The law of the jungle says that the fittest survive. And, if an ordinary domestic mongrel cat suddenly decided to join the battle with the Maine Coon, she would have suffered a crushing defeat. "Domestic lynx" is what some people call these big cats. Despite the rather predatory appearance, these cats are not distinguished by aggressiveness and militancy, they are quite friendly and get along well with other animals. However, Maine Coons are quite finicky, and caring for them includes many subtleties and nuances that you need to know about before getting an animal at home.
About the Maine Coon breed
Maine Coons cannot be called miniature: at birth, kittens weigh an average of 100-150 g (about the same as an ordinary cat at the age of 2 weeks), while the average weight of an adult cat is as much as 7-10 kg, however, there are exceptions, giant individuals under 15 kilograms. This pussy really looks like a real lynx!
There are many legends about the history of the origin of Maine Coons, three of which are the most interesting. The first legend says that the first Maine Coon was obtained by crossing one American cat and a raccoon. Thanks to this version of origin, the breed has an alternative name - "Maine raccoon cat". The second legend says that the first Maine Coons appeared, again, by crossing an ordinary cat, but this time not with a raccoon, but with a lynx. Another legend explains the origin of the word "kun" in the name of the breed: one traveler named Kun had two cats - and, and he let them go for a walk in every port. The fruit of such walks was a new breed of Maine Coons. In 1860, this breed received official registration.
A photo
Cats with character
Many say that if you get a pet, in order to love someone, you need to get a cat, and if you want to be loved, then a dog. In many ways, this applies to Maine Coons, who rather allow themselves to be loved than give love themselves. These cats behave with dignity, are distinguished by calmness and poise, and are often thoughtful.
Contemplation, intelligence, excellent memory - all this allows you to quickly teach the Maine Coon new commands. A characteristic feature of the Maine Coon is adaptability to the owner and the adoption of some features of the person with whom they live. For example, a popular novel writer's cat is likely to like to think high in a rocking chair over time, and a partygoer's cat will become outgoing, active, and easy to make contact with new animals and people.
If a girl has long hair, she is well aware that they need daily and thorough care. If you want to get a Maine Coon, get ready for the fact that they also require some care. First, you need to empty the pet store, buying all kinds of brushes and combs there to care for the magnificent Maine Coon coat. You will also need a scratching post, a nail cutter, a special shampoo, insect repellent, eye and ear care products. And a lot of patience, which, however, you can’t buy anywhere: the Maine Coon’s hair and claws grow back quickly, the wool has the ability to roll into tangles and lumps that need to be cut out (and the animal still needs to be persuaded to these tortures!).
Secondly, ears, teeth and eyes of Maine Coons require special attention. The owner must ensure that there is no mucus or any discharge in the corners of the pet's eyes, wipe them with chamomile infusion from time to time. The cat's ears should be cleaned periodically, after cleaning, sprinkling with antiseptic powder. Teeth also need to be cleaned, and from a young age, so that the kitten gets used to this procedure and does not break out in the future. The same applies to cutting nails, bathing.
Socialization
A characteristic feature of Maine Coons - they are very cautious about new acquaintances. Unlike dogs and some breeds of domestic cats that run towards guests, the Maine Coon is more likely to sit on the sidelines and wait for a new person to come up and pet him. Also, Maine Coons do not like it when they are trying to lift, squeeze and, moreover, toss. Leave such games to smaller and more playful breeds. As for getting along with other pets, you don’t have to worry about this at all: Maine Coons can get along with anyone, from a pit bull to a budgerigar.
If you want to feed a Maine Coon, get ready to spend a decent amount of money and time on him, because he won’t even look at a simple “Kitekat”, and he won’t benefit the cat’s health. The Maine Coon diet must include natural meat, you should also occasionally pamper your pet with seafood. If you buy food, then only premium class and above. Fresh water should always be poured into the Maine Coon's cup, good milk can be added. Cottage cheese and quail eggs, high-quality canned food - buy all this, and your cat will delight you with health and a cheerful look.
Maine Coon at the show
Maine Coon is a breed that is bred not only to take care of and, but also to show at exhibitions, winning various awards. Crowds of curious and admiring people constantly gather around the cage with Maine Coons at exhibitions. In order for a cat to be admitted to an exhibition, its size and appearance must clearly comply with breed standards. In addition, a mandatory procedure is required before the exhibition -. It differs from ordinary washing in that special shampoos and conditioners are used, which not only clean the animal's coat, but also color it (give the right shade), give the desired texture.
- The voice of the Maine Coon cannot be confused with anything, their “meow” is strikingly different from the “meow” of other cats, it has a vibrating hue.
- In nature, Maine Coons live in prides, in which complete matriarchy reigns.
- Before drinking water, the Maine Coon always rakes it with its paws to clean it. This happens not as a result of excessive disgust, but as a result of the wild origin of the cat.
