Maine Coon

Breed Description

To begin with, let’s say that no unions between cats and lynxes or raccoons can exist in real life. This is precisely why the legends that Maine Coons are descendants of such pairings are fantasies of marketers.

However, there are versions of the breed’s origin that may have some basis in reality. One such story is connected to Marie Antoinette, who, during her escape, took with her everything she could, including her beloved cats. The escape was thwarted, but the cats had already been sent, and upon arriving in North America, they found mates among the local felines, which led to the emergence of raccoon cats.

Some geneticists draw parallels between Maine Coons and Norwegian cats. This similarity partly supports the version that ancient Vikings, who were on the continent even before Columbus, brought with them their fluffy, resilient mousers. Upon their arrival, these cats bred with the indigenous American felines.

There are many hypotheses about a captain nicknamed “Raccoon” by his sailors, who sold (or, according to another version, gave away for free) kittens born during sea voyages in American ports. The first part of the breed’s name indicates its connection to the state of Maine.

And perhaps the most fantastical version of how these remarkable cats appeared takes us back to the times of ancient Atlantis. Allegedly, one cat survived and became the ancestor of Siberian cats and representatives of the Norwegian breed.

However, if we consider the history of the Maine Coons from a scientific perspective, natural evolution indeed provided the impetus for their development. Their long, thick fur is evidence in support of this. In any case, if crossbreeding occurred, it was intentional, but the ancestors remain unknown.They were first mentioned in the 1860s at a cat show in the state of Maine. Interestingly, appearance played almost no role; only the working characteristics in rat-catching mattered. The giant cats competed under the approving cheers of local farmers, and just over 30 years later, the first Maine Coon won the grand prize in New York.It’s also noteworthy that fluffy Persian beauties largely overshadowed the local “Goliaths.” However, by the early 20th century, the status quo was restored, as in rural areas, these lovely fluffy creatures could not compete in their primary purpose of catching rats and mice with farmers’ raccoon cats.Nevertheless, the breed was almost forgotten until the post-war period. Around 1950, enthusiasts in the eponymous state founded a club to restore the population of these wonderful animals. They developed their own standard and wo

Appearance

The very large size of the Maine Coon speaks to its strength. At the same time, they are incredibly agile and possess remarkable grace. Their long tail serves as a heater in winter, as they wrap it around themselves to better endure the cold.

A stern expression is a mask that conceals boundless love and loyalty to their owner. A fairly calm demeanor, even a degree of discernment, are their distinguishing traits.

Of course, they may not compare to the lynx, but weighing between 4 to 9 kg with a height at the shoulder of up to 41 cm makes them the largest domestic cat. They reach their full size by 3 to 5 years of age. Castrated individuals can weigh even up to 14-15 kg. The maximum recorded body length is 123 cm, while typical cats are slightly smaller, up to 100 cm.

The appearance of Maine Coons, particularly their unique gaze, fur, and tufts on their ears, confirms that they are capable of surviving in harsh conditions without human assistance. They seem like wild cats that live with and love their beloved owner.

The price of purebred kittens in Russia directly depends on their class. A show-class Maine Coon kitten in Moscow can be purchased for 150,000 rubles or more, while a pet-quality one might be given away for free.

Отличительные черты

Голова

Rather large, but proportional to the overall size of the cat. Its shape is closer to a square or wedge-shaped, meaning it is less wide than it is long. The cheekbones are high and emphasize the transition to the muzzle. The forehead is slightly convex, although this is not specified in all standards.

Морда

Definitely square, although the standard suggests it should appear rectangular. When viewed from the side, it abruptly ends. It should not taper or have a pointed shape. Its width and length do not disrupt the overall proportions of the head. The overall appearance should leave a pleasant impression.

Уши

Large and wide at the base. The outer side of the base is slightly tilted backward in relation to the inner part of the base and is aligned with the upper part of the eye. They are set wide and high, more so in height than in width, but proportional to the size of the head. The tips are pointed, and the tufts of fur make them appear larger than they actually are.

Глаза

Large, olive-shaped eyes that appear round unless the animal squints. They are set widely apart. The cornea can be either yellow or green, and any shades of these colors are allowed. Blue eyes or even eyes of different colors are permissible, but only in white Maine Coons or those with white coloration.

Зубы

The first teeth emerge at around 3 weeks of age. By 3 to 4 months, permanent teeth begin to grow. Kittens have 26 milk teeth, while an adult Maine Coon has 30 permanent teeth, which include different types with various purposes and uses in specific situations.

Корпус

Broad and powerful chest. Body of medium to large size. Males are larger than females and noticeably more muscular. The body is elongated, but all parts are proportional and fully developed. When viewed from the side, it appears closer to a rectangular shape.

