Maine Coons are famous for their friendly manner, big frame, pointed ears and a long, silky coat. The fur of Maine Coons is thick and silky that one could be able to refer to them as “mane” Coons! They are among the biggest domestic cats breeds (along along Siberians along with Ragdolls) widely referred to for being the “gentle gigantic.”
If you’re thinking of adopting the Maine Coon, you should know more about the breed to ensure that you take care of your pet in the most effective way. Through this post, learn information about Maine Coon’s traits, personality as well as common health issues and nutritional requirements.
Common Maine Coon characteristics
Maine Coon cats are so beloved by pet parents due to their personalities. The breed is extremely playful and sociable. They are considered to be family-friendly due to their affection for elderly, children, other cats, and even cat-friendly dogs.
While they’re usually an active and active species, Maine Coons still like to nap a lot and they can be found napping up to 16 hours per day. They’re typically active between dawn and sunset.
Benefits of adopting an Maine Coon
Maine Coons are great indoor cats due to their:
Flexible–Maine Coons are simple to care for as they’re super capable of adapting to any conditions
A little talkative, Maine Coons tend to meow more frequently than other cats, which makes it simpler to gauge their mood and react accordingly.
Family-oriented, and extremely and friendly, Maine Coons are great to keep in the household because they are able to enjoy the company of everyone in the family, including pets.
Intelligent – Being able and able to train your cat will simplify your life. Because of their ability to learn, Maine Coons are easy to train. All you require is the basics of understanding feline behaviour patterns, as well as tasty snacks
Loyal: Maine Coons exhibit a number of characteristics that are dog-like, such as loyalty. The gentle giants are known to be loyal to the entire family
Although Maine Coons aren’t difficult to handle but there are some crucial things to take into consideration to ensure that your pet is happy.
Things to remember
Affiliating the breed of Maine Coon comes with specific difficulties due to this breed:
Are extremely curious–Maine Coons tend to explore, and this can result in them being in unfavorable circumstances (for instance, they may consume poisonous food or become lost). To prevent this from happening you should keep their surroundings as secure as you can (e.g. ensure that all dangerous ingredients are safely stored) and be vigilant when they’re outside.
Dependency is a possibility. This is the biggest drawback to Maine Coons sociable nature. They aren’t able to be left on their own for long periods of time. These cats are social If your busy schedule makes it difficult to stay at your house, adopting another pet may be the best option.
Needs regular grooming. The majestic Maine Coon fur needs to be regularly groomed. Similar to most domestic cats, these gentle giants suffer from a degree of shed throughout the year It is essential to be extra careful with their fur to avoid the chaos and the hairballs. Expect more shed during the fall and spring and you’ll most likely have to groom them on a regular basis.
You must be outside, and since they’re active and curious, Maine Coons love large wide spaces that they are free to roam. If you have a yard it should not be a problem but if you reside inside an apartment take your cat on at least one walk every day.
Cats have a strong prey drive. are naturally predators and this breed isn’t an exception. Maine Coons like to chase small animals, such as mice birds, frogs and even insects. Hunting could be hazardous for your cat due to the different bacteria that their prey can carry. If you’re looking for your cat to be active and fun like Maine Coons it is important to make sure that their diet and routine of play meet their requirements to ensure they don’t be compelled to hunt.
Are susceptible to certain health issues. Despite being a robust breed Maine Coons are susceptible to particular health issues
What health problems Do Maine Coons suffer from?
Maine Coons can suffer from numerous hereditary ailments and other health issues that are related to lifestyle.
Genetic disorders
Maine Coons have a genetic predisposition to be afflicted by:
Heart disease – Maine Coons may develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It is a disease which causes expansion of the heart’s walls. The symptoms to watch out for include shallow breathing as well as coughing. It can also cause extreme weight loss
Hip dysplasia – These gentle giants and other cat breeds with large sizes can be affected by hip dysplasia. It is a genetic disorder that leads to the abnormal formation in the joint of the hip. It may lead to arthritis.
Hereditary Spinal Muscular Atrophy results in Maine Coons to have an abnormal position and unstable movement
A condition known as Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)–Maine Coons with PKD have pockets of liquid (cysts) within their kidneys. Although the cysts aren’t large in the beginning but they may expand and cause kidney failure. The signs of the disease include an increase in thirst, frequent urination and weight loss.
Health problems related to lifestyle
If they’re not offered the right diet, exercise, or medical attention, Maine Coons can suffer from:
Dental issues are result of inadequate oral hygiene and poor nutrition , and are typically accompanied by a bad breath and discomfort. To avoid them, you should clean your Maine Coon’s dental teeth at least every week with special cat-friendly brushes. It is also recommended to feed your cat a diet that is dental to maintain their oral health. Also, make sure that the meals they eat contain artificial colours, sugar as well as other harmful substances.
Obesity: Cats that eat a high-calorie, carb-rich diet are more likely to put on excessive weight. Although chubby cats can be cute obese cats can suffer from different mobility and health problems that can make their lives difficult
Diabetes: Obese cats may suffer from insulin resistance that often results in diabetes mellitus. Common signs include an increase in appetite as well as frequent urination and sudden weight loss.
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The best method to ensure that your Maine Coon is healthy, happy and active is to give them a balanced and meat-based diet that is satisfies their nutritional requirements and ensure that they get plenty of exercise.
What would ideal feline nutrition appear to be?
Your Maine Coon’s meals on a regular basis must include the following elements:
Proteins from animals contain amino acid chains (such like taurine) vital for building strong muscle tissue as well as protecting organ health and creating antibodies. Cats should be fed only animal proteins since plant proteins do not meet their nutritional needs and aren’t easy to digest.
Fatty acids are vital to ensure the coat and skin of cats. The food your cat eats should have up to 20% of animal fat, as excessive consumption could result in obesity and health problems.
In nature, animals are able to get enough water through the consumption of fresh-killed prey. Felines have a lower thirst, and therefore don’t necessity to drink water to make up for the lack of moisture in their food. Dehydration can cause a variety of health issues, including crystals of struvite. This is why every cat, not just Maine Coons, should be provided with food that has a higher moisture content in order to keep them hydrated.
Are Maine Coons need carbs?
Carbohydrates don’t have to be part of the diet of cats because they don’t have enzymes that can digest simple carbohydrates. The main source of energy comes from animal protein.
The excessive consumption of carbohydrates can cause excess weight, and may be associated with obesity problems. A little bit of fiber could be beneficial if you cat is suffering from digestive problems, but ensure that carbs aren’t more than 3percent of their food intake.
Are Maine Coons be fed dry food or wet?
Although dry cat food may be easier for storage, the kibbles are less than 10% moisture, and are loaded with sugar, carbohydrates and other filler ingredients that pose a risk for cats over the long term. Regular intakes of high-quality wet cat food will ensure your cat is healthy and hydrated since the majority of wet food products contain over 70% moisture and contain high levels of animal protein and bio-available nutrients.
You can give the Maine Coon to cat kibbles at times to keep them entertained, but make sure that their diet is built upon wet foods.
Cats can be picky eaters This means that the food you serve them must be healthy and delicious.