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The Maine Coon is said to be from Maine, where the breed was known as a popular mouser, farm cat, and ship's cat, as far back as the early 19th century. They're a natural breed and little is known of their origins. Some say the Vikings brought them to North America, centuries before Columbus sailed the ocean blue.  The first published reference to a Maine Coon comes from 1861 and was about a black-and-white cat named Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines. A female Maine Coon was named Best Cat in 1895 at a cat show held in Madison Square Garden. In Boston and New York, the home-grown felines were popular exhibits at cat shows, and when the Cat Fanciers Association was formed in 1908, the fifth cat registered was a Maine Coon named Molly Bond. In the 1960s, and the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association was formed in 1968. Today these big, beautiful cats are among the world's most popular breeds. 

 

Size

This is a large cat. Most Maine Coons weigh 9 to 18 pounds--males are larger--and some tip the scales at 20 or more pounds. They don't reach their full size until they are three to five years old.

 

​Personality

These are good natured cats.  They like being with people and sometimes like following them around.  They love attention, but if you are busy, they're happy to just watch what you’re doing. They also retain their skill as a mouser. No rodents will be safe in a home where a Maine Coon lives. If you don't have any mice for them to chase, they'll keep their skills sharp by chasing toys and grabbing them with their big paws. A Maine Coon also enjoys playing fetch and will retrieve small balls and toys. They're very smart and will happily learn tricks or play with puzzle toys that challenge their brain.

Maine Coons usually enjoy kitten like play well into adulthood. Males, especially, are prone to silly behavior. Females are more dignified, but they are always ready for a good game of chase. They don’t usually talk (meow) much, but they often make soft chirp or trill.

 

 

Coat Care 

Despite the length of the Maine Coon's coat, it has a silky texture that doesn't mat easily if you groom it regularly. It is easily cared for with twice weekly combing to remove dead hair and distribute skin oils. Brush them gently, especially in the stomach area and on the tail. Maine Coons are patient, but they don't like having their hair pulled any more than you do. Check the tail for bits of poop stuck to the fur and clean it off with a baby wipe. Just like the Siberians, I have the vet shave the “back end”. You can also do it yourself, but be very careful not to nick the skin. Their skin is thin and is like paper. Tearing it will cause bleeding. Bathe a Maine Coon IF needed, which can range from every few weeks to every few months or not at all. Cats typically spend a lot of time grooming themselves, but IF their coat feels greasy or their fur looks stringy, they need a bath.

Brush the teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Trim the nails every few weeks. Wipe the corners of the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so you don't run the risk of spreading any infection. Check the ears weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of cider vinegar and warm water. AVOID using cotton swabs, which can damage the interior of the ear.

Keep the Maine Coon's litter box spotlessly clean. Cats are very particular about bathroom hygiene, and a clean litter box will help to keep the coat clean as well. I use the pine pellets and the ground corn cob 

It's a good idea to keep a Maine Coon as an indoor cat to protect them from diseases spread by other cats, attacks by dogs or other animals, and the other dangers that face cats who go outdoors, such as being hit by a car or being stolen. 

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Coat Color And Grooming

A Maine Coon is a big, rugged cat with a smooth, shaggy coat. Indeed, they were built for work in the harsh Maine climate, and their breed standard reflects their heritage, calling for a medium-size to large cat with a well-proportioned body that is muscular and broad-chested. A Maine Coon has substantial, medium-length legs and large, round paws, well tufted with fur, to serve as “snowshoes” during winter. A heavy coat is shorter on the shoulders, longer on the stomach and britches (long fur on the upper hind legs), with a ruff in front and a long, furry tail waving a greeting. A medium-width head is slightly longer than it is wide and has a squarish muzzle. Large, well-tufted ears are wide at the base, tapering to a point, and large, expressive eyes are green, gold, greenish-gold or copper. White or bi-colored Maine Coons may have blue or odd eyes. The brown tabby pattern is so common in this breed that many people don't know Maine Coons can come in any other colors or patterns. They can be found in solid colors that include black, red or white, all tabby colors and patterns, bi-color such as blue and white or red and white, and patterns such as tortoiseshell and calico. Our Maine Coons are black, pure white and a grey smoke. Beautiful!!!

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Children And Other Pets

The friendly Maine Coon is a perfect choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. They love the attention they receive from kids who treat them politely and with respect. They're happy to live with cat-friendly dogs, too, thanks to their amiable disposition. Introduce pets slowly and in controlled circumstances to ensure that they learn to get along together.