Maine Coon Cat: Full Profile, History, and Care

We present one of the cats that have caused more expectation since the species is known: the Maine Coon.

Join us in this review for its main characteristics and curiosities. We hope you like what we are going to tell you.

The Maine Coon, a very special cat

And you’re going to realize this from the first glance, as the Maine Coon cat has been revealed as one of the largest cat breeds..

At a popular level, it is even considered that they are the domestic cats, larger.

Keep in mind that males weigh between 7 and 10 kilos, and females can reach between 5 and 9 Kg.

Learn to recognize a Maine Coon

We’ve already advanced you to the greatness of the Maine Coon,but it’s interesting to consider some other physical traits of these kittens.

In this way, you can identify them better, sometimes they could be confused with the Norwegian Forest or the Siberian Cat.

They have a square head and symmetrical eyes, so their beautiful look has become one of their hallmarks. Their eyes are large and their ears are long and pointed.

As for the body, remember that it is an especially muscular and strong breed. Their coats can change, and as we will tell you later, they can have a mantle of different colors.

The Maine Coon and its social skills

On the other hand, they are affectionate cats. They will sit regularly near you, looking for your closeness,but at the same time they are independent cats, who like to be calm.

They get used very quickly to active families and even those who have other pets, such as dogs.

Not in vain, they are very sociable animals and try to communicate through different kinds of meows…

How does a Maine Coon cat eat?

First of all, we remind you that cats need amounts of calories (especially from puppies) that are related to their size.

In this aspect, the Maine Coons have to be fed with foods with quality nutrients and low grain, if possible and that provide proteins of high biological power, such as the Barf diet or dehydrated natural food.

However, when they get older (a Maine Coon can live to almost sixteen),they will have to consume lower-calorie foods.

Otherwise, since they will no longer burn as many fats, they can tend to be overweight…

Having a large mouth, remember to give it kibble in correspondence with that size, if you opt for traditional food. In this way, they will develop their jaw and will not have oral hygiene problems…

In the water, cats?

You don’t have to bathe it regularly. If the cat lives indoors, it will not require frequent water.

So one less problem… However, we recommend using special natural shampoos and oils for cats, if you do.

And remember also that your hydration is more than enough. That they always have access to fresh and clean water.

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Characteristics of Maine Coon cats

The Maine Coon cat adapts easily to harsh climates. Its shiny fur is thick and elegant and with a silky necklace like the one that lions have that gives it a certain wild and fierce air.

It is longer in the neck, belly and hind legs areas, which protects it from snow and water, and shorter in the back to slide easily among the vegetation.

Their ears are long and pointed, and usually end in characteristic brushes.

Its head and muzzle have a square shape which together with its large eyes facilitate the work of hunting its prey.

Its tail is long and with abundant fur, very similar to that of raccoons. Perhaps this is the reason for its name “Maine Coon”, given that the English name of raccoons is “racoon”.

The Origin of the Maine coon Where will they come from?

According to The Cat Fanciers Association, the Maine Coon cat is the first native display cat breed originating in the United States..

We had already told you that this breed is preceded by a great fascination.

In part, it is justified by doubts about its origin. Nothing has been determined, in this aspect, with precision, except that it begins to follow its trail in Maine (United States) at the end of the nineteenth century.

But from these first public appearances we do have documented data.

More diverse are the theories about the origin of these cats: from companions of Marie Antoinette, to hunters of mice of the Viking ships from the Norwegian forests.

Going through the collecting of the sailor Thomas Coon and the impossible cross between a cat and a raccoon (for its similarities with these animals and the fact that the word racoon means raccoon in English).

In short, all these versions (we do not count now the one of the crossing between species) agree that the Maine Coon, appeared in the northeast of the United States because someone took them there. From where? it’s a mystery.

There is a theory that gains strength and says that its origin could be in the crossing of Angora cats, coming from Turkey and one of the first long-haired breeds, with the domestic cats of Main.

Maine Coon Exhibits

The first Maine Coon exhibitions took place logically, in the United States.

We know that E.R. Pierce,a woman who had a black and white Maine Coon called “Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines” documented the first steps of this feline breed in the USA.

Thanks to it, information about contests and their winners has reached our days. So we know that in 1878 twelve Maine Coon cats were submitted to the contest in Boston.

A few years later, in 1895, and no less than at Madison Square Garden in New York, the largest and best known contest took place, which was won by a kitten named Cosey whose owner was Mrs. Baker..

Cosey received a silver medal with the inscription “National Cat Show, 1895” which is now in the CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association).

