What should a Maine Coon owner be afraid of or the main diseases of the breed?

Maine Coon real weight.

Maine Coons

- magnificent and beautiful large-sized domestic cats. Anyone who has seen a cat of this breed knows that these animals are quite massive, and of course the most burning question that interests visitors to exhibitions, Internet sites, potential or young Maine Coon owners is how much does a Maine Coon cat weigh? Very often you hear stories about gigantic Maine Coons weighing 15-25 kg. And once again I hasten to convince you that this weight does not exist in cats of this breed, it is a legend. The average weight of a Maine Coon is: 4-7 kg for cats, and 8-10 kg for males. The Maine Coon cat can easily reach one meter in length (from the tip of its nose to the tip of its tail).

The Maine Coon seems so big not only because it has an impressive weight, the Maine Coon cat, unlike cats of other breeds, has a long elongated body with good impressive muscles, strong powerful paws, a large head, a massive neck and a “shoulder girdle”, so the cat The Maye Coon breed can produce a stunning impression of a very massive animal weighing 15 kilograms or more, with the real weight of the Maine Coon being 8 kg and most importantly, there is no dependence on the place of residence of the Maine Coon and its weight, no matter where your Maine Coon grew up in the city. Moscow or St. Petersburg, Orenburg, Kirov, Saratov, Samara or in distant Salekhard, Kemerovo or Khabarovsk, the place of development and growth of the Maine Coon does not affect the genetics, and as a result, the weight of the Maine Coon - I think everyone understands this.

Weight and development of Maine Coon kittens from birth to maturity.

Maine Coon kittens are born much larger than kittens of other cat breeds. For example, a Maine Coon kitten at birth has a body weight of 120-170 g, and kittens of the same Persian breed are born weighing 80-120 g. If we take the average statistical figures, then Maine Coon kittens are born at 120-140 g. An important factor influencing the weight of a Maine Coon kitten at birth is the size of the litter in which the kitten was born, again let’s look at an example, if there were 5 kittens in the litter, then The average weight of a Mei Coon will be 125-130 grams. If only one baby was born in the litter, then the Mei Coon kitten can be quite large and weigh 145-160 grams. This is the order of the numbers.

I would also like to note that various factors influence the growth of a kitten.

Genetic factors that influence the development and weight of the Maine Coon.

1. Maine Coon breed. The growth rate of a kitten depends on its mass, determined by the characteristics of the breed. The greater the mass according to breed characteristics, the higher the growth rate. 2. Gender As kittens grow older, there is a difference in the rate of weight gain. For example, by 10-12 weeks, Maine Coon males become much heavier than females. 3. The weight of the mother cat Mei Coon. This parameter depends on the breed and genotypes of the parents. The more massive the cat is, large, and in good physical condition, the higher the growth rate of Mei Coon kittens. Individual genetic factors. The combination of parental genotypes leads to the appearance of a unique organism. This uniqueness is also manifested in the development of the skeletal and muscular systems and the different growth rates of animals. 4. Hormonal factors. The use of hormonal drugs for therapeutic purposes can lead to endocrine imbalance in a Maine Coon kitten, which will negatively affect growth.

External factors influencing the development of the Maine Coon and the weight of the kitten.

1. The sanitary and hygienic condition of the place where the kittens are located.

2. Stress factors. Hormones produced under stress can have a strong effect on the endocrine system, resulting in impaired growth. Maine Coon cats and kittens must be protected from noise, changes in air temperature and other unfavorable factors.

3. Feeding the mother cat. Adequate feeding of a Maine Coon cat during pregnancy is a necessary condition for the growth of the weight of newborn Maine Coon kittens and their viability.

