Maine Coon and humans: how they get along, breed characteristics, care and maintenance

Where did the breed come from?

An unusual and amazing Maine Coon breed. Its description, the name itself, literally translated as Manx cat, are very interesting. According to some data, the weight of the animal can reach as much as 15 kg.

Of all the known breeds, this is one of the largest, but despite this, the large Maine Coon easily gets along in the house and, I must say, gets along well with all its inhabitants. Harmonious relationships are achieved even with dogs. The length of the Maine is coon, the height of an adult is also large.

Maine Coon colors table with photos

Let's start with the fact that there are only two primary colors from which different shades emerge, black and red (red). The ticked one is considered expensive; it represents residual patterns of brindle color. That is, the letter M on the forehead, a barely visible collar and stripes on the paws.

A white Maine Coon with blue eyes looks noble, but a common disadvantage common to albinos is deafness. Therefore, when choosing, pay attention to whether the animal responds to the voice.

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.

How to choose a kitten

Only a purebred Maine Coon will have all the characteristics of the breed, primarily large size. To choose a Maine Coon kitten with good characteristics, you need to follow six rules.

1. Price. A purebred Maine Coon cannot be cheap due to the value of the breed and the high costs of its maintenance. An offer to purchase a kitten at a symbolic price may hide a non-purebred breed or the presence of congenital defects.
2. Documentation. The breeder provides a veterinary passport with vaccination marks, as well as a birth certificate or pedigree.
3. Nursery. If you plan to participate in exhibitions or breed in the future, carefully choose a nursery. They pay attention to participation in exhibitions and belonging to a club.
4. Conditions of detention. When visiting the nursery, the conditions of keeping the cats are assessed. It is advisable that breeders focus on breeding only one breed. Pay attention to the cleanliness of the room, dishes, trays, and the absence of specific odors.
5. Health. Signs of a sick kitten are greasy fur, runny eyes, and nose. Lethargy and drowsiness are also an indirect sign of poor health.
6. Age. You can pick up a kitten from the nursery at the age of three months. For up to two months, he depends on his mother, learns to take care of himself, and masters basic skills and instincts when communicating with peers. After two months, the first vaccination is carried out - vaccinations are given against major diseases. The kitten needs another month to recover and adapt.

Getting used to the litter box and scratching post is the breeder's task. The sooner a kitten learns the “rules of good manners,” the fewer problems it will cause to its new owners.

Breed Features

Representatives of this species have a rather unusual appearance. They have a powerful build, graceful muzzles and tufted ears that make these pets very similar to lynxes.

Also, these cute animals have large and beautiful eyes. Although they are a little askew, this does not detract from the majesty of the representatives of this breed. Typically, their eyes are green, but can also be amber or golden. About Maine Coon cats in the description of the breed it is said that they have a rather powerful chest.

This breed is considered one of the few species of natural origin. Therefore, it cannot be said about these kittens that they were individually bred. Due to the fact that in the state where they were bred it is quite cold, such animals have a warm coat that protects their body well in the cold season.

Since such cats often walked in the snow, their paws are rough with fur between the toes, which also warms them.

Representatives of the Maine Coon breed can reach up to 110 centimeters in height. Their weight can be up to 4-8 kilograms if they are cats, and from 8 to 12 if they are cats. A purebred pet's head is slightly elongated, with raised cheekbones near the muzzle. They can live from 15 to 20 years.

When talking about representatives of a particular breed, it is extremely important to note their characteristics. The Big Maine Coon is also no exception and certainly attracts attention. Indeed, the peculiarity of the cat lies in its incredibly large size, long hair and muscular, strong body.

The shape of the animal's chest is rectangular. The animal's head is large, and its muzzle features are expressive. A powerful neck of medium length only adds to the animal's stature.

The characteristic features of a cat are its ears, which are pointed at the ends. It is by these that the Maine Coon breed is most often recognized. Black, red or any other color of this animal does not go unnoticed.

What else can you say about the favorite of many pets? Perhaps the fact is that the Maine Coon, videos of which are presented in large numbers on the Internet, has very beautiful, expressive eyes.

