Mating Maine Coons: rules and recommendations of veterinarians

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Mating a Maine Coon is a very responsible process that requires thorough preparation from the owner and his pet. A grown-up male Maine Coon signals his readiness to mate by beginning to mark his territory, and the females meow protractedly and rub against various objects, the legs and arms of the owner.

Physiological maturation in a Maine Coon female begins at 5-6 months, and puberty begins by the 9th month. The process of maturation in females is accompanied by estrus - discharge from the genitals.

This is a special period of sexual activity in a cat, during which the egg matures and the body is fully prepared for fertilization.

Age at first mating

The first heat in Maine Coons occurs at about 7 months of age. At this time, it is best to start looking for a male cat for your girl, but it is better to skip the first and second heats. According to the existing rules of breeders of purebred cats, mating is allowed after 10 months. For Maine cats, it is recommended to carry out the first mating no earlier than 1 year. Males can start mating after 10-12 months.

In the case of early puberty, in order to avoid health problems, the female must be untied during the third heat. Violation of this rule can lead to inflammation of the uterus, hormonal imbalance and other negative consequences.

If your girl feels sexual desire at the age of 6 months, it is better to wait until at least 9 months. In this case, you will have to get a certificate from the veterinarian, which will reflect the need for early mating. This will help avoid being blacklisted by persons who have violated the rules of the felinological organization.

This is prohibited when training a Maine Coon at home.

In Maine Coon training, all techniques are allowed, with the exception of those that can cause physical or mental harm to the cat.

You cannot use force - affection and patience during classes consistently lead to a positive result.
You should not shout - loud sounds frighten cats and make them want to hide or, conversely, rush to attack.
All cruel actions that cause pain to the animal are strictly prohibited.

Of course, the carrot and stick method should not be conventional (expressing displeasure in voice or behavior), but the carrot should be natural (a piece of your favorite treat will always be appropriate).

Mating rules

Preparing for mating is a responsible process. It is necessary to discuss in advance all the conditions, interest on the sale of kittens, and draw up an agreement. Usually mating is organized on the cat's territory. You must first take care of the health of your pets:

get tested for infections;
carry out deworming a week before;
two weeks in advance - flea treatment;
take care of timely vaccination;
immediately before mating, visit a veterinarian.

Signs of estrus in cats

In Maine Coons, ovulation (the release of an egg) occurs after mating. Therefore, for mating to be effective, the Maine girl must be taken to her partner on the second day of estrus, which can be determined by characteristic signs:

inviting meowing, increased affection, demands for additional attention;
characteristic squatting on the hind legs;
rolling on the floor;
When stroking, the cat's back bends, and the tail falls on its side.

Process

Do not wash your cat before going to breeding, so that the characteristic odor of estrus remains, which is attractive to males. It will be easier for the bride to get used to being a guest if she takes a tray with filling, as well as her favorite food, with her when visiting. Before the meeting, it is necessary to trim the coons' claws so that they do not injure each other in the heat of passion.

Room

It is better to immediately allocate a mating room for the cat couple. The room should be small and there should be no places where you can hide. It is necessary to limit access under the bathtub, sofas, etc., so that the bride does not sit there for too long, excluding the groom.

Love time

When a cat is in heat, the cat is actively showing interest.
He does not leave the bride’s side, shows attention, and tolerates her refusals. If you are passive, try to interest the cat by bringing him closer to the cat, whose tail is slightly raised. It will take several hours or days for the kitty to surrender to the cat, depending on the experience of the parties involved. When mating occurs, the cat's behavior changes. She starts rolling on the floor and purring. Important! A cat may exhibit active sexual behavior for several days after a successful mating, but this is not a sign of fertilization failure.
Often a cat only needs one time, but sometimes up to 10-15 matings occur per day over the course of a day or two. When the cat has lost interest in the process, its owner can immediately call the cat’s owners and inform them that the mating was successful and the bride can be picked up.

Mating Maine Coons. Mating of Maine Coons.

Preparing the premises

Mating is most often carried out in the place where the cat lives - a familiar environment has a beneficial effect on the mating process, since success largely depends on the behavior of the Maine Coon boy.

First, you need to remove all fragile things from the room so that the cat does not break anything and harm itself. It is advisable to leave the maximum amount of free space so that the animals do not get too tired during mating games, otherwise mating may not occur.

During a meeting between pets, you should close the meeting room and not disturb the animals - a calm environment will have a beneficial effect on their acquaintance.

