Her Majesty the Maine Coon cat, despite her impressive size, can easily and naturally get into even the smallest human heart - right into the soul. A thunderstorm of mice and rats, self-confident, chic, smart: the owners repeat all this tirelessly, explaining to other people who the Maine Coon is and why he is worthy of love and respect as a pet. Before you trust owners who are in love with their cat, it’s worth figuring out what kind of breed it is and whether it’s really that good.
History of the origin of the Maine Coon cat breed
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//data-ad-slot=”2475549904″ $ads_google = empty($ads_google) ? false : true; ?> if ($ads_google == false) {?> $ads_google = true; ?> } ?> The origin of the Maine is the most natural: it is an aboriginal cat, which, over the course of many, many years of the population’s existence, in the process of natural selection and adaptation to the surrounding world, acquired certain features. The handsome Maine Coons are Americans, and more specifically, they originally lived in North America, within the state of Maine. Since the climate of those lands was always humid in the summer months, and winter brought with it frosts and constant snowfalls, the fur coat of cats of this breed was very thick and dense, and the body became hardy.
The history of these catfish getting to Maine remains little studied; only legends are known, one of which is associated with the attempt to escape on the ship of Queen Marie Antoinette at the end of the 17th century to America. The Queen lost her life during execution, but her cats safely reached the shores of America. According to another legend, coons came to the land together with Captain Coon; according to a third, they were brought by the Vikings long before Columbus, which is most likely due to the similarity of Maine Coons with the Norwegian forest cat.
Starting in 1861, the Maine raccoon cat was a clear success from the very first exhibition, but then the giant cats were forgotten until the middle of the 20th century. Today it is a very popular breed, recognized throughout the world.
A little history
These kittens are known for their high intelligence and self-confidence. The very name of this breed translates as “cat raccoons”. Indeed, their coat is very similar to that of raccoons.
Thanks to climatic conditions, Maine Coon kittens have such a thick coat. In the places where representatives of this breed were bred, the main emphasis was on agriculture. And such animals helped in becoming excellent mouse hunters. Therefore, the goal of the breeders was to breed pets that would be huge in size and lead an active lifestyle. This is exactly how these kittens turned out.
Starting from the 50s of the 19th century, Maine Coons began to take part in various cat shows. Thanks to this, such animals have become quite famous in many large and small towns in America. This breed began to compete with other known species. They were as popular as Persian or Angora cats.
But already in the twentieth century, interest in such cats began to gradually fade away. These animals again became helpers in the household. And starting from 1953, the breeding of representatives of this breed began to be actively pursued again. Thus, cats have become popular again not only in the USA, but also in other countries and continents. They again began to take first place in the ranking of furry animals. Many people began to purchase them so that their pets would please their eyes and become friends for all family members.
Maine Coon, the description of the breed, perhaps encourages many animal lovers to find out as much information as possible about the pet. Thus, it is known that the approximate time when people started talking about the breed seriously was no less than half a century ago.
It is quite possible that the Maine Coon, whose video is very popular on the Internet, is the result of a successful crossing of short-haired cats living in New England, in Maine, with imported long-haired cats that came to the territory thanks to the movement of traders. However, this, again, is one of the well-known versions.
It was widespread in America in the nineteenth century. It is worth saying that at that time Maine Coon kittens, whose photos now cause delight among many, did not attract the public attention they deserved. And this lasted until the breed was presented at the exhibition.
It is known that the black Maine Coon received a winner's medal, which has been preserved to this day and is in the CFA club.
With the advent of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, cats with pointy ears again became unpopular, and interest in them fell sharply. What this is connected with is unknown.
But, a few years later, already in the mid-twentieth century, fans of the Maine Coon animal began to correct the situation. Their photos were collected and presented in specialized clubs.
And what pushed them to take such a serious step was the announcement that the breed could be considered extinct... Thanks to considerable efforts, by 1956 it was possible to create a standard for individuals of this breed.
