Affectionate pet
Kindness and devotion to their owner are the main character traits of cats of this breed. At first glance, it may seem that these are formidable, capricious animals, but your opinion will change if you talk to the cat for a few minutes.
He becomes attached to his owner and is ready to give him his affection and love. But this does not mean that the animal will follow on its heels or you can take the pet on your lap at any time and stroke it; the cat itself will determine when this can be done. However, tenderness and love determine the behavior of the Maine Coon, his communication with the owner, family members and animals.
Breed Features
When breeding this type of cat, breeders wondered not only about the external characteristics of the animal, but also about its future character.
By combining the largest breeds of raccoon cats, scientists tried to solve two problems at once: to breed an excellent rat hunter, while maintaining the ability to be an affectionate animal.
Maine Coons had to remain friendly and be able to find contact with their owner.
As a result, it was possible to combine these contradictory traits in one animal. On the one hand, maines are large in size, but at the same time, they are quite active and playful.
Despite their regal appearance, these cats are inherently attached to humans and dependent on them.
Maine Coons are an affectionate and friendly cat breed/Yandex Collections
Maine Coon's relationship with its owner
Pets of this breed are devoted to their owner, they are ready to help him in almost everything, and can watch a person for several hours in a row. The Maine Coon's character is independent; he will never impose himself or bother you, and his pride will not allow him to beg or steal.
How does a British cat differ from a Scottish cat? They are so similar, but still very different. We will tell you everything about the character of the Bengal cat in this article.
They have a close connection with their owner, so they feel when it is better for them to leave and at what moment to jump into the lap of a person. They cannot be called annoying, since they are a cat that, although human-oriented, walks on its own. Thanks to its restraint, the Maine Coon will not behave playfully, tear up furniture or go to the toilet in the wrong place, so the owner can safely leave him alone.
Interestingly, the animal chooses a place to sleep where the owner prefers to spend a lot of time, for example, an armchair or sofa. But they can often be found sleeping in the sink, bathtub...
Differences between Maine Coons and other breeds
The unusual habits of raccoon cats surprise people. It is noticed that mains:
- show love for water. They can look at the pouring water for a long time and try to touch it with their paw or smell it. This feature encourages them to watch for a long time while the owner bathes or washes dishes;
- rinse food in a bowl of water. This habit makes them similar to their ancestors - raccoons. When eating, cats like to dip pieces of food into water and only then eat it;
- Before drinking, the Maine dips its paw into the water. Scientists explain this by the old habit of cats to clean liquid from a layer of impurities;
- they sense the owner’s mood and try to match it;
- They treat the collar calmly and quickly get used to it;
- Maine cats fully participate in raising their offspring and look after them.
Maine Coons are a special type of cat, distinguished not only by affection and activity, but also by high intelligence. That is why they often become favorite pets.
Maine Coon and small children
Those who do not know the breed will say that this is impossible. The animal is large and menacing in appearance; it is dangerous for a child. But in fact, this is one of the most harmless pets, ready to endure all the pranks of children. Some breeders say that representatives of this breed are even happy to communicate and play with kids. Thanks to this characteristic, the Maine Coon breed has become popular in families with children.
If they are tired of communicating with a child or a little person hurts them, they will never tolerate, but will not offend, but will simply hide and it will be impossible to find them.
How to choose a kitten
When choosing a kitten, you need to choose the right Maine Coon cattery. Here it is worth reading positive reviews from previous buyers and comparing prices. The best nurseries in Russia and the world
The best Maine Coon nurseries in Russia and the world are:
- Khrustal Orchid. They offer purebred kittens with excellent pedigree. This nursery has existed for more than 10 years and has an impeccable reputation. There is a huge selection of kittens of different colors available here.
- Gran Patron. Considered the best professional Maine Coon kennel. They offer a large selection of purebred kittens.
- Wildbeauty European kittens with impeccable pedigree are provided here.
- Cybercoon. When breeding kittens in this nursery, testing for genetic diseases is carried out.
How does a cat treat strangers?
This breed of cat is quite democratic towards strangers who come into the house.
The animal will never show its dissatisfaction or show aggression, but this does not mean that it can be continuously squeezed and caressed. He will never allow a familiar attitude; he will prefer to leave.
