Maine Coon: breed description, maintenance and care

A cat has been living side by side with a person in the same dwelling for more than one hundred years. These wild animals were domesticated, which subsequently led to the emergence of a large number of breeds. Among the various representatives of the feline family, it is worth highlighting the Maine Coon, which deserves a place of honor among the largest individuals living at home.

There are several common versions that concern the emergence of a similar breed of cats. It is believed that big cats appeared in America in the state of Maine, which formed the basis of their name. There are also versions that the distant ancestors of large cats are raccoons, crossed with domestic cats. Researchers are led to similar thoughts by the external features of Maine Coons, such as an expressive and lush tail, coat color.

In some sources, one can find assumptions about the origin of giant cats from the ancestors, who are considered lynxes. Such thoughts are prompted by the characteristic tassels on the ears. However, despite the fact that the animals of this breed are distinguished by external similarities with other representatives of the wild, there is no scientific confirmation that the Maine Coon is the result of crossing such individuals with each other.

The official version of the origin of cats, which breeders adhere to, is the natural evolution of animals. As for the external characteristics, the Maine Coon cats acquired them as a result of the natural process of adaptation to living conditions in a harsh climate.

In the process of domestication, animals initially settled with humans mainly on farms, where they hunted rodents, thereby protecting the harvested crop, for which they were valued by the owners. Subsequently, giant cats were noticed at agricultural fairs, which served as the impetus for their resettlement throughout America. Further, the breed became in demand all over the world. Today, the demand for Maine Coons among breeders is simply huge, and the animals are bred as show cats, as well as pets, their role as guards in farms has gradually faded into the background.

Maine Coons are the largest cats of the breed that have been domesticated by humans. In addition to the characteristic brushes on the ears, A must-see feature of cats' appearance is a woolen collar that captures the neck and chest. Due to this "frill" in animals, the overflow of the thoracic region into the neck is practically not visualized.

The ears are quite wide, erect vertically, tassels are located in the same plane, their size has no clear restrictions, therefore, for the most part, it will depend on the age of the animal. As a rule, closer to 3 months, the kitten will already have formed the final size of the ears.

These animals are also equally beautiful from behind. This attractiveness is due not only to the presence of a chic and long tail, but also to the "pants" formed due to the large amount of hair on the hind legs.

Maine Coon looks very strict, and sometimes even menacing, due to such an impression of the eyebrows, massively hanging over the eyes. However, this appearance is the exact opposite of their character.

Despite the fact that cats and kittens will stand out for their size, they take a long time to mature. Usually, the weight of a cat varies in the range of 6-9 kilograms, but there are representatives of the breed with a weight that exceeds the 10 kilogram mark. As for cats, their weight will be in the range of 5-7 kilograms.

Adult animals at the withers grow up to 20-50 centimeters, while the length of the cat, together with the tail, can exceed 130-140 centimeters. The line of the back in cats is straight, the rib cage is wide with a fairly developed muscular skeleton.

The head of cats has a massive chin with well-distinguishable pads, they are placed in a single plane with the tip of the nose. The cheekbones are clearly visualized even in the light of the long hair of the animal.

Maine Coon's eyes are large, one can note their slight slanting. The pupils can be colored in a green-yellow palette. Any shade in this range is considered normal. There are individuals with blue or multi-colored pupils, most often cats.

There are also uniform standards regarding the color of individuals of this breed - cats can be red, white, black and gray, as well as marble, blue, tortoiseshell. The coat of animals is very thick, but silky to the touch, and cats and cats also have an undercoat. It is noteworthy that its length will gradually increase towards the tail.

As a rule, large pets from the feline family live for a rather long time - their average life expectancy will be 15-20 years.

Maine Coons are excellent at catching mice, but this is not their only hunting skill, as the breed is notable for its outstanding hunting habits. These animals are distinguished by their high intelligence, so the owner of a big cat can be calm about his other pets, such as hamsters, fish or parrots, the Maine Coon will never touch them.

In addition, animals are not prone to stealing food from the table or the master's plate, cats will never persistently climb, and beg for a treat for themselves, because they have a rather proud disposition.

A big cat very rarely meows, its communication with the breeder and other animals can be called cooing, purring or rumbling. Pets very quickly grasp the intonations and emotions with which their owners communicate, therefore they are able to maintain a "dialogue".

