Animal-World > Cats > Natural Cat Breeds > Maine Coon Cat

Maine Coon Cats

American Forest Cat, American Coon Cat, American Longhair

Family: FelidaeFelis domesticusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Justin Brough

The Maine Coon is known for its massive appearance, lush coat, and luxuriant, plumed tail!

Despite its potentially intimidating size, the Maine Coon Cat is also known for pleasant personality. This cat breed has a gentle, mild-mannered, and friendly demeanor. Depending on the individual cat, their sociable tendencies may be variable. Some say that the Maine Coon is shy, while others say that it is out-going. But either way, the Maine Coon is a great family cat.

The Main Coon is one of the first true American cat breeds, originating in the state of Maine. Is is also known as the American Forest Cat, the American Coon Cat, and American Longhair Cat. One of this breed's defining characteristics is its large muscular body. Yet the finest trait of this natural breed cat is the long thick silky coat with a large ruff, and a very bushy tail that creates a plumed appearance. Despite its heavy coat, this massive long-haired breed requires only moderate grooming. It can withstand extremely cold weather but will then shed profusely in the summer time.

For many owners, the Maine Coon has an ideal personality. It is an affectionate, amiable breed that gets along with most people and animals, but is not too needy. It is gentle and easy-going, but also self-confident and a good hunter. This breed remains playful and "kittenish" throughout its years. It speaks softly to its owners in a chirping or squeaking voice.

For information about keeping a pet cat, see:
Cat Care: How to Take Care of a Cat

Background The Maine Coon is a natural cat breed. It is one of the first true American breeds, however the specifics of its origins are disputed. The most interesting explanation is that it originated from a cross between a house cat and a raccoon. However, this is biologically impossible. Another unlikely origin is that it is a cross between a house cat and an American Bobcat. Other stories include the basic idea that this breed descended from Norwegian Forest Cats that were sent to America.

A more probable explanation is that the Maine Coon originates from house cats that became semi-wild and developed a heavier body and thicker coat in order to protect them from the cold. However, the most accepted explanation of this cat's origins is that it developed from the breeding of house cats and Angoras in Maine. There is no proof for this theory, though it seems probable since a cross between house cats and Angoras would look something like the Maine Coon.

One interesting fact about the Maine Coons is that they were the first cats to be shown in cat shows. Though the first official cat show occurred in 1871 in London, Maine Coon cat shows had been held since the early 1860's at the Skowhegan Fair in New England. The Maine Coon was successful in the first official show in America in 1995, since it had the advantage of over 30 years of previous show experience. However, as more exotic breeds began to appear, it lost some of its popularity. In the 1950s it caught the interest of many again, and a Maine Coon Cat Club was formed in 1953. The Cat Fancier's Association recognized the breed in 1976.

The Maine Coon arrived in Europe, more specifically, in Austria, in 1953 and in Europe in 1983. It is still a fairly rare breed in Europe.The Maine Coon originated in Maine, and is easy to find in the United States. However, it is rare in Europe and Australia. Common names for this natural breed cat include: Maine Coon Cat, American Coon Cat, Maine Cat, Maine Trick Cat, American Longhair, American Forest Cat, American Shag, and American Snughead.

Description One of this breed's defining features is its massive size. It has a large, muscular body that is long and rectangular. The head is medium-sized, but appears small compared to its large body. The eyes are large and slightly oval and the ears are large and tufted. The tail, a prized feature of the Maine Coon, is long and thickly covered, creating a bushy, plumed appearance. It has a soft, chirping or squeaking voice. It has a long lifespan of 13 or more years.

Maine Coon Cat Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Justin Brough

The coat of this breed is long, thick, and silky with a large ruff. The traditional coat of the Maine Coon is tabby, but most other coat patterns and colors are acceptable. A few exclusions include Chocolate, Lilac and Siamese Points, blue or odd eyes in all coat colors except white, and Bi-color or Parti-color cats with white fur for more than a third of the coat. The Maine Coon weighs from 9 to 22 pounds.