In general, representatives of this breed are non-conflict, they would rather prevent a quarrel or fight than be the instigator, but this does not mean that they are cowardly. At the right moment, they will always release their claws, and thanks to their impressive size, they will emerge victorious from a fight.
Story
The Maine Coon breed traces its ancestry to North America. Another name for this breed is the Maine Coon Cat. It is believed that this breed of magnificent cats first appeared more than 150 years ago.
According to legend, we should be grateful to the unusual love between a cat and a raccoon for the appearance of the amazing Maine Coon breed. It is believed that these cats inherited their character and habits, as well as their fluffy striped tail, from raccoons.
A more plausible legend says that the Maine Coon was created by crossing domestic tabby cats with the North American lynx. This version is supported by the charming tassels on the ears of Maine Coon cats. This distinctive detail has become the hallmark of the breed, beloved by many. To the disappointment of romantics, scientific information does not support any of the legends. Proof of the unviability of these versions is the impossibility of crossing these species and too serious species differences.
A scientific approach to the study of Maine Coons has shown that these cats are not the result of crossing, but a natural population for the area. The breed arose as a result of evolution, which forced it to adapt to the harsh climate of North America. Large and strong Maine Coon cats are able to successfully hunt and easily survive in cold and snowy winters.
Maine Coon cats are especially loved in Russia. This breed surprisingly fits the Russian mentality. After all, these furry giants have the same breadth of soul, emotional and good-natured character. Although Maine Coons appeared in Russia quite recently - in 1992.
Friendship with other animals
These cats usually get along well with other cats and dogs. For the first time, seeing a new pet on its territory, even larger than its size, the Maine Coon will never be afraid or show it; it will prefer to examine the animal or, in extreme cases, proudly leave. But if the dog behaves aggressively or attacks, then the cat can show its claws and strength, which the Maine Coon has enough of.
Even if such a cat is adopted by a person who already has several pets, there is no need to worry. According to the characteristics of the Maine Coon, he is patient and delicate. It is not uncommon for animals to become best friends.
Rodent lovers should beware of these cats, since Maine Coons will definitely not get along with hamsters or mice; at any opportunity they will catch them and gnaw them to death. And not surprisingly, this breed of cat was intended to fight rodents on farms.
Due to their impressive size and large, sharp claws, they can kill even the largest rat. Even though Maine Coons are now raised at home and do not need to hunt, they have not lost their skills and are ready to demonstrate them at any opportunity.
How to care for a Maine Coon
Living with such a large pet requires serious discipline and responsibility from its owners. And if you admire the luxurious appearance of the Maine Coon, know that behind this lies a lot of effort spent on caring for the animal and organizing proper nutrition for it.
Feeding with industrial feed
Maine Coon kittens are breastfed for up to 2.5 months, but complementary feeding can be started as early as one month of age. A kitten needs milk for up to 2 months, so if it is weaned from its mother, it must be fed with goat's milk or special adapted milk, which can be found in pet stores.
Cow's milk should not be given!
The frequency of feeding kittens up to 4 months is 5-6 times, in small portions, up to 6 months - 4 times a day, up to 10-12 months - three times a day, after which it is necessary to transfer the coon to two meals a day.
Kittens are usually fed “wet” food, which makes up up to 50% of the diet until they are six months old. The optimal foods would be “Maine Coon Kitten” from Royal Canin, “Junge” from Wahre Liebe, “Classic” from Mera Cat and a similar level. Recommended servings are usually indicated on the packaging.
Remember that your pet's health primarily depends on its nutrition!
There is no need to skimp on your Maine Coon’s food, because its life expectancy and general physical condition depend on it.
Industrial food for adult animals must be selected based on its quality. It is preferable to choose extra-premium food for large cats - they usually contain at least 50% meat. You need to pay attention to the label - meat (protein) should be listed first in the list of ingredients. High-quality food is considered to contain at least 26% protein and 9% fat, and for lactating cats - 30% protein and 9% fat. Soy, grains, corn and wheat gluten - all these ingredients are contraindicated for animals, they lead to excess weight gain.
