Red Maine Coon: color varieties and character of peach cats

With the appearance of a pet in the house, life becomes brighter and more fun. Most people prefer cats because there is no need to walk with them every day, and they are very friendly and sociable. Once you decide to have a cat in your home, you should carefully select the breed. A good choice would be the red Maine Coon, which is distinguished by its huge size, good disposition, and sociability.

General characteristics of Maine Coon cats

The Maine Coon is the largest breed of cat, bred in America in the northwestern state of Maine. Studying the general characteristics of coons, it is worth highlighting:

country of origin - USA;
the weight of females is up to 5-7 kg, males up to 12-13 kg;
life expectancy from 12 to 15 years;
the average cost of kittens in nurseries is from 20 to 70 thousand rubles;
the length of the animal is more than 1 meter.

Representatives of this cat family differ significantly from other breeds: their huge size, massive paws, the presence of tufts on their ears, a fluffy and long tail (in most individuals its length is 70 cm). The cats got their name due to their great external resemblance to raccoons (color and fluffy tail).

Important : Maine Coons, like raccoons, love to stand on their hind legs and look into the distance.

Origin story

The history of the birth of Maine Coons is still surrounded by myths and legends, although it has already been genetically proven that their ancestors were born without human intervention.
But what breed these ancestors were - the question remains open. According to one legend, Norwegian forest cats are among the relatives. These large animals, adapted to life in harsh conditions, were brought on their ships by the Vikings traveling across the seas and oceans in the 11th century.

There is another legend: Marie Antoinette, preparing to flee the country, in addition to the necessary things, loaded onto the ship her favorite cats - the largest and fluffiest. The escape was unsuccessful, but the ship and the cats still set off. They were landed on a new continent, where the animals went wild and changed significantly in appearance.

The most popular version goes like this: from time immemorial, Maine Coons lived on the American continent, next to people, and gradually moved closer to them. Since 1850, wild, long-haired giants began to be exhibited at fairs, and in 1861, a cat named Captain Jenks-of-the-Marine-Cavalry became the first officially recognized Maine Coon.

In 1967, a standard for the breed was adopted, and in 1980 the number of owners exceeded a thousand. In the wake of renewed interest around the world - the USA, Russia, Europe - nurseries began to open and Maine Coons entered the top ten most popular cats in the world.

In some sources you can still find the old name of the breed - the Manx raccoon cat. It sounds funny, but it’s true: it was once assumed that the birth of Maine Coons was the result of a “romance” between a raccoon and a cat.

Red color options

Maine Coons come in a variety of colors. The most common are ginger cats, namely:

fiery red. This coloring is characterized by the presence of a bright red color with a clear pattern;
red and white. This color is the most common. Two-colored red and white cats are divided into those whose head, ears and tail are red, or whose red fur has white spots on the chest and white socks on the paws;
brindle. With this coloring, the fur has dark stripes located vertically and parallel to each other;
smoky. This color is in greatest demand. The base of the hairs are white, and the tips are red. The color intensity can vary: from darker to lighter. When half a hair is dyed, this type is called “regular smoke.” If 1/4 of the hairs are dyed, it is considered to be “shaded smoke”;

creamy. A uniform cream color is very rare in Maine Coons. Dark lines appear on the muzzle, forming eyeliner around the eyes. Also, spots and stripes of a dark shade may be present on the sides.

Standards

The appearance of Maine Coons clearly bears the imprint of the climate where their ancestors previously lived.

Wide paws with dense tufts of hair between the toes allowed, as scientists suggest, to vigorously stomp on snow crust without falling into snowdrifts, and the thick undercoat allowed them to survive in the snowy and cold continental winter.

Standard	Description
Head	Large, massive, with clearly defined cheekbones and a nose of medium length.
Neck	Muscular, strong, long.
Eyes	Round, set wide and slightly oblique. The iris can be colored in different shades of yellow and green.
Ears	Large, slightly inclined forward. In the auricle, hair grows in tufts, as on the tips of the ears, forming tufts. To protect themselves from the wind, cats press their ears to their heads, as if folding them.
Torso	Long, with well-developed bones and muscle mass. The back is flat, the chest is wide.
Paws	Wide set, muscular and very strong. The paw pads are round, protected by a dense “edge”.
Tail	Without kinks or bends, with a wide base. Covered with a thick layer of wool and serves as a source of additional heating. Its length is equal to the length of the body.
Wool	The coat grows unevenly. In the area of the hind legs it grows more densely, forming “pants”, in the neck area – a shaggy “collar”. On the back the coat is coarser (guard hairs predominate). A downy and very soft undercoat grows on the sides and belly.

