All about Maine coons: character, care, conditions of detention, food, and not only

general information

• Breed Name: Maine coon (raccoon Manx cat).
• Country of origin: USA.
• Weight: cats - up to 5-7 kg in cats - up to 12-13 kg.
• Height: from 25 to 41 cm.
• Average life expectancy: up to 14-15 years.
• Average price: 10-50 thousand and above.

How are Maine Coons

Maine Coons - one of the most large breeds domestic cats. Originally they are from the US state of Maine. There rock formed naturally. The name translates as "Manx raccoon." Of course, the direct relationship they have, but there are some similarities in color.

The harsh climate, which originally Manx cats lived, reflected in their appearance. Wool have thick and silky, and in the winter undercoat becomes denser. The tail is long and fluffy, ears have brush, powerful paws and between the toes on them - tufts of hair.

Save the animals, and of the habits of the wild life. For example, some Maine Coons do not drink like ordinary cats. They first dipped his paw in the water and drive it on the surface, pouring a lot of content. It is believed that once upon a time they have done so ever. After all, before a drink, such as puddles disperse had leaves and other rubbish from the surface. And still Manx cats like to "bathe" in the bowl of your toys.

The size of these animals is quite solid, and the length from tip of nose to tip of tail is about one meter. By the way, this breed belongs to the title of the longest domestic cat. At the absolute champion of the Guinness Book of Records Longest domestic cat ever this value was 1 meter 23 centimeters.

What is the nature of Maine Coons

These animals are very calm, balanced and peaceful. Despite his stern, showing aggression rarely.

As Maine Coons get along with adults

Cats of this breed quickly become attached to people and treat them sincerely. Maine Coons love to be in the individual and society suffer if left alone. However, they are not intrusive and will not require constant attention. They simply be somewhere nearby and watch.

As Maine Coons get along with children

Maine Coons - affectionate and sociable animals. They are willing to go to the contact with the child and participate in the games.

Nevertheless, we should make sure that children do not hurt the cat and hurt him.

As Maine Coons get along with other animals

Maine Coons quite get along well with dogs and other cats. Of course, when we first met not everything can go smoothly. If pets will be aggressionJust be patient and give them time to get used to each other.

Problems can arise when the content of furry pets, along with rodents and birds. Their cats are seen as game and will want to hunt.

What are the conditions of detention are required maine coon

For a comfortable life Manx cats need enough space. They love to run and jump, so that in a small room they are likely to be crowded. A more Maine coon pleasure in water sports drink from the tap and can rest in a sink or bathtub with the discharged water.

Before you bring a kitten home, prepare all necessary. Pet need bowls for food and water. Do not do without the tray. Set it in the bathroom or other room where the animal will always be freely available.

We should also think about the future of leisure pet and his own bunk. A good option - it is a complex game with a house, a climbing frame and a high shelf. Before purchasing, make sure it is securely fastened and is strong enough to withstand the weight of the animal is not a miniature. It is also desirable additional vertical or horizontal scratching posts, which will secure your furniture from encroachments.

Maine Coons - a curious and active animals. Carried away, for example, hunting for a flying bird, they can fall out of the window. To avoid such accidents in the window need to put a strong grid, which will withstand the onslaught of the big cats. This advice is relevant for the residents of the first floor, after accidentally jumped out pet can get lost and lost.

Also be prepared for the fact that the cat will actively explore all the living space, to climb on the cabinets, tables and window sills. Therefore, with the appearance of a pet in the house, do not leave fragile things there, where they are easy to drop. It is likely that the cat will take an interest and to the wires. Therefore, to remove them better in a box or just use a special repellent agents.

How to feed a Maine Coon

The easiest option cat's diet - complete feed, which are dry and wet (Spider, canned goods). Selecting the best stop on the Full-products specifically for the Maine Coon or just big cats. In such foods have the right amount of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and trace elements.

Finished feed should choose taking into account the age of the animal, as well as other factors: pregnancy and lactation, sterilization, propensity to allergies and diseases.

