The Maine Coon Kitten

Maine Coon kitten is truly man's (and woman's!) best friend. Learn about this lovable and loyal breed.

History

Coon kittens originated in North America as the name suggests. The Maine Coon is a natural breed and has adapted to survive the harsh winters of New England. It is believed that the breed started with short-haired domestic cats that were bred with long-haired cats.

The breed was beloved by sailors who often adopted the Maine Coon as personal pets. The breed was finally accepted into Championship status in the 1970’s by the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

Physical Appearance

The Maine Coon has a strong and muscular appearance. The breed is known for its glorious lengthy coat and broad chest. They heavy long coat helps protect the Maine Coon from the cold. Maine Coon cats also have quite long tails that they can almost wrap their bodies with.

Maine Coons are cats with large builds. They have large eyes and strong sturdy paws. Their ears are wide set and are quite pointed at the top. Male Maine Coons can grow to be rather large. An adult male Maine Coon can grow to be about 20 pounds or more.

Colors

Maine Coon cats come in a variety of colors and patterns. Solid colors, tabby, part-color, white are just a few of the colors and patterns that the breed adorns. Eye color also varies and depends upon the coat color.

Temperament

Maine Coon cats are fun and outgoing felines. They love to play and social with humans and animals alike. They get along well with dogs and other house pets. Overall, Maine Coons are calm and relaxed cats that can tolerate a wide variety of settings. They enjoy “helping” their owners read the newspaper or watch television.

Men are particularly drawn to the Maine Coon. The breed is quite loyal to their owners. They have almost a dog-like quality to them. Maine Coons are easily entertained by games of fetch and love to play for hours on end.

Development

It may take up to two years for Coon kittens to fully develop into adulthood. They are a slow maturing breed.

Care

Despite having long shaggy coats, Maine Coon kittens are easy to care for. Their coats do not tangle easily and are resistant to tangles. Simply brushing the coat twice a week should suffice to decrease the risk of mating. Bathing may be required if the coat becomes excessively soiled or if competing in a cat show.

Health

Overall, Maine Coons are a sturdy and healthy breed. However, there are some potentially life threatening conditions that can affect the breed.

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Hypertrophic cardiomypathy is one of the most common forms of heart disease in cats. It occurs when the heart muscle walls become enlarged causing a cat to have difficulties breathing. Because of heredity Maine Coons are particularly susceptible to the condition.

• Hip Dysplasia/Dislocation

  Larger breeds of cats like Maine Coons are susceptible to developing hip dysplasia. This condition occurs when the hip joint does not develop properly. Cats with dysplasia may have difficulties walking, running, or climbing.

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy

  Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic disorder that occurs in Maine Coon kittens usually about three months of age. Kittens with the disorder have difficulty moving and controlling their muscle movements. They may have some difficulty walking.

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