A newborn healthy Maine Coon kitten should normally gain an average of 10 g per day. If there is a slight loss of Maine Coon weight, then this is possible in the first phase of growth. If a Maine Coon kitten does not gain weight for 2 days in a row, you need to pay attention to this and start taking appropriate measures: complementary feeding, vitamins, homeopathy. It is not at all necessary to artificially feed the kitten all the time before switching to regular food; perhaps the kitten will only need a few days of artificial feeding to gain the missing weight for the kitten and regain strength. A Maine Coon kitten increases its weight by 2 times by 10 days, 4 times by 4 weeks, 8 times by 8 weeks. The Maine Coon's peak growth occurs when its daily weight is at its maximum. The Maine Coon's peak growth occurs between 4 and 5 months. This period is characterized by the highest energy needs of the animal.

Periods of Maine Coon development and the weight of a Maine Coon kitten.

From birth to peak growth, the development of Mei Coon kittens is divided into several periods: 1. Neonatal period. Lasts about 4 days. Daily weight gain varies greatly depending on how the birth went. 2. Sucking period. 4 weeks of life. Characterized by stable, uniform growth. The average daily weight gain of a Maine Coon kitten is 20-50 g. By 4 weeks, leveling occurs and possible intrauterine underdevelopment of the fetus is compensated. The weight of a Maine Coon kitten at 1 month is 500-800 g. At 2 months – 900-1500 g. 3. Transition period. From 4 to 7 weeks. At this stage, the type of feeding the kitten changes. By 3-5 weeks, weight gain slows down in the Maine Coon. This is due to the transition to solid food. By the 7th week, the growth curve goes up again, as the final transition to solid feed occurs. They contain all the necessary minerals and vitamins, so the animal’s weight begins to increase again. 4. After the suckling period. This is the beginning of the kitten’s independent life, from 7-8 weeks until the end of growth.

Maine Coon weight from birth to 3 years of age

Maine Coon weight 1 week (7 days)

The weight of a Maine Coon cat is from 240 to 260 g. The weight of a cat is from 240 to 280 grams

Maine Coon weight 2 weeks (14 days)

The weight of a Maine Coon cat at 2 weeks ranges from 340 - 400 grams. A Maine Coon cat weighs 350 - 420 grams at 2 weeks.

Maine Coon weight 1 month (4 weeks)

The weight of a Maine Coon cat at 1 month is approximately 560 - 740 grams, and a Maine Coon cat at 1 month weighs about 630 - 820 grams.

Maine Coon weight at 2 months (6 - 8 weeks)

The weight of a make-coon cat is 1,150 kg - 1,400 kg, and the weight of a cat is from 1,230 - 1,500 kg.

Maine Coon weight at 3 months (10 - 12 weeks)

The weight of a Maine Coon cat is 1.7 - 2.3 kg, and the weight of a cat is from 1.8 to 2.3 kg.

Maine Coon weight at 4 months (14 - 16 weeks)

Typical weight standards for cats and Maine Coon cats

All professional felinologists advise carefully monitoring how the kitten gains weight. And even after he reaches the age of one and a half years, one should not forget about periodic monitoring of the weight of an already adult cat. Since most often, even small deviations from the norm of a particular age of an animal can indicate an incipient disease. In this case, urgently taken measures are much more productive than treatment in the later stages of the disease.

So, speaking about weight standards, according to the age of the kitten, you need to remember the following figures:

• at neonatal age, which is no more than 4 days from the birth of a small Maine Coon, the normal weight gain during the day should be about 10 grams;
• if a newborn baby does not gain, but rather begins to lose weight, urgent measures must be taken;
• the suckling period of a kitten's life (the first 4 weeks) is characterized by a daily more or less stable increase in body weight by 20, or even 50 grams;
• As soon as the pet is 1 month old, its weight should be 620-750 grams. for males and 100 gr. less for women's;
• during the transition to the adult type of feeding (from 4 weeks of age to 7 weeks of age), weight gain slows down slightly, but at the end of this period it stabilizes again and the weight of the cat should reach 1.3-1.5 kg, and that of cats - up to 1.1- 1.3 kg.