A ban on participation in exhibition events is imposed on an animal that has the following defects in appearance:

Evenly growing hair on the body;
Depression on the bridge of the nose;
Short or crooked tail;
Small size of the animal;
Specks and spots on the fur;
Insufficiently fluffy fur in the belly area;
Having extra toes on the paws.

Pictured are Maine Coon kittens

Genetics of color

Maine Coons have only two genetic colors: black and red. The remaining colors are artificially bred by breeders, and they are based on these two natural colors.

Important : most breeders use a special color chart to determine the future color of kittens.

There are certain rules when breeding red Maine Coon kittens:

When mating a ginger cat with a cat of a different color, the kittens will not inherit a uniform red color. Most likely, their color will be tortoiseshell;
When mating a red cat with a cat of a different color, the kittens will be born completely red.

Popular colors

The breed standard recognizes all colors except chocolate, brown, lilac and fawn. The most popular color of the Maine Coon is the red tabby tabby. This is a bright red animal with a clear pattern that looks like a marble pattern.

“Tabby” (brindle) implies the presence of stripes on the body.

Black tabby and black tabby are also popular colors among Maine Coons. Smoke colors (white root and colored tip) are also very common.

Character and habits characteristic of large red Maine Coons

Each kuna has its own individual character, making them unusual. As practice shows, the color of kittens does not affect their behavior and temperament. This breed is open to communication with people; cats are especially good with children.

This breed is very inquisitive and always shows interest in what their owner is doing. Red Maine Coons love affection and attention. They can even lie on their owners’ laps, but more often than not, coons prefer to sit next to each other on the sofa, maintaining their personal space. The red Maine Coon is restless and very active, they always need to do something. Therefore, having decided to purchase a ginger kitten from a nursery, think in advance whether you can devote at least half an hour a day to play with him.

Attention : many people believe that Maine Coons are independent and love being alone. In fact, this is not the case, and it is not recommended to leave cats alone in the house for a long time, as they will become sad.

Cost and where can I buy?

The price of a ginger kitten will depend on the color scheme. If the color is interesting and rare, the animal will cost more. Red Maine Coons are highly valued among breeders of this breed. The most expensive ones are red solid color, without a pattern. A silver and smoky Maine Coon will cost its owner 20 - 25 thousand rubles.

Even if the animal is not for exhibitions (the so-called pet class) but is of a rare color, its price will not fall less than 20 thousand rubles.

A red or cream tabby pet will cost less. A marbled cream or brindle red Maine Coon is estimated at 10-15 thousand rubles and more. White and red cats cost the same (if their color variations are not rare). The price of a kitten will decrease as it gets older. The most expensive animal is from 3 months. The older the Maine Coon, the lower its cost. Purebred Maine Coons from high-quality parents reach prices of up to 100 thousand rubles.

You can buy a kitten:

Hand-picked at an exhibition, from breeders.
In a local nursery (after finding it through an exhibition, on the Internet). You can choose from already born kittens or reserve a litter that is just expected.
In a nursery abroad. The practice of ordering kittens from other cities and even countries is extremely common. If a future owner is looking for a purebred animal, he can order it from a specific breeder and from specific parents.

It is not recommended to take a kitten by hand, on the market, or via the Internet from unverified breeders. There is a high probability of mixed breeds and fake documents. Nurseries that raise Maine Coons very carefully monitor the fate and reproduction of all their pets. A purebred Maine Coon is a guarantee of breed standards, outstanding appearance and a flexible but independent disposition.

How to care for an adult pet's fur

A healthy pet's coat should be silky, shiny and flowing. Her condition is affected by:

proper nutrition, balanced in the amount of vitamins and minerals;
conditions of detention. For example, a sedentary lifestyle, poorly ventilated rooms and regular stress negatively affect the appearance of the coat;
proper care. Coons need to be combed 2-3 times a week with a special comb and bathed once every few months with shampoos carefully selected at the veterinary pharmacy. At the time of shedding (it can be seasonal, or associated with hormonal changes in the body of cats aged from 6 to 12 months), the pet must be combed daily.

