We are happy to help teach you the basics about this beautiful Maine Coon cat breed. If you are looking for a stunning breed of cat to love and welcome as your new family member, therapy pet, show cat, or just a new friend, a Maine Coon kitten might be the right choice for you.
Just remember though, as with any new pet, they come with great responsibility. At Pawzilla Maine Coon Cattery, we raise beautiful, pedigreed European Maine Coon cats that make great family pets for responsible owners and are such a great addition to any family. Most everyone that purchases our kittens tells us how sweet, playful and amazing their temperaments are. Explore our range of colorful Maine Coon kittens and see which becomes your favorite.
Please take time to go through our entire website. It is fairly large, but full of information! It is very educational and you can find just about anything you need to know about Maine Coon cats here. We have documented our experiences over the years throughout our website so we can help pass on all of this helpful information and educate others about the Maine Coon cat breed.
Just remember though, as with any new pet, they come with great responsibility. At Pawzilla Maine Coon Cattery, we raise beautiful, pedigreed European Maine Coon cats that make great family pets for responsible owners and are such a great addition to any family. Most everyone that purchases our kittens tells us how sweet, playful and amazing their temperaments are. Explore our range of colorful Maine Coon kittens and see which becomes your favorite.
Please take time to go through our entire website. It is fairly large, but full of information! It is very educational and you can find just about anything you need to know about Maine Coon cats here. We have documented our experiences over the years throughout our website so we can help pass on all of this helpful information and educate others about the Maine Coon cat breed.
The Maine Coon Cat - History and Origin
Maine, USA
To begin with, even though we love the European Maine Coons, the history of the Maine Coon cat is questionable because of how many different opinions have been documented. The Maine Coon breed began its recognition in the state of Maine, USA. The Maine Coon cat is recognized by many cat registry clubs but we prefer to use the CFA who listed them as a foundation breed in 1908. However we are also a registered cattery through TICA as well. TICA was established in 1979 and the Maine Coon has been a recognized breed with them always.
The Maine Coon cat breed has its origins in Europe possibly. Their ancestral cat lines were brought to New England by European settlers in the 1600 and 1700’s according to history stating that they were ship cats who sailed from Europe to control rats and mice. Another possibility is that they descended from long haired cats brought to the US by Vikings or European sailors in the early 1800th century. There are many stories about their origin but they were established and recognized in the USA in the early 1900’s. They have become one of America’s favorite cat breeds! Their appearance, character, and loving, loyal hearts have won over family’s for generations. In addition to all of these wonderful attributes, Maine Coon cats are so much fun to show in country fairs, 4H, TICA, and CFA.
A tidy bit of interesting info on this breed: in the 1920’s the breed was almost non existent. Exotic breeds took over shows and they declared the Maine Coon extinct in 1959. In 1979, a newspaper article declared they did not exist. What makes the Maine Coon cat different from other breeds is their feral appearance and large size.
To begin with, even though we love the European Maine Coons, the history of the Maine Coon cat is questionable because of how many different opinions have been documented. The Maine Coon breed began its recognition in the state of Maine, USA. The Maine Coon cat is recognized by many cat registry clubs but we prefer to use the CFA who listed them as a foundation breed in 1908. However we are also a registered cattery through TICA as well. TICA was established in 1979 and the Maine Coon has been a recognized breed with them always.
The Maine Coon cat breed has its origins in Europe possibly. Their ancestral cat lines were brought to New England by European settlers in the 1600 and 1700’s according to history stating that they were ship cats who sailed from Europe to control rats and mice. Another possibility is that they descended from long haired cats brought to the US by Vikings or European sailors in the early 1800th century. There are many stories about their origin but they were established and recognized in the USA in the early 1900’s. They have become one of America’s favorite cat breeds! Their appearance, character, and loving, loyal hearts have won over family’s for generations. In addition to all of these wonderful attributes, Maine Coon cats are so much fun to show in country fairs, 4H, TICA, and CFA.
A tidy bit of interesting info on this breed: in the 1920’s the breed was almost non existent. Exotic breeds took over shows and they declared the Maine Coon extinct in 1959. In 1979, a newspaper article declared they did not exist. What makes the Maine Coon cat different from other breeds is their feral appearance and large size.
Characteristics of the Maine Coon cat
Maine Coon cats are known for their unique appearance. They are often called little lions or gentle giants and known for their sweet temperaments. They are the most dog-like personality in a cat I have ever known! They are usually born in litters of an average size of five. Our smallest litter was one and our largest was fourteen!
We have owned many stray, farm, barn, shelter, and rescue cats over the decades. The Maine Coon breed is by far, hands down, the friendliest breed of cat in the world. Of course I am bias! They are truly more like owning a dog that requires much little attention! I sat this but they are not shy and when they want attention, you better bet they will tell you. They love to talk to you. And like most cats, they are very easily litter box trained as well. All of our kittens are 100% trained before leaving us. I have been told of two past kittens that we sold who play fetch and I’ve personally seen the videos of it!