Then the independent, “adult” life of the newly-minted household member begins. By the way, I would like to note that weight indicators may vary with small errors, which in no way indicate a possible illness in the cat. Rather, they will demonstrate factors related to the living conditions and lifestyle of the Maine Coon, as well as dependence on the breed variety.

Upon reaching the age of three months, the weight of a female individual can grow up to 2 kg, and a male one – even up to 2.7 kg. For comparison, I’ll take six-month-old Maine Coons. Males at this age gain twice as much weight (4-6 kg), as do females. They weigh about 3.5-4.5 kg. Peak weight gain is observed at one to one and a half years of age. The body weight of an adult, respectable cat during this period of time can reach up to 10 kg (lower threshold - 6 kg), and females - 6.5-7 kg (lower threshold - 4.5 kg).

Average life expectancy of a Maine Coon

Owners' concerns are often associated with visiting forums where cat diseases are discussed; the age at which the cat was removed from the cattery (4-5 years) can also be alarming, which can lead to conclusions about the short life of the pet.

In the photo there is a cat Pulcheria from the Yotunchem cattery

It is worth noting that nurseries often need new blood, and discussions of diseases can be found on all forums dedicated to discussing a particular breed.

On the territory of the Russian Federation, catteries have not existed for so long, but in accordance with statistical data accumulated over several decades around the world, cats of this breed live as long as others. Maine Coons are distinguished by good health, the main goal of the owner is to preserve it and provide the necessary conditions for living. So, how many years do Maine Coon cats live?

Maine Coon Lifespan:

• 13-16 years old - cats;
• 16-19 years old - cats.

There are also long-livers; cases have been recorded when Maine Coons lived up to 20 and even 22 years.

What can you do if your little Maine Coon is not gaining weight?

As I noted earlier, as soon as the first signs of weight loss in newborn kittens appear, it is necessary to urgently contact specialists. Sometimes this is a completely unworthy indicator. It’s just that a difficult birth of a mother cat could provoke a stressful state of the kitten and in a few days, as soon as the cat returns to normal, the baby’s health will also normalize. And he will slowly begin to make up for lost grams.

However, more often in such cases, doctors advise feeding the little patient a little and prescribing complex therapy:

• vitamins to maintain energy balance in the body;
• homeopathic remedies to relieve stress;
• auxiliary feeding to replenish the missing substances that for some reason do not enter or are not absorbed in the kitten’s body.

If the cat that gave birth to small Maine Coons is small in size, then the kittens can take much longer to gain height and weight. In this sense, it is much easier for large individuals. Kittens from such cats are initially born with good body weight, which allows them to quickly gain the necessary grams.

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.

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.

If a one-year-old or older Maine Coon suddenly begins to lose weight

For males and females of the Maine Coon breed, weight standards are no less important than for other representatives of the cat family. You can quickly find your way around them if you suddenly see signs of an obvious illness in your pet. And here it is important to get your bearings in time. Don't let the weight loss process take its course. The reasons for such a decrease in body weight in fully grown cats may be of the following nature:

• sudden change in diet or regimen;
• unbalanced diet;
• parasites and diseases caused by them;
• differences by gender (adult cats gain weight more slowly than males);
• genetic abnormalities;
• hormonal imbalance in the body;
• failure to comply with sanitary and hygienic standards for keeping furry pets;
• a sudden or constant external influence that causes the cat to experience severe stress or repeated stressful conditions.

As soon as you notice that your Maine Coon is not gaining weight, the first thing you should pay attention to is the diet, routine, nutritional balance and the presence of a stress factor. If there have been no sudden changes in diet recently, or stress, then you should immediately take your cat for examination. However, we should not forget that uncastrated and unsterilized male cats begin to eat poorly at certain times of the year and, as a result, lose weight. This factor should also be taken into account before engaging in self-hypnosis about a possible “terrible” illness in your cat.

