The Maine Coon cat is like a big, affectionate stuffed animal. It is one of the largest cat breeds in the world, along with the Savannah. Despite its impressive size and lion-like appearance, it is very intelligent, gentle and kind. It is also called the gentle giant. It is a friendly cat that is sociable with all members of the family and other animals. Both for its spectacular appearance and its pleasant temperament, the Maine Coon is one of the most popular cats.

The origins of the Maine Coon

Many legends surround the origins of the Maine Coon cat. One of them would have it that the breed came from the cross between a wild Maine cat (bobcat or lynx) and a raccoon ( racoon ), hence the second part of its name. Science has since demonstrated that this cross is biologically impossible, but the legend persists.

The Maine Coon is also said to have descended from cats sent by ship to Maine by Marie Antoinette of Austria during her preparations for her escape from the French Revolution. They then bred with local farm cats.

Also called Main Coon, Main Shag or Shag cat, the cat would most likely come from the state of Maine, in the United States, hence the "Maine" part of its name. It would thus be the result of a cross between local cat breeds from Maine and European Angora cats. In any case, it is one of the oldest natural cat breeds in North America.

Impressive physical characteristics

It has a rustic physique that is characterized by its large size, square muzzle, tufted ears and medium-long hair. As mentioned previously, the part "Coon" comes from the word raccoon (raccoon), which seems to have a long bushy tail and also a resemblance in coat to Tabby brown cats.

The Maine Coon is a very large cat with large ears, a broad chest, strong bone and musculature, a rectangular and muscular body, a long and well-furred tail. The fur, which can be of almost any color, is of unequal length on the back and sides. It provides natural protection, as do its rather wide paws.

Its medium-sized head houses large, almond-shaped eyes, set wide apart and of a variety of colors. Its characteristic ears are extended by tufts of feathery hair, like those of lynxes.

Long growth

It reaches maturity around 3 to 5 years of age and can easily weigh between 15 and 25 pounds, although some are smaller or even larger at times. Learn about its diet to provide him with all the nutrients he needs throughout his growth and adult life. And afterwards, he will also need to be monitored to prevent him from becoming overweight. At the same time, provide him with a litter box large enough for him to move around freely.

A good character

This is a cat that adapts to all situations. Calm and intelligent, he loves to please and learn tricks, which is why we often say that he is a cat-dog! In addition, he is particularly friendly for a cat and can follow you from room to room throughout the house. And also because, unlike most cats, he loves water.

Care, grooming and maintenance

The maintenance of the latter is relatively simple. A weekly brushing with a metal comb is enough to keep it happy and keep its coat healthy... and prevent it from getting knots. Don't worry, however, its coat does not get tangled as easily as that of other long-haired cat breeds.

A good tip: increase the frequency to twice a week during the moulting period. Everyone wins: he will swallow less hair and you will find less of it in the house!

As with all furry pets, it is recommended to get them used to brushing gradually and from a young age using positive reinforcement methods, such as treats . Do the same if you want a clipping, grooming or nail trimming .

To keep him healthy, stimulate his taste for play and his sociable character regularly, using balls, toys, catnip, mice, etc. At the same time, you will strengthen your emotional bond with both of you. And if you offer him a cat tree, remember to find one that fits his height!

Health and life expectancy

As for his general health, it is robust. But he can be prone to feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or to developing hip dysplasia. His life expectancy is 13 to 15 years.

Where to get a Maine Coon?

You can adopt a Maine Coon from different specialist breeders. However, you need to pay attention to the different traits of the latter in order to be certain that the cat you will buy is purebred.

The Maine Coon is recognized by its specific features. It has five toes in front and four in the back – a greater number of toes is considered a serious fault and disqualifying in shows.

It has a large tuft of hair between the toes and a strong, square muzzle. Its ears are large and wide at the base, carried high on the head with tufts of hair at their tips. The Maine Coon can have different fur colors, but the most sought after are marbled brown and tabby brown, with or without white spots. In uniform coats, we find black, blue or white.

In short, you have here an exceptional cat in every way and extremely easy to live with.