- Maine Coons have retained in their blood the need to hunt. So, if a pest has wound up in your dacha, do not be surprised if your thoroughbred cat brings it in his teeth to your feet.
- On the Isle of Man, 25-cent coins are issued with a portrait of a Maine Coon.
- Maine Coons are somewhat similar to people: sometimes they stand on their hind legs, and use their front legs to take some object.
Before adopting a kitten, it is important to know how to properly care for a Maine Coon. Maine Coon care quite labor intensive.
First of all, do not forget about disease prevention. Give the Maine Coon anthelmintics in time, treat it for fleas and ticks, and vaccinate the pet on schedule.
An important component of Maine Coon care is keeping the coat in order. The luxurious Maine Coon coat requires extra care. They should be combed at least once a week with a metal comb with rounded teeth. It is important to accustom the Maine Coon to combing from childhood, otherwise you will hardly be able to convince an adult cat of the need for these procedures.
The hair on the belly and on the inner surfaces of the legs may become tangled. If the tangle cannot be untangled, cut it off.
Maine Coons are bathed regularly. They love water and calmly perceive this procedure.
Hygienic care for the Maine Coon is important. Make sure your cat's ears and eyes are clean.
Trim your Maine Coon's nails as needed.
Keeping a Maine Coon in an apartment and a house
Don't leave your cat in a room with an open window. Falling from a height can be fatal. The best option is to close the windows with special nets that will protect the Maine Coon from falling.
For the proper maintenance of the Maine Coon in a house or apartment, it is important to provide it with everything necessary. Maine Coon needs:
- Tray. It is important that the Maine Coon tray is of such a size that the cat can turn around there quite calmly.
- Scratching post. It is better to purchase several and give your pet a choice.
- Bowls for food and water are better ceramic.
- A house or a lounger is a cozy place where a Maine Coon can rest.
- Toys so that the Maine Coon is not bored.
Maine Coon feeding
Many owners are interested what to feed a Maine Coon.
The basis of the Maine Coon diet is meat (boiled or previously deep-frozen): chicken, turkey, beef. It does not need to be cut into small pieces. You can give peeled shrimp, boiled fish, quail eggs (not more than 1 time per week), natural yogurt, cottage cheese.
Prohibited foods when feeding a Maine Coon: lamb, pork, tubular bones, milk, raw fish.
If you prefer to feed your Maine Coon natural foods, make sure they are of good quality and fresh.
You can also use dry food to feed the Maine Coon. However, in this case, it is worth focusing exclusively on premium or super-premium class products.
In no case can you save on feeding a Maine Coon!
Maine Coons are amazing raccoon cats. They belong to the semi-longhair feline group. Maine Coons differ from other members of the cat family in their large size, fine coat and friendly character. Their tufted ears are a hallmark of the breed and are impressive. Powerful paws are hidden in thick beautiful wool.
Read more in the article:
The Maine raccoon cat was bred about 150 years ago in North America. These domestic lynxes are smart, easy to train, and can safely walk on a leash.
Maine Coon Care
For a particularly attractive appearance, Maine Coons will have to be carefully groomed. The owner of a representative of this breed needs to know that special attention should be paid to the condition of the ears, eyes and muzzle of the cat, its fur and claws.
Ears
They need to be checked regularly. The cat must be accustomed to this procedure during the game. If the kitten likes it, then further cleaning of the ears will not be difficult. The ears of the Maine Coon in a healthy state are pink inside, without sulfur. It is better to remove its accumulations with cotton pads, and not with cotton swabs, so as not to cause injury. Moisten the tip of the disk with special drops for the ears of kittens or adult cats.
They can be purchased at veterinary shops or pharmacies. Drops clean the ears not only from sulfur, but also from ear mites. After cleaning, you can put a couple of drops into the ears or powder the entrance to the auricle with a special powder. This will prevent the ear mites from getting inside.
Eyes
Mucus and dirt sometimes accumulate in the corners of the eyes, even in healthy pets. You can clean your eyes with a cotton swab, which must be moistened with water or weakly brewed tea. Attention! It is strictly impossible to use chamomile infusion for cleaning - it provokes hair loss around the eyes.
muzzle
A feature of the Maine Coon breed is the minimum susceptibility to the appearance of plaque. Particular attention should be paid to the muzzle of the baby (at three to five months), when his milk teeth grow. During this period, it is useful to examine the oral cavity at least a couple of times a week.
If the teeth grow with a defect, you must contact the veterinary clinic. The doctor will take the necessary measures for treatment. In order for the bite to develop correctly and correspond to the norm, it is useful to give the kitten dry food and medium-sized rubber toys. It is advisable to brush your pet's teeth every day with a soft brush with a special cat's toothpaste.
claws
Strongly regrown claws provide discomfort to the cat. They must be periodically trimmed with special round scissors that are safe for vessels in the claws. A claw without age spots must be cut, placing it under the light at an angle. But the pigmented claw will have to be trimmed, cutting off only the edges.
