The Maine Coon cat is a big, long-haired domesticated cat with lovely solid features. It was probably brought to America by the English in the later half of the 1800s. It has a very distinctive physical appearance, with almond shaped eyes, a thick body, a thick tail and a hooked beak. It’s one of the earliest natural breeds in North America – native to the state of Maine, which is where it’s officially considered the state cat.
Maine Coon cats are wonderful companions. They’re active, intelligent and playful. They love to play and hunt, and need plenty of exercise. That’s why they were originally bred to help control overpopulation of wild cats in the area. Today, they’re no longer merely a wildlife force but are used as a source of pet entertainment as well.
Maine Coon cats come in many colors, including apricot, blue, fawn, solid chestnut, chocolate, orange, pinkish, rose and tortoiseshell. Their names come from their various colors, such as Amethyst, Echever, Fawn, Fox, Maple, Pink, Sage, Sunset and Yellow. Their standard color is blue.
Maine Coon cats have a very good temperament and are highly intelligent. They can be easily trained and learn new tricks easily. They are friendly toward all people and tend to accept other cats into the household. They don’t shed much, but do get dirty – hence their need for constant grooming.
Grooming requires lots of time and work. This is especially true in the case of kittens and younger cats, because they have not yet developed a hair-washing instinct. They also like to be bathed at least once a week and may need it more often. Their coats require clipping on a regular basis, especially around the face, ears and tail.
The most important part of caring for a Maine Coon Cat is that you must remember that this is a very social animal. Therefore, you should try to socialize him as much as possible. You will probably need to spend many hours in a room with him, or at least let him out to go outside during the day, when he’s either playing or sleeping. The best way to do this is to introduce him gradually, to some of your family members, and then gradually to everyone. Don’t worry if he doesn’t immediately take to everyone – in nature, cats are very friendly and accepting of strangers