After mating: pregnancy and lambing

A positive mating result can be seen after 3 weeks by the cat’s nipples, which have become larger and pinker. The cat begins to sleep more and changes its eating habits. If fertilization does not take place, then a new estrus will begin in about a month.

A pregnant woman requires veterinary supervision, improved nutrition and sufficient vitamins. Kittens are born approximately 65 days after mating. There are usually up to 8 babies in a litter. There are cases when a Maine carried and fed 10 kittens.

Maine Coon breeding is a responsible business. When deciding to take care of it, you must be prepared to show responsibility and perseverance in order to find a home for each kitten that appears. Careful preparation and implementation of mating ensures the quality of health of future kittens and cats.

Maine Coon mixes

Maine Coon mixes are obtained from the mating of animals of different breeds, or from the litter of a purebred and a barn cat. Such pets may have external defects or a character that does not meet the standard. Breeding half-breeds is officially prohibited.

Maine Coon and regular cat

When a Maine is mated with a yard cat, the signs of the breed standard disappear: the coloring is preserved, the positive character traits are lost. The popularity of mestizos is growing due to their low cost. It is believed that crosses between a Maine Coon and a regular cat are less likely to get sick, but they will never be able to take part in shows and become breeding animals. Crossing with a small cat has a high risk of death of the female.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Z2xDYLmDPxU%3F

Maine Coon and British

As a result of crossing Maine Coons with British cats, the length and structure of the coat changes. This depends on the parameters of the partner’s fur coat. When buying a kitten without a pedigree, a person risks getting a mixed breed along with the discount. You need to choose a purebred baby on the websites of officially registered nurseries.

Maine Coon and Siberian cat

The pet from a litter of “raccoon” and Siberian cats looks similar to a Maine Coon. But the baby will not reach the size typical for representatives of the breed. What grows out of a Maine Coon cross will not be able to compete with real purebred pets: neither in terms of weight, nor in terms of character.

Childbirth process

When the time comes to give birth, the Maine Coon cat will begin to show anxiety, visit the toilet more often than usual, look for a secluded corner and constantly lick itself. You need to not go far from her so that when the attempts begin, you can transfer the pet to the maternity house.

Each baby is born in a “bag” that is torn and eaten by a cat. After this, you need to let her lick each kitten. If the cat does not do this, you need to free the baby from the film yourself, cut the umbilical cord and tie it with their thread.

It is necessary to ensure that each newborn begins to breathe, makes a squeak and tries to crawl.

Kittens appear in different ways and not always at the same time. It happens that about a day passes between the birth of the first and the last. The cat will calm down only when the last baby is born. After this, all the diapers are changed in the house, and bowls with food and water are placed next to it.

Breeding rules

When the cat is six months old, you can already start looking for a suitable sire.
To do this, it is best to contact the club, where they will help you choose the best possible partner.

They will take into account the combination of blood, color and exhibition quality of both animals.

For the first mating, you need to find an experienced cat, as otherwise problems may arise during mating.

Just in case, if the chosen manufacturer is already busy for a time suitable for mating or is unable to carry it out for some other reason, it makes sense to look for a “spare” partner.

It may also be useful if mating with the “main” cat does not work out for some reason.

Adults who have already exhibited Maine Coons of the breed class and who have received permission to breed are allowed to breed.

Preparing animals for breeding

Before mating, you need to have your pet examined in a clinic in order to promptly identify hidden pathologies that may become an obstacle to breeding.
Two weeks before mating, it is necessary to carry out treatment for external parasites, and a week before mating, deworming.

On the second day or third day after the start of estrus, the pet should be taken to the cat. But first, it will be necessary to trim her claws so that she does not scratch her partner.

Before mating, you should not wash the cat or treat its fur with any means that interrupt the natural odor of estrus, since otherwise the cat may not show interest in her.

In order for the cat to quickly get used to the new environment, it is recommended that when going to breeding, you take with you bowls for food and water, a tray and food to which your pet is accustomed. You also need to take care of the documents: prepare a copy of the cat’s pedigree in advance.

Room and furnishings

Maine Coons need to be bred in a room free of unnecessary furniture.
Ideally, there should be no places in the room where the cat could hide for a long time.

It’s good if the room is small: this will limit the freedom of movement of animals.

At the same time, it will give the Maine Coon girl the opportunity to run away from her partner for too long.

