The Majestic Maine Coon Cat: A Visual Guide

The Maine Coon is a large, domesticated cat breed native to the U.S. state of Maine, where it is the official state cat. It is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America and the largest non-hybrid breed. Known as the gentle giant, the Maine Coon is characterised by its size, dense coat, and dog-like features. The breed is surrounded by various myths and theories regarding its lineage, including a possible hybrid with the raccoon or bobcat, and a connection to Marie Antoinette.

History of the Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is one of the most famous cat breeds in New England and the United States, and is known for its distinctive features, gentle personality, and good looks. However, its history is quite mysterious, with its origins steeped in folk tales and theories rather than proven facts.

One of the most common theories about the Maine Coon's origin is that it is a hybrid between a domesticated cat and a raccoon or bobcat. While this theory is genetically impossible, people from Maine often claim that the Maine Coon's similarities in fur colour and thickness, its love of water, and its lynx-like ears, are a result of this crossbreeding. The name ""Coon" could also be derived from the abbreviation for "raccoon".

Another theory suggests that the Maine Coon is a descendant of European ship cats, specifically the long-haired Angora breeds kept by sailors to control mice and rats on ships. Two hundred years ago, the state of Maine was a common harbour for ships, and many sea-faring families settled in the coastal towns, bringing their cats with them. Some retired captains also moved to the area with their feline families.

A particular story within this theory stands out: in the 1800s, a ship captain named Charles Coon would bring his long-haired cats on land when he anchored in the ports of New England, including Maine. These cats bred with the local feral cats, resulting in long-haired kittens all along the coast that resembled Captain Coon's felines. Thus, they were called "Coon's Cats".

The most colourful of the origin theories involves Marie Antoinette, who allegedly attempted to escape France during the French Revolution with the help of New England seaman Captain Clough. It is said that she brought six Turkish Angora cats with her, which then bred with local short-haired cats in Maine, creating the modern Maine Coon.

The Maine Coon was first mentioned in literature in 1861 in Frances Simpson's "The Book of the Cat". The breed became popular in cat shows in the late 19th century, with a female Maine Coon named Cosey winning "Best in Show" at the first North American cat show in 1895. However, its popularity declined in the early 20th century with the introduction of exotic long-haired breeds like the Persian. The Maine Coon made a comeback in the 1950s, and in 1985, it was named the official state cat of Maine.

Maine Coon characteristics

The Maine Coon is a native American breed, with a distinctive appearance and temperament. They are known for their large size, long shaggy coats, and tufted ears. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are gentle, sweet-natured, and affectionate.

Physical Characteristics

Maine Coons are large, muscular cats with a long, rectangular body shape and a long tail. They have a broad chest and sturdy legs, with large, round paws. Their ears are large and tufted, with a distinctive square muzzle and chin. The coat is heavy and shaggy, with a variety of colours and patterns, including solid colours, tabby, bi-colour, and parti-colour. The eyes can be green, gold, blue, copper, or odd-eyed, and the nose is always upright. Male Maine Coons are typically larger than females, weighing up to 20 pounds or more.

Behavioural Characteristics

Maine Coons are intelligent, friendly, and gentle, with a laid-back and adaptable temperament. They are known for their dog-like disposition and are loyal, following their owners around and enjoying human company. They are not typically lap cats, but they like to be near their owners. They are also known for their vocalisations, expressing themselves through meows, chirps, and trills, and can be trained to do tricks. They are active and playful, enjoying games of fetch and exploring their surroundings. Maine Coons are also known for their unusual interest in water, often enjoying playing in it, drinking from taps, or even swimming.

Health and Grooming

Maine Coons require regular grooming due to their long coats, which should be brushed and combed at least once a week to prevent tangles and matting. They are prone to certain health issues, such as heart conditions and spinal muscular atrophy, so regular vet check-ups are recommended. They also need adequate exercise and a controlled diet to prevent becoming overweight, which can lead to joint issues.

History

The Maine Coon is believed to have originated in the Northeastern United States, descended from cats brought over by settlers and those carried by seamen. They were popular farm and household cats due to their excellent mousing abilities and became the official state cat of Maine in 1985.

Health and grooming

The Maine Coon is a large cat breed with a long, shaggy coat that requires regular grooming to keep it looking its best. Their coats come in a variety of colours, but the silver tabby and ginger varieties are the most iconic. Maine Coons are usually distinguished by an 'M' pattern on their forehead. Their other iconic features include large, furry ears and thick, full cheeks.

Brushing

Maine Coons should be brushed at least once a week to keep their fur smooth and soft and to spread natural oils throughout their coats. Brushing also helps to prevent tangling and matting, and to remove debris from their tails. It is recommended to use two types of brushes: a metallic comb, followed by a soft-bristle or rubber brush.

Bathing

Although most cats do not need regular bathing, the Maine Coon's long hair can benefit from a bath every few months. Their fur does not get wet easily, so it will take some time to dampen it sufficiently. When bathing, use lukewarm water and a high-quality cat shampoo.