The weight of a cat depends on age, gender, breed, and the presence of nutrients in the food. An adult yard cat weighs no more than 5 kg, but if the cat is Scottish, then its weight reaches 7 kg or more, a Maine Coon cat weighs up to 10 kg or more. If the cat is young, then its weight can change dramatically, increasing or decreasing depending on its lifestyle: the more active the animal, the faster it sheds the kilos it has gained. In the body of older cats, fat accumulates at a slower rate, so cats over 9 years old look thin. Below we will discuss why the cat is thin, and whether this is really dangerous for his body.

What to feed a Maine Coon

Maine Coon diet

I feed my cat super-premium grain-free food with lamb. Or “Farmina”, as in the native nursery or “Royal canin Maine Coon”. These types of food are not a panacea, the main thing is that the food is of high quality.

By the way, the fact that Maine Coons are voracious is also a myth. In my opinion, they eat no more than ordinary cats. 2 kg of feed is enough for more than a month. I add fur removal pads. Sometimes I give vitamins. They also cannot be overdosed. And be sure to always have fresh filtered water.

What food can you give your Maine Coon?

I give beef, chicken, turkey, chicken gizzards or deep-frozen hearts, which I always pour boiling water over. I read that it’s good to put offal through a meat grinder and make balls, but, in my opinion, this is not correct. Any minced meat is less digestible.

• You can give eggs, preferably quail. But they cause diarrhea in my cat.
• You can give low-fat fermented milk products, since the liver suffers from fatty foods.
• Sea fish, salmon or cod, boiled without salt and spices, can be given no more than once a week, carefully choosing the bones.

The function of the thyroid gland is impaired. Cardiovascular diseases occur and urolithiasis develops. So even though your cat loves fish, if you love a cat, don’t give him too much.

What not to feed a Maine Coon

• Milk should not be given because cats do not have an enzyme that helps digest it. Sour cream, contrary to popular belief that cats love sour cream, will also not benefit your pet.
• You should not give your cat dog food because it contains less protein and taurine that a cat needs.
• You cannot give food from your table. The cat generally does not like sweets, since its receptors do not perceive sweets. Too many treats will only harm your pet. 60% of cats are obese.

How to choose a bowl for Maine Coons

I bought a ceramic voluminous bowl for water, in my opinion, which is intended for St. Bernard, since coons love to rake water with their paws, as their wild ancestors once did, raking leaves in a pond, and bathe toys in the bowl. I also chose a ceramic bowl for food, but not quite the right one. It is better to take a bowl with gentle sides. This will make it easier for your cat to take leftover food. And you definitely need another bowl for the meat. The neat aristocrat doesn't like everything on one plate.

A plastic bowl is not suitable for an allergic cat. You can take metal bowls, especially on a stand, like for large dogs.

Signs of exhaustion

When wondering why a cat is thin, and whether this is normal, factors such as normal and painful thinness are taken into account. In the first case, we are talking about the weight standard that an animal of a particular breed must meet at a certain age. The second is about exhaustion. A cat that is too thin is most likely sick and requires long-term rehabilitation therapy, which can only be prescribed by a specialist.

Appearance standards for British breeds

Normal thinness

A cat's weight has a lot to do with its age and breed:

• a domestic mongrel cat at the age of 1 year weighs from 2.5 to 4.5 kg (naturally, the figures may differ, but usually not significantly);
• a purebred cat at 1 year weighs from 3.5 to 5 kg;
• a cat of the British breed, reaching one year of age, weighs up to 4.5-4.6 kg;
• A British cat normally weighs from 4.5 to 7 kg, provided it receives the right amount of food.

Each of the existing cat breeds has its own weight table, which all animal owners must follow.

In a healthy cat:

• it is easy to feel the ribs and spine, but they are not visible from the side;
• there is a small amount of fat in the abdomen, back and chest;
• the waist line is clearly visible;
• the stomach does not sag, it is almost non-existent.

