30 September37967domestic cats mainkund longhair
Maine Coon is a breed of cat from America. This breed is one of the most mysterious, beautiful and unusual. Maine Coon cats are distinguished by their large size, modesty and friendly disposition. The Maine Coon is not only a very beautiful animal that amazes with its chic appearance, but also an animal with a special character. In this article you will find a description of the Maine Coon breed, and also learn a lot of interesting things about the maintenance of the Maine Coon and its character.
Origin of the breed
Maine Coons began their history in Maine. However, their origin is still shrouded in mystery. The vast majority believe that Maine Coons are descended from raccoons.
The name Maine Coon translates exactly as “Raccoon from Maine.” Due to the similarity in color and tail shape, it is assumed that the first representatives of the breed originated by crossing a raccoon and a cat.
However, the presence of tufts on the ears and between the toes gives grounds for the second theory: the ancestor of the Maine Coon is the North American lynx.
Unusual character
Maine Coons are intelligent animals, patient and unpersistent. It’s better not to let this fluffy good-natured guy out on his own, otherwise the dogs might fight.
A cat of this breed will be an excellent nanny for children; he will be able to patiently endure the antics of a small child.
This feline is reminiscent of a dog in character and captivates with its devotion and love for its owner.
If desired, you can train your Maine Coon to fetch toys or give a paw . They are easy to train and a pleasure to wash. Rarely are individuals afraid of water.
The main characteristic of this cat breed is the following: the pet has a calm temperament. Moreover, he behaves confidently at home and on the street.
Breed characteristics
Maine Coon cats have a number of distinctive external features:
- elongated head
- wide-set large oval eyes
- powerful paws
- mandatory presence of tufts of hair between the toes
- voluminous tail, equal in length to the entire body
- thick long hair
- length from nose to tail tip - up to 1 meter
One of the most popular myths is the misconception about the weight of Maine Coon cats: their large size gives rise to the belief that they can weigh up to 20 kg. But such a weight has never been recorded before. Normally, an adult Maine Coon cat weighs from 6 to 10 kilograms, depending on gender.
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How magnificent huge Maine Coon cats won worldwide love
Large, lynx-like ears with tassels at the tips, large paws and head, long powerful body, thick hair, incredibly fluffy tail, impressive size and a piercing, human-like look, stern and majestic - this is how one can describe the magnificent Maine cats. Kunov.
Representatives of the largest domestic cats have won the love of humanity quickly, confidently and, it seems, forever. It is Maine Coons that hold all the Guinness records for the longest, heaviest, largest cats. Females grow up to 5-6 kg, the average weight of a male is 9-12 kg, and some individuals can reach a weight of 18-20 kg.
The Maine Coon is a native breed of semi-longhaired cat whose ancestors lived on the farms of Maine in Northeast America. They got their name, which literally translates as “Manx raccoon,” due to external characteristics that made them look like a raccoon: coat color (black tabby), strong build and a huge fluffy tail.
The origin of the Maine Coon breed is not known for certain. There are several legends and theories. According to one of them, these furry giants acquired their raccoon-like appearance as a result of crossing semi-wild cats with raccoons. Another fantastic myth is that Maine Coons came from the love of domestic cats and wild lynxes, which explains the tufts on the tips of their ears.
Another legend, a romantic one, says that Maine Coons appeared thanks to the Queen of France, Marie Antoinette. When she tried to escape from rebellious France with the help of Captain Samuel Clough, with whom she was in love, she loaded her most valuable things and six beloved Turkish Angora cats onto his ship. As you know, the escape was unsuccessful, but the captain and associates of Marie Antoinette went with her cats to America and safely reached the shore of the town of Wiscasset, Maine. There, the queen's tailed pets began crossing with local shorthaired cat breeds and evolved into the modern Maine Coon breed.
According to another theory, the English navigator Captain Charles Coon kept long-haired cats - Persian and Angora - on board his ships. Every time the ship dropped anchor off the coast of New England, the captain let his pets go for a walk, who did not miss the opportunity to flirt with the local wild cats. Soon, in the places where Kun’s ship visited, kittens began to be born, which were called “Kun’s cats.”
