All about the Maine Coon
The Maine coon is known for its impressive size. Indeed, this cat can measure up to 1 meter long, and weigh up to 14 kgs without having any obesity problem. It is therefore the largest cat breed in the world!
Domestic cat or rather wild cat, what about this giant that fascinates by its appearance? What is the character of this big cat, and under what conditions should you adopt a Main coon? Subarora takes stock of this atypical cat and gives you all the secrets of the Maine coon!
The origin of the Maine coon
It is difficult to know exactly how and when the Maine coon breed originated. Several theories exist, but to date none have been truly verified.
Some claim that the Maine coon is the result of a cross with a raccoon, others claim that the breed originated from 6 Angora cats sent by Marie Antoinette to the United States.
Still others believe that the Maine coon dates back to the Viking era. What is certain is that it is one of the oldest natural cat breeds in North America. The breed was officially discovered in 1860 at a show held in the state of Maine — where it got its name — by local farmers, whose goal was to elect the most beautiful cat.
However, the Maine Coon was not officially recognized as a breed until 1967 by the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA). In France, the breed was imported in 1981, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that it became as popular as it is today. Today, the Maine Coon has become so popular that it is now the number one cat breed produced in France with 4,843 pedigrees issued, even ahead of the Persian.
Maine coon, its physical characteristics
The Maine coon is recognizable at first sight by its large size and massive appearance. It has a long, rather rectangular body with a strong chest and has a good musculature. On average a male weighs between 6 and 9 kgs while females are a little less massive with their 4 to 6 kgs, which is still higher than the average of cats of other breeds. The record of the largest Maine Coon in the world was held by Leo, a cat measuring 1.21 meters long! There is a reason why you should buy kibble for a large cat.
The Maine coon’s legs are proportional to its body. They are massive, long and powerful. One of the Maine coon cat’s special features is a small tuft of hair nestled under each of its paws, between the pads. The Maine coon’s tail is also very long, broad and full of hair.
The Maine Coon’s head is medium-sized and distinguished by prominent cheekbones. The eyes are two large, oblique ovals on either side of the head. Its muzzle is quite strong, square in shape. The ears are very large, not very pointed and each has a tuft of hair at the tip, which is one of the most sought-after characteristics of the breed.
The Maine Coon’s hair is quite long and dense. It often has a ruff under the throat, often very popular, reminiscent of the lion. The Maine coon can have different coats, however the “Brown Blotched Tabby” coat is one of the most sought after coats in the animal.
The Maine coon is a very elegant cat, very popular, especially in beauty contests.
The character of the Maine Coon
Despite what you might think of this giant, impressively large cat, the Maine Coon is generally quite calm in its behavior. With a very affectionate nature, the Maine Coon is a cat that does not generally show aggression, which makes it a pleasant companion for both adults and children. They are sociable by nature and will even get along quite well with many pets such as other cats and dogs.
Even if he likes to go outside and enjoy the outdoors, the Maine Coon will do very well in an apartment. In addition to its atypical size, the Maine coon never ceases to seduce with its loyal, gentle character and the gentleness in its eyes. The Maine Coon is therefore an ideal cat whether you live alone or with a family and wherever you live.
Adopting a Maine Coon
If you want to adopt a Maine Coon, you’ll need to budget accordingly. A Maine Coon kitten costs between €500 and €1700 to purchase. You can find Maine coon cats at specialized breeders. Do not hesitate to visit the breeder to make sure of his seriousness, because the conditions in which a kitten lives during its first weeks of life will determine its character as an adult.
However, beware of “counterfeiting”: victim of its success, cats with the appearance of the Maine coon have been created. If you want your cat to participate in competitions, it is absolutely necessary that it has a pedigree.
What to feed your Maine Coon?
What you need to know if you adopt a kitten is that it will take much longer to grow than kittens of other breeds. The Maine Coon will reach its adult size at the age of 4 years. Therefore, it will be necessary to feed him a suitable diet until then.
The best thing to do is to continue feeding your kitten special kibble, which will give him all the nutrients he needs to grow up properly. As an adult, the Maine Coon’s dietary needs will be greater than those of other breeds of cat, and it will need a high protein intake. Be sure to buy quality kibble with a high protein content, between 30 and 45%, and low fat content.
If your cat is sterilized, opt for special kibbles for sterilized cats, which are less rich than standard kibbles, especially if your cat lives in an apartment and spends most of his days sleeping.
Maintaining a Maine Coon’s coat
Like all long-haired cats, the Maine Coon requires special care. Even if your cat is not a show cat, it is advisable to take special care of its coat so that it remains beautiful and silky. A daily brushing is recommended with a comb or a cat brush, especially around March-April, the period when cats shed their winter coat to prepare for the warm season.
The Maine Coon is a lovely cat that is only too happy to receive and give affection in return!
