How often can you wash your Maine Coon kitten? Maine Coon care. Toilet and tray training

In order for your pet to feel comfortable, it is necessary to create suitable conditions for it. Of course, you don’t have to worry about the issue in detail and use general recommendations. However, every cat is different, and to be as comfortable as possible, it requires an individualized approach, which can most easily be derived from breed guidelines.

Amazing Maine Coon

The Maine Coon Cat or Maine Coon is considered a pride North America, and absolutely not in vain. These cats are distinguished not only by their large size, long silky hair and tufted ears, but also by their intellectual abilities. Many researchers who study them claim that representatives of the breed are capable of performing deliberate and logical actions, characteristic of some dogs, for example, Labradors.

Maine Coons are ideal pets in all respects. They:

• educated and peaceful;
• treat children well;
• amenable to training;
• clean;
• adapt to the owner's habits.

The only controversial point in buying Maine Coons may be the need for care. However, if you understand the issue well, you will notice that caring for these cats is not so difficult. How to care for a Maine Coon at home?

Care of fur, claws, ears, eyes and mouth

The Maine Coon is not particularly demanding in terms of maintenance. It is necessary to care for it in the same way as other breeds. For ease of reading, the main procedures are listed in the table:

Separately, it is worth considering the situation with tangles. Most often they appear on:

• stomach;
• breasts;
• lower neck area;
• hind legs;
• behind the ears.

Do not wet the balled wool with water, as this will only thicken it. To eliminate it, you can try to divide it into small parts, and only then comb it out. If you can’t do this, then you should resort to nail scissors and a haircut. To do this, pinch the tangle at its base, pull it a little and cut the hair right under it.

Details about swimming

Most representatives of the breed treat water with enviable calm, but some individuals can perceive water aggressively. Therefore, raising a Maine Coon and teaching it to bathe must begin at a young age. In any case, the animal should be washed with the doors closed, since this way it will definitely not break free and will not catch a cold due to the draft.

Note! Human shampoos are not suitable for cats. For these cases, special zoo shampoos and other products should be used. Remember, bathing is stressful for your pet. He will endure the procedure much easier if you talk to him kindly and encourage him in every possible way.

Upon completion of the procedure, you should dip your pet’s fur with a paper or terry towel, after which you can begin drying. If your four-legged friend is not afraid of a hair dryer, then this method will be optimal because it is fast. Otherwise, you can leave the wool to dry naturally, but you should avoid drafts.

After drying, the animal is combed according to the following scheme:

• from bottom to top - on the chest, throat, ears and cheeks;
• up - on the sides;
• from the center in different directions - on the stomach;
• paws fluff up.

It is better not to carry out the procedure too often, as this may disrupt the oiliness of the skin. It is advisable - less than once a month, but before exhibitions and after contamination, you can wash your pet more often.

Each cat is different, and to be as comfortable as possible, it requires an individualized approach, which can most easily be derived from breed guidelines. Source: Flickr (Carl_Spencer)

Nutrition and maintenance of Maine Coons

The most difficult moment in care is feeding. It can be carried out using both ready-made feed and homemade food.

If speak about industrial types, then you can’t buy store-bought consumer goods like Whiskas; it’s important to trust professional products, for example, brands:

• Hills;
• Purina Pro Plan;
• Eagle Pack;
• Nutro.

You can use other foods, as long as they are labeled Premium or Super premium. Dry food should be combined with canned food. For ordinary pets, their ratio should be 75% to 25%; for show animals and kittens it changes to 1:1.

It is more difficult to create a balanced menu with natural food. Let's look at the main products and their possible presence in the diet:

To make it easier to navigate feeding, you can use approximate norms:

1. For 1.5-2 months. Feed 6 r. per day. General norm is 180-240 grams.
2. For 3-6 months. Feed 4 r. per day. The norm is 160-240 gr. Meat at least 35-40 grams.
3. For 6-9 months. Feed 3 times per day The norm is 200-250 gr.
4. For 10-12 months. Feed 2 times per day The norm is 150-200 gr.

After a year, the owner is already able to independently formulate a diet, depending on the needs of his four-legged friend.

