We’ve all seen those huge, fluffy cats. The ones that seem to be much larger than other cat breeds. What are they? Are they a good choice for homeowners? People with kids?
Those are the types of questions answered in the rest of this article. The cat described by these questions is the Maine Coon Cat. This is one of the oldest cat breeds. If you want a unique and lovable cat, then you need to consider the Maine Coon cat.
Maine Coon cat characteristics
As with any pet breed, it is important to begin by understanding the unique characteristics of the Maine Coon cat. This information can help you decide at a glance if this cat breed is right for you.
Below are the most pertinent characteristics of the Maine Coon cat. The numbers presented are averages. Your Maine Coon cat may potentially fall outside the ranges described here.
Maine Coon cat history
The Maine Coon cat’s exact history is not definitively known. Many folk tales and speculation point to different origins for the breed. One thing that is known for certain is that the breed originally hails from the state of Maine.
Maine coon cats were used as a mouser and ship’s cat as far back as the early 19th century. The Maine Coon cat was first mentioned in a published work in 1861. Yet, they were likely used as working cats much earlier than that published reference.
The Maine Coon cat is distinguished by its brown tabby coat and striped tail. Their resemblance to the raccoon is where this cat breed gets its name. However, unlike the folklore understanding, a cat was not mated with a raccoon to produce the Maine Coon. The name only comes from its resemblance to a raccoon, not a genetic similarity.
Today, Maine Coon cats are a popular breed. They are one of the winningest show cats. In fact, they are the only show cat to have their origins in the USA. Despite this, luckily, they don’t fall under the most expensive cat breeds as you can view here. They would probably set back their owners between $162 – $800 annually.
Maine Coon cat personality
With such a large cat, you may think the Maine Coon cat would be aggressive. That is pretty far from the truth. Maine Coon cats are known for their friendly demeanor. They do tend, however, to be a little more aloof than other cat breeds. For example, they are typically not considered a lap cat. They much prefer to be near, but not on their owners.
Maine Coon cats are very playful. They may even be found playing patty cake. Maine Coon cats get along well with children, other cats, and dogs. They are curious by nature, and so should be kept inside. Their curious natures can lead them into trouble if they are left unsupervised outdoors.
Maine Coon cat grooming
The long double coat of the Maine Coon cat may provide some grooming issues. The easiest thing would be to take your cat to a professional groomer. However, that option can be too expensive for some people.
In order to keep their coat from matting, you will need to brush your Maine Coon cat regularly. Begin brushing them when they are young, as it will make it easier to groom your Maine Coon cat when they are an adult. You will need to use a soft bristle brush to keep from harming your cat’s skin. Make sure the bristles are long enough to reach through both of their coats.
If the Maine Coon cat’s fur becomes matted, it may need to be clipped. The lion cut, which leaves their long ruff and shaves the rest of their body, is popular for this breed.
Maine Coon cat health issues
The Maine Coon is mostly a healthy breed. They are not susceptible to many health problems. Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the largest threat to the Maine Coon’s health. This is a heart disease found in cats. Spinal muscular atrophy, hip dysplasia, arthritis, and polycystic kidney disease have also been observed in this breed.
Feeding your Maine Coon cat a proper diet and adopting them from a reputable source are two ways of ensuring your pet stays healthy. You should also stay up-to-date on their vaccinations, spay or neuter, and visit your vet regularly.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter if you are a crazy cat lady or not, you will love the Maine Coon cat. This “gentle giant” is truly unique in the cat world. Not only is it one of the oldest cat breeds, but they are also some of the largest.
Their history as mousers means that the Maine Coon Cat can help keep the mouse population down in your home. You will love their laid-back and yet playful natures. Just make sure you are up for their grooming requirements before you bring a Maine Coon cat into your home!
Guest Author Bio
Lauretta Williams
Lauretta Williams is a web-addicted blogger. She loves spending her time listening to music, playing with her dog and writing blogs from her computer. We all want our pets not to run away from home. But sometimes, they might get lost. Don’t worry, we have your back. Report your lost pets with PawMaw. We can help you find your missing pet.
Those are the types of questions answered in the rest of this article. The cat described by these questions is the Maine Coon Cat. This is one of the oldest cat breeds. If you want a unique and lovable cat, then you need to consider the Maine Coon cat.
