Maine Coon cats, one of the oldest natural breeds in North America, are widely recognized by breed experts. Originating from the state they were named after, Maine Coon cats are the official feline of the state of Maine. If you’re considering adopting a cat, here’s everything you need to know about Maine Coon cats.
Origin of the Maine Coon
The origin of Maine Coon cats is shrouded in mystery and has been the source of many legends. Many breeders today believe that Maine Coon cats are the result of mating between pre-existing domestic short-haired cats and long-haired 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 in North America, such as the Persian. It wasn’t until the 1950s that Maine Coon cats began to regain attention and popularity outside of New England.
Characteristics of the Maine Coon
The most important characteristics of Maine Coon cats are their head shape, body form, and coat texture. With a head slightly longer than it is wide, these cats have a slightly concave profile with high cheekbones. Their ears are large and wide at the base, moderately pointed, with tufts of hair similar to those of a lynx inside. Their large, expressive round eyes are their most distinctive trait.
Well-bred Maine Coon cats have a rectangular and well-balanced appearance. Many colors and patterns are allowed in the Maine Coon cat breed. 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 rarely « meow, » when they do, it’s a soft, high-pitched voice that directly contradicts their size.
Everything you need to know about Maine Coon cats includes their appealing character trait. They have an affectionate, sometimes clownish nature, and often amusing habits. They try to be helpful to their human family by jumping into the center of activities. Maine Coons enjoy chasing objects and can be taught to fetch and return. This skill can prove very useful for rural homes that need pest control. As they are strong and robust cats, novice breeders will find them a good choice for healthy kitten litters.
Temperament of the Maine Coon
Unlike other human-oriented cat breeds, Maine Coons are not overly 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 generally behave well with other pets.
To understand everything you need to know about Maine Coon cats, you should know that this relaxed and laid-back breed develops slowly to maturity, between three and four years. Aging does not eliminate their playful, kitten-like temperament, and their reputation as the « gentle giants » of the feline world. Unlike many cat breeds, they prefer to stay at ground level rather than jumping onto higher surfaces.
Care and Training of 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. As Maine Coons naturally drink a lot of water, always keep a source of clean, freshwater available.
Their coat is relatively easy to maintain. Weekly combing using a wide-toothed comb, followed by a narrow-toothed comb, will help control hair loss and knot formation in the Maine Coon.
Maine Coons are creatures of habit. This characteristic makes them easy to train when they associate an activity with something they enjoy. Using positive reinforcement training that rewards good behavior, Maine Coon cats can be trained to accept a harness and leash.
Health Issues Related to the Maine Coon
Every cat breed has genetic strengths and weaknesses, and Maine Coon cats are no different. In general, genetic weaknesses only affect a small minority of the breed. To learn everything you need to know about Maine Coon cats, it’s important to understand that the most common hereditary health problems are hip dysplasia and cardiomyopathy, a heart disease.
Reputable breeders will strive to screen for problems in their breeding. Before adopting from a Maine Coon breeder, make sure to ask them if they’ve had any disease issues with their previous litters and to what extent the breeder performs screening with all new litters. Most reputable breeders offer health guarantees for a certain period when they sell their purebred Maine Coon kittens.
