Maine Coon

Cats are some of the best loved pets of all time. People have long admired the feline for the animal's grace, intelligence and ability to catch unwanted pests. They've brought the cat inside and created a pet that is half wild and half tame but wholly pleasing to the eye. A cat makes the perfect pet, for everyone from an apartment dweller to those who live on a large farm in the country. Cats are highly adaptable creatures happy to sit by the fire or live in a barn and catch mice to supplement any cat food. Over time, breeders have created many different breeds of cats. They look to enhance certain existing traits and breed out less desirable ones. Today's would-be cat owner can pick from many types of cat breeds. One of the most popular of all cat breeds is a breed known as the Maine Coon.

Basic Information About Maine Coon Cats

Maine Coons are one of only a handful of native American cat breeds. While their origins remain shrouded in mystery, they are said to have come over with the early settlers from several parts of Europe including France and the United Kingdom. Boat captains prized the breed's intense intelligence and ability to follow simple commands. Once on land, many people admired the cat's lovely coat and affectionate nature. Today, Maine Coons are just as adored as ever by those who want a cat that is charming and beautiful as well as clever. Maine Coons are long-haired cats. The Maine Coon has an outer coat and in inner coat. Potential owners can find many varied Maine Coon coat colors. The classic is the brown tabby and white. This kitty has brown and black stripes, a white belly and white socks on all four paws. Other coat colors include solids such as grey, tortoiseshells and silver stripes. Maine Coons are the some of the biggest of all domestic cats. Females typically exceed ten pounds while males can reach fifteen pounds or even more. They have large eyes, tufted ears and feet that also have tufts in between each paw.

Specific Care For a Maine Coon

The most striking feature of the Maine Coon perhaps is its lush coat. The thick coat requires a great deal of careful care. A weekly brushing is a must. This will remove the old coat and help encourage new coat growth. Pay careful attention to all areas including the foot pads and the hairs along the cat's neck. It is a good idea to watch for knots. Knots can develop anywhere on the cat's coat including along the back of the cat's tail. Getting the cat used to brushing is imperative. A small kitty treat can be a welcome distraction while working diligently on the cat's coat. Some owners choose to have the cat's fur fully shaved during the summer. This is a good option in hot summer climates or if the cat is older and harder to groom.

Buying and Adopting a Maine Coon Kitten

Looking for a Maine Coon kitten is an act of sheer joy. When searching for a kitten, keep in mind the kind of color desired as well as the sex of the animal. Males tend to grow much larger than females. A reputable breeder can often offer a selection of several kittens from a single litter. Look for kittens that aren't skittish or afraid of humans. In general, the Maine Coon is an outgoing breed happy for human company. A good example of the breed may cost upwards of several hundred dollars for kitten. It's a good idea to get the kitten to a vet if the breeder has not already done so. Maine Coons are a generally healthy breed. However, they can suffer from certain hereditary diseases including heart disease and hip problems. A good breeder will not breed kittens with a history of such defects.