Конечности

Powerful, with strong bones. Both the front and hind legs are set fairly wide apart. They are not too long, maintaining the overall body proportion. When viewed from any side, the legs appear straight. From a side perspective, their size should give the animal a rectangular silhouette. The paws are large and rounded, with five toes on the front legs and four on the hind legs. Additionally, they should be quite furry.

Хвост

It must be equal to the length of the body from the withers to the waist or longer. Noticeably wide at the base and tapering towards the end. However, this tapering is not noticeable, as it is very well furred, meaning that the hair on it is long and thick. A tail that is too short is considered a defect.

Шерсть

Suitable for any weather, uneven in length but dense, noticeably shorter on the head and legs compared to a white raccoon cat. Something similar to a lion's mane is quite possible (a collar). Tactilely silky, but stiffer on the top. There is a soft undercoat.

Окрас

Various colorations are allowed, including white. Exceptions are chocolate, fawn, and pointed, as well as cinnamon and lilac. There is no limit on the amount of white, including spots on the chest, legs, and belly. Tortoiseshell and smoky can be of any color.

Character

Despite our love for Maine Coons, we cannot claim that there is any universal description of their temperament. Owners note certain characteristics that prevail among most of their pets.

Among the undeniable advantages of the Maine Coon can be listed the following traits:

– Affection for the owner, reminiscent of a dog’s loyalty. This can be judged by real-life examples: when greeting a guest, the cat will always stay close to the head of the family, watching the stranger. Some sources even describe cases where the animal stood guard, attacking overly intrusive visitors.

– Quietness. Unlike “talkative” breeds, such as Orientals, the quiet voice of a Maine Coon won’t be an issue for the owner. Furthermore, if it does speak up, there is usually a good reason. Just like in the famous saying: silence is golden.

– Calmness. The truly iron nerves of this royal cat help it even in the most extreme situations. It’s quite difficult to scare her. Here, the genes of wild native American cats come into play, prompting her to take a defensive stance. Perhaps this is also why there is a theory of their kinship with lynxes.

– Love for play. Even adults enjoy playing, not to mention kittens.- A strong need for affection. However, this affection is only required when the cat desires it. If you try to cuddle her against her will, it may have the opposite effect.- Adventurousness and a tendency for mischief. Since raccoon cats mature around the age of three, their inclination for “childish” antics persists for quite a while.- Curiosity. Even watching television can prompt a Maine Coon to freeze by the screen alongside family members. Almost everything happening outside the window remains in the hunter’s line of sight.Of course, there are negative traits in their character as well. However, these do not manifest in all cats and are more indicative of poor care or an uncomfortable atmosphere in the household where the legendary cat resides.On forums, some owners mention signs of deviant behavior. For example, males might mark their territory or refuse to use the litter box, sharpen their claws on furniture instead of a scratching post, or hang on curtains. But it’s unlikely that such owners will admit their own shortcomings in care. We do not idealize animals but affirm that the Ma

Care and Maintenance

Considering that the Maine Coon is an indigenous cat, the strongest of which managed to survive the harsh conditions of Maine winters, it can be concluded that caring for them is not particularly difficult.

However, caring for a Maine Coon kitten differs from the care of an adult animal. Kittens require constant attention and frequent play with their owner. They are usually purchased at about 3 months old when they are already trained to use the litter box and have learned some basic house rules. A sudden change in environment can have a negative effect on the kitten’s behavior. It is very important to gradually introduce something new, using positive reinforcement methods and avoiding punishment.

Adult Maine Coons adapt more easily to new living conditions. They are not particular about their residence. Nonetheless, they require outdoor walks-it’s in their nature. However, letting them outside unsupervised is risky. As a result, owners often train their Maine Coons to wear harnesses and take them for walks on leashes, similar to dogs. In today’s gadget-filled world, GPS collars are becoming popular, allowing owners to track their cat’s location in real-time through a special app on their smartphones. Such collars can be ordered with home delivery.

The pet’s thick fur requires quite a bit of grooming. Owners typically brush them about twice a week, ideally when their pet is calm. During shedding periods, daily brushing is necessary. For this, both slickers and brushes with fine and coarse bristles are needed. It’s advisable to trim the fur under the tail for hygiene reasons, as soiling can lead to difficulties after defecation. Baths can be given, but not too frequently.

Open sources suggest bathing raccoon cats every two weeks with specialized shampoo. However, this recommendation cannot be confirmed. The breed is very clean and is quite capable of grooming its own fur, as it has for centuries. Baths may be necessary in cases of heavy soiling or when preparing for a cat show, but even monthly baths would be excessive. The fur will gradually lose its natural qualities. The ideal interval for bathing is every three months-this is sufficient.

