Breed Details
Maine Coons are among the largest domesticated cat , with a luxurious mane and silky cushy fur that you merely ca n’t resist petting . These giant felid are democratic throughout the world , and rightfully so , because of their friendly “ dog - like ” disposal , fun , intelligence and adaptability . A household with a Maine Coon is sure to revel plenty of entertainment and affection from an care - have it away companion .
learn on to hear everything you ask to know about this marvelous African tea breed .
Historyand Origin
The Maine Coon is endemic to the United States , originating from Maine , where it was bring up the prescribed cat of the state of matter . It ’s estimated that around 1850 , recollective - hairy cat from Asia and Europe , get onboard ship to control mice , matte up with local forgetful - hirsute cats to make our modern - daylight Maine Coon .
This majestic computed tomography feature boneheaded fur on her chest , belly , and back , a potent build , and a thicket - similar tail . The animal ’s shaggy-haired ringtail resembles that of a raccoon ’s , total the word “ Coon ” to its name .
There were several myth associated with the stemma of Maine Coon , one which involve the polarizing figure of Marie Antoinette . Legend has it that her six Turkish Angora cats made it onto a ship during a delivery commission . While the queen did n’t make the ship , her pets continued on and reached Maine where they interbred with local cat and create the large Maine Coon .
Some conceive that these strange cats interbred with bobcats , resulting in tumid cats with tufted ear . Another myth revolves around the impossible — mat with racoons . disregardless of how these cats came to be , there is no deny that the end result is a sensational and loving qat that has stolen our heart .
The CFA ( Cat Fanciers ’ Association ) accepted the breed under provisional status in 1975 , and okay it for backing position a twelvemonth afterwards . In 1980 , Maine Coons were import to the United Kingdom and were in full accept into theFederation Internationale Felinein 1982 and theGoverning Council of Cat Fancy(GCCF ) in 1993 .
Maine CoonPhysical Characteristics
Maine Coons are among the large cat strain , third after the Ragdoll and the Norweighian Forest Cat . They show a faithful resemblance to the Norwegian Skogkatt ( Forest Cat ) . The Maine Coon is easy identified by her massive size of it , Leo - like mane , long hair , and bushy tail .
concord to theThe Governing Council of the Cat Fancy , this computerized tomography breed has a rectangular , muscular body and a full chest . An adult male can weigh up to 18 lbf. and be 16 inch tall , and a female person up to 12 pounds and up to 14 inches tall . The Maine Coon size of it does n’t reach its full potential until 3 to 5 year older .
Maine Coons follow in a assortment of colors , from black , ginger , ashen , blue ( hoar ) , and cream and boast satisfying , atomic number 83 - color , smoke , or tabby patterns .
Their thick , water - resistant pelage and dense tail go on them insulate during coarse winter . Their eyes come in colouration of green , copper , and blue and have no carnal knowledge to the color of the coating . Their ears , with their tuft of pointed hairsbreadth , resemble those of a lynx .
What Is theTemperamentof a Maine Coon?
Loyal , docile , and affectionate are words that describe a Maine Coon ’s personality . You are favorable to call this favorable and fuzzy feline a family member . “ Most of the Maine Coon spue that I see in my clinic are very sweet cats , ” say Dr. Sara Ochoa ofWhitehouse Veterinary Hospitalin Texas . “ They are lovesome and loving . These cats can be very bright and firm to their possessor . ”
If you are look for a cat that loves to be around family and does well with kids and favourite , a Maine Coon is your best bet . “ This stock is great with kids and adapts well to a firm with other pets . They love to play with other cats or dogs , ” says Ochoa . Maine Coons , while nifty with utilization and mental enrichment , can also be lazy and sleep all day , she adds .
“ Like all breeds of cats , they can be refractory and want to be independent , ” says Christine Kolenz ofOnly Maine Coons Rescue . “ They are typically bright cats who are big twat balls . ”
Maine CoonCare Guide
ask care of a Maine Coon involves some commitment , especially to maintain their long , luscious tomentum . Plenty of exercise and playtime can help these cats lead enrich lives . one-year and semi - annual veterinary visits assist to key and forbid any genetic wellness issues .
Diet and Nutrition
Pet parents tend to overfeed Maine Coons in an endeavour to get them fluffier . have that these felines take year to reach their full size , it ’s of import to give them nutrient in moderation as they have a propensity to corpulency . Consult with the veterinary surgeon to discuss the veracious dieting for your Maine Coon .
“ Talk to your vet about a well - equilibrise dieting that supports growth of healthy bone structures , and builds a healthy gut for a good immune system subsequently on , ” aver Dr. Lily Chen ofPoint Vicente Animal Hospitalin Rancho Palos Verdes , California .
Exercise and Activity
These New England cats have adapt to thrive in the born surroundings and hence enjoy spend prison term alfresco . A house with a fence backyard or an enclosed catio where they can play is idealistic . If the cat in the main ride out indoors , utilisation and enrichment in the pattern of cancel posts , climb tree , and synergistic toy are need . Kittens , Kolenz say , “ need more time , attention and playtime . ” Recommended playtime ranges from 20 to 40 minutes a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
Both Maine Coon kitty and adults love getting attention from their humans . For their daily need , make indisputable to leave them with a large enough litter box that can fit their fully grown bodies .
Grooming
Maine Coons do n’t shed more than other cats , but due to their retentive hair , it ’s more detectable . Frequent brush and grooming can help trim back desquamation and preclude hair from snarl . “ These Caterpillar have long fuzz that needs brushing daily to keep them from matting , ” enunciate Ochoa .
washup is sometimes necessary to prevent hair from getting matted . “ Most cat-o'-nine-tails do not care baths , so unless you are prepared for a battle , expend a waterless shampoo , ” recommends Kolenz . “ I utilize a flea comb to get tightlipped to the pelt to sweep the mats out . ”
Maine CoonHealth Issues
Maine Coons are genetically predispose to sure wellness issues . Here are the ones you should be cognisant of
Heart Disease : “ The most significant and prevalent heart disease we see with the Maine Coon ishypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM ) , ” says Chen . “ It is believed to be due to transmissible mutations , and test are available to test for potential variation . ”
harmonise to Ochoa , HCM encounter when the chambers of the cat ’s heart are smaller than they should be , which decreases the blood flow around the torso . While the disease can start early in life , it ’s most often diagnosed when Maine Coons are around 7 to 10 year , adds Ochoa .
To preclude this genetic variation , Chen say that “ creditworthy Maine nigra breeders should have the parents tested and sieve for this effect prior to breeding . ”
Hip Dysplasia : Another take veterinarians typically see in Maine Coons iship dysplasia(malformed rose hip marijuana cigarette ) and predisposition to arthritis later in life .
Spinal problem : Additionally , Chen says that Maine Coons tolerate from spinal muscular atrophy . “ This is a disease like in people where progressive loss of hefty role is seen . ”
Interesting Maine CoonFacts
Maine Coons are very outspoken . These well-disposed fluffballs love to follow their humans around and communicate by meowing , trilling , and peep . Trillingis a combining of mew and purring .
They are also fond of water : Unlike most quat , Maine Coons love the water , and revel in take on with body of water in the cesspit or shower tub . They are also equal to of swimming .
They bankrupt world records : In 2010 , Stewie madethe Guinness Book of Recordsfor being the world ’s longest domestic CT . He was 48.5 inches long when stretch out . Currently , Ludo , another Maine Coon , held the claim of thelongest domestic cat-o'-nine-tails in the worldin 2015 . The 26 - year - previous Corduroy , a Maine Coon - mix , became the record holder for theoldest surviving domestic catin 2015 . Sadly , he escaped his home a year later and was never found .
They are notable : Maine Coons garnered tons of popularity for appearing in the Harry Potter franchize as Mrs. Norris , the dear cat of Mr. Filch , who patrols the corridors of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry .
The strain is first to be cloned : Thefirst commercially clone petwas a Maine Coon . In 2004 , a guy named Little Nicky , was cloned by Genetic Savings & Clone for a fee of $ 50,000 for a char in Texas .
Maine CoonAdoption Tips
There are two ways of catch a purebred Maine Coon — purchasing one from a reputable stock breeder or go through a breed - specific delivery . If a Maine Coon end up in a shelter , it may or may not be a purebred , given that in most circumstance the animal is abandoned or surrendered without any paperwork read them as a purebred quat . When buy from a reputable breeder , the toll for a Maine Coon can be anywhere from $ 800 to $ 2,000 .
Maine Coon rescue group likeOnly Maine Coons Rescuework with Maine coon mixes taken from shelters and pure strain that are surrendered from owner , with the latter requiring readjustment papers . quat adopted with papers cost more . Only Maine Coons Rescue adopts out their kitty at $ 200 and adult quat from $ 175 . Purebred cat-o'-nine-tails of any age with papers go from $ 225 to $ 350 .
“ If buy from a breeder , check that to research a fate as there are a lot of chiseler , ” recommends Kolenz . She also recommend searching for Maine Coons online and on Social Media like Facebook .
See below for some breed - specific Maine Coon rescue in the U.S.
Maine CoonFAQs
These affectionate fluffballs make bully family positron emission tomography and wonderful companions . But before bringing a Maine Coon into your home , encounter out everything you need to know with these frequently demand questions .
How Big Do Maine Coon Cats Get?
An adult male person can weigh anywhere from 13 to 18 pounds and an grownup female from 8 to 12 punt . They stand between 10 - 16 inches tall .
Do Maine Coon Cats Shed?
Maine Coon cats have longer hair , but they do n’t shed anymore than your average true cat . They are just more noticeable .
Are Maine Coon Cats Hypoallergenic?
They are not hypoallergenic , as they do produce allergen .
Are Maine Coon Cats Aggressive?
Maine Coons are not fast-growing , but proper socialization at an former age is require to keep off inadvertent aggressive demeanour .
Are Maine Coon Cats Good Family Pets?
These fast and loving CT make fantastic family pets , so long as they are given the right attention and aid . They are traditionally good with children and other home dog and cats .
Picturesof Maine Coon Cats
Due to their seraphic nature and playful joke , we can thumb through pictures of Maine Coon cats all mean solar day long . If you feel the same way , shop this gallery showing off the trait , colorings , and characteristics of these downy felines .
