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

Maine Coon Cats

Family: Felidae

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Felis domesticus Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Justin Brough

   The Maine Coon is known for its massive appearance and luxuriant, plumed tail. Despite its potentially intimidating size, it is also known for its gentle, mild-mannered, friendly demeanor. The Maine Coon is a great family cat.

  For some 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. Some say that the Maine Coon is shy, while others say that it is out-going. This breed remains playful and "kittenish" throughout its years. Though it is a massive long-haired breed, it requires only moderate grooming. This breed can withstand extremely cold weather and sheds profusely in the summer. It has a soft, chirping or squeaking voice. It has a long life-span of 13 or more years.

Common Name(s)
  Maine Coon Cat, American Coon Cat, Maine Cat, Maine Trick Cat, American Longhair, American Forest Cat, American Shag, American Snughead

Background
  The Maine Coon 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. 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. Other stories include the basic idea that this breed descended from Norwegian Forest Cats that were sent to America. 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 showed 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.

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. The coat 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.

Care and Feeding
  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.

Social Behaviors
  The Maine Coon 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.

Activities
  This breed is playful and active. It enjoys playing with others 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.

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

Glossary Terms
Ruff: A band of fur around the neck

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Latest Comments
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... Kelly 2009-09-29
My Maine Coon - Alibaba, lived for 15 years until he went quietly to Feline University nearly 2 years ago. He was one of the greatest cats I've ever had in my life. He was the gentle giant, very smart and loving. He would sleep in bed with us and sit at the table during dinner. He always waited by the door every night when I got home from work. Like many who posted, He too would also chrip. He also loved water and being outdoors. He was a very brave cat as well, he feared no one. Most times people would call him cat-dog. He also knew who was afraid of him. He could smell it on them and that was his favorite type of person. Which I would have to rescue everytime from the end of the hallway when they came out of the bathroom. I would hear my guest shouting out my name and the cat would not let them leave. Everyone who was afraid of him was. And I would tell them different and they would not believe me. One person dubbed him Terminator cat. Alibaba was very caring and playful to the end. Alibaba was a thief of hearts and he stole mine. He would lick my arms and if I had a nightmare, he would come running lay on my pillow and lick my head until I fell asleep again. I miss his strong back leaning against mine when I would wake up at night or waking up and finding his head resting on my pillow like a human. He loved laying in boxes and hopping into paper bags and even my luggage. However, he was not one too leave alone for a long time. He gave me the cold shoulder when I went on holiday for 10 days. 7 he could do but certainly not 10! So the stage was set. And let me tell you, he was a fierce hunter. Nothing got past him or through those furry paws. His favorite time was when I cooked. He love the smell of the house and always sat by the entrance of the kitchen and watched me and chirped. All in all a great companion. It took some time to get use to him not being around. Especially the first few weeks because he was such a hugh presence. I've never been so heartbroken in my entire life. His pictures grace just about every wall in my house. Vincent 2009-08-21
I have had a Maine Coon for about a year and a half and he is the best cat that I ever had. He follows me everywhere in the house. I would not trade him for the world. He sleeps with me and sits with me and he even comes to me when I call him. Once again, he is the best. I love him to no end. Dan Mcdonald 2009-06-19
We have a young Maine Coon cat (18 months old) who is such a joy! She gets along beautifully with our two older cats (ages 12 and 9), and has even got them playing and exercising again. While she does not like to be held or sit on laps, she LOVES being petted and is very affectionate. She keeps herself clean and well-groomed at all times, and just knows how beautiful she is. I've never had a Maine Coon before, but would definitely get one again because they have lovely personalities! Marie 2008-08-21
I had the most gorgeous "Blue" Maine Coon, his name was Thomas. I live in South Africa and there is not a lot of these cats around. He was huge, gentle, extremely loving and had the tiniest voice. I unfortunately lost him to poisoning in a spat of such events in the neighbourhood. Nobody is none the wiser about who did it. All I can say is that he was the most wonderful pet anyone can have. He was playful, walked on a leash (believe me, a cat that size causes comments), and was just wonderful. I have been looking for one, but they seem to be rather rare in RSA. I have two other cats, but none so absolutely loveable. It is the best cat to own as they are playful. The only down side was that he had a rather sensitive stomach and certain commercial cat food gave him diarrhea and that is quite a bad thing on a cat with hair that long. He didn't mind bathing much. He didn't scratch or even complain! He was 8 yrs when he died and still played like a little kitten. Thomas is sorely missed. There is no other cat breed like it! sanette de wet 2008-01-04
Some of the coolest comments:
I recently lost my beloved Maine Coon Baron Munchmausen to rainbowsbridge - he was only 3 1/2years old but in that short time he lived the life of 40 cats. He had a massive personality and made an big impression on everyone he met. He was my puppycat- he'd follow me on walks and scuff around a bit whilst I walked ahead and run to me at full pelt just like a dog when I called him, his magnificent fur blowing in the wind and his big tail sweeping. He would follow me to my neighbours house to try and steal her cats food and would follow me round the house if he was not allowed inside and stand up and paw each window and mew. - He didnt chirp but he had a tiny high pitched mioaw which was far too small for him. He once got on the same neighbours conservatory roof during a residents meeting and ran up and down like thunder before settling just above my head until the end of the meeting. He disappeared into the christmas tree last year and eventually out flew a bird - and he managed to carry a baby rabbit though the cat flap up a spiral staircase and put it into his bed at easter!! It was unharmed. Mice and Voles were not so fortunate -he was an expert hunter with his massive paws. He could turn the taps on the kitchen sink and loved to drink water from running taps lapping it until it went up his nose and he sneezed. He would sit on a big red blanket and let me pull him round the floor like a sledge and he'd wake me up in the morning at 7 am on the dot with rough kisses. I could never have anything other than a Maine Coon now, but filling his boots will be a hard task. Debbie Clifford 2009-09-05

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