Nails

Maine Coon claws should be trimmed occasionally. You can use regular nail clippers or guillotine-style clippers, or clippers that are modified to hold the cat's paw in place. Only trim a small amount from the tip of the nail, staying well above the 'quick'—the pink portion of the nail.

Health

Due to their size, Maine Coons tend to eat a lot more than most normal house cats. Most adult Maine Coons eat 200-250 grams of wet food per day. They also like to drink a lot of water, so it is important to ensure that fresh, clean water is always available, placed away from their food bowl.

Maine Coons can be more prone to heart conditions than other breeds, so it is recommended to have regular vet check-ups. They can also be prone to hip dysplasia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and polycystic kidney disease.

Training and behaviour

The Maine Coon cat is highly intelligent and playful, making it a good candidate for training. Here are some tips for training and modifying the behaviour of your Maine Coon:

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is key to teaching your Maine Coon to respond to your commands. This method involves rewarding your pet when they get something right, for example, by offering a treat. If weight gain is a concern, a clicker can be introduced alongside treats or affection to create a positive association.

Make Training an Enriching Experience

Prioritise enrichment over other goals when training your cat. Introduce new commands and challenges with each training session and use toys to get your pet's attention and encourage them to perform tricks.

Avoid Frustration and Boredom

Pay attention to your cat's body language and take a break from training if they become bored or frustrated. Upright ears and tails indicate engagement, while a stressed and anxious cat will keep its ears down and might crouch close to the ground. Unlike dogs, cats will wag their tails if irritated or unhappy.

Start With Easy Commands

Teach your pet to answer to their name by using it as much as possible throughout the day. If your cat responds by looking in your direction, say 'yes' in a friendly voice and offer a reward. You can then introduce the 'come' command, gradually hiding the food and replacing it with praise.

Get Your Cat To Follow You Around and Introduce Jumps

Now that your Maine Coon knows the 'come' command, you can use it to get your cat to follow you around. Make things more complicated by walking backward or taking sharp turns. Place obstacles between you and your cat, or encourage them to climb over unfamiliar objects, find their way through a maze, or navigate an obstacle course.

Teach the 'Gentle' Command

The 'gentle' command helps teach control and curb unwanted behaviours such as nipping and play biting. Offer a treat to your cat, but take it away if they bite too hard. After a few tries, they will understand they must bite gently to get the treat.

Teach Some Advanced Tricks

Once your cat is consistently responding to the clicker or another type of reward, you can introduce more challenging tricks such as sitting, laying down, and rolling over. You can also teach your cat to play fetch, using a laser pointer if they don't seem to enjoy playing with a toy.

Teach 'Find It'

'Find it' is a fun command where your cat can search for a toy or treat. Use foods with a strong scent, such as small pieces of tuna, and make the treats harder to find over time to stimulate your cat.

Use Target Training

Target training teaches an animal to touch an object with their nose or paw. Start by introducing the object, such as a toy or stick, and touch the desired body part with it. Offer a reward when your cat touches the object, and they will quickly learn to touch it to get a treat.

Encourage Calm Behaviour With the 'Place' Command

The 'place' command can be used to get your cat to go to a predetermined spot, such as a pet bed or cardboard box, and calm down. Point to this spot while saying 'place', and use a treat to draw your cat to the spot. Keep offering treats or using your clicker regularly as long as your cat stays in the same spot.

Suitability for family life

The Maine Coon cat is a gentle giant and a highly suitable pet for family life. They are a sturdy, long-haired breed native to North America, specifically Maine, and are one of the largest domestic cat breeds. They are highly intelligent, affectionate, and friendly, making them perfect for families with children or other pets.

Maine Coons are social and love spending time with their family. They are also highly intelligent and curious, making them ideal for training and teaching tricks. They are also known for their dog-like attributes, such as their love of water and ability to play fetch. They are also laid-back and affectionate, with a mellow temperament, making them an excellent addition to any family.

Maine Coons are highly social cats that want to be near their people. They enjoy following their owners from room to room and will often investigate or try to participate in their owner's activities. They are also known to be vocal, often chirping, chattering, or trilling instead of meowing. They are also known to be "lap cats", although their large size may make this impractical!

Maine Coons are a low-maintenance breed. Their coats are smooth, silky, and almost oily, and they only need to be combed about once a week. They are also suitable as indoor or outdoor cats, although they may be kept exclusively indoors due to safety concerns. They require a stimulating indoor environment with places to climb, windows to look out of, and toys to play with. They also require ample socialization and daily exercise to stay happy and healthy.

Maine Coons are generally healthy, but there are some genetic health issues to watch out for, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, and spinal muscular atrophy. Regular veterinary check-ups, a healthy diet, and plenty of exercises can help to keep your Maine Coon healthy and happy.

Frequently asked questions