It is enough to enter the query “Maine Coon” in the search engine, and photos of mustachioed beauties of the most diverse coat colors will immediately appear, which are captured in the hands of the owner. I must say that the photos of a Maine Coon with a person are really impressive.
Photo: Maine Coon in the arms of a person | Dreamstime.com
The powerful structure of a long body, thick hair, large ears with lynx tassels, intelligent eyes are just some of the external features of Maine Coons that distinguish these cats from many animals of other breeds. Let's try to figure out how Maine Coons themselves feel about their master's hugs. To do this, you will need to find out what the temperament of these large fluffy cats is.
History of the breed
One look at the animal’s parameters and it becomes clear that this is the largest domestic cat on Earth.
There is no reliable evidence about the origin of Maine Coons, there are only beautiful legends and assumptions of felinologists.
The name of the breed is made up of the name of the state of Maine, USA, and a derivative of “rekun” ( raccoon in English).
The first official presentation of the Maine Coon took place in 1861 at the Skowbegan fair.
Raccoon-like Manx cats received breed standards, won 2nd place in the CFA in popularity and, having left their small homeland, found fans and owners all over the world.
Maine Coons have an excellent memory, remember intonations and words well, they feel their owner especially subtly, understanding him at first sight
How to raise a big cat
In order to raise a large Maine Coon, the owner will have to devote enough time and attention to his pet. And it is quite possible that if certain feeding rules are followed, the cat will grow to the size of a small lynx.
Feeding rules
All cats are carnivores, and their normal diet in nature consists of 90% animal protein. Therefore, the home Maine Coon menu must meet the same criteria:
Along with vegetables, coarse fibers enter the gastrointestinal tract, which the cat needs to improve the digestion process. Therefore, plant foods must be included in the Maine Coon’s diet.
Character and psychology
Behind the impressive appearance of the Maine Coon lies a kind-hearted person, ready for friendship with dogs, and with other cats, and, of course, with the owner.
The life experience of their ancestors who lived on farms taught raccoon cats to hunt, but they perceive hamsters, ferrets , lemmings and degu squirrels as full-fledged residents and do not encroach on their lives.
At home, small rodents are replaced by toys, which they not only play with, but are also happy to bring to the owner.
This article will tell you how to make toys for a cat with your own hands.
Balanced, devoid of the aristocratic imposingness of the British, Maine Coons are famous for their peaceful character, like Toyger cats , they do not like to be picked up.
With their weight and size, it is difficult for them to feel comfortable on a person's lap.
But in a dream, cats stretch out to their full length, causing a smile of adoration from their owners.
A walk in winter is not a problem for a Maine Coon: a coon in the snow is sheer delight and unearthly beauty. In addition, Maine Coons are northern cats and prefer cool weather.
Great thinkers, Coons have high intelligence, are logical in their actions and remember commands and individual words very well.
Surprisingly, father cats take an active part in raising kittens, which is rare among felines.
The Maine Coons love to rake water.
Experts believe that they also have this from their ancestors, who quenched their thirst from puddles.
The eternal problem with sharpening claws, when a domestic cat completely destroys the upholstery of upholstered furniture, does not arise with cats of this breed.
Coons prefer to do this while sitting, which means carpets and rugs suffer - so it’s best to buy or make a scratching post for your pet, which, by the way, can be built into his house .
When communicating with a person, the Maine Coon never uses its large teeth and sharp claws
Special habits
The Maine Coon has interesting habits that distinguish it from other cats:
- Interest in water. Representatives of the American breed differ from others in that they are not at all afraid of water. They like to swim and play with water in a bucket. This behavior is due to the history of the development of the breed: the ancestors of Maine Coons were ship cats. These cats also drink interestingly: they don’t immediately start lapping up the water, but first wet their paw with it and lick it, as if testing it.
- Good hunting skills. Maine Coons easily deal with mice, rats and even unwary birds. The hunting character is due to evolutionary features: the forest ancestors of modern favorites were excellent hunters, adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of the northern United States.
- Love for walks. Maine Coons can be taken out of the house on a leash - this is another similarity between representatives of the breed and dogs. The main thing is to walk in a quiet and secluded place, away from city noise and busy roads, so that the animal does not get stressed.
