Maine Coon: reviews from owners, pros and cons of the breed

Characteristics of Maine Coon cats

In the cat world, these individuals are considered giants. The weight of adult cats of the smallest size is 7 kilograms, and the largest - 12 kg. Kitties are smaller in size - from 4 to 7 kg.

Their fluffy, long hair and funny tassels on their ears simply cannot help but touch you with their cute charm!

Gigantic cats have an unusual striped color, a massive head with a pronounced relief, and long hair, without which it is impossible to survive in the harsh winters of North America.

In the cat world, Maine Coons are considered giants/Yandex Collections

Animals have the following character traits:

• wisdom;
• good nature;
• natural hunting instinct using a strategy unique to them;
• the ability to capture the mood of the owner.

History of the origin of the breed

This cat breed has an unusual name. "Maine" refers to the name of the American state of Maine, and "coon" is an abbreviation of the word "raccoon" and translates as "raccoon". Essentially, the Maine Coon is the “Manx Coon”.

There is a legend according to which the breed came from crossing a cat and a raccoon. It is not for nothing that today, in addition to the “Maine Coon,” the Maine Coon is also called the “American Coon Cat.” And the cat itself is a symbol of the state of Maine and the real pride of Americans.

Red Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is a native breed, which means a breed that was formed in a certain territory and under certain conditions. Maine is a northeastern state where snowy winters and freezing temperatures are common. It was in such harsh conditions that, through natural selection, a breed of cats was formed with long hair and a thick undercoat that protects from frost, wide paws that help move on soft snow, and tufts on the ears that are very reminiscent of lynxes.

However, according to legend, the ancestors of Maine Coons came to the mainland from Europe. According to one version, in the 17th century, Queen Marie Antoinette ordered ships to be equipped with all her property and sent to America, where she later planned to flee herself, trying to avoid execution. As a result, the French queen's favorite things, including unusual cats, safely reached the shores of America, while Marie Antoinette was captured and executed.

According to another version, cats accompanied the navigator Charles Kuhn on his voyages, and periodically mated with local port cats. One day they gave birth to unusual, large kittens with special fur and tufts on their ears. They were nicknamed “Kun cats.”

Finally, the most plausible version says that Maine Coons were brought to the mainland by the Vikings. And this happened long before Columbus discovered America. This version is also supported by the incredible similarity of representatives of this breed with the Norwegian forest cat.

Be that as it may, the first official mention of Maine Coon cats dates back to 1861. An unusually large black and white cat named “Captain Jenks of the Marine Cavalry” was presented at exhibitions in Boston and New York.

However, the growing popularity of Maine Coons was hindered by the growing attention to Persian and Siamese cats that were fashionable at that time. Maine Coons were practically forgotten for 100 years, and only in the middle of the last century, or rather in 1953, the first official Maine Coon club appeared. And already in 1967, a breed standard was established.

In the early 70s of the last century, “raccoon cats” appeared in Europe, and from the mid-90s they began to appear here in Russia.

Character and behavior

Reviews about the disadvantages of Maine Coon owners often agree that huge cats are capable of creating a huge mess at home.

But the peak of their activity occurs only in the first 5 years of life, after which coons prefer to sleep more or lie in a regal position.

After reaching the age of five, Maine Coons become passive. They acquire the sense of self-esteem characteristic of the feline family and often indulge in passive reclining on a horizontal surface.

Therefore, the activity of coons is considered low. But they are very friendly and peaceful.

The pros and cons of the Maine Coon breed boil down to the fact that the animals carefully measure active play and passivity.

For some, this is an advantage of this breed, while others consider age-related laziness to be a disadvantage. Even at a young age, cats prefer to sleep during the day, playing only in the morning or evening.

A feature of the Maine Coon's character is that he singles out one person from his household, becoming devotedly attached to him. They have high intelligence and excellent quick wits, remembering a person’s intonations and understanding commands perfectly.

If desired, the cat can be easily trained - he will carry a ball, give a paw, etc. Among the pros and cons of the Maine Coon breed, it is worth highlighting their absolute forbearance. They can spend time with children without offending them.

However, these pets do not like to be squeezed, dragged and are not handled by everyone. Maine Coons value their own independence very much; they are not happy when the boundaries of their personal space are violated. Therefore, in many cases, weasels will prefer a quiet sleep near the owner.

The peaceful nature of cats allows them to get along well with other pets and not get into fights over territory.

