The Maine Coon is one of the largest domesticated breeds in the world. Some people believe that the Maine coon breed was taken to North America by seafarers because of its excellent ability to adapt to climate conditions. They are often used as ship’s cats due to their intelligence and temperament.
This domestic cat has many unique features typical only for his breed. In this article, you will find both basic information about the Maine Coon cat breed and some interesting facts that will help you understand the peculiarities of their behavior.
| Maine Coon Cat Breed | |
|---|---|
|
Height |
10 - 16 inches ( 25 - 40 cm) |
|
Weight |
10 - 27 pounds (4.5 - 12 kg) |
|
Life span |
10 - 15 years |
|
Temperament |
Sociable, affectionate |
|
Intelligence |
High |
|
Playfulness |
High |
|
Activity level |
Active |
|
Coat length
|
Long |
|
Origin |
Maine, United States |
|
Breed standards |
History of Maine Coon
The Maine Coon has been around since ancient times when it was taken to North America by seafarers who valued its ability to adapt well to any climate or conditions. Their intelligence and gentle temperament made them popular as ship’s cats, and they were prized possessions of the sailors.
Today this breed is one of the most popular in North America and worldwide. Maine Coons are loved for their beautiful coat with many colors and patterns, large size making them look like gentle giants, playful nature, desire to be with people, intelligent mind that lets them love their owners back.
Maine Coon Cats Breed Info
Maine Coon cats are a long-haired breed of cat. They have been depicted as Maine’s state cat. They are also recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and the The International Cat Association
(TICA).
The Maine Coon is a breed of domestic cat known for its large body and dense fur. It is the oldest natural breed in America, specifically named after the US state of Maine.
The Appearance Of Maine Coon
Maine Coon is a very large cat with a sturdy body and rectangular appearance. Males weigh up to 27 lb (12,5 kg) while females weigh 19 lb (8,5 kg). They have long and thick fur like any other Maine Coon breed, making their appearance unique.
A sturdy body and rectangular appearance are usual for this breed due to the influence of the Siamese. They have a long and thick fur which is often used for creating various clothing or accessories. If you wish to have such an accessory, there is a high chance that you will find it in your local pet shop.
Their fur is almost water-resistant and protects them from cold winter; it has the same color on both sides of the body, which helps this breed to easily camouflage in snowy forests. This is especially important for kittens, which cannot maintain their own body temperature until they grow up and develop longer fur.
Maine Coon Temperament
This is a very intelligent, active, and social feline breed. Maine Coon cats like playing games and spend much time grooming themselves and other cats (they often groom their owners).
This breed can be easily trained to use a litter box; they are also quick learners and can be taught all kinds of tricks. They are very patient with children but do not like being held in arms for a long time.
Maine Coons tend to become attached to their owners and follow them everywhere they go; that is why they do better in homes where at least one person stays permanently. This cat breed likes spending time with family members and can become very attached.
The only drawback of this breed is that they often go into heat more frequently than other breeds, which makes male Maine Coons spray their territory.
If you want a cat who will be interested in playing games with you – Maine Coon is for you! They are patient, gentle, and very intelligent cats who are easy to train.
Are Maine coon cats good pets?
This is a very kind and gentle breed that can be easily trained. They love spending time with children but do not like to be held in arms for long periods.
Main coon cats are very intelligent and active; they require much physical activity and attention from their owners. Suppose you are busy or even on vacation. In that case, Maine Coon might get bored and start misbehaving by enjoying breaking your furniture…
These cats are very affectionate and attach to their owners very much; they like following them everywhere (which is not always convenient).
Are Maine coon cats friendly?
Since they are very social, Maine Coon cats get on well with people and other pets. They do not show any aggression towards strangers or children; however, watching them carefully around small pets is recommended.
Maine coon cat breed does not like being left alone for long periods (for example, during working hours). It can develop behavioral problems like becoming over-dependent.
Do Maine coons get along with children?
Maine Coons love children, and if you raise a kitten together from an early age, it gets used to them easily. However, because this breed loves to jump and play, leaving a small child alone with them is not recommended.
Health
Breed’s health issues Maine Coon is a healthy breed with no major health problems. Still, some hereditary diseases may appear in this breed, so you should be aware of them before deciding to get a kitten. These are hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM (a disease of the heart) and hip dysplasia (poor bone structure).
Hip dysplasia is a painful condition because it affects a cat’s ability to move normally. There are some treatments available, so if your pet begins to have problems with its movement, you should take it to the vet as soon as possible. To prevent hip dysplasia, you should avoid overfeeding your pet.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, leading to thickening of the left ventricle walls, resulting in increased pressure in this chamber. Maine Coons are one of the breeds predisposed to HCM because a gene causes this disease to appear in their breed.
There is no cure for HCM, but genetic testing allows you to know whether your pet is predisposed to this condition; it will cost less money if it isn’t.
How big does a Maine Coon cat grow?
This breed may vary in size and weight, depending on the parents’ physical traits. Males usually grow to 16-20 pounds, while females tend to be smaller – 8-12 pounds.
Maine coons live on an average of 12-15 years (but some may live even longer).
How long do Maine Coon cats live?
This breed can live up to 15 years; however, most Maine coon cats live 10-15 years.
Living Needs
What is a Maine Coon’s home like? To make your pet feel the most comfortable, it should have indoor and outdoor activities. This breed likes spending time outdoors as well as indoors with its owners.
If you plan to keep your feline friend outdoor, ensure there are no predators outside before letting it out of your home. Maine Coons are a very friendly and social breed, so they don’t like being alone for a long time.
If you keep your pet indoors only, it is important to take care of its mental and physical needs by providing plenty of toys and other entertainment objects like cat trees and scratching posts. Suppose you do not provide a feline friend with enough activities. In that case, it can become very restless and start to scratch your furniture.