Features of keeping Maine Coons

There is an opinion that it is difficult to maintain and care for representatives of this breed in a small apartment due to their size and increased activity Maine Coon, but that's not true. Even in a one-room apartment, a pet will feel comfortable if you equip it with:

1. Tray. It is recommended that cats have two of them, as they like to defecate and urinate in different toilets. As a filler, it is better to use types that clump or have large granules, otherwise your pet will scatter granules or sawdust around the room.
2. Place for food. It is optimal to arrange it in the kitchen with 3 bowls: 1) for water; 2) dry food or natural food; 3) canned food and semi-liquid food.
3. Corner. It should include not only a house where the pet will sleep, but also a scratching post, a toy on a string or a spring, and a shelf. Maine Coons love to settle on top and observe their surroundings.

These simple measures are enough to provide your pet with leisure time, as well as make his life comfortable.

As practice shows, caring for Maine Coons, although it requires money, is relatively simple. The article gives general recommendations for the breed, which are suitable for all its representatives. Gradually, you will learn to understand your four-legged friend and be able to choose individual care measures.

Video on the topic

Maine Coon cats are distinguished by their original appearance and surprisingly peaceful character. Their weight can reach 15 kilograms, and their coat length is 10-15 cm. Such large animals require special care. Therefore, if you still decide to get a Maine Coon breed, you should know the basic rules for keeping it in the house.

First of all, it is necessary to provide the animal with a balanced diet. Your Maine Coon's diet should include as many vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients as possible. For this purpose, you can buy special dry food for your animal (preferably premium) or prepare food yourself using natural meat products.

Due to their impressive size, Maine Coons will eat much more food than other cat breeds.

Animal care: brushing

When it comes to caring for Maine Coons, Special attention should be given to these. The Maine Coon's coat is very long, but behind it it is simpler than it might seem at first glance. You need to comb the animal 1-2 times a week with special combs for wool and undercoat.

The maximum length of the Maine Coon's coat is on the sides of the animal. In this area, tangles most often form and, therefore, they need to be combed more diligently. It is also necessary to carefully comb the mane and “pants” of the Maine Coon.

It is better to comb Maine Coons in several stages: first the tail, then the sides and back, then the chest and “pants”, and only after that the most inaccessible area – the stomach. The tail must be combed very carefully so as not to injure the hair, because the hair in this area grows slowly.

Bathing

Maine Coons, like any other cat, do not need to be bathed frequently. However, if the animal is very dirty or you are preparing it for an exhibition, this procedure cannot be avoided.

First, purchase a special shampoo for Maine Coons at the pet store. Wet the animal's fur and apply shampoo to its scalp. If the shampoo is too concentrated, dilute it with water before applying. Rub the shampoo in until a thick foam appears. It should be evenly distributed along the entire length of the coat. Then rinse off the foam thoroughly warm water, avoiding contact with the animal's eyes and ears.

The water temperature for bathing Maine Coons should not exceed 38°C.

After bathing, make sure that the animal is in a warm room and not exposed to drafts.

Eye and ear care

If your Maine Coon's eyes become sour, wash them with regular black tea or chamomile tea leaves. Within a few days, mucus in the corners of the cat’s eyes will stop accumulating. Otherwise, the animal should be shown to a veterinarian.

Also, don’t forget to wipe your Maine Coon’s ears to remove any wax that accumulates in them. It is better to do this with cotton swabs, having previously moistened them with miramistin. During this procedure, be extremely careful not to damage the animal's ear.

Dental care

You can brush your Maine Coon's teeth using cat toothpaste (available at large pet stores) and a baby toothbrush. Part your cat's lips with one hand and use the other to brush her teeth and massage her gums.

Make sure your pet's diet includes hard food. They will also help clean the animal's teeth. For the same purpose, you can purchase special plastic chewing gum for cats at the pet store.

What and how often should you feed your Maine Coon?

Opinion about proper feeding Maine Coons are separated. Some believe that it is necessary to feed only professional food, others argue that only natural food, and still others, of whom the majority, are of the opinion about the benefits of mixed feeding.

From ready-made feeds, it is recommended to choose only high-quality feeds (premium class), since only they provide daily requirement Maine Coons in necessary nutrients In addition, they include vitamins and minerals. When feeding only prepared foods, add to the diet vitamin complexes there is no need, which cannot be said about exclusively “natural” feeding, where their addition is strictly necessary.

Of the natural products, Maine Coons can eat lean boiled meat (horse meat, turkey, chicken, beef, lamb), marine boiled fish of noble varieties (trout, herring, salmon), vegetables (except potatoes and legumes), cereals in the form well-cooked porridge, dairy products, offal. Food should be prepared specifically for cats and should not contain spices, sugar or salt.

