Maine Coon cats: characteristics of the breed, photos, where to buy

Meikoon cat photo

Pay attention to the photo with the person; the purebred carrier of the breed is truly large in size. How much larger they are than others can be seen already in the first months after birth.

Judging by the reviews, living with this pet even in an apartment is a pleasure, the main thing is to sterilize (neuter) it on time. Because adults cause a lot of inconvenience to the owner.

In the photo, the meikun looks calm , the only thing that scares me is the thought of the portion sizes that are needed to cover daily food needs. Keep in mind that you will have to spend from 15 to 20 thousand rubles a month to feed this furry goliath.

History of the breed

An adult Maine Coon differs from others in size. The weight of the animal reaches 15 kilograms, and it is friendly.

Peculiarities:

1. Muzzle extended forward with tufts on ears that should stand up.
2. Large chest.
3. Long fluffy tail.
4. There is dense waterproof wool on the sides and back.
5. A chic mustache allows you to carefully maneuver between obstacles.
6. Has a non-aggressive, easy-going character.
7. Instead of obsessive meowing, the cat makes sounds reminiscent of the melodic trill of birds.

The Maine Coon originally appeared in North America in 1800. Breeders selected only friendly individuals with an easy-going character for mating. This is how a very good-natured giant appeared - the Maine raccoon cat.

The cat is not isolated from the newborn litter, as it is not dangerous for babies. The head of the pride takes an active role in raising the cubs. Representatives of the breed are not afraid of water and easily remember the gestures and intonation of the owner.

The FIFe system and its standard for the Maine Coon breed

The International Cat Federation (Fédération Internationale Féline) was formed in 1950 in Belgium. At the first stage, it included national clubs from Flanders, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

Half a century later, the number of participants increased to 40, and FIFe became one of 9 members of the World Felinological Congress.

The Maine Coon breed was registered in 1982. It has been designated as a native population that is descended from barn cats found on the farms of the American northeast.

The description of the standard of this breed in the FIFe version refers not only to the general parameters, but also supplements them with some details.

• In the appearance section it is mentioned that the animal must have developed muscle tone and fatness.
• The profile of the Maine Coon's forehead and the transition line to the nose are smoothly curved.
• The description of the ears is supplemented by the clarification that with age the distance between them may increase.
• Clear eye color is desirable, but their relationship with coat color has not been established.

Other parameters of the Maine Coon breed standard in the FIFe version are practically no different from the WCF.

There are a number of additions that are not reflected by World Cat Federation:

1. The breed's phenotype takes precedence over all other traits.
2. Referees are required to take into account the slow maturation of Maine Coons - cats grow up to 4-5 years.
3. The length of the coat and the density of the undercoat may vary depending on the season.

Finally, a sign of sexual dimorphism is indicated - the need to take into account the difference in build between cats and male cats.

The exhibition rating scale for Maine Coon cats was distributed as follows:

1. Head, ears, muzzle, eyes – maximum 40.
2. Body (bone structure, legs, structure and type of paws, tail) – 35.
3. Wool texture, quality, size and color – 20.
4. The general constitution adds another 5 points.

Important! According to the FIFe association standard, the general appearance of a Maine Coon cat is of particular importance. The organization tries to keep it clean and presentable.

Unusual character

Maine Coons are intelligent animals, patient and unpersistent. It’s better not to let this fluffy good-natured guy out on his own, otherwise the dogs might fight.

A cat of this breed will be an excellent nanny for children; he will be able to patiently endure the antics of a small child.

This feline is reminiscent of a dog in character and captivates with its devotion and love for its owner.

If desired, you can train your Maine Coon to fetch toys or give a paw . They are easy to train and a pleasure to wash. Rarely are individuals afraid of water.

The main characteristic of this cat breed is the following: the pet has a calm temperament. Moreover, he behaves confidently at home and on the street.

Character traits

The stern appearance of Maine Coons is surprisingly combined with their affectionate and sociable character. These are noble cats, distinguished by their calm, delicate, intelligent behavior.