At the end of the 19th century, Maine Coons spread widely across North America. Since 1860, at cat shows, all prizes have been shared among the most beautiful representatives of this breed. And in 1895, wider recognition came: at the main American exhibition in Madison Square Garden, the title of “Best Cat” went to a black tabby Maine Coon cat named Cosey.
Despite their wild initial success, the furry giants of the Maine Coon nearly fell into oblivion in subsequent years as Persian cats became fashionable. In 1950, the breed was declared almost extinct. In the name of saving the Maine Coon family, a club of breed lovers, the Central Maine Cat Club, was created in 1953, which was engaged in reviving interest in these cats and organizing exhibitions with their participation. In 1956, the first breed standards were written. The ruling council of cat lovers, whose headquarters is in London, officially recognized the Maine Coon only on February 24, 1988.
Now Maine Coons are one of the three most popular cats in the world, along with Persian and exotic cats.
The advantages of these powerful, noble cats are their bright appearance and unusually peaceful character. Maine Coons are also characterized by self-esteem, independence, confidence and, at the same time, tenderness and devotion to their owner. These furry giants are clean, neat and love active, dynamic games.
The happy owners of these stunning animals admit that they love them not only for their magnificent appearance and impressive size, but also for their easy-going, friendly character.
Playful and affectionate Maine Coons become the best friends for children; their calm, non-aggressive character attracts adults. Thanks to their good nature, cats easily get along with other pets and cause constant delight among others.
Breeders note the wisdom, developed intelligence, excellent memory and easy learning ability of these cats and assure that they are easy to teach various tricks, because Maine Coons are called cat-dogs for a reason.
Polish photographer Robert Sijka, who lives in China, has always considered cats to be magical and mystical creatures. He created a whole series of photographs to convey his feelings to the viewer. Frankly, he did it great! Maine Coons in the master's photographs appear as magnificent, mysterious, majestic animals with the grace of a lion and a hypnotizing gaze that penetrates the very soul.
“I have two big passions - photography and cats, and I do my best to combine these things that are amazing to me,” says Robert. — I can talk about Maine Coons for hours, I am impressed by their size, intelligence and loyalty to people. I have always been fascinated by big wild cats, my Maine Coons give me companionship with large but affectionate cats. They are extremely intelligent and can outwit any of us, while at the same time they are loyal, gentle and incredibly beautiful. If the king of beasts is a lion, then the king of cats is definitely a Maine Coon!”
Another amazing feature of Maine Coons is their unusual melodic voice. Manx cats will never harass the inhabitants of the house with hysterical meowing, howling or screaming. They emit a quiet, pleasant purr, which contrasts greatly with their large and powerful physique. Maine Coon trills have a large number of intonations, and each carries its own meaning.
Maine Coons are easy to care for and maintain: they quickly get accustomed to the litter tray and scratching post, do not tear up furniture, do not cause mischief, immediately understand “no”, and rarely get sick. It is important to create a comfortable personal space for your pet, preferably at a height - Maine Coons love to look down on what is happening. Once a week, you need to comb the cat's rich fur so that it shines and does not tangle. Owners note the need to protect furry giants from open windows; natural curiosity can play a cruel joke on them.
Among the relative disadvantages: they eat a lot, and the characteristics of the breed require only premium food; Cheap food or table food can irreparably harm a high-breed cat.
The only thing that can dampen the dream of a Maine Coon is its price. The cost of a purebred kitten ranges from $500 to $1,500.
Color variations
The original colors of Maine Coons were “wild” and “black tabby”, but later cats of other colors began to be bred:
- red is one of the most popular, a combination of light and brick or red tones
- white - light color without impurities or shades
- black - noble and deep color
- “black marble” is the most classic color, consisting of impurities and shades of black, white and gray in various variations
- “black smoke” - the color of a thundercloud, resulting from white hairs at the roots and black along the rest of the length
A Maine Coon of any color in the photo turns out to be a magnificent noble cat with a proud and formidable appearance.
Meikoon cat photo
Pay attention to the photo with the person; the purebred carrier of the breed is truly large in size. How much larger they are than others can be seen already in the first months after birth.