Most representatives of the breed love water treatments, which allows owners to often bathe them in the bathroom. Maine Coons are caring and always look after their offspring.

This is interesting! Coons are wary of guests in the house, as if deliberately not noticing them. Only after getting used to a new person can they behave friendly. But squeezing and dragging the cat around will not work.

The Maine Coon breed has many advantages/Yandex Collections

Content

The Maine Coon is not an ordinary breed. Due to their physiological characteristics, they require somewhat higher maintenance costs than cats of more modest sizes.

When planning to get a little coon, many people wonder how much kittens cost. Prices for purebred animals from good nurseries start from 20 thousand rubles (if you are very lucky) and can reach 100 thousand and above - depending on the title of the parents and the objectives pursued by the buyer. Naturally, a kitten of the so-called pet class, which is destined to become just a pet, will cost several times less than a candidate for a successful exhibition career, although both of them can ultimately grow into luxurious giants with outstanding breed characteristics.

However, it is not enough just to buy a kitten from wonderful parents, even for a lot of money. The main thing is to provide him with decent care and maintenance.

Representatives of this breed feel great both in a city apartment and in a country house. Of course, the second option is ideal due to more free space and the ability to regularly breathe fresh air. If you live in your own home, your number one task is to provide a safe walk for your pet. Despite their impressive size and harsh appearance, these cats are completely unsuited to life on the street and will not be able to protect themselves in case of danger. They are not very agile, and they don’t know how to fight at all. The times when they protected North American farms from rodents are long gone, and the modern Maine Coon is a friendly companion, not a cunning and resourceful hunter. The best thing you can do for your four-legged mustachioed friend is to build a spacious enclosure, closed on all sides, with access directly from the house. Place logs and branches of various configurations and sizes inside, and your pet’s gratitude will know no bounds. Such a walking area will provide your pet with the necessary amount of fresh air and sun, and will also satisfy the need for games and movement.

If you are not the happy owner of your own house in the village, then it is quite possible to provide a coon with decent living conditions in a city apartment, but with reservations regarding the dimensions of the new home. Maine Coons have a calm and balanced character, but the kittens are not averse to frolicking, and if you take into account the fact that they remain kittens for up to three years, and their weight by the year can reach 10 kg, then it becomes clear that everything is easily breakable and represents It is better to remove artistic value away.

Also, do not forget to protect your inquisitive pet from falling - never open windows wide if there is a cat in the room! Or place special grilles (not meshes!) in the openings.

To provide the coon with sufficient physical activity, the owner needs to think about purchasing a special play complex for cats. It should be high enough, but stable, with wide, spacious areas, hammocks or houses where the animal can relax and retire. At the same time, such a complex will act as a scratching post, keeping the upholstery of your furniture safe and sound. Such devices can be bought at a pet store or made to order. Many manufacturers have special lines for giant cats. Give preference to these, although they are somewhat more expensive. But your cat is also unusual, isn’t it?

If we talk about nicknames that are suitable for Maine Coons, then such a majestic animal needs an appropriate name. Among boys, Duke, Count, Viscount, Martin, Mars, Admiral, Patrick, Sean, Askold are often found. The girls are called Duchess, Adele, Olivia, Quinn, Stella, Ursa, Martha.

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Health – how to strengthen the Maine Coon’s immunity?

The average life expectancy of cats of this breed is 13-15 years. Over the years, they get sick quite rarely, since nature is endowed with good, stable immunity.

But still, some diseases are not avoided, and they pass, most often, without symptoms. Therefore, owners should take their pet to the veterinarian annually in order not to miss the onset of a dangerous disease.

This is the disadvantage of Maine Coons - the need for preventive veterinary examinations every year, or preferably six months. Maine Coons suffer most often from:

• urolithiasis;
• skin problems;
• obesity;
• polycystic kidney disease.

It is very important to improve your cat's health by:

• physical activity;
• proper feeding;
• timely treatment against parasites;
• protection from the cold.

In order to reduce the risk of obesity, you need to play with your Maine Coon more often. Physical activity will be very beneficial for him.

You should feed only high-quality, balanced food containing the necessary set of vitamins and minerals. When choosing a specific food, you need to take into account the age and weight of your pet.

It is very important to ensure adequate protein intake into the body. Specialized products are fed to castrated and sterilized animals, as well as those suffering from chronic diseases.

Of course, the cat must have constant access to clean water.

