Feline Vitality: The 7 Must-Have Supplements for Maine Coons

Your Maine Coon may be looking under the weather, or they are getting older, and their activity levels may be changing. You may wonder if a supplement could restore their zest for life and improve their condition—but which one do you choose?

First, you should consult with your local vet to advise you on which supplements best suit your Maine Coon’s body condition and life stage. Although vitamins, irons, and minerals may be good in moderation, they may cause your cat harm if fed in excess. Look for a reputable brand that carries the NASAC stamp.

There are multiple options of supplements available for an endless array of conditions and health issues to suit your Maine Coon. Once you are confident of your cat’s requirements, we are here to guide you on our top 7 Best Maine Coon supplements. Let’s dive in!

A Quick Look at Our 7 Top Picks

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The 7 Best Maine Coon Supplements Explored

1. Best for Multivitamin: VetriScience NuCat Multi-Vitamin

Specifications

Condition Treatment	Multivitamin
Ingredients	Vitamin A, C, E, Fish oil with EPAs and DHA, linoleic acids, and arginine. Also, biotin, zinc, taurine, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium
Comes in	Chewable tablets
How to administer	Feed as a chewable tablet
Flavor	Fish

VetriScience has impressive credentials and has offered quality pet supplements for over 40 years. This US-based company follows strict manufacturing protocols in its Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certified and FDA-registered facility. A veterinary review board vets all VetScience products for added quality control.

This VetriScience NuCat Multi-Vitamin contains 25 health-boosting vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids often missing from commercial cat food to ensure your cat thrives on all bases. The NuCat is appropriate for all life stages and breeds.

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2. Best for Digestive Health:  Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora

Specifications

Condition Treatment	Digestive upset
Ingredients	Enterococcus faecium SF6 and Vitamin C, E, and taurine
Comes in	Powder sachets
How to administer	Mix the powder in wet food
Flavor	Natural/chicken

If your Maine Coon suffers stress, it often affects their tummies with decreased appetite, diarrhea, and improper elimination outside of the litter area. Whether you leave for a holiday, move house, or even introduce a new pet, your Maine Coon may suffer anxiety about the change in routine.

The Purina FortiFlora contains the highly effective lactic acid bacteria Enterococcus faecium SF6 and Vitamin C, E, and taurine for extra immunity and gut health. The product is an easy-to-administer powder with a tasty liver flavor so your kitty won’t turn up their nose. The product also suits both kittens and adult kitties.

Purina FortiFlora is an excellent solution to an upset tummy and will quickly replace all the good microbes in their gut so that they can recover soon. Purina has gone to great lengths to provide a safe and highly effective probiotic supplement by conducting peer-reviewed scientific studies of the product’s efficacy in cats.

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3. Best for Joint Health: Nutramax Cosequin Joint Health Soft Chews

Specifications

Condition Treatment	Joint issues, arthritis
Ingredients	Glucosamine, chondroitin, Omega-3s, Rosemary extract, fish oil
Comes in	Soft Chews
How to administer	Feed as is or crumble in food
Flavor	Natural fish flavor

Cosequin is an established supplement brand that vets most often recommend to their feline patients. Nutramax is a US-based company with a state-of-the-art laboratory and an impressive list of peer-reviewed studies regarding the efficacy of its product.

The Nutramax Cosequin Soft Chews contains glucosamine and chondroitin coupled with manganese, which supports collagen synthesis in the feline cartridge. The product also contains omega-3 fatty acids with anti-inflammatory benefits for the joints that help cats with arthritis and joint conditions.

The chews contain fish oil, which most cats enjoy chewing, but you can crumble them up and hide them in your MC’s wet food if they are fussy eaters.

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4. Best for Immune Health: Imuquin® Immune Health Supplement

Specifications

Targets	Immune System
Ingredients	Beta-glucans, Omega 3, Vitamins, minerals, and iron
Comes in	Powder packs
How to administer	Mix in wet food
Flavor	Chicken

Yet again, Nutramax tops the list with their immune system supplement designed and tested specifically for cats. The Immune Health Supplement contains omega-3 PUFAs, including EPA and DHA, and the Beta-glucans. Beta-glucans are chains of glucose molecules found in brewer’s yeast, which modulate the immune system and support its healthy function.

This product comes in easy-to-use single servings of powder that mixes easily into your Maine Coons food for easy dosage. The powder uses hydrolyzed chicken protein for palatability should your MC be a fussy eater.