Their color is usually green or golden. And their peculiarity is a slight slant.

Paws, when it comes to Maine Coon, the description of this breed also deserves attention. Cats have them - long and strong, incredibly strong, such that they can definitely withstand the weight of an adult.

The hair tufts located between the toes are also a kind of feature of the presented animal.

It is quite possible that its development is a consequence of adaptation to the harsh Russian winters (as well as long hair). The Maine Coon's tail is very fluffy and also large, conical in shape. Its peculiarity is its pointed end.

Interesting fact about animal fur. Long in the main part, on the shoulders and head it is, on the contrary, very short. The longest hairs are observed in the abdomen, on the back and sides. The undershort also has a dense pile that does not allow cold wind to pass through.

Description of the breed and character of Maine Coon cats

With their large muscular body, Maine Coons resemble wild cats or lynxes. A characteristic feature of Maine Coons is tufted ears, a bushy tail and a color reminiscent of a raccoon.

paws are strong and not long, their ears are large and wide-set, their almond-shaped eyes can be any shade of yellow and green. Special cases are when your pet is white. In this case, his eyes may be blue or even different colors.

Maine Coons have a two-layer coat The color scheme of the fur coat can be plain, smoky (color point), tortoiseshell or tabby.

Body. Maine Coon cats are also impressive for their size - large individuals can reach 1 meter in length and 15 kg in weight.

Character

Representatives of this breed become favorite pets for many people. Thanks to their huge shape and long hair, they have an attractive appearance. The character of such pets is flexible. They treat quite well both all members of the family in which they live, and other animals that live with them under the same roof.

If you want to buy a Maine Coon, then you should remember that they are quite calm. Kittens can simply sleep peacefully for a long time or lie next to their owner. They also love to play with all family members. These animals are prone to aggression in very rare cases.

Cats of this breed have a high level of intelligence. So, according to the owners of such pets, they will not steal food from the table or chew furniture. These animals clearly understand where the limit is between what they can do and what they can do, and what they cannot do at all.

Maine Coons, although they love to spend time with people, do not require special care or treatment. But, like many other pets, they cannot stand being alone, so leaving them alone for a long time is not recommended.

Attitude towards other animals

Maines tend to live in small groups; they can easily adapt to the presence of other animals in their space. If there is another pet living in the house, then the Maine Coon will easily find a common language with him, will play and feel quite comfortable.

For hamsters, guinea pigs and pet rats, it is important to remember that the raccoon cat's genetics include the ability to hunt.

Small animals awaken this instinct in them and become a signal to action. In this case, life in the same space will not work out for pets.

Oddly enough, this is especially true for aquarium fish. Cats simply catch them with their paws and eat them.

Character traits

The Maine Coon, whose photos always turn out beautiful and attractive, has a calm disposition by nature. This animal is not aggressive and therefore gets along well with all other animals.

Due to their meekness, representatives of the breed may seem arrogant, but this is far from the case. In fact, they become very attached to their owner and feel sad when he is not at home.

With great pleasure, the Maine Coon, whose size is quite impressive, goes for a walk, allowing him to put on a leash. In general, the disposition of the representatives of the breed is cheerful and good-natured.

When an animal is in the mood, it is not averse to playing and having fun. We can say that until its very maturity, part of the animal remains a Maine Coon kitten.

The weight of the animal and its large size do not interfere with having fun and actively moving. And here it is worth saying once again that, despite their large parameters, the individuals are not fat; on the contrary, their body is very strong, hardy and muscular.

Particular attention should be paid to intelligence. The thing is that by nature this animal is very smart and intelligent.

It has an excellent memory and remembers voices and intonations well, and can recognize its owner from a thousand. If desired, this animal can always be taught various tricks and performing simple tricks.

Working with an animal is a pleasure. Moreover, cats love to walk in nature. You can safely take them with you out of town, on short trips. They also handle the road quite well.

Another unusual side of the cat is its melodic voice, which is also difficult to confuse with any other. Moreover, it is interesting that each individual has its own voice timbre, unlike the others.

