Maine Coons are famous for their friendly manner, big frame, pointed ears and their long, smooth coat. They have fur that is thick and silky that one could even refer to them as “mane” Coons! They are among the biggest domestic cats breeds (along together with Siberians along with Ragdolls) widely referred to by the name of “gentle massive.”
If you’re thinking of adopting the Maine Coon, you should be aware of the breed to ensure that you take care of your pet in the most effective way. This article will help you discover details about Maine Coon’s characteristics, temperament as well as common health issues and the nutritional requirements.
Common Maine Coon characteristics
Maine Coon cats are so loved by pet owners because of their character. The breed is very playful and extremely friendly. They are considered family-friendly due to their love for elderly, children, other cats and cats.
Although they’re generally a lively and active species, Maine Coons still like to nap a lot and can be found sleeping for as long as 16 hours per day. They’re typically active between dawn and sunset.
The benefits of adopting an Maine Coon
Maine Coons are great indoor cats due to their:
Easy to care for as they’re super capable of adapting to any surroundings
They are a little chatty and meow more frequently than other cats, making it simpler to gauge their mood, and then react accordingly.
Family loving–Because they are extremely and friendly, Maine Coons are great to have in your home since they can be able to get along with any family member and pet
Intelligent – Being able and able to train your cat could simplify your life. Due to their ability to learn, Maine Coons are easy to train. You only need an understanding of basic feline behaviour patterns and delicious snacks
Loyal: Maine Coons exhibit a number of characteristics that are dog-like, such as loyalty. The gentle giants are known to be loyal to everyone in the family
Although Maine Coons aren’t easy to care for however, there are some crucial things to take into consideration to ensure your cat is happy.
Things to remember
Affiliating an Maine Coon comes with specific difficulties due to this breed:
Are extremely curious–Maine Coons tend to explore, and this could cause them to be in dangerous circumstances (for instance, they may take a poisonous bite or be lost). To prevent this from happening you should keep their surroundings as secure as you can (e.g. ensure that all hazardous substances are kept in a safe place) and be vigilant even when they’re out in the open.
Dependency is a possibility. This is the biggest drawback to Maine Coons sociable nature. They can’t be left alone for long periods of time. They are social animals If your busy schedule makes it difficult to stay at your house, adopting another pet could be the answer.
It requires regular grooming. The magnificent Maine Coon fur needs to be groomed regularly. As with all house cats, these gentle giants suffer from a degree of shed all through the year It is essential to be extra careful with their fur in order to avoid chaos and the hairballs. There will be more shed during the fall and spring as well, and that’s when you’ll likely need to groom them regularly
You must be outside, and since they are curious and active, Maine Coons love large wide spaces that they are free to roam. If you have a yard it should not be a problem however if you live within an apartment think about taking your cat out for an outing at least once per day.
High prey drive. Cats are naturally predators and this breed isn’t an exception. Maine Coons like to chase small animals such as mice, birds, frogs, and even insects. Hunting could be hazardous for your cat due to the variety of bacteria that prey may carry. If you’d like to have an active cat and playful , like Maine Coons it is important to make sure that their diet and time with their friends are in line with their needs so that they do not have the urge to hunt.
Are susceptible to certain health issues. Despite being a tough breed Maine Coons may be susceptible to particular health issues
What health conditions Do Maine Coons suffer from?
Maine Coons can suffer from numerous hereditary ailments and other health issues that are related to lifestyle.
Genetic disorders
Maine Coons have a genetic predisposition to suffer from
Heart disease – Maine Coons may develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a condition that causes wall of the heart to thicken. The symptoms to watch out for include shallow breathing as well as coughing. It can also cause extreme weight loss
Hip dysplasia – These gentle giants and other cat breeds with large sizes can suffer from hip dysplasia. This is a genetic disorder that leads to the abnormal formation in the joint of the hip. It can cause arthritis.
Hereditary Spinal Muscular Atrophy can cause Maine Coons to have an abnormal position and unstable movement
The disease is known as polycystic kidney (PKD)–Maine Coons with PKD have pockets of liquid (cysts) within their kidneys. Although the cysts appear small in the beginning they may grow to cause kidney failure. The signs of the condition include more frequent urination, increased thirst and weight loss.
Health issues related to lifestyle
If they’re not offered the right diet, exercise and medical attention, Maine Coons can suffer from:
Dental problems can be due to bad oral hygiene or inadequate nutrition , and are typically accompanied by bad breath and discomfort. To avoid these issues, it is important to clean your Maine Coon’s dental teeth at least every four days using an especially designed toothbrush for cats. It is also recommended to feed your cat a diet that is dental to maintain their oral health. Also, make sure that their meals do not contain artificial colors, sugar as well as other harmful ingredients.
Obesity: Cats who eat a high-calorie and carb-rich diet are more likely to put on excessive weight. Although chubby cats can be cute overweight felines may develop different mobility and health problems that make their lives difficult
Diabetes: Obese cats may suffer from insulin resistance, which usually causes diabetes mellitus. Common signs include an increase in appetite and thirst, frequent urination and sudden weight reduction.
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The best way to make sure your Maine Coon remains healthy, happy and active is to give them a balanced and meat-based diet that is satisfies their nutritional needs . Also, ensure that they get plenty of exercise.
What is the ideal feline diet? appear to be?
The meals you eat regularly with your Maine Coon must include the following ingredients:
Proteins from animals contain amino acid chains (such such as taurine) vital for building healthy muscle structures and protecting organ health and producing antibodies. Cats should be fed only protein from animals since protein from plants don’t meet nutritional needs and aren’t easy to digest.
Animal fats are essential for maintaining coat and skin health in cats. The food your cat eats should have at least 20% animal fat since excessive consumption can result in obesity and health problems.
In nature, animals receive the proper amount of water through the consumption of fresh-killed prey. Felines have a lower thirst, and therefore do not feel the necessity to drink water to make up for the lack of moisture in their food. Dehydration can trigger a myriad of health issues, including crystals of struvite. This is why every cat, not just Maine Coons, should be fed food that has a high water content to ensure they stay hydrated.
Does Maine Coons need carbs?
Carbohydrates aren’t essential in cat’s diet since cats do not have the enzymes needed to digest simple carbohydrates. Their primary source of energy comes from animal protein.
Consuming too much carbs could lead to an increase in weight and other obesity related problems. Fiber could be beneficial if you cat has digestive problems, but ensure that carbs aren’t more than three percent of their diet.
Are Maine Coons be fed dry food or wet?
Although dry cat food may be easier in storage. However, most kibbles are less than 10% moisture, and are loaded with sugar, carbs and other filler ingredients that pose a risk for cats over time. Regular consumption of quality wet cat food will keep your cat well-nourished and hydrated as the majority of wet food products contain over 70% moisture and contain high quantities of animal protein and bio-available nutrients.
You can give the Maine Coon to cat kibbles at times to spice things up, but be sure that their diet is based in wet meals.
Cats have a preference for food This means that your food choices must be healthy and delicious.