Almost twenty years later, the club was considered a serious organization and was treated with due respect. Currently, the adult Maine Coon ranks third in popularity. At the same time, it is worth adding that the first two places belong to exotic cats, the interest in which is quite obvious.
Description of Maine Coons
For those who love large pets, the description of the Maine Coon will bring aesthetic pleasure. The cat is on the list of the largest cat breeds, and, nevertheless, adult individuals get along well even in a small apartment.
The characteristics of Maine Coons according to the WCF standard indicate that the peculiarity of these cats is a long and muscular body with large and strong paws, gravitating towards a rectangle in shape. Tufts of fur are visible between the toes. The length of the limbs is average.
The head is also large, the profile resembles a square. Characteristic are pronounced whisker pads that form a protruding “box”. The chin is powerful, and the teeth match the size of the breed - large and sharp.
The eyes of the animal are very expressive and can be either yellow or amber.
The ears are set wide apart, large in size, and most often have tassels at the ends.
We can’t help but mention the gorgeous long tail of this breed, reminiscent of a raccoon’s tail. Its pubescence is very dense, and the tail itself is wider at the base than at the end.
The breed is considered semi-long-haired with thick fur and dense undercoat, which is due to the habitat of the cat’s ancestors.
Among Maine Coons there are polydactyls, which are valued in the USA and Europe, despite the fact that polydactyly (when the number of fingers exceeds the norm) is considered a deviation from the standard.
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The fur of cats on the back and sides is water-repellent and coarser than on the stomach, even slightly curly. An adult coon can boast of a chic collar and tight “pants”.
This breed of big cats is allergenic, but it is not the fur that is to blame, but the protein released along with feces, saliva, and skin particles. In Maine Coons, the highest concentration of allergen is located near the mouth.
Colors can be different: merle, agouti, solid (solid black, white, red, blue), bicolor, tortoiseshell, smoky. But acromelanism, lilac and chocolate colors, fawn, cinnamon and their variations are not allowed.
Maine Coon size and weight
Let's not believe fairy tales that a Maine Coon cat weighs 16-26 kg, this is impossible. But normal weight indicators for male representatives of the breed range from 8-12 kg. Females, due to their physiology, weigh less - 4.5-7.5 kg.
However, it is not for nothing that Maine Coons are considered quite large cats - the length of an adult cat can reach a meter.
These cute creatures with a serious expression on their faces create the impression of a giant among domestic cats thanks to their elongated body, strong muscles, powerful paws, massive neck and shoulders. So it seems that the cat’s weight is visually only 20 kg.
If you track the weight and height of Maine Coon kittens by month, you may be surprised at how quickly they grow. From birth, they are already more massive than their feline counterparts: the weight of a newborn Maine Coon calf is 125-170 g. Cats gain weight and increase in height also at a rapid pace, which depends on external and internal physiological reasons. If you weigh babies every week, you will notice that in the first 10 days the weight increases 2 times, at 4 weeks 4 times, at 8 weeks 8 times.
The cat's development continues, and by the age of 5 months, height and weight reach their maximum per day.
The Maine Coon cat grows up to 33 cm at the withers.
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//data-ad-slot=”2475549904″ $ads_google = empty($ads_google) ? false : true; ?> if ($ads_google == false) {?> $ads_google = true; ?> } ?> Maine Coon weight table by month
| Age | Female | Male |
| newborn | 100-145 gr | 115-165 gr |
| 1 month | 500-690 gr | 620-760 gr |
| 2 months | 1-1.35 kg | 1.2-1.55 kg |
| 3 months | 1.65-2.4 kg | 2.7-3.5 kg |
| 4 months | 2.6-3.5 kg | 3.1-3.9 kg |
| 5 months | 2.75-3.8 kg | 3.2-4.1 kg |
| 6 months | 3.15-4 kg | 3.7-4.6 kg |
| 8 months | 3.8-5 kg | 4.5-6.2 kg |
| 10 months | 4.2-6.6 kg | 4.9-7.3 kg |
| 1 year | 4.5-8.2 kg | 5.5-9 kg |
| 2 years | 4.7-8.8kg | 5.8-11.5 kg |
Exterior of a cat
The breed is the largest of the domestic cats. The main characteristic of the breed is the tassels located at the tips of the ears, characteristic of some individuals from the cat family living in the wild. These are jungle cats, caracals, lynxes. Their wild features are given by their tassels and special tabby coat color.