Non-aggressive by nature, the animal easily gets along with children, appearing before them as a kind of friend.

But what these cats will not tolerate in their environment is rodents. It is quite possible that such rejection is associated with the brutal instincts still living in the Maine Coon, pushing him to hunt.

On the other hand, a representative of the breed will be simply indispensable for a house in which mice live. With its appearance, such a problem can be forgotten once and for all. The Maine Coon is very attentive to strangers, but he is in no hurry to let people get too close to him, waiting to see how the owner himself will treat the guest.

So, summing up the positive traits that are inherent in the Maine Coon, we can say that these cats by their nature:

• Non-aggressive;
• Obedient;
• Peace-loving;
• Friendly;
• Flexible;
• Calm;
• They respect their masters;
• Get along well with children;
• Not conflicting;
• Unpretentious in care;
• Attractive;
• Smart enough;
• Active;
• Cheerful.

And those who have already read the reviews of Maine Coon owners want to have a pet of this breed. Considering the number of pros and not a single minus, it is very easy to understand them.

Cost and where to buy

A Maine Coon kitten is not cheap at the nursery. The price depends on color, gender, age, natural qualities, and purpose of purchase. For representatives of the breed that are unsuitable for breeding and participation in exhibitions, with deviations from the standard, the cost starts from 25 thousand rubles. The price of kittens that fully comply with the standard starts from 50-65 thousand rubles (data as of January 2021).

On free classified ad sites you can see lower price tags - from 5 to 15 thousand rubles, but for that price you cannot buy a purebred representative of the breed. You need to buy a kitten from a nursery with a good reputation:

• Wild Beauty nursery in Moscow - https://wildbeauty.ru/;
• nursery "Volzhsky Pride" in Saratov - https://saratov-coon.ru/;
• nursery “Country of Gullivers” in Ivanovo - https://gulliver-coon.ru/;
• nursery Chelgan in Chelyabinsk - https://chelgan.ru/;
• AlmazCoon nursery in Yekaterinburg - https://www.almazcoon.ru/.

Given the Maine Coon’s docile, calm nature, the breed can be adopted by families with small children. But you need to evaluate the amount of free time to care for the cat, the financial capabilities to provide decent living conditions and good nutrition.

Video on the topic Maine Coon - features of maintenance and care

How to care for the breed?

Caring for the breed cannot be called difficult. Food for Maine Coons, for example, is the most common. No specialized additions are required here. You can buy it at any pet store.

What else? Every owner of a purebred Maine Coon cat should be careful about their fur. Since it is very long, it will get confused more often. To avoid this, it needs to be combed from time to time, but this must be done carefully so that the animal does not get hurt.

Particular attention to wool will have to be paid once every year - during molting. A cat can sharpen its long claws using specialized equipment, which can also be purchased at a pet store.

The Maine Coon, which still weighs more than a typical cat, deserves a special place in the house. You can select it at your own discretion, depending on the arrangement of the apartment and other factors.

If one of the household members has the desire and ability to do something with their own hands, you can create favorable conditions for the cat by building a specially equipped place.

By the way, you can also make the popular scratching post yourself, and it’s not very difficult to do. Otherwise, all the necessary equipment can be purchased ready-made in the store.

The furry owner will be very happy with his personal space, a soft basket in which he can sleep or just take a nap after a hearty lunch. You can also please your friend with soft toys. For moments of fun, a loud ball or a squeaky mouse is suitable.

However, it is worth noting that all this attracts young cats more. As they grow up, they become lazier and less agile; as a rule, they no longer have time for games.

Features of care

Maine Coons are very unpretentious. Cats are very easy-going and do not cause problems to their owners. However, do not forget about scratching posts - it is better to have several of them. And one needs to be installed next to the pet’s sleeping place.

You need to feed your cat fresh food. Coons are not picky when it comes to food. Don't forget to give them fish and meat - and your pet will be happy with life.

They tolerate bathing quite calmly; you just need to accustom them to it from a young age. To maintain a neat appearance, especially during the molting period, owners need to comb the coat of the coon.

