The Temperament of a Maine Coon Cat

History

• The Maine Coon cat is Maine's official state cat. The Maine Coon is one of the oldest cat breeds in North America. There are several legends surrounding the origin of the breed. One of those legends states that the breed descended from the pet cats of Marie Antoinette that were sent over by ship when she was planning to escape France during the French Revolution.

Features

• The Maine Coon cat developed into a large, sturdy cat in order to cope with the harsh winter climate of Maine. The typical weight of a male is between 13 to 20 lbs., while a female averages between 9 to 12 lbs. The coat is long, thick and water resistant. Although the common colors are brown, tabby and tortoiseshell, the Maine Coon cat's coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns. They have tufts of fur behind the ears, long hair on the back of the legs and hair between the toes. They also have long hair on the chest that resembles a lion's mane. The Maine Coon has a bushy tail and is also known to sometimes have one or more extra toes on the paws, which gives it added dexterity. This breed of cat develops slowly and may not reach full size until 3 to 5 years of age.

Significance

• The personality of a Maine Coon cat is as pleasant as its appearance. They are energetic cats that love to play. These highly intelligent felines will engage in a game of fetch or find other activities to amuse themselves. They learn quickly and use their dexterity to open cabinets, doors and pick up items. They are very easy to train and tend to respond to their owners when called. This breed of feline makes a good pet for people who like playful cats but don't want them bouncing off the walls with energy.

Benefits

• The Maine Coon cat is calm and relaxed. It is a people-oriented cat and gets along well with children, cats and even dogs. The Maine Coon likes to be around people, but isn't necessarily a lap cat. It does tend to follow its owner around the house and even likes to accompany the owner outside. It often does well being walked on a leash. It is not typically an aggressive. Its calm temperament makes the Maine Coon a good pet for families with young children or for the elderly.

Considerations

• Although quite easy to please in most areas, the Maine Coon can be a picky eater. It may be necessary to try a few brands of cat food to find one that your cat will find appetizing. It is best to feed a quality brand in order to ensure and maintain good health. The Maine Coon cat doesn't like to eat alone. If there are no other cats for him to share mealtime with, it may be best to feed your cat at the same time as your own meals so that he doesn't have to eat alone.

Effects

• Maine Coons are generally healthy and hardy. They don't require any extensive grooming since they keep their coats in good condition themselves. Although the Maine Coon cat enjoys human companionship, it is also an independent cat. It almost sounds as if this breed is simply perfect, but it can be mischievous at times, especially when bored. Overall, the intelligent, easy-to-train, good-natured Maine Coon is the perfect choice for any cat lover.