Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is a big, long-haired cat that took shape in the American state of Maine. It ranks among the oldest natural breeds in North America and is widely known as the official cat of Maine.

Grown cats are best known for their bulk. Toms usually weigh 5.9 to 8.2 kg (13 to 18 lb) and queens 3.6 to 5.4 kg (8 to 12 lb). The body is long and well muscled, the tail is long and thickly furred, and the ears often finish in tufts of hair at the tips.

For all that size, the breed has a name for being good-natured and relaxed. Plenty of owners liken the temperament to a dog's, since these cats tend to trail their people from room to room and stay sociable well into adulthood.

Who the breed suits

The Maine Coon fits households after an affectionate, interactive cat that can manage a larger animal. The long coat needs regular grooming, so the breed is a better match for owners happy to brush it a few times a week. Its sociable streak means it does best in homes where it has company rather than long stretches on its own.

The precise origin of the Maine Coon is not on record, but the breed is generally taken to have developed in and around the state of Maine during the 1800s. Long-haired cats carried to North America by European sailors are thought to have bred with local short-haired cats, giving rise to a hardy animal built for bitter winters.

Several folk tales cling to the breed, among them a claim that it descends from a cross between a cat and a raccoon. That notion is biologically impossible and is dismissed, though it may account for the "coon" in the name and the brown tabby coat with a ringed tail seen in many early cats.

Maine Coons earned their keep as mousers on farms and ships and were shown at agricultural shows across New England. A brown tabby named Cosey took a prize at a major cat show held in New York in 1895, an early mark of the breed's standing in the United States.

The breed's popularity fell away in the early 1900s as imported long-haired cats such as the Persian gained ground. Interest picked up again from the 1950s onward, and breed clubs formed to settle a standard. The Maine Coon is now one of the most popular pedigree cats across North America and Europe.

The Maine Coon has a long, solid, rectangular body set on medium-length legs with large, round, well-tufted paws. The head is a touch longer than it is wide, with high cheekbones and large ears that often carry lynx-like tufts at the tips. The tail is long and carried with full, flowing fur. The overall build looks substantial without turning heavy or cobby.

Coat and colours

The double coat is uneven in length, with a ruff around the neck and a dense undercoat that helps in cold weather. Most colours and patterns are accepted by the major registries, with the classic and mackerel brown tabby patterns being the most familiar. Chocolate, lilac and the pointed (Siamese-style) pattern are not accepted under the traditional breed standard. The coat reaches full length and density as the cat matures, which can take three to four years.

The Maine Coon has a calm, friendly temperament. It tends to stay near its owners and join in with household goings-on, which is why the breed is so often called dog-like. Many are happy near people without needing constant lap time, and they usually settle well into busy homes.

With family the breed is affectionate and patient, and it generally puts up with handling by children better than many cats. With strangers it is usually confident rather than shy, though individuals differ. Maine Coons typically live happily alongside other cats and with dogs that accept cats, especially when introductions are taken slowly.

The breed is known for its voice. Rather than loud meowing, Maine Coons often chirp and trill. Many take a keen interest in water and may play with taps or drinking bowls. They keep a playful, kitten-like manner well into adulthood and take readily to interactive toys and games.

Grooming

• Brush the coat two to three times a week, and more often during seasonal moulting, to head off mats and tangles.
• Pay attention to the longer fur on the belly, behind the legs and around the ruff, where mats form most easily.
• Trim claws every few weeks and check the ears for dirt or wax.
• Brush the teeth regularly with cat-safe toothpaste to cut back dental disease.
• The odd bath can help during a heavy moult, since the coat is water-resistant and may need extra working of the shampoo.

Exercise

• Give daily interactive play with wand toys, balls or puzzle feeders to burn off the cat's energy.
• Offer sturdy climbing trees and shelves; large cats need furniture that can take their weight.
• Rotate toys to keep the cat interested, as the breed stays playful into adulthood.

Environment

A Maine Coon needs more room than an average cat. A large litter tray, a strong scratching post and a tall cat tree all suit the breed's size. Many are kept indoors for safety, and they generally adapt well provided they have space to move about and company through the day.

Cats are obligate carnivores, so a Maine Coon's diet should be built around animal protein. A complete commercial cat food that meets recognised nutritional standards covers the basic needs of most cats. Given their size, Maine Coons may eat somewhat more than an average cat, but portions still need to match the individual's weight and activity to avoid piling on the kilos. Fresh water should always be on hand, and many of these cats drink more readily from a fountain.

Treats and supplements

Treats should make up only a small share of daily kilojoules, generally no more than about 10 per cent. A cat on a complete, balanced diet usually needs no supplements. Any addition, such as joint support for an older or large cat, should be talked through with a vet first.

The Maine Coon is generally a healthy, long-lived breed, with a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years and many cats living longer with good care. Its large size and popularity mean a handful of inherited conditions are well documented, and responsible breeders screen their cats for several of them. Knowing the signs helps owners pick up trouble early.

Preventive care

• Keep vaccinations and parasite control up to date on the schedule your vet advises.
• Book annual check-ups, with more frequent visits for senior cats.
• Keep the cat at a healthy weight to ease strain on the joints and heart.
• Brush the teeth and arrange dental checks to hold back gum disease.
• Ask breeders for evidence of HCM, SMA and PKD screening in the parents.

The Maine Coon's intelligence and wish to be around people make it one of the easier cat breeds to train. Many learn to answer to their name, come when called, fetch and walk on a harness. Training works best as play, in short sessions, using rewards the cat values. Punishment does not work with cats and tends to wreck trust.

Basics

1. Start with litter training, which most kittens pick up quickly when the tray is clean and easy to reach.
2. Teach the cat to link its name with good things by saying it before feeding or treats.
3. Introduce a scratching post early and reward its use to protect the furniture.
4. Use a clicker or a marker word to mark the exact moment of a wanted behaviour, then give a treat.
5. For harness walking, let the cat wear the harness indoors first, then add short outdoor sessions once it is comfortable.

Maine Coons are slow to mature physically, often not reaching full size until three to four years of age, though sexual maturity comes earlier. As with other cats, gestation runs to roughly nine weeks. Litters tend to be moderate in size, and kittens are usually weaned at around eight to twelve weeks. Responsible breeding takes in genetic screening of the parents for HCM, SMA and PKD, and reputable breeders generally do not rehome kittens before about twelve weeks so they are well socialised and fully weaned. Breeding large cats calls for experience and veterinary support, and casual breeding is not advised.

Maine Coon registration and microchipping in Australia

Torn flyscreens and doors left ajar send indoor cats to the pound every week, and a fair few states expect pet cats chipped and on the register anyway. A free United Pet Club profile means the scan pulls up your number wherever your Maine Coon turns up. Register your cat in a couple of minutes, free for her whole life.

Scanners find chips in seconds; the question is what the number points at. Point your Maine Coon's chip at a live record: free with the lifetime plan, open to all brands, kept current through every move without charges. Microchip registration plus a free account, and she's covered.