Maintenance and care

In order for your Maine Coon cat to feel comfortable in your home, he will need to create favorable conditions. To do this you will need:

• The first step is to choose the right litter tray. In order for the cat to get used to it, for the first time, it is necessary to use such a benefit with short sides. This animal needs to be toilet trained from a very early age, especially if the pet lives with you in an apartment or house.
• The cat must have its own place to rest. Therefore, the owner must immediately make a special bed for the pet, which should ideally suit the pet, given its size.
• You also need to buy toys for these cats.

Such an animal needs to be bathed once every 3-4 months. Carry out a weekly combing procedure. Particular attention will need to be paid to the cat's eyes, ears and teeth.

All about the Maine Coon breed

Top nicknames

When choosing a nickname for a Maine Coon, you need to take into account its size, impressive appearance and individual characteristics. The table shows the most popular “names”.

Table - Top names for 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.

Maine Coon weight by month, table

The normal weight of a newborn is not less than 80 grams, but not more than 180. Over the next four weeks, the cat gains an average of 25-55 grams every day. After a month, due to the introduction of solid foods into the diet, weight gain may slow down. But when the kids completely switch to normal nutrition, the previous pace will resume.

You should not overfeed your Maine Coon, as this may cause health problems.

Price

The cost of the animal may depend on the place of sale, and you can buy a cat in a nursery or from a private owner. And, although the cost in the latter case may definitely be lower, it is not at all necessary that the animal will be purebred. In other words, with a private purchase there are significantly more risks. Another thing is nurseries.

Their addresses can be found on Internet resources, they are located in many cities and, in addition, there is the possibility of transportation. By dealing with nurseries, the breeder immediately receives several advantages.

First of all, he is confident that this is a real representative of the breed. Next, the purchase of an animal is accompanied by all the necessary documents and care tips.

They can also warn you about possible animal diseases and how they should be treated. Ideally, of course, if you feel something is wrong, you should immediately go to the veterinarian.

On the other hand, you can do something yourself, for example, cut off the damaged hair - in case of lichen, be sure to burn it, and treat the damaged areas of the skin with a specialized product. Unfortunately, this is true, and cats can get sick too, but it’s more difficult to tell them about it.

On average, the cost of a kitten can vary from $600 to $1,500.

Content

The Maine Coon is not an ordinary breed. Due to their physiological characteristics, they require somewhat higher maintenance costs than cats of more modest sizes.

When planning to get a little coon, many people wonder how much kittens cost. Prices for purebred animals from good nurseries start from 20 thousand rubles (if you are very lucky) and can reach 100 thousand and above - depending on the title of the parents and the objectives pursued by the buyer. Naturally, a kitten of the so-called pet class, which is destined to become just a pet, will cost several times less than a candidate for a successful exhibition career, although both of them can ultimately grow into luxurious giants with outstanding breed characteristics.

However, it is not enough just to buy a kitten from wonderful parents, even for a lot of money. The main thing is to provide him with decent care and maintenance.

Representatives of this breed feel great both in a city apartment and in a country house. Of course, the second option is ideal due to more free space and the ability to regularly breathe fresh air. If you live in your own home, your number one task is to provide a safe walk for your pet. Despite their impressive size and harsh appearance, these cats are completely unsuited to life on the street and will not be able to protect themselves in case of danger. They are not very agile, and they don’t know how to fight at all. The times when they protected North American farms from rodents are long gone, and the modern Maine Coon is a friendly companion, not a cunning and resourceful hunter. The best thing you can do for your four-legged mustachioed friend is to build a spacious enclosure, closed on all sides, with access directly from the house. Place logs and branches of various configurations and sizes inside, and your pet’s gratitude will know no bounds. Such a walking area will provide your pet with the necessary amount of fresh air and sun, and will also satisfy the need for games and movement.

If you are not the happy owner of your own house in the village, then it is quite possible to provide a coon with decent living conditions in a city apartment, but with reservations regarding the dimensions of the new home. Maine Coons have a calm and balanced character, but the kittens are not averse to frolicking, and if you take into account the fact that they remain kittens for up to three years, and their weight by the year can reach 10 kg, then it becomes clear that everything is easily breakable and represents It is better to remove artistic value away.

