Maine Coon - color, features of the breed (100 photos)

Agree, modern conditions of the 21st century provide many opportunities to study in detail the available information about this or that breed of cats before purchasing a long-awaited pet and bringing an additional range of colors into your life - and Maine Coons are no exception.

It is enough to look once at a photo of a Maine Coon to feel admiration for these North American heroes.

Their unique appearance and impressive dimensions evoke respect from breeders, and their popularity and success are increasing every year.

Maine Coons enjoy no less respect in their homeland, where cats are officially considered as national pride.

These fluffy beauties became the favorites of breeders in record time, not only due to their amazing strength, but also because of their gentle nature in tandem with their unusual color, fluffy fur and cute tassels on the tips of their ears. There really is something to love about them.

Where did the breed come from?

An unusual and amazing Maine Coon breed. Its description, the name itself, literally translated as Manx cat, are very interesting. According to some data, the weight of the animal can reach as much as 15 kg.

Of all the known breeds, this is one of the largest, but despite this, the large Maine Coon easily gets along in the house and, I must say, gets along well with all its inhabitants. Harmonious relationships are achieved even with dogs. The length of the Maine is coon, the height of an adult is also large.

Popular colors

More often than others, representatives of the smooth-haired breed have a tabby color, which can be brindle or merle. In the first case, an alternation of black and light stripes is visible, in the second, the body is covered with a pattern of dark spots and rosettes. There is also a red tabby color, when the main color becomes red.

A Maine Coon of a solid color, or solid, has a “fur coat” of even black, white, and red colors. A smoky color is often observed when the animal’s undercoat is light and the tips are darker.

A combination is considered popular when two primary colors are visible in equal proportions, for example, black and red or lightened versions. This color is called tortoiseshell.

Mixed combinations have also become widespread, such as tortoiseshell tabby, silver tabby or tortoiseshell, where white becomes the main color.

A little history

These kittens are known for their high intelligence and self-confidence. The very name of this breed translates as “cat raccoons”. Indeed, their coat is very similar to that of raccoons.

Thanks to climatic conditions, Maine Coon kittens have such a thick coat. In the places where representatives of this breed were bred, the main emphasis was on agriculture. And such animals helped in becoming excellent mouse hunters. Therefore, the goal of the breeders was to breed pets that would be huge in size and lead an active lifestyle. This is exactly how these kittens turned out.

Starting from the 50s of the 19th century, Maine Coons began to take part in various cat shows. Thanks to this, such animals have become quite famous in many large and small towns in America. This breed began to compete with other known species. They were as popular as Persian or Angora cats.

But already in the twentieth century, interest in such cats began to gradually fade away. These animals again became helpers in the household. And starting from 1953, the breeding of representatives of this breed began to be actively pursued again. Thus, cats have become popular again not only in the USA, but also in other countries and continents. They again began to take first place in the ranking of furry animals. Many people began to purchase them so that their pets would please their eyes and become friends for all family members.

Maine Coon, the description of the breed, perhaps encourages many animal lovers to find out as much information as possible about the pet. Thus, it is known that the approximate time when people started talking about the breed seriously was no less than half a century ago.

It is quite possible that the Maine Coon, whose video is very popular on the Internet, is the result of a successful crossing of short-haired cats living in New England, in Maine, with imported long-haired cats that came to the territory thanks to the movement of traders. However, this, again, is one of the well-known versions.

It was widespread in America in the nineteenth century. It is worth saying that at that time Maine Coon kittens, whose photos now cause delight among many, did not attract the public attention they deserved. And this lasted until the breed was presented at the exhibition.

It is known that the black Maine Coon received a winner's medal, which has been preserved to this day and is in the CFA club.

With the advent of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, cats with pointy ears again became unpopular, and interest in them fell sharply. What this is connected with is unknown.

But, a few years later, already in the mid-twentieth century, fans of the Maine Coon animal began to correct the situation. Their photos were collected and presented in specialized clubs.

And what pushed them to take such a serious step was the announcement that the breed could be considered extinct... Thanks to considerable efforts, by 1956 it was possible to create a standard for individuals of this breed.

Almost twenty years later, the club was considered a serious organization and was treated with due respect. Currently, the adult Maine Coon ranks third in popularity. At the same time, it is worth adding that the first two places belong to exotic cats, the interest in which is quite obvious.

Breed Features

Representatives of this species have a rather unusual appearance. They have a powerful build, graceful muzzles and tufted ears that make these pets very similar to lynxes.

Also, these cute animals have large and beautiful eyes. Although they are a little askew, this does not detract from the majesty of the representatives of this breed. Typically, their eyes are green, but can also be amber or golden. About Maine Coon cats in the description of the breed it is said that they have a rather powerful chest.

This breed is considered one of the few species of natural origin. Therefore, it cannot be said about these kittens that they were individually bred. Due to the fact that in the state where they were bred it is quite cold, such animals have a warm coat that protects their body well in the cold season.

Since such cats often walked in the snow, their paws are rough with fur between the toes, which also warms them.