Returning to kittens, it’s crucial to emphasize the importance of maintaining a proper feeding schedule and including plenty of protein in their diet. This allows them to develop correctly and gain weight. There are now many ready-made feeds tailored to specific breeds, ages, and individual characteristics of the animal. The best choice would be premium cat food, which can be purchased online. Which food is best for a Maine Coon? A specialist at a veterinary clinic or the breeder from whom the kitten was acquired can best answer this question.Caring for the ears involves trimming the fur in the inner ear of the Maine Coon. Cleaning is done with a cotton ball. If you plan to use a cotton swab, great care must be taken to avoid damaging the eardrum. The swab should move gently and outward, as if pulling debris from inside.Trimming the rather strong claws may prove challenging for inexperienced owners. Typically, this is done with specialized nail clippers. It is important to accustom your pet to this from the first weeks of life, as an adult animal is significantly larger and more temperamental, making it more difficult to manage. Many owners opt for grooming ser

Training and Education

Our wild domestic cat is quite clever – this is a fact. She has a good memory and easily absorbs the rules set in the house. By observing her actions, it is fairly easy to determine certain traits of each specific raccoon cat.

Training should start with her responding to her name. Usually, a purchased kitten is already litter-trained; you just need to choose the right litter for the cat’s toilet. For kittens, clumping litter is better avoided, as curious little ones might swallow it during play. Wood pellets, however, have proven to be excellent, especially for city apartment dwellers.

In the future, the owner must monitor the adherence to the established rules in the home and reward the pet every time it behaves correctly. It is strictly forbidden to yell at or hit the kitten (or adult cat) in case of disciplinary breaches. Maine Coons are very sensitive to their owner’s tone, and a firm voice works best on them.

The intelligence of this breed is so developed that the owner can successfully teach the cat to respond to clicking sounds or even whistling. This can be achieved by making the desired sound every time the name is spoken. The animal will quickly start to perceive this association as a whole. Later, one can gradually try to call the beauty using just the sound, rewarding her with a treat each time success is achieved.

Given the breed’s love for games, the command “Fetch!” is not unattainable. Bringing a toy in her mouth is one of the simplest tricks for a Maine coon. Each time the owner plays with her, they say this command or replace it with “Bring it!” Subsequently, the range of items to fetch can be expanded. However, training her to bring slippers is unlikely to succeed; after all, she is an independent being, not a servant. The temperament of Maine Coons is different from that of other breeds.

Returning to training, make sure to teach the raccoon cat to use a scratching post. By taking her front paws and “sharpening” her claws on this device, the furniture at home will stay intact, and you’ll be able to watch a new series comfortably in your favorite chair rather than in its remnants.

How to Choose a Kitten

Before buying a Maine Coon kitten, it’s best to gather as much information as possible, engage with real owners on feline forums, and familiarize yourself with care and maintenance recommendations for the largest domestic cat. Don’t forget to consider why you need a Maine Coon. Do you want a furry companion with a fluffy tail, or a working rat catcher?

There are several standards recognized by different organizations. Make sure to study them carefully. They do not contradict each other but highlight specific elements of the breed’s appearance. This will help you when examining a litter during your purchase. The best option is undoubtedly visiting a large cat show, where you can personally meet breeders and see the beauty of Maine Coons up close.

Buying a Maine Coon kitten is not difficult. However, purchasing a purebred Maine Coon kitten is much more challenging. Be sure to visit a cattery and make your selection there. A low price will definitely not work in your favor. While you might save money on the initial purchase, there is a significant risk of ending up with a sick kitten that requires expensive treatment. Although you can insure your pet to save some costs, the stress involved is irreplaceable.

Health and Diseases

The years of evolution and natural development of the breed have provided it with stable health and a sufficiently strong immune system. However, Maine Coons are predisposed to several diseases worth mentioning.

Urinary tract diseases are quite frequently diagnosed. Cats that have undergone neutering are particularly prone to these issues, as it can lead to an imbalance in urine acidity. This imbalance can result in deposits that obstruct the elimination of urine from the body.

Gum diseases are most often seen in animals that are naturally fed or hunt for food themselves. The hard pellets of dry food help clean the teeth and prevent plaque buildup with bacteria on the teeth and gums.

Hip dysplasia is a very common problem caused by the improper formation of one of the hip joints. Unfortunately, the large size of the raccoon-like cat has brought it this “gift.”

Among genetic issues, two are extremely dangerous: cardiomyopathy, where the myocardium gradually weakens and the heart fails. Initial symptoms include rapid fatigue, reluctance to engage in active play, and labored breathing. The incurable spinal amyotrophy can be inherited if both parents carry the damaged gene. Around four months of age, a kitten may start to lose balance, movements become severely limited, and muscle weakness becomes evident.