Who’s That Cat? The Maine Coon: Gentle Giant, U.S. Native
The breed isn't known for being a lap cat but can have the energy and loyalty of a retriever.
This furry “cat of size” takes his name from the tall tale that he’s the result of a love match between a cat and a raccoon.
A Maine Coon will follow you around and offer assistance if he thinks you need it, but he’s not an in-your-face kind of cat. He’s not always a lap sitter, but he may enjoy “holding paws” with you.
He can climb if he wants to, but for the most part the Maine Coon prefers to keep four on the floor. He’s a curious cat and can take well to learning to walk on a leash. Don’t be surprised if he enjoys playing in water, although that doesn’t always translate to enjoyment of a bath.
Given good care and nutrition, a Maine Coon can live 12 to 15 years, with some living well into their late teens.
Don’t get a Maine Coon if regular grooming isn’t on your to-do list. While their coat is easier to care for than some other longhaired breeds, Maine Coons are individuals and can mat, tangle, and hack up hairballs with the best of them.
Health problems to which the Maine Coon can be predisposed are hip dysplasia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common form of feline heart disease.
This furry “cat of size” takes his name from the tall tale that he’s the result of a love match between a cat and a raccoon.
Living with a Maine Coon
Maine Coons are the retrievers of the cat world, Miller said. They enjoy chasing toys and will bring them back to you. If you need pest control, the Maine Coon’s “barn cat” ancestry can make him your new best friend.A Maine Coon will follow you around and offer assistance if he thinks you need it, but he’s not an in-your-face kind of cat. He’s not always a lap sitter, but he may enjoy “holding paws” with you.
He can climb if he wants to, but for the most part the Maine Coon prefers to keep four on the floor. He’s a curious cat and can take well to learning to walk on a leash. Don’t be surprised if he enjoys playing in water, although that doesn’t always translate to enjoyment of a bath.
You should know
The muscular, big-boned Maine Coon typically weighs nine to 18 pounds (males are larger). It takes three to five years before the cat achieves full physical maturity, but he tends to retain his kittenlike demeanor for life.Given good care and nutrition, a Maine Coon can live 12 to 15 years, with some living well into their late teens.
Don’t get a Maine Coon if regular grooming isn’t on your to-do list. While their coat is easier to care for than some other longhaired breeds, Maine Coons are individuals and can mat, tangle, and hack up hairballs with the best of them.
Health problems to which the Maine Coon can be predisposed are hip dysplasia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common form of feline heart disease.
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