The claws on the front legs are shorter than those on the hind legs. Maine Coons love to sharpen their claws often. Therefore, it is useful to install a scratching post or a special pad.
How to comb
The Maine Coon has a long coat that requires special care. For this procedure, you will need one or two combs with rare and frequent teeth. The tips of the teeth should be blunt, not sharp. It is also desirable to have a comb with long, rare and rounded teeth, as well as a massage brush. She can comb the cat before exhibitions. The massage brush should also be used during the shedding period.
First, combing is carried out with a comb with sparse teeth, then with frequent teeth. You need to comb in the direction of the coat. For convenience, you can divide the wool into partings. It is not recommended to scratch the neck area, hind legs and tail with a frequent comb, since the hair is restored there for a long time.
In a long thick coat sometimes tangles are formed. They usually stray on the chest, on the stomach, on the hind legs, behind the ears and in the lower region of the neck. The tangles cause anxiety to the cat. They tighten the skin when wool is wound around the tangle. It must be divided into several parts and combed out. If this cannot be done, then you can carefully cut it with nail scissors or tweezers. To do this, pull the tangle towards you and cut the hairs right under it.
It is better to comb the Maine Coon no more than four to five days. Combing prevents severe hair loss and massages the hairline. It is advisable to train your pet from an early age.
Water procedures for Maine Coon
The difference between Maine Coons and other breeds is that these cats are not afraid of water. The reason is probably that at one time sailors often took their ancestors with them on a voyage. These cats have developed a habit of drinking water.
Rarely representatives of this breed do not like to swim. Most of the same applies to the water quite calmly. To avoid problems with bathing, it is useful to accustom a kitten to water procedures from an early age. You can start bathing your pet only four hours after eating. It is important that the cat does not get scared and does not catch a cold in a draft; bathing is best done with the door closed.
Basic rules for bathing Maine Coons:
- first, the cat must be combed, inspected for wounds. If necessary, trim the claws. Ears should be checked and cleaned if necessary.
- it is better to bathe a pet in a small bath for newborns, in a basin or sink. The water should be warm, about 38 degrees;
- you need to lay a flannel diaper on the bottom so that the cat's paws do not scratch the bottom and do not slip;
- when bathing, hold the cat well by the withers (this is how cat mothers hold their kittens);
- With your free hand, wet a large sponge and drip some special cat shampoo (a little). Sponge with foam, run all over the coat so that the shampoo penetrates deep into the skin. Attention! It is absolutely impossible to rub the sponge from side to side, so as not to confuse the fur and turn it into a wet pile;
- the muzzle should be lathered carefully so that the foam does not get into the eyes, does not get into the nose and ears;
- a washed cat should be rinsed, washing off the foam with a light shower. When rinsing it, it is necessary to help wash off the foam with your hand. The wool should "creak" under the hand. If the coat is not rinsed well, the residue of unwashed shampoo can cause irritation on the skin. Also, the cat will look untidy;
- to make the coat shiny later, you can use a cat balm rinse, which is easily washed off a few minutes after application;
- It is strictly forbidden to use shampoos intended for humans. Pet stores and veterinary pharmacies stock pet detergents;
- a cat will endure bathing much more calmly if you speak to him affectionately, soothingly, praise him - what a fine fellow he is. The pet will endure stress due to washing easier and calmer;
- after transferring the cat to a comfortable dry place or draining the water from the font, the pet's hair should be blotted with a towel, it can be terry or paper. This is necessary to remove excess moisture. Then you can start drying it. If the cat is not afraid of a hair dryer, you can choose this drying method. If he is afraid, you can dry the coat thoroughly with paper towels to remove any remaining moisture.
During the entire procedure of bathing and drying the cat, there should be no drafts so that the pet does not catch a cold.
A dried cat must be combed according to certain rules:
- chest, throat, ears, cheeks: comb from bottom to top;
- sides from the tummy to the top of the back;
- belly from the middle, to both sides;
- paws can be simply ruffled.
Nutrition - what and how to feed?
Proper nutrition is an important part of a healthy cat life. It is important to choose the right utensils for food and water for your pet.
It is necessary to take into account the fact that in the wild, the ancestors of cats, before drinking, try to clear the surface of the water from debris, fallen leaves, twigs. In this case, the water is sprayed in different directions. Pets have retained this reflex. The Maine Coon can even knock over a bowl of water, or move it across the floor. Therefore, the drinking container should be moderately heavy, or fixed to the floor so that it does not move and cannot tip over.
The food bowl should be at a distance from the water container. Otherwise, splashes in the food bowl may spoil the food. If the cat stays at home without owners for a long time, it is better to purchase an autodrinker. Water should always be fresh and clean.
