Introducing the Maine Coon
Find out everything you need to know about the Maine Coon: its character, its appearance, its behaviour, its likes and dislikes, and its health. We've got it all!
THE MAINE COON
A truly adorable cat
The Maine Coon is thought to be one of the largest domestic cat breeds in the world, if not the largest. This huge, majestic, rugged-looking cat originates from the state of Maine in the United States, hence its name. Developed by crossbreeding with wild cats, the Maine Coon has kept the thick fur, mane, hairy paws and strong muscles of its ancestors. Its extraordinary physique hides a gentle and affectionate creature that will happily spend hours cuddled up with you. Maine Coon cats enjoy the company of adults, children and other pets. They are the ultimate best friend.
MAINE COON FACT FILE
This section outlines the unique features of the Maine Coon breed of cat.
Size
Maine Coon cats aren't just big, they're huge! It is one of the largest cat breeds in the world, along with the Savannah and the Norwegian Forest Cat, measuring up to 39 inches long!
Coat length
The Maine Coon has a soft, medium-length coat, which gives it an elegant, striking appearance. It's important to take care of this beautiful coat to keep it in good condition.
Allergies
Unlike the Bengal cat or the Sphynx, the Maine Coon is not hypoallergenic. Meaning it's not the best choice if you're allergic.
Coat colour
Maine Coons are usually brown but they can also come in a range of colours: black, white, red, blue (grey). They can also be bi-coloured, multi-coloured, striped or spotted.
Living environment
The Maine Coon is a cat that will thrive anywhere! They will be just as happy in a city flat as in a country cottage.
Sociability
They are very affectionate and sociable cats who enjoy the company of other pets and humans. They are very calm and perfect for families with children.
Health
Like all purebred cats, the Maine Coon may develop some hereditary conditions. Take good care of your Maine Coon and they will stay in tip top shape!
Training
Despite its enormous size, the Maine Coon is obedient, easy to train and extremely gentle. It is an independent, placid cat that is very approachable.
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PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Maine Coon, one of a kind
The defining characteristic of the Maine Coon is its size. The Maine Coon is extremely large, in fact it's the largest pedigree cat in the world.
Size and weight of the Maine Coon
Size is a defining characteristic of the Maine Coon. Adult Maine Coons can easily grow to be one metre long. Some Maine Coons have even reached 47 inches ! The males are bigger than the females. The average weight of a male Maine Coon is 13-20 pounds, compared to 9-13 pounds for females, which is double that of your average moggy.
The Maine Coon has a long growth period, usually reaching its full size and weight by the age of 3-4 years. It is big-boned, muscular and has an exceptionally long tail, usually the same length as its body.
The Maine Coon coat
Coat length
The Maine Coon's hardy coat has a few distinctive features. For starters, they have a thick, medium-length coat, albeit of uneven length. The hair is longer on the belly, the rump, the neck and on the back of the paws. Then of course their coat changes with the seasons. This cat has a long, dense coat in winter that gives way to a lighter coat in summer.
Originally from the United States, the Maine Coon has hair between its paw pads, helping it to be steadier on the snow. It has a small mane that makes it look like a little cross between a tiger and a lion.
Coat colour
Maine Coons are usually brown, but their coat can come in a range of colours: white, black, blue (grey), red or cream. There are also Tortie coats, which are more commonly found on females, Tabby coats, with different markings (Ticked, Spotted, Mackerel or Blotched) or even Silver and Smoke coats.
Care
Like all cats, the Maine Coon moults twice a year, in spring and in summer, to renew its coat. To prevent matting and hairballs, its coat needs regular maintenance and brushing to remove dead hair. Make sure that no tangles develop, as they can quickly become quite painful for your Maine Coon.
Other characteristics of the Maine Coon
Other physical characteristics
In addition to its size and rugged appearance, the Maine Coon has pointed ears with tufts at the tips. It also has a rectangular body, a substantial frame and musculature and a square muzzle. It has large oval eyes that are green, gold or copper in colour. All these physical characteristics are unique to the Maine Coon breed.
Grooming
As far as grooming goes, the Maine Coon has a lot of hair to look after! It will benefit from being brushed once a week. When your Maine Coon is moulting, you should brush more frequently, up to 3 times a week. It's also a good idea to wash them twice a year with a suitable shampoo. Like all cats, they do clean themselves, but a good wash from time to time won't do them any harm!
TEMPERAMENT & BEHAVIOUR
What is the temperament of the Maine Coon?
Maine Coons are full of surprises! Despite their enormous size, they are cats with a gentle nature and a tender heart.