Glossary terms:

• Ruff: A band of fur around the neck.

Care and Feeding The Maine Coon cat has no specific dietary needs and this breed requires no special feeding accommodations.

Housing Your Cat The Maine Coon is likely to enjoy a garden or yard to exercise and hunt in. However, it can also enjoy a life as an apartment cat, especially if it is allowed time outside regularly.

Maintenance Unlike many long-haired breeds, the Maine Coon requires only a weekly brushing. However it will shed profusely in the summer, so will need some addtitional grooming during the hot season.

Social Behaviors The Maine Coon is not too needy, but is gentle and easy-going. It's not really a lap cat, but will stay close by. This is an easy-going breed that generally gets along with people, dogs, and other cats. It shows affection toward the whole family, but tends to become especially close with one person. If you are looking for a sweet loyal cat, this breed can offer that type of affection.

Activities This breed is playful and active. It is self-confident and a good hunter. It will enjoy playing with others, and can enjoy an interactive game of fetch. Yet it's also content to run around chasing things and exercising by itself.

Breeding/Reproduction Maine Coon litters are generally comprised of three or four kittens. They develop slowly and only reach full maturity at three or four years of age.

Common Health Problems The Maine Coon is a generally hardy cat, if you get a healthy kitten you will most likely have a healthy adult. Still there are a few maladies this breed could suffer from. These include Hip Dysplasia, which is a more prominent problem in large cats, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy or HCM, which is a common heart disease of all cats, and Spinal Muscular Atrophy or SMA, which is a genetically inherited disorder that shows up in kittens.

Availability Maine Coon Breeders can be located easily on the internet. Local breeders can also be located. Prices range from $200 to $1000.

References

• See Animal-World References: Cat Breeds - Exotic Cats

Author: Ruth Bratcher

Lastest Comments on Maine Coon Cat View all 13 comments on Maine Coon Cat Add Your Comment

maine coon - 2011-07-25 I like your post. And I would like to recommend one of maine coon cattery. http://www.lordcoon.com/ Those kittens are very pretty and have a champion genes. One of the prettiest kitten for me are "Dacota Blue" but now it reserved. Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2011-07-26 Beautiful cats. I want one. Reply

Jo Bueckers - 2010-07-12 What great Maine Coon stories!~ We, too, love our silver tabby, Fantasia /Fancy. She is 11 1/2 and still going strong. She weighs around 15# and has brought untold joy to us. Every-one loves her, and she chooses those who will be graced with her attention. The chirping is so cute! She bonded with our Husky as they were raised indoors together and still remembers her even though Xena is now outdoors in her one acre corral. Three other cats share her domain, and she rules with an iron paw. They are, indeed the perfect pet for a family. Her main interest is her food bowl! She has an uncanny sense of time (when it's time for us to rise and shine) and won't quit until we do...yes, the tail is exquisite as is the gorgeous coat and eyes. We also love the tufted ears and paws---huge. All your stories mirror our experiences with our special girl. They have quite the purrsonality. Reply