Choosing a name

Choosing a name is quite a difficult task. Often, owners choose a name for their pet based on its coat color. The most common names are:

Orange;
Tiger;
Lyon;
Gold (or Goldie - for girls);
Apricot;
Peach;
Garfield;
Foxy.

It should be noted that the name is very important. It is worth understanding that affectionate and funny options are well suited for a kitten, but when the pet grows into a real giant, they will lose their relevance. Therefore, when choosing a name, you can take a closer look at the pet’s character.

The following names are euphonious:

For more information on the characteristics of red Maine Coons, see below.

In promotional photos, the ginger cat is often portrayed as a selfish and cunning creature. In fact, ginger cats have a golden character. Maine Coons of this color are no exception.

In the photo there is a Chester cat from the Belocoon cattery

Health and feeding

The Maine Coon breed is characterized by excellent health. With proper care, timely vaccinations and a balanced diet, they almost never get sick.

Important : kittens are given the first vaccination at two months of age, the second at 3 months, and the third at 1 year.

Despite the good health of cats, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian at the slightest discomfort. Especially if your pet has:

vomiting and diarrhea;
cough and sneezing;
discharge from the eyes;
lack of appetite;
dulling or hair loss.

Special attention is paid to the nutrition of Maine Coons. Their diet should be balanced, and with the required amount of vitamins and minerals. Adult cats are recommended to buy premium food. They contain a high percentage of meat and all the beneficial substances are present.

If it has been decided to feed the kitten natural food, the diet should contain:

meat products (beef or chicken);
quail or chicken eggs. No more than 1-2 times a week;
fermented milk products: kefir, cheese, yogurt;
cereals: buckwheat, oatmeal;
vegetables and fruits: carrots, cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumbers.

Attention : cats should not be given sour cream, yoghurt, fermented baked milk and cream, as they often contain harmful additives.

This breed is very sensitive to water quality. The drinking bowl should always be filled with fresh and clean water. It is advisable that the water be filtered or settled.

Important : It is not recommended to give boiled water to Maine Coons. It ruins their teeth.

Description of the breed

Adult cats of this breed delight with their large size. They are considered the largest among domestic breeds. Large expressive eyes, long mustaches and ears with tassels look quite original. Maine Coons develop slowly, reaching full maturity by 4-5 years. By this age, the weight of a cat is 11-15 kg, and that of a female cat is 5-7 kg.

Let's look at the features of this breed.

Their head is large and elongated in length, with high cheekbones and a chiseled profile. The eyes are wide apart, oval in shape. The bridge of the nose is wide, the nose is large, the chin is pronounced.
Ears with tassels are one of the striking features that make it easy to recognize the representatives of the breed.
Maine Coons have a powerful, hardy and muscular body and a large fluffy tail. The body length of males reaches one meter, the chest is wide, and the neck is medium in length. The length of the tail is equal to the length of the body.
The paws are large, medium in length, and the presence of hair between the toes gives the paws additional attractiveness.
The coat is shiny and long, with a thick undercoat. The coat consists of a water-repellent layer that protects against moisture and a second layer that protects against cold. The hair is short on the head and shoulders, and then noticeably lengthens further along the body. Hair is absent only on the inner surface of the hind legs.
The color is characterized by a variety of shades: white, cream, black, fiery red, striped, tortoiseshell and many other colors. According to breed standards, only chocolate, Siamese and lilac colors are not allowed in the breed. Eye color ranges from green to golden shades; light-colored individuals most often have blue eyes, sometimes multi-colored.

What types are there?

Long-haired Maine Coon cats are not a hypoallergenic breed. Therefore, if a person is negatively affected by animal fur, causing allergies, it is better to choose smooth-haired breeds. Devon and Cornish Rex, Siamese, Balinese Russian Blue, Bengal and Abyssinian cats, as well as the Scottish Fold are considered hypoallergenic.

The American type breed was the first to be bred. Later the European type was formed. Both varieties are similar to each other, but there are still some differences between them. A comparison of both types is presented in the table:

Main settings	Type Characteristics
Main settings	American	European
Body	Massive, muscular	Elongated, graceful
Muzzle	Shortened	Elongated
Forehead	High	Short
Eyes	Wide apart, round	Wide apart, slanted
Wool	Longhair	Shorthair