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With their luxurious manes, chirps of love, and gentle natures, Maine Coons have earned the reputation of being one of the most beloved cat breeds! It’s no surprise though, as this stunning domesticated breed possesses both beauty and brains. Sweet, affectionate, intelligent, and playful, Maine Coons are adored for their even-temperament and loyalty to their families. As wonderful gentle giants, they make perfect additions to any family. However, there’s a lot you may not know about the Maine Coon, which we’re about to get into. So without further ado, whether you’re familiar with this breed or are looking into adopting one, here are ten massive facts about Maine Coon cats!
Maine Coon Cat Facts
1. They Were Bred to Withstand Harsh Winters
Maine Coon cats, as their name suggests, were initially bred in Maine to withstand cold, bitter, and intense winters. According to Purr Craze, their coat consists of three layers, two of which make up the undercoat, and they also have one layer of a guard coat. The undercoat is designed to insulate their bodies against harsh winters while their guard coat protects them from water, which makes it ideal for the snow. So, it turns out that their fluffy appearance isn’t just for good looks!
Maine Coons also have thick and tufted fur in their ears to keep them warm. They also have thick, flat, large paws that are designed to help them walk on top of the snow with ease. Needless to say, their unique features make them perfect pets for colder climates! However, the Maine Coon is perfect and ready for all weather.
2. They’re the Largest Domesticated Cat Breed
Perhaps one of the most unique things about this stunning cat breed is its large size! Maine Coons aren’t considered fully grown until they’re about two years old. To put this into perspective, the average cat is fully grown at about one year old. As a result, the average domesticated cat maxes out at about ten pounds, while a Maine Coon can weigh up to twenty-five pounds! While we may be biased, we think a Maine Coon’s massive size gives you more to love. With their stunning, fluffy coats and large size, Maine Coons are especially cuddly!
Maine Coons are often taller than your average house cat as well. While a typical domesticated cat stands about ten inches high at the maximum, Maine Coons can max out at about sixteen inches in height. This breed can be anywhere from nineteen to forty inches long. For comparison, the average cat is only eighteen inches long. Their unique builds make it feel like a real wild cat is living in your house with you.
3. They’re Known As the ‘Gentle Giants’ of the Domesticated Cat World
Maine Coons have an exceptionally sweet and gentle demeanor. In fact, due to their size, they’re known as the gentle giants of the cat world! They’re unusually large for domesticated cat breeds, and paired with their even temperament, this nickname makes sense. With their big bodies, large paws, and manes, they mimic mini wild cats. Their loyal personalities and large sizes have also earned them the reputation as the “dogs” of the cat world. They’re usually a playful breed, and it’s not unheard of for a Maine Coon to be trained to play “fetch.”
Additionally, they’re also wonderful with other cats, dogs, and children. Their tolerant natures and even temperament make them a wonderful option for any family. Social, affectionate, and loyal, Maine Coons are all about their people and other animal friends. These gentle giants go above and beyond to make their families happy!
4. They Have Personalities Larger Than Life
The most wonderful thing about Maine Coons is their personalities. Their laidback and easygoing temperaments paired with their silly play styles create a larger-than-life personality sure to wiggle its way into your heart. Adaptable, playful, and remarkably intelligent, these big cats are always ready for playtime or snuggles! They’re equally goofy and savvy.
Wildly affectionate, Maine Coons are all about time with their humans. If you get a Maine Coon, don’t be surprised if they rub, snuggle, and nuzzle themselves into you. What’s even sweeter is that these “big babies” don’t see their size as a barrier to being a lap cat. So, we’ll let you take that as a pro or con! They’re also goofy, they love to play with toys and inanimate objects in the quirkiest ways. Maine Coons are deeply intelligent and can even be trained to do tricks! Their versatile personalities make them the perfect, well-rounded pets. So if you’re looking for a pet with a big personality, the Maine Coon is a wonderful option.
5. They’re the Official State Cat of Maine
Since Maine Coons were bred to withstand the harsh winter conditions of Maine, it makes sense that they’re the official state cat! They were incredibly popular in Maine and New England during the early 1800s, until they were nearly forgotten in the late 1800s, as the Persian and other long-haired breeds gained popularity. Believe it or not, Maine Coons became so forgotten that they nearly went extinct. But after Maine named the Maine Coon their official state cat, the breed surged in popularity. After that, they were brought back from near extinction.
So what did people find appealing about this breed? Well, Maine Coons were initially very popular for their ability to hunt aboard ships and on farms. They also proved themselves incredibly useful for catching mice and other rodents that threatened to soil precious cargo. Their hunting abilities, fluffy coats for bitter winters, and unfettered sense of companionship led to their spark in initial popularity!