Main character traits of the Maine Coon:

1. Love for affection. These cats like to be petted, but only when they want it. They love to be petted, but get irritated when they are picked up to be cuddled or pampered. In response to obsessive squeezing, a well-mannered cat will try to escape from your hands and leave, while an ill-mannered animal may bite or scratch. Also, Maine Coons do not like to sit on laps, simply because they are uncomfortable and do not have enough space to lie down.
2. Activity. American cats have a calm character, but they cannot be called phlegmatic. Maine Coons are not the kind of pets that lie on the couch all day long. They need constant movement and communication. That is, these are sanguine cats. The Maine Coon cannot just sit, he must do something every minute.
3. Love for games. Since evolution determines the hunting nature of forest cats from the state of Maine, games should be active, associated with hunting. This could be, for example, catching a ball or a toy on a string. To prevent the Maine Coon from feeling sad, the owner should play with him for at least an hour a day.
4. Playfulness. This character trait is due to the fact that Maine Coons mature late, only by the age of 3. But even adults retain a playful and spontaneous character. A person who owns a Maine Coon needs to prepare for the fact that unhidden items will be thrown off the shelves and broken.
5. High intelligence and understanding. The character and habits of Maine Coons are more reminiscent of a dog than a cat. Thanks to their excellent memory and learning ability, pets can be trained, remember conventional gestures, and easily learn tricks that dogs usually perform, for example, “fetch” and “sit.” The training process should take place purely in a playful way. Maine Coons are able to remember words frequently used by their owner and respond to them appropriately. There have been cases when owners managed to teach their pets to open doors and go to the toilet.
6. Curiosity. Maine Coons like to watch events happening around them. Not a single interesting detail escapes their gaze. Owners often notice how their pet, sitting on the windowsill, fascinatedly watches the falling snow or the sparrows chirping in the feeder. Also, a Maine Coon can sit on the sofa next to its owner and look at the TV screen that is on. He, of course, does not understand anything, he is simply interested in unusual sounds and flashing pictures.

How much does a Maine Coon kitten cost?

The price of kittens is 20,000 - 80,000 rubles . The cost depends on the color and pedigree. The high price-quality ratio does not always work.

The purchase is quite expensive, but the expenses don’t end there. The Maine Coon needs to be fed premium food and regularly shown to the veterinarian. This means that the lion's share of the budget will go to the pet.

Official websites of breeders:

• Moscow https://mainecoonomania.ru/ https://cooneko.ru/.
• St. Petersburg https://lynx-mark.ru/.
• Ukraine, Kyiv https://bartalameo.com.ua.
• Belarus, Minsk https://borngrand.by/.
• Novosibirsk https://talismancoon.ru/.

The price of a make-coon cat depends on the color of the coat, purebred and character traits.

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.

Eyes

Maine Coons have expressive oval eyes. When a cat opens its eyes in surprise, their shape becomes almost round. The location relative to the outer edge of the ear is slightly oblique.

The defects are an almond-shaped eye shape, a frank slant of the fit, a flat edge of the upper eyelid with wide open eyes. All three standards under consideration have different requirements for eye shade.

WCF insists on monochrome eye color, and this standard also requires harmony between eye color and fur color. The FIFe standard has no requirements for eye color; the only preference is purity of color.

The color scheme of a cat's skin and the color of the iris do not depend on each other. Any combinations are acceptable. TICA allows green and gold color palettes. Animals with white fur may have blue or multi-colored eyes. The correlation between skin color and eye color is not considered.

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.

Factors influencing the size of the Maine Coon

The size of an adult Maine Coon cat is influenced by many conditions. First of all, the sex of the animal. Cats develop more slowly and are generally smaller in height and weight than female cats. The normal weight of females should not exceed 7.5 kg, and that of males – 12 kg.

Growth rates are also influenced by the purebred of the animal and genetic factors - large parents produce offspring of the appropriate size.

Large kittens develop more actively and grow more powerful. External factors affecting the size and weight of an adult Maine Coon cat include the hygienic conditions of its keeping.

