I love Maine Coon Cats
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I love Maine Coon Cats
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 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
- Anderson: What to do with an unsociable cat
- 2012-05-25T12:45:00Z Anderson: What to do with an unsociable catBy Dr. Tim Anderson | Hawthorne Park Animal Care Center pantagraph.com Q: We have a 2-year-old black Maine Coon cat. We got her when she was 10 weeks old and she has been treated very well ...
- Fascinating Feline Fact Forum
- The largest domesticated cat is the Maine Coon, weighing in at up to 24 pounds. The oldest cat on record lived to be 37. Anatomically, cats are amazing creatures. Their whiskers are used to judge whether an opening is large enough for them to crawl ...
- Ragdoll: tale of a floppy cat and an upcoming show
- In a house with 14 Maine coon cats, Zorro is the only ragdoll, a unique breed with unique characteristics and his owner, Chris Willcocks, demonstrates where the critters got their name. Pick up a ragdoll and it flops like, well, a rag doll.
- Good and bad pets for kids
- Maine Coon: These cats keep their cool, even around rambunctious kids. Ferrets: These animals are cute but require special care and discipline. They can bite. Unless you have experience with them you probably don't want to bring them into a young ...
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 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 Stuff on eBay
Pet Lovers bookmarks
Maine Coon Blog Posts from Google
- Anderson: What to do with an unsociable cat
- 2012-05-25T12:45:00Z Anderson: What to do with an unsociable catBy Dr. Tim Anderson | Hawthorne Park Animal Care Center pantagraph.com Q: We have a 2-year-old black Maine Coon cat. We got her when she was 10 weeks old and she has been treated very well ...
- Fascinating Feline Fact Forum
- The largest domesticated cat is the Maine Coon, weighing in at up to 24 pounds. The oldest cat on record lived to be 37. Anatomically, cats are amazing creatures. Their whiskers are used to judge whether an opening is large enough for them to crawl ...
- Ragdoll: tale of a floppy cat and an upcoming show
- In a house with 14 Maine coon cats, Zorro is the only ragdoll, a unique breed with unique characteristics and his owner, Chris Willcocks, demonstrates where the critters got their name. Pick up a ragdoll and it flops like, well, a rag doll.
- Good and bad pets for kids
- Maine Coon: These cats keep their cool, even around rambunctious kids. Ferrets: These animals are cute but require special care and discipline. They can bite. Unless you have experience with them you probably don't want to bring them into a young ...
Maine Coon Amazon Selections
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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
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?
Austin Web Designers wrote
I had to declaw my cat because she was scratching all over, but I do think declawing is a bit cruel for the pet. The problem is, cats don't always stick to the sratching post!
Austin Web Designers
Posted December 09, 2010
cangyray wrote...
Great lense! I had a stray that resembled a maine coon. I don't know for sure if he was a full breed, but he was wonderful no matter what he was. I have debated on the declawing for years. Finally decided it was not right for my kitty. He hates the outside and refuses to go past the threshold, but things happen and I want him to be able to fend for himself if he were to get lost. Without claws, he could not climb to get away from predators or to find food. He could not defend himself except for biting. He could not feed himself except for scavaging.
Posted October 05, 2010
bakerwoman wrote...
Declawing is cruel and inhumane. People who wants to declaw cats do not deserve to own them.
Posted September 26, 2010
cat_mama wrote...
I think declawing is inhumane and should be banned. Scratching posts and toys will help the cat avoid boredom. This is a great lens, very informative!
Posted February 09, 2010
orchidimages wrote...
Wonderful lens, my husband and I raised and showed Maine Coons in the 80's. We now share our home with just one. An adopted (and neutered) black and white boy named Captain who we adopted through a rescue. Keep up the good work.
Posted November 29, 2009
orchidimages wrote...
Wonderful lens, my husband and I raised and showed Maine Coons in the 80's. We now share our home with just one. An adopted (and neutered) black and white boy named Captain who we adopted through a rescue. Keep up the good work.
Posted November 29, 2009
davidms wrote...
gum disease is indeed a common problem in this breed. in fact many cats have this problem. But humans do to. For humans, the hydrofloss can be beneficial.
I wrote a book on the whole subject of gum disease : What You Should Know about Gum Disease
This problem is very common among many species of animal.
Posted November 14, 2009
cherokee wrote
my maine coon sunny a male wasn't even 3 and he had arterial thrombosis (ATE) it is a disease that struck without warning one second he was fine the next paralyzed in both hind legs my vet told me there was nothing that could be done. Sunny was such a sweet beautiful little guy and his death has been so very hard. my husband & I have been crying since we saw he couldn't move his leg's & then we had to put him to sleep. I have since found that there are treatments but not when it is too late. Is this a common disease in maine coon male cats???? I cant think of going thru it again but i miss his so much he was like my child and I couldn't protect him. I am currently looking for another but I need to know if this is common or was it just a freak of nature... I need input please help me... thanks Cherokee cherrybear2thou@aol.com
Posted November 04, 2009
Leslie Bell wrote
Declawing is unthinkable, and therefore not an option. I honestly have no solutions for dealing with the scratching, other than to have inexpensive, second-hand, easily-replaced furniture. I have four cats. Scratching happens. The joy these four give me far outweighs occasionally needing to replace a chair or two.
Posted July 27, 2009
JeanC_ducky wrote...
I have a Maine Coon mix who is a complete doll. I have never quite cared for small delicate kitties, so Rum Tum fits the bill as a gentle (mostly) giant and is such a sweetie.
Lots of great info here on Maine Coons, several thumbs up.
On the declawing issue, NEVER!!!!!! Kitties can be trained to not (or at least not while you are looking) claw the furniture so declawing
Posted January 13, 2009
One4Nell wrote...
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 wrote...
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
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JimDickens
Mar 11, 2012 @ 8:31 pm | delete
- We have two Maine coons and love them
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europenews2009
Feb 1, 2012 @ 2:03 am | delete
- Such a nice lens about maine coon cat breed your information is good about maine coon.
drugstore
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janecamron
Jan 24, 2012 @ 5:44 am | delete
- cats, they are such adorable pets. Love to have a cute one in my house. wedding ring sets
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joashsmith
Sep 9, 2011 @ 3:50 am | delete
- very cute.. love to have one..
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ClaudeKinney
Apr 27, 2010 @ 11:20 pm | delete
- Hey, I discovered your lens while searching on squidoo, your article looks extremely important for me. I'll add a backlink and bookmark your web page. Keep up the good job!
Raccoon Eyes
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Monkeybear
Aug 16, 2007 @ 3:59 am | delete
- hiya, Cool cats
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