When mixed feeding Maine Coons, dry industrial food is usually taken as a basis. good food, and as an additional food - natural products. With any type of feeding, Maine Coons need sprouted oats to periodically cleanse the stomach.

What care products and items would you like to buy for your Maine Coon?

Puhoderka,
- A thin metal comb (preferably with rotating teeth),
- Massage metal brush with antistatic coating,
- Shampoo for long-haired cats,
- A bath towel,
- Nail clippers, or tongs, or nail scissors,
- Toothbrush,
- Toothpaste for animals,
- Ear cleaner or Vaseline oil,
- You should also stock up on cotton wool and cotton swabs.

How to care for Maine Coon fur?

Maine Coons are a godsend for people who want a long-haired pet, but do not have the opportunity to carry out complex daily care. The coat of representatives of this breed is silky, pleasant to the touch, and at the same time does not have a tendency to mat. It is enough to comb it 3-4 times a month. During the shedding season, more grooming efforts will be required. Maine Coons are combed from the head, moving along the back to the tail, and only after that the belly and paws are combed. Dead hairs of the undercoat must be combed out with a slicker brush; a thin comb and a massage brush with an antistatic coating will help remove fallen outer hair and give the coat a beautiful, well-groomed appearance. It is recommended to choose only high-quality care items.

How should you bathe a Maine Coon, and how often?

Maine Coon owners generally have no problems with bathing, since most representatives of this breed love water. They play with it with pleasure, swim well, and some have the habit of drinking by “scooping” water with their paws.

It is recommended to bathe Maine Coons once every 2-4 months. Be sure to wash your pet before the exhibition and increase the amount water procedures during shedding to speed up coat change. When washing cats, you should lather them several times and only in the direction of hair growth, using a special shampoo and paying special attention to the tail. It gets dirty more and faster than other parts of the body, so it needs to be washed more thoroughly, you can even rub the fur with a toothbrush or clothes brush. After the last soaping, it is necessary to rinse the Maine Coon's coat thoroughly. If shampoo remains on the coat, it can lead to matting, and sometimes the hairs can begin to split. It is recommended to wash your hair gently, without shampoo. Ears must be plugged with cotton before bathing.

After bathing, you should dry your Maine Coon thoroughly with a towel and make sure that there are no drafts in the house, and that the pet avoids open windows and doors. You can dry it with a hairdryer, but without much effort, so as not to harm the coat and skin.

How to care for Maine Coon teeth, ears, eyes and claws?

Eye care is simple - it is recommended to remove secretions every day with a damp piece of cotton wool. It is best to clean your ears with a special product designed for this, or replace it with petroleum jelly (some are slightly moistened in plain water). vegetable oil). It is more convenient to clean using cotton swabs, but care should be taken not to injure the Maine Coon with its hard parts. This procedure It is recommended to carry out as soon as the ears become dirty or once every four weeks.

Teeth also need to be cleaned. When feeding dry food, cleaning can be done once every one to two months, with another type of feeding - once a month at least. It is advisable to brush your Maine Coon's teeth as often as possible to avoid possible problems with health. For this procedure, you should use only special toothpastes; human ones can harm animals. Teeth brushes can be anything, the main thing is that they fit in size.

Maine Coons usually do not have their nails trimmed. Because of the fur on the paws, parts of the claws protruding from the pads are not visible, so they do not spoil the appearance, and since Maine Coons do not like to sit on laps, they almost never scratch their owners. If your pet scratches the furniture, a good, attractive-looking scratching post can fix it. It will solve the cat's problem of changing the layers of the claw and will distract him from the owner's furniture. In this regard, there is no particular need for trimming the claws, but it is still desirable. If the need arises (before a show, mating, for the safety of the cat), then you should use special well-sharpened scissors (nail clippers, wire cutters, tweezers), preferably if they have a limit plate.

How long do Maine Coons live?

Maine Coons have good natural health, therefore, how long a pet will live, for the most part, depends on the owners. With proper care, proper maintenance and a balanced diet, Maine Coons can live up to 20 years, with an average life expectancy 14-16 years old.

Maine Coons are real giants among domestic cats. The largest representatives reach a weight of 15 kilograms. But for such a handsome man to grow from a small kitten, a lot of effort must be made. Children face many dangers on their way to adulthood. When the kitten is still close to the mother cat, she takes upon herself all the care of the babies.

Important! When the baby finds himself at home in a new unfamiliar environment, you must arm yourself with knowledge and take full care of the little Maine Coon so that he grows up healthy, well-mannered and beautiful.