The size of an adult Maine Coon cat is influenced by many factors/Yandex Collections

How to choose a kitten

Before approaching an acquisition as a commercial project, you need to think carefully. Becoming a breeder and selling kittens is not as profitable as it seems. But if you want to attend exhibitions, then choose a breed representative of the Breed class.

Are you purchasing a Pet-class pet for your soul? Feel free to start your search; remember, the cat will also need to arrange his home.

Take a stroll through the Internet pages of nurseries, publications that involve the sale of animals, for example, Avito. The main rule is never go to the poultry market for a kitten. There they sell litter from irresponsible matings; they are either sick or not pure breed.

Maine Coons can reach large sizes, which means you should carefully weigh the pros and cons and make an informed decision. After all, your life will change over the next 15 years. It will be necessary to provide the pet with sufficient territory, care and balanced premium food.

When choosing a new family member, pay attention to your parents. If they are small in stature, without a powerful chest and ear tufts, then you should not expect the kitten to have them either. The baby himself, regardless of gender, should look healthy, nimble, without lacrimation or other symptoms of illness.

Documentation

There are various associations through which you can check the authenticity of a nursery's license (WCF, FIFe, Farus, TICA).

When selling an animal, several accompanying documents are attached:

1. Before five months, a metric is created, and after that it is exchanged for a pedigree. Without this paper, the pet will be considered not purebred.
2. Veterinary passport with information about vaccination and deworming. The certificate is issued in accordance with international standards. This is an ordinary medical card, like the one that is issued for a person in a clinic.
3. A purchase and sale agreement is drawn up, which specifies the cost, obligations and other terms of the transaction.
4. A small guide to the care, feeding and maintenance of a Maine Coon.
5. Breeding animals undergo a microchipping procedure, it is better if it is done by the breeder himself.

What food to feed a Maine Coon kitten

Proper nutrition for this breed of cats is the key to health. In the wild, predators eat the stomach of herbivores, in which plant food is already ready for digestion. And then they start eating muscle meat.

It’s good to feed your cat veal or chicken, but such a diet will not be complete. The animal needs vitamins, as well as grass, which helps clean the intestines of hair.

What to feed a Maine Coon:

1. Premium quality dry food . Here you need to remember one simple truth: the more balanced the product, the slower it is consumed. There is no need to chase cheap analogues; the body is not satisfied with such food, so after a short period of time the pet wants to eat again.
2. Meat and fish are important in the diet, but should not dominate . You shouldn’t rely on spiders and canned food. After all, in order to maintain the freshness of products, the manufacturer has to add stabilizers and other chemicals.
3. Boiled eggs are a great source of protein that is easily digestible. But it is better to avoid raw ones, as abuse leads to a lack of biotin.
4. Milk is given to kittens , but in an adult it is highly likely to cause digestive upset.
5. Buy vitamin and mineral complexes . Even with a varied diet, there is no guarantee that the cat will meet its daily needs for vital microelements.
6. Water . It should always be fresh and in abundance.

So, the only correct conclusion suggests itself: special balanced feeds are needed for specific needs and each age group. But food from the table is destructive for the Maine Coon; ignoring this fact in a year or two, you will get a sick animal.

Preparing for the arrival of a Maine Coon kitten at home

A novice owner needs to familiarize himself in advance with the features of keeping an elite Maine Coon:

• Allocate space for your pet to relax and play – the entertainment area of ​​a big cat should be spacious.
• It is necessary to take care of products for caring for your pet’s fur; it is necessary to accustom your Maine Coon to combing from the first days of acquaintance.
• Find a secluded place for the toilet tray.
• Buy suitable toys for your cat - little Maine Coons love to run after a wind-up mouse or jump for a wand with feathers.

This is interesting! As a child, the Maine Coon most strongly demonstrates the nature of its freedom-loving ancestors. A representative of this breed instinctively learns to hide, sneak up and suddenly attack, and catch prey, although this skill will not be useful to him in later life.

Features of care and education

This breed is quite easy to train, but you need to immediately show what can be done and what is prohibited. Makecoon cats are susceptible to training. If there are small children in the house, they will become caring nannies. Even when a child causes inconvenience to a pet, he will patiently endure such hardships of life. The same cannot be said about other representatives of the cat family.

