Last Updated: 4 months ago
When it comes to the Maine Coon cat’s personality traits, there is a lot to be said.
These wonderfully soft and huge felines have been popular pets for decades.
If you are planning to add a Maine Coon to your family, here is all you need to know about these extraordinary cats.
Let’s dive right in!
Maine Coon Breed History
Did you know the first Maine Coon ever spotted on foreign soil was in West Germany around 1975?
It was immediately called the American forest cat due to its obvious origin in the state of Maine.
However, the forest cat aspect of the name was the contribution of its twin breed, the Norwegian forest cat.
Although the Maine Coon is one of the most popular cat breeds in the US, it has a complex origin. A lot of stories related to this breed of cat can be found over time.
Firstly, this breed was reported in the late 17th or early 18th century in the state of Maine, North America.
Many experts believe that this cat is closely related to the Norwegian Forest Cat, though, as they have an uncanny resemblance.
Experts predict that the Vikings introduced the Norwegian Forest Cat to the continent of America. The Maine Coon was created through the breeding of a foreign breed with the local cats in Maine.
Looking at the coat style and some of the features of both breeds, this theory may hold some credibility.
However, one widely believed story of the Mine Coon’s origin dates back to the French Revolution. Marie Antoinette, a French queen, had a bunch of Turkish Angoras, who bred with the local cats and gave rise to the Maine Coons.
This story is accepted by many cat lovers and experts as there is tangible proof of the existence of the Queen and her cats in Maine.
Some people even claim that the Maine Coon is a descendant of the Persian cat or cats of Russian origin. However, there is no proof to justify this claim.
Today, the Maine Coon is one of the pure breed cats native to America, and its popularity among cat lovers worldwide is increasing rapidly!
Physical Characteristics Of Maine Coon Cats
Just like any other awesome breed of cat, Maine Coons also have some great characteristics, both physically and personality-wise.
Physically, Maine Coons are above average in size. These felines have a double coat of fur to protect them against extreme cold weather.
They have long, shaggy fur that comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, including black, brown, red, silver, and white. They also have tufted ears, a square muzzle, and a long, bushy tail.
The lifespan of Maine Coon cats is generally between 12 and 15 years, although some have been known to live longer with proper care and attention.
The weight of these cats is between 8 and 12 lbs for females and more than 12 lbs for males. They are prone to overeating, so they needed to keep an eye on their diet.
These cats have a squarish face with high cheekbones and button noses. These features give them a friendly appearance. Their eyes are wide, oval, and expressive in the shades of copper, green, gold, and odd-eyed.
They grow to their full size in about 3–4 years. And have a somewhat muscular, rectangular body with strong, straight legs and a fluffy tail to compliment it.
Their ears are peculiar as they have tufts of fur on them, which gives these felines a majestic appearance.
Male Maine Coon
Males are generally bigger than females, more outgoing, and love the spotlight in general.
Despite their size, they love to sleep on you or beside you. If you need a friendly and adventurous pet, adopt a male Maine Coon.
Female Maine Coon
Although females are a bit smaller in size compared to other cat breeds, they are still gigantic. They are a bit moody and tend to shower their love and affection on selective people.
However, they are playful and maintain the easy-going reputation of the breed. These females are very intelligent and observant.
Maine Coon Personality
If you are planning to adopt a cat that aligns with your own personality, then here are some interesting traits of the Maine Coon that make this furry feline an appealing pet.
Vocal Kitties
Yes! If you wish to have an interactive and talkative pet, get yourself a Maine Coon. However, these cats do not like to meow much; instead, they make soft chirping sounds when excited or thrilled by something.
They Can be Your Best friend
Did you know Maine Coons are called the dogs of the cat world? We all know that dogs are men’s best friends, but so are Maine Coons.
Once you have that special bond established with your Coon, they’re ready to follow you anywhere. They are extremely inquisitive, much like a dog, and enjoy lending a helping paw whenever they can.
Love to Play and Fool Around
Maine Coons are the class clowns of the cat world. They love to play either with you or by themselves.
However, we guarantee you that your pet Coon will appreciate your company while playing and will go as far as sharing their toys.
They love using their paws more than necessary while fooling around. Although, they will not harm you or anyone else. But, beware! Some of your things are prone to damage with these giants around.
Loving and Caring Cats
They are called gentle giants for a reason. Along with no aggressive behavior, these kitties express love and affection in the form of cuddling, purring, and of course asking for belly rubs.
They are great with kids and unlike other cats extremely patient. If you happen to have another pet, chances are your Maine Coon will get along with it just fine. These cats tend to make friends easily.
On a day off, your Maine Coon is likely to use you as its personal bed!
The Thrive in Attention
If you are planning on throwing a house party, your cat is going to steal the show and the hearts of your guests.
Coons love to socialize, whether it’s with other animals or other humans. Their curious nature forces them to burst the bubble of their comfort zone and explore!
They have a flexible nature, which helps them adapt to new environments, new situations, and new people easily.
Intelligent but Weird Cats
I know that’s an uncommon combination but Maine Coons are smart and but easily ticked by weird things. Your Maine Coon can be trained easily, you can make it follow your instructions.
Like dogs, these cats can be walked on a leash and you can train them to recognize some words like sit, come, walk, food, etc.
Despite being smart these cats often find pleasure in simple or rather stupid things like puddles of water, running taps, a dried leaf, and whatnot. They might accompany you to the shower or while pooping.
