What do Maine Coons look like?
Maine Coons are one of the largest breeds of domestic cats. They come from the American state of Maine. There the breed formed naturally. The name translates as “Manx raccoon.” Of course, they are not directly related, but there is some similarity in color.
Many people see similarities between raccoons and Maine Coons. vladimirlvp / depositphotos.com
The harsh climate in which Manx cats originally lived was reflected in their appearance. Their coat is thick and silky, and in winter the undercoat becomes denser. The tail is long and fluffy, there are tufts on the ears, powerful paws, and tufts of hair between the toes.
The animals have retained some of their habits from wild life. So, some Maine Coons do not drink like ordinary cats. They first dip their paw in the water and move it along the surface, spilling a lot of the contents. It is believed that once upon a time they always did this. After all, before drinking, for example, from a puddle, you had to disperse leaves and other debris from the surface. Manx cats also love to “bathe” their toys in a bowl.
Maine Coon is a record holder from the Guinness Book of Records. guinnessworldrecords.com
The size of these animals is quite respectable, and the length from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail is about a meter. By the way, this breed holds the title of the longest domestic cat. For the absolute champion from the Guinness Book of Records, Longest domestic cat ever, this value was 1 meter 23 centimeters.
Characteristics
Maine Coons are called smooth-haired conventionally, since individuals with short hair (in the usual sense) simply do not exist among representatives of this breed. The fur will be short and smooth only on the head and paws; the rest of the body is covered with elongated printed wool, under which there is always a thick undercoat.
- The peculiarity of the breed is its large mass and body length. Males can weigh up to 11 kg, and the length of the tail alone sometimes reaches 70 cm! By the way, the tail is the main decoration of the Maine Coon - it is covered with thick hair, which the cat shows off favorably with every stroke.
- The smooth-haired Maine Coon has a somewhat elongated head shape, on which there are wide ears with pubescence inside and tassels at the ends. The neck is decorated with a lush collar of thick wool.
- With proper care, a balanced diet and a minimum amount of stress, the pet will live 17–18 years. Representatives of the breed have strong immunity, and therefore get sick extremely rarely.
What is the character of Maine Coons?
These animals are very calm, balanced and peaceful. Despite their stern appearance, they rarely show aggression.
Maine Coons are kind and gentle cats. gornostaj/depositphotos.com
How Maine Coons get along with adults
Cats of this breed quickly become attached to people and treat them sincerely. Maine Coons love to be in human company and suffer if they are left alone. However, they are not intrusive and will not require constant attention. They just need to be somewhere nearby and watch what is happening.
How Maine Coons get along with children
Maine Coons are affectionate and sociable animals. They willingly make contact with the child and participate in games.
Manx cats love to play with children. gurinaleksandr / depositphotos.com
Nevertheless, it is worth making sure that children do not offend the cat or cause him pain.
How do Maine Coons get along with other animals?
Maine Coons get along quite well with dogs and other cats. Of course, when you first meet, not everything can go smoothly. If your pets start to show aggression, just be patient and give them time to get used to each other.
Maine Coons get along well with other animals. mainecoon.org
Problems can arise when keeping furry pets together with rodents and birds. Cats perceive them as game and will probably want to hunt.
Reviews
Some owner reviews:
- “Our Kit is an incredibly fantastic cat. We even jokingly call him an alien from another planet. The difference between him and other cats is so striking. Sometimes it seems that he understands everything and is so sincerely surprised by something, making a new discovery.”
- “It’s a shame that we didn’t call our Barsik Nightmare. This nickname would suit him better. He tore up all the furniture with his huge claws and won the sofa for himself. Now it is impossible to watch TV in peace. A very assertive and powerful beast."
What living conditions do Maine Coons require?
For a comfortable life, Manx cats need enough space. They love to run and jump, so they will likely feel cramped in a small space. Maine Coons also enjoy frolicking in the water, drinking from the tap and can relax in a sink or bathtub with drained water.
Before you bring your kitten home, prepare everything you need. Your pet will need bowls for food and water. You can't do without a tray. Install it in the bathroom or other room where the animal will always have free access.
Your cat should be comfortable in your home. Depiano / depositphotos.com
It is also worth thinking about the leisure time of the future pet and its own sleeping place. A good option is a play complex with a house, ladders and high shelves. Before purchasing, make sure that it is securely attached and strong enough to support the weight of a non-miniature animal. Additional vertical or horizontal scratching posts are also desirable, which will protect your furniture from attacks.