It is important to never show aggression; these fluffy beauties are vulnerable and feel irritation through intonation. By the way, males love to raise their offspring.

The Maine Coon cat breed was bred by breeding methods, which means it is necessary to provide complete care:

1. It is necessary to walk strictly on a leash, as the cat may be seriously harmed due to excessive friendliness.
2. From a young cat's age, do not allow him to climb high and jump down, as the pet may be injured due to its weight. With age they become more clumsy, but their interest in hunting does not disappear. Coons are excellent mousecatchers and require a lot of space to maneuver.
3. To prevent tangles from appearing on your pet’s fur coat, you need to groom its fur several times a week. Buy a brush with rounded teeth; you need to brush it constantly.
4. If problems with grooming may arise, then bathing is a pleasure for the cat.
5. Trim the claws as you sharpen, from once a week to twice a month. Use the most gentle version of the instrument so as not to injure blood vessels.
6. Clean your ears with a cloth soaked in boiled water.
7. Keep routine checkups with your veterinarian to monitor your oral health.

Care

Caring for cats is labor-intensive. Requires a lot of time and effort. The reward is a happy, beautiful and loving pet.

Check your ears and eyes regularly. If dirt and wax have accumulated in your ears, remove them with a cotton swab soaked in a special lotion.

The cat's eyes should be clear. If there is discharge in them, remove them with a special napkin. If there is none, use a swab moistened with boiled water or eye lotion. It is not recommended to use chamomile infusion. It has a bad effect on the hair around the eyes.

Wool

A kitten must be taught to care for its fur literally from the first days it arrives in the house. If you don't do this, he won't like handling the comb later. He will resist and may show aggression.

Starting from six months, kittens' coats change. The baby's undercoat falls out. The fur becomes thick and tough. To make this period pass faster, the animal must be combed at least twice a week.

In addition, during this period the pet’s body especially needs vitamins and microelements. If there are not enough of them, the period of baby molting will drag on for a long time. The appearance of the coat will deteriorate.

An adult animal sheds twice a year - in spring and autumn. For cats that live in apartments, their schedule is often disrupted. Shedding may occur earlier or later and may take longer.

In addition to seasonal molting, the coat is constantly renewed. Experts say that each hair on a Maine Coon “lives” for about a month and then falls out.

Regular brushing will help maintain the beauty of the coat and prevent the formation of tangles. Makes it easier to maintain cleanliness in the apartment.

If the cat is not brushed, he will lick the fur off himself. As a result, it will accumulate in the intestines, which can lead to health problems.

How to brush a Maine Coon

This must be done in several stages.

First, comb the animal with a wide-toothed comb. This will allow you to identify problem areas.

Most often, hair rolls up behind the ears, on the stomach, chest, lower neck, and hind legs.

Carefully remove any tangles found with your hands. Try combing. If that doesn't work, cut them out with scissors.

After this, comb the coat with a fine-toothed comb. This will remove the undercoat and “outdated” hairs.

Bathing

Maine Coons love water. If babies are introduced to water baths from an early age, they will begin to enjoy the procedure.

You need to bathe your cat in warm water – 35 degrees. Place a rubber mat or towel on the bottom of the bath to prevent your pet from slipping and falling. Make sure that water does not get into your pet's ears.

Maine Coons need to be washed with special shampoos for long-haired cats. Then rinse with water.

Upon completion of the procedure, the animal should be dipped in a soft towel. If you rub too hard, the fur may become tangled.

After the bath, make sure that the cat does not get caught in a draft and catch a cold. To prevent this from happening, dry the fur coat a little with a hairdryer. Then let the cat finish the job himself - lick the fur.

Nail care

Cats themselves monitor the length of their claws. If necessary, grind them off or bite off the ends. However, the owner must keep this process under control.

Maine Coons need to sharpen their claws. To prevent cats from damaging the furniture in the apartment, it is necessary to install special scratching posts. If they are not there, then there is a high probability that upholstered furniture or door jambs will be damaged. Claw grinders must be well secured so that a large cat cannot turn it over or drop it on the floor.