The supplement also provides a host of other immune-boosting ingredients, including the following:

• Vitamin A, D3, and E and B12
• Thiamine
• Niacin
• Calcium
• Iron
• Copper
• Zinc
• Riboflavin

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5. Best for Shiny Coats and Healthy Skin: Zesty Paws Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil

Specifications

Targets	Skin and coat
Ingredients	Wild Alaskan Salmon, DHA, EPA, Linoleic acid
Comes in	Plastic bottled oil
How to administer	Pour over food
Flavor	Salmon

Although Zesty Paws is relatively new on the market (since 2015), it has fast become one of the most popular pet supplement brands in the USA. Now a product of the H&H group, the company still manufactures its Salmon Oil in the USA’s FDA-registered NSF and GMP-certified facilities.

This Zesty Paws Salmon Oil is for cats and dogs, and its main ingredient is wild Alaskan Salmon. The salmon oil is rich with the vital omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that keep your MC coat sleek and shiny and their skin healthy.

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6. Best for Stress and Anxiety: Purina Pro Plan Calming Care Liver Flavored Powder

Specifications

Targets	Stress and anxiety
Ingredients	Bifidobacterium longum BL999, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and Vitamin E
Comes in	Powder sachets
How to administer	Sprinkle over food
Flavor	Liver flavor

Purina decided to harness the power of probiotics and their connection with mental health in humans and pets. In the last couple of years, more and more scientific evidence has emerged regarding the connection between anxiety and beneficial probiotics in the gut.

The effects of this Purina Calming Care rely on scientific evidence that gut microbiota can influence the brain via the gut-brain axis and, therefore, influence behaviors such as anxiety in cats.

Purina uses the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum BL999, which researchers have already found substantially reduces anxiety and related behaviors in dogs. Purina calming care can help your cat adjust to new routines, such as moving house or other stressful environmental changes.

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7. Best for Senior: NaturVet VitaPet Senior Daily Vitamins

Specifications

Targets	Age-related feline decline in health
Ingredients	Vitamin A, C, D, E, B2, B3, B6, zinc, manganese, iron, potassium calcium phosphorous, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, glucosamine (shellfish source), inositol
Comes in	Tasty soft chews
How to administer	Feed as chews
Flavor	Salmon, dried shellfish

NaturVet is part of the successful Swedencare brand based in Sweden that specializes in high-quality products for companion animals. The Naturvet range fully complies with cGMP standards and operates in FDA-registered facilities. They also carry the NASC seal for quality assurance.

The NaturVet tasty supplement come in highly palatable soft chews and deliver a comprehensive list of vital vitamins, minerals, and irons to ensure your cat ages gracefully. They also include glucosamine, which is great for hip and joint health—a common health-related issue in MCs.

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3 Reasons to Supplement Your Maine Fluff’s Diet

1. Supplements Enhance Highly Processed Pet Food Products

People believe the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a gold stamp or certified approval that a particular pet food is good. AAFCO does not approve or endorse any pet products but is an independent organization that lays down guidelines for the bare minimum nutrition a feed should contain to be a balanced diet.

When a pet food manufacturer wants to market their food, they will pay a third party to test their food according to the AAFCO guidelines to present the label as follows:

“ XX Cat Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog (or cat) Food Nutrient Profiles for…(species, life stage)

If the company has taken the time and effort to follow the AAFCO trial testing protocols by an independent third party, the label will read the following:

Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that XX Cat Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for…((species, life stage)

These trials are not the most rigorous and only follow the effects of 6 months of animal feeding trials. Nutrient deficiencies not appearing in the allocated trial duration are possible after this period.

AAFCO also controls pet feed, which does not exercise the quality control that human food requires and may contain unsavory ingredients from poor sources. A repeating scandal is the presence of the euthanasia drug phenobarbital in several established pet food brands.

That is why feeding your Maine Coon a “nutritionally balanced and complete” pet food may still leave them lacking in essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

2. Supplements Improve Health and Longevity

Much like in humans, improved nutrition and supplemented vitamins can improve health and thus promote longevity. The same applies to your beloved Maine Coon.