Feeding Maine Coons has its own rules:
- Feed your cat dry food only with premium quality. It contains the necessary vitamins and various nutritional supplements that are important for the health and normal development of Maine Coons. Can be combined with canned food;
- if fed with natural food, then the basis of the diet (at least 80%) should be meat and dairy products, vegetables and cereals;
- If the cat's diet is exclusively from natural products, it is necessary to regularly give vitamins;
- in a mixed diet, dry food should be the basis, and natural food additional.
What from natural products can you feed a Maine Coon:
- meat: poultry, beef (raw and boiled), rabbit meat, lean lamb, chicken liver and hearts.
- vegetables: carrots, beets, cabbage, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkin, tomatoes;
- hard cheese;
- eggs: yolk once or twice a week, boiled or raw;
- sea boiled fish, seaweed and other seafood;
- cereals, bran;
- fermented milk products: cottage cheese, yogurt, kefir, fermented baked milk (milk can only be given to kittens under the age of 3 months);
- cereals: three to four times a week as an additive to boiled meat;
- germinated grains: wheat and oats.
Cats need to eat fresh greens periodically. So that the pet does not reach for dusty, dirty grass during a walk, it is necessary to sow grass seeds (wheat, oats) in a low wide container (box) at home and allow the cat to eat young sprouts.
If a cat is allergic to any of the foods or foods, the allergen should be removed from the diet.
Cat food should not be hot or cold. It should be at room temperature. Kittens need to grind their food. The kitten should eat at least 5 times a day. This principle must be kept up to 2 months. From six months, the frequency of feeding is reduced to three times a day, and eight-month-old seals should be transferred to two meals a day.
Pet health - maintenance and care
Prevention:
- once a year you need to do panleukopenia, calcivirosis, rhinotracheitis, chlamydia, infectious peritonitis, trichophytosis and microsporia (ringworm);
- treat wool with flea and tick preparations;
- take anthelmintics.
You can study reviews about veterinarians and choose a decent doctor. We recommend that you bring your pet for routine check-ups from time to time.
Keeping a Maine Coon in an apartment
Cats of this breed are quite large, very active. They need a large living space. A small apartment does not suit them at all. Although there may be exceptions. To keep a Maine Coon in an apartment, it is necessary to create comfortable living conditions. Consider some tips for the apartment:
- Place for food. One bowl for clean water, the second for dry food or natural food, the third for canned or semi-liquid food;
- . For a kitten, you need two. The filler is better to choose clumping or granular.
- Pet corner. It is necessary to allocate a place where there should be a house for the cat. There he will rest and sleep. You also need to purchase a scratching post. It is necessary to preserve the integrity of the furniture. To entertain the cat, you need to buy a couple of toys on a rope or spring.
If all the conditions and rules are met, the pet will feel comfortable. These rules are not very complicated. If the owner creates comfortable conditions for the Maine Coon, then the cat will definitely respond with love.
What is the height and weight of Maine Coons? |
The height at the withers is 30-50 cm, the length of the body from the nose to the tip of the tail is up to 120 cm. Weight, average:
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How much does a Maine Coon eat? |
They eat more than other cat breeds. However, the amount of food consumed coincides with the weight spent energy. If there is no risk of obesity, animals are not restricted in food. They transmit very rarely. |
Is it true that Maine Coons don't meow? |
No. They meow and also make other sounds similar to cooing. Their voice is usually gentle. |
Who is better to choose - a cat or a cat? |
If the size is most impressive, then it is better to choose a cat - they are much larger. Males are more friendly and easy to handle. Females are cunning, resourceful, have a more refined nature, and are often wayward. |
Will there be a lot of Maine Coon wool in the house? |
These are semi-longhair cats. To solve the problem with wool in the house, you need to comb your pet regularly (1-2 times a week). It is recommended to use the furminator if you do not plan to participate in exhibitions. |
What is a Maine Coon box? |
The box is called the muzzle, including the nose, chin, vibrissa pads (whiskers). Lions and tigers have it. The Maine Coon has a clear outline, which can change with age. |
Is it true that such cats do not live long? |
No. The average life expectancy is the same as that of representatives of other breeds - 10-15 liters. In nurseries there are animals that have lived up to 20 liters. |
What should be the conditions of detention? |
Ideal country house. However, an apartment with an equipped sports area is also suitable, where the pet can fulfill the need for movement. |
How much does a purebred animal cost? |
The cost can vary from 600 to 2000 dollars. (depending on origin, pedigree). |
Advantages:
- They have a harmoniously built, graceful body.
- They have a very pleasant, "musical" voice.
- Hardy, active.
- Easily adapt to new conditions.
- They have a stable psyche, aggression is completely absent.
- Friendly towards others.
