Is the Maine Coon breed the perfect choice
for cat lovers and dog lovers alike? You can make up your mind after watching this
comprehensive video about Maine Coon cats! Let’s find out all about them! And what better way to start than with their
history?! So, where do Maine Coon cats come from? How did they arrive in America? Well, the history of Maine Coon cats is filled
with lots of legends. Some say they’re the descendants of Marie
Antoinette's cats; some say they were brought to America by a sailor called Tom Coon. Oddly enough, some say they're the offspring
of raccoons that bred with local cats! I know, I’d also like this to be true, but
such a mix is genetically impossible. But wait, there’s more! The legends don't stop here. Some think they’re the result of bobcats
and domestic cats crosses. While this theory is possible and would explain
some of their features, it's quite unlikely. And last but not least, they might be linked
to the Norwegian Forest Cat. It's likely Vikings brought these cats to
America approximately 1000 years ago. The last theory is indeed the most plausible
one, but it seems like we'll never know their true origin. One thing’s for sure: they've been around
for a long time; that's precisely why they're considered native to America. This amazing breed originated in the Maine
region and is the state cat of Maine. Truth be told, they’re one of the very few
cat breeds that could survive Maine's harsh climate. So, how big do Maine Coons get? Well, they're described as moderate to large
cats. Yep, you heard that right! Not all Maine Coon cats are large cats, even
if their big frame is one of the reasons they’re so popular! But the large Maine Coons out there get big,
like really big. Males can weigh up to 25 pounds and even more. Still, their average weight is approximately
18 pounds. The smallest of them, however, can weigh just
12 pounds. Females are obviously not that big, weighing
from ten to fourteen pounds. They are, however, one of the largest cat
breeds, if not the largest one. Additionally, they appear more massive than
they are because of...fluffiness! Maine Coons’ coat is long, double-layered,
and thick. It’s shorter on the shoulders and longer
on the stomach. Their luxuriant coat would undoubtedly make
every cat envious. Maine coons also sport a big, bushy tail,
almost as long as their bodies. They're a fine piece of art; everything about
the way they're built makes them perfect for surviving freezing winters. What are some other defining Maine Coon traits? They grow tufts of fur between the paw pads,
as well as gorgeous tufts out of the ears. Their large ears may have lynx tips, giving
them a false but unique wild appearance. Maine Coons have big muscles and solid bones. They are definitely the heavy lifters of cat
breeds. But because a piece of art takes time, Maine
Coons are slow to mature, taking their time and reaching maturity between 3 and 4 years
of age. They come in all sorts of colors and color
combinations, allowing you to choose your favorite one. Their big, oval eyes also come in various
colors, and they’re very expressive. But what’s their personality like? Maine Coons are very mellow fellows; for this
reason, they're affectionately called gentle giants. They're described as perfect family pets. They’re affectionate and like cuddles, even
if they're not your typical lap cat. I’d even dare to say this is a good thing,
especially if you’ve got a huge cat. Maine Coons love their family members to the
moon and back. It's said they’re able to notice if you're
not feeling well or if you're upset. A Maine Coon will definitely try to comfort
you in these situations, either by doing something silly or by trying to get your attention. When things are normal, they like showing
their affection by always following you around the house. Here’s something I love about them: Maine
Coon cats are playful even when mature. They like to play fetch, a trait that earned
them the reputation of being dog-like. They also like playing with water, and it’s
entertaining to watch them do so! What if you have other pets? Would a Maine Coon be the right choice? Well, yes! Maine Coons get along with both cats and dogs. They're not aggressive or territorial, making
them perfect for a multi-pet household. Overall, Maine Coons are calm, affectionate
but also playful. Still, if you want to learn even more about
their personality, consider subscribing, as I’ll post a dedicated video on the subject. Moving on to the next questions, what environment
do they need? Do you have the required space? Being a big cat, Maine coons will need a big
apartment or a house. You can also spoil them by buying them cat
trees; however, the cat trees must support your cat’s weight. You'll need to choose a stable cat tree with
