Maine Coon

Gentle giant and a huge lover of the outdoor

Maine Coon is the largest domesticated cat breed. It is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America. Maine Coon is a long-haired cat native to the state of Maine Maine Coon is an official state cat of Maine.

Country of origin:	Country
Personality:	Obedient, Intelligent, Alert, Curious, Loyal, Confident, Watchful, Courageous
Coat:	Shorthair
Colour:	Black, Black & Tan, Sable, Red & Black, Grey, Black & Silver
Characteristics:	Curly coat, short tail
Life expectancy:	from 9 to 13 years

Maine Coon kittens

As Maine Coons are known for their above-average intelligence, training your Maine Coon kitten should prove rather easy. Begin training as soon as possible, so when your cat grows up he will know to respect boundaries you have set. Kitten obedience training can also fulfil your cat’s daily physical and mental stimulation needs. Remember - positive reinforcement works wonders in kitten training. Whenever your cat does something unacceptable use a toy to distract the cat and shift the focus to a toy or scratching post that he can and should use. From the early days get your Maine Coon kitten accustomed to handling - checking and trimming claws, cleaning teeth, eyes or ears. This will greatly improve your cat’s behaviour during routine veterinary checkups or any required daily care. Maine Coons usually get along well with other animals, but some degree of socialisation is always a good idea with kittens. To promote proper development and growth of your Maine Coon kitten choose a well-balanced diet composed of high-quality natural ingredients to suit the dietary needs of your kitten. Kattunge from Husse range is developed with kittens needs in mind and should be fed from weaning until the kitten reaches 1 year.

Maine Coon’s nutrition

Being the largest domesticated cat breed that is quite energetic Maine Coons have to be fed quality food with a proper balance of protein and fat that cater to their ideal daily caloric intake. Exclusive Lyster Care dry food from Husse range will supply your cat with all the necessary nutrients and keep your Maine Coon in great shape and health. Exclusive Lyster Care dry food will support the health and condition of your cat’s fur as it is rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. As the biggest cat breed that has been domesticated, Maine Coons are prone to hip dysplasia, so supplementing with chondroitin and glucosamine is recommended with adult and elderly cats of this breed. Artro or Artro Plus from Husse range will promote joint strength and health.

Recommended for Maine Coon cats:

Exclusive Kattunge | Balanced dry food for kittens & mother cats

Exclusive Kattunge is recommended for kittens from weaning to 12 months with high content of animal protein and fat to support healthy growth. Also suitable for pregnant and nursing cats.

Protein: 34%

Fat content: 21%

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Exclusive Lyster Care | Complete nutrition for adult cats

Exclusive Lyster Care is a recipe with a high energy content for cats with sensitive skin and higher energy requirements.

Protein: 32.0%

Fat content: 21.0%

Check it out

Detailed description of Maine Coon

With the title of the largest domesticated cat breed, Maine Coons typically measure between 25 and 41 cm in height and can reach a length of up to 97 cm. Maine Coons are big and sturdy looking cats built to endure harsh climates.

Genesis

Although the exact origin of the breed is unknown, there are some curious speculations and folk tales. One of the stories includes Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France. Supposedly, before her death in 1793, Queen attempted to escape France and boarded a ship with her most prized possessions. Those included her six favourite cats (Turkish Angora or Siberian). Unfortunately, she never reached the shores of the United States, but the cats did find their way to Wiscasset, Maine, where they supposedly bred with other short-haired breeds which led to the development of the modern Maine Coon.

Appearance

Maine Coons are large in size, with males reaching up to 97 cm in length. Cats of this breed have long, smooth and shaggy coat. They are built proportionally with a medium in size head and a visibly squared muzzle. Maine Coons have a muscular and solid body and broad chest. The tail is long and heavily furred, resembling a racoon’s tail. This breed has large and well-tufted ears and expressive, wide-set eyes. Maine Coons take longer to physically mature than other cat breeds - their full size is normally not reached until they are three to five years old, while other cats take about one year.

Behaviour

Maine Coons are known for possessing above-average intelligence, which makes them highly trainable. Cats of this breed are often referred to as “gentle giants” because of their gentle disposition. They are loyal to their family, but not clingy. Maine Coons are quite independent and generally are not much of a “lap cat”. But they tend to get along quite well with humans or dogs and are rather relaxed in their company. They are known for being friendly and playful. Maine Coons do show some fascination with water and are usually quite vocal. They can frequently yowl, chirp, trill or make any vocalization they are capable of.

Requirements

High level of intelligence of Maine Coon does mean that these cats require more mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. Challenging them with toys or games of all sorts will keep them at their top performance. Since Maine Coons love the outdoors they will happily learn to walk on a leash and join you on a walk or a hike. These cats are medium-energy so a daily walk or outside play in a yard or park will be enough to fulfil their physical stimulation needs.

Daily care

With their long coat, Maine Coons make for heavy shedders. Brushing 2-3 times a week will help remove the dead hairs and prevent any tangling or matting. If any tangles occur bathing your Maine Coon cat can loosen the tangled hair and get rid of any accumulated dirt. Do remember to never bathe your Maine Coon more than once a month and always use shampoos made specifically for cats. Some owners choose to trim their Maine Coon’s fur a bit. When necessary, cut your cat's claws.

dr Anna Plummervet and blogger