- Smart, have a good memory, easy to learn simple tricks.
- Children are positive.
- They hunt mice and rats.
Flaws:
- High price.
- Natural alertness (close to fearfulness).
- There may be problems in preparing for exhibitions.
- Difficulties with mating (the female does not immediately respond to the "courtship" of the male).
- Coat care is required.
- Can sharpen claws on interior items.
Maine coon photo
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Character, behavioral features
Maine Coon cats amaze with their appearance, grace, combined with restraint, nobility. Animals have a strong character, are smart, very self-confident, have self-esteem. They are distinguished by activity, mobility, willingly play with their owners, love walks. Pedigree features are good nature, lack of aggressiveness.
Ability to learn
Maine Coons have a well-developed intellect. They are easy to learn, understand everything perfectly. Animals have excellent hearing, excellent memory. They can be taught to walk on a leash, perform various tricks and even swim.
Attitude towards people
Very independent, but strongly attached to the owners. However, they will not impose their society, but will simply be nearby. They do not like to sit on their knees.
They show tact and delicacy to the owner, they are very responsive to affection. In relation to outsiders, they are not aggressive, but they cannot stand familiarity. Small children are treated friendly, moreover, they are born nannies, willingly accompany the child in games.
Relationship with other animals
Males do not need to be isolated from kittens, they raise babies on a par with females. Representatives of this breed get along easily with dogs and other cats. The exception is rodents: Maine Coons have an excellent hunting instinct.
Coat care
The peculiarity of the care and maintenance of Maine Coons: combing out the hair 1-2 r. per week
Required: 2 combs with frequent and rare teeth, which must be blunt, scissors. Use a wide-toothed comb first, then a fine-toothed comb.
- Comb the cat from head to tail, and comb the mane in the opposite direction.
- Remove matted hair during combing.
- Divide the tangles into strands (with scissors, a thin stick). Comb them carefully.
- If it is impossible to comb the tangles, cut them out. Take the mat with your left hand (close to the skin). Cut the fur directly under the fingers, touching them with scissors.
- Be sure to cut the fur under the tail (it gets dirty).
What to do if the Maine Coon resists brushing
- Perform the procedure when the pet is sleeping.
- If you touch the head, neck, place behind the ears, the cat will be pleased. Alternate combing the hair in these places with others.
- Movements must be careful so that the pet does not get hurt.
- Cut the tangles (along the hair growth), disassemble the strands with your hands or cut them.
- If the cat is worried, stop combing, continue after a few minutes.
Nail care
A carefully fixed scratching post is required. A log fixed on the floor with a crosspiece will do. It is recommended to buy/make several scratching posts, better of different textures. Install one of them at the cat's sleeping place. How to teach &
- Bring to the scratching post, run the animal's paw pads. It will remain secretions of sweat glands.
- Reward with a treat.
- When the cat begins to sharpen its claws on its own in the allotted place, give a treat.
- There is also an old way: grease the scratching post with catnip.
Claw trimming
The nails are trimmed when they get too long and there is not enough grinding. Usually this has to be done 1-2 times a month. You will need:
- regular scissors or nail clippers,
- nailfile,
- cotton wool,
- hydrogen peroxide.
Procedure order:
- Place the cat in a position that is comfortable for her.
- Fix its position by holding the paws with your hands.
- Take the scissors in your right hand, press the foot in the center with your left. Kun will open his fingers, pushing his claws forward.
- Examine the claws from the inside. As a rule, they are translucent, which makes it easy to distinguish the beginning of the vessel.
- Trim the claw, stepping back from the beginning of the pink shell 2 mm. Position the scissors perpendicularly.
- Cut off dark nails by 1-2 mm. This will eliminate damage to blood vessels, nerve endings.
- File the edges of the claws with a file.
- If the vessel was damaged, treat the foot with hydrogen peroxide.
Eye Care
- Perform regular checks for discharge.
- If there is mucus, remove it with a cotton swab dipped in chamomile infusion, tea, a weakly concentrated solution of boric acid.
- If the discharge does not disappear, show the cat to the veterinarian.
Ear care
- Regular inspection required.
- Clean contaminated interior surfaces with cotton swabs. Do not use water or other liquids.
- Sprinkle the inner surfaces of the ears with a special powder (prevention of infection with otodectosis).
oral care
- Periodic inspection.
- If you plan to participate in exhibitions, brush your teeth every day. Use a special toothbrush, paste (sold in pet stores).
- During the procedure, you need to massage the pet's gums with a brush.
- Feed your pet hard food, it helps to clean the teeth.
Bathing
Teach your cat to bathe from 2 months. Periodicity - as wool becomes dirty or before the exhibition. Procedure order:
- Comb the coon's fur.
- Place a rubber mat (towel) on the bottom of the bathing tank, pour warm water (38-40 o C).