higher than average sitting spots. If you don't want to spend the money, you
don't have to. Maine Coons can climb up just like any other
cat, but they do prefer the ground area. There might be exceptions, though. Nevertheless, you'll definitely need to buy
a large scratching post, as the regular ones might be too small. I've searched for scratching posts suited
for Maine Coons, and they’re in the description. Also, make sure your Maine Coon has some comfortable
places to hang out, and both of you will be just fine. What’s their activity level? Maine Coons are playful and energetic cats. The Maine Coon is a happy cat if you provide
him with toys resembling mice, softballs, and other stuffed toys. At its core, a Maine Coon is a mouser, a very
skilled one, and that instinct runs deep. Are they indoor or outdoor cats? Sure, they might seem suited to live outdoors,
as they're big and have a cold-resistant coat. However, I believe that no cat should be left
outside, at least not on its own, due to the various dangers it can encounter. Moreover, huge Maine coons could potentially
be mistaken for bobcats! If this were to happen, you never know what
people could do to your cat. And now, let’s find out how to take care
of a Maine coon cat. Caring for them might seem like a burden,
but this is not entirely true. The Maine Coon is gifted with a long, double
coat. Their fur is also thick, so it needs to be
brushed. Fortunately, their coat is somewhat dirt repellent,
so you should only brush your cat 2 or 3 times a week. By brushing the coat, the oils produced by
the skin won't remain trapped. Additionally, this procedure allows the skin
to breathe and prevents skin infections from developing. You should also bathe your cat occasionally,
but Maine Coons tends to like water, making the task easier. Bathing and some additional 3 or 4 visits
to a professional groomer a year will keep your cat's fur gorgeous and healthy. What are the health concerns associated with
this breed? The primary health concerns for Maine Coon
Cats are hip dysplasia and another hereditary disease that causes sudden death in affected
cats. Each cat is an individual and can have various
problems, but these two conditions have a higher incidence in Maine Coon Cats. Breeders are trying hard to remove these problems
from their cats' lineage by preventing the affected individuals from breeding. However, even if the cat's ancestors are healthy,
the offspring can still be affected because their parents can be carriers. Hip dysplasia sounds awful, but it’s not
as bad as you think. Cats are not affected by this condition in
the same way dogs are. Usually, cats will be able to walk and jump,
and they'll be given drugs to alleviate the pain. Some cats don’t even show symptoms, even
if they have hip dysplasia, but Maine Coons are more prone to displaying them because
they're large. Weight plays a huge factor in the evolution
of this disease: if the cat is overweight, it will have more severe symptoms. If you want a Maine Coon, you'll need to keep
your cat in shape. Another potential problem is spinal muscular
atrophy, which typically causes muscle atrophy, muscle weakness, and a shortened lifespan. Symptoms will appear within 3 to 4 months
of age. Overall, the Maine Coon is a healthy cat. Sadly, it tends to live less than other cats,
having an average life expectancy of about 13 years. And now, the crucial question: How much do
they cost? As a general rule, you should always get your
cat from an accredited breeder to minimize your cat's chances of having health issues. Luckily, there are lots of Maine Coon catteries
out there. A Maine Coon cat costs between 800 and 2000
dollars. That may seem expensive, but there are many
costs involved for the breeders, so the price is totally justified. If you can't afford to buy one, there's some
good news! You can always adopt and pay almost nothing,
and you can even find Maine Coon cats or Maine Coon mixed cats at shelters. Adopting an adult cat is another great idea. By doing so, you'll be able to correctly assess
the cat’s personality, which is pretty impossible to do with a kitten. And, of course, there are tons of other lovely
cats out there that would make a perfect companion. But wrapping it up, Maine Coon cats are calm,
devoted, and playful cats. They’re not on top of you all the time,
but they are loving and gentle. Maine Coons are perfect for families with
children, and they get along with other pets. I know we learned a lot about Maine Coon cats
today, but if you want to learn even more about them, make sure to subscribe and tap
the bell! I'll be posting even more exciting videos
about them in the future! See you in my next video!
