The Maine Coon cat is one of the most popular giant cat breeds but is probably one of the most sought-after of any cat breed.
This is for a very good reason…
Regardless of their impressive size, they also stand out like a cat with a strong personality which also creates a very strong bond with their owners.
Do you want to know more about this giant and affectionate cat?
If so, keep reading this article, but be warned that you may become seriously tempted to get your very own Maine Coon after this read, for they are fantastic animals all around…
Table of Contents
How The Maine Coon Got Its Name:
The Maine Coon is a breed endemic to the United States of America, specifically the state of Maine.
It is estimated that around 1850, long-haired cats came from Europe and Asia which then made it with local short-haired cats.
The result was large cats with thick fur and a strong build. Its ring tail resembles that of the raccoon; the shortened term ” Coon” being added to its place of origin to provide its breed name.
This breed was popular in rural environments and became widespread on farms in the northeast of America.
They were imported to the UK in 1980, and in 1982 were recognized by the Fédération Internationale Phelan, and later by the Governing Council of the cat fancy in 1993.
It is currently considered one of the most popular cat breeds throughout the world.
If you want to know everything about this fantastic feline we should start with a general review of the breed standard, or look better at the unique features this huge cat breed has.
Characteristics of The Maine Coon Cat:
It is a giant-sized cat, with a square head, large ears, and a long tail. Its body structure is robust thanks to solid bones and strong musculature.
Males usually have the most muscular and strong neck, but generally, both females and males have large legs and a long fluffy tail.
Their pointed ears with tufts of hair are also very noticeable in the breed and give them a similar appearance to their wild cousins the Lynx.
Finally, we highlight their large eyes, which can be of any color.
Their furs should be dense in the back, as well as, their chest and belly but shorter in the head, shoulders, and legs.
It is silky to the touch, and also has an undercoat; this is a dense thick layer that helps protect them against cold climate.
How Does The Maine Coon Cat Behave?
We can define the character of the Maine Coon as friendly, playful, and sweet.
In general, these are very sociable cats who enjoy the company of their owners.
However, to ensure the cat is balanced and sociable in its adult stage.
Special attention needs to be paid when it is a kitten; the most important period is between three and seven weeks of age, as this is the time the kitten must remain with its mother and siblings.
This allows them to learn the feline language, how to play with others, and learn bite inhibition.
At this point, they should also meet with people and other animals to prevent them from misbehaving when they’re older.
Cats will love to play and have fun during all times of its life including during old age.
Maine Coons are considered extremely intelligent felines capable of recognizing different words and even commands.
Something peculiar to this breed is their vocalization.
Famous as they are for their frequent hails, gurgles, and chattering.
They are also found of water and snow which is unusual for most other cats.
Seeing a big fuzzy Maine Coon playing around with water or in snow is a spectacular sight and just so adorable, and these types of cats are amazing all around.
They are friendly, big goofballs really.
Can I Own A Maine Coon Cat?
Being the owner of a Maine Coon is recommended only for dynamic families who are already familiar with cats.
These families may or may not include children, it’s a very adaptable feline which will enjoy different environments.
However, it is particularly good for rural areas or places with a garden as it likes to explore and exercise their instincts without limits.
It is usually a particular docile cat that does not usually present behavioral problems.
I Want To Buy One, But How Do I Take Care Of It?
Well, taking care of a Maine Coon cat is relatively simple.
Although it can be somewhat expensive mainly due to its large size.
We refer specifically to its diet which should be based on high-quality products, which can include homemade, and raw foods.
Choosing a nutritious product will have an impact on their health, well-being, and lustrous coat.
Due to a propensity to obesity, it is recommended to adequately ration their food in two or three daily doses. (2.)
Alone like all cats, Maine Coons will devote long hours to their grooming.
They will need some extra brushing at least a few times a week to maintain their long coat.
This routine will help get rid of dead hair and keep their fur clean and beautiful.
It will also help us to detect any skin problems for the presence of parasites.
We can use a file card brush to comb that coat, if we see tangles or matted hair then we may need to cut it using a special cutter for felines.
Since the cats clean themselves, we shouldn’t need to bath them in principle, however, if you get them used to bathing from when they’re young, we can provide a monthly bath if they need it.
Ensure you use specialized shampoo and conditioner for cats to maintain their shiny coat, so, they can engage in the natural behavior of their species.
We need to provide them with a large enough litter box to meet their needs.
They will also need several scrapers so they can trim their claws regularly, and do not destroy your furniture.
Finally, it will also be important to pay attention to their environmental enrichment, this means they will need adequate distraction through their home and could include catwalks, wall brackets, catnip, water fountains, or canvas tunnels.
Due to their playful nature, Maine Coon cats will need to be played with by an attentive owner, we can use fishing rod style toys, food dispenser toys, catnip, or even pieces of string.
Don’t forget that a healthy playtime should last at least 20 to 40 minutes per day.
