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I love Maine Coon Cats

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 7 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #2430 in Animals, #58168 overall

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I love Maine Coon Cats

 

The Beautiful and Robust Maine Coon Cat

Maine Coon Cat Breed Description 

The Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat, known for its intelligence and playfulness as well as its distinctive physical appearance. The breed is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America and originated from New England, making it America's first indigenous show cat. The Maine Coon Cat is known as "the gentle giant."

Maine Coons are very large and energetic cats, sometimes weighing up to around 11-12 kilograms (25 pounds); the average weight is 6 to 9 kilograms (13-20 pounds) for adult males and less (7-11 pounds) for females. Male Maine Coons may grow to a length in excess of 1 meter (40 inches); the longest cat on record is a Maine Coon 121cm (49 inches) in length[1]. Growth to full size often takes longer than for most cats, with Maine Coons usually reaching full size at age four or five.

The most common color/pattern in the breed is brown with tabby markings. Maine Coons are recognized in all colors, including tortoiseshell, except for chocolate, lavender, ticked tabby, and the point-restricted ("Siamese") pattern. Eye color also varies widely. All patterns may have green, green-gold, or gold. Blue eyes, or one blue eye with one gold eye, are possible in white coat cats. They share similar facial markings, for example, a distinct "M" shape on the forehead.

Maine Coons have medium-long, dense fur, with longer hair, or a ruff, on their chests similar to the mane of a lion (which is why the breed is sometimes humorously called the "Mane Coon"). Their fur consists of two layers - an undercoat and an additional layer of longer guard hairs, which gives the breed their key physical feature. The fur is generally very soft. Maine Coons have long hair on the backs of their legs (called pantaloons or britches) and between their toes which helps to keep warm in the cold. They also have bushy plumed tails and broad, angular heads, squared-off muzzles and wide-set ears topped with tufts of fur. Most Maine Coons keep their fur in good order without the need for additional human grooming, but due to the length and quantity of hair, most will also benefit from a simple brushing once a week. While the Coon may be polydactyl, having one or more extra toes on their paws, this trait is generally bred out.

Maine Coons have large ears, which can be tipped at the end with fur. This is a common trait of a Maine Coon, giving them their Lynx-like appearance.

Maine Coon YouTube Plexo 

Maine Coon Fun 1 point

Maine Coon & Mimi Cats 0 points

Saskakhan Maine Coon u Devon Rex 0 points

Baby and Maine Coon Cat Play 0 points

Maine Coon / Meet Mickey 0 points

OTI, MAINE COON CAT, PLAYING 0 points

Maine Coon Cat Temperament 

Maine Coons are a breed distinguished by intelligence, dexterity, and playfulness. They have a tendency to use their front paws extensively (often curling the paw round to pick objects up) and as a consequence will easily learn to open cabinet doors, turn on water faucets, or pick up small objects. Some Maine Coons will eat from their paws, rather than eating from the bowl itself.

Due to their above-average intelligence, Maine Coons are known to be one of the easiest cat breeds to train. Maine Coons are noted for their ability to trill their meows, which sounds like a combination of a purr and a meow, and they tend to make this sound when happy or startled. They are noted for rarely eating alone, preferring to eat in the company of other cats or humans. Maine Coons are usually not "lap" cats (possibly because of their large size), and thus are generally not comfortable sitting on a person's lap or chest, though this may depend on the personality of the individual cat.

Some Maine Coons enjoy playing with, but not usually in, water. They may dip toys in their water bowls before playing with them, or just tip the water bowl over. They may also skim their paws across the surface of their water bowl. Maine Coons occasionally engage in mischievous behavior when bored, such as deliberately pushing things off tables and the tops of refrigerators with their paws.

Maine Coons can be very dog-like in their behavior. Playing fetch is a favorite game. As with dogs, they will bring their ball, drop it at the feet of their intended playmate and wait for the ball to be thrown. They will often accompany their owner on chores like getting the mail, etc. In addition, Maine Coons are also one of the only cat breeds that beat the intelligence of one or more of the top ten smartest dog breeds.