Before the kitten appears in the house

Parting with a mother cat is a big stress for a kitten. Therefore, before this cute creature appears in your home, you need to prepare. For a small Maine Coon, you should arrange a corner where he will play and relax. In order for your pet to quickly get used to a new place, you need to ask the breeders for a cloth (bedding) from the place where he lived previously. A familiar smell will help him quickly get used to the new place.

You also need to find and arrange a place where the animal will eat. Usually this corner is chosen in the kitchen. You should have at least three bowls for food: for water, for dry and wet food. Bowls should be made from natural materials - no plastic. The best choice would be ceramics or steel; they are durable and safe.

The apartment itself must also undergo certain preparation. The fact is that Maine Coon kittens are very curious, playful and restless. If you have unprotected wires in your apartment, then they must be removed, as the kitten will definitely want to try them. IN best case scenario he will simply deprive you of the benefits of civilization; at worst, he can be electrocuted.

This is interesting! You should also purchase a set of toys so that your pet does not get bored and gets physical exercise. It is best to have a set of a ball, a “fluffy tail” and a so-called fishing rod. Toys should be such that small parts do not come off from them, as a small kitten can swallow them, and this can be deadly.

It is also worth securing or rearranging all loose items in a protected place: vases, framed photographs on the table, small household appliances, etc. After all, do not forget that a grown-up Maine Coon kitten weighs like an ordinary adult cat and the pranks of such a weighty baby can cause significant damage to the apartment. The washing machine should be kept closed, as kittens love dark, secluded places and your pet can hide there.

Another very important point, which many people forget about, is the danger from windows and open loggias. They must be protected with a special durable cat net. After all, you can’t sit with the windows closed in hot weather, but your baby will definitely want to look at the world and may fall out while chasing a birdie.

Lastly, you will definitely need a large carrier for vet visits and traveling with your cat. It is better to take a hard plastic one, since a soft one is not suitable for such large and strong animals.

Kitten care

So you have a little Maine Coon. Although these are very large felines, while the kitten is small, it really needs your protection and care. Like all cats, he needs careful care. Eyes, ears and teeth require special attention.

The Maine Coon's gorgeous thick coat also requires a lot of care and regular brushing. For experienced cat lovers this will not be difficult, but beginners will have to try. To ensure that the baby does not suffer from plaque, there is a special solid food that effectively cleans and strengthens the kitten’s teeth.

To properly care for a small Maine Coon, you need to collect a special first aid kit. It must include: special lotions for the care of eyes and ears, cotton swabs, brushes for hair and clippers for trimming nails. For a healthy animal, these funds will be quite enough.

With this set of tools you can easily care for your pet's eyes, ears, coat and teeth.

Eye examination and cleaning

When the Maine Coon kitten is still close to the cat, she washes his eyes herself. But when he finds himself alone in your home, you will have to take on maternal care. No serious problems with the eyes of Maine Coons were noted, but still preventive examinations needs to be done regularly.

Important! Dust in the far corners of the apartment, where the owners rarely reach, poses a great danger. If your Maine Coon kitten gets into such places, then you need to wipe his eyes if they are very dirty.

Many cat owners, especially inexperienced ones, are frightened by the presence of crusts in the corners of the eyes.. Do not be afraid, this is just a dried tear, with the help of which the eye is naturally cleansed of external impurities. In this case, you just need to wipe the Maine Coon’s eyes with a cotton swab dipped in plain boiled water. Instead of plain water, you can use a decoction of chamomile; it washes the eyes well and relieves irritation if it occurs in your kitten.

Ear cleaning

Ears are not a sore spot in Maine Coon cats, but kittens need special care and ears The kitten needs to be examined and cleaned regularly. When examined, healthy Maine Coon ears should have a uniform appearance. pink color. A little wax build-up is normal, so don't worry too much about it. Cleaning your ears weekly will be enough to keep them in order. When the kitten grows up, he will clean his ears on his own. For now he needs your help.

This is interesting! To clean your kitten's ears, you can use ear sticks and a special ear lotion. If you have little experience in handling kittens or your pet is too active, then it is better to use a tampon, as it is less dangerous.

If your pet scratches its ears a lot and shows anxiety, if the ears are red and pus appears in them, then in this case you should not hesitate, you should urgently contact a specialist. Also noteworthy is very dirty ears - this may be a sign of a disease.