It is best to simply lock the partners together in one room and not pay attention to them. As a rule, animals themselves are able to figure out the mating process. If you constantly disturb and distract them, they will not be able to focus their attention on each other. While the cat is in the cat's territory, the house should be quiet and calm. At this time, you should not receive guests, make repairs or perform other noisy activities that may confuse or frighten the animals, which may cause them to refuse mating.

While a Maine Coon girl is in the house of the cat's owner, he is fully responsible for her.

Process

In order for an inexperienced cat to agree to let the cat approach her, she is brought to him in advance.
Usually on the second day of mating, so that the pet has enough time to get used to the new environment and get to know the groom.

It’s good if the cat immediately begins to be interested in the cat brought to him.

This means that he liked her and, if he is experienced enough, sooner or later he will be able to “persuad” his partner. In the same case, if he immediately turns around and defiantly leaves, this means that the mating will not succeed and it is better to try to match the pet with another cat. Well, if the groom is interested in the fluffy bride, but somewhat sluggishly, then you can try to attract the cat’s attention to her: bring him closer to the cat, first lifting her tail.

Typically, Maine Coons cope without the help of their owners when mating; only in rare cases does human intervention be required.

If the cat constantly lies on its side or back at the most crucial moment, then it is necessary to hold it in the position necessary for mating, not allowing it to dodge.
Maine Coons behave differently during mating: some animals make a lot of noise, others do their job in complete silence.

And cats don't treat cats equally.

Some producers are affectionate with their brides and spare no time in persuasion, others are persistent and impatient.

Some representatives of the breed can show aggression towards the cat and treat it quite roughly. And some cats, when meeting a partner, are very nervous and feel insecure at first. But, in any case, if the cat liked the bride, he will still achieve her favor. A Maine Coon girl usually “stays” in a cat’s house for 1 to 4 days. During this time, animals can mate several times a day.

Food requirements

The physiology of these animals determines special food requirements. As with other pets, you can choose one of 2 types of food: natural products or ready-made food. Mixing different types is highly discouraged. You should not feed your pet meat if he is on dry food. This can lead to digestive problems.

Natural

Eating a Maine Coon with natural products has its own rules:

The main component of proper nutrition is meat. It could be poultry, beef or offal. Be sure to choose lean meats. The product can be given boiled or raw (only if the meat has been frozen). Meat should make up at least 70% of the total diet.
Additional sources of protein are fish, cottage cheese and egg whites.
Carbohydrates should be included in the diet in the form of cereals (preferably oatmeal or rice), as well as vegetables.
Fiber is provided by boiled vegetables (zucchini, pumpkin, cabbage). The vegetable component should be no more than 10%. It is quite difficult to independently calculate whether your pet is receiving all the necessary vitamins and microelements. Therefore, when feeding natural products, it is recommended to use special nutritional supplements.

Ready-made feed

Both wet and dry food can be used to feed cats of this breed. Moreover, different types can be combined.

Be sure to pay attention not only to the class of food, but also directly to its composition. The protein component must be represented by meat (not offal) and be at least 25–30%

It is better to choose food that does not contain wheat, and complex carbohydrates are represented by oatmeal or rice.

Below is an approximate rating of ready-made food that is suitable for this breed:

Royal Canin. The manufacturer has a special line for Maine Coons. Royal Canin is a super premium food. Proteins make up 31% and are represented by poultry and egg whites. The carbohydrate component is represented by rice. There are additional supplements in the form of chondroitin and glucosamine for joint health, as well as taurine for heart muscle health.
Hills. This is a premium Maine Coon food. The protein content in this product is 30%. Proteins are represented by chicken, chicken liver and egg white. Carbohydrates – rice, wheat and corn gluten. The food has additional antioxidant content.
ProPlan. "Proplan" is a premium food, the manufacturer of this product is Purina. This food contains no flavors or dyes.

It is important to know!

Mating of four-legged pets should not happen during the female’s first heat. This can have bad consequences for the health of your pet, since at the time of the first heat, the cat’s body has not yet matured enough.

