Maine Coon Cat Breed (Felis catus): Description and Complete Care Guide
One of the biggest cats raised indoors is the Maine Coon Cat which is scientifically known as “Felis catus“. Its morphological characteristics are remarkable, and it possesses useful hunting abilities. The breed was well-liked in cat exhibits in the late 19th century, but when long-haired breeds from abroad were introduced in the early 20th century, it faced extinction.
Although it is unknown where the Maine Coon originated from, some people believe they are related to Siberian or Norwegian forest cats, which may have been introduced to New England by early settlers.
There are legends surrounding their creation as well. One of these involves Marie Antoinette, the French monarch who was executed in 1793. According to legend, Antoinette made an attempt to flee France before she died with the aid of Captain Samuel Clough.
Her most valued items, including six of her beloved Turkish Angora or possibly Siberian cats, were loaded onto Clough’s ship. Despite the fact that she was unable to travel to the United States, all of her pets made it there safely, where they crossed with other short-haired breeds to create the present Maine Coon.
The breed was developed in Maine, the official state cat of the United States.
The long-haired forebears of the Maine Coon, which were likely linked to the Norwegian Forest cat and were once hard-working ship’s cats, were introduced to Maine by European seamen in the 1850s. These cats crossed with the neighborhood shorthairs to produce large, powerfully built kittens with semi-long coats and brush-like tails that looked like raccoon tails, hence the name Maine Coon.
These cats were highly esteemed for their exceptional hunting abilities and acquired thick, dense coats to withstand the harsh Maine winters. Even though special competitions for Maine Coon cats were conducted as early as the 1860s, the breed wasn’t brought to the UK until the 1980s.
The Maine Coon is a large, sociable cat, which may be why it has earned the nickname “the gentle giant.” The Maine Coon is most famous for its size and a thick coat of fur, which helps the big cat survive in the harsh climate of Maine, where they originally came from. The Maine Coon is frequently described as having traits similar to dogs.
Large, rounded, widely spaced, bright, and expressive are the eyes of the Maine Coon Cat. Although Maine Coon Cats can have a variety of eye colors, the majority have green eyes that become gold or copper-red in the summer.
Maine Coon Cat ears are medium to large, broad at the base, and somewhat rounded at the points. Due to its distinctive ear shape, the Maine Coon breed has highly developed hearing and vision senses. Maine coons are able to detect extremely low-frequency sounds, including ultrasonic sounds exceeding 20 kHz, and they like turning their heads side to side to take in their environment.
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Other names may include:
▪ Coon Cat
▪ Maine Cat
▪ Maine Shag
▪ The American Longhair
▪ The American Coon Cat
▪ The American Forest Cat
Maine Coon Cat (Felis catus): Description, Feeding, Habits, and Grooming
The Maine Coon cat has a rectangular body shape that is longer than it is tall across the shoulders. It is tall and muscular. Maine coons have stocky bodies, large chests, and bushy tails that can extend the full length of their bodies.
The silky, dense undercoat of Maine Coon Cats protects them from harsh weather conditions, such as cold or heat. While Maine Coons often have long, silky fur in the winter, some of them may have short or medium-length coats in the summer.
The Maine Coon Cat walks in a manner resembling that of its native cousin, the bobcat since its hind legs are longer than its front legs. Maine coons can bend their entire bodies to reach areas that are inaccessible to other cats thanks to their extremely flexible spine.
The warm, playful, and sociable temperament of Maine Coon cats makes them excellent pets. They are great companions for someone who appreciates having such a large cat in their home because they enjoy being around people. Maine Coon cats are renowned for their lovely, soft chirping sound.
Any color that is available for cats may be found in Maine Coons. Some breed standards forbid the use of colors that can be used to identify crossbreeding, including chocolate, lavender, the Siamese pointed pattern, and “ticked” patterns.
Brown tabby is the breed’s most prevalent pattern. All eye colors are permitted per breed standards, with the exception of blue or odd-eyes, or two different-colored eyes, in cats with coat colors other than white. Their age range is often between 9 to 15 years and their size ranges between 4.8 to 8.2 kg.
There are 64 different colors and markings for the Maine Coon cat breed. In white cats, it is possible for the eyes to be blue or unusually colored. Their eyes may be green, gold, or copper.
Characteristic Features
The physical features of Maine Coons let them survive in cold winter conditions. For added protection when moving through or laying on top of wet snow or ice, their thick, water-resistant fur is shaggier and longer on their underbelly and back.
Their long, bushy tail, which gives them the appearance of a raccoon, is resistant to sinking in snow and can be coiled over their faces and shoulders for warmth and defense against the wind and blowing snow. Even when sitting down on a frozen surface, it can be wrapped around their backside like a warm seat cushion.
Large paws, especially the extra-large paws of polydactyl Maine Coons, are like snowshoes and make it easier to move in the snow. Between their toes, they have long tufts of fur that not only keep their toes warm but also provide their paws more structure without adding much weight, which helps them walk on snow. An easier way to stay warm is to have ears that are thickly furred and have extra-long tufts of fur growing from the inside.
The above-average intelligence of Maine Coons, also known as the “gentle giants,” makes them relatively simple to train. They are renowned for being independent and unclingy, while also being cautious but not mean around strangers and devoted to their family.