- Place cotton balls in the cat's ears. Gently place it in the water, holding it well with one hand.
- Moisten the cat's fur, apply a little shampoo. Movements should be neat, smooth.
- Rinse the foam thoroughly with clean water using a small mug or a rubber hose (if the cat is afraid of the shower).
- Rinse the coat with a weak solution of vinegar or a special balm.
- Squeeze out the water from the wool, wrap the pet in a towel. If the animal is not afraid of a hair dryer, drying will take no more than 10 minutes.
- Within 3-4 hours, the cat should be in a warm place, isolated from drafts.
- Then comb the coat of the kun.
Health, susceptibility to disease
Genetic diseases:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, when the walls of the ventricles of the myocardium are thickened. It may not show any symptoms, sometimes ends in the sudden death of a pet.
- Spinal muscular atrophy. Characterized by muscle weakness. Leads to atrophy of muscle tissue, shortens the life of the kun.
- Dysplasia of the hip joints. Accompanied by frequent dislocations, pain, impaired mobility. Life is not threatened.
Tendency:
- Urolithiasis disease. Causes: too hard water for drinking, the wrong composition of the diet. The risk of getting sick is increased in neutered animals.
- Diseases of the oral cavity: tartar, stomatitis, tooth loss, bleeding gums. The risk is increased when feeding insufficiently hard natural feeds.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Common causes: change of feed, malnutrition.
Signs of any disease:
- lethargy, immobility,
- lack of appetite,
- dull coat,
- watery eyes,
- hot, dry nose
- thirst, vomiting, constipation/diarrhea,
- rise in temperature by 1-2 o C (at a rate of 37.5-39 o C).
Choosing a kitten, care, upbringing
- show - exhibition;
- breeding - tribal;
- pet - for the home (can not be bred).
If the mating is registered, the kitten must have a pedigree, the class does not play a role. The baby is taken from the mother at the age of 12 weeks.
Choice
Give preference to a large, active animal. The kitten must have:
- shiny eyes,
- sparkling fur,
- "box"
- ear tassels,
- long ponytail.
Pay attention to the mother cat, she should look well-groomed, healthy.
Care
The kitten will need:
- 2 bowls (for food, water), it is better to choose earthenware or ceramic dishes;
- toilet, filler;
- scratching post;
- couch;
- toys;
- game complex.
Place the bowls together (on the kitchen floor), preferably on a tray. Put the tray in a secluded place, optimally - in the bathroom. Clean the toilet at least once a day. Block loopholes in secluded places (under the sofa, closet, etc.). Use an odor neutralizer when cleaning up feces left in inappropriate places.
The bed should be located where no one will disturb the kitten. However, he himself will choose where it is better for him to sleep. Game complexes are sold in pet stores. You can adapt home-made horizontal platforms installed at different heights.
Upbringing
Designed to prevent the development of bad habits. It is necessary that the kitten is accustomed to:
- to the toilet
- rules of conduct
- combing procedures, bathing and others.
Teach care procedures after the game, when the baby gets tired, relaxes. At first it will be an imitation of a haircut, combing, examination. Gradually increase the time of tactile contact. Always give your kitten a treat at the end.
- Turn on the hair dryer when the kitten is eating, gradually bring the device closer to him.
- Hold the device nearby, the air stream should not fall into the muzzle.
- Direct a jet of cool air at your pet (for a few seconds).
- Increase the duration of the hair dryer day by day.
It is important to immediately establish a good relationship with the kun, you can not perceive it as a living toy. It is strictly forbidden to poke your nose, beat, use other aggressive methods. Education should be on the principle of "strict but fair." To wean a cat from scratching furniture, jumping on tables, shitting in the wrong places, use a spray bottle with water.
Toilet training
Toilet training doesn't take long. Keep an eye on the kitten after feeding, put him on the potty if he gets restless. Until it's empty, don't let go. The stool must be removed immediately. Maine Coons are distinguished by cleanliness, if the toilet is dirty, the pet can “visit” another place.
Feeding
Feeding frequency:
- 3-4 months - 5-6 rubles / day;
- 4-6 months - 4 rubles / day;
- 6 months-1 year - 2-3 rubles / day;
- from a year - 2 rubles / day.
What to feed kittens
Ready-made food: must be labeled “for kittens up to 3 months”, “for kittens up to 10 months / 1 g”. Do not mix food of different names.
Natural food. What to feed small Maine Coons:
- cottage cheese (daily);
- low-fat meat (chicken, rabbit, veal, turkey) without skin, bones (daily);
- boiled, pureed vegetables (daily);
- eggs (1 p. per week);
- fish without bones (1-2 rubles per week);
- children's canned meat and vegetables (several times a week);
- offal (several times a week, starting from 4 months of age);
- vitamin supplements (according to the instructions on the package).