A cat can lose weight or gain weight while feeding or bearing kittens, and a cat during the mating period. This kind of thinness is considered normal. Sometimes an animal suddenly loses weight after experiencing stress (moving, a trip to the veterinarian). And that's okay too. If the kitten’s parents were not large or purebred, then you should not expect that after 1-2 years the pet will turn into a fat lazy cat, as in the picture in the advertisement.

Outbred cats are smaller and lighter than their purebred counterparts and even those animals that appeared as a result of crossing a purebred pet with a barn cat. The kittens will still be larger than those that an ordinary yard cat gives birth to, and accordingly, they will also weigh more.

When is it time to sound the alarm?

Cats begin to worry about being thin if:

• the cat eats a lot and often, but does not gain weight, it is too light and small for its breed (thin cats do not gain weight);
• the spine can be traced visually (the ridge literally protrudes outward);
• the pelvic bones and ribs protrude, their movement is clearly noticeable when the cat moves;
• the cat’s breath smells unpleasant (obviously, the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted, the kidneys and liver are not functioning properly, plaque or caries may have formed on the teeth);
• there is no fat layer on the chest and back area, only bone;
• the cat does not show usual attention to toys, sleeps constantly;
• the animal has loose stools (if mucus, blood, or undigested parts of food are found in the stool, consult a doctor);
• yellowness or excessive pallor of the mucous membranes is observed, they become gray in color (most likely, weight loss is due to problems with the liver and kidneys);
• more fluid is released from the eyes, nose and mouth than usual, especially when an unpleasant odor appears, a change in the color of the animal’s tears and saliva;
• the temperature rises (hot nose, the cat is lethargic, to check the temperature it is enough to use a regular thermometer);
• the stomach is sunken, hard, tense.

The silhouette of an emaciated cat resembles an hourglass.

When the described signs appear, the animal is weighed (to do this, just place it in a bag and use a steelyard or in a cardboard box, cover the top with something and put it on a regular floor scale).

If the cat always eats well, but is very thin, weighs 1 kg or more less than it should, contact a veterinarian. It is first necessary to take weight measurements for several weeks in a row to make sure that there really is a reason for concern (cats are thin and do not gain weight for various reasons, but most often due to illness).

Why doesn't a castrated cat get fat?

There is an opinion among owners of cats that have not yet been neutered that as soon as castration occurs, absolutely everything in the character, lifestyle and behavior of the animal will change. Cats become calm and even lazy, stop marking, and begin to quickly gain weight. In relation to probably 70-80% of castrated animals, this opinion is justified, since it is based on the knowledge that after the procedure the hormonal levels change, the cat’s metabolic processes slow down, which means it becomes less energetic. But this doesn't always happen.

Note! If the animal was neutered late, at 1.5-2 years, then there is a high probability that there will be no sudden changes, so the sight of a skinny cat should not be alarming.

Causes of exhaustion

Exhaustion, or cachexia, develops under the influence of exogenous (external) and endogenous (internal) factors.

Exogenous

Exogenous external causes of exhaustion include:

• lack of food (emaciation is observed in feral cats and animals that receive food from time to time);
• impaired swallowing functions (the cat has something stuck in its throat, the nasopharynx is inflamed due to an insect bite, under the influence of allergens);
• problems with teeth (inflammation in the oral cavity, caries, tartar - all this prevents the animal from eating its usual food).

Natural Cause of Thinness

An adult cat should receive at least 70 g of dry food per day. If the cat is nursing offspring or is sick, the norm is doubled. At the same time, there should always be only fresh food in the bowl, as many food manufacturers warn about.

Endogenous

Endogenous (internal) factors that provoke cachexia include diseases of a non-infectious and infectious nature. Cats lose weight due to the development of:

• oncological diseases;
• cardiovascular pathologies;
• diabetes mellitus;
• chronic infections (infectious peritonitis, immunodeficiency, leukemia).

Cachexia is caused by hormonal disorders, problems with the pancreas, dysfunction of the kidneys, liver, and pituitary gland.

