Are you a fan of felines and considering a new one to welcome to the family? Perhaps you have been weighing up the options of the vast array of cats you can keep as pets in the UK and are just too spoilt for choice. Well, let us introduce you to the Maine Coon.
A cat that is rising in popularity here in the UK but has for a long time, been a favourite of pet owners across the world the Maine Coon is a statement pet. Big in stature, imposing and extremely distinctive, they are the kind of cat that makes everyone look twice, and if you like your pets to exhibit that type of trait. It could be the one for you!
Let’s have a look at all you need to know about keeping a Maine Coon.
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What is a Maine Coon?
A Maine Coon is a type of cat that is thought to originate from Maine, USA but legend has it they may have originally come from Britain and Scandinavia before making their way over to the USA.
They are large, much bigger than the typical household cat and have long thick fur adorning their bodies. Tufts of fur sprout from between their toes and ears too, making for quite a remarkable looking cat.
Their bodies are built to handle cold weather, and this means that summer weather is not their friend. They will seek out the coolest spots when the sun is out.
Seen by many as not ideal for beginners due to a variety of factors we will cover throughout this blog, the Maine Coon is a cat that should be fully researched before deciding it is the cat for you.
They are the largest domestic cat of all and are currently the 5th most popular pedigree in the UK!
Males can grow to around 9kg in weight with the female only a little smaller. So now you know a little about them, let’s dive in and find out all there is to know about keeping one.
How much are Maine Coon cats?
Before finding out whether they are easy or difficult to look after, it would be a great idea to figure out how much you will have to spend in order to get one! Word of warning. They don’t come cheap!
Prices for pedigree kittens range from £700 and can go as high as £1000, even higher in some cases! The high prices aren’t just based on age though. The colour of the Maine Coon goes someway to deciding the price with ginger or black Maine Coons being the most expensive types you can buy.
Should you decide to go for a non-pedigree, you may be saving a little money with the average cost of a kitten closer to the £400 mark.
In some cases, initial vaccinations are included in the price, especially if buying from a breeder but this is something you should check in advance of purchasing. Shop around before committing, many people will look for the cheapest price but sometimes this can be of detriment. Research the breeder and the cat for sale. By asking for its family tree, you will be able to see if it is in fact a Maine Coon and not a cheaper alternative!
How long do Maine Coons live?
With a price in mind, you may be looking to see what your return on investment is! Of course, you will get the return of playing with it, loving it, and watching it grow but if this was only for a year, would you feel short-changed? Maine Coons, on average live 10-12 years giving you plenty of time to enjoy them and watch them develop from a curious kitten into a fully matured feline.
What is the temperament of a Maine Coon?
Maine Coons are cuddly, playful cats that love attention and showing off. Great around other people and comfortable around other pets, they can adapt well to their new surroundings without you having to make drastic changes at home to accommodate them.
Some people refer to them as gentle giants as, despite their large size, they remain small in voice and almost kitten-like in personality. If you opt for a male, you will have a cat that is extremely sociable and fun to watch, females on the other hand provide entertainment but are a little more, shall we say pretentious in character!
They aren’t aggressive at all unless of course they feel threatened and need to defend themselves but even then, it can be relatively tame compared to other cats. This is another reason they are a popular cat for families as the children get to enjoy the cuddly fun cat without fear of getting scratched or bitten.
Can Maine Coons go outside?
Maine Coon cats are very adaptable and can go outside just like any other cat, in fact in Maine, USA, where they originate from, the weather gets very cold, and the Maine Coon has a coat to cope with that, so being outside in the UK is certainly not a problem. They are also just as adept at being kept as house cats and will enjoy the indoor environment too. Many people actually choose to keep them as indoor cats, their high market value making them targets for thieves.
If opting to keep them indoors though, be mindful of their size. They will need space to sleep, play and simply move about. You will also need to feed their curiosity. Outdoors, they can run, explore, hide and more, with each fulfilling their cerebral development. If keeping the Maine Coon indoors, ensure you have plenty of stimulants for them to play with and keep them occupied.
Do Maine Coon cats shed?
Yes, Maine Coons do shed, and it can be a lot! They naturally have thick coats that are there to keep them warm and dry in the colder, wetter months and then ready for summer, they shed the undercoat saving them from overheating when temperatures rise. Some will shed all year long so you may find that you are sweeping or hoovering up a fair bit of cat hair throughout the house!
Grooming helps though and a regular bit of TLC for your cat’s coat will be beneficial to both the cat and your house. Start doing this when they are kittens, and they will soon adapt to it without problems. Start grooming them when they are a little older and it will be a much harder task with your Maine Coon resisting much more frequently.
Maine Coon grooming
Using a soft brush, groom them daily to avoid hair getting matted and clumped together. It can be quite relaxing for both you and your Maine Coon once you get going! It also stands to benefit their health too. With so much hair that could easily be ingested, regular grooming will help remove the risk of furballs that could get trapped in the cat’s intestine.
Add in a monthly bath and your Maine Coon will feel like it’s being pampered although they may try and show you they aren’t willing to cooperate the first few times!
You will need to clip their claws too, but this can be quite a fidgety task that you may not feel comfortable with. If that’s the case, your vet will be able to help!
Are Maine Coon cats healthy?
On the whole, Maine Coons are hardy, healthy cats but that is not to say they won’t get ill so keeping on top of vaccinations is important.
Maine Coons are known to occasionally suffer from a heart condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is thought to be a genetic mutation within the Maine Coon breed. Symptoms normally become noticeable from the age of three and could include a loss of appetite and shortness of breath. Untreated, it can be very serious so it is best to get your cat to the vet if you spot this happening.
Other health issues that can often be found in Maine Coons include polycystic kidney disease and spinal muscular atrophy.
The kidney disease, also known as PKD requires lifelong treatment if found within your Maine Coon. It can take quite some time for you to notice your cat is ill with this particular disease as it works slowly in harming the kidneys. You may not see any signs of it until the cat reaches adulthood so look out for, tiredness, weight loss, lots of drinking, vomiting and lack of appetite. If you see these symptoms contact your vet immediately.
What do Maine Coon cats eat?
Maine Coon cats, just like other felines are natural predators so if left to roam outside, will hunt small animals such as mice and birds. At home though a diet of chicken, fish and both wet or dry cat food will help fuel their engine. With high levels of energy and a big body to fill, stocking up on protein is important. With that in mind, aim for a good mixture of protein-based food, feel free to mix it up a little and change what they eat but always maintain a daily protein intake of around 35-50%.
What foods can’t Maine Coons eat?
There are of course some foods that Maine Coons cannot eat. Keep them away from:
- Chocolate
- Milk
- Grapes
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Nuts
- Dog food
- Raw Eggs
- Sweets and products with high sugar content
- Tuna fish
Hopefully now with our guide, you have a great idea of whether a Maine Coon is for you! They are certainly great fun and will give you plenty of attention!
At PBS Pet Travel, we love cats and have helped people relocate with their felines all across the globe. With cat travel something we organise all year long, why not speak to us to see how we can get your Maine Coon to any place on the planet with our cat relocation services. Working with a comprehensive list of certified carriers and able to help you with any pet travel paperwork, reach out to us today
