how to do and what to know

To choose a Maine Coon puppy it is best to contact serious and competent professionals, in the meantime we will give you some useful advice!

If you want a Maine Coon kitten, it’s fair to ask yourself how to be sure you’re really choosing the right puppy and not a representative of a related breed.

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

Choosing a Maine Coon puppy from a specialized club or from certified breeders is the right way, if you want a “pure” breed specimen. But how should we go about it?

Index

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 needs a mummy, and it is not yet able to feed itself and be independent. Finally, the process of adapting the kitten to the surrounding world is underway: teaching the litter box, order, cleanliness, and so on.

Up to three months of age it is also necessary to carry out the basic vaccinations. It is advisable to organize the adoption process under the supervision of an experienced breeder as for a too small kitten, changing places would be useless and would only cause him extra stress.

Remember that an expert breeder will never offer you a kitten younger than 12 weeks, which is almost three months. Suggestions like “get a small one” usually indicate an attempt to deceive and sell not a Maine Coon, but just a kitten similar to it.

The 7 signs of belonging

There are several visual signs of the breed which are visible 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, i.e. it reaches the shoulder blades;
• Paws massive compact;
• Neb square like a “box” in full face;
• Specific “Hall” (not a straight transition) between forehead and nose in profile;
• The chin and nose form a right angle in profile;
• Ears erect and close together, they are tapered to appear pointed.

As for 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 on the ears are very beautiful so this trait is very popular, but if they don’t appear within three months they will stop growing.

More detailed information on breed standards is available on the sites 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 are enough for a correct definition of belonging to the breed.

What weight should the kitten have

A three month old kitten should weigh at least a kilo and a half. It is possible that you 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 tables for each week, but these are for breeders. For you buyers, 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 adult male Maine Coon cat 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 even reach 11-13 kg.

One myth to dispel involves five-foot cats that look like tigers: don’t expect your Maine Coon to necessarily grow to that size. On average, an adult Maine Coon specimen is about one meter long, taking into account a 33-37 cm tail, while the height at the withers is 32-34 cm, rarely more.

Finally this feline breed made in America it is appreciated, in addition to its large size, for its sweet personality and its coat for all seasons. They are very intelligent felines and often act funny and super affectionate!

The importance of visiting the farm

To choose a Maine Coon puppy we should take into account all these specifications but, above all, rely on a breeding serious and managed by professionals. It is the only way to guarantee ourselves not only the “purity” of the specimen but also to deal with well-managed puppies from birth and totally healthy.

Let’s not get too carried away by enthusiasm, even if adopting a small kitten is always a huge emotion. After all, we are preparing to welcome a new family member into our home, who will bring lots of love! Let us, however, take some time to visit the farm and have a comparison with the breeder also to ask him all the necessary questions and receive adequate and useful answers before proceeding with the adoption.

Is the environment clean? Do bowls, baby food and water have a separate area and are they always fresh? Are the cats present in the breeding well disposed towards humans and, after a short time, do they have problems socializing with you? Does the breeder have no problem showing you the cat’s pedigree and health certificates? If the answers are positive Then you have come to the correct place!

Choosing a Maine Coon puppy, many people have also asked us:

What to know before getting a Maine Coon?

Before choosing a Maine Coon puppy, know that it is a cat that grows large in size but does not require a mammoth commitment. The Maine Coon loves the company of his humans of the heart, he loves to doze but also to play and have fun snooping around (even better if he has an open-air space available) and even taking a bath and splashing around in the water.

How long does a Maine Coon live?

The life expectancy of a Maine Coon, like any other cat, depends not only on the specific characteristics of the breed, but above all on the way we take care of it. A well-maintained specimen in a healthy environment, with regular veterinary visits and adequate nutrition can thrive on average between 10 and 13 years. Some specimens live even longer!