Maine Coon News Posts 

Posted 1 hour ago
It became huge, so much so that Joan was sure that it was one of the famous breed from the US, a Maine coon cat. Marmalade used to accompany me up and down ...
Fine felines draw stream of spectators
By BRUCE HOLLOWAY - Waikato Times | Monday, 14 July 2008 FAT CAT: Brian Borou, a maine coon blue tabby weighing 9kg, was the biggest cat on display at the ...
Pets Of The Week -- July 11, 2008 (Courtesy Of SICSA)
We have cats and kittens from Maine coon mix to Siamese mix and even a cat that is more like a dog! Here are just a few. Many of our cats are in foster ...
"A big, hairy mess"
Karen Marcotte, of the Doggie Day Spa in Bend, dries Oddo, a Maine Coon cat, after giving the cat a bath. Regular bathing and brushing can help prevent pets ...

Maine Coon Cat Breed Origins 

In the 17th and 18th centuries, domestic cats brought over from Europe faced very severe winters in New England, where only the strongest and most adaptable cats survived. Through natural selection (as opposed to selective breeding), the Maine Coon developed into a large, rugged cat with a water-resistant, thick coat and a hardy constitution.

The origin of the breed (and its name) has several, often fantastic, stories surrounding it. One comes from a legend that a domestic cat released in the wilds of Maine interbred with a raccoon, resulting in offspring with the Maine Coon's characteristics. Though biologically impossible, this myth, bolstered by the bushy tail and the most common coloring (a raccoon-like brown tabby) could have led to the adoption of the name "Maine Coon." Another story is that the cat was named after a ship's captain named Coon who was responsible for the cat reaching Maine shores, or that the breed sprang from the six pet cats that Marie Antoinette sent to Wiscasset, Maine when she was planning to escape from France during the French Revolution.

However, most breeders today believe that the breed originated in matings between pre-existing shorthaired domestic cats and overseas longhairs, perhaps Angora types introduced by New England seamen, or longhairs brought to America by the Vikings. Maine Coons are similar in appearance to both the Norwegian Forest Cat and to the Siberian. This may be attributed to convergent evolution - the shaping of unrelated species by similar environments, selecting for similar characteristics, resulting in similar animals.

Maine Coon Photos 

Tagträumer - Daydreamer by jorbasa

Tagträumer - Daydre...

killing me softly by eyeofra23

killing me softly

What´s that ? by jorbasa

What´s that ?

Maxwell by jorbasa

Maxwell

SIMI Night by brenbot

SIMI Night

Maxwell und sein Spielzeug - Maxwell and his toy by jorbasa

Maxwell und sein Spi...

boris by miss vichan

boris

boris by miss vichan

boris

"this is mine" by miss vichan

"this is mine&q...

boris by miss vichan

boris

fluffy is my second name by miss vichan

fluffy is my second...

boris 3 months by miss vichan

boris 3 months

paw by miss vichan

paw

meet boris, my adorable maine coon cat by miss vichan

meet boris, my adora...

boris @ 5 months by miss vichan

boris @ 5 months

eyes by miss vichan

eyes

boris by miss vichan

boris

hiding behind my tail by miss vichan

hiding behind my tai...

innocent face by miss vichan

innocent face

Maxwell auf dem Sprung - Maxwell on the go by jorbasa

Maxwell auf dem Spru...

Spice Boy by jorbasa

Spice Boy

Versteckspiel - hide-and-seek by jorbasa

Versteckspiel - hide...

Maxwell hat Besuch - Maxwell has visitors by jorbasa

Maxwell hat Besuch -...

P6271670_20080627_154927 - Ioseph the Wonderbelly by An Fear Glas

P6271670_20080627_15...

P6271664_20080627_154715 - Ioseph the Wonderbelly by An Fear Glas

P6271664_20080627_15...

P6271667_20080627_154822 - Ioseph the Wonderbelly by An Fear Glas

P6271667_20080627_15...

P6271659_20080627_154114 - Tzergling by An Fear Glas

P6271659_20080627_15...

P6271657_20080627_153925 - Tzergling by An Fear Glas

P6271657_20080627_15...

P6271656_20080627_153833 - Tzergling by An Fear Glas

P6271656_20080627_15...

P6271653_20080627_153632 - Tzergling by An Fear Glas

P6271653_20080627_15...