Among the features concerning the behavior of animals, it is worth highlighting their habit of rowing water... This also applies to your own bowl and the immediate area around it. Observing this breed at home, you can see how the animal deftly clings to its food with the claws of its forelimbs, sending it into the mouth. Such actions have certain similarities with how a person eats food using cutlery.

Maine Coon has a special relationship with water. Unlike the rest of the feline family, these animals love to swim and are not at all afraid to get into the bathtub, sink or containers of water... In addition, cats can, with a fascinated look, watch the flowing water from the tap or shower for a very long time, and in some cases they gladly take water procedures with their owner.

The animal will not insist on play or attention if it sees that its owner is busy with something; also, cats show great patience and endurance towards younger family members, without showing any aggression.

Big cat breeders note that these animals behave very calmly in public places, so you can safely take them with you if necessary. For such purposes, a special carrier is usually used.

Based on the habits of these animals, the best home for them will be private households in which the cat can walk in the fresh air or hunt... For owners of cats living in an apartment, it will be obligatory to walk their pet in the yard on a harness.

Big cats are very often called cat-dogs, because individuals are perfectly amenable to training, they can perform simple commands... Compared to the rest of the family, Maine Coons sleep very little - on average, they have 6-10 hours of sleep per day. As a rule, cats retain their inquisitive, playful and active disposition until a ripe old age, so even an adult cat, like a small one, will prefer an active one to passive rest.

Today, there are two main types of animals of this breed:

• American type (aboriginal);
• European.

The second type was formed much later, after the active spread of animals around the world, when individuals fell into slightly altered living conditions, climatic features, etc. certain external characteristics.

The American Maine Coon will have a more elongated muzzle and a lower forehead, while the European will have a high forehead. It is the second type that slightly slanted eyes are inherent, while in the aboriginal they will be rounded. In addition, the European type has a slightly shorter coat.

Also, animals are classified by breeders based on their color. This breed has only two genetic colors - black and red.

Patterns and patterns on animal hair are formed due to the distribution of pigment on the skin, which is reflected and transferred to the hair follicles. The genetic characteristics of the offspring regarding color may vary.

There is a certain classification of Maine Coon color, which is prescribed in the pedigree of the animal.

Stripes, spots and patterns are called tabby, there may be several of them:

• brindle - characterized by alternating parallel light and dark stripes;
• spotted - stripes turn into bright spots on the sides;
• classical - pattern with wavy stripes;
• ticked - the drawing is focused on the face, on the body there are stripes of different shades.

Maine Coons also have solidi. This type of coat has a pattern, but a rather blurry nature. Monochromatic solidi appeared due to artificial selection. Cats can be of the following tones:

• smoky;
• blue;
• black;
• White;
• Red;
• cream.

Maine Coons of color smoke will have an uneven color with a certain overflow of shades. In this case, there are several variations in the color of the coat, depending on the color of the pile.

White spots can adorn the fur of cats, while the color is divided into the following types:

• gloves;
• the tuxedo;
• van;
• bicolor;
• harlequin;
• white buttons;
• medallion.

There are also multi-colored animals, they are characterized by an arbitrary arrangement of spots and blotches.

Strengths and weaknesses are inherent in every animal breed. As for Maine Coons, the following qualities of individuals should be attributed to the advantages of these animals.

• Despite their harsh appearance, cats are distinguished by such traits as tenderness and devotion towards humans. Also, a friendly attitude is manifested in relation to other pets in the house.
• Large cats are distinguished by developed intelligence.
• Pets very quickly adapt to new conditions, willingly learn new things.
• Maine Coons love walks, and they also behave well when walking on a harness.
• Large domestic cats will not assert themselves and dominate the society of their owners. Also, Maine Coons rarely release their claws.
• Pets of this breed live long.
• Animals willingly make contact with children, which is important for most families.

Animals also have some disadvantages:

• purebred animals stand out for their high cost;
• due to long wool, when keeping an animal at home, you will need to devote more time to cleaning;
• animals do not tolerate heat very well.

You should make a purchase of such a pet exclusively in specialized nurseries or from professional breeders of this breed. Since only these options will allow you to acquire purebred animals, in addition, it will be possible to get competent advice on further caring for the Maine Coon.

Waiting for this age will also be correct, since the kitten will already have time to acquire some skills from the mother, including going to the litter box.