A mandatory element of appearance is a beautiful frill, or collar in the neck and chest area. The hind limbs are decorated with charming panties, the tail part is strongly lowered. They look stern and serious because of their look, with heavily drooping eyebrows. This even gives them a certain gloominess, which is absolutely not like their real character.
Despite their rapid growth, they take a long time to reach maturity. An adult cat, without problems with excess weight, weighs 6-9 kg (some can reach a weight of 10 kg), female cats weigh less: from 4 to 6 kg.
A strong body, longer than that of an ordinary cat, with a voluminous chest and developed muscles. The length of the neck is of medium size. The back lines are straight.
Head
Large in size, with well-formed ear pads and a strong chin, placed in a straight line with the tip of the nose. Perfectly defined relief of high cheekbones. Breeders need to achieve an elongated muzzle (“box”) to achieve the ideal by modern standards.
Eyes
Large size, slightly slanted eyes. All colors of green and yellow are allowed. Blue or multi-colored eyes are possible in cats with white coat color.
Ears
Large, wide at the base, set high in an almost even vertical position. At the tips there are tassels, the growth of which is directed strictly vertically upward (without specifying the height). There is certainly the presence of a “brush” - a tuft of hair growing horizontally on the inside of the ear. By the age of 3 months, the final size and position of the ears are formed.
Wool
Extraordinarily thick, silky coat that is pleasant to the touch, with a thin fluffy and delicate undercoat. The length of the coat increases with the transition from head to tail. The hind limbs are “dressed” in fluffy pants, and a long frill extends from the ears to the chest.
Colors
Almost any color is possible, with the exception of chocolate, lilac, cinnamon and fawn, as well as color point.
Habits and character of Maine Coons
The Maine Coon cat is an excellent dad; he is not isolated from his offspring, as he takes an active part in raising his children. This probably influences the development of the character of each kitten, making it very interesting and socialized.
The intelligence of the Maine Coon cat is at a high level: the animals are very smart, which makes them capable of training and learning certain behaviors. Their memory allows them to remember numerous commands, respond correctly to the words of the owner, and remember the intonations of household members. This all contributes to excellent mutual understanding in the family between a person and a cat.
The Maine Coon's character is friendly and peaceful. Their kindness will not allow them to throw a vase on the floor, get into someone else's bag, or spoil some thing in the house.
Due to its rather large size, the animal does not tolerate small spaces, and will not climb into a cramped closet or shelves.
The owner need not worry about how the Maine Coon kitten will be able to settle into the house. Reviews from lovers of these cats allow us to judge that the pet gives owners true pleasure with its behavior, funny habits and communication in the game. If you want your pet to fetch the ball, it will not be difficult to train him to do so. Therefore, when a charming kitten appears in a family, you don’t have to worry about how the child will make friends with it. Only children should not be allowed to cuddle the fluffy one, as the cat will not appreciate it. Maine Coons generally do not like to spend time in the arms of people; they would prefer to just sit next to them.
How to litter train a Maine Coon
Cats of this large breed get along well with other pets, will play with them and “communicate” in a language unknown to the owner.
Raising such a pet will bring joy to the whole family, as the furry creature is distinguished by canine devotion and understanding.
What is our life? A game!
Coons are calm and balanced cats, but their temperament cannot be called phlegmatic. They in no way belong to the class of couch-dwellers and eternal sleepers. Animals of this breed need to constantly move, play, communicate - they have a sanguine nature. An important character trait of the Maine Coon is a constant desire to do something.