Representatives of the Maine Coon breed can reach up to 110 centimeters in height. Their weight can be up to 4-8 kilograms if they are cats, and from 8 to 12 if they are cats. A purebred pet's head is slightly elongated, with raised cheekbones near the muzzle. They can live from 15 to 20 years.

When talking about representatives of a particular breed, it is extremely important to note their characteristics. The Big Maine Coon is also no exception and certainly attracts attention. Indeed, the peculiarity of the cat lies in its incredibly large size, long hair and muscular, strong body.

The shape of the animal's chest is rectangular. The animal's head is large, and its muzzle features are expressive. A powerful neck of medium length only adds to the animal's stature.

The characteristic features of a cat are its ears, which are pointed at the ends. It is by these that the Maine Coon breed is most often recognized. Black, red or any other color of this animal does not go unnoticed.

What else can you say about the favorite of many pets? Perhaps the fact is that the Maine Coon, videos of which are presented in large numbers on the Internet, has very beautiful, expressive eyes.

Their color is usually green or golden. And their peculiarity is a slight slant.

Paws, when it comes to Maine Coon, the description of this breed also deserves attention. Cats have them - long and strong, incredibly strong, such that they can definitely withstand the weight of an adult.

The hair tufts located between the toes are also a kind of feature of the presented animal.

It is quite possible that its development is a consequence of adaptation to the harsh Russian winters (as well as long hair). The Maine Coon's tail is very fluffy and also large, conical in shape. Its peculiarity is its pointed end.

Interesting fact about animal fur. Long in the main part, on the shoulders and head it is, on the contrary, very short. The longest hairs are observed in the abdomen, on the back and sides. The undershort also has a dense pile that does not allow cold wind to pass through.

Character

Representatives of this breed become favorite pets for many people. Thanks to their huge shape and long hair, they have an attractive appearance. The character of such pets is flexible. They treat quite well both all members of the family in which they live, and other animals that live with them under the same roof.

If you want to buy a Maine Coon, then you should remember that they are quite calm. Kittens can simply sleep peacefully for a long time or lie next to their owner. They also love to play with all family members. These animals are prone to aggression in very rare cases.

Cats of this breed have a high level of intelligence. So, according to the owners of such pets, they will not steal food from the table or chew furniture. These animals clearly understand where the limit is between what they can do and what they can do, and what they cannot do at all.

Maine Coons, although they love to spend time with people, do not require special care or treatment. But, like many other pets, they cannot stand being alone, so leaving them alone for a long time is not recommended.

Top nicknames

For a smooth-haired Maine Coon, nicknames that indicate the characteristics of its appearance and noble behavior will be suitable:

Richelieu;
Felix;
Oscar;
Boniface (Bonya);
Hermes;
Merc;
Bucks;
Anfisa;
Monroe;
Josie;
Jacqueline;
Milady;
Cher.

Character traits

The Maine Coon, whose photos always turn out beautiful and attractive, has a calm disposition by nature. This animal is not aggressive and therefore gets along well with all other animals.

Due to their meekness, representatives of the breed may seem arrogant, but this is far from the case. In fact, they become very attached to their owner and feel sad when he is not at home.

With great pleasure, the Maine Coon, whose size is quite impressive, goes for a walk, allowing him to put on a leash. In general, the disposition of the representatives of the breed is cheerful and good-natured.

When an animal is in the mood, it is not averse to playing and having fun. We can say that until its very maturity, part of the animal remains a Maine Coon kitten.

How to care for the breed?

Caring for the breed cannot be called difficult. Food for Maine Coons, for example, is the most common. No specialized additions are required here. You can buy it at any pet store.

What else? Every owner of a purebred Maine Coon cat should be careful about their fur. Since it is very long, it will get confused more often. To avoid this, it needs to be combed from time to time, but this must be done carefully so that the animal does not get hurt.

Particular attention to wool will have to be paid once every year - during molting. A cat can sharpen its long claws using specialized equipment, which can also be purchased at a pet store.

The Maine Coon, which still weighs more than a typical cat, deserves a special place in the house. You can select it at your own discretion, depending on the arrangement of the apartment and other factors.

If one of the household members has the desire and ability to do something with their own hands, you can create favorable conditions for the cat by building a specially equipped place.

By the way, you can also make the popular scratching post yourself, and it’s not very difficult to do. Otherwise, all the necessary equipment can be purchased ready-made in the store.

The furry owner will be very happy with his personal space, a soft basket in which he can sleep or just take a nap after a hearty lunch. You can also please your friend with soft toys. For moments of fun, a loud ball or a squeaky mouse is suitable.

However, it is worth noting that all this attracts young cats more. As they grow up, they become lazier and less agile; as a rule, they no longer have time for games.