C.J. Cupp and fellow scientists conducted a lifetime study of 90 cats in a secure research facility. The researchers split these cats (7 years old and above) into groups: those fed balanced commercial food and those fed additional supplements for five years. These supplements included:

• Vitamin E
• Β-Carotene
• Blend Of Omega-3 And Omega-6 Fatty Acids

The study showed that the cats fed these supplements lived significantly longer than those fed a balanced commercial food. They also showed vastly improved intestinal health and reduced incidence of disease. Only 14% of the cats regularly receiving supplements fell prey to disease compared to 43% fed a commercial diet.

3. Supplements Can Target Particular Health Issues or Deficiencies

Each Maine Coon is unique, and your gentle giant may be prone to specific ailments. For example, your MC may be prone to skin conditions and benefit from supplements that aid coat and skin health, such as omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid in fish oils such as salmon.

Your MC may have a sensitive tummy and be prone to digestive issues—in that case, prebiotic and probiotic supplements might be the answer. If your MC generally lacks vitality, you could opt for a multivitamin.

The trick is to observe your cat, isolate the areas in their health that could improve, and start from there.

How to Choose the Best Cat Supplements？

The first question you should ask yourself is if your Maine Coon needs a supplement. You may not need to supplement their diet if your MC is bushy-tailed and bright-eyed on their high-quality food.

There may also be some dangers to introducing supplements without a professional prescription, such as calcium and Vitamin D, which can be toxic in large doses. Omega-3s are great but can lead to obesity if used in excess.

Signs That Your Coon Cat May Need Supplements

If your Maine Coon is displaying symptoms of compromised health, or even if they aren’t as lively as they used to be—before you reach for a supplement, speak to a professional.

The pet supplement industry was estimated to be worth USD 2.49 billion in 2023 and is rising. Not every supplement is necessary or high-quality, although the marketing departments will convince you otherwise!

Your vet has information on your Mine Coon’s medical history, exam findings, and a variety of top diagnostic tests to determine if and what supplements are necessary. However, you can be on the lookout for signs of compromised health that may need supplemental care, such as the following:

• Dull coat and skin conditions
• Regular loose stools or diarrhea
• Chronic constipation
• Problems with movement and mobility
• Anxiety and stress behaviors
• Viral disease
• Compromised immunity

Testing/ Consult With a Professional

As mentioned above, you can harm your Maine Coon by giving them supplements without considering the corresponding nutrients and vitamins in their diet. Your local vet can advise which supplements will aid your MC’s medical history, life stage, and body condition.

NASAC Approval

Look for the NASAC stamp on your supplements as a sign of suitability. The National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), a nonprofit organization, was created to regulate animal dietary supplements and ensure pet supplement safety.

With the billion-dollar industry, many unscrupulous manufacturers have jumped on the cat supplement bandwagon and tote elixirs with dubious ingredients.

Seek Reputable Brands With a Proven Track Record

Although there may be many new supplement producers with high-quality products, it’s best to stick with trusted names when it comes to your Maine Coon’s health. Look especially for brands endorsed by professionals in the healthcare industry to ensure the product is tested, functional, and safe.

Supplement manufacturers who take the time and expense to create peer-reviewed publications of their product’s efficacy are also an excellent choice.

6 Types of Supplements for Your Maine Majesty

First, seek professional advice on what your Maine Coon may be lacking or if your MC has a diagnosed condition that may require additional nutrients. Then, you can start looking for a high-quality supplement option. Here are some viable options for common issues in Maine Coon cats.

1. Supplements for Joint Issues

Maine Coons are one of the largest domestic cat breeds in the world, and that title comes with some health issues. Like large breed dogs, Maine Coons are susceptible to genetic diseases such as Feline Hip Dysplasia and other joint problems.

In a study published in Feline Medical Surgery in 2018 conducted on over 2700 Maine Coons, 24.9% of the survey had FHD. With their large bones and predisposition to joint issues, you may consult with your vet about supplements containing the following:

• Glucosamine: This natural chemical in animals and humans protects cartilage cells and aids in repairing damage in cartilage cells.
• Chondroitin:  This molecule occurs naturally in cartilage and absorbs water into the connective tissue to promote cartilage health. Chondroitin also helps block enzymes that break down cartilage.
• Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): MSM is an organosulfur compound that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities that help with joint pain and arthritis
• Green-lipped mussel: A particular species of mussel from New Zealand called Perna canaliculus. This wonder mollusk contains long-chain omega-3 fatty acids DHA and other fatty acids with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are found in certain fish oils that reduce your cat’s inflammatory response and help reduce cartilage degeneration.
• Manganese: This is an essential mineral that promotes bone formation and maintains bone and cartilage in joints.