Experts prefer such foods as
- Bosch Sanabelle Grande;
- Eukanuba Mature Care Formula for Cats;
- ProNature 30 Adult for Cats.
When feeding dry food, it is necessary to monitor how much water the animal consumes. A Maine Coon should drink 25 ml of water per 1 kg of its weight per day. In this case, for every 50 g of food eaten, the animal must record 150 g of water. In general, it is important to keep an eye on water - Maine Coons tend to play with it, so drinking in a bowl should be refreshed at least daily, using boiled or filtered water.
To feed a Maine Coon, it is preferable to use industrial food, but some owners, for various reasons, resort to natural nutrition. This is acceptable, but it is important to carefully consider your pet’s diet, because its health directly depends on it.
Feeding with natural food
You cannot feed cats any products from your table, cow's milk, sausage and smoked meats, raw meat or fish, pork in any form, bones, fatty dairy products, sweets, flour products, especially those containing yeast. Even if an animal willingly eats all this, this does not mean that all this will benefit him.
The cat's diet needs to be varied. It may include lean meat, optimally chicken; if desired, you can pamper your pet with turkey, rabbit or beef. The daily portion of meat is 50–150 g, depending on the weight of the cat. Meat must be heat treated - either deep frozen or boiled. This will minimize the risk of the cat becoming infected with worms and other parasites.
Meat is the main element of the Maine Coon diet when fed naturally.
It is not recommended to give fish at all, especially river fish, as it contains many different parasites. If desired, you can give it boiled, no more than once or twice a week. Boiled shrimp are more preferable among seafood.
The yolk of a boiled egg, chicken or quail is beneficial for Maine cats. Be sure to include vegetables and greens in your diet. Consumption of zucchini, carrots, beets, pumpkin, broccoli, parsley, lettuce and dill will allow the animal to receive a wide variety of vitamins and microelements. Cats enjoy eating vegetables stewed or boiled as an additive to meat.
Several times a week, vegetables can be replaced with rice or buckwheat, as well as medium-fat fermented milk products and natural yoghurts. It is also important not to forget about vitamin and mineral complexes, which should be prescribed by a veterinarian.
An adequate alternative to meat is offal - chicken gizzards, hearts, liver or similar parts of turkey, rabbit, veal or beef. They should also be deep frozen before cooking. By-products are boiled, passed through a meat grinder, mixed with a nutritional supplement (cereals or stewed or boiled vegetables passed through a meat grinder) and served in this form “to the slot”. Animals are usually delighted!
However, the Maine Coon does not need to constantly grind its food: in the process of chewing, it develops its jaws and helps strengthen the immune system. So, by alternating porridges made from offal and vegetables with meat, cut into medium pieces and mixed with any of the products described above, you will provide your pet with a healthy and varied diet.
Maine Coon willingly eats raw meat, but only after deep freezing it does not pose a threat to his health
Suitable toilet and litter
Experts recommend that you initially take for the kitten the same tray that he had in the nursery or from the breeders. This will make it easier for the animal to adapt to its new environment. However, Maine Coon kittens very quickly outgrow their “baby” trays.
They love to dig around, so it's best not to choose open trays. An excellent option would be a closed tray-box with a door. You can take a similar device suitable in size for lap dogs. An additional advantage of these trays is the odor-absorbing carbon filters that they are usually equipped with.
If for some reason it is not possible to purchase a tray, any plastic container with high sides will do. A baby bath, for example.
The choice of litter is an individual question and depends on what kind of litter the animal had in childhood and his personal preferences - in some cases, it is not possible to retrain a cat to any other type of litter other than the one he is used to. If the cat is less picky, then it’s a matter of convenience for the owner. The optimal ones are clumping and silica gel fillers - they retain odor well, are used sparingly and practically do not spread throughout the apartment.
Maine Coons are very clean animals, so the litter box will have to be cleaned daily or even several times a day. It may make sense to think about purchasing an automatic cat litter box.
It's better not to leave the toilet open if you have a Maine Coon.