Grooming

Silky thick hair is the main advantage and decoration of these cats. In order for Maine Coons to retain this beauty as adults, it must be taken care of early age. Moreover, a kitten’s well-groomed coat is the key to health and beauty in the future.

When it comes to caring for Maine Coons, special attention should be paid to brushing the kittens. The Maine Coon's coat is long and thick, but caring for it is easier than it might seem at first glance. It is enough to comb the animal 1-2 times a week with special combs for wool and undercoat. During shedding, these kittens are brushed three times a week. At first, the kitten may reject combing, but then he will understand that this is for his benefit and will endure this procedure with dignity and patience.

Important! The main thing, if the wool is still intertwined, is not to pull it, but to patiently untangle the tangles. Otherwise, you can injure the kitten, causing it pain, which in the future will greatly complicate its combing, because cats have a very good memory.

The maximum length of the Maine Coon's coat is on the sides of the animal. In this area, tangles can most often form and, therefore, they need to be combed more carefully. It is also necessary to carefully comb the mane and “pants” of Maine Coon kittens.

It is better to comb them in several stages: first of all the tail, then the sides and back, then the chest and only after that the most inaccessible area - the stomach. Here you need to be patient and careful, since kittens and even adult cats don’t really like having their bellies touched. The tail must be combed very carefully so as not to injure the hair, because the hair in this area grows very slowly.

Bathing, washing

Maine Coon kittens do not need to be bathed often; like other cats, they do not really like this procedure. It is better not to wet kittens unless absolutely necessary. However, in some cases this cannot be avoided. In order to do everything correctly, you need to buy a special shampoo for long-haired cats at a pet store, which will make combing easier and have a positive effect on the condition of the coat. A simple remedy can irritate the skin of a small Maine Coon.

Important! Before you start bathing your baby, he needs to be properly prepared. First, you can put him in the bath on a wet diaper and turn on the water nearby so that he is not afraid. Then you can water it a little at a time, so the animal will gradually get used to the water.

This process of getting used to it may take several baths, but it's worth it. A calm washing process means a healthy kitten and no wounds on the hands from its claws. When swimming, the water should be warm, not lower than 25 and not higher than 35 degrees.

After water procedures, the kitten should be dried well and placed in a place protected from drafts so that your baby does not catch a cold. The animal should not be dried with a hairdryer, as this may frighten it.

Nail trimming

If for some reason the kitten does not like his scratching post, then he will definitely use walls or furniture as it, causing enormous damage. In this case, nail trimming will be necessary. It's not very difficult to do this. You need to take the kitten and sit it down so that it is comfortable for him and you. Then press your finger on the paw pad so that the claws come out and begin the process. With a certain skill of the owner and normal behavior of the kitten, the whole process can take 10 minutes.

Important! You need to cut it very carefully, without touching the reddish area of ​​the claw; if this happens, your pet will be in great pain and blood will come from the wound. If this does happen, then the bleeding should be stopped by any available means. Then the kitten will lick the wound itself.

Therefore, if you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact a veterinarian, he will tell you how to do it correctly.

Nutrition, dietary features

Maine Coon kittens are fed quite often, about 6 times a day with natural food.. They eat in small portions, but often. As food, you can use meat scalded with boiling water, beef or rabbit, also boiled or soaked chicken, once a week you can give boiled fish. Up to 6 months, Maine Coon kittens should be fed milk with a fat content of 2-3.5%; a higher percentage of fat content can cause stomach upset.

Once every 5-10 days you can give quail eggs in any form. The kitten should always have clean drinking water. When they are small, they have poor control over the amount of food they eat, which can lead to negative consequences.

In addition to natural food, you can also use ready-made food for kittens. large breeds. If your little Maine Coon prefers a particular food, then such nutrition will not be complete. For this case, there are ready-made diets that are specially designed specifically for Maine Coons.

Advantages:

1. They have a harmoniously built, graceful body.
2. They have a very pleasant, “musical” voice.
3. Hardy, active.
4. Easily adapt to new conditions.
5. They have a stable psyche, aggression is completely absent.
6. Friendly towards others.
7. They are smart, have a good memory, and easily learn simple tricks.
8. They have a positive attitude towards children.
9. They hunt mice and rats.

Flaws:

1. High price.
2. Natural wariness (close to timidity).
3. There may be problems when preparing for exhibitions.
4. Difficulties with mating (the female does not immediately respond to the “courtship” of the male).
5. Coat care is required.
6. Can sharpen its claws on interior items.