Judging by the reviews, living with this pet even in an apartment is a pleasure, the main thing is to sterilize (neuter) it on time. Because adults cause a lot of inconvenience to the owner.
In the photo, the meikun looks calm , the only thing that scares me is the thought of the portion sizes that are needed to cover daily food needs. Keep in mind that you will have to spend from 15 to 20 thousand rubles a month to feed this furry goliath.
Character of the breed
In order to better understand what kind of cat you take into your home, it is worth remembering that at one time Maine Coons were especially popular among hunters and also served as home guards.
These are very loyal cats to their owner, reminiscent of dogs in disposition. They are distinguished by a high level of intelligence and a desire to communicate. Curiosity allows them to remain funny pets until old age.
The main thing in keeping a Maine Coon is to remember his need for freedom. Excessive activity does not allow them to remain locked up for long.
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Despite their noble origin and thoroughbred, Maine Coons need constant walks in the fresh air. This is not a decorative pet, but a wild and independent cat.
They get used to the harness and leash quite quickly, tolerate temperature changes well and can walk in any weather: water-repellent thick fur and powerful paws will protect them in rain and snow.
Character and socialization
The breed is peaceful. Maine Coons are kind and do not harm owners, children, or kittens. They quickly get used to the owner, understand his mood and do not get bored. They like to monitor people's actions and adapt to their activity.
House guests are usually avoided or ignored as members of some other breeds, such as exotic cats. They approach and show interest only after observing.
Maine Coons are as social as Scottish Fold cats. They prefer the company of their owner to loneliness. They can choose one family member as their main friend, and play less with the rest. They are not overly intrusive. They can just sit next to you.
They have an easy-going character, do not hold a grudge and do not take revenge in any way. Not conflicting. Even if they are offended, for example, by a child, they simply leave and do not scratch.
Maine Coon diseases
Breeding in harsh conditions has made representatives of this breed very hardy, however, they also have some possible diseases.
Pelvic dysplasia is the most common disease. The animal experiences pain with any activity, becomes inactive, and lameness may appear. Your pet can get sick at any age; treatment will require expensive treatment, possibly surgery. This disease is hereditary, so when buying a kitten it is better to immediately request x-rays of both parents.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heart disease characterized by thickening of the ventricular wall. It can also be inherited.
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Spinal muscular atrophy can be detected in a kitten only by external signs, since this disease is not accompanied by pain. General dystrophy is observed, the animal acquires an unnatural, “swaying” gait.
Mating of Maykun cats
The best time for procreation is considered to be from one year to one and a half years. How did this third heat instill. Do not allow older representatives of the breed to reproduce, because only the best qualities must be cultivated.
Mating should take place on the territory of the cat between show breeds of the breed class. And the divorce assessment corresponds to the level - very good. Contact the felinological club to find a partner. Be patient, because love games take two days.
It is better to bring the cat the next day after the start of estrus with everything supplied: tray, toys, food, bowls. Don't forget to trim your nails before your date, otherwise lovers might get a little rough on each other.
To determine whether mating has occurred, evaluate the behavior. When mating takes place, Maine Coons behave quietly and begin to cuddle. You need to keep them together for no more than four days, otherwise you won’t get a full litter.
Maintenance and care
Long, thick hair and an active lifestyle often lead to the formation of mats. Your pet requires constant brushing and grooming. However, it is not recommended to take him for a haircut, because the abundant coat protects him from weather conditions.
Again, the “hunting” past also determines nutritional needs. The diet of cats must include natural meat in sufficient quantities, and it will also be useful to use supplements - calcium and taurine.
As for the appearance of the cat, in addition to constant brushing, they need to periodically trim their claws, and also be sure to purchase a scratching post.
Of course, freedom-loving Maine Coons can adapt to living in urban environments. But do not forget about the restless nature of these animals - create comfortable conditions for them to release energy.
Feeding
The Maine Coon does not require a particularly special diet, but it is important to consider that it is a large and active animal. Nutrition should be complete and varied, including all the vitamins and microelements necessary for the animal. Experts do not give clear recommendations regarding whether to give dry or canned food to your pet.
