Maine Coon Facts

History

• There are several theories regarding the history of the Maine coon cat, including the story that Marie Antoinette owned some of these cats and shipped them to America during the French Revolution. Another legend has it that a domestic cat bred with a raccoon and produced the Maine coon, despite the fact that this is biologically impossible.. A third theory maintains that the cat was brought to New England from Europe by a man named "Coon." However, it is more likely that this breed is the result of breeding between domestic shorthair and angorra cats that were already native to New England. The cold winters may have prompted the Maine coon to develop its thick, water-resistant coat and rugged constitution.

Physical Characterisitics

• The Maine Coon is renowned for its size, coat and facial features. The Maine coon typically weighs between 10 and 18 lbs. The cat's fur, which can be 2 to 3 inches thick in the winter, adds to this cat's imposing size. The fur can be "solid, tabby, bi-color, tortoiseshell, tabby-tortie, smoke and shaded colors," according to Catsinfo.com. The Maine coon also has a long and exceptionally bushy tail tail, which the cat wraps around itself to keep warm during the winter. According to MaineCoonCatClub.com, the tail is the cat's "pride and joy," and the Maine coon is often referred to as "the tail with the cat on the end."

  The head of the cat tends to be larger and feature a muzzle that looks square. The eyes are large and oval and can be "green, green-gold or copper," according to Catsplay.com.

  The ears of the cat are more furry than those of other breeds, which serves to protect it from the cold. The ears also have a wider range of movement than other cats, according to Fanciers.com.

Temperament

• The Maine coon is known as the "clown of the cat world," according to MaineCoonCatClub.com. Although it is a highly intelligent animal, the Maine coon can become hypnotized by a dripping faucet and may even retrieve small toys, in much the same way that a dog would. In addition, the cat loves to be adored and seeks out affection from family members; however, it will often choose one family member to which to give most of its attention and love.

Grooming

• Although the Maine Coon has a thick coat, this breed does not have any additional grooming needs, and you can brush the coat as needed. The Maine coon also loves water and, if necessary, it should not be difficult to convince this cat to have a bath. It may even consider this to be a reward.

Medical Issues

• The most common medical conditions in the Maine coon is hip dysplasia and cardiomyopathy, although these conditions can exist in other breeds as well. Hip dysplasia can cause lameness in some cats, while cardiomyopathy can cause both minor and severe heart problems. This breed also has a slightly higher incidence of gum disease.