There are certain features of cat relationships, so it is extremely important to carefully prepare for the mating process, following the basic rules:

First of all, the owner of a Maine Coon should think about finding a suitable partner in advance. Regarding the issue of breeding, you need to contact the relevant clubs. A partner for regular mating can be found at cat shows or through an advertisement. Animals' claws should be trimmed to avoid injuries that they can cause to each other during mating. You should not wash the female before mating; this neutralizes the natural cat odor that is so attractive to the male Maine Coon. It is mandatory for the Maine Coon to have all the necessary vaccinations, as well as deworming (treatment for worms). One of the pair of animals should be more experienced in intimate matters, preferably a cat. Maine Coon cats are available for mating in specialized nurseries, and you can also find a worthy candidate on thematic forums. The classic option involves mating on the cat’s territory, which gives the male more confidence. If mating is planned in an unfamiliar environment for the animal, the owner of the Maine Coon needs to take the cat’s tray, bowls and favorite treats with him. In addition, it would not hurt to bring with you a Maine Coon carrier that the animal is accustomed to. In case of a stressful situation, the cat can hide in its carrier and rest for a while. All this will help your four-legged pet quickly adapt to a new place.

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Features of the estrus period in Maine Coon cats

Every person who brings a cute little kitten into their home must remember that in a few months it will be filled with screams and howls. Heat (estrus) is a natural part of the life of any cat, so owners should be prepared for it, first of all, have all the necessary information.

Maine Coons are a slow-maturing breed; they reach full maturity only at 3-4 years of age. But this does not mean that the first estrus in females will begin at the same age. Everything is quite individual, but most often this happens at 6-10 months.

Many owners who are not too knowledgeable about the characteristics of the breed are afraid to breed a cat until 2-3 years old, but this idea is fundamentally wrong. There is a myth that early mating can stunt the animal's growth. He is also unfaithful.

The ideal time for the first mating of a Maine Coon is 10-15 months. At this age, the cat is already fully formed and ready to bear offspring. If you untie it later, there is a possibility of hormonal imbalance, and after this, the appearance of problems with behavior and health. Empty heats that do not end in pregnancy are undesirable.

Cat owners must immediately decide for themselves whether they will breed the cat or not. The first can only be afforded by owners of club animals with a pedigree and an excellent gene pool, because only in this case is there any hope of providing a good home for all the kittens. Everyone else is strongly recommended to sterilize their cat. It is advisable to do this at a fairly early age, even before the first heat.

Some people consider sterilizing cats inhumane, preferring to feed them hormonal or sedative drugs, but this is completely unacceptable. An imbalance can lead to severe hormonal diseases, which are the cause of cancerous tumors, cysts, and also pyomas - gn

Source

Raising a Maine Coon

The Maine Coon breed is characterized by high intelligence, as well as a very good memory, which greatly simplifies the process of education or training. Such a pet from an early age quickly understands what can be done and what cannot be done. Among other things, Maine Coons perfectly sense the mood of their owner, so the pet is not able to bother him and react correctly to training.

Maine Coon kittens are extremely active, love to play and run, so the animal needs to be ensured complete safety. For this purpose, in the first weeks of life, you can use special playpens or protective prefabricated fencing sections

It is also important to remember that modern Maine Coons have excellent hunting instincts, and such a pet quickly becomes an indispensable catcher of mice and rats. It is for this reason that experts recommend minimizing the Maine Coon’s interaction with pets such as birds, fish and small rodents.

The owner of the nursery or private breeder most often socializes the kitten even before sale, accustoming it to the use of a litter tray and scratching post, as well as the company of people. A popular and incredibly intelligent breed, it is not prone to obstinacy, aggressive behavior or vindictiveness, therefore it is enthusiastic about the process of education based on rewards and verbal prohibitions.

Buy a Maine Coon: tips and tricks

According to FIFE rules, breeders must sell kittens at least 3 months old, although they can be put up for sale earlier, from the age of one month.

This allows the buyer to observe the animal for 2 months. In other words, you can reserve your Maine Coon in advance. As a rule, experienced breeders do not sell kittens unless they have behavioral skills and are not fully socialized.

Where to buy, what to look for

To buy a Maine Coon kitten, it is better to contact experienced breeders or a specialized nursery

In this case, you should pay attention to the fact that all documents that relate to both the kitten’s parents and their offspring are presented

The documents must indicate:

The pedigree of the parents, the nature of their behavior and temperament, the exact number of matings, as well as health data.
Features of the kitten’s behavior, as well as behavioral skills, including health status.

If necessary, nursery staff or an experienced breeder should give appropriate recommendations or advice on maintenance, care, and diet.