You can give and natural products, including meat, meat products, cereals and more. But this does not mean that you need to treat your pet with the usual food of the human table.

When the kitten appears only in your home, at least at first feed him one meal, which recommend a breeder and is familiar pet. Over time, the diet can be gradually changed, if necessary.

Regardless of the diet is mandatory and permanent access to clean drinking water.

How to Care for Maine Coons

Long, soft and fluffy fur of these animals is not prone to tangling, but without leaving it impossible to leave. Manx cats enough vychosyvat about once a week and a half, and during moulting - spring and fall - often, otherwise may appear mats. That the procedure does not cause trouble, to train a kitten to it better from an early age.

The moult is also desirable to give Malt-paste, which displays swallowed fur from the intestines and stomach. Without this, your pet may occur blockage by hair clumps.

In maintaining a superb view help and periodicals, about once every 3-4 months, swimming. Easily it will not be, in fact Manx cats are not afraid of water. For bath treatment is better to use special tools, that will not harm and provide complete care for skin and coat.

pet's ears should be regularly inspected and cleaned only if they are very dirty. To do this, buy a safe lotions at a pet store and bury a pair of drops in the ears. From cotton buds refuse, they are easy to injure the animal. Eyes also need to wipe the special means, if parts have dried allocation.

How to train Maine Coon

Cats of this breed are strong and have good health, but they have a genetic predisposition to certain diseases What Are The Common Maine Coon Health Problems (Full Guide).

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) - a disease of the heart, wherein ventricular walls become thicker and, accordingly, their internal volume is reduced.
• Hip dysplasia - a disease of the musculoskeletal system, which sometimes causes lameness and other problems with walking.
• Polycystic Kidney - slowly progressing hereditary kidney disease, which can lead to renal failure.
• Spinal muscular atrophy - a hereditary neuromuscular disease that affects the nerve cells of the spinal cord and, as a consequence, there are muscle weakness and muscle atrophy.

And one more nuance. The Maine Coon is sometimes polydactyly, ie extra fingers on the feet. Animal health is not affected, and in the exhibitions they canMaine Coon Polydactyl Breeders, WCF EMS CODE participate.

There are also common diseases that do not depend on the species and on the characteristics of the content, nutrition and other factors. Maine Coons are exposed to them in the same way as any other domestic cats. These include diseases of the genitourinary system, infectious and skin and not only.

What to look for when buying a Maine Coon

You can buy a kitten at the exhibition, in the nursery, and even through the site with ads. The price depends on many factors: the city (for example, in the capital of kittens offer at a higher price) animal class, gender (males are often more expensive), age (podroschennye kittens are usually cheaper), and even color.

Before buying is to determine why you animal. If you need a home Purring - take a look at the kittens class "pet", they are usually sold already neutered or specifying mandatory of the operation in the contract. Want to grow a potential champion with a lot of titles, then your class "show". Not interested in shows, but are planning to breed? Select "breed".

Thus in any case, the animal must be healthy. It is necessary to note the presence of vaccination against viral diseases, the first of which make about two months and the second after another three weeks.

When you make a transaction, make sure that you get a complete set of documents:

• sales contract, which confirms your ownership of the animals;
• veterinary certificate with information about the vaccinations have already been made, this document does not indicate a thoroughbred, but on the kitten's health;
• metric (in fact it is the birth certificate) with details about the animal, issued the club.

Another document, which is required if you plan to engage in breeding work or participate in exhibitions - is genealogy. It indicates 4-5 generations of animal ancestors. The document also issued club, which includes a breeder. Make a family tree can be independently and at an additional cost if you make a request on the basis of data from the metric.

If the seller has not given any documents to the animal, we must first take care of the veterinary certificate and make sure all vaccinations are made in a timely manner. You can confirm and belonging to the species, this should apply to club cats or take part in an exhibition in the classroom pets to get an expert opinion. But forget about the pedigree, so how to do it on a kitten "without parents" impossible.