6. They’re Fairly Expensive
Due to their unique size, coat, and personality traits, Maine Coons are one of the most expensive cat breeds in the world. This can also be attributed to their high demand, popularity, and rarity. On average, the price for a Maine Coon is about one thousand dollars!
If you think the price for a Maine Coon can’t possibly be any higher, think again. Those with special coats or fur patterns can sometimes go up to two thousand dollars. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, rescues and shelters are wonderful places to look. Adopting a Maine Coon is very rewarding and often, they’re already socialized and know the basics of proper house manners. Adopting a Maine Coon can change both their life and your life for the better! Be sure to check for adoptable cats near you through your local shelter or reputable pet search websites.
7. They’re Very Vocal
Another reason Maine Coons are so adored is for their very vocal natures. They’re very talkative and aren’t afraid to tell you how much they love you! While Maine Coons can meow like other cats, they usually stick to adorable chirps and trills to communicate. Just as an FYI, trilling is like a purr-meow combo sound. Needless to say, these unique noises add to their charm and wit.
Few cats are as vocal as the Maine Coon. If you prefer a quiet pet, then a Maine Coon may not be the right fit for you. Maine Coons are incredibly vocal and will use chirps and trills to win your heart. So if you adore when animals talk and make charming and peculiar noises, then a Maine Coon is a great option! They’re wonderful family pets and their chirps and trills provide endless entertainment. They’ll often talk to your other pets too!
8. They Love Playing in the Water
Thanks to their guard coats and genetic inclination towards snow, these cats usually love water! You usually won’t have to worry about giving your Maine Coon a bath when needed, since these cats tend to enjoy it. Maine Coons are even great swimmers! Since their coat is water-resistant, these cats are fine with getting wet during playtime.
In the summer, you can set up a kiddie pool in the backyard and watch your Maine Coon flourish. Since Maine Coons aren’t afraid to get their paws wet like other cats they will relish every moment. You or your kids can even join them in the fun! But if you do this, we can’t promise neighbors won’t think you’re weird for playing with your cat in a kiddie pool.
9. They Love to Go on Walks
Even though Maine Coons are known as the dogs of the cat world, it may still surprise you that they love to go on walks and are usually quite cooperative when it comes to it. Since these cats were primarily bred to live outdoors and withstand harsh winters, rest assured that your Maine Coon might just love to take a stroll around the neighborhood with you. They enjoy taking in the sights and sounds with their owner.
If you are going to take your cat for a walk, just remember to keep them on a harness, which prevents them from being choked. Also, keep in mind that every cat needs to be harness-trained before attempting a walk. It usually takes days or weeks for a cat to get fully comfortable with wearing a harness, so just be patient. Since Maine Coons are wildly active cats, getting them outside for a walk can help them enjoy all the outdoors has to offer! It’s also a great opportunity to bond with your gentle giant.
10. A Maine Coon Cat Was Successfully Cloned
Believe it or not, in 2003, the first Maine Coon was successfully cloned. Julie, a Texas woman, was devastated by the loss of her 17-year-old Maine Coon. She paid $50,000 to have him cloned by a company called Genetic Savings & Clone. The cat’s name was Little Nicky, and soon another Little Nicky arrived! The cat not only looked like her original, but possessed a lot of the same personality traits!
Does this mean that the new Little Nicky is a real-life version of a “copycat?” Okay, that was a really bad joke. I’ll see myself out now. But jokes aside, Little Nicky was not the first successfully cloned cat. In 2001, a female domestic shorthair named CC was the first cloned cat. And you guessed it, CC stands for both “CopyCat” or “Carbon Copy.”
As you can probably imagine, cloning is very controversial due to ethical concerns, especially since most clones fail. The Humane Society of the United States and other animal welfare organizations have even spoken out against cloning animals for commercial purposes. In fact, the company that cloned Little Nicky and CC, eventually closed its doors due to controversy and financial difficulties.
Conclusion
All in all, these interesting facts about Maine Coons just add to the many reasons to love them. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime friend that loves water, long walks, and vocalizing their love for you, look no further than the Maine Coon! These massive fluffy cats are sure to steal your heart.
DISCLAIMER: This article is made for entertainment purposes only. This is NOT medical advice. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. ALWAYS seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
References
https://purrcraze.com/when-do-maine-coons-get-fluffy
https://www.mainecooncentral.com/maine-coon-cat-facts/
https://mymodernmet.com/maine-coon-facts/
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-dec-23-sci-clone23-story.html
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/we-can-clone-pet-dogs-good-idea/
https://www.bionews.org.uk/page_90182
https://today.tamu.edu/2020/03/04/worlds-first-cloned-cat-dies/
https://mainecoonexpert.com/why-do-maine-coons-talk-so-much/
Disclaimer: The Purring Journal is not in the medical field. This post is made for entertainment purposes only. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. Always seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