Sometimes weight loss occurs due to:

• the occurrence of a stressful situation (if the cat is given into the wrong hands, often transported);
• bearing offspring and feeding kittens (nursing cats often become excessively thin, so that a thin cat does not become completely exhausted and gets sick, kittens are weaned as soon as they begin to feed on their own);
• vitamin deficiency (feed must be balanced, it is useful to give the cat additional vitamins);
• formation of hairballs in the stomach (from time to time pets are given special tablets to cough it up);
• infection of the pet’s body with helminths (parasites release dangerous toxins, weaken the cat, their activity over time leads to physical pain, which causes apathy and loss of appetite).

An adult, non-castrated cat loses weight when the heat begins. In the spring, cats literally forget about everything in the world, including food, they move a lot and eat poorly, so they lose weight. Females also lose weight for this reason, but it is males who experience significant changes.

Important! Older cats move less, sleep a lot and, accordingly, eat less, which affects their body weight.

What to feed a Maine Coon - choosing the type of diet

When deciding what to feed your Maine Coon, you need to make a choice from three possible diets:

• Natural.
• Industrial.
• Mixed.

Each type of diet has advantages and disadvantages for both owner and pet. Naturally, the owner must act in the best interests of the cat

It is important to remember that it is better not to change the type of kitten’s diet until it is one year old. Changing the type of feeding is acceptable after a period of adaptation to a new home or when changing an unsuitable diet

Natural diet

Unlike most cats, Maine Coons prefer a variety of flavors in their food. Even adult representatives of the breed consume a variety of foods with great pleasure.

A natural diet for Maine Coons includes:

• Feeding raw and cooked foods in pure and mixed form.
• Feeding exclusively raw foods.
• Feeding with homemade semi-finished products.

Benefits of a natural diet:

• The ability to provide your pet with a varied, healthy diet.
• Control over the quality and freshness of products.
• The ability to adjust the caloric content of the diet depending on the activity of the pet and the season of the year.
• Significant reduction in risks associated with digestive system sensitivity.

Disadvantages of a natural diet:

• Pet food must be prepared separately and regularly, which takes a lot of time.
• Even the highest quality products do not compensate for the pet’s needs for vitamins and microelements, so the kitten must receive food supplements.
• Natural food spoils quickly, so it should not be left in an automatic feeder.

A Maine Coon kitten can be switched to a natural diet from 1–1.5 months of age. Large cats that mature late are characterized by a slight delay in the transition to an adult diet.

Ready-made feed

Industrial food is an excellent and sometimes the only alternative for owners who do not have enough time to prepare food for their pet. However, ready-made food is not always useful.

Ready-made feeds are divided into types:

• Dry – granules.
• Semi-moist - pieces with gravy or jelly.
• Wet - pate or paste.
• Treats.

The type of feed is an important criterion, but its quality is fundamental. For the convenience of owners, the quality of feed is indicated by classes:

• Economy
• Premium
• Super premium.
• Holistic.

The higher the class of food, the more expensive it is. Super-premium and holistic food grades are suitable for feeding Maine Coons. If the pet is healthy and does not have a tendency to any genetic pathologies, it can be fed with everyday, high-quality food.

If a kitten has chronic health problems, including hereditary ones, it needs to be fed products for animals with specific needs:

• Maintenance, preventive, medicinal feeds.
• Products for emaciated kittens and adult animals.

Advantages of ready-made feed:

• Save time.
• High-quality feed contains a basic complex of vitamins and microelements.
• Dry food has a long shelf life.
• It is easy to calculate the daily feed intake.

Disadvantages of ready-made feeds:

• Relatively high cost.
• The risk of buying fake food.
• Diet monotony.

Maine Coon kittens begin to be fed soft industrial food from the age of one month. If a kitten is deprived of maternal care, it must be fed with an industrial cat milk substitute. Transfer to dry food is made after complete replacement of baby teeth.

