Maine Coon cats are one of the longest established cat breeds. They got the first part of their name from the region, Maine in America from where they come and the second from their bushy tail, reminiscent of a Racoons. Maine is the state known for severe winters. These cats are therefore built to withstand these conditions and have a heavy coat and are powerfully built.

Their body is muscular with broad chest and creates a well-balanced rectangular appearance. The wedge shaped head is small in comparison to the huge body. Their large ears are set high and well apart with tuffs of hair at the tips. The full round eyes are set slightly oblique with slant toward outer base of ear. Their eyes come in all colours including odd colours in the white cats. Their long tail is wide at base and tapering with long and flowing fur. The coat is long, dense and silky, and is longer on the back and legs than over the body. They have a single layered waterproof coat.

Maine Coons are fantastic loving family pets. They get on with other animals, children and adults. They are vastly adaptable with a wonderful temperament. Maine Coons are fascinated by water, perhaps because their thick coats are water-repellent. They generally have a soft voice and often chirp to communicate. Possibly because of their humble origins they are used to sleeping rough and are often found curled up in the strangest of places.

Coat colour

Maine Coons coat comes in all colours like solid — white, black, blue, red, cream, shaded colours, bi-colours. All colours and patterns are accepted, except for the pointed colours and pattern.

Temperament

These breeds are intelligent and have a very calm nature. These gentle cats love human company and can be very affectionate. They are however very active cats and should not be confined indoors. Maine Coons are often described as the clowns of the cat world.

Lifespan

Maine Coons generally live until their early teens. Their live for about 9-15 years.

Pet grooming

These cats do not require regular brushing to remove loose. However the coat is not prone to matting like some other long furred cats and is fairly easy to manage.