It is advisable to visit the vet every 6 to 12 months for a general checkup and to detect any possible health problems.
additionally, the vet will help us to appropriately fulfill their vaccination schedule and deworming procedure.
Preventative medicines are essential to ensure the good health of the feline, likewise, we must be aware of any behavioral changes; the healthiness of their stools, or the possible expulsion of hairballs.
The latter of which can be helped with a multi purpose pill.
The most frequent diseases of Maine Coon cats are; feline hypertrophic, cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, and pectus excavatum, or the sunken chest.
With attentive care, and applying the appropriate preventative medicine guidelines mentioned above, there’s little reason a Maine Coon cat can’t live between 9 and 15 years of age.
Also read: how long do cats live?
Now, we are done with the major part of this post, let’s take a look at some of the myths and fun facts about Maine Coon cats.
Myths And Facts About Maine Coon Cats:
Well, there’s been a lot of speculation about this breed and in this section, we’re gonna end it once and for all.
Let’s take a look at some myths and facts about Maine Coon cats.
Myth 1:Maine Coons are Malevolent and Angry
It may seem to you that these cats are angry or even aggressive, but it’s not true.
The fact is when you think the Maine Coon is angry, it is probably just sleepy.
Like most of Maine Coons, they are very cute and never use my teeth on clothes and they love playing with humans.
If they ever become aggressive, do not take it personally, because they probably didn’t mean it.
The problem is, most people try to rub their bellies, which they do not like.
Myth 2:Maine Coons are Independent and Self-Sufficient
The fact is, they love to be around people, and love to lie next to them. And even if you go somewhere, they will find you.
They love it when you call them by their name, and they will respond.
Myth 3:Maine Coons are Hunters
Years ago the ancestors of Maine Coons were bred to hunt for rodents such as mice in farms which made them quickly adapted to become expert hunters.
So, you must make sure they can practice their hunting skills in the house.
Hunting is in their blood, and they will chase, catch, and bring its prey to people because they forget how to do it.
Your cat may bring you the occasional “gift” which you may not be so fond of getting, but your cat means no harm by doing this even if it is not the best habit for your cat to have.
You don’t want to leave your chicken bones on a table, they will take it to their bed as soon as possible though.
Myth 4:Maine Coons Have Special Language
Maine Coons don’t typically meow, but they are great at trilling and chirping instead.
And even though they are not good at meowing, they are social and they can engage in some small talks.
Myth 5: Maine Coons Never Sit On Lap
They are big cats, and they don’t like to be in people’s hands sometimes, this is not serious though.
They will not use claws but they will only give a gentle hint that they are going to leave, and even more.
When it comes to sitting on people’s lap, they love it but they wouldn’t sit on your lap for long.
If you get them to sit on your lap for a minute then I guess they love you.
Remember, each cat is their own person with their own individual needs and personality traits.
When you have had a Maine Coon cat for some time, you will start to take note of all the unique Maine Coon personality traits which they are so loved for having.
Myth 6:Maine Coons Like High Places
They are also super climbers just like Bobcats. Some people might think they’re too heavy to climb but this is not true.
The highest places in a house are theirs, they love to whine on high shelves and watch the world go by below them.
Myth 7:Maine Coons Don’t Play With Balls
One of their favorite activity is playing with a ball.
Well, sometimes they can go in the wrong direction, or even forget where should they bring the ball.
But usually, they try to bring it back because it rolled again and again, and they the dynamics of the game just like hunting.
These cats are very active and playful, and this trait alongside their hunters nature makes them very fun to play with at times.
Myth 8:Maine Coons Are Fascinated By Water In Any Form
While the majority of their domestic feline cousins try to avoid water at all cost, Maine Coon cats actually love playing in and around water as a rule.(1.)
They have a highly water-resistant fur that it covers the body and it is also silk soft to the touch.
Even though they love water, it meant something else, they do not like being washed most of the time.
So, do not lock them in your transparent bathroom to wash them because they don’t want to be there and may feel trapped and nervous.
They do not like to be bathed always because they will have to lick themselves back to normal for ages which tends to destroy their plans for the day unfortunately.
Myth 9:Maine Coons are Super Allergenic
Maine Coons have a lot of rules and therefore they’re worried allergenic.
A large amount of wool does not necessarily have to cause a lot of allergies, as well as, the complete absence of wool to guarantee no allergic reactions.
Myth 10:Maine Coons are Very High Maintenance
This is not even close to the truth.
Of course you will need to take good care of your Maine Coon Cat, but they aren’t outrageously difficult to take care of.
They eat pretty much the same for and of course play with the same toys which an average-sized cat would eat or play with.
So, it’s $40 for a pack of feed, $45 for vitamins, $10 for balls, $4 for natural food, and $ 15 for a litter box.
Furthermore, it should cost you $14 for kitty litter, and shafts, and scratching post, it should cost you $40.
