Maine Coon

Description

Height

50 - 75 cm

Weight

Men  5,9 - 10 Kg
Females 3,6 - 5,4 Kg  

Estimated Life

9-15 years

Physical Features

• Muscles
• Usually in shades of brown
• Powerful
• Movable
• Dense, dense and long-haired
• Pointed ears
• Green - eye color in golden tones

General Features

 
 
The Maine Coon is a cat breed known for its impressive size, full and beautiful coat, and affectionate personality. They can be a great companion for both families and single people. However, due to their large size and energy, Maine Coons require a lot of time and energy to care for. Maine Coons are generally known to be friendly, social and playful. They are often described as "gentle giants" because they can reach a very large size and have an affectionate character to go along with their imposing stature.
 

History

Although it's impossible to give a clear explanation for the origins of the Maine Coon, various stories and legends provide us with interesting information about these magnificent cats. It's generally accepted that the species originated in the American state of Maine. This explains where their name comes from. Another legend says that the Maine Coon was born when domestic cats brought by the first Europeans to settle in North America mated with local wild cats.
 
Another popular story claims that Maine Coons are descendants of the cats of Queen Marie Antoinette, who settled in the state of Maine on the northeast coast of America. According to this story, the queen planned to flee to America during the French Revolution and decided to send some of her animals to America in advance. Although Marie Antoinette never made it to America, her cats settled in Maine and mixed with the cat population on the ground.
 
To be precise, the breed became famous towards the end of the 19th century for frequently winning prizes in cat beauty contests. The Maine Coon became a fully recognized breed by the American Cat Breeders Association in 1976.
 

Personality and Character Traits

Maine Coons are known for their calm and balanced character. They are very sociable and love to spend time with their family members. Although they are intelligent and playful, they remain quiet and dignified. Maine Coons can be a little shy with strangers, but they are very affectionate with those they know.
 

Physical Features

Maine Coons usually have a long, muscular build and a broad chest. Maine Coons are known for their thick, waterproof and fluffy coat. This hair is usually longer than elsewhere, especially on their tails and necks. A wide range of coat colors and patterns can be found.
 

General Care

Feather Care

Despite their bulky and fluffy appearance, Maine Coons are generally easy-care cats. Weekly combing is enough to keep their fur free of knots.
 

Exercise

Maine Coons are large, energetic and playful cats. Therefore, they need regular exercise. Here are a few ways to exercise cats of this breed:
 

• Toys: Maine Coons love toys that satisfy their intelligence and hunting instincts. They can get plenty of exercise while playing with furry toys and other moving toys.
• Trees and Climbing Areas: It is important to provide suitable areas for Maine Coons to climb. A cat tree or climbing area provides physical and mental stimulation for these cats.
• Training: Maine Coons are intelligent cats and can therefore learn a series of commands. The learning process provides both mental and physical exercise. Simple commands such as 'sit', 'come' and even fetch the ball can be taught and combined with play.

Health

Although Maine Coons are generally healthy animals, they can have some genetic predispositions. Some of these are as follows:
 
Heart disease: Maine Coons are particularly genetically predisposed to a heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). HCM is a condition characterized by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle and affects a large segment of the feline population.
 
Orthopedic Problems: Maine Coons can be prone to orthopedic problems due to their large and heavy bodies. Hip dysplasia is particularly common in this breed.
 
Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Maine Coons can also be prone to a genetic disease called spinal muscular atrophy. This condition causes muscle weakness and loss of movement.
 

Nutrition

Because Maine Coons are active and large cats, it's important to work with their veterinarian to create a balanced and nutritious diet. A protein-rich, low-fat diet list can be an ideal option for Maine Coons.
 

Did You Know These?

• The Maine Coon is one of the largest domestic cat breeds.
• The coat of Maine Coon cats contains a natural fat layer that rejects water. This allows their fur to dry quickly.
• Maine Coons often make a series of sounds that appear to be "singing". These sounds range from a type of growl to screams and differ from other cat breeds.
• The Maine Coon's water-resistant coat and large paws make them excellent mouse hunters.
• Some Maine Coons can be born polydactyl (with extra digits), although this is rare.
• The Maine Coon is recognized as the official state cat of Maine.