How to play with Maine Coon Cat?
Maine coon like games like ball rolling, teaser mouth, and doing all kinds of activities with their owners, so if you have a kitten, this is the right time to teach it some new tricks!
These cats are very intelligent and patient, so they will easily learn everything you teach them. You can start teaching them from an early age, for instance, how to fetch or play dead; they will surely get good at it (probably better than you)!
You can also teach your pet to become a “watch cat,” like making him stand on the chair and watch the street through the window. This breed is very active and curious; they will love exploring new things with you.
How to care for Maine Coon Cats?
If you wish to have a beautiful and healthy cat, there are some precautions you should take. Maine Coons require daily brushing; this will help them maintain beautiful and healthy fur.
Your cat’s claws may grow rapidly, which can be dangerous for them (especially for indoor cats) because it can cause their paws to bleed after scratching furniture or carpets. You can easily prevent that by providing your pet with scratching posts; it will also help their claws to stay sharp.
Also, you must regularly bathe them (Maine coon loves water) because their beautiful fur can easily get dirty. All veterinary procedures your pet requires (vaccinations, deworming, etc.) should be taken seriously.
If you give them love and care, they will surely give it back! This is one of the most affectionate breeds; they are very loyal to their owners and don’t like staying alone for a long time.
What do Maine coon cats eat?
Maine Coons are usually not very picky for food, so you can serve them with their regular diet.
However, this is one of the most active breeds; to keep them fit and healthy, you should provide high-quality protein diets (otherwise, they will get overweight) and limit their carbohydrates intake.
Their diet must contain a high amount of animal protein (about 50%) and seafood (salmon, tuna, etc.) fat.
You should always consult with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet. For example, if your cat is very active, it needs more proteins; in this case, you can give it cooked meat instead of dry food.
Maine coons are usually very eager to eat, so you don’t have to worry too much about obesity. However, your pet mustn’t get overweight because this can lead to HCM.
Similar Breeds To Maine Coon Cats
There are similar breeds to Maine coon cats, such as Norwegian Forest Cat and Ragdoll. Although they have different origins, these cat breeds look alike because of their physical characteristics. They all have blue eyes, big bodies with broad chests, and large paws.
Maine Coon Cost
A Maine Coon cat can cost anywhere between $800 and $2000. The price of a kitten depends on the breeder’s location, the age of the kitten, and the rarity of the breed. Maine Coons have been known for being quite expensive.
In some cases, you can find Maine Coons offered for free or at a very low cost. Still, these cats are usually not healthy and have several genetic disorders.
If you can’t afford to buy one, you might be able to find a Maine Coon in an animal shelter or rescue group for free or at a very low cost.
Rescue Groups
Maine coon cats are one of the most popular cat breeds, so they can easily be found in shelters or rescue groups. If you wish to save a pet from such an organization, make sure you visit them several times and get to know the animals that live there.
Maine Coon Adoptions
If you wish to adopt a pet from a rescue group, these links can help you find your perfect match!
Frequently Asked Questions About Maine Coon Breed
Are maine coon hypoallergenic?
No, every cat breed has its own unique coat, triggering allergies in sensitive individuals. You should also avoid Maine Coons if you suffer from asthma because the fur of this cat breed is not very helpful for those with respiratory problems.
Another reason why it doesn’t make sense to adopt a Maine Coon as a first pet: it takes time to teach young cats or kittens what is allowed and what isn’t. Maine Coons are very curious, so they might want to check things around the house more than once.
Are Maine Coon cats aggressive?
No, Maine Coons are very affectionate cats; however, you should always pay attention to the signals they send you. They might act calm and relaxed, but this doesn’t mean anything.
This breed is very intelligent and has quick reflexes (when it comes to hunting); if your cat feels threatened, it can attack without any warning.
Are Maine coon cats good with dogs?
Maine Coons can get along with dogs very well, but adding a puppy in the household without proper training (and rules) might cause some problems.
Maine Coons are usually dominant, so if you want your dogs and cats to get along, they need to learn to respect each other’s needs.
Can Maine coon cats have short hair?
No, Maine Coons are breeds with long fur; however, there is a shorthair variant that people sometimes bred.
Can Maine coon cats be black?
Maine Coons have several fur colors, including black, brown, and grey.
10 things you didn't know about Maine Coons
Maine coon cats are known to be gentle giants, but not many people know that they have a lot of incredible features. If you want to learn more about this amazing cat breed, make sure you check out these interesting facts!
- Maine Coons were recognized as a breed in 1964 by the Cat Fanciers Association.
- This breed of cat is the official Maine State Cat.
- A group of these cats has its own name: a clowder or an unkindness.
- Maine Coon cat’s fur doesn’t mat easily because it’s designed to protect them from harsh Northeast winters and rainy weather. That’s also why you shouldn’t bathe your cat too often.
- Maine Coons have a very gentle and patient temperament, which is perfect if you have small children around the house.
- Maine Coons are known as clowns because they love to entertain humans with cute antics. They can be seen looking out of windows looking for birds, but they would never catch them.
- Adult Maine Coons have what is called a “break” at the end of their tail, which means that it has an indentation in the final vertebrae for better grip when they’re climbing trees.
- Maine Coons are very intelligent and social; they can learn to fetch and use a litter box with no problems.
- Maine Coons are the most common cat breeds in the United States.
- Male Maine Coons are usually larger than female ones or have a more muscular body. Females weigh between 10-15 pounds, while males can reach 20 pounds on average.
Conclusion
Maine Coons are known for their gentle, patient temperament and intelligence. They can be trained to use a litter box or fetch items easily, making them the perfect house pet for families. The Maine Coon cat breed is also very popular in America, so it’s no surprise that they have many unique features which make them great pets!
