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The Maine Coon: Cat Breed Profile
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The Maine Coon cat breed is a beautiful natural cat, and one of the most unique felines around. As one of the largest domesticated cats available right now, the Maine Coon cat breed has a large body and a muscular frame, with a slightly rectangular appearance.
Maine Coons are incredibly fluffy cats, with extra long fur that’s shorter around the shoulders. The handsome ruff around the cat’s neck makes it look like a miniature lion, while the huge bushy tail reminds most people of racoons. Maine coons often have tufts of fur around their feet and ears too – adding to their exotic appearance.
In my opinion, this is one of the most ideal pets in the cat world. My Maine coon is a giant baby, brimming with affection and love to give.
A Quick History of the Maine Coon Cat Breed
The history of the Maine Coon cat breed is a bit controversial. Some people still believe that Maine Coons come from a cross-breeding between a racoon and a cat. That’s not really the case. The Maine Coon cat breed resembles Norwegian Forest cats, and most experts believe it appeared in the USA at the same time as the Vikings.
Maine Coons have tufts of fur everywhere, including around their ears and paws. The tufts of fur on the Maine Coon’s paws act like snowshoes, helping them to run through the snow. Though Maine Coons are beautiful, they’re also very robust, capable of managing very low temperatures and extreme conditions.
Although the Maine Coon cat breed won awards for it’s appearance in the 1890s, it lost some of its popularity when the Persian began to take over. In 1976, the CFA finally accepted the submission of the Maine Coon after various denials. In 1985, the Maine Coon earned the title of the official state cat for Maine.
Most Maine Coon cats are brown tabbies, but you can find this feline in a variety of colors. Mine is a bright orange (or red) boy. Maine Coons are also world record breakers. The longest cat in the world was a Maine Coon measuring around 48 and a half inches from the tip of its tail to its nose.
Maine Coon Cat Breed Overview
The most notable feature of the Maine Coon cat breed (besides its size) is it’s amazing personality. These large cats are very loving and affectionate – perfect for snuggling with.
Characteristics / Attitude of the Maine Coon Cat Breed
As mentioned above, the Maine Coon is a delightful cat with a wonderful personality. Many experts describe these cats as “forever kittens”. They seem to never grow out of their playful and adorable nature and are constantly looking for affection.
If you’re looking for a cat that will happily purr next to you on the sofa, then this is the feline for you. However, Maine Coon’s aren’t usually lap cats.
Maine Coon Characteristics & Attitudes
Maine Coon Cat Breed Care
Any kind of long-haired cat requires more care and maintenance than the standard short-hair cat. Maine Coon’s fully-grown can require a lot of work. On average, it will take about 3 or 4 years for your Maine Coon to grow up fully. These cats are easy going and affectionate, with a loyal nature that means they’ll love being near you. However, most Maine Coons won’t sit on your lap.
The amazing Maine Coon cat breed coat does require some regular grooming. Brushing your cat regularly will help to reduce the risk of hairballs. You might also want to consider trimming your Maine Coon’s nails. Some pet owners also brush their Maine Coon’s teeth regularly too.
The Maine Coon cat breed, in general, are extremely intelligent and inquisitive. They want to be a part of everything you do – whether you’re cooking in the kitchen or playing games. To keep your cat occupied, it might be worth investing in some interactive toys. You can train your Maine Coon to play fetch over time and interact with them for hours on end.
Interestingly, The Maine Coon cat breed are not huge climbers like other cat breeds. Although they’ll occasionally explore higher areas, they don’t jump on top of bookshelves as much as other cats. Mine will barely bother to jump on top of a counter if there’s a cosy place to sit on the floor.
Maine Coons do interact well with other animals, including some dogs. They can be reserved around strangers – until they get to know them, but they do well in a cat with children. Just make sure that your child knows not to tug on your Maine Coon’s fur.
Maine Coon’s are in general pretty laid-back, which means that they’re happy to accept all kinds of pets and cuddles. You might even be able to dress your cat up, or train them how to walk with a cat harness and leash outside.
Maine Coon Cat Breed Common Health Issues
The Maine Coon cat breed should receive preventative veterinary treatments and vaccinations just like any cat. While these felines are generally quite healthy, they can be more prone to certain conditions, like feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is an inherited condition that may lead to blood clots and heart failure later in life. If you’re concerned about your cat having any heart conditions, speak to the breeder and find out it’s history in advance.
It’s also worth looking into issues like spinal muscular atrophy. This is an inherited condition that causes weakness and atrophy in the muscles at times. Hip dysplasia, where the hip joints gradually deteriorate over time, is another example of a common problem with the Maine Coons cat breed.
One interesting point is that in New England, many Maine Coon cats have had extra toes. Polydactylism is still a potential factor to consider for a Maine Coon. However, this condition doesn’t seem to have any impact on your kitty’s health.
Recommended Diets for the Maine Coon Cat Breed
The Maine Coon cat breed don’t really need any special diet. You can feed these felines the same food you would give any other cat. However, it’s worth keeping away from any grains or fillers that might add to your Maine Coon’s weight too quickly.
The Maine Coon cat breed takes longer to reach maturity than the average cat. This means that they generally stay on kitten food for longer (up to around 9 months). Make sure that you monitor your cat’s weight carefully with each vet visit and discuss any possible nutritional needs.
I’d recommend getting hairball control treats and hairball food where possible to help reduce the number of issues your long-haired kitty has here.
Maine Coon Cat - Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Some Helpful Facts about the Maine Coon Cat Breed
Maine Coons are adorable balls of fluff with a lot of love to give. They’re always dressed for winter with their super fluffy coats, and they don’t mind water either. They’ll often splash around in bowls and play with water around the house.
One of the most interesting things about the Maine Coon cat breed is it’s meow. Most of the time, Maine Coon won’t meow at all – they chirp and trill instead, which is so endearing. They do occasionally yowl when they want food though. Other facts about Maine Coons include:
Final Thoughts About The Maine Coon Cat Breed
My Maine Coon cat, much like my Savannah, is one of the lights of my life. This adorable feline is truly a delight to have in your home. They’re extremely loving and affectionate – although they don’t mind solitude from time to time. Though large, Maine Coons are gentle giants that are always there to cheer you up when you’re feeling down. You’re sure to fall in love with the sound of your Maine Coon’s sweet chirp.
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