When buying a Maine Coon, you need to understand that its character is unique, not like other cats. A pet cannot live without tactile and emotional contacts. A person who does not have the opportunity to communicate and play with a cat every day is better off getting another animal that is less in need of attention.
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How to choose a Maine Coon
Small Maine Coons are born with an average weight of 130-150 grams, it all depends on the number of kittens in the litter.
The growth of a kitten is influenced by genetic factors and food, but psychological development is in the hands of the owner.
Newborns need to be protected from noise, drafts, temperature changes, and sharp sounds.
Maine Coons are very active and agile animals that love to frolic and play, which requires a fairly large space
Maine Coon kittens grow quickly, reaching the maximum active phase by 4-5 months.
At this time, the energy content of food and the animal’s mobility are important.
The owner’s task is to feed, play, play, feed, without fanaticism, adhering to parameters that are optimally comfortable for the baby.
Monitor your growing Maine's weight gain, mood, and temperament with your personal veterinarian.
Your reward will be friendship with a delightful representative of the cat family, a powerful, affectionate and devoted animal that adorns our lives.
Dangerous shining beauty
Responsible breeders are wary of breeding two white Maine cats, and with good reason. Radiant beauty is fraught with danger. Nature has decreed that the gene responsible for the appearance of an unusual color can simultaneously lead to deafness. Hearing is most often absent in blue-eyed cats. If the coon's eyes are different colors, then the deafness may be one-sided, on the side of the blue eye.
A common companion of white Maine cats is allergies. It makes the eyes water, the fur turns yellow, and the animal becomes more passive. At the first sign of an allergy, you should contact your veterinarian and be more careful when choosing food.
Choosing food for any snow white is a difficult task. In order not to lose the beautiful color, it is necessary to exclude products containing natural and synthetic dyes from your pet’s diet. Vegetables (beets, carrots, various algae), offal (liver, heart, kidneys), and various types of special cat food can reduce the whiteness of the color.
The photo shows the cat Columbus from the Gray Claw`s cattery
The photo shows the cat Columbus from the Gray Claw`s cattery
Features of care
Combing
The main problem is the hair, which is not only long, but also, like the Ragdoll or Neva Masquerade cat , quite thick.
It is necessary to comb cats at least once a week to prevent the formation of mats on the stomach and armpits.
A large metal comb with rounded teeth is suitable for this purpose.
Wool for Maine Coons, as well as for any other cat breeds, is their dignity. However, caring for her is not at all difficult: just brush the cat once a week with a brush
Cats of this breed need to be combed starting from the head, in the direction of hair growth, moving along the back to the tail, and only after that the belly and paws are combed.
furminator will help get rid of dead fur .
A rare comb and a massage brush with an antistatic coating will help remove fallen guard hairs and give the coat a beautiful, well-groomed appearance.
Ears also require regular cleaning. It is better to do this with a soft cloth. Maine Coons love to take baths.
They welcome washing and are rarely indignant.
If you are interested in learning how to properly wash cats, we recommend reading the article
As you can see, caring for Maine Coon cats does not require special knowledge and skills; they are clean by nature and gladly accept all hygiene procedures.
The Maine Coon's coat is shiny, silky to the touch and uneven in length.
Nutrition
Given the physical parameters of the breed, nutrition takes on special importance.
The raccoon cat's large muscle mass and powerful skeleton oblige owners to carefully monitor the animal's diet in order to avoid serious health problems.
Breeders argue every now and then about the correct diet for Maine Coons.
According to some, cats should be given only professional food , others argue that only natural food is suitable for Maine Coons, and still others, the majority, are of the opinion about the benefits of mixed feeding.
Maine Coon is an intellectual and smart, a real personality, he even has a sense of humor
The diet of Maine Coons should include: a variety of fresh meat, dairy products and fish.
A complex of vitamins is required during natural feeding and is prescribed by a veterinarian.
An important point is weight control. To brush off a cat and not allow him to splash out the energy seething in him means to lead him to obesity and, as a result, health problems.