Gaming accessories
A special complex for the Maine Coon, including ladders, scratching posts, tunnels, houses, beds, hammocks, shelves, is not a luxury, but a necessity. Otherwise, the irrepressible activity of the pet, especially a young one, will be directed at curtains, sofas and cabinets, which is fraught, if we take into account the dimensions of the coon, with considerable destruction.
But it’s not enough for a Maine Coon to entertain himself - he needs live communication, so every day he needs to play with his pet for at least half an hour.
Coons willingly play with anything - catch a mouse, fetch, play with a ball, hide in bags and boxes. They have a hard time with the lack of living space due to their considerable size - Maine Coons love to freely stretch out to their full length, but they also know how to curl up.
Useful to read: Variety of Maine Coon colors
Walks in the open air
Maine Coons love walks in the fresh air, and, unlike most cats, they feel good in a harness. Of course, you should not expose your pet to stress by walking him on a busy street, but he will like the promenade in a quiet public garden. An animal that is outdoors must be vaccinated; after each walk, the pet’s fur must be carefully examined - the lush coat of a Maine Coon may attract the attention of the ubiquitous fleas.
Maine Coons will love being in the countryside - there they can put to use the hunting abilities of American farm cats. Of course, the free country life of a Maine Coon must be constantly monitored by the owners - you can organize a spacious enclosure for the pet with grassy lawns and the obligatory tree for climbing.
Maine Coon care and feeding
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//data-ad-slot=”2475549904″ $ads_google = empty($ads_google) ? false : true; ?> if ($ads_google == false) {?> $ads_google = true; ?> } ?> It is enough to visually assess the condition of the animal to understand what kind of care its owner provides. The first thing that stands out is the luxury of the breed’s coat; its thick undercoat and the length of the fibers simply require weekly combing. A massive metal comb with rounded teeth will help with this. The hair on the tummy and neck is especially prone to forming tangles, so they are either untangled immediately or cut off with scissors.
Washing does not scare a Maine Coon kitten. Therefore, do not forget to bathe your pet and at the same time clean his ears with a dry soft cloth.
The fast-growing claws of the domestic predator are trimmed by the owner once a week.
A person quickly learns to care for his furry Maine, and the cat doesn’t even think about resisting.
Keeping a Maine Coon cat requires a special approach to nutrition. Veterinarians offer ready-made, calculated standards for feeding domestic giants depending on their age, gender, and health status. For example, during a cat’s pregnancy, the protein content in dry food should not be less than 30%, and the fat content should not be less than 9%.
What to feed a one-month-old kitten
The handsome Maine Coon does not need grain to grow, so it is better to give preference to a grain-free diet in dry food. There are a number of premium or super premium foods that meet all nutritional requirements and are balanced in composition for this breed. If you feed a cat with dry food, then do not forget that 150 g of water should be offered for 50 g of granulated food.
Even a small coon kitten from the age of one month needs a comfortable bowl with a diameter of about 30 cm and a depth of 10 cm. Change the water 1-2 times a day.
What to feed a 1.5 month old kitten
So that the baby can grow by leaps and bounds, suitable and healthy food is selected for him, and complementary foods are introduced as early as a month. There is a very convenient and understandable table for feeding kittens that will help the animals grow up healthy.
| Kitten age | You can feed | Norm per day |
| 1 month |
| 6 times a day |
| 1.5-2 months |
| 6 times a day/120-150 g per day |
| 3-6 months |
| 4 times a day/190-245 g per day |
| 6-9 months |
| 3 times a day/200-250 g per day |
| 10-12 months |
| 2 times a day/150-200 g per day |
The bowl must remain clean, so everything that is not eaten is immediately removed.
Adherents of natural food for animals should feed their “large-sized cat” raw beef: 30 g is enough for babies, and an adult cat from one year old needs at least 100-120 g per day. The Maine Coon's diet should include eggs (infrequently), sea fish (a couple of times a week), and fermented milk products with a fat content of up to 9%.
