Maine Coon Cats

Maine Coon Cat

With bobcat-like ears and a big, bushy tale, the amiable Maine Coon makes a popular family pet. They are long-haired cats and are particularly well-suited to the very harsh winter conditions of New England. The breed is particularly surrounded by interesting lore, making them a popular topic of conversation among cat enthusiasts.

Physical Features

Maine Coons can grow up to twenty pounds, with males averaging thirteen to eighteen pounds and females averaging about nine to twelve pounds. They have a large, broad chest and long, rectangular body. Main Coon's have a long tail, tufted ears and feet, and many are polydactyl, meaning they have extra toes.

Maine Coons do not reach full maturity until they are three or four years old. Their vocabulary includes unusual chirps and trills, as well as a wide variety of meows. Maine Coons are very sociable, getting along well with children and dogs, and they are great mousers.

Origins

Maine Coon cats are an American breed with a history going back, at least, to the early colonists. There are many legends about the origins of the breed ranging from Marie Antoinette's pets to a Norwegian Forest cat ancestor. Some use to believe they were originally a cross between a housecat and a raccoon, which of course is scientifically impossible. Others, more reasonably, believe that they originally came from domesticated cats mating with bobcats. Regardless of the precise origin of their ancestors, a few generations of harsh New England winters finalized the traits of the breed, creating a very hardy, large, intelligent, long-haired cat.

Breed Standard

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The Cat Fanciers' Association's Maine Coon breed standard includes the following traits:

  • Medium head with square muzzle and wide, expressive oval eyes
  • Ears are wide at the base and raise to a tapered point with full tufts of fur
  • Broad, muscular chest
  • The legs are large, straight and in proportion
  • Well-rounded paws with five toes in the front and four toes on the back paws
  • Long wide tail that tapers at the end
  • Smooth, shaggy long-haired coat that comes in solid colors like white, cream, red, blue and black, as well as many variations of tabby patterns, bi-colors and parti-colors.

Health

Maine Coons are a fortunate breed. They are very hardy cats who have escaped some of the hardships that popular purebreds often suffer. Main Coons have a very large gene pool and miraculously, given their popularity, there is very little inbreeding among Maine Coon breeding professionals and enthusiasts.

According to VetInfo, the most common inherited conditions which affect the breed include:

  • Hip dysplasia: Hip joints develop abnormally and cause the bones to grind together gradually over time because the hip's ball and socket are not formed properly. An affected cat will show symptomps of discomfort when walking and lying in certain positions. The hip area may be tender. The grinding may lead to osteoarthritis.
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: This sometimes fatal condition is hard to diagnose until it has advanced. The heart muscles thicken and cause the cat's heart to not pump or contract normally, effecting proper heart function. Symptoms may include irregular, rapid breathing, fainting, coughing, lethargy, little to no appetite or paralysis of the hind legs.
  • Spinal muscular atrophy: The spinal neurons that regulate skeletal muscles in the cat's upper body and legs die off and cause muscular atrophy. Affected kittens show signs by four months in unusual walking or stances, such as standing with toes facing the front. Cat with this condition are often too weak to jump or walk actively by eight months. An indoor cat with the condition can enjoy a good life quality as an indoor cat and may live well into nine years of adulthood.
  • Polycystic kidney disease: Kidney cysts are present at birth and gradually grow larger, eventually replacing healthy kidney tissue, causing the kidneys to enlarge and function less effectively. Symptoms involve increased thirst and urination, vomiting, lack of appetite, no energy and weight loss. Without medical intervention, the condition can progress and be fatal. Fortunately, the condition, although incurable, is treatable and special diets, medication and hormone therapy can slow the disease down to prolong the cat's life.

Those who seek out a pedigreed Main Coon should talk openly with the breeder about any family history of these conditions. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common heart disease in all cats and may cause problems as minor as a heart murmur, but can cause sudden death with no warning signs.

7 month old Maine Coon

Maine Coons as Pets

Maine Coons make good pets for single people or families as they are amiable, playful and independent. They are excellent mousers who get along well with children and dogs. While they are not generally lap cats, they are very social creatures. They are gentle, intelligent and curious.

Grooming

The long-haired breed will self-groom regularly. However, you should still detangle and brush your cat twice a week to avoid mats. Here is a grooming routine:

  • Remove tangles with a dematting comb.
  • Use a rake comb to remove shed fur of undercoat.
  • Brush fur with a slicker brush.
  • Wipe debris around eyes with a damp cotton ball.
  • Clean off any dirt around the tail area with a wet cloth.
  • Bathing should only be done once a year or as needed with a pet shampoo.
  • Rinse out ears with pet ear cleaner once a month.

A Good Pet or Show Animal

Maine Coons work well as either companion animals or show cats. The breed will appeal to those looking for pets or champions. For more information on obtaining a purebred Maine Coon, see the Maine Coon Breeder's Association.