Maine Coon photo

Character, behavioral characteristics

Maine Coon cats amaze with their appearance, grace, combined with restraint and nobility. Animals have a strong character, smart, very self-confident, have self-esteem. They are active, mobile, willingly play with their owners, and love walks. The breed's characteristics are good nature and lack of aggressiveness.

Learning ability

Maine Coons have highly developed intelligence. They are easy to learn and understand everything perfectly. Animals have excellent hearing and excellent memory. They can be taught to walk on a leash, perform various tricks and even swim.

Attitude towards people

They are very independent, but they become very attached to their owners. However, they will not impose their society, but will simply stay nearby. They don't like to sit on their laps.

They show tact and delicacy towards their owner and are very responsive to affection. They are non-aggressive towards strangers, but cannot tolerate familiarity. They are friendly towards small children; moreover, they are natural nannies and willingly accompany the child in games.

Attitude towards other animals

Males do not need to be isolated from kittens; they, like females, raise the babies. Representatives of this breed get along with dogs and other cats without difficulty. The exception is rodents: Maine Coons have an excellent hunting instinct.

Coat care

Features of the care and maintenance of Maine Coons: combing the fur 1-2 times. per week

You will need: 2 combs with frequent and rare teeth, which must be blunt, scissors. Use a wide-toothed comb first, then a fine-toothed comb.

1. Brush your cat from head to tail and the mane in the opposite direction.
2. Remove matted hair while brushing.
3. Separate the tangles into strands (with scissors or a thin stick). Comb them gently.
4. If it is impossible to comb the tangles, cut them off. Grasp the mat with your left hand (close to the skin). Cut the fur directly under the fingers, touching them with scissors.
5. Be sure to trim the fur under the tail (it gets dirty).

What to do if your Maine Coon resists being brushed

1. Perform the procedure while your pet is sleeping.
2. If you touch the head, neck, and the area behind the ears, the cat will feel good. Alternate combing the fur in these areas with others.
3. Movements must be careful so that the pet does not get hurt.
4. Cut the tangles (along the hair growth), separate the strands with your hands or cut them.
5. If the cat becomes worried, stop brushing and continue after a few minutes.

Nail care

A carefully secured scratching post is required. A log fixed to the floor with a cross will do. It is recommended to buy/make several scratching posts, preferably with different textures. Install one of them near the cat's sleeping place. How to train&

1. Bring it to the scratching post and rub it with the pads of the animal’s paws. The secretions of the sweat glands will remain on it.
2. Reward with a treat.
3. When the cat begins to sharpen its claws on its own in the designated area, give it a treat.
4. There is an old-fashioned way: lubricate the scratching post with catnip.

Nail trimming

Nails are trimmed when they become too long and grinding down is not enough. Usually this has to be done 1-2 times a month. You will need:

• regular scissors or nail clippers,
• nailfile,
• cotton wool,
• hydrogen peroxide.

Procedure:

1. Position the cat so that it is comfortable.
2. Fix its position by holding the paws with your hands.
3. Take the scissors to right hand, press the foot in the center with your left hand. Kun will open his fingers, pushing his claws forward.
4. Inspect the claws from the inside. As a rule, they are translucent, which makes it easy to distinguish the beginning of the vessel.
5. Trim the claw, leaving 2 mm from the beginning of the pink shell. Position the scissors perpendicularly.
6. Trim dark claws to 1-2 mm. This will prevent damage to blood vessels and nerve endings.
7. File the edges of the claws with a file.
8. If the vessel has been damaged, treat the foot with hydrogen peroxide.

Eye care

1. Check regularly for discharge.
2. If there is mucus, remove it with a cotton swab soaked in chamomile infusion, tea, or a weakly concentrated solution of boric acid.
3. If the discharge does not disappear, show the cat to a veterinarian.

Ear care

1. Regular inspection is necessary.
2. Clean contaminated internal surfaces with cotton swabs. It is prohibited to use water or other liquids.
3. Sprinkle the inner surfaces of your ears with special powder (to prevent infection with otodectosis).

Oral care

1. Periodic inspection.
2. If you plan to participate in exhibitions, brush your coon's teeth every day. Use a special toothbrush, paste (sold in pet stores).
3. During the procedure, you need to massage your pet’s gums with a brush.
4. Feed your animal hard food, it helps clean the teeth.

