If you’re thinking about the Maine Coon cat breed, then you probably know how adorable they are. These longhaired, heavily boned breeds of cats are a fantastic addition to families, given the number of positives associated with having them as homes or house pet(s). Maine Coon cats are naturally amiable despite their size (it’s infrequent to find an aggressive Maine Coon cat). They are very good with kids, get very attached to their owners, and are very independent, meaning they won’t get on your nerves.
To help shed more light on this beautiful breed of long-haired cats, we’ve put together this detailed Maine Coon cat breed guide, and it’s our hope, you’ll be able to learn a lot about this particular breed of cats through it. Maine Coon cats are regarded as one of the largest breeds of domestic cats. They can create a positive environment for you with their affection and love.
Temperament
By merely looking at a Maine Coon cat, you might be tempted to assume that it’s very aggressive given its vast size. But on the contrary, Maine Coon cats are amicable. They are as big in personality as they are in scope. They are incredibly goofy and very affectionate. Like dogs, Maine Coon cats prefer or love being very close to their owner or the family caring for them. Other traits Maine Coon cats boast that is sought of similar to dogs include being able to play fetch and solve puzzles.
They are also very obedient (they’ll come to you when you call them), and they like greeting guests when they come to your home (kind of like dogs do). They also adapt quickly to just about any environment as long as it has a decent amount of exercise room where they can flex their muscles. Keep in mind that they can be noisy, especially when they are playing or running around, given their vast size.
Characteristics
A Maine Coon cat’s physical appearance is very distinct. Nicknamed the “gentle giant” in the U.S, Maine Coon cats have a prominent ruff along their chest and a very robust bone structure. It is heavily boned for a domestic-cat. Other notable features include an uneven two-layer coat, a long bushy tail, and a rectangular body shape. Its two-layer coat is over a heavy silky satin undercoat that’s shaggy and drapes longer on its stomach as well as behind its legs. In terms of which gender is more significant, a male Maine Coon Cat is enormous compared to a female Maine Coon cat.
Lifespan
Maine Coon cats are generally very hardy and healthy, and as such, they usually have a lifespan of 13 years. However, some data has shown some Maine Coon cats living up to 15 or 16 years.
Colors
Maine Coon cats are known to come in various colors, with the common one being brown tabby. Other colors that Maine Coon cats come in include white, crème, blue, and black. Other Maine Coon cats come with part-colors like white and tortoiseshell or white and black.
Shedding
Like any other pet animal or cat, Maine Coon cats shed hair. Unlike other breeds, however, it does tend to shed at different rates depending on several factors. This means that you might get one that does not shed as much or one that does. One factor that affects how a Maine Coon cat sheds are age. If you own a small Maine Coon then chances are it will have a high rate of shedding. A Maine Coon cat that’s slightly older will shed less. The time of the year also plays a role in how much a Maine Coon will shed. Regular grooming of Maine Coon cats helps in reducing the rate or amount of hair they shed.
Health
A big concern with Maine Coon cats is health. They are predisposed to many health conditions that might prove fatal in the long run. These health conditions include hip dysplasia, polycystic kidney disease, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Obesity is also a health concern with some Maine Coon cats. They tend to become overweight, especially so if an owner doesn’t monitor weight and food intake.
- Hip Dysplasia: If you happen to have a pet dog, then chances are you’ve heard about hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is one of those health conditions that affect both cats and dogs, whether domesticated or not, and Maine Coon cats are no exception. Maine Coon cats with hip dysplasia usually have an abnormal hip joint. This unusual hip joint, with time, results in them having a joint that’s not stable. Instability of the joints usually results in the development of osteoarthritis. Simply put, Maine Coon cats with hip dysplasia have osteoarthritis. Signs that your cat has osteoarthritis are usually very subtle, and they include sleep, tiredness, and reduced activity (this consists of the lack of not wanting to jump very high when picked or touched). With some Maine Coon cats grooming themselves less might indicate that they have osteoarthritis. It is always advised to visit your veterinarian once you notice such behavior, especially so given that osteoarthritis symptoms are easily manageable using a combination of medicines.
