Click here for more information on this characteristic. The Maine Coon, as the name implies, hails from Maine, where the breed was known as a popular mouser, farm cat, and ship's cat, as far back as the early 19 th century. They're a natural breed and little is known of their origins. Some say the Vikings brought them to North America, centuries before Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
Others say that they're the descendants of longhaired cats belonging to Marie Antoinette, sent to America in advance of the doomed queen, who had hoped to escape there. Sea captains may have brought back longhaired cats that then mated with local shorthaired cats. One thing is for sure--the Maine Coon is not the result of a mating between a cat and a raccoon, even if their brown tabby coat and furry ringed tail suggest that biological impossibility. The resemblance is, however, how the cats got the "Coon" part of their name.
In fact, Maine Coons who didn't have the brown tabby coat were called Maine Shags. The first published reference to a Maine Coon comes from and was about a black-and-white cat named Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines. In Boston and New York, the home-grown felines were popular exhibits at cat shows, and when the Cat Fanciers Association was formed in , the fifth cat registered was a Maine Coon named Molly Bond.
But the invasion of glamourous Persian and exotic Siamese cats from England around the turn of the century spelled the end of the Maine Coon's popularity for about five decades. Things took a turn for the better in the s, and the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association was formed in Today these big, beautiful cats are among the world's most popular breeds. But what really counts, of course, is that they are the official state cat of Maine.
This is a large cat. Most Maine Coons weigh 9 to 18 pounds--males are larger--and some tip the scales at 20 or more pounds. They don't reach their full size until they are three to five years old. The good-natured and affable Maine Coon adapts well to many lifestyles and personalities. They like being with people and have the habit of following them around, but they aren't needy.
They're happy to receive attention when you direct it their way, but if you're busy, they're satisfied to just supervise your doings. Close a door on them and they will wait patiently for you to realize the error of your ways and let them in. They're not typically a lap cat, but they do like to be near you. They also retain their skill as a mouser.
No rodents will be safe in a home where a Maine Coon resides. Even if you don't have any mice for them to chase, they'll keep their skills sharp by chasing toys and grabbing them with their big paws. A Maine Coon also enjoys playing fetch and will retrieve small balls, toys, or wadded-up pieces of paper. They can climb as well as any cat but usually prefer to stay on ground level.
That's where their work is, after all. They're also very smart and will happily learn tricks or play with puzzle toys that challenge their brain. Maine Coons usually enjoy a kittenish love of play well into adulthood. The chest is broad, and the legs are thick. The coat of the Maine Coon is heavy but silky. An interesting characteristic is that the coat is shaggy and drapes longer on the stomach and behind the legs britches but is shorter over the shoulders.
Despite her size and history, the Maine Coon cat is sweet tempered and gentle. She loves her parents and adapts to any environment as long as she has some exercise room.
When she runs, she can be quite loud but her soft, quiet voice reassures you that this lion is truly a lamb. This breed has a tendency to become soft or overweight if not carefully monitored. The Maine Coon must have adequate exercise. Cat trees and perches should be available and she needs adequate running room. She loves interactive play and she will play with every family member. Being a larger and heavier cat, she can knock things over without meaning to do so.
The Maine Coon's coat needs daily attention. She should be brushed to make certain that her fur does not tangle, and she should be combed to smooth her coat. Usually this grooming is easy to do if she is trained at a young age that this is fun. The Maine Coon cat is considered the only longhair breed native to the United States. This breed probably was introduced by seamen who sailed into New England. The cats they carried on their ships most likely left the ship either permanently or just for a little shore leave, bred with the existing native cats, and ultimately created a breed of their own.
Leo kept winning at the Boston cat shows until when he was defeated by his own son. After this, the love affair with the Persian began, and the Maine Coon cat dropped into second place in popularity. These patient pets are good with kids, dogs, and other cats. Maine coons can be left alone for periods of time, but they won't be happy about it. Regularly being left alone can make these cats sad and anxious , so they're best matched with a family that often has at least one or two people home during the day for some company.
Most Maine coons love to play in water. This is great news for bath time, but it also means they'll follow you into the shower or try to interfere while you do the dishes. These big cats are surprisingly quiet—they do love to communicate and vocalize to their humans, but their soft voice may take you by surprise. Maine coons are amazing family pets. Those with the time, patience, and attention to give to a member of this cat breed will be hard-pressed to find a more loving, adoring feline friend.
Your Maine coon will need regular, dedicated grooming and will require anywhere from weekly to monthly bathing.
Their long coats are usually silky smooth, but when they start to look greasy or stringy, it's time for a bath. They also require weekly brushing to keep their long hair and undercoat from getting tangled and matted. These cats do shed quite a bit , and regular brushing will also help get rid of loose hairs.
Don't worry—the Maine coon loves any sort of attention it can get, so grooming is usually a pleasant task. Maine coons don't have any special exercise needs—they'll keep the same activity schedule of most cats, with long hours of sleep and playful bouts of jumping and running through the house. Cat toys and cat trees can help them work out some of that energy.
These super-intelligent cats are easily trainable. Some owners have described the Maine coon as "dog-like" for their ability to be trained—they can learn to walk on a leash outdoors or even play a round of fetch. They take quickly to basic housetraining and litter box use , but keep in mind these large cats will require a large litter box to help them comfortably do their business. Maine coons should be socialized early on.
If you're bringing home a Maine coon kitten as a family pet, be sure to let the various members of the household—small kids included—gently handle the kitten daily. They should also be introduced to other pets if possible. These early introductions will keep your cat from becoming shy and reserved. Feed your Maine coon high-quality cat food and monitor their diet to prevent them from overeating.
Check-in with your vet to learn how much and how often to feed your individual cat. Maine coons have a lifespan of 10—13 years and are typically healthy pets. But, as with all breeds, there are some health issues to be aware of. Read more. This inherited disease is difficult to diagnose and often the first symptom is sudden death.
It mostly affects older male cats, but can occur in younger cats too. Some cases may not be lethal and can be treated with medication if diagnosed via an echocardiogram.
Signs of this disease include anorexia, lethargy, difficulty breathing, coughing, fainting and paralysis of the legs; however some cats may show no symptoms. Spinal muscular atrophy. Spinal muscular atrophy is an inherited condition which causes the skeletal muscles in the lower body to die and surrounding muscles begin to atrophy. Affected kittens will show symptoms including an abnormal gait or standing with toes out in front by the age of 3 — 4 months.
Although there is no treatment, affected cats do not experience pain and can live at least 8 — 9 years old. Hip dysplasia is a heritable condition in which the thighbone does not fit correctly with the hip joint. It can cause pain, lameness and eventually arthritis; however some cats do not show any symptoms. Treatment is available in the form of weight loss, medication, diet, and surgery in serious cases. Polycystic kidney disease.
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