It would cost you maybe $15 for shampoo, $5 for pate, $10 for mouth paste, and $5 for grooming brush for your Maine Coon Cat.
The monthly cost is approximately $50. Well because of their size, they might eat a little more than the rest of the crowd.
This can be bad but hey they have a price tag but I mean these cats are priceless, gorgeous, beautiful, playful, and they’re known for their intelligence and vibrant personality.
How To Groom a Maine Coon At Home:
For starters, you want to trim the nails to make sure that you don’t get scratched by really sharp cat nails, in case they don’t like grooming.
For brushing, I like the rubber tip coated pin brush.
This brush glides through the coat well and gets out some of the undercoats.
After brushing, you want to follow up with a coarse tooth comb, and a fine-toothed comb; make sure that they are steel to reduce static.
Then I like to follow up with a flea comb, which is not only meant for fleas but you can use it on some of the shorter-haired areas like the face, and down the legs to reduce the amount of undercoat that they have flowing around the house.
If you have a matted cat, there are several options of blades for matted cats.
However, I would use a number 10 blade and if they’re an extreme case I would use a number 30 blade.
There are also options for a longer haircut such as a 7fc. These blades are specific cat blades with the right technology to make cat grooming a lot easier.
You must always take great care when grooming your Maine Coon Cats, so you don’t accidentally hurt them somehow to make them feel bad.
If you’re looking for a longer attachment comb trim, I recommend the steel combs. so let me show you how to use these tools on your beloved Maine Coon.
Step 1:
First, you are going to start by clipping the nails. You do this by pressing between the toes to make sure that we expose that toenail.
Now that we’ve clipped the nails, we’re going to move on to clipping the hair on the bottoms of the feet.
You do this by using an ultra edge clipper with a 30 cat blade on it. So, what you do is to just skim across the top of the pads.
You do not want dig between the webbing, because if you do that you’re going to end up cutting the webbing.
The reason why you do this is that it helps reduce the amount of cat litter that’s tracked out of the cat box.
Step 2:
After that, you’re going to come in and just tidy up the bottom of the foot with your scissors, it’s going to round out underneath.
Then you use your brush to fluff up some of that coat on top of the foot and trim off some of the long hairs.
When done, put the foot down on the table, and round out the foot, to give you that nice finished cat foot.
Step 3:
When you decide to brush your cat, make sure that you brush down to the skin. So, you want to push the coat back and line brush.
This will help get any of the extra undercoat and mattes out of your kitty. Also, make sure that you lift to get the underside of the kitty; the armpit, the belly area.
As we know, Maine cats do not like to be rolled over, so, they might not be so tolerant.
So, after you’ve brushed and got some of the undercoats out of your cat, you want to make sure that you go over with coarse teeth, and then fine teeth brush.
Make sure that you always use the steel teeth on your comb, because if you use plastic, you’re going to get a very big sticky mess of a situation.
And your cats probably going to get a little angry with you because the comb will get caught.
When doing this, you’ll notice that the hair is pulling out and that is all dead coat; it’s not a live coat that’s going to cause any harm with the animal.
To follow up, you want to use the flea comb on the head, and down the leg areas; some of the shorter area to get some of the undercoats out.
Make sure you get behind the ears, and again just the finest undercoat comes out.
Step 4:
So, now we’re going to clipper the body of our cat.
What you’ll do here is to change the blade length to a number 10, and then you put on a steel magnetic attachment comb on a 10 blade setting.
The reason why you would want to use an attachment comb on your Maine Coon is that you want a longer comb cut, and your cat is older, you want to do this so that you don’t expose how thin she is underneath.
So, you’re going to turn on your clipper, on a low-speed setting and the reason why you’re doing the low-speed setting is that you want to make sure that she’s not afraid of the Clipper.
And the reason why you want to reverse the attachment comb is that you are trying to get a shorter yet presentable clipper on the kitty.
A lot of times when you groom a cat and you leave there coat longer, with an attachment comb it kind of looks like a child took scissors to the coat and gets choppy.
You want to go with the grain too to try to get some of that length off.
Now, if you were to clipper your cat, and you wanted to use a 10 blade or a 7 blade or a much shorter blade, you want to make sure that you’re careful in their armpit area by the rear end and the back of the leg.
This is because the skin is very thin in those areas especially the loin in the belly area, and you can get the skin caught between the teeth of the blade and injure your cat.
So, you can try that versus and not clipped and you’d notice the difference in your clipper work and how nice and long, and full the coat still looks versus what you’ve not clipped, something a little bit easier maintainable for you as the pet owner at home.
I hope you’ve learned a lot with all the tips on how to take care of your Maine Coon, the various myths people have about these cats, and also how to groom them.
This sums it up for this post on Maine cats, and I hope you achieved your goal and something was learned.
Would you ever consider getting your own Maine Coon cat to cuddle and play with? I sure am considering it right now.
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Also, share this piece with other Maine Coon lovers like yourself which you may know about to help them understand these lovely felines better.
