How to choose a Maine Coon puppy

2023 Author: Alex Livingston | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 11:39

If you want a Maine Coon kitten, it is fair to ask yourself how to make sure you really have the right puppy and not a representative of a kindred race.

Even the purebred animals end up in shelters, so you might want to try looking for those close to you. If you decide to adopt the cat from there it will be more difficult to have all the certification of belonging to the breed, however you will have saved a life.

If, on the other hand, you buy a kitten from a specialized club or from breeders, they will provide you with the documents of belonging to the kitten's breed.

What are the breed classes? There are three:

EXHIBITION class;

RACE class;

PET class.

This classification directly determines the price of the kitten. The class from Show it is, so to speak, the standard of the breed. To the class of Race a physically healthy animal belongs for breeding; finally the class Pet it is not intended for breeding, but corresponds to almost all the traits of the animal.

At what age is it better to take the kitten?

You can buy a Maine Coon kitten from the age of three months. Firstly, only at this age are there clear signs of the breed. Secondly, up to three months the cat it needs a mother-cat, and is not yet able to fully eat independently. Third, the adaptation process of the kitten to the surrounding world is in progress: teaching the litter box, order, cleaning and so on.

And finally, up to three months it is necessary to carry out basic vaccinations. It is advisable to organize the adoption process under the supervision of an experienced breeder as, for the kitten, changing places at a young age would be useless and it would only cause stress extra.

Remember that a experienced breeder will never offer you a kitten under 12 weeks of age, which is almost three months old. Tips like "get a small one" usually indicate an attempt to deceive and sell not Maine Coon, but just a kitten like it.

The 7 signs of belonging

There are several visual signs of the breed that form in Maine Coons around three months of life:

The elongated trunk is rectangular in shape.

The tail is equal to the length of the trunk, that is, it reaches the shoulder blades.

Massive compact legs.

Neb square like a "box" across the face.

"Hall" specifies (not a straight transition) between forehead and nose in profile.

The chin and nose form a right angle in profile.

Ears straight and close, are tapered to appear pointed.

As for the brushes or ruffles, it is necessary to dispel the widespread belief that these are an attribute of the Maine Coon breed. This is not true as it depends on the specific breed line to which the animal belongs. The brushes are very nice so this stretch is very popular, but if they do not appear within three months they will no longer grow.

More detailed information on breed standard they are available on the websites of specialized felinological organizations. In different felinological systems, such as CFA, FIFE, WCF, GCCF, TICA, CFF, etc., they are slightly different. But in general, the above characteristics for a correct definition of belonging to the breed are sufficient.

What weight should the kitten have?

A three month old kitten it should weigh at least one and a half kilograms. It may weigh more, but not less. In general, the minimum healthy weight of a Maine Coon up to 8 months is calculated with the formula:

1 month of life x 0, 5 kg = minimum weight

There are also more accurate weight gain charts for each week, but these are for breeders. For you as a buyer, the above formula is sufficient.

Up to 6-8 months, female and male cats develop almost at the same rate, then growth slows down and, finally, the individual matures over a period of time ranging from one and a half to two years. On average, the male Maine Coon cat adult will weigh 8.5 - 10 kg, while the female cat will weigh 6-8 kg. Neutered cats usually weigh more than those bred for breeding and can reach 11-13 kg.

By the way, a Maine Coon myth is theirs abnormal weight of 20 - 27 kg that the cat should, presumably, reach. There are single specimens of enormous length and heavy weight, but this is not a distinctive sign of the breed.

A another myth to dispel it's about five foot cats that look like tigers - don't expect your Maine Coon to grow to this size. On average, an adult Maine Coon is about one meter long, taking into account a tail of 33 - 37 centimeters, while the height at the withers is 32 - 34 centimeters, rarely more.

Finally, this breed made in America is appreciated not only for its large size, but also for its size sweet personality and his cloak for all seasons. They are highly intelligent felines and love clown antics.

In general, this is all you need to know about Maine Coons to choose a kitten that is not of another similar breed.