One of the disadvantages of the Maine Coon breed is that without timely vaccines, the animal is unlikely to please its owners for many years / Yandex Collections

To prevent the animal's immune system from malfunctioning, the cat should sleep in a warm place. If he does not recognize any other place other than the cool floor, you need to arrange a warm lounger for him.

The owner must ensure that the pet is vaccinated. With its help, you can exclude a number of life-threatening diseases.

It is also the owner’s responsibility to regularly treat the cat against parasites, which significantly reduce immunity. Every 3 months the animal must be treated with anthelmintic.

Along with this, you need to protect your pet from fleas; fortunately, there is a wide range of remedies for them in every pharmacy.

Features of feeding and diet

Your pet's diet should include all the following:

• proteins are essential components for ensuring the good functioning of all organs, for growth and well-being;
• carbohydrates are a source of energy;
• fats are a source of energy and a component for the formation of immunity;
• vitamins and minerals.

The most important thing in purchased food is the presence of a meat ingredient in the composition in the first place. It should not contain many preservatives (it is better if they are absent altogether), so it is advisable to buy food from professional brands.

As for homemade food, the majority should be meat products: chicken, turkey, beef. You can also include cereals, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and eggs in your diet. In pet stores you can buy a special grass - sprouted grain crops.

When choosing a diet, you should take into account the size of cats, because they are very different from other breeds. If this is your first time, consult your veterinarian or breeder for advice.

Features of the "Manx raccoons"

This information will be of interest to those who wish to purchase a show class Maine Coon for display at exhibitions.

It is customary to divide the breed into two branches - European and American. The former are characterized by a long body, slanted eyes and a lush tabby coat.

Europeans have a longer tail than Americans and more pronounced lynx ear tufts. But the fur is longer and richer in the last representatives of the cat breed.

Feedback from owners about the pros and cons of Maine Coons consists of fairly strict color requirements / Yandex Collections

When applying for participation in the exhibition, it is worth keeping in mind that the World Cat Organization does not accept the presence of point, chocolate, cinnamon and lilac colors in your pet.

The international organization does not allow the presence of even the smallest inclusions, medallions or stains. According to the requirements of the International Cat Federation, the Coon should not have light inclusions, such as a tie, socks, spots on the face, or even a white belly.

However, signs of breed purity are not noticeable in kittens up to 5 months. Therefore, when buying a small kitten, you should look at its parents. They can be used to distinguish signs of the purity of the breed.

Gaming accessories

Such an unusual kitten in the house requires a lot of attention and time to play. You can’t leave him alone, but you can find some time for yourself by using various toys.

The first step is to purchase a set of plush/rubber mice. For a hunting cat, this is the most favorite object of play. Balls, a fishing rod with feathers, and strings with toys at the end will also be relevant.

Making toys with your own hands is not a good idea, since in excitement the cat can eat or tear a loose toy, and this can lead to intestinal obstruction.

Interesting facts about Maine Coon cats

• Coons do not have the usual cat meow. Unlike their counterparts of other breeds, they make sounds similar to cooing or purring. Therefore, they often become the heroes of funny videos.
• Due to a genetic mutation, cats have extra toes. This phenomenon is called polydactylism. But it is precisely these pets that are especially popular among cat breeders. This can be considered both a plus and a minus of the characteristics of Maine Coons.
• It is Manx raccoons that often become record holders in the Guinness Book of Records. The most luxurious mustache in the world, up to 19 centimeters long, was on a cat of this breed. And the longest body - 123 centimeters - also belongs to the Maine Coon cat.
• The first cat breed to be cloned was also the Maine Coon. After the death of a seventeen-year-old cat, his inconsolable owner from America decided to clone her pet.

To do this, she preserved his biological material, and cloning specialists combined it with an egg.

To carry the fetus, a surrogate cat was used, which gave birth to a Maine Coon kitten very similar to its father in appearance and character. It turned out to be an exact copy of the deceased animal.

It becomes clear that Maine Coons have enough pros and cons to decide on the choice of cat breed.

Although, the disadvantages are usually associated with strict color requirements when participating in exhibitions. In other cases, the “Manx raccoon” can become a true family member who cannot spend long periods of time alone and is very devoted to his owners.

Leonid: almost like a dog, only a cat

Big coon in hand

I never really liked cats (I didn’t understand), dogs are somehow closer, but my wife has long dreamed of having a kitten of this particular breed. Gave in. Well, kitten - that's said loudly. At first it seemed to me that this was a fully grown cat: at three months this carcass weighed three kilograms and a tail, now it is almost an elephant, responding to the nickname Vova. But it's not that. I never thought that a cat could be as loyal as a dog: Vova always meets me from work, accompanies me everywhere, and when my back hurts, she warms me and even gives me a massage with her huge paws. And he has an almost dog-like character. I didn't expect this from cats.