The exhibits spread during the early twentieth century throughout the United States.

However, the popularization of other pedigree breeds such as Persian Cats made the Maine Coon lose prominence, until they were even declared extinct in 1950, something that fortunately, was not true.

Today they have regained the interest of cat lovers. As you are sure that you are already falling in love with this breed of cats, we invite you to continue reading more things about it.

Character of Maine Coon cats

Maine Coons are very affectionate cats,but not too dependent. He will be a good companion and friend, but don’t expect to have him too much in your arms.

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It adapts very well to active families and even with other animals such as dogs around, as we had already mentioned.

They are calm, but, at the same time, they demonstrate their agility when you least expect it and despite being so great.

For example, when a mouse passes in front of them and they prepare to hunt it as if there were no tomorrow.

And it is that the one who had retained and in the instinct of these animals continues to present its hunting origin.

Maine Coon Cat Care

It is very important to monitor the food of the Maine Coon,that it is of quality and to ensure certain daily activity, play with them, that they can access large spaces to promote their mobility.

Another factor to consider in this breed is its long hair, which requires daily brushing to remove dead hairs, routinely..

The use of suitable brushes is the most recommended, given the high density they have, as well as providing them with malt to facilitate the expulsion of the hair ingested when licking.

In addition, as in any healthy life plan, they will need to do a little moderate physical exercise a day.

It is very good for them, to play with reeds or interactive toys, to stimulate their “desire” to hunt and release that vital energy that the Maine Coon Cat have…

In relation to the bathroom, it is not necessary to do it very often and more if they do not have access to the outside.

If it is done, it will be enough to use a specific shampoo for long-haired cats and then dry it with a towel or a suitable dryer and never directly.

And another important point is that they are always well hydrated, encourage them to drink water, for example with fountains.

Water is essential for maintaining the pH and natural oils in their coat, as well as for regulating their urinary system in these oversized cats.

All colors of the Maine Coon

If you expect to recognize these cats by some special color, you’re out of luck.

Among the characteristics that make these animals so unique, we must highlight the diversity of colors in which you can find them.

Therefore, you will see Maine Coon in black, white and cream colors. Likewise, the specimens in tabby and tortoiseshell tones also stand out.

This is his mantle

One of the hallmarks of the Maine Coon is its mantle, which gives it a majesty that immediately catches the eye.

Above all, the length and density of the hair of the belly and breeches stand out. Its necklace is slightly reminiscent of that of a lion, and the overall texture is silky and smooth.

An extraordinary trait you may not have known about the Maine Coons

In the line of surprises that this breed holds, there is a physical characteristic that, surely, you did not expect.

And it is not a singular feature, but even extraordinary. We refer to polydactyly. We clarify that this word means to have some finger more than those common in other cats.

The origin of this circumstance is the presence of a dominant gene in one of the parents. This trait also occurs in 40% of specimens.

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However, this is a quality in recession. Why is there less and less Maine Coon with polydactyly??

The answer: the specimens with more fingers are disqualified from the contests, so breeders prefer those with the same as the rest of the cats.

Recommended accessories for Maine Coon

You may also wonder which toys and accessories are preferred by the Maine coon. Basically, they will need those that have a size according to their large dimensions. P

Or consequently, you would have to buy them wide sandboxes, scrapers that are at their height and robust beds of original styles, such as the one with a base reminiscent of rattan.

Larger sandboxes

There are special large sandboxes for the size of the Maine Coon, which are usually larger than usual and that facilitate their movement inside.

Scrapers at your height

Being one of the so-called large cat breeds (in fact, it is the largest) the furniture that we put at your service needs to be strong and robust.

Original beds

As in the case of scrapers, the most suitable would be a robust, spacious and comfortable bed. In fishlists you can find original bedding for them.

Adopt or buy a Maine Coon?

These cats, like all of them, are also abandoned, but if you are thinking of sharing your life with a Maine Coon cat, it will be very difficult for you to do it, because they are cats that mostly come from kennels specialized in their breeding…

These take care of maintaining the breed, with all the guarantees of health and characteristics of these precious cats.

We are always in favor of adoption, but if you want to have a Maine Coon, we always recommend that you do it in an official hatchery with all the health guarantees, vaccination booklet up to date and pedigree that indicates us, which is a hatchery with reliability and recognized.

They must advise you and accompany you in all the doubts you have.

Well, now we know a little more about this special breed, and they are big and very special cats. Do you share your life with a Maine Coon? Tell us about it and if you liked the article, share it with the world.