It is very important at this stage to decide on the diet, since it is not advisable to change it at all for a kitten at this age. If you plan to further show the animal at exhibitions, then it is advisable to purchase a purebred animal with all accompanying documents and a veterinary passport

Maine Coon cat price

This is a fairly expensive cat breed, so even pet-class kittens cost at least 15 thousand rubles. Breeding class kittens, as a rule, cost at least 40 thousand rubles, regardless of the region. The most prestigious “show” class generally costs crazy money. You will have to pay about 95 thousand rubles for it.

Natural nutrition

Preparing food for your Maine Coon yourself is considered a very good way to raise a healthy and large cat, but it has 2 disadvantages: it is time-consuming and requires careful consideration of nutrients. But feeding Maine Coon kittens traditionally occurs in this way - the owners develop a balanced menu and carefully monitor the quality of the products.

Meat and offal in the Maine Coon diet

Maine Coon food should contain up to 95% protein. In nature, the cat leads a predatory lifestyle and has not yet become an omnivore. For full development, it needs animal (and not plant) protein, the main supplier of which is meat.

During the first 2 months, owners and breeders do not face the question of what to feed the Maine Coon. During this period, the kitten has enough mother's milk. But as soon as he switches to independent feeding, the need immediately arises to provide him with protein of animal origin:

The best meat varieties for cats are lean beef, rabbit, chicken, and turkey.
By-products - kidneys, liver, heart, and other offal also contain the necessary types of proteins and should be present in the Maine Coon's diet.

It is advisable to clean all meat components from bones, films, fatty layers, and tendons. Before feeding the cat, the meat is completely frozen. To do this, the product is placed in the freezer for 3-5 days, and then thawed and given to the Maine Coon raw, boiled or doused with boiling water. This preparation algorithm guarantees the death of all parasites that can infect the intestinal microflora and cause negative consequences for the cat’s health. The same applies to all types of by-products, which must be subjected to complete heat treatment.

Fish and fish products

The second source of animal protein for the Maine Coon is fish. However, the presence of fish ingredients in natural diets is controversial. You cannot completely deprive the Maine Coon of this nutritional component, since in nature the cat catches fish on its own. Experts recommend following the following rules:

At home, Maine Coons receive dishes containing fish no more than 2 times a week.
Fish dishes should not be separate - the product is offered to the Maine Coon along with vegetables or cereals.
Large and small bones are removed.
Cod, pollock, sprat, herring (other cheap varieties) have little nutritional value, but urolithiasis and other related cat ailments develop from their consumption. Therefore, it is not recommended to feed them to a Maine Coon kitten (from 3 months to six months).
Salted fish should be completely excluded from the diet.

Despite all the prohibitions and restrictions, fish is considered an extremely valuable product in the Maine Coon’s natural diet. In addition to protein, it supplies the body with fats, vitamins and microelements.

Can Maine Coons have milk and eggs?

A chicken egg must be present in a cat’s diet, but it must be given once a week. It is preferable to feed the animal only the yolk. It contains the element biotin (vitamin B), which is extremely valuable for metabolism. A one-time weekly intake of this component is enough to maintain the desired balance of substances in the body, regardless of how many times a day the Maine Coon eats and what the size of its portions.

It is believed that all cats love milk, but its role in natural nutrition should not be overestimated:

You can feed a Maine Coon kitten with whole cow's milk for no more than 3-4 months, after which this product is no longer absorbed by the body.
Goat's milk is great for both large and small cats - you can give chicken protein along with it.
Fermented milk products work great in a natural menu: sour cream, yogurt, kefir, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese (low fat content).

All dairy products are used in pure form or mixed with other ingredients. They belong to the section of regular food that you can feed your Maine Coon.

Vegetables, grains and fruits

In order for the Maine Coon to be healthy, a variety of vegetables and fruits must be included in its natural diet. In the natural environment, cats do not receive these products and therefore they are most often included in the menu as part of other dishes. Vegetables, raw or boiled, are chopped (grated) and added to meat and fish. And fruits are most often combined with dairy products.

The picture is the same with cereals. They are fed to the Maine Coon to gain weight and further maintain good physical shape. Oatmeal is steamed, rice and buckwheat are boiled, mixed with meat or fish in a 1:2 ratio and offered to the cat 3-4 times a week. A large cat will not be interested in porridge as a separate dish; Maine Coons are quite loyal to combined food.

Manifestation of estrus in a cat

Signs of the first heat in a purebred Maine Coon cat:

causeless excitement;
poor sleep;
loss of appetite;
frequent urination;
aggressive behavior;
loud and prolonged meowing.

