The Maine Coon is a beautiful, talkative and social purebred cat. Are you wondering if a Maine Coon is the right furry friend for you? Read more about its personality characteristics, attention needs and health, as well as what you should consider in everyday life if you get a Maine Coon.
race facts
Child-friendly
Attention needs
Energy level
Talkativeness
Fur care
shedding
Facts about the breed
The Maine Coon is the largest domestic cat breed and, among other things, got its name from its place of origin, the state of Maine in the United States. There are many myths about this cat and how it got the "coon" in its name. One of the myths is that it has a small part of raccoon in it, or that it came from a ship piloted by a captain named Charles Coon. The origin of the elegant Maine Coon is still unclear, but if there is one thing that is certain, it is that it is one of the most popular cat breeds in Norway.
What can you expect as a Maine Coon owner?
Personality
Personality
Maine Coons are known for being sociable, kind and charming. They love to play, are trusting and usually get along well with other animals and children. Many Maine Coons also love water! So don't be surprised if they knock over their water bowl to play with it, or splash around in puddles. They are also good swimmers with webbed feet. Like all cats, these social creatures need a place to retreat to recharge their batteries, such as in a cat cave .
Energy and attention needs
Energy and attention needs
Maine coons are very talkative cats and need a lot of human attention to thrive. In general, they are not particularly cuddly cats, but there are large individual differences. Maine coons are smart little bundles of fur and need both physical and mental stimulation every day. If you have them as indoor cats, you should therefore furnish them so that they thrive. Secure your balcony with a cat net so they can watch birds, and offer scratching furniture and activity toys. You can also get a cat harness so that you can go exploring together. Since Maine coons are more willing to learn than other cats, they can also be trained to perform simple tricks and commands.
Health
Health
Size and appearance
The Maine Coon is a broad-chested, muscular cat that can reach lengths of up to 1.2 meters. They resemble a large Norwegian Forest Cat in appearance, with tufts of hair on the tips of the ears. The large, furry body can come in many color combinations, such as tricolor, tabby, orange, black, red, and white.
Weight
Male: 6-8 kg
Female: 4-6 kg
Lifespan
9 -13 years
Hereditary diseases
Hereditary diseases known in Maine Coons include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy , which can increase the risk of blood clots, hip dysplasia , spinal muscular atrophy , and pyruvate kinase deficiency . It is not uncommon for Maine Coons to have polydactyly . This is a completely harmless genetic defect where they are born with 6 or 7 toes. Maine Coons can also be predisposed to hereditary entropion, often due to excessively long eyelids.
Fur care
Fur care
Maine coons come with a lot of fur. Both undercoat, guard hair and a long, fluffy tail that can be as long as its body. This means that you have to accept getting fur on furniture and clothes. The thick fur also does great outside in the Norwegian winter. Even though they have a lot of fur, they do not require too much fur care. Brush your main coon a couple of times a week with a cat brush , and a little more often during shedding periods to avoid matting in the fur.
Food and nutrition
Food and nutrition
When choosing cat food for a Maine Coon, you should choose a type of food that is adapted to the cat's health, age and lifestyle. For example, if you have just brought a Maine Coon kitten into your home, it will need more nutrients through its diet than a senior cat. As with all cats, your little one should always have access to clean, fresh water. It may also be a good idea to plant some cat grass for your Maine Coon, or buy cat food that is specially made for hairballs.
If you want to own a Maine Coon, you should make sure to find a reputable breeder. How much a kitten costs will vary, but you can expect a price between 12,000 - 16,000 kr for a Maine Coon kitten.
Having purebred cats as pets has become very popular, but unfortunately this has resulted in many unscrupulous breeders who engage in unethical breeding for profit. Therefore, it is important for you as a buyer to get information about how the cat was bred so that you do not contribute to cats with hereditary and serious diseases being born. If a purebred cat is sold without a pedigree, you will never know whether the kitten has been stolen, or whether illegal trade has taken place.
A serious breeder in a federation must follow strict requirements for animal welfare and health. Good breeders will also demand something from you to ensure that the cat has a good life. Remember to check if the breeder is registered through the Norwegian Cat Breeders' Association (NRR) / FIFe / TICA and that the pedigree, health certificate (and possibly the purchase contract and vaccination card/veterinary passport) are included.