It must be borne in mind that even if a pet uses a scratching post, this does not guarantee that he will put his claws in order on his own. It is necessary to control the length of your pet's claws, otherwise they will cause discomfort and problems for the raccoon cat.

The claws on the front paws are always longer than those on the hind paws.

If the claws are very long and cause discomfort to the pet, they need to be trimmed a little. This can be done at a pet salon, veterinary clinic, or invite a specialist.

The owner can trim the pet's claws himself. However, inexperienced people should not undertake this procedure. The claw contains blood vessels. If they are damaged, severe bleeding will occur.

Particular attention should be paid to the fifth toes on the front paws. These fingers do not come into contact with the ground or floor. Long claws grow on them and begin to bend at the end. Sometimes it grows into the skin. The pet is in severe pain. To prevent this from happening, the claws need to be trimmed on time.

If a cat breaks a claw while playing, its sharp tip must be trimmed. Otherwise, a fragment of the claw will damage the animal's paw. The wound must be treated with an antiseptic.

What to feed

The cat must be fed food prepared especially for it. Food from the owner's table is harmful to the pet. This is due to the characteristics of the animal’s digestive system, which differs from the human one. Food from the owner's table is poorly digested and can cause a number of diseases.

There are two options for feeding the animal:

• natural,
• industrial feed.

You can choose a natural diet for your pet only if you have the time to cook especially for him.

Foods that are good for Maine Coons

1. Lean meat: horse meat, beef, lamb, rabbit, turkey, chicken.
2. Offal: heart, tripe, liver.
3. Vegetables: carrots, pumpkin, zucchini, cauliflower. They can
4. Greens: parsley, dill, lettuce.
5. Cereals: oatmeal, rice, buckwheat.
6. Sea fish: hake, pollock, pink salmon.
7. Chicken and quail eggs.
8. Fermented milk products: cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt, Varenets.
9. Vegetable oil. It should be added to vegetables and cereals 1⁄2 teaspoon. Sunflower, olive, flaxseed are suitable.

Forbidden food

1. Fat meat. Causes disruption of the digestive system. Frequent use can lead to the death of the animal.
2. Bones. Can injure the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Milk. Causes indigestion.
4. Beans. Lead to bloating and flatulence.
5. Noodles. Buns and pies. Provokes gastrointestinal colic, bloating and diarrhea.
6. You should not feed your cat salty food. Because of it, the risk of cardiovascular diseases increases.

An adult Maine Coon should be fed 2 times a day. To do this, the daily food intake should be divided into two meals.

The cat should always have access to a cup of clean water

If you don’t have time to prepare food for your cat, commercial food will help get out of the situation. Choose a product from one of three classes:

• premium;
• super premium;
• holistic.

Depending on the consistency, industrial feeds are divided into 2 types: dry and wet.

Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Dry food can remain in a cat's bowl for 24 hours. There is no moisture in it. When using it, your pet must be provided with access to clean and fresh water.

Wet food is available in the form of jellies and pates. It is well absorbed by the cat's body. It is not only nutritious, but also high in calories. Pets love him. If it is abused, the coon may become overweight.

You can combine dry food with wet food. In this case, dry food should account for 75% of the daily ration, respectively wet food - 25%.

Food for a Maine Coon should be selected taking into account age, health status and energy costs. It is important to follow the dosage specified by the manufacturer.

Mating of Maykun cats

The best time for procreation is considered to be from one year to one and a half years. How did this third heat instill. Do not allow older representatives of the breed to reproduce, because only the best qualities must be cultivated.

Mating should take place on the territory of the cat between show breeds of the breed class. And the divorce assessment corresponds to the level - very good. Contact the felinological club to find a partner. Be patient, because love games take two days.

It is better to bring the cat the next day after the start of estrus with everything supplied: tray, toys, food, bowls. Don't forget to trim your nails before your date, otherwise lovers might get a little rough on each other.

To determine whether mating has occurred, evaluate the behavior. When mating takes place, Maine Coons behave quietly and begin to cuddle. You need to keep them together for no more than four days, otherwise you won’t get a full litter.