The Maine coon cat stands out for being a large, robust and docile feline. However, due to their peculiarities in terms of characteristics, personality or care, it will be essential to inform us in advance if we wish to adopt one. Known as the "gentle giant" cat, this feline is among the most popular giant cat breeds.
In this breed file on our site we will show you everything you need to know about the Maine coon cat breed, starting with its origins as a rural cat, going through its character and care and ending with the frequent he alth problems in the breed or veterinary advice that you should know. Discover below what Maine coon cats are like and let yourself be seduced by their beauty and sweet character.
Origin of the Maine coon cat
The Maine Coon is a breed endemic to the United States, specifically the state of Maine. It is estimated that around 1850 long-haired cats arrived from Europe and Asia and mated with local short-haired cats, resulting in large, long-haired, strongly built cats. Its ringed tail was reminiscent of that of raccoons, for this reason, it is known as "coon", diminutive of racoon, raccoon in English.
This breed was popular in rural settings and was widespread on farms in Northeast America. They were imported into the UK in 1980 and in 1982 they were recognized by the FIFE. Later, in 1993, they were recognized by the GCCF. It is currently considered a popular pet around the world.
Physical characteristics of the Maine coon
If you want to know everything about this spectacular feline, it will be essential to make a general review of the characteristics of the Maine coon cat. To do this, we provide you with all the information about the standard according to the FIFE (Fédération Internationale Feline) [1]:
The Maine Coon cat breed is large in size and stands out mainly for having a square head, large ears, a wide chest and a long flowing tail. Its body structure is robust, thanks to solid bones and strong muscles. When the Maine coon has good muscle tone, the cat gains a powerful and robust appearance.
The head is medium in size and square in outline, and the profile shows a gentle concave slope. The forehead of the head is gently curved and the cheeks show high and prominent cheekbones. The snout stands out for also being square in outline and a transition between the snout and the cheekbones can be seen. The chin is firm, in vertical alignment with the nose and lower lip.
The males stand out for having a very strong and muscular neck. And, in general, the breed displays an elongated body, medium-length limbs and large legs, round and well interlocked. The tail should be as long as the cat's body, from the shoulder blade to the base of the tail. In addition, the tail should be wide at the base, tapering proportionally to the top, showing a full, flowing coat.
The ears are large, broad at the base, and moderately pointed. The lynx-like Plugs are highly desirable, as are tufts of hair on the ears that extend beyond the edges. The ears should be located following a slight inclination outwards.
The eyes are large and wide, slightly oval, but not almond-shaped. They show an especially rounded shape when they are wide open and are situated slightly towards the outer base of the ears. Any eye color is allowed, although it should be noted that light colors are highly desirable. There is no relationship between eye color and fur.
The Coat of the Maine Coon should show a dense coat, short on the head, shoulders and legs, but longer on the back. rear and on the sides. It also shows much more density on the hind legs and belly, as well as a "frill". The mantle has a silky texture and a body that falls gently. The undercoat, i.e. the undercoat, is soft and very fine, and is covered by the thicker outer coat. All colors are allowed, including all varieties of white, excluding pointed patterns, lilac, tan, or fawn.
Maine coon cat character
We can define the character of the Maine coon as friendly, playful and sweet In general, they are very sociable cats, who enjoy of the company from its owners. However, to ensure that a feline in its adult stage is balanced and sociable, special attention must be paid to the socialization of the cat in its puppy stage, which It starts at 3 weeks of life and ends around 7 weeks of age. Until that time, the little one must stay with his mother and siblings, which will allow him to learn feline language, game patterns or inhibition of bites them. At this stage he must also meet people and other animals to avoid possible fears in his adult stage.
They are also cats that will love to play and have fun at all stages, including old age, likewise, they are considered extremely intelligent felines, capable of recognizing words and very varied commands. As a peculiarity, we can talk about vocalization, because the Maine coon is a cat famous for its frequent howling, gurgling and chattering. They are also fond of water and snow.
Ownership of a Maine coon is recommended to dynamic families, familiar with cats, which may or may not include children. It is a very adaptable feline that will enjoy in different environments, but especially in rural houses, where it can explore and express its instinctive behavior without limits. It is a particularly docile cat and, well socialized, does not usually present behavioral problems
Maine coon care
Caring for a Maine coon cat is relatively simple, although it can be somewhat expensive, mainly due to its large size. We refer specifically to their food, which must be based on high-quality products, whether we opt for feed, homemade recipes or raw diets, such as barf feedingChoosing a good product will affect your he alth, well-being and a radiant coat. Due to its propensity to obesity, it is recommended to properly ration its food, in 2 or 3 daily meals.
Although, like all cats, the Maine coon usually spends long hours grooming himself, due to his long coat it is advisable to spend a few hours a week brushingThis routine will help us keep his coat clean and beautiful, but it will also help us detect any problem with the dermis, pain or the presence of parasites. We can use a card brush to comb it and, in the case of knots, we must first use a knot cuttersmall, specific for cats. In principle we should not bathe him, since cats clean themselves, however, if we have accustomed him since he was a puppy we can also start a monthly bathing routine, with the use of specific shampoo and conditioner for cats, which will help us maintain his flawless fur.
In order for him to express the natural behaviors typical of his species, we must provide him with a large sandbox in which he can relieve himself and cover droppings, as well as several scratchers of different types in which to sharpen their nails and perform the typical marking behavior.
Finally, it will also be very important to pay attention to the environmental enrichment of the feline, suitably fitting the home, through feline structures, catwalks, grass cat flap, water fountains or canvas tunnels. Precisely because of their playful nature, they can't miss game hours with the owner, in which we can use fishing rod-type toys, food-dispensing toys, the use of catnip or simple toys. Don't forget that a good gaming session should last between 20 and 40 minutes a day.
He alth of Maine coon cats
It is recommended to visit the vet every 6 or 12 months to carry out a general examination and detect possible he alth problems. In addition, the professional will guide us to properly follow the cat's vaccination schedule, as well as the internal and external deworming that we must carry out on a regular basis. Preventive medicine is essential to ensure the good he alth of the feline. Likewise, we must regularly pay attention to their behavior, their stools or the possible expulsion of hairballs, which can be prevented with the use of m alt for cats
The most frequent diseases of the Maine coon are:
- Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Hip dysplasia
- Pectus excavatum
By following good care and applying the preventive medicine guidelines mentioned above, the life expectancy of the Maine coon is around 9 and 15 years old.