Also, do not forget to protect your inquisitive pet from falling - never open windows wide if there is a cat in the room! Or place special grilles (not meshes!) in the openings.

To provide the coon with sufficient physical activity, the owner needs to think about purchasing a special play complex for cats. It should be high enough, but stable, with wide, spacious areas, hammocks or houses where the animal can relax and retire. At the same time, such a complex will act as a scratching post, keeping the upholstery of your furniture safe and sound. Such devices can be bought at a pet store or made to order. Many manufacturers have special lines for giant cats. Give preference to these, although they are somewhat more expensive. But your cat is also unusual, isn’t it?

If we talk about nicknames that are suitable for Maine Coons, then such a majestic animal needs an appropriate name. Among boys, Duke, Count, Viscount, Martin, Mars, Admiral, Patrick, Sean, Askold are often found. The girls are called Duchess, Adele, Olivia, Quinn, Stella, Ursa, Martha.

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Photo

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In custody

Cats are naturally very intelligent creatures. It is not for nothing that for some time in their history they were wild, had no relation to humans and, despite this, existed perfectly well. Now times have changed, and cats are more attached to people. The person takes care of them, feeds them.

Having taken on such responsibility, be sure to fulfill it to the end. Not just love your animal, but also respect it, listen to its desires and interests. Only then can mutual understanding arise between the owner and the pet, and this is very important. After all, the whole point is that cats feel well on a subconscious level.

Their intuition is quite developed, and it is simply impossible to deceive it. That is why, even in a large family where everyone loves their pet, the cat is more attached to one person, the one whom it considers its owner, who cares and looks after it the most. A cat's love is always mutual, and the Maine Coon breed is no exception to this, but rather, on the contrary, a clear confirmation.

4.1 / 5 ( 13 votes)

Differences between Maine Coons and other breeds

The unusual habits of raccoon cats surprise people. It is noticed that mains:

• show love for water. They can look at the pouring water for a long time and try to touch it with their paw or smell it. This feature encourages them to watch for a long time while the owner bathes or washes dishes;
• rinse food in a bowl of water. This habit makes them similar to their ancestors - raccoons. When eating, cats like to dip pieces of food into water and only then eat it;
• Before drinking, the Maine dips its paw into the water. Scientists explain this by the old habit of cats to clean liquid from a layer of impurities;
• they sense the owner’s mood and try to match it;
• They treat the collar calmly and quickly get used to it;
• Maine cats fully participate in raising their offspring and look after them.

Maine Coons are a special type of cat, distinguished not only by affection and activity, but also by high intelligence. That is why they often become favorite pets.

Hygiene and health

Maine Coons, due to their natural origin, are quite unpretentious, however, their long hair with a thick undercoat requires appropriate care, otherwise tangles cannot be avoided, which cause discomfort to the animal and look untidy. To prevent their formation, brush your cat twice a week, paying special attention to the armpits, belly and panties. It is advisable to accustom the kitten to the procedure from childhood so that problems do not arise in adulthood.

You should wash your pet as soon as it gets dirty. As a rule, problems arise with this because coons love water, although there are exceptions here.

Keep an eye on your pet's eyes and ears - they should be clean and free of discharge.

These smart giants have no problems with toilet training. Kittens learn basic skills from their parents, and they come to their new home with the correct ideas about “dos” and “don’ts.” The only thing the owner has to worry about is purchasing the right tray. It should be deep and roomy. The ideal option is a toilet house. A special filter is built into its “roof” that absorbs foreign odors. There are no special requirements regarding the choice of litter - everyone chooses the option that seems more convenient and suits a particular cat.

In general, Maine Coons are characterized by fairly good health, but they have their own special diseases. In particular, cats and cats of this breed are susceptible to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It mainly affects older animals, but the pathology also occurs at a young age. In addition, due to their large size and significant weight, representatives of the breed experience problems with the musculoskeletal system, so it is strictly forbidden to overfeed your pet and allow the development of obesity.

The average lifespan of a coon is 12–14 years, but some individuals lived up to 18.