A little history about the origins of the breed.

The Maine Coon, how can you resist the charm of this cat that, according to many, most resembles the king of animals, the lion? It is not for nothing that this breed of cat has been the most popular in the world for the last 20 years.

Its origin and history

The origin of the Maine Coon remains mysterious, which brings its share of legends and stories. It is said to be the only natural breed of cat from North America that would originate from the state of Maine in the United States, hence its name. At the time, it was believed that this breed was the product of a cross between a cat and a raccoon (racoon in English) hence the word "coon", but we know today that this kind of crossbreeding is genetically impossible. Legend has it that the Maine Coon is related to Marie-Antoinette, the last queen of France. According to historical documents, just before the royal couple was captured by the French revolutionaries, she was to flee on the ship of Captain Samuel Clough. That evening, the captain would have set sail, without the royal couple, towards America with the personal effects of the queen that were already on board, including her Persian cats. Once in America, these cats would have crossed with large wild cats to give birth to the Maine Coon. The truth is probably much less romantic while being linked to the arrival of domestic cats in North America, because they were embarked to hunt rats and insects in the holds of merchant ships. Once arrived in port in Maine, these cats came and went in this cold climate, feeding on the most imposing specimens of vermin found on the continent. The Maine Coon would therefore be linked to the evolution of the European shorthair cat to adapt to this environment.

MAIN COON CARE:

Its fur requires constant maintenance to prevent it from getting tangled. Brushing once or twice a week during moulting is required. It is advisable to get this magnificent cat used to being brushed very early in life, not forgetting the tail. The use of positive reinforcement methods will be essential for this breed, because at its size, it can be difficult to negotiate with a recalcitrant Maine Coon.

MAINE COON LIFE EXPECTANCY:

It should be noted that cats generally have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years for most domestic cat breeds.

- It is important to note that the Maine Coon differs from other breeds in its size and robustness. The Maine Coon was designed to survive and thrive, and this is reflected in its longevity.

It is not uncommon to see a Maine Coon reach its twenties.

It is important to note that this lifespan is only an average and several factors are to be taken into account and can cause this average to vary.

Question education:

The education of the Maine Coon cat is not complicated! Many people imagine that the character of the Maine Coon goes hand in hand with its imposing physique. It is actually completely the opposite! Gentle, affectionate, calm and kind, the Maine Coon is absolutely not an aggressive cat. It is perfectly suited to families with children. When its tolerance threshold is reached, it moves away rather than hissing or scratching. Very sociable and easy to train, it obeys very well. Very cuddly without being clingy, it appreciates caresses. Its character is quite similar to that of a dog. Do not be surprised if it follows you regularly. All he will ask of you is to respect his instinct for freedom by not imposing too many constraints on him, because even if he appreciates the company of his master, he behaves more like an independent companion than like a kitten requiring constant attention. To build a deep friendship with your little feline, spend quality time with him. Give him time and attention from a young age. The Maine Coon loves to have fun, and this at any age. Cats are also trained through play. Their hunting instinct pushes them to seize the things they find: never leave your keys lying around! Apart from “stealing” objects to play with, they do not tend to get into trouble. Give them a ball that they can play with. Despite their weight, they are lively and dynamic. Choose cat toys that you will throw and that they will have to bring back. They will do this with pleasure, just like a dog would. This breed does not like vertical games, so focus on ground games. Your cat will run after it and grab it with its big round paws.

Tags :
- Maine Coon
- Cats in Quebec
- Pets
- Cat Behavior