pat - 2010-02-21 I just love Pumpkin, my maine coon. He is about 6 to 8 yrs old and he is a wonderful loving friend for me and I did decide to keep him in as a house cat because of where I live. He sleeps by me and lays next to me wherever I go. At one time he must have been hurt because of his one rear hip, runs but has a little problem with that hip. But right now I am having a real problem with him not eating and it is mainly the dry food I cannot seem to get him to enjoy and today he came out from sleeping and meowed at me and was telling me that he was hungry. Yes he eats some moist food but I cannot get him to eat a dry food. He drinks some water but not enough I don't think, and of course his stool has not been much. Has urinated quite a bit. You say they are not hard to feed but he is giving me run for my money. Have fed him Friskies and Natural food from a pet store and he does not like any. Is it time to take him to the vet? He is my big orange and white fluffy buddy. Click For Replies (1) shirley ross - 2010-07-08 I'm sorry to say that he may possible have kidney disease. If you get him to the vet for test, and he is in early stages, you can continue to have him around for years. Or he could have a tooth problem, and need dental work. Dry food is not good for cats, no matter what has been previously stated. It can cause kidney disease. I know, because my 16 year old has had kidney disease for 6 years, and with careful monitoring.......testing, giving fluids with an i.v. under the skin,( you can easily learn to do it......she is your baby!) proper diet, and many trips to vet, she has held out 6 years past what she was supposed to. He has all the symptoms, drinking a lot of water, not eating, and urinating huge quantities. More goes out than they can drink........that's why the sub q fluids. It's very important to get his bowels moving so that the toxins that normal kidneys would filter. I just stumbled upon this site, so email me if you like. Reply

Kelly - 2009-09-29 I just got my 1st Maine Coon 6.5 months ago and she is such a joy! She really is like a dog since she follows my husband and I around the house, plays fetch, and brings us her toys to play. Patches also LOVES to "help" us around the house too, and it is so so cute! EVERYTHING I have heard and read about the breed is true. It's a dream come true, since I always wanted a Maine Coon and now do. My condolences to those of you who've lost your babies to the rainbow bridge. I am sure one and all will find new babies in due time... Click For Replies (1) Margaret Lewis - 2010-06-15 I note your comment 'over the rainbow bridge', therefore you must be a Kirks Folly fan. Are you on the Kirks Folly Forum? My name on there is 'Meg'. I have two Maine Coon cats, one Tabby and one Silver. They are both l0 years old and are really true to breed with their characteristics. The male (silver) follows me round endlessly and is still acting like a kitten. The female is more superior! Reply

noel - 2010-03-18 We never had pet cats before until my daughter brought home a kitten. Since I never took care of a cat before, I resisted in having one in the house. But, it didn't take long for me to come around and see what the fuzz is all about; this kitten was so friendly, affectionate and playful! We watched him grew to a full size Coon, and weight almost 20 pounds. He was solid and can feel the strength of this gentle giant. He loves hanging-out and be in the middle of our activities as a family. He sits there quietly, majestically, watching everybody with his mane shining. He loves smelling everyone's hair especially after shower. His favorite game is fetching a crumpled candy wrapper or a tin foil rolled like a little shiny ball and then he would kick it with his paws and chase it. One morning when he was about 4 years old, he came to our bedroom door and started calling us with this tiny voice and as I opened the door, he ran towards the kitchen still meowing as if to say "pay attention to me" and as I got closer towards him; I noticed that he was sitting on the floor with something in front of him. As I looked closer, it was a mouse. It was Chino's gift to us. He was very proud that day and we were too! Chino grew as an indoor cat, but, we let him out in the backyard when we're out there. He lived to the age of 9 years old and was still very active until his last few days. Maine Coon Cat are great cats. He did act like a dog in terms of loyalty and they are so playful, even at 9 years old he was still acting like a kitten. We miss our friend! Reply

BRITTANY - 2010-02-12 I've never really had pets in my life, until my family decided to adopt a tabby/siamese. I thought she was great, until I met my baby Santana! She was less than a year old when I adopted her from the shelter. She was rather shy and wouldn't acknowledge me, until I got her home. She's the prettiest gal I've ever seen. She's been very patient with me, starting my first semester in college, and moving out into an apartment. She used to go outside a lot, but as soon as I brought her to our new place, she knew she owned it (even though I don't quite trust her when it comes to the 3rd story windows). She wakes me up every morning with kisses,and crawls on my chest before bed or when I'm on the couch. When she gets fiesty she bites and claws at my hand for a brief period, then decides to wrap her paws around it and cuddle to sleep. She waits at doors for me to, and has the cutest chirp. At this point in my life, I can never see myself having any cat besides one of these big lovebugs. Reply

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