2. Immune Boosting Supplements

• L-lysine: This ingredient is an amino acid that can help prevent infections and ill health. L-lysine works in protein synthesis and tissue repair. L-lysine also promotes antibody and enzyme production that helps prevent flare-ups from viral infections such as feline HIV and herpes.
• Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is a vital antioxidant that protects enzyme activity and eliminates the free radicals that can lead to disease and ill health.
• Other Antioxidants:  Vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium also protect against free radicals and reduce and prevent damage from oxidation.

3. Supplements for a Shining Coat and Healthy Skin

• Omega-3 fatty acids: Fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) play an essential role in your cat’s health, particularly the skin and coat. They also have anti-inflammatory qualities against conditions that can cause dry, itchy skin and a dull coat.
• Omega-6 fatty acids: The fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid and arachidonic acid, are essential because cats cannot synthesize them themselves, and cats need them to produce other crucial fatty acids.

4. Stress and Anxiety Supplements

With the rising concerns over the effects of stress on cats’ health, many companies have been offering supplements to reduce anxiety. There are several options when it comes to anti-anxiety supplements, including the following.

• Alpha-casozepine: a-casozepine is a bioactive peptide (amino acid string) derived from casein, a cow’s milk protein. The peptide has an anti-anxiety effect and promotes sleep.
• L-tryptophan is an amino acid commonly used with a-casozepine that helps produce serotonin, which regulates mood, helps improve sleep, and can help decrease stress hormones.
• Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA): GABA is a neurotransmitter inhibiting chemical messages in the brain. GABA slows down the brain by blocking specific signals from the nervous system in the brain that help create a calming effect
• Synthetically produced pheromones: Scientists use breakdowns of feline chemical signature scents to mimic natural cat pheromones. Calming pheromones that replicate a mother cat to her kittens or scent released in friendly face rubbing (allorubbing) can have a calming effect on cats under stress.
• B vitamins: B vitamins such as Thiamine (Vitamin B1) and vitamin 6 can create a calming effect by affecting anxiety-related neurotransmitters and reducing the stress hormone cortisol.
• Herbal supplements: Herbal remedies such as valerian root lemon balm and chamomile may help relieve your cat’s stress levels, but unfortunately, there is yet to be firm scientific evidence of their clinical effect.

5. Digestive Supplements for Your Maine Coon

Your Maine Coon’s digestive health is paramount because digestive disorders affect proper nutritional intake and can lead to dehydration, acid-base and electrolyte imbalance, and even malnutrition.

Digestive supplements come in the following forms:

• Probiotics: Probiotics are helpful microbes in our gut from various sources, such as mold, bacteria, and yeast, which serve multiple functions in human and cat health. Probiotics help digestion, modify gut pH, and produce antimicrobial compounds to protect us from bacteria and stimulate your cat’s immune system.
• Prebiotics: Prebiotics are forms of fiber that provide food for our valuable gut microorganisms mentioned above. Prebiotics metabolize and ferment prebiotics to survive, helping your cat’s body in multiple ways, such as improving immunity and anti-inflammatory responses.
• Hairball Control: These supplements include many ingredients, such as lubricant gels, waxes, or oils, that prevent hair clumping in the gastrointestinal tract. The best hairball supplements include Omega fatty acids, biotin, and zinc to promote healthy coats and reduce shedding and hairball ingestion.

6. Senior Maine Coon Supplements

As your Mine coon ages, their activity levels decrease, and their nutritional needs change. Certain supplements help your aging MC with declining cognitive function and age-related mobility issues. These supplements include the following:

• Glucosamine: Glucosamine is an amino sugar that aids with joint problems associated with aging. The body uses glucosamine to make chemicals to build tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
• Antioxidants: Vitamin C, E, and carotenoids like lutein and beta-carotene can help decrease free radicals, leading to compromised health.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: These additions not only help with arthritis and joint issues associated with aging but can also help with your Maine Coon’s decline in cognitive functioning as they age.
• Probiotics and prebiotics: These ingredients can help your MC with digestive issues common in aging cats.

For those curious to unravel additional insights, our website also furnishes a detailed guide on nutrition and supplements tailored for Maine Coon cats. Feel free to explore for a wealth of valuable information.