
MAINE COON
Common names: Coon Cat, Maine Cat, Maine Shag
VITAL STATS
Maine, United States
Life span: 9-15 years
Weight: 9-18 pounds
Height: 30-40 inches
FEATURES
Coat characteristic: Straight
Coat color: White, Black, Blue, Red, Cream, Brown, Silver, Tortoiseshell, Bluecream, and Golden
Eye color: Copper, Green, Gold, and Odd-eyed
BREED CHARACTERISTICS
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Known for being the largest domestic cat breed, Maine Coon is a big lug with heavy bones and muscles. In reality, they are not as big as breeders try to make us think. They have their standard, 11-18 pounds for males, and 9-11 pounds for females. So any Maine Coon that reaches a weight of 30 pounds is grossly overweight. But these kitties are more than their sizes, they’re affectionate and adaptable. Maine Coons are the “gentle giants” of the cat world and they possess above-average intelligence, making them relatively easy to train. Though these cats are loyal to their family, Maine Coons are independent and not clingy to their owners; they are not known for being a “lap cat”, but their gentle disposition makes the breed relaxed around dogs, other cats, and children. Aside from their nonchalant side, they’ve kept their hunting instincts, just in case you need a good mouser.
Maine Coons have several physical adaptations for survival in harsh winter climates. The coat of this breed is heavy and shaggy but its texture is silky and it drapes longer on the stomach and behind the legs but is shorter over the shoulders. A Maine Coon has substantial, medium-length legs and large, round paws, well tufted with fur, to serve as “snowshoes” during winter. Its tail is long, tapering, and heavily furred, almost resembling a raccoon’s tail. The brown tabby pattern is so common in this breed that many people don’t know Maine Coons can come in any other colors or patterns. The Maine Coon’s coat needs daily attention. She should be brushed to make certain that her fur does not tangle, and she should be combed to smooth her coat. Usually, this grooming is easy to do if she is trained at a young age. If you can handle a whole lot of cats, this kitty might be a perfect addition to your family.
Maine Coons are healthy and hardy breed, but they are still some hereditary health issues that can be of concern, especially if you aren’t cautious about who you buy from. One of the unique health problems that this breed may encounter is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is usually common in large animals. Other health issues may include Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The risks may be worsened by obesity. Keeping a Maine Coon at an appropriate weight is one of the easiest ways to prevent health disorders. Make the most preventive abilities to ensure a healthier and happier cat.
Despite the length and shagginess of the Maine Coon’s coat, it has a silky texture that doesn’t mat easily. It needs weekly combing to remove dead hairs and spread the hair oil. Trim the nails as needed, usually every 10 days to 14 days. Wipe the corner of the eyes with a soft, damp towel, and check the ears weekly. If the ear is dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a mixture of cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the interior of the ear. Cats can also be prone to periodontal disease, so brush the teeth with vet-approved pet toothpaste and schedule regular veterinary dental cleanings.
There are actually several cat breeds that can be easily trained and housebreak and one of them is the Maine Coon cat. The Maine Coon one of the most intelligent breeds of cats therefore they are fast learners and they tend to be creatures of habit, which make them respond well to reward-based and clicker training. But although they are fast learners, training them still requires time and a lot of patience because cats especially kittens have notoriously short attention spans. Cat training is all about repetition and rewards. Any negative reinforcement would not work; it can only frighten the cat thus making them too aggressive or the bonding would get affected. When training them, you must be gentle but also firm with your pet cat.
Every pet needs some form of physical activity. Carrying out certain activities would help in maintaining the ideal body weight and at the same time, their muscles and bones become strong. But unlike dogs, cats only need a minimal amount of physical activities. It is recommended to scheduling playtime once or twice daily, with about 15 minutes per session. Other cat health and behavior experts offer similar recommendations, with the total amount of playtime ranging from 20 to 60 minutes daily.
For adult cats, dry meals should be composed of minimum protein content 26 to 40 percent, while kittens should be fed a food with a minimum protein content of 30 to 45 percent plus different percentages of fiber, vitamins and omega-3 and 6. If you feed your Maine Coon a high-quality food, you would have to feed the average weight Maine Coon (13lbs) between 55g and 70g of dry food per day if they only eat dry food, and about 50g of kibble if they eat a mixed diet. However, the quantity of food depends on its size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Don’t forget to regularly provide clean and fresh water as it is crucial for your Maine Coon cat’s diet and health.
- You probably know that most cats simply hate water. Maine Coon cats, however, love water. There are a lot of Maine Coon cats that enjoy swimming and if they don´t swim they at least play with their water bowl.
- In 2010, the Guinness World Records accepted a male purebred Maine Coon named “Stewie” as the “Longest Cat”, measuring 48.5 inches from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. Stewie died last February 4, 2013, from cancer at his home in Reno, Nevada, at age 8. As of 2015 the living record-holder for “Longest Cat” is “Ludo”, measuring 3 ft and 10.59 inches. He lives in Wakefield, UK. In May 2018 the Maine Coon “Barivel” measured 3 ft 11.2 in, making him the current holder of the Guinness World Records.
- The Maine Coon cat is considered the only longhair breed native to the United States. Originally they were outdoor cats, and later became working breed who kept barns, ships, and homes clear of rodents.
- If you’ve watched the movies based on J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books you’ll have noticed several cat actors stealing the limelight. One of these is a certain infamous is a tabby Maine Coon, Mrs. Norris, the beloved cat of Mr. Filch, the caretaker at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.