Friday, December 5, 2014

Breed Focus: Maine Coon

Maine Coons tend to be another breed of cat that is fairly well recognized. This is mostly due to their large size. On average they will range from 9-18 pounds (there are reports of larger cats, but many of these are considered overweight). They can make excellent pets but will need some level of activity. They were originally used for mousing and are VERY good at this job.
Most of these cats have long luxurious coats that will need regularly brushing typically at least weekly. As far as health concerns go, overall they tend to be a fairly sturdy breed. Two conditions to be aware of are hip dysplasia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Hip dysplasia occurs when the structure of the hip joint do not fit together properly. Over time this will cause pain that will lead to an abnormal gait. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition in the heart where the muscles of the ventricles become abnormally thickened. This can lead to trouble with properly pumping blood and regulating blood pressure. For more information on this condition please click here.
Many people are drawn to the Maine Coon breed due to their large size, but they truly have great personalities! They love to interact with their family but can also be independent if needed. While they do need activity, it is not necessary for them to be kept outdoors. They can do well with different toys and interactions in the house. If you think the Maine Coon may be a good fit for your family please go to the following websites (here, here and here) for more information.




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