You Can Call Them "Wind Walker","Gentle Giants” Or The “Dogs Of The Cat World”...

You Can Call Them "Wind Walker","Gentle Giants” Or The “Dogs Of The Cat World”...

Written By: text_none_author Published In: Cat-Blog Created Date: 2016-11-19 Hits: 2419 Comment: 0

The Maine Coon is one of the largest domesticated breeds of cat. It has a distinctive physical appearance and valuable hunting skills. It is one of the oldest natural. No records of the Maine Coon's exact origins and date of introduction exist, so several competing hypotheses have been suggested. The breed was popular in cat shows in the late 19th century, but its existence became threatened when long-haired breeds from overseas were introduced in the early 20th century. The Maine Coon has since made a comeback and is now one of the more popular cat breeds in the world.

Personality Traits: 
Maine Coon cats have several nicknames that people have bestowed upon them in direct relation to their personality traits. They are called the "wind-walker", “gentle giants” and the “dogs of the cat world”. They are very intelligent and friendly cats. They are also very playful and curious. These large sized cats are outgoing and socialize well with both people and other animals. They are curious and love to interact with people and other pets.
Male cats: Most owners of Main Coons will agree that the males of the breed are far more outgoing than the females are. The males are larger and will go out of their way to entertain their human companions. They are comical and are typically the life of the party. The females are also quite outgoing but initially will seem a bit “cat like” and aloof to strangers. The males are more freewheeling and looking for a good time with everyone, friends and strangers alike are potential playmates for them.
Female cats: The female Coon cats are nice to be around. They are also outgoing, once they get to know you. They are highly intelligent and playful. Both the males and the females have been described as being docile and easy to train.
Both Genders: They are both considered excellent “mousers”. They like to hunt and spend time being enticed to chase so it is very important that they have toys available. They are not aggressive with children or other cats, but they can certainly hold their own in an argument so it is always best to introduce them to a new cat with supervision. They are very accepting of new circumstances. If you come across a Maine Coon that is not friendly or seems to feel a bit nervous they are very likely coming from a bad situation–that’s how rare it is to find one that does not want to make friends. They are referred to as the dogs of the cat world because their size is that of a dog AND because they display dog-like traits when it comes to loyalty to their family. They will accept the whole family as their own but will be especially loyal to the person that cares for them.
Overall this is a great breed that is simply a joy to be around.

Size and weight: 
The Maine Coon is the largest breed of domestic cat. On average, males weigh from 5.9 to 8.2 kg whereas females weighing from 3.6 to 5.4 kg. The height of adults can vary between 10 and 16 in (25 and 41 cm) and they can reach a length of up to 48 in (120 cm), including the tail, which can reach a length of 14 in (36 cm) and is long, tapering, and heavily furred, almost resembling a raccoon's tail. The body is solid and muscular, which is necessary for supporting their own weight and the chest is broad. Maine Coons possess a rectangular body shape and are slow to physically mature; their full potential size is normally not reached until they are three to five years old, while other cats take about one year.

Life expectancy: 
The lovable giant Maine Coon cat is a generally healthy and hardy breed of cat. There is some data that suggests that the average life span of these cats ranges anywhere from 10-12.5 years while other data reports that these cats can live up to 15 years and beyond. Of course with the proper care the life expectancy of these cats can be extended. While they are a generally healthy breed as with all cats, diet, exercise and general health care is going to play a role in how long the cat lives.

Health:
Both pedigreed cats and mixed-breed cats have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic in nature. Problems that may affect the Maine Coon include the following: 

  • Hip dysplasia is a form of disease in which lameness can cause in severe cases.
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a form of heart disease that is inherited in Maine Coons. A DNA-based test is available to identify cats that carry one of the mutations that cause the disease.
  • Polycystic kidney disease is a slowly progressive heritable kidney disease that can result in renal failure.
  • Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic disorder that affects skeletal muscles of the trunk and limbs. A test is available to identify carriers and affected kittens.

General Care: 
Our cats know that a weekly nail trimming is a part of life and the scratching post is the place to scratch.  Cats can easily be taught to scratch at a post (which should be big and sturdy enough to allow the cat to stretch to its full body length).  We have cat trees several feet high placed next to windows, and the perches on these posts are one of the first places to look for a cat in our house. Cats can get gum disease so our cats have their teeth brushed once a week.  They are so accustomed to this that we can use the electric toothbrush, which makes the job much faster and more thorough!
The Maine Coon coat is long and shaggy with a natural oiliness to repel water (helped when they were out in the barns and woods).  They are a very "low-maintenance" cat, but we bathe them when they look oily.

Diet: 
Maine Coons require ample protein and nutrients in their diets. Since they are a large cat breed with high levels of energy, it is best to feed them quality food. Their dietary needs are fulfilled with both dry food and wet food. However, the wet food should be mixed in with the dry food only 2-3 times a week. Feeding the cat with quality dry food can reduce tartar build-up on the teeth. Avoid grain-based foods. A cat's natural diet does not contain grain and grain can also lead to both obesity and diabetes. Maine Coons should not eat food that lists soy or some grains as the first ingredient on the label. Food that lists meat as the first ingredient is best for the Maine Coon. Cats can develop allergies from plastic bowls, so it is best if they eat out of a glass or stainless steel bowl.

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