Maine Coon cats are known for their unique appearance. They are often called little lions or gentle giants and known for their sweet temperaments. They are the most dog-like personality in a cat I have ever known! They are usually born in litters of an average size of five. Our smallest litter was one and our largest was fourteen!
We have owned many stray, farm, barn, shelter, and rescue cats over the decades. The Maine Coon breed is by far, hands down, the friendliest breed of cat in the world. Of course I am bias! They are truly more like owning a dog that requires much little attention! I sat this but they are not shy and when they want attention, you better bet they will tell you. They love to talk to you. And like most cats, they are very easily litter box trained as well. All of our kittens are 100% trained before leaving us. I have been told of two past kittens that we sold who play fetch and I’ve personally seen the videos of it!
Appearance
Weighing anywhere between ten and thirty pounds, the Maine Coon cat that we sell at Pawzilla Maine Coon Cattery are all special and unique to each family they join. What makes the Maine Coon cat different from other breeds is their appearance and size. Maine Coon cats look like a miniature mountain lion and are one of the largest domestic cat breeds recognized by major cat clubs. They have big feet, big ears, and a bushy long tail. They have a thick flowing coat with a long mane which helps protect them from cold temperatures and snow, as well as a water resistant coat. They have a tendency to grow for up to five years, making them one of the largest, heaviest domestic cat breeds in existence. Maine Coon cats need brushed daily if possible. It keeps them happy and healthy wile avoiding tangles and matting to their long coats. They often enjoy this part of their day. I like to keep my cats toenails clipped every couple of weeks as well. Colors and Coat Another reason to love this breed is the variety of coat colors and even a few different eye colors a Maine Coon cat can be. They are a long-haired breed and known to have long flowing manes. They are available in so many colors and no matter what your favorite is, not one surpasses another when you add in their perfect personalities. Maine Coons are a slow growing breed so their adult coat does not start to show until they are closer to two years of age. Expect their beauty to grow with age! They require very little grooming other than brushing to avoid tangles and a nail trim every couple of weeks. If you like to keep them looking fluffy, a monthly or bi-monthly bath is great with a fluff dry but not necessary. Cats are generally very clean animals. Temperament As mentioned already, the Maine Coon cat has an amazing temperament, which is yet another significant factor that makes them great pets. In general, the Maine Coon cat is good-tempered, intelligent, and loves to be around people. Just like other domestic pets like dogs, the Maine Coon cat can be trained. They have been known to be one of the favorite pets chosen by those who struggle with socialization issues. They exceed a “normal” cat personality by far. Lots of love shown to them will assure you a loving pet for what can be decades. Our Maine Coon cats get along great with our bunnies and our dogs too! |
Daily LifeHow to Properly Take care of a Maine Coon cat...
When you purchase a Maine Coon kitten from us, we recommend you read the following
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Diet
Your new Maine Coon kitten will come home with the food he/she was raised on in our cattery. We suggest you use this food or use it to slowly transition onto a new food. We recommend a raw diet but not everyone is open to this option. Please inquire for more info on our raw feeding diet for our Maine Coon cats. Treats should be given sparingly until your kitten is completely adjusted and old enough to handle the addition in their diet. We do recommend all natural treats (100% dehydrated meats). We know all of our cats love play toys and catnip as well! Fresh, clean water should be available at all times but a side note to be aware of…Maine Coon cats love to play in water!
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Acclimating Gently transition your new kitten into your home. They should not be given free roam to your house the first day. Use a small room to confine your kitten that has his/her basic necessities available (food, water, litter box, bed, and toys). They will be nervous being away from everything they have ever known. You want them to adjust in their own time and way. Give them lots of love and attention but know when to give them a break. Once the kitten shows signs of being relaxed (comes to you on his own and purrs), you can start letting them have more freedom in your home. If there are accidents outside of the litter box, start this process over.
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Grooming/Vet CareThe Maine Coon cat needs regular brushing since they are a long haired breed. However, as a kitten, the hair is not very long. It doesn’t require as much attention in the first year of life. However, you need to get them used to being brushed. Pay closer attention to areas on the underside, arm pits, and ares with longer hair. Nails should be trimmed every two weeks or so in order to keep those little nails from digging into flesh and accidentally harming or scratching you.
Once you know you are bringing home a Maine Coon kitten, make your first vet appointment. Schedule it according to what your kitten is needing. Our contract specifically states how quickly you need to see your vet but not everyone follows the rules. You absolutely need to schedule their next set of shots so they are not late and it so gets you established with a veterinarian in case of emergencies. |