Maine Coon Info
From the time I was a child, I always wanted a Maine Coon cat. They were more rare back then, at least where I came from and it was a dream I was determined to fill one day. Over the last three years I researched, spoke to many breeders, gathered as much info as I could on the breed and finally purchased my very own Maine Coon kitten. Of course, one wasnt enough so flash foward two years and I now have five! They are the sweetest most loyal cats ever - and I have had my share of other cats along the way. I love them all but MC cats are just different. Some say they are more like a dog and I have to agree. Not just because of their size, but their temprament as well. I will share some of the most requested info that people tend to have regarding the breed.
History of Maine Coons
Some suggest that these cats were brought into existence when six Turkish Angora cats reached Maine aboard the ship of Marie Antoinette, who was attempting to flee France during the Revolution. Once on land, these Angora cats went on to breed with local short-haired cats and created the Maine Coon of today. They are most known for being the obsession of Ernest Hemmingway. It is said that he was gifted a white polydactyl by a ship captain and eventually accumulated dozens of them and even stipulated in his will that his cats remain at his home in Key West FL and continued to be cared for.
How big will a Maine Coon get?
The Maine Coon is the largest non-hybris breed of domestic cat. The longest on record being 4 feet in length. They are slow to mature and are not full size until they are between 3-5 years of age. TICA states that male MC cats as adults weigh between 13-18 lbs and females 9-13 lbs. I have to say I feel that may be a little on the conservative side because both of our studs are 15+ at a year old and one of my females is 14 at 1 1/2 years. It will vary obviously from cat to cat based on genetics, nutrition etc. My cats are fed a high protein diet with veggies and supplements added in so that may factor into their size.
What is their personality?
These cats are lovers. There can never be enough attention given. They are loyal and will follow you around everywhere. They love to 'talk' and most - not all - love to play. They are more of a 'lap cat' but do get bursts of energy and get the 'Zoomies' from time to time. They are so sweet - the reason they are called 'Gentle Giants'. They are curious and inquisitive to all things - toys, foods, other animals. I have not met one yet that is agressive in any way. They LOVE water. They do not mind bath time and will jump into water willingly.
What is a polydactyl?
Polydactyl refers to having an extra appendage on one or more of their paws. This used to be common among the breed but due to being disqualified from competing in the purebred class for having an 'undesirable trait' or 'mutation' - breeders began to stop reproducing them. They are much more rare now than they used to be. I do have a stud - Dutton - that is a quad poly, meaning he has an extra digit on all four paws. 6/6/6/6
Colors & Patterns
Maine Coons come in a variety of colors - Red, Blue (Gray), Black, Silver, White, Cream. There are also many variations of patterns - Solid, Bi-Color, Tabby, Calico or Tortie, Shaded, Smoke. There are over 85 different color/pattern combinations. Solid black is not common., however black smoke is one of the most common. Smoke refers to the cat having a silver undertone to their coat. Tortie in MC land is what one would think of as calico in a normal cat. They are white/black with grouped patches of a combination of red and black/blue. They are almost always females. A torbie is a tortie that instead of having a solid color they have the patches with a classic tabby pattern throughout the rest of their coat. Black Tabby is what most think of when thinking of a traditional MC and is the most sought after. They will have a 'bullseye' pattern of brown swirls on a black coat. There are also variations of tabby in blue and red cats as well but they are not as common. Silver kittens are the most popular in the most recent past. Blue (or Gray) is a diluted version of black. Red (or Orange) is a crowd favorite and are typically a tabby but there are solid reds out there. Cream is a shampange color and are beautiful. It is a dilute of the red gene. White is the most rare - for solid coats and are hard to find.
How long do they live?
Life span for a Maine Coon is 13-15 years with proper care. There are reports of them living as old as 20 years.
Grooming Care
Grooming for these cats is essential. They have dense, thick, silky fur that requires brushing a minimum of 3 times a weeks to prevent tangles and matting. This also removes any loose hair and dander which keeps the coat clean and helps with shedding. We bathe ours once a month to help keep their fur and skin clean and healthy. I also give salmon oil on their food a few times a week and this helps keep the coat healthy and shiny and also helps with shedding. Other than brushing there is maintenence trimming required that can be done either by owner or in grooming spa. Focus is on the fur around the paws, tail area and face. There is no real reason to trim or shave the body, especially during winter months, as their coat acts as a jacket to hlep them stay warm and regulate their temperature. Clipping nails is necessary periodically as well. I prefer the grinder but have used clippes int he past as well. I find that the earlier and more you play with their paws, the more it helps them to accept getting the nails trimmed. We do start with this de sensatizing at day 3 by rubbing the paws for three seconds each daily. The more attention and time spent keeping the cat groomed the eaier it is overall for them and the owners. Also, routine grooming makes them look so beautiful!!