Hygiene procedures: trimming nails, cleaning ears, combing and bathing
Representatives of the Maine Coon breed have claws that grow very quickly, so they should be trimmed regularly once a week. The procedure is typical: you need to lightly press on the cat's paw so that the claws are released, and use special scissors or nail clippers to trim about 2 mm of the claw, without touching the pinkish core.
This photo clearly shows the pinkish core of the claw, which should not be touched.
Ear cleaning should be done every 2-3 days. In a healthy animal, the inner surface of the ears is pinkish in color, and no serious discharge is observed on it. The ears are wiped with ordinary ear sticks, slightly moistened with hydrogen peroxide or a special ear antiseptic sold in pet stores. The design of the cat's ear is such that it is almost impossible to injure it during such cleaning, but all movements should not be made with excessive force. Some experts also advise wiping the ears with a dry soft cloth, and then sprinkle a little antiseptic. However, this is not necessary for healthy animals.
Brushing is a special care item for Maine Coons. It must be done at least once a week. To comb out, you will need a sparse comb and a regular comb, always with rounded teeth. If you want your pet's coat to shine, use a brush with natural bristles. During the shedding period, it is necessary to pay special attention to combing the Maine Coon's coat. The first molt begins at the age of 5–7 months.
Coons must be combed first with a sparse comb, and then with a brush with thick teeth. It’s better to start with the tail, move to the back and sides, then the chest and legs, and lastly the stomach.
On the tummy and the inner surfaces of the paws, the fur tends to roll into tangles. With regular combing, this usually does not happen, but if you find a tangle and cannot untangle it, feel free to cut it off. Maine Coons also need to have their hair trimmed under the tail and in the groin area, otherwise feces may stick to the animal's thick fur. Some delegate this specific operation to a specialist.
This Maine Coon has already been thoroughly brushed and shaved, just look at this mountain of hair
Maine Coons love to bathe, however, as is the case with other cats, this procedure should not be abused. One bath per month is enough. During shedding periods, you can double the frequency of bathing. If the veterinarian has not prescribed any specific shampoo for your pet, feel free to use any products for this breed.
It is recommended to bathe a cat after its claws have been trimmed, its ears have been cleaned and its fur has been combed. When bathing, make sure that water does not get into your animal's ears. After bathing, dry your pet with a cotton towel. There is no need to dry your cat with a hairdryer - give him the opportunity to lick himself and dry himself.
Maine Coon – intellectual and aristocrat
Representatives of this breed are true intellectuals. They are able to remember about 50 human words. This is his name and the main commands or requests of the owner.
It is interesting that Maine Coons are subtle psychologists; they can adapt to the behavior and attitude of different people. For example, a cat can respect and love its owner, be infinitely devoted to him and not allow himself anything unnecessary, but with a person who treats him gently, beg or be too annoying.
The animal understands when its owner is good or bad, he does not need to talk about problems and troubles or, conversely, joys and successes, the cat himself understands everything and will never impose himself, but will simply try to cheer him up.
It would take a long time to describe the character of a Maine Coon; a cat of this breed is faithful to its owner, it will never bother you or be naughty, show aggression or bite. It can be owned by both a person who lives alone and a family with small children. Thanks to its developed intelligence and psychological abilities, the Maine Coon will find a common language with everyone, including pets.
Description of the breed standard
Maine Coon cats are one of the largest breeds in the world. They are distinguished by a wide chest, a massive head, a powerful body, and the presence of tufts on the ears.
Attention : Maine Coon cats finish their growth at 3-5 years.
Coat structure and color
The coat of this breed is characterized by a close fit to the body and is waterproof. It completely covers the paws, most of the body and half of the tail. The hair on the head and shoulders is slightly shorter than on the hind legs and body. The undercoat is thick and soft to the touch.
Maine Coon colors come in:
- chocolate;
- lilac;
- color point;
- faun (sea sand color or light beige);
- cinnamon (cinnamon color).
Attention: Coons are not allowed to mix colors. For example, white spots on a chocolate color are unacceptable, as this indicates a mixed origin.
Eye shape and color
The eyes of this breed are large and wide-set. Their shape is oval, and their stance is slightly oblique. As for the eye color, it is always uniform and harmonizes with the overall coat color.