Forbidden:
- economy class ready-to-eat food,
- lamb, pork,
- spices, salt,
- porridge,
- roast,
- tomatoes, eggplant,
- excess seafood, fish (may cause urolithiasis).
Feeding adult Maine Coons
The diet for big Maine Coon cats is similar in composition to the diet for kittens, but you need to increase the amount of meat. Include soups, grated cheese in the menu. Add greens, sprouted grains of cereals to the feed. This clears the stomach. Daily calorie content - at least 60 kcal / kg, the amount of proteins - 10 g / kg.
Give food at the same time. The schedule must not be violated, otherwise the cat may wake up the owner early in the morning or in the middle of the night, begging for food. If the pet still interfered with sleep, do not punish him. Chat with him, stroke, but do not feed. Optimal: feeding before leaving for work and 2 hours after returning home.
Feeding castrated, sterilized animals.
Main problems: possible obesity, development of urolithiasis.
Ready-made feeds: a special diet is needed. You can not give food, which contains a lot of phosphorus, magnesium. Follow the dosage to prevent overeating.
The pet should drink enough water (its volume should be 3 times more than the amount of food). If the animal drinks too little, pre-soak the food or give canned food. Alternatively, feed him natural food, not mixing it with drying.
Natural Food: Eliminate sausages, any foods treated with salt, food chemicals. Salt must not be added to food. The composition of the diet:
- boiled lean meat + broth,
- fish (only river, 1 rub/week),
- boiled offal (1 p. / week),
- eggs,
- fermented milk low-fat products (2-3 rubles / week),
- cereals (rice, buckwheat, semolina, wheat, corn),
- raw and boiled vegetables (carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, beets, cauliflower),
- fresh herbs (grass bought at a pet store or sprouted at home, germinated grains of cereals).
Breeding features
Maine Coons are used for breeding when they are fully formed (at about 4-5 years old). The onset of physiological maturity is individual, depending on many factors (heredity, climatic zone, conditions of detention). According to American standards, semi-wild native cats similar in phenotype can be used in breeding.
Pregnancy is possible no more than 1 p. per year, its duration is 68 days. (average). There are up to 6 kittens in a litter, which are born large and strong.
Feeding:
- From 28 days - up to 1 month:
- mother's milk + complementary foods (liquid cereals in milk).
- First month - up to 28 days:
- only mother cat's milk.
- 1 - 2 months:
- mother's milk + complementary foods (give 6 rubles / day, daily amount 120-150 g),
- porridge with milk
- scraped meat scalded with boiling water.
- 2 - 3 months:
- milk,
- liquid cereals with milk,
- scraped meat (scalded).
How many times to feed: 4 rubles / day.
Daily amount of feed: 190-250 g.
Standards
They are due to the felinological system adopted in the country. Popular: WCF, TICA, FIFe. In the Russian Federation, WCF is more often used.
| WCF | TICA | FIFe | |
| Body |
|
large long torso, has a rectangular shape |
|
| legs of medium length |
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| the tail has long hair, its length reaches the shoulder | tail well feathered | tail with flowing hair, long | |
| Head | massive skull | the forehead is quite rounded | forehead gently rounded |
| high cheekbones | cheekbones prominent | ||
| massive square box | box - square | muzzle - square | |
| massive chin | chin straight | chin strong | |
| the neck is of medium length | neck muscular | neck strong | |
| Ears |
|
|
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| Eyes |
|
|
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| Wool |
|
|
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| Color |
|
any colors |
|
| Defects | coat of one length |
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History reference
Maine Coons appeared 150 years ago in the USA (Maine). No one specifically bred the breed. It is considered aboriginal, that is, formed under the influence of environmental factors. According to one version, the progenitors were long-haired cats imported from Asia, which interbred with local animals with short hair. The name of the breed comes from the words:
- Maine is the name of the US state;
- coon - an integral part of the word "raccoon", translated as "raccoon".
Another name for Maine Coons is raccoon cats. For the first time they learned about them in 1885, the animals were presented at a local fair. Having been successful in America, large cats covered with thick, long hair became popular in other countries. Previously, the standards were stricter, only the “black marble” color was recognized: gray, white stains on a black background (at present, thoroughbred individuals can have any color).
At the beginning of the 20th century, the breed was threatened with extinction, as the Persians came into fashion. However, from the middle of the 20th, the kunas gained popularity again. Now in America they are in second place, in Europe they are in the top five. Maine Coons were brought to Russia in the early 90s, and over time, dozens of nurseries appeared. Representatives of the breed successfully participate in international competitions, receiving high awards.
What and how often to feed the Maine Coon?
Opinions about the correct feeding of the Maine Coon differ. Some believe that it is necessary to feed only professional feeds, others argue that only natural food, and still others, of which the majority, are of the opinion that mixed feeding is beneficial.