Prepare for the fact that the kitten will play with your things. marilook_rus / depositphotos.com
Maine Coons are curious and active animals. If they get carried away, for example, by hunting for a flying bird, they may fall out of the window. To avoid such accidents, you need to install strong nets on the windows that will withstand the onslaught of large cats. This advice is also relevant for residents of the first floors, because a pet that accidentally jumps out can get lost and get lost.
Take care of your pet's safety. nikkytok/depositphotos.com
Also be prepared for the fact that the cat will begin to actively explore the entire living space, climbing onto cabinets, cabinets and window sills. Therefore, when a pet appears in the house, do not leave fragile things where they can easily be dropped. It is likely that the cat will show interest in the wires. Therefore, it is better to put them in boxes or simply use special repellents.
Advantages and disadvantages of the breed
Let's list the positive aspects:
- The Maine Coon will be devoted to his owner and friendly with all family members, and he will never offend the little ones.
- The pet is unobtrusive, it will not bother you with meowing when you don’t have time or are very tired after a hard day at work.
- Suitable for training and education, but it is better to start instilling good manners in your cat from childhood.
- Due to the fact that the breed was formed in natural conditions with minimal human intervention, its representatives have acquired strong immunity, and therefore get sick extremely rarely.
There are also negative aspects to keeping a Maine Coon. First of all, these are its dimensions. A big cat needs a lot of space, especially when he starts running and playing. Plus, when frolicking, the pet leaves behind a lot of fur.
The smooth-haired Maine Coon eats a lot compared to a regular-sized cat, and its diet can be compared to the menu of a small dog. In addition, it is quite difficult to please such a cat when selecting food.
How to feed Maine Coons
The simplest version of a cat's diet is ready-made food, which can be dry and wet (pouches, canned food). It is better to choose complete products specifically for Maine Coons or just large cats. Such food contains the right amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and microelements.
The health and appearance of the animal depend on nutrition. cattish.ru
It is better to select ready-made food taking into account the age of the animal, as well as other factors: pregnancy and lactation, sterilization, susceptibility to allergies and diseases.
You can also give natural products, including meat, offal, grains and more. But this does not mean at all that your pet needs to be treated to regular food from the human table.
When a kitten first appears in your home, at least for the first time, feed it the food that the breeder recommended and that is familiar to the pet. Over time, the diet can be gradually changed if necessary.
Regardless of the chosen diet, constant access to clean drinking water is required.
Maintenance and care
This is not to say that the Maine Coon will not survive if it is made into an apartment pet, and will probably even come to terms with its fate, but such a lifestyle is not typical for the breed itself. They are accustomed to freedom and open spaces, so a private house is preferable.
Don't forget that natural curiosity can lead your pet into someone else's yard, where it will be easy for him to get lost. So that those who find them can return your lost property to you, it will be good if you hang a medallion with your phone number and home address on your pet’s neck.
to walk a cat on the street in a leash specially designed for them. The streets are scary for felines; they can get scared and run away or get hit by a car. So, do not allow such a situation to happen and keep your pet close to you.
Feeding should be given special attention. Of course, it’s good if your diet includes premium dry food, but you won’t get away with it alone. The animal needs raw lean meat, dairy products, vegetables, cereals and sea fish. Allergic reactions are possible, so be sure to consult your veterinarian about the benefits and harms of various foods for your giant.
How to care for Maine Coons
The long, soft and fluffy fur of these animals is not prone to tangling, but it cannot be left without care. It is enough to brush Manx cats about once every week and a half, and more often during shedding - in spring and autumn, otherwise tangles may appear. To ensure that the procedure does not cause trouble, it is better to accustom the kitten to this from an early age.
The Maine Coon's long, soft coat hardly tangles. mainecoonexpert.com
During the molting period, it is also advisable to give malt pastes, which remove ingested fur from the intestines and stomach. Without this, your pet may become clogged with hairballs.
It is better to accustom a kitten to brushing and other procedures from the first months. mainecoon.org
Periodic bathing, approximately once every 3-4 months, will also help to maintain an excellent appearance. This will not be particularly difficult, because Manx cats are not at all afraid of water. For bath procedures, it is better to use special products that will not cause harm and will provide complete care for the skin and coat.
Your pet's ears should be examined regularly and cleaned only if they become very dirty. To do this, buy safe lotions at a pet store and place a couple of drops in the ears. Avoid using cotton swabs; they can easily injure the animal. The eyes also need to be wiped with special means if there is dried discharge in the corners.
Height and weight by month
Newborn kittens weigh up to 120 g; by the end of the first month of life, kittens weigh up to 600 grams, males - up to 800.
By the end of the second month, females weigh about 1.3 kg, males - up to 1.5 kg.
At 3 months, kittens usually double their size: females - up to 2.4 kg, males - up to 3.6 kg.
