Meet the Cat Breed: Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is the only long-haired cat breed that originated in the United States. It has always been popular in its point of origin in Maine, where it is the official state cat. However, it hasn't always been so popular elsewhere in the country. Around the turn of the 20th century, there was an influx of more exotic cat breeds in the United States. These became the fashionable cats to have as pets, and the homegrown Maine Coon fell out of favor. For a while, it was even believed to be extinct. Nevertheless, it survived and regained its popularity to the point that it is now one of the most popular cat breeds in the United States.

History of the Maine Coon

The first mention of a Maine Coon in print was in 1861, but the breed was probably present in North America since at least the Revolution, perhaps earlier. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, and many of the stories that are told about how it came to be are more fanciful than factual. For example, the Maine Coon gets its name because people thought that it looked like a cross between a housecat and a raccoon. Such a pairing is biologically impossible, but it does make for an entertaining folktale.

Maine Coons are also supposed to have come to North America with the Vikings on their ships. This is also apocryphal, but it is fairly likely that the cats' ancestors came from Europe on ships, where they were probably used for pest control. Genetic testing has established a relationship between the Maine Coon and a European breed called the Norwegian Forest Cat. Both breeds are characterized by long, thick coats and massive bodies relative to other cat breeds.

However they first came to be here, Maine Coons developed along the rural coasts in their home state. They were probably bred to catch rodents on farms and on fishing vessels. Today, they are more companion animals than anything else, and as the breed has gained popularity, breeders may charge hundreds of dollars for a Maine Coon kitten. For this reason, as well as to make sure that the cats are healthy and well cared for, it is important to purchase a Maine Coon kitten only from a reputable breeder if you decide to go that route.

Characteristics of the Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is one of the largest domestic cat breeds in the world. Maine Coons hold the world records for the longest cat body length and the longest whiskers. Maine Coons can be almost four feet long and can weigh up to 25 pounds, though the average is about 15 pounds. Young Maine Coons take several years to grow to their full size.

The Maine Coon is a long-haired breed, and their abundant fur makes them look even bigger than they really are. Their coats have three layers, with the outer coat being water resistant and the two inner layers serving as insulation. This makes the Maine Coon tolerant of cold weather, but it also means lots of shedding, especially in the spring and fall. Maine Coons can have almost any coat color and pattern, but one of the most common combinations is brown fur with tabby stripes.

Long, thick fur is just one of the ways that Maine Coons have adapted to cold, harsh environments. They have large feet that function like snowshoes to help them get around more easily in the winter. They also have a long, bushy tail that they can wrap around themselves for extra warmth when they are sleeping. Another distinctive characteristic of the Maine Coon is a long tuft of fur at the tip of each of their ears, which may help keep their ears warm during the winter.

Personality of the Maine Coon

Maine Coons are sometimes described as gentle giants. They tend to be easygoing and generally get along well with other cats, kids, and even dogs. Like dogs, Maine Coons are extremely intelligent. They can be taught to play fetch and even to walk on a leash with a harness. Maine Coons also really like water, perhaps because they were bred to go on ships.

Maine Coons are affectionate cats that like to stay close to their humans at all times. However, they aren't needy and constantly craving close contact. For example, they would typically prefer to sit next to you on the couch rather than crawl right into your lap. They can be vocal but shouldn't be too disruptive as they tend to have soft voices and are more likely to chirp rather than caterwaul.

Needs of a Maine Coon

Because Maine Coons were bred primarily for pest control, they still have a high prey drive. They are energetic and playful, meaning that you should provide them with toys and reserve some time every day to play with them.

Like other cat breeds, Maine Coons are fastidious self-groomers and pretty effective at keeping themselves clean. However, their long fur can get matted together. To prevent this from happening, you should brush them at least several times per week.

While Maine Coons are a large cat breed, they can still become overweight. As with smaller cat breeds, excess weight can put them at risk for chronic health conditions, and because Maine Coons are so massive to begin with, extra pounds may make them more difficult to take care of. It is important to feed them nutritious food in appropriate portions to help them maintain a healthy weight for their breed.

Maine Coons are remarkable for their striking looks and enormous size. However, it is their laid-back and loving personalities that make them so popular.