Bathing

Get your cat used to bathing starting at 2 months of age. Frequency – as the wool gets dirty or before an exhibition. Procedure:

1. Brush the Coon's coat.
2. Place a rubber mat (towel) at the bottom of the bathing container, pour warm water(38-40 o C).
3. Place cotton balls in the cat's ears. Gently place it in the water, holding it well with one hand.
4. Wet the cat's fur and apply a little shampoo. Movements should be neat and smooth.
5. Rinse off the foam thoroughly with clean water using a small mug or rubber hose (if your cat is afraid of showers).
6. Rinse the fur with a weak solution of vinegar or a special balm.
7. Squeeze the water out of the fur and wrap your pet in a towel. If the animal is not afraid of a hair dryer, drying will take no more than 10 minutes.
8. For 3-4 hours, the cat should be in a warm place, isolated from drafts.
9. Then comb the coon's fur.

Health, tendency to disease

Genetic diseases:

1. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, when the walls of the myocardial ventricles are thickened. May not show any symptoms, sometimes ends sudden death pet.
2. Spinal muscular atrophy. Characterized by muscle weakness. Leads to atrophy of muscle tissue, shortens the life of the coon.
3. Dysplasia hip joints. Accompanied by frequent dislocations, pain, and mobility impairment. Not life threatening.

Addiction:

1. Urolithiasis disease. Reasons: too hard water to drink, incorrect diet composition. The risk of getting sick increases in neutered animals.
2. Oral diseases: tartar, stomatitis, tooth loss, bleeding gums. The risk is increased when feeding insufficiently hard natural food.
3. Gastrointestinal diseases. Common reasons: change of food, unhealthy diet.

Signs of any disease:

• lethargy, inactivity,
• lack of appetite,
• dull coat,
• teary eyes,
• hot, dry nose,
• thirst, vomiting, constipation/diarrhea,
• temperature rise by 1-2 o C (at a norm of 37.5-39 o C).

Choosing a kitten, care, education

• shows - exhibitions;
• breeding - breeding;
• pet - for home (cannot be bred).

If the mating is registered, the kitten must have a pedigree; class does not matter. The baby is taken from the mother at the age of 12 weeks.

Choice

Give preference to a large, active animal. The kitten must have:

• sparkling eyes,
• sparkling fur,
• "box"
• ear tassels,
• long ponytail.

Pay attention to the mother cat, she should look well-groomed and healthy.

Care

The kitten will need:

• 2 bowls (for food, water), it is better to choose earthenware or ceramic dishes;
• toilet, filler;
• scratching post;
• bed;
• toys;
• game complex.

Place the bowls together (on the kitchen floor), preferably on a tray. Place the tray in a secluded place, optimally in the bathroom. Clean the toilet at least once a day. Block loopholes into secluded places (under a sofa, closet, etc.). When cleaning up feces left in the wrong places, use an odor neutralizer.

The bed should be located where no one will disturb the kitten. However, he himself will choose where it is better for him to sleep. Play complexes are sold in pet stores. You can adapt homemade horizontal platforms installed at different heights.

Upbringing

Aimed at preventing the development bad habits. It is necessary for the kitten to be accustomed to:

• to the toilet,
• rules of conduct,
• procedures of combing, bathing and others.

Teach care procedures after play, when the baby gets tired and relaxes. At first it will be an imitation of cutting, combing, and examining. Gradually increase the time of tactile contact. Always give your kitten a treat at the end.

1. Turn on the hair dryer when the kitten is eating, and gradually move the device closer to it.
2. Keep the device nearby, the air stream should not hit the muzzle.
3. Direct a stream of cool air at your pet (for a few seconds).
4. Day by day, increase the duration of exposure to the hair dryer.

It is important to immediately establish a good relationship with the coon; you should not perceive him as a living toy. It is strictly forbidden to poke, hit, or use other aggressive methods. Education should be based on the principle of “strict but fair.” To stop your cat from scratching furniture, jumping on tables, and pooping in inappropriate places, use a spray bottle of water.

Toilet training

Toilet training doesn't take long. Keep an eye on the kitten after feeding, and if it becomes restless, put it on the potty. Don't let go until it's empty. The excrement must be removed immediately. Maine Coons are known for their cleanliness; if the toilet is dirty, the pet can “visit” another place.

Feeding

Feeding frequency:

• 3-4 months - 5-6 rubles/day;
• 4-6 months - 4 rubles/day;
• 6 months-1 year - 2-3 rubles/day;
• from a year – 2 rubles/day.