In order to avoid gaining excess weight, castrated males are given specialized food and fish are not allowed in their natural diet.
Education and physical activity
Representatives of the breed are smart, have a good memory, perfectly perceive people's speech and pick up intonations. To get a well-mannered cat, you should set the boundaries of what is permitted from childhood and not encourage mischief.
Maine Coons quickly get used to using a tray and scratching post. It is important to find cat litter that your pet will like and trim his nails periodically to prevent him from scratching the furniture.
If desired, a cat of this breed can be taught some tricks. For example, bring toys in your teeth or approach based on a special signal (whistle, knock, etc.). The main thing is to turn learning into a game.
From time to time, cats need to realize their hunting instinct, so the owner needs to immediately purchase a variety of toys and allocate time for fun with the pet.
Maine health
global $ads_google;
//data-ad-slot=”2475549904″ $ads_google = empty($ads_google) ? false : true; ?> if ($ads_google == false) {?> $ads_google = true; ?> } ?> The Maine Coon breed has fairly good health due to its natural origin, but sometimes the genetic disease cardiomyopathy can be traced. Other possible health problems include urolithiasis and, rarely, hip dysplasia. To eliminate such unpleasant diseases in your Maine Coon, a timely visit to the veterinarian, physical activity, properly selected nutrition and taking vitamins will help.
Without a veterinary passport with vaccination marks, you should not only walk your pet, but also plan mating, visiting exhibitions and long-distance travel. The baby bird receives its first vaccination at the age of 2 months, then at 3 and 12 months. Further vaccination will be carried out once a year, each time the owners do not forget to carry out deworming two weeks in advance.
The owner’s reluctance to have the Maine Coon participate in mating is understandable, so the male needs to be castrated and the female sterilized before puberty. At the same time, changes occur in the body that help soften the behavior of cats.
If you want to see the offspring of your favorite big Maine Coon cat, they select the same purebred king and leave the kitty with him for 2-3 days. It is worth breeding your pet after the third heat, not earlier. Pregnancy is somewhat longer in duration: birth occurs from 65 to 68 days.
When purchasing a fluffy Maine Coon, you should be glad that its life is sufficiently long by cat standards - these creatures live 12-15 years.
1-2 weeks
Kittens begin to hear general noise, individual sounds. Their hearing function will be fully formed by 3-4 weeks. Babies are getting their baby teeth – they will be able to show off a full row of teeth by 5 weeks.
In the second week, babies already begin to see. The eyes open earlier in kittens that are in a darkened room, in the offspring of a young mother, and in females. The color of the iris in all newborns is blue. At 5-6 weeks of life, it becomes an indeterminate gray-brown shade. Then it gradually changes to permanent: for some it lasts for several months, for others it lasts a couple of years.
Two-week-old babies can only crawl around their little nook: it is still difficult for them to maintain balance; it is still difficult for them to maintain their own weight. They sleep most of the day, occasionally interrupting to suckle milk.
Photos, videos of two-week-old Maine Coons:
Buy a Maine Coon kitten
There are many cases of acquiring a kitten supposedly Maine Coon, when in fact this breed did not even smell. As a rule, such precedents happen on third-party free sale services, where people who claim to be experienced breeders offer reasonable prices. You shouldn’t blindly trust strangers; it’s better not to be lazy and visit cat shows or go to a good cattery. Trips to nurseries and exhibitions are good because there you can see with your own eyes the excellent genotype of the parents of the future kitten and receive good recommendations for care.
Why can’t the cost of the Maine Coon breed be low? The answer to this question consists of several points. Any nursery vouches for its protégés and offers a package of documents with a pedigree, a sales contract, a veterinary passport, which will indicate the presence of two vaccinations. It is clear that the second vaccination of a Maine Coon takes about 3 months, so it would be a big mistake to buy a baby from someone else’s hands, especially before this period.
