March Cat Breed Of The Month: Maine Coons

Learn More About Maine Coons
Much to my surprise, the most popular breed here at the cat spa for grooming is paws down the Maine Coon. The first few were extremely intimidating with their huge faces and almost grumpy dissatisfied stares and 3 feet long bodies! That’s not even mentioning all the fur on them! 

However, after a few of these gentle giants, we have come to welcome and love this breed! If you have the chance to meet one, you will love them as well. 

Where Do Maine Coons Come From?
Surprise surprise, yes, Maine Coon cats do come from the state of Maine. They’re actually the official cat of the great state. There are many interesting theories as to how they ended up in Maine (ranging from Vikings to Marie Antoinette).

Originally used as mousers, these cats are bred to handle the great outdoors. They have thick 3-layered fur coats and gorgeous paws with lots of fur on the pads to handle snow and cold. 

Mice should be afraid of any cat in my opinion, but Maine Coon cats actually are not an aggressive breed. If anything, they are the opposite and super chill relaxed cats. The calm cool exterior is not an act and they tend to be very friendly and tolerant of pretty much anything. 

We bathe them drama-free, dry them with a large dryer and they simply lay there relaxing and enjoying the attention lavished on them. Even the clippers don’t bother them! 

What Do Maine Coons Look Like?
The first cat to win a top cat show in the US back in 1895 was a Maine Coon. Their huge lion-like mane in the front is very regal and their large plume-like tails complete the look. 

They have medium to large heads with fascinating and expressive faces. 

My favorite part is the ears. The pointy tufts on the ears simply crack me up. There are also about 75 combinations of colors for them, so they can be quite diverse! 

Are Maine Coons Good Pets?
Maine Coon cats are an excellent choice if you have children or other cats, even dogs. They are warm, friendly and very adjustable. One might even say they behave more like dogs than cats. They love to play and can be trained to fetch balls and other activities. These cats are very smart and catch on fast! 

Another wonderful trait is that they are quiet, meaning no loud yowling at 5 am as my siamese Maddie used to do! Maine Coons are more about the looks that intimidate than the sounds they can make so if you like quiet, they are perfect.

How Do I Get a Maine Coon?
I suggest finding a reliable breeder if you want a Maine Coon. However, they can be quite rare to find! One of my customers has been waiting almost a year now for a kitten, so have patience. Another customer here found a purebred at the local shelter so you never know what one will find up for adoption. 

As with any breed, do the research to make sure this breed will fit your situation and lifestyle as a cat is a commitment of about 15 years. Talk to your veterinarian about genetic issues or potential health issues for your chosen breed. 

Then be ready for the fur to fly around your house as Maine Coons have A LOT of fur and it gets everywhere. The fur can mat easily and daily brushing and grooming must be done to keep things under control.

Maine Coon cats are a wonderful breed for many reasons and maybe they are purrfect for you.