These cats are experts in keeping themselves entertained by doing silly and weird things.
Maine Coon Cats Breed Temperament
These cats are friendly and can be extremely good companions if treated well.
Maine Coons lack the mean streak to their personalities that their look-alike Norwegian Forest cats possess.
These cats are family pets; they enjoy being surrounded by humans and other people as well.
Holding grudges and payback are not on the cards for these cuties. They enjoy giving and receiving love.
All in all, this breed can be a great pet. Don’t be scared by their enormous size; they can be the snuggly little furry friends you need!
Maine Coon Breed Health Issues
When it comes to the health of these furry creatures, you need to pay some extra attention.
Even though cats are capable of taking care of themselves, it’s not always enough.
Below are some health issues that your pet Maine Coon may face and some grooming tips that are helpful while caring for your kitty.
Being a pedigree cat comes with its own set of inherited health problems. Unfortunately, Maine Coon is not an exception to this trend.
Some of the common health issues consistently observed in this breed are:
Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
This is one of the most common heart diseases in cats. It is caused by the thickening of heart muscles, resulting in poor heart functioning. It is mostly seen in elderly male Maine Coons. However, younger cats are not an exception.
This disease causes sudden death and hardly ever shows symptoms. But sometimes symptoms like anorexia, lethargy, difficulty breathing, coughing, fainting, and paralysis of the legs are observed.
Precautions/Cure: If you notice any of the above-mentioned signs, visit a vet immediately. The initial stages of this disorder can be cured through proper medication.
Spinal muscular atrophy
This is an innate disorder and can be seen in kittens aged 3–4 months. This disease causes the skeletal muscles in the lower body to die, resulting in the surrounding muscles degenerating.
Precautions/Cure: There is no known cure for this condition as it is inborn. Nevertheless, kittens with this problem do not experience any sort of pain.
Other than difficulty walking, these cats lead a healthy life of 8 to 9 years.
Polycystic kidney disease
This disorder is observed in Maine Coons from a young age. PKD causes cysts of fluid to form in the kidney.
Although it’s a hereditary disease, symptoms like poor appetite, vomiting, drinking excessively, frequent urination, and lethargy are early indications.
This issue, if untreated for a long time may cause chronic renal failure or death.
Precautions/Cure: This disease is curable, provided quick actions are taken after observing any of the symptoms. Ultrasounds are the best way to diagnose this disease.
The best cure is medication, a proper diet, and exercise, along with hormone therapy if need be.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly seen in Maine Coons, hip dysplasia happens when the thighbone and hip joint are not aligned.
Although symptoms are unseen for a long time in some cats, they may cause pain, a slight lymph while walking, and eventually arthritis.
Precautions/Cure: This health issue can be completely cured with the help of prescribed medications, diet, exercise, physical therapy, and in worst cases surgery.
Maine Coon Breed Grooming And Care
Maine Coons need special attention when it comes to grooming and cleaning. Long-haired gentle beasts like these have impressive fur coats. Which means regular shedding and dead fur all around.
If you wish to keep proper track of your Maine Coon’s grooming, below are some tips that might help!
Regular Brushing
A regular brushing routine is a must. Try to brush your Coon’s fur at least 2-3 times a week. This will untangle any knots in the fur and prevent matting. Also, dead fur can be easily removed.
Bathing
Bathe your Maine Coon once every two weeks, with special shampoo and conditioner to keep the fur clean and loosen dead hair.
Trim Fur
Although, long fur makes your pet cat look more majestic and royal, regularly trimming its fur is a good practice. You can always try different haircuts for your cat!
Claw Clipping
Even though these cats are called gentle giants, long claws make them somewhat dangerous.
Especially, if you have kids around, it’s best to clip your cat’s claws periodically. You can always do it on your own, but getting professional help is advised!
Oral Health
Not many cat owners stress this point but try to brush your pet’s teeth regularly. Good oral health is an indication of a healthy pet!
Feeding
Maine Coon’s gigantic size demands a specific diet plan. Generally, it’s great to feed your cat dry food rich in proteins.
However, before implementing any diet plan consult your Vet.
Toys
Maine Coons love to play and hence buying some sustainable and safe cat toys is a must. If you want to save your furniture from your dear pet’s invasion, get a scratch post!
These kitties are energetic, so get them toys that offer constant mental stimulation.
Conclusion
It’s clear that Maine Coons are one of the friendliest cat breeds.
A Coon Kitten can be a handful sometimes, but the amount of love you receive from these kitties is endless!
Finally, which Maine Coon are you going to adopt?
What do you love most about Maine Coon cats personality? Please share with us below!
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Barry Stingmore is a British content creator living in Fuerteventura, Spain. An animal lover at heart, he shares his home with a dog and four rescue cats. Barry works with the island’s animal charities to help manage and care for feral and abandoned animals. Alongside fieldwork, he works to support the charities with fundraising and raising awareness.
I live with an eight year old Maine Coon named Loki. He is grumpy and downright adorable. He follows me from room to room. I recently had to endure physical therapy because I had an accident, and Loki helps out by sitting in my wheelchair. He refuses to give it up unless I bribe him with food or treats. I have to walk, which is just what my therapist wants. What’s mine is his. Loki has no problem sharing my bed and will snuggle into my right side. Loki is stubborn, and very intelligent. He yells at me when he’s hungry but also expresses gratitude after he eats. The older he gets, the more like a classic Maine Coon he looks, a wild beauty. One of my nicknames for him is “Yeti.”