Maine Coon

Personality and Temperament

Bold features, a thick, luxurious coat, and an incredibly friendly personality set the Maine Coon cat apart from the rest. These gorgeous cats love to play, but they enjoy taking time out for a well-earned nap when the mood strikes. Often, Maine Coon cats snuggle up next to their favorite people, which can be quite helpful on chilly evenings!

The Maine Coon’s purr is warmly expressive, and it’s often loud enough to be heard from several feet away. Their vocalizations are surprisingly quiet for such big cats, but their vocabularies can be extensive, with a range of chirps and meows.

One of the largest cat breeds in existence today, and one of the most popular breeds worldwide, the Maine Coon has a heart to match its stature. These cats love people and get along well with other pets. They are ideal for families as they tend to have an appreciation for children. When you meet a Maine Coon cat, you'll understand why they are called the gentle giants of the cat world.

Care

Maine Coon cats have no special nutritional needs. However, it is worth noting that these large cats need a high-protein diet, and their daily caloric needs can be far higher than that of a smaller cat. We recommend feeding your Maine Coon cat a fresh diet or offering a high-quality commercial brand that lists real fish or meat as the number one ingredient.

As your Maine Coon ages, you might find it necessary to cut back a bit so your cat doesn't pack on extra pounds. Offering an age-appropriate diet is one of the best ways to help your cat enjoy good health throughout their golden years.

History

As you might have guessed, the Maine Coon cat is a native of the state of Maine. Endemic to the United States of America, this breed probably originated in the 1850s, when long-haired cats were brought to America and mated with local short-haired cats. The result was a hearty, healthy, large cat with incredible hunting prowess; a heavy, shaggy coat; and a long, flowing tail.

The breed was exhibited at cat shows throughout the late 19th century. Farmers who prized these cats for their outstanding ability to keep barns and outbuildings free from rodents held their own competition, called the Maine State Champion Coon Cat contest at the Skowhegan Fair.

Maine Coon cats fell out of fashion during the early 20th century, when more exotic long-haired cat breeds such as Persians came to the United States. The breed declined until the 1950s, with some people believing the Maine Coon might have even become extinct.

Maine Coon cat aficionados Alta Smith and Ruby Dyer founded the Central Maine Cat Club (CMCC) in 1953 to preserve the breed for future generations. In an effort to increase awareness about the breed, the CMCC posted cat shows and exhibitions that featured photographs of Maine Coon cats. The CMCC created the first written breed standards for Maine Coon cats, helping this unique breed regain popularity.

Ethelyn Whittemore of Augusta, Maine, whose family had continued casually breeding Maine Coons during the breed's time of unpopularity in the U.S., founded a Maine Coon cattery and kept written breeding records of her cats. Her cats were often winners at CMCC shows.

The Maine Coon Cat Club formed in 1973, with a goal of helping the breed achieve recognition by the Cat Fanciers' Association. In May 1975, the CFA granted Maine Coon cats provisional status; the Maine Coon was approved for championship status in 1976. Today, Maine Coon cats are recognized by all major cat registries.

The Breed Standard

Body

Maine Coon cats are muscular, well proportioned, and rectangular, giving the impression of overall balance. Male Maine Coons are typically larger than females. It's common for a male to achieve a weight of 20 pounds or more.

Head

The medium-width head is a touch longer than it is wide. The medium-length muzzle has a visibly square shape. The chin is strong and firm, and in profile, chin depth appears squared, creating a 90-degree angle.

Ears

The ears are large with wide bases that taper to pointed tips. They are set approximately one ear's width apart at the base, and have ample furnishing. Ear tufts are desirable.

Coat

Maine Coon cats have a heavy and shaggy double coat that consists of an undercoat and longer guard hairs over the top. The coat has a silky texture and falls smoothly. The tail is long and flowing, and a prominent rough on the chest is desirable.

Color

Maine Coon cats come in every color and pattern other than chocolate, lavender, and the Himalayan pattern.

Eyes

The Maine Coon cat has large, expressive oval-shaped eyes that slant slightly toward the outer base of the ears. The eye color complements the coat’s color.

Legs & Paws

The legs are substantial, and of medium length, well proportioned in comparison to the body. The forelegs are straight, and the back legs appear straight when viewed from behind. Maine Coon cats have large, rounded paws that are well-tufted. Polydactyl Maine Coon cats (those with extra toes) are accepted in shows sanctioned by The International Cat Cat Association (TICA).

Tail

The long tail is wider at the base, tapering toward the end. A luxuriant, flowing plume is desirable.