The estrus cycle consists of 3 stages:

Proestrus. The pet behaves restlessly and requires affection from its owners.
Estrus. The middle of the cycle is when your chances of getting pregnant are greatest. The animal arches its back, rolls on the floor and meows regularly.
Metestrus. The furry pet has a weak appetite and strong thirst. She is losing weight sharply, and her coat is losing its former shine.

Estrus lasts from a week to 12 days - its duration directly depends on hereditary factors, nutrition and the health status of the pet. Then comes anestrus - a time of absence of sexual activity in a Maine Coon cat lasting from 6 to 10 weeks.

How to knit a cat for the first time

At what age can you breed a Maine Coon cat?

I'm just amazed at some of the comments. Do your breeders do nothing but advise you over the phone for life? Does each of them have such a cool center? Do not make me laugh! Since you became the “lucky owner” of Kunyakha, you are your breeder’s COMPETITOR, at least potential. For example, my breeder, having made sure that the child was in good hands, simply stopped answering my calls (rare, by the way)

Question: My fold-eared beauty is 3.5 years old, has never knitted, was not given hormonal pills (in heat once every 2 months), without documents. I wanted to crossbreed with a cat at least once (I already found a straight-eared one). Question: is it possible to knit for the first time at this age? Isn't it harmful to health? I also ask you to evaluate the breed from the photo.

Answer: There are several very good reasons not to breed your cat. Let me start with the fact that the belief that a cat must be bred at least once and for it to give birth is an extremely dangerous and erroneous misconception. A cat is not a woman. If you haven’t untied her since her youth, then there’s no point now injuring her psyche and body.

Now specifically about your cat. Your cat is undocumented for a reason. The breeder who gave birth to such a kitten most likely classified the animal as pet-class (i.e., not meeting breed standards) and sold it as a pet. Each litter, even from experienced breeders, produces kittens of different breed classes. But you can tell what class a kitten is only after 3 months - you can see rats. The breeding class is determined by the breeder himself. Well, the contender for the title of show animal is determined by several experts at an international exhibition, which must be visited by paying 3,000 rubles. Least.

1. And the main thing is insufficient fit of the ears. They must "hang" and cum

Source

Important to know for a novice breeder

If a Maine Coon is allowed to breed beyond two years of age, behavioral problems may arise due to lack of experience. Breeding Maine Coons is a responsible job that maintains and improves the breed, so the process should not be taken lightly. Breed-class Maine Coons are allowed to reproduce if they have managed to participate in exhibitions and receive breeding assessments.

The safest and most effective way to find a mate for your pet is to contact a felinological club, where they will select a suitable candidate for him, and you can also get a referral for mating there. Another effective way is to get acquainted with possible contenders at the exhibition and take the contact details of their owners. Just in case, it makes sense to look for a backup option - the chosen candidate may be busy or away somewhere.

The animal selected for breeding, either male or female, must participate in exhibitions and have a breeding grade of no less than “very good.” Otherwise, the pet is not allowed to engage in serious breeding work, and “unscheduled” kittens, even from coon parents, will not be considered purebred and will not receive documents, which means it will be difficult to place them. Before mating, Maine Coons must be examined by a veterinarian; animals must be vaccinated against rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, calcivirosis, rabies, chlamydia and lichen, and also dewormed. Only if all the above conditions are met can you begin mating.

Useful to read: Maine Coon cat in heat

Common Problems in Maine Coon Training

The main mistake when training a Maine Coon at home is the desire to force the animal to do something against its will.

Jumping from bottom to top is more natural for cats than making a reverse movement - all professional trainers take this point into account.
The Maine Coon is capable of being distracted and not responding to rehearsed commands - you don’t need to force it, but you need to figure out what exactly made the animal get out of control.
The commands “sit,” “stay,” and “down” are more appropriate for dogs than for cats.

The owner needs to carefully observe what his cat likes. The individual characteristics and habits of the animal can be used in practice and these skills can be reinforced during daily training.

It is possible that such a Maine Coon will eventually become a screen star - after all, it’s not every day that you meet a giant cat that can jump through hoops, count to 10 or do funny pirouettes.

