Maine Coon cats are widely regarded as one of the oldest natural breeds in North America. They are named after the state of Maine, where they originated, and are even the official state cat of Maine. If you’re considering adopting a cat, here’s everything you need to know about Maine Coon cats.
Where does the Maine Coon come from?
The origin of Maine Coon cats has been surrounded by mystery, giving rise to legends. Many breeders now support the theory that Maine Coon cats are the result of a crossbreeding between existing domestic shorthair cats and longhaired cats introduced from overseas by sailors or brought to America by the Vikings.
Their popularity as show cats began to decline in the early 20th century with the arrival of more exotic breeds, such as the Persian. It wasn’t until the 1950s that Maine Coon cats started to regain attention and popularity outside of New England.
Maine Coon Characteristics
The most important features of Maine Coon cats are their head shape, body shape, and coat texture. These cats have a slightly longer than wide head, with a slightly concave profile and high cheekbones. Their ears are large and wide at the base, moderately pointed, and have tufts of hair similar to those of a lynx on the inside. The most distinctive feature of Maine Coon cats is their large, round, expressive eyes. Well-bred Maine Coons have a rectangular and well-balanced appearance.
Maine Coon cats come in a variety of colors. Even eye color can vary from green to golden to blue, with some white Maine Coons having two different-colored eyes. Their voice, a characteristic trill, also sets them apart from other breeds. Although they don’t meow often, when they do, it is a soft and high-pitched voice that contradicts their size.
Everything you need to know about Maine Coon cats includes their attractive personality traits. They are affectionate, sometimes clownish, and often have amusing habits. They try to be helpful to their human family by jumping into the center of activities. Maine Coons enjoy chasing after objects and can be taught to catch and retrieve. This skill can be very useful for rural homes in need of pest control. As they are strong and sturdy cats, novice breeders will find that they make a good choice for producing healthy litters of kittens.
The Personality of the Maine Coon
Unlike other cat breeds that are more human-oriented, Maine Coons are not excessively dependent on their human family. Instead of pestering you for attention, they will stay close to you to keep you company. They are generally not « lap cats » and prefer to sit next to you rather than on you. Maine Coon cats make excellent companions for children and usually get along well with other pets.
To fully understand everything you need to know about Maine Coon cats, it is important to note that this laid-back and relaxed breed grows slowly until they reach maturity, which is typically between three to four years. Aging does not diminish their playful temperament, reminiscent of a kitten, and their reputation as « gentle giants » in the feline world. Unlike many other cat breeds, they prefer to stay close to the ground rather than jumping on higher surfaces.
Caring for and Training Your Maine Coon Cat
Everything you need to know about Maine Coon cats includes a warning about their weight. Due to their naturally large size, many breeders recommend a high-quality diet to control weight gain. Between 5 and 10 years old, it is recommended to switch to a low-calorie diet, especially for indoor cats. Since Maine Coons naturally drink a lot of water, always keep a source of clean and fresh water available to them.
Their coat is relatively easy to maintain. Weekly combing with a wide-toothed comb, followed by a fine-toothed comb, will help control shedding and prevent matting in Maine Coons.
Read our article on the 5 best brushes for Maine Coon cats.
Maine Coons are creatures of habit. This characteristic makes them easy to train when they associate an activity with something they love. By using positive reinforcement training that rewards good behavior, Maine Coon cats can be trained to accept a harness and leash.
Medical Issues Associated with Maine Coon Cats
Maine Coon cats, like any other breed, have their own genetic strengths and weaknesses. The most common hereditary health issues in Maine Coons are hip dysplasia and cardiomyopathy, a heart disease. Reputable breeders will make efforts to screen for these issues in their breeding programs. Before adopting a Maine Coon from a breeder, it’s important to inquire about any health problems in previous litters and the extent to which the breeder conducts screening for these conditions. Most reputable breeders also offer health guarantees for a certain period when selling their purebred Maine Coon kittens.