Maine Coon cat characteristics
As with any pet breed, it is important to begin by understanding the unique characteristics of the Maine Coon cat. This information can help you decide at a glance if this cat breed is right for you.
Below are the most pertinent characteristics of the Maine Coon cat. The numbers presented are averages. Your Maine Coon cat may potentially fall outside the ranges described here.
- Height: male=10-16 in., female=8-14 in.
- Length: 40 in.
- Weight: male=15-25 lbs., female=10-15 lbs.
- Life Expectancy: 10-15 years
- Origin: Maine, USA
- Color: Most colors and patterns, but brown tabby is the most traditional.
- Coat: Long on the ruff, uneven double coat on rest of the body, bushy tail with colored rings
Maine Coon cat history
The Maine Coon cat’s exact history is not definitively known. Many folk tales and speculation point to different origins for the breed. One thing that is known for certain is that the breed originally hails from the state of Maine.
Maine coon cats were used as a mouser and ship’s cat as far back as the early 19th century. The Maine Coon cat was first mentioned in a published work in 1861. Yet, they were likely used as working cats much earlier than that published reference.
The Maine Coon cat is distinguished by its brown tabby coat and striped tail. Their resemblance to the raccoon is where this cat breed gets its name. However, unlike the folklore understanding, a cat was not mated with a raccoon to produce the Maine Coon. The name only comes from its resemblance to a raccoon, not a genetic similarity.
Today, Maine Coon cats are a popular breed. They are one of the winningest show cats. In fact, they are the only show cat to have their origins in the USA. Despite this, luckily, they don’t fall under the most expensive cat breeds as you can view here. They would probably set back their owners between $162 – $800 annually.
Maine Coon cat personality
With such a large cat, you may think the Maine Coon cat would be aggressive. That is pretty far from the truth. Maine Coon cats are known for their friendly demeanor. They do tend, however, to be a little more aloof than other cat breeds. For example, they are typically not considered a lap cat. They much prefer to be near, but not on their owners.
Maine Coon cats are very playful. They may even be found playing patty cake. Maine Coon cats get along well with children, other cats, and dogs. They are curious by nature, and so should be kept inside. Their curious natures can lead them into trouble if they are left unsupervised outdoors.
Maine Coon cat grooming
The long double coat of the Maine Coon cat may provide some grooming issues. The easiest thing would be to take your cat to a professional groomer. However, that option can be too expensive for some people.
In order to keep their coat from matting, you will need to brush your Maine Coon cat regularly. Begin brushing them when they are young, as it will make it easier to groom your Maine Coon cat when they are an adult. You will need to use a soft bristle brush to keep from harming your cat’s skin. Make sure the bristles are long enough to reach through both of their coats.
If the Maine Coon cat’s fur becomes matted, it may need to be clipped. The lion cut, which leaves their long ruff and shaves the rest of their body, is popular for this breed.
Maine Coon cat health issues
The Maine Coon is mostly a healthy breed. They are not susceptible to many health problems. Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the largest threat to the Maine Coon’s health. This is a heart disease found in cats. Spinal muscular atrophy, hip dysplasia, arthritis, and polycystic kidney disease have also been observed in this breed.
Feeding your Maine Coon cat a proper diet and adopting them from a reputable source are two ways of ensuring your pet stays healthy. You should also stay up-to-date on their vaccinations, spay or neuter, and visit your vet regularly.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter if you are a crazy cat lady or not, you will love the Maine Coon cat. This “gentle giant” is truly unique in the cat world. Not only is it one of the oldest cat breeds, but they are also some of the largest.
Their history as mousers means that the Maine Coon Cat can help keep the mouse population down in your home. You will love their laid-back and yet playful natures. Just make sure you are up for their grooming requirements before you bring a Maine Coon cat into your home!
Guest Author Bio
Lauretta Williams
Lauretta Williams is a web-addicted blogger. She loves spending her time listening to music, playing with her dog and writing blogs from her computer. We all want our pets not to run away from home. But sometimes, they might get lost. Don’t worry, we have your back. Report your lost pets with PawMaw. We can help you find your missing pet.