Although the Maine Coon isn’t typically thought of as a “lap cat,” the breed gets along well with dogs, other cats, and kids because to its kind nature. A lot of Maine Coons are fascinated by the water, and some people think that this personality feature may have originated from their ancestors who spent a lot of time on ships.
Maine Coons are renowned for being extremely loud cats. They are renowned for frequently wailing, trilling, chirping, and producing other loud vocalizations.
Some interesting things to know about the coon cat:
▪ Great for first-time cat owners
▪ Enjoys playing games and is active at home
▪ Highly active and inquisitive cat
▪ Sociable and dependent cat
▪ Slightly talkative cat
▪ Larger stockier cat breed
▪ Requires grooming every day
▪ Needs extensive outdoor space
▪ Great family cat
▪ Can be left alone all day
▪ Can cope with a busy household
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Their Feeding Habits
Fish and other types of meat, along with dry and wet cat food, are all common meals for Maine Coon cats. Main Coons need a lot of protein to sustain their play because they are big and active. They require eating meat, whether it be raw or cooked, even if they don’t necessarily require a special diet.
Make sure your Maine Coon eats the recommended number of calories each day and that those calories contain all the nutrients they require to remain healthy and happy.
Due to their size and energy, Main Coons require a lot of protein to keep playing. While they don’t necessarily require a specific diet, they must eat meat, either raw or cooked.
Maine Coon Cat Grooming Guide
The Mainecoon cat, although is clean and normally takes care of its coat considering its length, nonetheless requires periodic grooming to keep it in good shape and minimize shedding.
Regular vaccinations and parasite management are advised for all cats, and this should be discussed with your veterinarian.
The Whole Process of Grooming a Maine Coon is:
▪ Ears: Checking your Maine Coon’s ears every day to make sure they are clean is simple. Give them a gentle cleaning with a grooming wipe if there is any filth.
Never be tempted to twist a cloth into your cat’s ears or try to clean deeper with cotton buds; only clean the area that is immediately accessible. You might cause a lot of harm.
▪ Eyes: Cats typically keep their own eyes clean. If there is a significant accumulation, gently sweep the dirt away from your cat’s eyes by sweeping it downward with a grooming wipe.
▪ Teeth: From the day you obtain your Maine Coon, try to brush or spray its teeth every day. This breed is predisposed to dental issues, therefore maintaining a healthy dental health regimen could significantly minimize your cat’s risk of suffering.
▪ Upkeep of the Nails: It is crucial that Maine Coons are let to scratch items since they like doing so. If you can’t get your cat to stick to its allocated scratching posts, you can clip the very tips of its claws to lessen the damage they cause (the area to the left of the green line in the image below).
The only time this needs to be done is every two to three weeks.
▪ Bottom Area: It seems understandable that a Maine Coon’s bottom area would become a little soiled given all that fluff. Every day, see if it needs wiping. To assist their cat stay clean, some people trim the fur around this region and down the backs of the legs.
▪ Coat: If at all feasible, groom your Maine Coon’s coat every day. This will prevent it from developing knots, which are challenging and uncomfortable to remove. Always lightly brush in the direction in which the fur grows. Once your cat is comfortable with the soft brush’s feel, switch to the slicker brush.
▪ Foot Area: Some folks enjoy shaving the hair that grows in between their Maine Coon’s toes. If you feel the need to trim it, do so cautiously using your grooming shears whenever you see an untidy appearance.
▪ Bathing: Bathing a Maine Coon isn’t always necessary, but some people prefer it, and it might even be required. It’s not necessary to submerge your cat in a tub of water. Utilize a big sink and a spray.
Don’t get shampoo in your cat’s eyes, and rinse it off thoroughly in warm, not hot, water. Then wrap it in a big towel. If your cat doesn’t like this, stop doing it right away because you’ll stress it out a lot more.
▪ Flea, tick, and mite treatment: Include these treatments in your grooming routine and administer them as needed to maintain your Maine Coon’s ears and coat parasite-free. The type, quantity, and frequency of your cat will be suggested to you by your veterinarian.
Maine coon kittens are without a doubt the most majestic cat breed to have ever existed. What makes them so exceptional are their plush, fluffy coats, fine physique, and character traits. And if you think Maine cats are remarkable as adults, just wait until you see them as kittens. These felines have more fur than a cat should have.
Maine coon kittens are adorable, fluffy, and bursting with character. These kittens are already beginning to show the characteristics that make them so attractive when they are just a few weeks old, allowing you to discover their inner beauty.
Due to their high levels of social interaction and playfulness, Maine Coon kittens will be eager to interact with you right away. You’ll like seeing them explore their surroundings and try new things because they are intelligent and interested, too.
Now is the ideal time to experience Maine Coon kittens if you have never done so before.
Even while cats of this breed typically get along well with children, each cat has a unique personality that depends on its ancestry, upbringing, and early experiences.
The Maine Coon is generally tolerant of children, gets along with everyone (including well-behaved dogs), and is calm and strong enough to handle everyday family life.
However, as with any cat, younger children should be taught to respect an animal with such impressively sharp bits.
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