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
| First letter of nickname | How to name a Maine Coon “boy” | How to name a Maine Coon “girl” |
| A | — Aland; - Ataman; — Achilles | - Agasha; — Alice; — Assol |
| B | — Velvet; - Boatswain; — Brown | — Bagheera; — Briza; — Busi |
| IN | — Varyag; — Volt; —Wulf | — Veysey; - Vista; — Veezy |
| G | — Hertz; — Count; — Hussar | - Dream; - Girsa; — Gerda |
| D | — Dantes; — Darling; —Joy | — Dessie; — Dixie; — Dorrie |
| E | - Yenisei; — Erofey | — Eva; — Elika |
| AND | - Genre; — Zhora | — Jasmine; — Jolly |
| Z | — Marshmallow; — Ziggy | — Zara; — Zlata |
| AND | — X; — Irzhik | — Willow; — Inessa |
| TO | — Cardinal; — Chris | — Carmen; — Cassie |
| L | — Lokis; — Luxie | — Lossi; — Lucy |
| M | — Marquis; — Michelle | - Milady; — Millie |
| N | — Nauris; — Nils | — Nancy; — Nuxi |
| ABOUT | — Oscar; — Alcide | — Ophelia; — Oji |
| P | - Porthos; — Push | — Polly; — Puma |
| R | — Roger; — Rocky | - Rosie - Lynx |
| WITH | — Signor; —Stark | - Sally — Signora |
| T | — Terry; — Tyson | — Tibby; — Tessa |
| U | - Hurricane; — Ursik | — Ulana; — Ondine |
| F | — Fakir; — Francey | - Fabby — Franta |
| X | — Khan; — Hippie | - Holly —Harry |
| C | - Tsar; — Tserry | - Queen; — Cessa |
| H | — Chasey; — Chukki | - Chekki; - Miracle |
| Sh | — Shaitan; — Sheriff | — Charlotte; — Sherry |
| E | — Elvis; — Eliot | — Ellis; — Esther |
| YU | — Eugene; — Yukki | — Younessa; — Yuda |
| I | — Yazhi; — Yavrik | — Yana; — Yanka |
Health
Characteristic diseases
Observation statistics for the breed have revealed genetic problems characteristic of it.
The most common Maine Coon ailments include:
- heart problems (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy),
- muscle weakness (spinal muscle atrophy),
- polycystic kidney disease,
- hip dysplasia.
The large ears of Maine Coons allow them to clearly hear the slightest sounds: be it the rustling of a rodent under the foliage or the voice of the owner calling for food
Every third male raccoon cat kitten from birth may be predisposed to one of the listed ailments.
Advice to owners: when purchasing a Maine Coon kitten, find a veterinarian who will constantly monitor it.
Vaccinations
Vaccination of cats of this breed is similar to the vaccination schedule for dogs.
The first vaccination is given at 2 months, the second at 3 months, then at 1 year, then annually.
Before vaccination, the cat must also be given antihelminthic medications 10 days before vaccination.
Cases in which vaccination is simply necessary are the following: transporting a cat, mating, cat exhibition, placing a cat in a pet hotel.
Maine Coons have absolutely no aggressiveness towards other animals; they easily get along with any pets.
Diseases and treatment
Maine Coons are distinguished by good health, but sometimes suffer from hereditary, genetic diseases. The following diseases pose the greatest danger.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A progressive cardiac disease leading to sudden death, heart attacks, and paralysis of the hind limbs.
- Spinal muscular atrophy. Characterized by damage to the motor neurons of the spinal cord. Expressed in weakness, muscle atrophy, shortened life expectancy.
- Polycystic kidney disease. It is characterized by the degeneration of the renal parenchyma into cystic formations.
The diseases are serious and difficult to treat. Basically, they resort to maintenance therapy, which improves the quality of life of the animal and prolongs its duration.
White - fortunately!
Relationships with white cats are generously described by folk wisdom in various signs and superstitions. In Russia, meeting and communicating with a white cat bodes well:
- A white cat is a welcome guest in the house of an unmarried girl. After meeting him, the woman will certainly get married soon.
- A white cat that appeared in the house during a woman’s pregnancy will become a reliable friend and amulet for the child.
- The girl will get married soon after she gives away 7 white kittens.
- Dreaming of a white cat means good news.
- Meeting a white cat on the street promises success in any endeavor.
The photo shows the cat Ostin from the Gray Claw`s cattery
White Maine cats are amazing creatures. Communication with them brings joy and peace, allows you to better concentrate and make the right decisions. Photos with a colorful snow-white Maine Coon convey the charm of the pet and bring great aesthetic pleasure.