Features of the skull, muzzle, ears
The head of the Coon is large, with a square skull and straight outlines. It is characterized by high cheekbones, a curved profile, and a nose of medium length. Their chin is massive, and located in line with the upper jaw and nose.
Maine Coon ears are large and wide, gradually tapering towards the ends, with a high and vertical set. The distance between them should be no more than the width of one ear. The ears are characterized by tufts.
Characteristics of the torso
The body of Maine Coon cats is large, rectangular and long. The chest is wide. The paws are strongly muscular, large and of medium length. The tail is wide and gradually tapering towards the end.
Cleaning ears, eyes and nose
The Maine Coon's eyes, ears and nose need to be cleaned regularly as dirt and natural secretions accumulate here.
Mucus accumulates in the corners of the eyes, on which various dirt sticks. If these black spots are not removed, they can cause various eye infections. In this case, you will have to contact a veterinarian. It is much easier to prevent such diseases. You can remove it with a cotton sponge dipped in clean warm water or weakly brewed black tea.
The cat's ears require special attention. They are inspected once a week and cleaned if necessary. Healthy ears should have a pink tint.
If during inspection a buildup of sulfur is detected, it must be removed. There are special solutions for this that can be found in zoological stores.
Rules for walking a pet
There are two types of walking - independent and with the owner on a harness. In the first case, the cat goes for a walk and comes home in the evening to sleep. This is what they usually do in a village or country house. Walking on a harness is safer, as the cat is always under control. For the city, this method is more preferable, especially for the kuns, who can simply be stolen. In addition, the animal may encounter stray dogs or get hit by a car.
It is better to walk your pet in quiet green places - parks, squares. There are a number of pros and cons of such walks. The advantages include:
- the animal can show its hunting instincts;
- the sun is good for the animal;
- a cat can sharpen its claws on trees;
Walking the Maine Coon.
Street walking also has significant disadvantages:
- there is a risk of contracting dangerous diseases and infections;
- meeting other animals;
- the cat may get scared of something and run away;
- the cat may eat some dangerous foods (poisoned meat) scattered in the bushes.
Considering that city conditions are not the most comfortable for an animal, it will be much safer in your own apartment. A cat can throw out its energy by playing with its owner or in its play area. After a walk, the animal needs to be bathed, especially since coons like this procedure. Before going on a walk, you should also treat them with flea and tick sprays or wear a special collar.
Character
Maine Coons are very peaceful. These cats are able to distinguish between their belongings and those of others, and they do not tend to spoil the owner’s property. They prefer open spaces and large rooms. They do not tend to climb into closets, boxes and mezzanines, as ordinary cats like to do.
Maine Coons themselves try to establish contact with their owner and adapt to his habits and character. You will get the impression that the cat shares your interests, because the Maine Coon will try to repeat your actions. If you spend most of your time in front of a monitor. then he will follow the cursor with curiosity. If you run on a treadmill in the morning, your Maine Coon will join you in doing morning exercises.
Tray training
If a kitten is purchased from a breeder, it means that it is already 2-3 months old, and therefore, it knows what a litter box is.
In this case, the baby only needs to be shown a new place where the kitten should go to the toilet. If, for example, a kitten lives in a large house, it is better to have several such litter trays. Some Maine Coons have a characteristic habit of going to one litter box when needed, and to another when needed.
If litter box training occurs on your own, you need to pay attention to the animal’s behavior. You can recognize that a kitten needs a toilet by its behavior:
- the animal begins to worry;
- looks for a secluded place;
- squeaks or meows.
If this happens, you most likely need to plant it in a tray. The owner must carefully move his pet. If the kitten does not understand what is required of him, the person should dig a little into the filler with his hand, thereby letting the cat understand what needs to be done here. If you were unable to do this in time and the kitten made a puddle, you need to wipe it off with napkins and put them in the tray. By the smell, the kitten will understand where he needs to go.
Tray training.
Care for claws and teeth
If your cat receives dry food, you can brush your teeth once a month.
When receiving soft food, you need to clean it more often - 2-3 times a month. The brush is selected depending on the size of the animal. The animal takes care of its claws on its own, the main thing is that it has a special scratching post. Otherwise, the upholstered furniture or wood in the house will suffer.