Sociabilité du Maine Coon
A very sociable breed
In addition to being cute, Maine Coons are sociable creatures and extremely easy to live with. Very people-oriented and affectionate, they quickly form strong bonds with their owners and crave attention. Your Maine Coon will happily follow you everywhere just to be with you. They are playful cats, but also love long snuggles with their owners. These cats will chirp, trill, meow and purr all day long to communicate with you. A Maine Coon needs an owner who is at home most of the day and who has the time to give them the attention they deserve.
The perfect family pet
Despite its wild and rugged appearance, the Maine Coon has a very calm, patient and placid temperament. It is the perfect companion for families, children, dogs and cats. If they do run out of patience, they won't react aggressively. They prefer to take themselves off somewhere quiet to de-stress.
The Maine Coon's living environment
In addition to its calm temperament, the Maine Coon can adapt to any environment. They enjoy living in a house with a garden just as much as in a flat with no outdoor space.
However, they still need to burn off some energy from time to time. Feel free to let your Maine Coon explore your garden or other enclosed areas. Running away isn't in their nature, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Maine Coons are known for their love of water, so they won't mind a stroll around a lake!
Training the Maine Coon
A “canine” breed of cat
Often referred to as a "canine cat", the Maine Coon is quite easy to train. They are very obedient and highly intelligent, allowing them to understand their owner and adapt accordingly. These playful cats have a tendency to grab small items to play with! You can easily teach them to fetch a ball. Apart from that, Maine Coons don't fool around.
A keen sense of freedom
At the same time, you shouldn't underestimate its natural instinct for freedom. Sometimes they want to go out to explore the outdoors or to hunt, their needs and desires should be respected if they are to thrive.
Which cat breed is right for you?
Choosing a cat that matches your personality and lifestyle will ensure your well-being and his!
HEALTH & NUTRITION
How to take care of the Maine Coon?
Many purebred cats can be prone to health problems. The Maine Coon is the exception that proves the rule.
Health of the Maine Coon
Robust health
The Maine Coon enjoys robust health, but it does have some genetic predispositions. Maine Coons are susceptible to Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that is quite common in this breed. They can also develop Haemolytic Anaemia, which is a drop in red blood cells. Moreover, the large stature of the Maine Coon can cause some health problems including hip dysplasia.
Rare diseases, prevention and check-ups
Rarer genetic diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy or pyruvate kinase deficiency can also occur.
Screening tests are needed to detect and prevent these diseases. Vets are familiar with Maine Coon cats and will carry out any checks and tests that may be needed to keep them in good health.
Finally, like all cats, Maine Coons should be vaccinated against common diseases like Feline infectious enteritis (FIE), Cat Flu, and Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV).
Feeding the Maine Coon
Quality and quantity
Taking care of your Maine Coon starts with its food! If you want to stop your cat from putting on too much weight, forget about homemade food that is too fatty for your cat. High quality kibble is best and you need to be careful with portion sizes. Mixing kibble with a little wet food, which usually has a high water content, will help protect the urinary system and kidneys.
Requirements in relation to age and activity
The food should be tailored to the cat's individual needs. This breed of cat has a long growing period. Maine Coon kittens need to be fed a special diet to support the proper development of their muscles and bones. Ideally, the same kibble should be fed throughout the growth period to avoid upsetting the digestive system.
The food should also be tailored to their level of activity. A very active Maine Coon needs to be fed a different diet to a Maine Coon that is more sedentary. Ask your vet for more information.
BREEDING OR ADOPTION & COST
How much does a Maine Coon cost?
There’s a lot to think about before adopting a Maine Coon. Price, breeding, adoption, find out everything you need to know.
How to choose your Maine Coon
Choosing the right breeder
You should go to a cattery or a professional breeder to adopt a purebred Maine Coon. It is an immensely popular and sought-after breed. Make sure you don't choose a breeder who is unethical or unprofessional.
From June 10, 2024 you must have your cat microchipped by the age of 20 weeks old and register its details in a relevant database such as Petlog or The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF). This is a legal requirement in Britain, and failure to comply could result in a fine of
.
Remember to check their certificate or other proof of pedigree and parentage.
That's it, you've just got yourself a Maine Coon kitten! Before you take it home, make sure all the necessary health checks have been carried out on the kitten and its parents so that you are aware of any potential health problems.
The price of a Maine Coon
The price of a Maine Coon depends on its parentage, its coat and its pedigree. They will usually set you back between
and
. Kittens being bought for showing or breeding can cost up to
. For an adult Maine Coon, prices range from
to
.
Remember that the Maine Coon breed has an average lifespan of 16 years. Taking on a cat means making sacrifices, investing time and spending money. It is a decision that should be carefully considered, to make sure your feline friend can stay with you for the rest of its life!
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