When choosing a pet, you should be guided by the following rules:

• the price of a purebred and thoroughbred animal will always be high, therefore, proposals with a symbolic value for a kitten should not be considered;
• together with the newly-made pet, the breeder must obligatorily transfer the veterinary passport to the new owner, as well as the metric and pedigree;
• if the Maine Coon is purchased as a show animal, then special attention should be paid to the cattery where the kitten was raised, as well as its belonging to any clubs;
• it is important to assess the health of the animal - a shiny coat and the activity of individuals will be a good indicator.

Despite the fact that this breed of cat tolerates the harsh climate, the owner of large animals will need to pay a lot of attention to them. The main nuance of the content is the maintenance of the Maine Coon's coat. Since there are quite a few of them, in addition, it stands out for its length, in order to prevent the cat tangles, the cat will need to be combed out regularly. A suitable comb is a blunt-toothed comb. Such procedures are recommended to be performed every other day. It is also recommended to bathe long-haired breeds with shampoo every 6 months.

The claws of the animal require attention. As they grow, the ends should be trimmed, avoiding the removal of the living part where the capillaries are located.

In the process of growing up, the kitten's teeth change, however, caring for the animal's oral cavity is mandatory at any time. For these purposes, use a special toothpaste and brush.

Hygiene measures will also apply to the ears. The auricles are subject to regular inspection, if various types of contamination are found in them, they are cleaned with a damp cotton sponge. You should refuse to use sticks or matches with cotton wool. The eyes of cats should be wiped with a damp swab using boiled water.

Big cats themselves stand out for their cleanliness, so they constantly lick their fur. To help the pet get rid of the wool lumps in the stomach, for pets are sold specialized pastes to help cleanse from the inside... Neglecting these remedies can lead to constipation and coughing in the cat. In addition, Maine Coon owners are advised to grow a "cat garden" at home, which will help them cleanse the body on their own.

Cats of any age will be interested in entertainment, in addition to being in the hands of the owner. For these purposes, it is worth installing at home scratching posts, labyrinths and ladders, as well as shelves, sun beds and other interesting devices designed for active pet games. Otherwise, the Maine Coon will use curtains, wardrobes and sofas as "sports equipment".

For cat litter can be purchased special filler or sand, however, cleaning the tray should be regular in the light of the large size and the smell of feces from both the boy and the Maine Coon girl.

The question of cat nutrition should be approached thoroughly. It is best, together with a veterinarian or breeder, to individually select dry food for the Maine Coon. However, the animal will also develop actively and correctly on natural food. The super class food will already contain the necessary vitamins for a representative of the feline family. Choosing a different type of feeding, the pet's diet should include raw and boiled beef, chicken, turkey. Fatty meats should be discarded.

Also, the animal needs to be given low-fat fish, dairy and fermented milk products, boiled eggs. It will be possible to replenish the supply of necessary trace elements by including sprouted grains in the diet. Vegetables and cheese can also be fed to pets. Maine Coon will need clean and fresh water... To select the optimal portions of food, you can be guided by a special plate, which will indicate the weight of the kitten and its approximate menu.

For knitting, the optimal age is one and a half years. Maine Coons usually have 1 to 6 kittens per litter per year. Cats have highly developed maternal instincts, which is why they show amazing care for newborns. If the breeder for some reason does not want to breed cats, then castration is performed for males. It is best to castrate an animal before the age of one year. Cats are sterilized.

Since animals stand out for their mental abilities, even a breeder with minimal experience will be able to educate and train a pet. Maine Coons easily cope with commands, they can be taught to bring various objects, give a paw and even meow at the command of the owner. Training and education should be carried out with the obligatory encouragement of the animal in the form of something edible.

Despite their size and endurance, cats of this breed in some cases suffer from certain diseases. Among the common ailments, it is worth highlighting:

• dysplasia of the hip joint;
• polycystic kidney disease.

As a rule, with the timely detection of the disease, it is possible to improve the health of the animal, but the treatment of such ailments is very difficult. To prevent such situations, all kittens undergo compulsory vaccination. Both adults and small animals need to regularly prevent helminths.

The feedback from Maine Coon breeders is mostly positive. The owners of such cats separately note their friendly disposition and supportive attitude towards all family members, including other pets.

For interesting facts about Maine Coons, see below.