As a rule, it is advised to feed mostly dry food, and offer canned food several times a week. All quality cat food manufacturers have special lines designed specifically to meet the needs of large cats. So they are suitable for Maine Coon.
In any case, homemade food is not suitable for Maine Coons, although some owners prefer to feed their pets this way.
You can give your cat natural food, but then you need to carefully select his diet. About three quarters should be various types of meat, and only a quarter should be milk and dairy products, seafood, eggs, and vegetables. With such a diet, it is important to give your pet vitamin and mineral supplements to its food.
Food specially produced for cats contains the substances necessary for the animal; high-quality dry food is an excellent prevention of tartar. Breeders recommend choosing dry food and canned food, the main component of which is some kind of meat.
For Maine Coons, food based on any grain crops is contraindicated, since genetically these cats are not predisposed to digest them. This is due to the fact that in natural conditions their ancestors never ate grain, and such feeding can cause various diseases in the pet, in particular diabetes or obesity.
It is not recommended to mix natural food and specially produced food, and you should not constantly change them or use several brands at once. It is better to accustom your pet to the diet of one manufacturer from childhood and not to use others unless absolutely necessary.
Dishes intended for the animal are important. It is best to purchase metal or glass bowls. This can be dishes made from any natural material, but not plastic.
Plastic feeders can cause allergies and other unpleasant ailments.
Photos of Maine Coons
A little history
These kittens are known for their high intelligence and self-confidence. The very name of this breed translates as “cat raccoons”. Indeed, their coat is very similar to that of raccoons.
Thanks to climatic conditions, Maine Coon kittens have such a thick coat. In the places where representatives of this breed were bred, the main emphasis was on agriculture. And such animals helped in becoming excellent mouse hunters. Therefore, the goal of the breeders was to breed pets that would be huge in size and lead an active lifestyle. This is exactly how these kittens turned out.
Starting from the 50s of the 19th century, Maine Coons began to take part in various cat shows. Thanks to this, such animals have become quite famous in many large and small towns in America. This breed began to compete with other known species. They were as popular as Persian or Angora cats.
But already in the twentieth century, interest in such cats began to gradually fade away. These animals again became helpers in the household. And starting from 1953, the breeding of representatives of this breed began to be actively pursued again. Thus, cats have become popular again not only in the USA, but also in other countries and continents. They again began to take first place in the ranking of furry animals. Many people began to purchase them so that their pets would please their eyes and become friends for all family members.
Maine Coon, the description of the breed, perhaps encourages many animal lovers to find out as much information as possible about the pet. Thus, it is known that the approximate time when people started talking about the breed seriously was no less than half a century ago.
It is quite possible that the Maine Coon, whose video is very popular on the Internet, is the result of a successful crossing of short-haired cats living in New England, in Maine, with imported long-haired cats that came to the territory thanks to the movement of traders. However, this, again, is one of the well-known versions.
It was widespread in America in the nineteenth century. It is worth saying that at that time Maine Coon kittens, whose photos now cause delight among many, did not attract the public attention they deserved. And this lasted until the breed was presented at the exhibition.
It is known that the black Maine Coon received a winner's medal, which has been preserved to this day and is in the CFA club.
With the advent of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, cats with pointy ears again became unpopular, and interest in them fell sharply. What this is connected with is unknown.
But, a few years later, already in the mid-twentieth century, fans of the Maine Coon animal began to correct the situation. Their photos were collected and presented in specialized clubs.
And what pushed them to take such a serious step was the announcement that the breed could be considered extinct... Thanks to considerable efforts, by 1956 it was possible to create a standard for individuals of this breed.
Almost twenty years later, the club was considered a serious organization and was treated with due respect. Currently, the adult Maine Coon ranks third in popularity. At the same time, it is worth adding that the first two places belong to exotic cats, the interest in which is quite obvious.
Health
Characteristic diseases
Observation statistics for the breed have revealed genetic problems characteristic of it.
The most common Maine Coon ailments include:
- heart problems (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy),
- muscle weakness (spinal muscle atrophy),
- polycystic kidney disease,
- hip dysplasia.