The price range of a big cat is wide: from 20 thousand rubles
for belonging to the pet class, and
from 100 thousand rubles
for a representative of the show class.
Kennels engaged in breeding Maine Coons:
- Pet Palace
- St. Petersburg
What to name a Maine Coon
Before you start reading the list of names for Maine Coon, it’s worth understanding the principle by which a pet’s nickname is chosen.
A purebred cat usually has a name that reflects its affiliation with the pedigree and cattery from which it comes.
In nurseries, most often the Maine Coon is already assigned a nickname, which is better to preserve using its “domesticated” version.
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But if the new boy looks like this, what other name comes to mind?
Or do you just want to call the fluffy girl something else? In this case, let’s choose a new nickname using the proposed table of names for Maine Coon cats. How to name a kitten
| Girl | Boy | ||
| Aurora Alura Fiesta Vixie Magic Lamp Yusha Roxy Lawrence Era Kasya Silya Kunya Lynx Akira | Buxa Turva Eva Orinoco Cesa Bella Alba Malta Terra Chara Afra Piper Spruce Haze Gris | Cord Pixel Ars Marquis Chivas Talik Caesar Rimbaud Tiger Zur Agate Notty Euro Richie Ponch | Neil Martin Ivor Mac Quasi Sumer Baron Azur Mickey Lokis Fajax Lucky Samson Tima Urban |
Vaccinations and antiparasitic treatments
The first vaccinations for kittens are given at 2 months. To do this, use a complex vaccine against:
- tracheitis;
- chlamydia;
- calcevirus infection;
- panleukopenia.
7-10 days before vaccination, the Maine Coon must be treated for worms.
After 3 weeks, the kitten is revaccinated with the same vaccine. At the same time, an anti-rabies injection is given. Vaccination against rabies is not necessary if the Maine Coon is constantly at home and does not come into contact with other animals.
The next comprehensive vaccination is carried out at 12 months, after which it is repeated annually.
Important. Vaccination is refused during the period of teeth change (from approximately 4 to 7 months), since at this time the kitten’s immunity weakens.
Treatments for helminths are carried out every 3 months, for fleas and ticks - regularly in the warm season. The specific timing depends on the type and brand of product the owner uses.
Conclusions about the breed
Once in the house, the cat rightfully becomes the eminence grise in it, and establishes a tandem with the owner, full of mutual understanding and love.
The Maine Coon cat is loved and praised for good reason, as it has a number of advantages:
- royal appearance and thick fur;
- high intelligence;
- good health:
- peacefulness.
But do not forget that the breed is allergenic and requires high-quality care, so it is worth weighing the pros and cons before buying a young Maine Coon.
Training and education
You should try to accustom representatives of this breed to communicate with other people and animals as early as possible. As already mentioned, Maine Coons are cats that have a high level of intelligence, so you will need to take their training seriously.
They can be taught to perform many different commands by choosing the right teaching methodology. So, if an animal shows good results, then it needs to be encouraged. Price
If you want to buy yourself a Maine Coon, then first you need to check such a pet for the presence of various genetic diseases.
Recently, quite a few nurseries have appeared where you can choose a cat of this particular breed. They are expensive pets. So, for a Maine Coon the price can be from 200 to 2000 dollars.
Sterilization and castration
Kittens reach sexual maturity by 1 year, but full formation is completed only by 3 years.
If a person does not plan to breed, it is better for him to castrate or neuter his Maine Coon.
The first procedure involves removing the gonads (testes in cats and ovaries in cats). During sterilization, the spermatic cords in males and the oviducts in females are tied or soldered. As a result, animals can mate, but no longer produce offspring.
The optimal time for surgery is 7-10 months, when the kitten has already received all vaccinations. But in the absence of contraindications, a Maine Coon can be spayed or neutered at any age.
The operation is performed by a doctor in a veterinary clinic. First, he must conduct a clinical examination and give recommendations on preparing the cat.
For your information. It is advisable to have the cat operated on before her first heat.