At 4 months, girls weigh up to 3.6 kg, boys - up to 3.9 kg. By six months, the kitten’s growth slows down, females reach from 2.8 to 4 kg, males from 3 to 4.5 kg. By 8 months, the Maine Coon adds about 1.5 kg to its weight. At 9 months, cats weigh up to 6 kg, males - up to 7 kg. At 10-11 months, the weight of girls is up to 7 kg, boys - up to 7.5 kg. By the age of one year, kittens can reach 8 - 9 kg.
How to train Maine Coons
Maine Coons are smart and quite intelligent animals. They even learn some simple tricks that dogs usually do. For example, a cat can be taught to sit, give a paw, go to a place and more.
Maine Coons can learn the commands “lie down”, “give me your paw” and others. vetstreet.com
It’s better to start with the simplest commands, and turn the process itself into a fun game. It is also important to have patience and treats to encourage the animal. Do not tire or overload your cat with training; 5–6 repetitions are enough every day. Be sure to give a tasty treat for following a command and don’t scold your pet if he doesn’t succeed.
To make it easier for your pet to absorb the material, you can use a clicker - a special miniature device that makes a sound when pressed. The algorithm is simple. Press the button every time your cat performs the correct action and immediately give the treat. Over time, your pet will learn how to easily earn treats.
What do Maine Coons get sick with?
Cats of this breed are strong and in good health, but they also have a genetic predisposition to certain diseases. What Are The Common Maine Coon Health Problems (Full Guide) .
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heart disease in which the walls of the ventricles thicken and, accordingly, their internal volume decreases.
- Hip dysplasia is a musculoskeletal disorder that sometimes causes lameness and other problems with walking.
- Polycystic kidney disease is a slowly progressive, inherited kidney disease that can lead to kidney failure.
- Spinal muscular atrophy is an inherited neuromuscular disease that affects the nerve cells of the spinal cord, resulting in muscle weakness and muscle atrophy.
And one more nuance. Maine Coons sometimes have polydactyly, that is, extra toes on their paws. This does not affect the health of the animals in any way, and they can participate in Maine Coon Polydactyl Breeders, WCF EMS CODE exhibitions.
If you suspect your pet has health problems, be sure to contact your veterinarian. Wavebreakmedia/depositphotos.com
There are also common diseases that depend not on the breed, but on the characteristics of their care, nutrition and other factors. Maine Coons are just as susceptible to them as any other domestic cat. These include diseases of the genitourinary system, infectious diseases, skin diseases and more.
Video
* We invite you to watch a video about the Maine Coon . In fact, in front of you is a playlist in which you can select and watch any of 20 videos about a given cat breed by simply clicking on the button in the upper right corner of the window. In addition, the material contains quite a lot of photos. By looking at them you can find out what a Maine Coon looks like.
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What to look for when buying a Maine Coon
You can buy a kitten at an exhibition, in a nursery, or even through a website with advertisements. The price depends on many factors: the city (for example, in the capital, kittens are offered at a higher price), the class of the animal, gender (males are often more expensive), age (grown-up kittens are usually cheaper) and even color.
Before purchasing, decide what plans you have for your pet. FotoJagodka / depositphotos.com
Before purchasing, you should decide why you need the animal. If you just need a purr at home, take a closer look at the “pet” class kittens; they are usually sold already neutered or with the mandatory requirement of this operation indicated in the contract. If you want to raise a potential champion with many titles, then your class is “show”. Not interested in exhibitions, but planning to breed? Choose "breed".
Don't forget: purebred animals cannot be bought for next to nothing. / depositphotos.com
In any case, the animal must be healthy. It is imperative to pay attention to the availability of vaccinations against viral diseases, the first of which is given at about two months, and the second after another three weeks.
When completing a transaction, make sure that you receive a complete set of documents:
- a sales contract that confirms your right to own an animal;
- veterinary passport with information about vaccinations already done; this document indicates not the pedigree, but the health of the kitten;
- a metric (in fact, this is a birth certificate) indicating detailed data about the animal, issued by the club.
Another document that you will need if you plan to engage in breeding work or participate in exhibitions is a pedigree. It indicates 4–5 generations of the animal’s ancestors. The document is also issued by the club in which the breeder is a member. You can also create a pedigree yourself for an additional fee if you make a request based on data from the metric.
If the seller has not provided any documents for the animal, first of all you need to take care of the veterinary passport and make sure that all scheduled vaccinations are completed in a timely manner. You can also confirm your breed membership; to do this, you need to contact a cat lovers club or take part in an exhibition in a pet class to receive an expert opinion. But forget about the pedigree, since it is impossible to make one for a kitten “without parents”.