The large ears of Maine Coons allow them to clearly hear the slightest sounds: be it the rustling of a rodent under the foliage or the voice of the owner calling for food
Every third male raccoon cat kitten from birth may be predisposed to one of the listed ailments.
Advice to owners: when purchasing a Maine Coon kitten, find a veterinarian who will constantly monitor it.
Vaccinations
Vaccination of cats of this breed is similar to the vaccination schedule for dogs.
The first vaccination is given at 2 months, the second at 3 months, then at 1 year, then annually.
Before vaccination, the cat must also be given antihelminthic medications 10 days before vaccination.
Cases in which vaccination is simply necessary are the following: transporting a cat, mating, cat exhibition, placing a cat in a pet hotel.
Maine Coons have absolutely no aggressiveness towards other animals; they easily get along with any pets.
Owner reviews:
Catherine. These cats are amazing. There are five animals in our house: 3 dogs, an ordinary cat and a Maine Coon girl, Assol. He is friends with everyone and does not show any aggression. But most of all he loves me and his male dog. Although, despite all her kindness, her character is not simple - she carefully protects her personal space from everyone. He is reluctant to pick him up and immediately tries to run away. Despite the popular belief that she loves water, she is afraid of it. Bathing is a real tragedy for us. During the last one, I was so badly skinned that I needed stitches. Assol is very smart, she understands what I tell her. We love her very much!
Hope. We have a red head, he is almost a year and a half old. He loves to sit on the table in the room and considers this his rightful place. Although we bought him a large cat complex, he sits there much less often. It’s interesting how he purrs and talks to us, although he has an independent character, he loves communication. We bought him from a good nursery, his pedigree is excellent, we have him shaved, but we took him as a pet for castration for 40 thousand rubles. I recommend this breed to everyone, you can’t help but love them.
Denis. We have a reed Maine Coon named Banifatsiy or simply Banyusha. He is 11 months old and already weighs 7.3 kg. He eats everything except dairy products, I had an allergic reaction to them, I don’t give them anymore. This is a huge, affectionate lump that greets me near the door when I enter the apartment. We sleep together, he nuzzles me and sniffles. Loves to play with rustling objects, balls and napkins.
Olga. When I went to a cat show, I fell in love with this breed. I saved up some money and bought myself this miracle. Marble-black girl, very beautiful, everyone who comes admires her. So sociable, she always follows me with her tail, no matter what I do. She is still small and very hooligan. When I put on makeup in the morning, he steals cotton swabs, sniffs them and tries to take out my makeup bag. We bring beauty together))) He eats a lot and goes to the toilet too. She’s growing before our eyes, so I think I’ll soon need to change the tray to a basin) and we also go for walks, I’m teaching her to use a leash, at first she didn’t like it, but now she’s getting used to it.
Photo
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In custody
Cats are naturally very intelligent creatures. It is not for nothing that for some time in their history they were wild, had no relation to humans and, despite this, existed perfectly well. Now times have changed, and cats are more attached to people. The person takes care of them, feeds them.
Having taken on such responsibility, be sure to fulfill it to the end. Not just love your animal, but also respect it, listen to its desires and interests. Only then can mutual understanding arise between the owner and the pet, and this is very important. After all, the whole point is that cats feel well on a subconscious level.
Their intuition is quite developed, and it is simply impossible to deceive it. That is why, even in a large family where everyone loves their pet, the cat is more attached to one person, the one whom it considers its owner, who cares and looks after it the most. A cat's love is always mutual, and the Maine Coon breed is no exception to this, but rather, on the contrary, a clear confirmation.
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Color
The color has an incredible variety of shades, they are classified as follows:
- tabby - stripes of different colors on a background of different shades;
- solid – monochromatic color, available in white, cream, black, blue and red shades;
- smoky – smoky, comes in various shades: black, blue, chinchilla, silver;
- calico - distinguished by rare large spots on a white background;
- tortoiseshell - characterized by random multi-colored spots throughout the body.
There is an opinion that the character of these cats depends on their color, for example, black cats are flexible, tortoiseshell cats are restless, tabby cats are independent. Therefore, you can choose a kitten that is most suitable in color and characteristics.