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Documents are not only whiskers, paws and tail

In order for everything connected with the birth of kittens to go well, mutual understanding is necessary not only between the future coon parents, but also between their owners. Mating of Maine Coons is usually documented. It is necessary to draw up a mating agreement that specifies the obligations of both parties. While the cat is in the cat’s territory, the owner of the Maine Coon bears full responsibility for it. The contract specifies the names of the Maine Coons, the owners of the animals and their addresses. The document is signed by both parties. It contains information about the health status of Maine Coons, mating conditions, fees for mating, and also discusses the procedure for a failed mating. The contract specifies the costs of keeping kittens and the procedure for their registration and documentation. Usually, for mating, the cat owner receives a fixed amount or one kitten from the litter, but he has the right to know all the information about the kittens born as a result of mating. When only one kitten is born, the owner of the coon cat receives half the price of the kitten upon sale.

If mutually desired, animal owners can stipulate a different payment method in the contract. A mating agreement helps to avoid conflict situations that often arise when dividing offspring between owners of parent coons.

Owners of breeding Maine Coons often keep records where they note not only the mating dates and names of the animals, but also the color and behavioral characteristics of the cats. Often this information is indicated in the female's veterinary passport. This is necessary for the optimal selection of pairs from which healthy offspring are born with a sought-after color and well-defined breed characteristics.

Possible offspring

No significant changes are expected in terms of coat color. Most domestic cats without admixture from other breeds have the colors acceptable in Maine Coon Cats. But genetics suggests unexpected results. Mutations, such as polydactyly, which is common in coons, are likely to affect part of the litter. Coat color and pattern are inherited according to established laws.

Useful to read: How much do Maine Coons cost?

Science knows interesting facts about eye color. Usually it does not depend on the color of the coat, but blue pigment accompanies color-point colors (Siamese cats), and less often white. In practice, if you cross a green-eyed coon with a blue-eyed female, the offspring will most likely take after the father for this trait. This happens because green is dominant to blue. When white kittens are born, the situation may change.

All Maine Coon cats have medium-length fur. If you cross a representative with a smooth cat, the litter will be short-haired. The birth of kittens with long hair is possible if there are two long-haired parents.

Character and behavior are unpredictable in this combination. Street cats are more aggressive by nature, this is dictated by the laws of survival in difficult conditions. Pedigree cats are softer, because purposeful work has been carried out for decades to consolidate behavior that is comfortable for humans.

Weight and body structure are also difficult to calculate, but most half-breeds are distinguished by their impressive dimensions, although they are inferior to their purebred parents. Kittens are born with different characteristics, some are smaller, some are larger.

Metis requires the same careful attention as a purebred animal. A balanced diet, walks, and the love of the owner are mandatory criteria for the happiness of any pet.

Animal growth

Up to one year of age, kittens develop quite rapidly. By three months, the baby already exceeds the performance of some adult cats of ordinary breeds. In general, the size of a pet depends on many factors.

Important! You should not be upset if the animal does not meet the development standards, but you should still be careful. There is always the possibility that the breeder sold a crossbreed instead of a purebred Maine Coon. When choosing an animal for your family, it is best to contact an official nursery.

What does the price depend on?

The range of prices for Maine Coon babies is quite wide. Breeders sell kittens of this breed at prices ranging from 10 to 100 thousand rubles. The cost of a pet is most influenced by the class of the breed.

The most budget option is Pet-class. This includes animals that are not planned to be used for breeding or participation in exhibitions. In some cases they have minor breed defects. Such kittens can be sold without a pedigree.

The Creed class has good breed characteristics, so kittens belonging to it can be used for breeding in the future. They are sold at a higher price. When purchasing a Breed-class Maine Coon, the pedigree is necessarily transferred to the new owner.

Representatives of the Show class are valued the most. Such animals have outstanding breed characteristics and are intended for participation in exhibitions. Show-class kittens are sold with a full set of documents, including a purchase and sale agreement, veterinary passport, pedigree of the baby and parents.

The following factors also influence the price of a Maine Coon kitten:

Wool color. Some colors are considered a breed defect and are therefore immediately rejected by breeders (for example, lilac, chocolate, color point). Such babies will cost only 10-15 thousand rubles. And for a cat of complex colors (tortoiseshell or tabby) you can get much more.
Gender of the animal. For the Pet class, males have the greatest value due to their large size and impressive appearance. On the contrary, breeders and owners of show animals prefer females. After all, they bring offspring, and therefore income.
Nursery rating. Trusted breeders with a positive reputation sell Maine Coon kittens at much higher prices than traders at bird markets or on popular online sites.