Mixed diet

A mixed diet involves compiling a menu of industrial and natural food

It is important to remember that a pet's digestive system is much more sensitive than that of a human. Cats cannot digest food of different textures, even if they eat it at different times.

Some food is not digested in the pet's intestines.

The process of decay leads to the extinction of colonies of friendly bacteria and their replacement by pathogenic microflora. As a result, the cat develops dysbiosis, which results in chronic indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation.

A mixed diet is acceptable only in some cases. For example, if canned high-quality food is added to natural food. Temporary mixing of the diet is the stage of transferring a cat from natural to industrial feeding.

What to do if the cat becomes thin

If the owner has changed several types of food and given the animal an anti-worm medication, and the kitten is thin and continues to lose weight, contact a veterinarian. He will conduct the appropriate diagnostics (the animal’s blood and feces are taken for analysis, the cat is given an ultrasound, its organs are x-rayed, a laparotomy is performed) and will advise how exactly the pet should be treated.

Treatment

The animal is treated based on the diagnostic results. To begin with, in order to restore normal body weight and support the body, the following are prescribed:

• infusion therapy. Its essence boils down to the artificial introduction into the body of an animal of a medicinal solution or biological fluid - blood, plasma. Method of administration: intravenous or subcutaneous. Treatment allows you to replenish the loss of plasma or blood, the lack of individual elements, restore the balance of electrolytes and maintain the acid-base balance. This type of therapy is prescribed to animals whose kidney function is impaired, blood poisoning has been detected, and there are all signs of severe shock. During treatment, the cat's weight is measured regularly;
• intravenous nutrition. Nutrients are administered intravenously if the animal is unable to eat food on its own. The mixtures used completely replace natural food, preventing the cat’s body from weakening. Food is also administered through a nasogastric tube.

Simultaneously with maintenance therapy, measures are taken to eliminate the problem. So, if the cause lies in an upset stomach, then the cat is given medications that help eliminate inflammation of the mucous membranes and relieve pain. If the reason for thinness is that there is a foreign object in the animal’s mouth, surgery is performed. If the cause of exhaustion is worms, then the specialist will prescribe a course of medications to remove them from the body as carefully as possible.

Important! You should not try to cure a cat on your own, since even a specialist with modern equipment at his disposal is not always able to make an accurate diagnosis. If a cat's body is heavily infected with worms, then using anti-parasite medication can cause its death. To prevent this from happening, the animal is placed in a hospital and given only dosed medications.

How can you tell if your cat is sick?

A healthy Maine Coon is a cheerful, active cat with an excellent appetite and excellent coat . However, owners must be attentive to their pets.

Important! The appearance of the first signs of illness, a sudden change in behavior or appearance should cause concern and become a reason to seek qualified help.

A sick animal may exhibit the following signs:

• The appearance of discharge from the eyes. They can be of various types - both transparent and purulent or mucous.
• Excessive salivation, as well as plaque or sores on the tongue and gums.
• Indigestion. Vomiting and various stool disorders are typical signs of malfunctions of the digestive system. Concern should also be caused by the presence of blood, foam, worms in the animal’s stool, as well as a significant change in its color.
• Urinary disorders. These include: too frequent and excessive urination, urinary incontinence, pain when urinating or its complete absence.
• Respiratory rate disturbance. It may become rare or, conversely, more frequent. Shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing may occur, which indicate a number of serious health problems in the animal.
• Enlarged lymph nodes. Their increased size indicates the presence of inflammatory processes in the body of Maine Coons. The lymph nodes located under the lower jaw are the first to react to this. Therefore, the owner’s task is to know the location of the latter and periodically check their condition.
• Intense thirst. This is the main symptom of a number of diseases: diabetes, kidney disease or kidney failure, uremia or the common cold.
• Deterioration of the coat condition. If the Maine Coon's coat suddenly lost its shine, became disheveled, shedding increased, the color and elasticity of the skin changed, then the animal may have become ill.

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