- Polycystic Kidney Disease: Polycystic Kidney Disease or PKD is a kidney disease. This is a condition where cysts form in your cat’s kidney, thus interfering with how it is supposed to function or work. Like Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, PKD has some genetic linkage to it. Hence the need to ask whether or not the parents of a Maine Coon cat want to buy have been screened for PKD and its result. Despite PKD being genetic, it is good to point out that polycystic Kidney Disease severity levels.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: This is a condition where the muscular walls of a Maine Coon’s heart thicken excessively, thus reducing the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. This condition, if not looked into or cared for, can result in heart failure. This is why it is important to point it out during its early stages. Like many other diseases, it is tough to pick up Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) signs during its early stages, thus requiring regular trips to the veterinarian’s office for health check-ups. When it has progressed, common symptoms that your Maine Coon cat has Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) include loss of appetite and rapid breathing. Worth noting, despite its profound impact, the cause of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) among Maine Coon cats is not exact. Research, however, has shown that genetics play a significant role in whether a Maine Coon cat will have it or not.
Nutrition
It is essential to pay attention to a Maine Coon cat’s nutrition, given that they tend to be obese and prone to some health problems. Food or nutrition with moderate calorie levels and those geared towards building a healthy heart and joint are highly recommended. Increasing a Maine Coon cat’s water intake is also very important when talking about nutrition. This helps ensure adequate hydration and, most importantly, helps support a Maine Coon cat’s urinary tract health. Increasing a Maine Coon cat water intake can be achieved by feeding them wet food meals alongside dry kibble.
History
Many believe that Maine Coon cats were introduced into the country by seamen or Norsemen sailing into New England. It is thought that when they touched land, the cats they had on board (long-haired cats) cross-breed with local short-haired breeds, thus resulting in Maine Coon cats. Although not absolute or proven, there is some basis for this, especially by looking at the Norwegian Forest Cat, which bears a striking resemblance to the Maine Coon cat and regularly travels with Norsemen.
In terms of countrywide recognition as ideal cats to have as pets, Maine Coon cats got credit back in 1895 in New York when a Maine Coon cat named Leo received an award for the best cat to own. Interestingly, this tabby Maine Coon Cat, Leo, retained this title till 1900 when his son defeated it for the title.
Facts
There are several relaxed and fun facts about Maine Coon cats, and they include:
- The name originated from Maine.
- A Maine Coon cat takes between 4 to 5 years for it to be fully grown.
- Because of their size and temperament or nature, they are nicknamed “Gentle-Giants.”
- They can swim (this is another trait that Maine Coon cats share with dogs)
- Maine Coon cats have a coat that’s perfectly suited to deal with the cold winters in New England.
Grooming
Grooming a Maine Coon cat is not as demanding or time-consuming as it might appear, given their long, dense fur. This is mainly because they tend to groom themselves a lot. It is ideal, however, to ensure that they are brushed at least once per week. With grooming Maine Coon cats, it is important to remember or do two things – always start grooming it from early-stage (this way, it’ll get used to this while growing up) and always use a bristle brush given that it will cause any damages.
Price
How much you’ll pay for a Maine Coon cat depends on its size and age. If you are looking at getting a Maine Coon cat’s kitten, you should expect to pay between $1,500 and $4,000. Still, it is worth noting how much it will cost to feed or maintain a Maine Coon cat on price. Given their size, the total yearly cost for feeding a Maine Coon cat is $200, which’s roughly $17 per month. Taking a Maine Coon cat to be groomed will cost you $320 for quarterly bathing, brushing, and nail clipping. In addition to purchasing between $1,500 and $4,000, you should be looking at spending between $900 and $1,000 yearly just on maintenance as well as food for your Maine Coon cat.
Conclusion For Maine Coon Cat Breed
Maine Coon cats are generally an ideal addition to any family or home for those living alone. If you are looking for a cat pet to add to your family, then we highly recommend that you go for Maine Coon cats. They cannot be compared to other house cats. Unlike other house cats with certain notable traits that are ideal, Maine Coon cats have them all. They have a lovely personality. Their temperament is a perfect indicator that they’ll get along just fine with everyone in your family (that’s if you are getting one to add to your family).
To learn more about the Maine Coon, you can watch “Maine Coon Cat 101 – Watch This Before Getting One” from Facts about Cats down below:
