About Maine Coons
Myths, legend and lore surround the Maine Coon Cat. Some are amusing, some are fantastic flights of fantasy and some are merely plausible. They certainly provide good material for conversation. Many books and articles dealing with these aspects of the Maine Coon Cat are available and have been well received as people never seem to tire of the subject and are always eager to learn more about this National Treasure.
The Maine Coon Cat is the native American long-haired cat and was first recognized as a specific breed in Maine where it was named the official cat of the state. These cats were held in high regard by the locals for their mousing talents and special competitions were even held to reward the best “Coon Cat.”
The Maine Coon cat evolved through nature’s own breeding program developing characteristics by following a “survival of the fittest” evolution. The characteristics all have a purpose or function. Maine Coon cats developed into sturdy, working cats suited to the harsh winters and varied seasons of the Northeast region. The Maine Coon Cat of today is known for a sturdy, rugged appearance, which includes an uneven, shaggy coat of three distinct lengths and a long, well furnished tail. They carry that tail proudly and use it to surround themselves for warmth and protection. A Maine Coon Cat has large, well tufted paws to allow ability to walk on top of snow despite size and weight. Ears are large and well tufted for protection and warmth. Even more than for beauty, Maine Coon Cats are noted for intelligence and kindly disposition. After all, what they couldn’t obtain themselves, they could always get by charming a nearby human. Though their size can be intimidating, they are known for their friendliness towards just about anything and are especially good with children and other pets. For these reasons, they have been dubbed the “Gentle Giant” of the cat fancy and are commonly sought after as family pets, companions, and therapy cats.
Maine Coon Cats are intelligent, trainable, described as “dog like”. They will offer you hours of enjoyment with their antics but can at times be intrusive. Without question they want to be part of everything and your privacy may require a closed door between you and your cat. Most Maine Coon Cats have a fondness of water, to be in it, watch it, wash their food in it, or just plain play in it, so don’t be surprised if you have an uninvited guest in your shower or help washing the dishes on any given day.
The Maine Coon Cat has a silky and somewhat oily coat, it is not dense and its upkeep is much easier than that of other longhaired breeds. The coat is almost self-maintained but will require occasional grooming. Because they love attention of any kind, grooming is easily accomplished.
Your new Maine Coon Cat addition should be kept indoors, spayed/neutered (if purchased as a pet) and be provided proper nutrition.
Source: https://cats.fandom.com/wiki/Maine_Coon
FAQ
1. How big do they get??
2. Do they need much grooming?
3. But I thought Maine Coons had extra toes...??
4. What colors and patterns does a Maine Coon come in?
5. How long does it take for a Maine Coon to mature?
6. I heard that Maine Coons are big nasty tempered cats, are they?
7. Why are they called "Maine Coons"?
8. Do they have any Specific Health Problems?
9. How Long is Their Life Expectancy?
1. How big do they get?
A full-grown female typically weighs between 9-12 pounds and males tend to be in the 13 to 18 pound range.
2. Do they need much grooming?
The Maine Coon coat is one that is a shaggy coat which is soft and silky to the touch. The fur is dense and water resistant developed over time for the harsh New England climate where the breed is said to originate. Longer hair is found both on the Maine Coon's ruff (on their chests similar to the mane of a lion) and on the back of their legs (known as britches).
Maine Coon's fur consists of 2 layers, an undercoat which has wooly or down hairs, (soft hairs that provide additional insulation), coarser awn hairs, (having thickened tips that are longer than the down hairs), and guard hairs (coarse, thick, protective hairs) that make up the topcoat. It is the guard hairs which makes the Maine Coon water resistant, being able to repel both snow and water on their coat. With all that said, the coat of Maine Coon is very easily groomed and should be done once or twice a week (depending on the season and the amount of fur). Special attention should paid to the stomach, chest, leg and britches areas of the Maine Coon since this is where most matting of the fur happens. When it does, just gently comb out the matt or pickup a special de-matting comb sold at most pet stores for cats.
3. But I thought Maine Coons had extra toes...?
Some "original" Maine Coons were polydactyl (had extra toes). However, modern purebred Maine Coons are rarely polydactyl. This is because all cat associations automatically disqualify polydactyl from competition in the purebred classes. Because of this, most polydactyl were culled from the Maine Coon breed decades ago, and only a few breeders continue to work with them. Since the polydactyl gene is dominant, you can't get a polydactyl kitten unless at least one of the parents is also a polydactyl.
4. What colors and patterns does a Maine Coon come in?
Maine Coons not only come in the more standard browns and silvers the most people think of but the breed comes in over 30 or more colors. These colors contain such a variety including blues, blacks, browns, reds, silvers and whites to name a few. The Maine Coon comes in different mixing patterns such as mackerels, shaded, smokes, torbies, with white, and even solid colors such as black, blue, red, white and tortoiseshell Maine Coons.The Main Coon breed's eye color varies but the primary eye colors are green, gold or copper. Blue eyes, or one blue eye with one gold eye, are possible in white coat cats. Lastly, all Maine Coons share similar facial markings usually with a distinct "M" pattern on the forehead.
5. How long does it take for a Maine Coon to mature?
Maine Coons take an average of between 3 to 5 years to fully mature although usually within the first 18 months you should have a good indication of how big your Maine Coon is going to get. Also remember that fixed (spayed or neutered) Maine Coons will weigh more than breeding males and females.
6. I heard that Maine Coons are big nasty tempered cats, are they?
The Maine Coon breed is also known as the "Gentle Giants" and the cats themselves are very lovable and friendly. Most Maine Coons prefer to watch their owners perform whatever activity is going on at that moment and sometimes will try to help out. The personality of the breed is not known for "lap cats" but for a cat that prefers to sit or lay close by to you. But there are always exceptions to that rule and we've had a few Maine Coon "lap cats" at the cattery.
The Maine Coon males tend to be clown-like, love to play and get attention with the Maine Coon female being more dignified but still love to play and show affection. These cats adjust well to multi-pet households and as well as get along with most children too.
The Maine Coon is very intelligent and can be taught tricks such as fetch and even to shake hands. Don't be surprised if you take away a cat toy or cat treats and hide them only later on to be found in possession of your Maine Coon, they're smart.
7. Why are they called "Maine Coons"?
There are many different stories surrounding how the Maine Coon developed into a breed. Legend has it that Marie Antoinette sent her special cats over to the Americas ahead of her while she was preparing to flee for her life. Unfortunately for Ms Antoinette she never made it but they say her cats did which eventually evolved into the Maine Coon. Others say that they were originally working cats kept on supply ships for the new settlers. These cats found their way to New England and thrived there because of their size, shaggy coat, well tufted paws like snowshoes, tall ears, and strong square muzzles for hunting. People in New England thought that the cats were a cross between a domestic cat and a raccoon because of the traditional brown tabby ringed tail, thus the "Coon". This we now know is not a possible cross but the name stuck. The "Maine" part is after the state of Maine and the Maine Coon is their official state cat which they are very proud of. You will still find very traditional looking "Maine Coon" type cats roaming wild in New England. The only recognized purebred Maine Coons are those that are registered with one of the major cat ancestry organizations like the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA), The American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA), The International Cat Association (TICA) or The Canadian Cat Association (CCA).
8. Do they have any Specific Health Problems?
There are a couple of things to look for, as in any purebred cat. The first is a potentially serious heart condition known as HCM. The second is hip dysplasia, which can affect any large cat. We have a complete list of all the screening done to our breeding cats. We strive to produce only the healthiest kittens.
9. How Long is Their Life Expectancy?
These are hardy, robust cats! They live about twelve to fifteen years, or more. This is partly due to the care their owner take to keep them indoors. Having your cat indoors significantly increases their lifespan.