Spice Boy by jorbasa

Spice Boy

Craig's Lion Cut by brenbot

Craig's Lion Cut

Maine Coon Cat Health Issues 

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle where the heart muscle of the left ventricle thickens and becomes stiffer than normal. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats causes heart failure, aortic thromboembolism, and sudden death in some cats affected with the disease. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be detected by cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography) of cats. The disease becomes detectable on a cardiac ultrasound between the ages of 1 and 7 years of age in Maine Coon cats. A mutation in the gene that codes for cardiac myosin binding protein C has been shown to cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in certain genetic lines of the Maine Coon cat population. A genetic test for this mutation is available.[2] Approximately one third of Maine Coon cats tested for the mutation have tested positive for the mutation although this sampling of the population is most likely biased. It appears that another mutation responsible for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is also present in the breed. Responsible Maine Coon cat breeders, in an effort to reduce the occurrence of HCM, now screen their animals both for the disease long-term (via echocardiography) and for the mutation and make this information available to potential pet buyers.

In the past (up until 1988), taurine deficiency was a common cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in all cats, including Maine Coons. Since the pet food industry started adding more taurine to cat food in the late 1980s, this kind of cardiomyopathy is rare. Taurine-related cardiomyopathy can be cured with the addition of the nutrient to the diet, but genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes a permanent thickening of the left ventricle and is not curable.

Other potential health problems include hip dysplasia and Polycystic Kidney Disease. Gum Disease is also more common in Maine Coons than in other breeds. However, Maine Coons are generally quite healthy and resilient animals.

Maine Coon SuperStore 

Royal Canin Feline Breed Nutrition Maine Coon 31 (3 lbs.; 3 lbs.)

Royal Canin Feline Breed Nutrition Maine Coon 31 (3 lbs.; 3 lbs.)

Price: $13.49

This product has Maine Coon tailor made kibble, joint maintenance, and coat shine and beauty. Your Maine Coon is a breed apart in the feline species.... more »

Maine Coon Cats 2007 Wall Calendar (Closed: 12" x 12"; Open: 12" x 24"; Square Wall Calendar)

Maine Coon Cats 2007 Wall Calendar (Closed: 12" x 12"; Open: 12" x 24"; Square Wall Calendar)

Price: $12.99

Because of their size and nature, they are often called "gentle giants." Welcome this handsome, helpful cat into your home with this 2007 wall calenda... more »

Maine Coon Cats

Maine Coon Cats

Price: $7.99

Description not available. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Just Maine Coon Cats 2007 Calendar

Just Maine Coon Cats 2007 Calendar

Price: $12.99

Description not available. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Maine Coon Videos 

Maine Coon Kitten and Baby Play 0 points

Maine Coon Fun 0 points

Maine coon cat Rosie 0 points

Baby Ella and Jasper the Maine Coon Cat Play 0 points

Maine Coon 0 points

Maine Coon Stuff on eBay 

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eBay

Maine Coon Blog Posts from Google 

Giant Domestic Cats- Maine Coon
To see more pictures, leave comments and rate- go to Flickzzz.com.
LadyValkyrie on "Maine Coon pix"
Haahaaa hey I told you all they get very big! Haahaa. I'll be lucky if Max turns out so handsome and chunky haahaa!
Cats and ladders....
In fact, he usually bonds with another cat, at first he bonded with Tennessee our Maine Coon. When Tennessee passed, he bonded with TS, my grey and white boy. Sadly, TS was elderly and he passed as well. Now I will find Basho hanging ...
Maine Coon 12 Aurora Flopsies
Very soft 12 Aurora plush animal. click here to learn more.

Maine Coon Videos 

maine coon Y&L cats movie III - trento 0 points

Maine Coon 'The Stig' 0 points

Maine Coon Cat Backflips into 2007 0 points

cats in the garden 2 (maine coon) 0 points

A playful Maine Coon 0 points

Maine Coon Amazon Selections 

Maine Coon Country Mug, Porcelain by Rosalinde (12 oz.)

Maine Coon Country Mug, Porcelain by Rosalinde (12 oz.)

