Content
- Origin of the Mainecoon cat
- Maine coon physical characteristics
- maine coon personality
- Care of a Maine coon
- Maine Coon Cat Health
O Maine coon cat stands out for being a big, robust and docile feline. Due to its peculiarities, characteristics, care and personality, it is essential that you inform yourself beforehand to decide to adopt one. Known as the "gentle giant", this feline is one of the most popular giant cat breeds.
In this PeritoAnimal breed sheet we'll show you everything you need to know about Maine coon cat breed, starting with its origins as a rural cat, going through its personality and care, ending with the most common health problems of the breed and veterinary advice you should know. Read on and discover what Maine coon cats are like and let yourself be seduced by their beauty and sweet character.
Source
- America
- U.S
- Category II
- thick tail
- Big ears
- Strong
- Small
- Medium
- Great
- 3-5
- 5-6
- 6-8
- 8-10
- 10-14
- 8-10
- 10-15
- 15-18
- 18-20
- outgoing
- Affectionate
- Intelligent
- Curious
- Cold
- Warm
- Moderate
- Long
Origin of the Mainecoon cat
The Maine Coon breed originates from the U.S, specifically from the state of Maine. It is estimated that around the year 1850, long-haired cats arrived from Europe and Asia, which crossed with local short-haired cats, which gave rise to large, long-haired and strong-built cats. The tail with rings resembles that of a raccoon, for this reason it is known as "coon", short for racoon, raccoon in english.
this race was very popular in the rural world and it could be found on almost every farm in North America. They were imported from the UK in 1980 and in 1982 were recognized by FIFE. Later, in 1993, they were recognized by the GCCF. They are currently considered a popular companion animal around the world.
Maine coon physical characteristics
If you want to know everything about this spectacular feline, it is essential to give a general overview of the characteristics of the Maine coon cat. For this, we provide you with all the information about the standard according to FIFE (Fédération Internationale Feline):
The Maine Coon cat breed is from Big size and stands out mainly for having a square head, large ears, a broad chest and a long, flowing tail. The body structure of these cats is robust, thanks to solid bones and a strong muscular structure.
THE fitsçThe it is of medium size and square in shape, in addition, the profile shows a gentle concave slope. The front of the head is gently curved and the cheeks show high, prominent cheekbones. The muzzle also stands out for being square in shape and a transition between the muzzle and cheekbones can be seen. The chin is firm, in vertical alignment with the nose and lower lip.
Male cats stand out for their muscular, strong necks. In general, this breed has an elongated body, of medium length and legs.
large, round and well intertwined. The tail should be as long as the cat's body, from the scapula to the base of the tail. In addition, the tail should be wide at the base, tapering proportionately at the top, showing a full, fluid coat.
At ears they are large, broad at the base and moderately pointed. You tufts Lynx-like ones are very desirable, as are tufts of hair on the ears that extend beyond the edges. The ears should be positioned following a slight outward inclination.
You eyes they are large and broad, slightly oval, but not almond-shaped. They show a specifically round shape when both are open and are situated slightly closer to the outer base of the ears. Any eye color is allowed, although light colors are highly desirable. There is no relationship between eye color and coat.
O fur Maine coon must have a dense, short cape on the head, shoulders and legs and longer on the back and sides. It also shows more density in the hind legs and belly. The fur has a silky texture and falls smoothly. The inner coat, ie the base coat, is soft and very thin and is covered by the thicker outer layer. All colors are allowed, including all white varieties, except patterns such as lilac, cinnamon or fawn.
maine coon personality
We can define the Maine coon character as friendly, playful and sweet. As a general rule, these cats are very sociable, enjoying the company of the human family. However, to ensure that a feline is balanced and sociable in the adult stage, it is essential that you pay close attention to the cat's socialization in its puppy stage, which starts around 3 weeks of age and ends around 7 weeks of age. age. Until that time, the kitten must remain with the mother and her siblings, to allow her to correctly learn the feline language, how to play correctly and to inhibit bites. At this stage, he must also meet other people and animals to avoid possible fears in adulthood.
Furthermore, these cats love to play and have fun throughout their lives, including in old age. They are extremely intelligent felines, capable of recognizing words and very varied orders. As a particularity, we can talk about the vocalizesçãO as the Maine Coon is very famous for its meowing and how it loves talking to humans. They are also passionate about water and snow.
This breed is recommended for famílias dinâmicas, familiar with cats, which may or may not include children. It is a feline that adapts well to its surroundings, especially in country houses, where it can explore and show instinctive behavior without limits. It is an especially docile cat and when well socialized, does not usually have behavior problems.
Care of a Maine coon
Maintaining a Maine Coon is relatively easy, although it may seem expensive, mainly due to their large size. We are referring specifically to their diet, which must be based on high quality products, whether feed, homemade recipes or raw diets. Choosing a good product will have repercussions on his health, well-being and a radiant coat. Due to the propensity of this breed to obesity, it is recommended to properly ration the food, in 2 or 3 daily intakes.
Although, like all other cats, the Maine Coon devotes several hours of its time to taking care of its fur, you should also devote some of your time to grooming it. This routine will keep his fur clean. Furthermore, it allows you to quickly detect any dermis problems, pain or presence of parasites. We can use a metal bristle brush to brush it. In case you notice some knots, you should use a small, cat-specific brush to cut knots. In principle you will not need to bathe him, as cats wash themselves. However, you can get your feline used to taking a monthly bath with a cat-specific shampoo and conditioner.
In order for your cat to normally express the natural behaviors of his species, you must offer him a big litter where he can comfortably relieve himself and cover his waste, as well as several scratchers of different types so he can sharpen his nails and express the natural marking behavior.
Finally, it is also very important to pay attention to the feline's environmental enrichment, appropriately suited to your home, with structures that it can climb, catnip, tunnels, water sources, among others. Due to the hunting nature and constant play of the cat, you cannot miss the hours of play with the tutor, in which you can use toys like fishing rods, food dispenser toys, catnip or even other simpler toys like cardboard. You can't forget that you need to play with your cat for at least 20 to 40 minutes a day.
Maine Coon Cat Health
You must visit your doctor veterinarian every 6 or 12 months to perform a general examination and detect possible health problems. In addition, the professional will guide you to properly follow the cat's vaccination schedule, as well as the internal and external deworming that you must perform on a regular basis. Preventive medicine is essential to ensure the good health of your feline. In addition, you must not forget to be aware of your feline's behavior, appearance and frequency with which it urinates and defecates, as well as possible fur balls, which can be properly prevented with cat pack.
The most common illnesses in Maine Coon cats are:
- Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- hip dysplasia
- pectus excavatum
By following all the precautions we have indicated for you and applying the correct preventive medicine measures mentioned, the Maine Coon life expectancy is between 9 and 15 years old.