Owner reviews

Vladimir: “Incredible cat. At first we thought there was something wrong with him because he looked at everything with his eyes wide open. Then they realized that he was simply examining and remembering his surroundings. When I got used to it, I became more sociable and affectionate. Sometimes it seems that he understands absolutely everything that is said to him.”
Elena: “We have the most affectionate cat in the world! Despite her rather large dimensions, she is like a feather. He walks barely audibly, carefully, even around food bowls it is always clean. Although not everything eats... If you need something, he comes, sits next to you and begins to gently touch your arm or leg with your paw.”
Maxim: “Don’t be lazy about trimming your smooth-haired Maine Coon’s nails. I didn’t pay much attention to this recommendation and now half of the furniture needs to be reupholstered with new fabric - it was torn by claws. There are no more complaints. My Barsik is kind, although he often drives me off the couch.”

Smooth-haired Maine Coons are smart, friendly animals that very sensitively sense the mood of their owner. Give your pet warmth and care, and he will definitely reciprocate.

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Maintenance and care

In order for your Maine Coon cat to feel comfortable in your home, he will need to create favorable conditions. To do this you will need:

The first step is to choose the right litter tray. In order for the cat to get used to it, for the first time, it is necessary to use such a benefit with short sides. This animal needs to be toilet trained from a very early age, especially if the pet lives with you in an apartment or house.
The cat must have its own place to rest. Therefore, the owner must immediately make a special bed for the pet, which should ideally suit the pet, given its size.
You also need to buy toys for these cats.

Such an animal needs to be bathed once every 3-4 months. Carry out a weekly combing procedure. Particular attention will need to be paid to the cat's eyes, ears and teeth.

All about the Maine Coon breed

Feeding

The key to a pet’s well-being is proper nutrition. Here Maine Coons are also not picky, as they can eat both natural products and industrial food.

Natural nutrition

Natural feeding should not be understood as food from the table. This is a specific set of products in their pure form:

meat (chicken, turkey, beef). Before serving, it is advisable to boil or pre-freeze;
vegetables (zucchini, broccoli, carrots) - need to be chopped and served along with meat;
sea fish – boiled;
boiled egg yolks;
cereals;
low-fat dairy products.

Change the water to fresh water 1-2 times a day.

Feeding with industrial feed

Food is selected taking into account the weight and age parameters of the pet. Cats willingly consume extra-premium food, and for good reason, because they contain 50 percent meat.

Training and education

You should try to accustom representatives of this breed to communicate with other people and animals as early as possible. As already mentioned, Maine Coons are cats that have a high level of intelligence, so you will need to take their training seriously.

They can be taught to perform many different commands by choosing the right teaching methodology. So, if an animal shows good results, then it needs to be encouraged. Price

If you want to buy yourself a Maine Coon, then first you need to check such a pet for the presence of various genetic diseases.

Recently, quite a few nurseries have appeared where you can choose a cat of this particular breed. They are expensive pets. So, for a Maine Coon the price can be from 200 to 2000 dollars.

Price

The cost of the animal may depend on the place of sale, and you can buy a cat in a nursery or from a private owner. And, although the cost in the latter case may definitely be lower, it is not at all necessary that the animal will be purebred. In other words, with a private purchase there are significantly more risks. Another thing is nurseries.

Their addresses can be found on Internet resources, they are located in many cities and, in addition, there is the possibility of transportation. By dealing with nurseries, the breeder immediately receives several advantages.

First of all, he is confident that this is a real representative of the breed. Next, the purchase of an animal is accompanied by all the necessary documents and care tips.

They can also warn you about possible animal diseases and how they should be treated. Ideally, of course, if you feel something is wrong, you should immediately go to the veterinarian.

On the other hand, you can do something yourself, for example, cut off the damaged hair - in case of lichen, be sure to burn it, and treat the damaged areas of the skin with a specialized product. Unfortunately, this is true, and cats can get sick too, but it’s more difficult to tell them about it.

On average, the cost of a kitten can vary from $600 to $1,500.

Random color combination

Sometimes there are situations when the maine has a color that does not fit any of the color types. For this purpose, its own classification was created. These colors can be called:

Brown tabby with spots. Such an animal has spots of red and brown.
Blue spotted tabby. The cat in this case has cream and blue stripes on its body.
Creamy blue. The spots are scattered in a chaotic manner throughout the body. This color is sometimes called a blue turtle.
Creamy blue, white.
Spotted tabby with white spots. The color is similar to the previous one, but there are inclusions of white spots.

Such combinations are also rare.

Photo

SONY DSC

In custody

Cats are naturally very intelligent creatures. It is not for nothing that for some time in their history they were wild, had no relation to humans and, despite this, existed perfectly well. Now times have changed, and cats are more attached to people. The person takes care of them, feeds them.

Having taken on such responsibility, be sure to fulfill it to the end. Not just love your animal, but also respect it, listen to its desires and interests. Only then can mutual understanding arise between the owner and the pet, and this is very important. After all, the whole point is that cats feel well on a subconscious level.

Their intuition is quite developed, and it is simply impossible to deceive it. That is why, even in a large family where everyone loves their pet, the cat is more attached to one person, the one whom it considers its owner, who cares and looks after it the most. A cat's love is always mutual, and the Maine Coon breed is no exception to this, but rather, on the contrary, a clear confirmation.

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