatty acids, and oxidants for your ill Maine Coon Cat.

The food is well balanced to boost the immunity and is made of high-quality ingredients

Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Gravy: This food brand is a well-adjusted formula for cats that have nutritional sensitivities.

The food is promoted as having ‘high digestibility’ in cats and supports a sensitive digestive system.

Additionally, the food promotes healthy urinary systems preventing kidney stones in adult Maine Coon cats.

As you deal with sensitive digestion, your cat will benefit from essential acids that promote overall health.

BLUE Sensitive Stomach Chicken: This food brand is formulated to support the wellness of your Maine Coon Cat.

It features natural ingredients that work well for cats with sensitivities, this includes high-protein deboned chicken and whole grains and vegetables and is void of food by-products that trigger stomach sensitivity in cats.

Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Loaf: This is a canned food that is made with the belief that every cat is unique and thus this product is suitable for Maine Coon Cats with sensitivities.

This food reduces sensitivities and promotes digestion in Maine Coon Cats.

Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive: This diet provides your Maine Coon Cat precisely with balanced nutrition for sensitive digestive systems and helps improve their coat.

The food contains vitamin E and other nutrients that promote a healthy glowing coat and clinically proven antioxidants for overall health.

Maine Coon Food For Older Cats With Sensitive Stomachs

It is prudent to feed older cats with specific food appropriate for their age since their energy requirements differ slightly.

Senior cat food contains antioxidants and essential fatty acids and vitamins to keep your cat in good health.

Food sensitivity is another issue altogether in this stage of life.

Choosing the right food is essential in keeping your sensitive cat’s health checked.

There seems to be two brands of food that are marketed specifically for older cats with sensitive digestive systems.

Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food: This dietary plan provides a focus on adults cats and is made with real turkey. The food is a highly digestible formula which works for older cats.

It helps to soothe stomach sensitivities.

The protein content is a bit higher than normal food.

It has essential vitamins and fatty acids that promote ideal eating abilities for older cats.

It has zero fillers, and is promoted as boosting the immune system to aid recovery.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet: The food is an exclusive wet food for adult cats that have digestive problems.

The food according to cat experts promotes digestive health and improves the quality of stools for your older cat.

It is packed with very digestible proteins and prebiotics with a high-calorie content. It is blended with soluble and insoluble fiber which is good for the digestion.

Prebiotics are kind on the gut of your older cat which could be slowing down the fighting of the illness.

Moreover, the food is filled with omega-3 and other oils that help nourish your aging Maine Coon Cat.

When transitioning a Maine Coon to a new diet it is recommended to ease the food into the diet rather than a sudden change.

I’ve heard several people recommend a 7-10 day transition. This length of time for a change avoids further stomach upsets.

Conclusion

You should try not worry when your Maine Coon Cat gets sick, since like any other cat it is prone to the odd illness and stomach problems.

The causes of stomach upsets range from eating too much, eating non-food items hairballs, or even eating wild food.

When this happens try to ensure that your cat is well hydrated to avoid them losing too much water if they vomit.

When your cat shows signs of serious illness, you should call your vet immediately to avoid putting your feline friend in danger.

Caring for cats who are experiencing stomach upsets and those with sensitive digestive systems involves feeding them a special diet which combats the problem.

Trying a process of elimination and trying a few foods that are designed for ease on the stomach may prove to be effective at combating your cat being ill.

Hopefully it’s a short term bug and your Maine Coon will return to full health as soon as possible.