Maine Coon Cat 101 - Watch This Before Getting One (Full Guide)

Is the Maine Coon breed the perfect choice for both cat lovers and dog lovers? You can decide after

watch

ing

this

full

video about Maine Coon cats! Let's find out everything about them! And what better way to start than with your story?! So where do Maine Coon cats come from? How did they get to America? Well, the history of Maine Coon cats is

full

of many legends. Some say they are descendants of Marie Antoinette's cats; some say they were brought to America by a sailor named Tom Coon. Oddly enough, some say they are descendants of rac

coon

s that crossed with local cats!

I know, I would like

this

to be true too, but that mix is ​​genetically impossible. But wait, there is more! The legends don't end here. Some think they are the result of crossbreeding wildcats and domestic cats. While this theory is possible and would explain some of its characteristics, it is quite unlikely. And last but not least, they could be related to the Norwegian forest cat. It is likely that the Vikings brought these cats to America approximately 1,000 years ago. In fact, the last theory is the most plausible, but it seems that we will never know its true origin.

One thing is for sure: they have been around for a long time; This is precisely why they are considered native to America. This amazing breed originated in the Maine region and is the state cat of Maine. Truth be told, they are one of the few cat breeds that could survive the harsh Maine climate. So, how big do Maine Coons get? Well, they are described as moderate to large sized cats. Yes, you heard that right! Not all Maine Coon cats are big cats, even if their large build is one of the reasons they are so popular! But the biggest Maine Coons get big, really big.

Males can weigh up to 25 pounds and even more. Still, their average weight is about 18 pounds. The smallest, however, may only weigh 12 pounds. The females are obviously not that big, weighing between ten and fourteen pounds. However, they are one of the largest cat breeds, if not the largest. Plus, they look more massive than they are because... fluffy! The coat of Maine Coons is long, double-layered, and thick. It is shorter at the shoulders and longer at the stomach. Its lush fur would certainly make all cats envious. Maine Coons also sport a large, bushy tail, almost as long as their bodies.

They are an excellent work of art; Everything about the way they are built makes them perfect for surviving freezing winters. What are some other defining traits of the Maine Coon? They grow tufts of hair between their paw pads, as well as beautiful tufts in their ears. Their large ears may have lynx tips, giving them a faux but unique wild appearance. Maine Coons have large muscles and solid bones. They are definitely the heaviest lifters among cat breeds. But because a work of art requires time, Maine Coons are slow to mature, they take their time and reach maturity between 3 and 4 years of age.

They come in all kinds of colors and color combinations, allowing you to choose your favorite. Their large, oval eyes also come in various colors and are very expressive. But what is his personality like? Maine Coons are very calm guys; For this reason, they are affectionately called gentle giants. They are described as perfect family pets. They are affectionate and like to be cuddled, even if they are not the typical lap cat. I would even go so far as to say that this is a good thing, especially if you have a huge cat. Maine Coons love their family members to the moon and back.

It is said that they are able to notice if you are not feeling well or if you are upset. A Maine Coon will definitely try to comfort you in these situations, whether by doing something stupid or trying to get your attention. When things are normal, they like to show their affection by always following you around the house. There's something I love about them: Maine Coon cats are playful even as adults. They like to play fetch, a trait that earned them the reputation of resembling a dog. They also like to play with water and it's fun to

watch

them do it!

What if you have other pets? Would a Maine Coon be the right choice? Okay, yes! Maine Coons get along well with both dogs and cats. They are not aggressive or territorial, making them perfect for a multi-pet household. In general, Maine Coons are calm, affectionate but also playful. Still, if you want to learn even more about his personality, consider subscribing, as I will publish a video dedicated to the topic. Moving on to the next questions, what environment do you need? Do you have the required space? Being a large cat, Maine Coons will need a large apartment or house.

You can also pamper them by buying cat trees; However, cat trees must support the weight of your cat. You'll want to choose a stable cat tree with higher than average sitting spots. If you don't want to spend the money, you don't have to. Maine Coons can climb like any other cat, but they prefer the ground. Although there may be exceptions. However, you will definitely need to buy a large scratching post, as regular ones may be too small. I have searched for scratching posts suitable for Maine Coons and they are in the description. Also, make sure your Maine Coon has some comfortable places to hang out, and you'll both be fine.

What is your activity level? Maine Coons are playful and energetic cats. The Maine Coon is a happy cat if you provide him with toys that look like mice, baseballs, and other stuffed toys. At its core, a Maine Coon is a mouse catcher, a very skilled one, and that instinct runs deep. Are they indoor or outdoor cats? Sure, they may seem suited to living outdoors, as they are large and have cold-resistant fur. However, I believe that no cat should be left outside, at least not alone, due to the various dangers it may encounter. Plus, huge Maine Coons could be mistaken for bobcats!

If this were to happen, you never know what people might do to your cat. And now, let's find out how to care for a Maine Coon cat. Taking care of them may seem like a burden, but that is not entirely true. The Maine Coon has a long, double coat. Their fur is also thick, so brushing is necessary. Fortunately, their fur repels dirt a bit, so you should only brush your cat 2 or 3 times a week. By brushing the coat, the oils produced by the skin will not be trapped. Additionally, this procedure allows the skin to breathe and prevents the development of skin infections.

You should also bathe your cat from time to time, but Maine Coons tend to like water, which makes the task easier. A bath and an additional 3 or 4 visits to a professional groomer a year will keep your cat's coat beautiful and healthy. What are the health problems associated with this breed? The main health problems of Maine Coon cats are hip dysplasia and another hereditary disease that causes sudden death in affected cats. Each cat is an individual and can have various problems, but these two conditions have a greater incidence in Maine Coon cats. Breeders are making efforts to eliminate these problems from their cats' lineage by preventing affected individuals from reproducing.

However, even if the cat's ancestors are healthy, the offspring may still be affected because their parents may be carriers. Hip dysplasia sounds horrible, but it's not as bad as you think. Cats are not affected by this condition in the same way as dogs. Cats will usually be able to walk and jump and will be given pain relief medication. Some cats don't even show symptoms even if they have hip dysplasia, but Maine Coons are more likely to have it because they are large. Weight plays a very important role in the evolution of this disease: if the cat is overweight, it will have more serious symptoms.

If you want a Maine Coon, you will need to keep your cat in shape. Another potential problem is spinal muscular atrophy, which typically causes muscle atrophy, muscle weakness, and a shortened life expectancy. Symptoms will appear within 3 to 4 months of age. In general, the Maine Coon is a healthy cat. Unfortunately, they tend to live shorter lives than other cats, having an average life expectancy of about 13 years. And now the crucial question: how much do they cost? As a general rule, you should always get your cat from a reputable breeder to minimize the chances of your cat having health problems.

Fortunately, there are many Maine Coon breeders. A Maine Coon cat costs between $800 and $2,000. It may seem expensive, but it involves a lot of costs for breeders, so the price is fully justified. If you can't afford to buy one, there's good news! You can always adopt and pay next to nothing, and you can even find Maine Coon cats or Maine Coon mix cats at shelters. Adopting an adult cat is another great idea. By doing so, you will be able to correctly assess the cat's personality, something that is quite impossible to do with a kitten. And of course, there are many other lovely cats that would make the perfect companion.

But in short, Maine Coon cats are calm, devoted, and playful cats. They are not on top of you all the time, but they are loving and gentle. Maine Coons are perfect for families with children and get along well with other pets. I know we learned a lot about Maine Coon cats today, but if you want to learn even more about them, be sure to subscribe and ring the bell! I'll post even more interesting videos about them in the future! See you in my next video!