How to choose a kitten

Before buying a kitten, you should carefully study the basic selection criteria. You should focus on the purpose for which the pet is purchased (for example, for breeding, participation in exhibitions or as a regular pet).

What gender

Females and males Maine Coons have several significant differences. The character of boys is more obstinate. They are distinguished by their stubbornness and love of freedom. Girls are more flexible and calm, and demonstrate their affection for family members more clearly. They love to be petted and held.

The appearance of males and females is very different. Cats are much larger. They weigh 10-12 kg, and their body length can reach 120 cm without a tail. Cats are more compact, their weight ranges from 4 to 8 kg. In addition, females are more clean; they lick their fur until it shines clean.

Males are usually chosen for exhibitions. They have a more impressive appearance - large size, lush mane, massive paws and outstanding facial features.

By 7 months, uncastrated males are actively marking their territory. This can be a problem because their urine has a strong, unpleasant odor. It’s also not easy with cats during heat - their mood deteriorates sharply, and in the absence of satisfaction of the reproductive instinct, they “call” the cat very loudly. Sterilized animals behave calmer.

What age

Often, future Maine Coon owners prefer to buy very small kittens, barely two months old. This is not an entirely optimal solution. It is better to wait until the baby reaches the age of 3-3.5 months. There are several reasons for this:

1. Timing of vaccination. The last vaccination in childhood is given to a kitten up to 3.5 months. If you purchase an animal at an earlier age, you will have to take the animal for vaccination yourself.
2. Feeding on mother's milk. Maine Coon kittens are breastfed for a long time, which they need for full development.
3. Psychological state of children. Maine Coon kittens have a fairly strong bond with their mother. Therefore, you should not injure them by taking them away from the cat early.

In addition, by the age of three months, the kitten’s character is already visible. Therefore, the future owner will have the opportunity to evaluate the pet’s temperament.

Which class

All purebred kittens are divided by professional breeders into 3 classes:

1. Pet. Includes kittens with breed defects. Often they are completely insignificant. For example, an overly defined profile or small tassels on the ears. Moreover, minor imperfections tend to smooth out as the animal grows older. Pets of the Pet class are not allowed to show, and are also required to be spayed or neutered so that their genes are not passed on to future generations of Maine Coons.
2. This class includes kittens without breed defects, suitable for professional breeding. When buying or selling such an animal, a contract must be drawn up with a detailed description of the breed qualities of the cat.
3. Kittens with excellent show qualities. Their breed properties are preliminarily assessed by the breeder. The cost of babies for exhibitions can reach 70-80 thousand rubles. for a kitten.

People who do not plan to take Maine Coons to shows or engage in professional breeding should choose Pet class kittens. Despite the presence of minor breed deviations, they are in no way inferior in character to their more prestigious brothers. Therefore, there is no point in overpaying.

What color

When choosing the color of your future pet, you need to focus on your own taste. The coat of cats of this breed is distinguished by a variety of colors: white, black, smoky, gray, red marble). More interesting are animals with “ornament” - with a tortoiseshell or striped color.

The Maine Coon breed standards do not provide for the chocolate and lilac color of the animal.

What else to look for when choosing

Also, when choosing a Maine Coon baby, you should pay attention to the following criteria:

• the character of the pet - it all depends on the wishes of the owner, some like calm and affectionate animals, others prefer active and wayward pets;
• the condition of the mucous membranes (eyes, gums) - they should be moist, pink, without damage or rashes;
• condition of the fur - the coat should be smooth, shiny, without tangles;
• odor - if the kitten smells unpleasant, it is most likely sick.

Such signs as lacrimation or nasal discharge in an animal indicate the presence of diseases. In such a situation, it is better to refuse the purchase.

Walks in the open air

The Maine Coon cannot be exclusively an apartment pet. Cats need walks in the fresh air. But it is worth remembering the weakness of the cat’s immune system and the basics of caring for a Maine Coon. In particular, for walks you will need a harness with a leash.

There is no need to take your cat out onto a busy street. A quiet park or summer cottage is ideal for walking. The animal must be vaccinated. After a walk, the fur should be inspected for ticks, and the furry paws should be washed thoroughly.