What to feed kittens

Ready-made food: must be labeled “for kittens up to 3 months,” “for kittens up to 10 months/1 g.” Do not mix different types of food.

Natural food. What to feed small Maine Coons:

• cottage cheese (daily);
• low-fat meat (chicken, rabbit, veal, turkey) without skin, bones (daily);
• boiled, pureed vegetables (daily);
• eggs (1 ruble per week);
• boneless fish (1-2 rubles per week);
• children's canned meat and vegetables (several times a week);
• offal (several times a week, starting from 4 months of age);
• vitamin supplements (according to the instructions on the package).

Forbidden:

• ready-made economy class food,
• lamb, pork,
• spices, salt,
• porridge,
• roast,
• tomatoes, eggplants,
• excess seafood, fish (can cause urolithiasis).

Feeding adult Maine Coons

Diet for big cats The Maine Coon breed is similar in composition to the diet for kittens, but the amount of meat must be increased. Include soups and grated cheese in the menu. Add greens and sprouted cereal grains to the food. This cleanses the stomach. Daily calorie content is at least 60 kcal/kg, the amount of protein is 10 g/kg.

Give food at the same time every day. The schedule cannot be violated, otherwise the cat may wake up the owner early in the morning or in the middle of the night, begging for food. If your pet still interferes with your sleep, do not punish him. Chat with him, pet him, but don't feed him. Optimal: feeding before leaving for work and 2 hours after returning home.

Feeding castrated and sterilized animals.

Main problems: possible obesity, development of urolithiasis.

Ready-made food: a special diet is required. You should not give food that contains a lot of phosphorus and magnesium. Follow the dosage to prevent overeating.

The pet must drink enough water (its volume should be 3 times more than the volume of food). If the animal drinks too little, pre-soak the food or give canned food. Alternatively, feed him natural food without mixing it with dry food.

Natural food: exclude sausages, any products processed with salt, food chemicals. Salt should not be added to the food. Diet composition:

• boiled lean meat + broth,
• fish (river only, 1 rub./week),
• boiled offal (1 rub./week),
• eggs,
• low-fat fermented milk products (2-3 rubles/week),
• porridge (rice, buckwheat, semolina, wheat, corn),
• raw and boiled vegetables (carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, beets, cauliflower),
• fresh greens (grass purchased at a pet store or sprouted at home, sprouted cereal grains).

Breeding Features

Maine Coons are used for breeding when they are fully developed (at about 4-5 years old). The onset of physiological maturity is individual and depends on many factors (heredity, climate zone, conditions of detention). According to American standards, semi-wild native cats of similar phenotype can be used for breeding.

Pregnancy is possible no more than 1 day. per year, its duration is 68 days. (average). There are up to 6 kittens in a litter, which are born large and strong.

Feeding:

• From 28 days – up to 1 month:
  • mother's milk + complementary foods (liquid porridge with milk).
• First month – up to 28 days:
  • only mother cat's milk.
• 1 - 2 months:
  • mother's milk + complementary foods (given 6 rubles/day, daily amount 120-150 g),
  • porridge with milk,
  • scraped meat, scalded with boiling water.
• 2 - 3 months:
  • milk,
  • liquid porridge with milk,
  • scraped meat (scalded).

How many times to feed: 4 rubles/day.

Daily amount of feed: 190-250 g.

Standards

They are determined by the felinological system adopted in the country. Popular: WCF, TICA, FIFe. In the Russian Federation, WCF is more often used.

Historical reference

Maine Coons appeared 150 years ago in the USA (Maine). No one bred the breed specifically. It is considered indigenous, that is, formed under the influence of factors environment. According to one version, the ancestors were long-haired cats imported from Asia, which crossed with local animals with short hair. The name of the breed comes from the words:

• Maine is the name of a US state;
• coon is a component of the word “raccoon”, translated as “raccoon”.

Another name for Maine Coons is raccoon cats. They were first learned about in 1885; the animals were presented at a local fair. Having gained success in America, covered with thick, long hair large cats became popular in other countries. Previously, the standards were more stringent; only the “black marble” color was recognized: gray, white stains on a black background (at present, purebred individuals can have any color).

At the beginning of the 20th century, the breed was in danger of dying out as Persians became fashionable. However, since the mid-20s, kunas have gained popularity again. Now in America they occupy second place, in Europe they are among the top five. Maine Coons were brought to Russia in the early 90s, and over time, dozens of nurseries appeared. Representatives of the breed successfully participate in international competitions, receiving high awards.