Maine Coon Cat Breed…. Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

If you’re one of those folks like us who love owning a BIG cat and don’t mind dealing with many furs, then choosing to adopt a Maine Coon cat or kitten might just be the “right” choice for you. After all, these gentle giants of the feline community can make a great addition to any household due to their soft and affectionate nature and playful streak, making them a “favorite cat” breed among children.

But be warned…

The Maine Coon’s coat will require quite a bit of “maintenance” from its owners, which is why in this article, we wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to own a Maine Coon, so that if you do decide to make one of these unique animals your own, you won’t be disappointed that you did six months from now.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Maine Coon Cat Breed Fast Facts

Country of Origin:  United States

Size: Large-sized

Weight:  14 to 18 pounds

Eyes: Almond-shaped eyes

Head shape:  Triangular

Lifespan:  10 to 13 years on average

Origin of the Maine Coon Cat Breed

As one of the oldest native North American cat breeds, it should come as no surprise that it is believed to have initially originated in the state of Maine itself. And while the Maine Coon was first described in cat literature in 1861, not much is known about “how” the breed came into existence. And like any good mystery, when there isn’t a clear answer, many “theories” tend to be about. Theories such as:

The “Coon Cat” theory…

As legend would have it states that the Maine Coon cat is the product of a pairing of a domesticated house cat and a raccoon! While this theory is probably our favorite, it’s the only one we’re confident isn’t correct because, first of all… Most cats hate raccoons because such a “pairing” is biologically impossible!

French Revolution Refugees

Another possible theory is that the Maine Coon is a descendant of Marie Antoinette’s Angora cats which were brought to America when she believed she might be able to escape to America. Now, at least this theory is “biologically plausible,” so it does have that going for it. However, we here at IndulgeYourPet prefer the final approach of the Maine Coon cat’s origin because it sounds more exciting and “cool.”

Viking Cats

The last potential theory that you’ll often hear mentioned when discussing how the Maine Coon cat came into existence when Norwegian Forest Cats were brought to the Americas by Viking sailors crossbreed with the local felines in the area, creating the mighty Maine Coon.

As for which theory is correct, we’ll leave that one up to you; all that we can say is that we here at IndulgeYourPet prefer to think of the mighty Maine Coon as a Viking sailor than a pampered refugee. What we can tell you is that today, the Maine Coon cat is an “officially” recognized pedigree cat breed by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and one of the most popular cat breeds in the United States.

Physical Characteristics

As we’ve already mentioned, the Maine Coon cat is relatively large. They are one of the more giant domesticated cats you’ll find. And when you combine their size with their long fur and bushy tails, what you get is a magnificent animal. But we must admit these long-haired cats aren’t always the “best” fit for everyone. These cats have adapted well to life in the North Eastern portion of the United States, where they were expected to handle Maine’s cold and wet winters.

As a result…

These guys have developed solid and muscular bodies covered from head to toe in a thick, water-resistant coat designed to keep them warm and dry even in some of the most inhospitable climates. And as any responsible Maine Coon breeder will tell you, these “adaptations” create quite the challenge in keeping their coats clean and tangle free. This is why, if you decide to purchase a Maine Coon kitten or, better yet, adopt a Maine Coon cat, you should be prepared to brush and groom your Coons coat at least two or three times a week.

But here’s the deal…

We here at IndulgeYourPet feel that this is a fair price to pay to be able to own such a handsome and affectionate companion, so we almost hate even mentioning this as a potential “downside” to owning a Maine Coon. After all, a true Coon lover will probably be brushing their cat daily, so once or twice a week won’t be a problem.

Personality and Temperament

As a general rule of thumb, we think that you’ll find the Maine Coon cat breed to be a fantastic companion animal. One that isn’t too energetic, whereby they are driving you crazy or tearing apart the home, while at the same time not too lazy that they only want to run and play when it’s “supper” time. These guys are great with kids, which is why this cat breed is so prevalent in the United States today.

Potential Health Issues

One thing that you do want to be careful about if you do decide to purchase a Maine Coon kitten is that, unfortunately, the Maine Coon cat breed is susceptible to a couple of hereditary diseases. This is why you’ll want to be sure that you only work with a reputable breeder willing to guarantee the health of their Maine Coon kittens and can show you the parents of the kitten you may be considering purchasing.

You’ll also want to be sure…

Your breeder is aware of the “risks” associated with this breed, and be sure that they actively breed in a way as to “minimize” the risk associated with these conditions and actively try to avoid generating any cat that might pass on a potentially life-threatening illness to their offspring.

Potential health issues may include:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM,
• Hip dysplasia,
• And spinal muscular atrophy.

This is also why if you are considering purchasing a Maine Coon kitten, you may also want to think about buying a pet insurance policy as well. This way, you won’t be on the hook for 100% of their medical bills if your Maine becomes sick or injured during their life.

Now, will a pet insurance policy be a good “fit’ for everyone?

No, probably not. But until you know what they will and won’t cover and how much it will cost to become insured, how will you know if purchasing one isn’t the “right” move for you?

For more information about who we feel is currently offering some of the “best” pet insurance policies in the industry, we encourage you to check out our article: Best Pet Insurance Companies.