The first feature one notices about the Maine Coon cat is the size. The males can grow to over twenty pounds. Females are smaller but still larger then the avergae cat. The breed standard lists the Maine Coon Cat as a working breed. The build is muscular and the coat is long with a wide variety of colors accepted in the breed standard.
Considered a working cat, the Maine Coon is known to be a good mouser. They have been known to take easily to training, a testament to their intelligence. Playful and affectionate, the Maine Coon is not known as a lap cat but does enjoy the company of favored humans. According to the Cat Fanciers Association, the Maine Coon cat is considered the second most popular breed of cat. The Maine Coon cat is the official state cat.
The Maine Coon cat is one of the oldest North American cat breeds, though it true origin is open to speculation and folklore. It took many years for the breed to be recognized. In 1968 the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association (MCBFA) was started by six breeders. The 1980s found all registries accepting the breed.
The ancestor of all domestic cats is the African Wildcat, the genus Felis Lybica. This genus is comprised of smaller cats. Cats are thought to have been domesticated with the advent of farming and the storage of grain. The grain attracted rats and other vermin which naturally attracted wild cats. As time evolved, certain of these cats were domesticated for the mutual benefit of both cat and man. The African Wildcat has certain features which is obvious in the housecat of today.
Health
Cats who reside in the house should generally visit the veterinarian yearly, unless health problems are evident. Cats who enjoy the outdoors may need to see the vet as many as four times a year. When you take your cat to the vet, be sure to bring along a fresh stool sample so the vet can do a fecal exam to check for internal parasites such as tapeworm, round worm, whip worms and hook worms. The vet will also check for external parasites such as fleas, ticks and ear mites. Maine Coon cats are susceptible to fashion jackets hip dysplasia though genetic testing can be used to screen for this condition.
Any vet check should include a dental examination and a cleaning if necessary. Cats who are eight years of age or older are considered geriatric and additional blood and urine tests may be necessary to screen for any health problems. At about six months of age, the kitten should also be examined for sexual maturity and decisions about birth control should be made.
Maine Coon Cat Registries and Clubs
Maine Coon Alliance
Maine Coon Breed Council
Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association
Maine Coon Cat Club
Native Maine Coon Cat Association
United Main Coon Cat Association
Cat Fanciers Association CFA
International Cat Association TICA
The Traditional Cat Association, Inc TCA
Canadian Cat Association CCA
The Australian Cat Federation Inc
The American Association of Cat Enthusiasts AACE
American Cat Fanciers Association ACFA
United Feline Organization UFO
Cats United International
Kitten Care
Kittens are generally available and the price depends upon bloodlines color and markings. Unlike puppies, kittens should not be separated from their mother until twelve to sixteen weeks of age. Some very important developmental stages occur during this period including emotional, mental and health. Curtailing this development may lead to any number of medical and behavioral problems.
Kittens that are separated from their mother at too young an age often fail to gain weight fast enough, have immune system problems because they have not had enough mothers milk. The may also develop eating and eliminating problems, and can have problems socializing with other cats and with people.
Every cat and kitten is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your cat or kitten. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.
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