The Maine Coon is one of the first natural breeds found in North America. This large-sized domesticated breed has its origins in the United States, and it is also the official state cat of Maine. Maine Coon is large, social, and affectionate, which is why most people refer to it as the gentle giant.
Maine Coon History
Maine Coon is among the most popular breeds that swept many cat shows during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. But their popularity started to wane when cats with longer coats were introduced at the beginning of the 20th century. The origin of this giant cat is still unknown, but there are several folk tales that we can rely on to get to know this breed better.
One such tale is that of Queen of France, Marie Antoinette. It is believed that when she fled France on a ship, she carried six of her favorite cats with her, which upon reaching the states, bred and produced the modern-day Maine Coon.
Maine Coon Key Facts
Maine Coon has always been a sight to behold. Its majestic appearance, along with its large size, has never failed to catch the public’s attention. Maine Coon was first mentioned in ‘The book of cat’, written by Frances Simpson in 1861.
In addition to being a beautiful feline, a Maine Coon is also fun-loving and social, which makes it an incredible pet. Their high intelligence combined with above-average empathy ensures that they form strong bonds with their owners and make themselves an integral part of the family.
How Big Do Maine Coon Get?
Maine Coon are large-sized cats and are frequently referred to as gentle giants. They are the largest cat breed to be registered by the GCCF. Usually, these adorable kitties have a muscular and weighty appearance. The females can weigh between 12 to 18 pounds, while the males can weigh around 18 – 20 pounds.
Maine Coon Lifespan
Like most other large-sized cats, a Mane Coon has a lifespan of 10 – 15 years. These gentle giants are usually free of any health issues, except for a few problems discussed later on. If you take care of their nutrition and physical needs properly, you can expect them to live a long and healthy life.
How Much Does A Maine Coon Cost?
The Price of a Mane Coon constantly fluctuates for almost every purebred cat. But one thing is always constant; their high price. A mane Coon will set you back anywhere between $1000 – $2000. Additionally, you may have to buy accessories like toys and beds, making this price higher.
Maine Coon Personality
Maine Coons are affectionate, friendly, and playful. These Amicable felines have made a special place in our hearts with their loving and affectionate nature. No wonder they went from near extinction to become one of the most popular cats of their time.
A Maine Coon can be best described as a kitten wearing a grown cat’s suit. The Jumbo-sized cats are playful and fun-loving even after they grow old, which means you will never get bored, and your life will always have an exciting furball. These cats can be introverted around new faces, but they usually open up and show their fun and caring side with time.
Caring For A Maine Coon
Maine Coons are large cats with smooth, dense, and shaggy coats, making grooming a little hard. These cats were built for working in the harsh Maine Weather, mousing on farms all day long. So, before you make this furry fellow a part of your family, take a look at all the caring that goes into successfully parenting a Maine Coon.
Maine Coon Nutrition
Maine Coons are large-sized cats, requiring more food than average to maintain their large weight and size. These cats also have high nutritional requirements, which you must meet with proper nutrition, or else they can fall prey to nutrition-related health issues like nutrient deficiency and obesity.
The first thing to keep track of is their daily protein intake, which should be high as they need it for normal growth. Carbohydrates, Vitamins, and Fats should also be an integral part of their diet. It is best to feed them according to their weight or visit your vet for the specific food requirements of your cat.
How To Groom A Maine Coon?
As mentioned above, the Maine Coon has a long and thick coat, which is usually hard to maintain, but one good thing about their coat is that it’s silky’; This means that you won’t have to worry too much about matting, especially if you brush their coat regularly.
The optimum combing frequency is two times a week, ensuring proper blood flow to the scalp and ensuring that the coat gets all the necessary nutrients. It is best to brush their teeth at least once per week to prevent the risk of periodontal disease.
Maine Coon Activity Levels
Maine Coons exhibits the energy as most other large-sized cats. A kitten Maine Coon is usually a lot more energetic and will zoom across your house all day, playing with whatever it can find to keep itself busy. But as they grow up, they start preserving this energy in case they need it.
This is a natural survival instinct built in most cats. So, you can expect these large cats to spend most of their time napping in comfortably in their (or your) bed. But this does not mean that they are lazy because most cats behave this way.
Maine Coon Health Concerns
Maine Coon can be considered a healthy breed as they don’t usually develop health issues if cared for properly, but they can develop certain diseases, especially as they grow old. Some of the most common health concerns include dental diseases, obesity, Parasitic infections, heart disease, patellar Luxation, and obesity. It is best to visit the vet regularly to ensure that your cat is safe, healthy, and disease-free.
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