The Maine Coon cat: temperament, size, daily care and the health issues to know

The Maine Coon began as a hardy cat of the north eastern United States, shaped by the harsh Maine climate before it was shaped by people. From that come the water resistant coat, the sturdy legs and the build designed to withstand cold. The temperament everyone recognises is the result of a long life alongside people: it is a cat that seeks company and takes part in household life.

• Sociable and attached to people, often following the owner from room to room.
• Intelligent and curious, responding well to structured play and clicker exercises.
• Distinctively vocal, with trills and chirps rather than insistent meows.
• Generally tolerant of other animals and children, if well socialised as a kitten.
• Active but not hyperactive: it loves to climb and watch from above, so it appreciates sturdy vertical structures.

Be careful not to mistake gentleness for independence from company. The Maine Coon suffers from prolonged loneliness and does best in homes where someone is around for much of the day, or where it lives with another animal to interact with. It is not the ideal cat for anyone seeking a fully self sufficient pet.

Size is the trait that strikes people most, but it needs scaling back against the exaggerations that circulate online. The Maine Coon is large and long, not enormous, and it grows slowly: it reaches full physical maturity much later than the feline average. Knowing the growth curve avoids both needless alarm and inflated expectations.

Slow growth has a practical consequence for feeding: the Maine Coon kitten stays in skeletal development for a long time and should be fed a growth appropriate food for longer than an ordinary cat, following the vet's guidance. Recording weight month by month helps distinguish healthy growth from excessive gain that overloads joints still in formation.

The Maine Coon is not a high maintenance cat, but its size and coat add a little work compared with a shorthair. A few consistent habits are enough to keep it in shape and to catch any problems early.

1. 1

   Brush two or three times a week

   The semi long coat tends to knot behind the ears, in the armpits and on the rear britches. Regular brushing prevents mats and reduces hairballs, and it is also a chance to feel the body and notice lumps or pain.

2. 2

   Match the ration to slow growth and size

   Use a quality complete food and control portions: bulk does not justify excess weight, which weighs double on large joints. Follow the growth curve in the kitten and body condition score in the adult.

3. 3

   Offer sturdy vertical space

   It loves to climb and watch from above: it needs solid scratching posts and shelves sized to its weight. Daily movement protects the joints and prevents boredom.

4. 4

   Look after teeth, claws and ears

   Regular dental hygiene and periodic checks of claws and ears are part of the routine. The tufts between the toes can gather dirt and should be inspected.

5. 5

   Record weight and parameters over time

   A monthly weight and notes on appetite, thirst and activity build a baseline. In a large cat, a gradual loss or gain shows up sooner when you have a history to compare against.

Like all selected breeds, the Maine Coon carries some documented predispositions. Knowing them does not mean expecting your cat to fall ill, but knowing which checks make sense and which genetic tests to demand from the breeder. The most important concerns the heart.

Much of a Maine Coon's future health is decided before purchase, in the choice of who breeds it. A serious breeder does not hide the breed's predispositions: they manage them with testing and transparency. Here is what to ask and check.

1. Ask for documentation of the breeding animals' genetic tests for the breed's known mutations, not just verbal claims.
2. Check that the parents have had cardiac screening and that the breeder discusses it openly.
3. Look at the raising environment: kittens should be raised indoors, socialised and exposed to everyday people and sounds.
4. Be wary of anyone selling kittens too early or promising record sizes: the Maine Coon grows slowly and size is not a target to force.
5. Demand an up to date health booklet with vaccinations, deworming and identification, and keep it all in the cat's record.
6. Ask whether the breeder stays available after sale: a good point of reference is the best guarantee for the first months.

Bringing home a Maine Coon means committing for ten or fifteen years to a large, affectionate cat with precise needs. That initial awareness, combined with steady monitoring of weight, heart and behaviour, is what turns a fascinating breed into a calm, well managed life together.