From ready-made feeds, it is recommended to choose only high-quality feeds (premium class), since only they provide the Maine Coon's daily need for the necessary nutrients, in addition, they include vitamins and minerals. When feeding only ready-made feeds, there is no need to add vitamin complexes to the diet, which cannot be said about exclusively “natural” feeding, where their addition is strictly necessary.
From natural products, Maine Coons can eat lean boiled meat (horse meat, turkey, chicken, beef, lamb), boiled sea fish of noble varieties (trout, herring, salmon), vegetables (except potatoes and legumes), cereals in the form well-boiled cereals, fermented milk products, offal. Food must be prepared specifically for cats and must not contain spices, sugar or salt.
With mixed feeding of Maine Coons, as a rule, dry industrial good food is taken as a basis, and natural products are used as additional food. With any type of feeding, sprouted oats are necessary for the periodic cleaning of the stomach of Maine Coons.
What products and items of care for the Maine Coon is desirable to buy?
Slicker,
- A rare metal comb (preferably with rotating teeth),
- Massage metal brush with antistatic coating,
- Shampoo for long-haired cats,
- Bath towel,
- Nail cutters, or tongs, or nail scissors,
- toothbrush,
- Toothpaste for animals,
- Ear cleaner or petroleum jelly,
- You should also stock up on cotton wool and cotton swabs.
How to take care of the Maine Coon coat?
Maine Coons are a godsend for people who want a long-haired pet, but do not have the opportunity to carry out complex everyday care. The coat of representatives of this breed is silky, pleasant to the touch, and at the same time does not have a tendency to stall. It is enough to comb it 3-4 times a month. During the shedding period, more effort will be needed to care for the coat. They comb the Maine Coons from the head, moving along the back to the tail, and only after that they comb the stomach and paws. Dead hairs of the undercoat must be combed out with a slicker brush, a rare comb and a massage brush with an antistatic coating will help in removing fallen outer hairs and giving the coat a beautiful, well-groomed appearance. It is recommended to choose only high-quality care products.
How should you bathe a Maine Coon, and how often?
Maine Coon owners generally do not have problems with bathing, since most representatives of this breed love water. They are happy to play with it, swim well, some have the habit of drinking "scooping" water with their paws.
Bathing Maine Coons is recommended once every 2-4 months. Be sure to wash your pet before the show and increase the number of water procedures during molting to speed up the change of coat. When washing cats, you should lather several times and only in the direction of hair growth, using a special shampoo and paying special attention to the tail. It gets dirty more and faster than other parts of the body, so you need to wash it more thoroughly, you can even rub the hair with a toothbrush or clothes brush. After the last soaping, it is necessary to rinse the Maine Coon's coat well. If shampoo remains on the coat, this can lead to matting, sometimes the hairs can begin to split. It is recommended to wash your head gently, without shampoo. Ears must be plugged with cotton wool before bathing.
After bathing, you should thoroughly dry the Maine Coon with a towel and make sure that there are no drafts in the house, and the pet avoids open windows and doors. You can dry with a hair dryer, but without much zeal, so as not to harm the coat and skin.
How to care for the teeth, ears, eyes and claws of a Maine Coon?
Eye care is simple - it is recommended to remove discharge every day with a damp piece of cotton wool. It is best to clean the ears with a special tool designed for this, or replace it with vaseline oil (some are slightly moistened in plain vegetable oil). It is more convenient to clean using cotton buds, but care must be taken not to injure the Maine Coon with its hard parts. This procedure is recommended to be carried out as the ears become dirty or once every four weeks.
Teeth also need to be kept clean. When feeding with dry food, cleaning can be done once every one to two months, with another type of feeding - once a month at least. It is advisable to brush your Maine Coon's teeth as often as possible to avoid possible health problems. For this procedure, only special toothpastes should be used, while human ones can harm animals. Toothbrushes can be any, the main thing is that they fit in size.
Usually Maine Coons do not cut their claws. Because of the hair on the paws, parts of the claws protruding from the pads are not visible, therefore they do not spoil the view, and since the Maine Coons do not like to sit on their knees, they almost never scratch the owners. If the pet scratches the furniture, a good, attractive-looking scratching post can fix it. She will solve the cat's problem of changing the layers of the claw and distract from the master's furniture. In this regard, there is no special need for cutting the nails, but it is still desirable. If there is a need (before the exhibition, mating, for the safety of the cat), then special well-sharpened scissors (nail cutters, wire cutters, tweezers) should be used, it is desirable that they have a restrictive plate.
How long do Maine Coons live?
Maine Coons have good natural health, therefore, how long a pet lives, for the most part, depends on the owners. With proper care, proper maintenance and balanced nutrition, Maine Coons can live up to 20 years, with an average life expectancy 14-16 years old.
Author: wolchonokW7
Copyright holder: portal Zooclub
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