Contrasting black rim and handle. Artwork by Vladi more...0 points

Cats - Maine Coon - Light Switch Covers - double toggle switch

Cats - Maine Coon - Light Switch Covers - double toggle switch

Maine Coon Light Switch Cover is new and handcraft more...0 points

Porcelain Lamp with Maine Coon Cat

Porcelain Lamp with Maine Coon Cat

This finely decorated white porcelain and gold ban more...0 points

Cats - Maine Coon - Mugs

Cats - Maine Coon - Mugs

Maine Coon Mug is new. Why drink coffee out of an more...0 points

Maine Coon Links 

Cat Fanciers: Maine Coon: Cat Breed FAQ
Showcases history, characteristics, temperament and breed description while covering care, training and breeder information.
Maine Coon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat, known for its intelligence and playfulness as well as its distinctive physical appearance. ...
Cat Fanciers' Association: Breed Profile: Maine Coon
An indepth look into the Maine Coon breed, the native American longhaired cat.
CFA Breed Standard: Maine Coon
Breed standard description from the Cat Fanciers' Association.
Maine Coon Cat: Breed: Answers to FAQ's and Articles
Searchable public service site with articles on personality, how-big, colors, care, with Pictures of National Winners.
Maine Coon: FBRL Breed Page
Information, links, and international breeder contact information for the Maine Coon cat breed.
Breed Article: Maine Coon
An indepth look into the Maine Coon breed, the native American longhaired cat.

Main Coon Cat Rescue Groups 

URL of Maine Coon Rescue:
http://mainecoonrescue.com/

URL of Maine Coon Rescue Email List:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mainecoonrescue/


UR of Petfinder listing:
http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?action=1&pet.Shelterid=NY316
Maine Coon Rescue
304 First Avenue WestFranklin, KY 42134
Email: rescue@mainecoonrescue.com

Arizona Maine Coon Cat Rescue -- Division of SAFE


Breed: Maine Coon


Catchment: Arizona

URL: http://www.azmccr.org/
View available cats: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/AZ202.html


Address: 9123 North 115th Place, Scottsdale, AZ 85259

Contact: Allysa Fallert

Phone: (480) 892-4093


Email: afallertsprint@earthlink.net



 
Paws of Gold Feline Rescue

  Catchment area: Northeastern USA

Homepage:


http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/NY396.html


Address: PO Box 561, Greenfield Center, NY 12833

Phone: (585) 786-8777


Email:
clarie@frontiernet.net


Phone: (206) 782-2616



Cat
Purebred Rescue (CPR)


Catchment area:
Washington state and British Columbia, Canada

Homepage:
http://www.catpurebredrescue.org/


Address: P.O. Box 1363; Kent, Wash. 98035-1363


Email: info@catpurebredrescue.org



CFA Purebred Rescue
- Helping breed rescue
efforts across the nation!

What is your view on declawing cats and what are some alternatives you have found for reducing destructive scratching? 

One4Nell

Enjoyed your lens. I love Maine Coons too...I have a cat that has similar traits. I don't believe in declawing. I found a way to reduce destructive scratching. It took patience, and just spending a lot of time with my cat during the early training period. I provided several scratching sites around the house that were designated as his property(such as the cardboard scratching boxes, scratching posts and scratching areas on his cat tree). Any time he would scratch in an inappropriate place, I would immediately pick him up and take him to one of his designated scratching sites and demonstrate what to do. He began using his scratching sites, but would also try to use other places. I had a water squirt bottle ready and would squirt him immediately when he scratched in the wrong place. Using this practice, the squirt bottle was the enemy, not me. It took a few times but he has learned to use only the designated scratching sites.

Posted June 14, 2008

fledgling

Great Lens! a very beautiful, and interesting breed. Your lens has great content, for people curious, or interested in this breed. I did one on a wallboard years ago. Good job, 5 stars for you!

Posted March 01, 2008

DrDog

Thanks for this important info!
Gayle, author of Dog Debarking.

Posted June 14, 2007

Paid Writing Opportunities 

Gather is a great forum to meet people, read entertaining and informative articles and earn money and gift cards while doing it. On average, I earn approximately $50 a month there just for commenting on articles and submitting a few of my own. The earning potential is definitely higher than that if you want to put more than a couple hours a week into it. Check it out.



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New Text / Write module 

Creative Commons License


Some of this work is licensed under a
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and

Copyright (c) 2007 Cinnamon.
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation;
with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts.
A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU
Free Documentation License".

New Guestbook 

Monkeybear

hiya, Cool cats

Posted August 16, 2007