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Maine Coon Care 101: Avoid These Surprisingly Common Mistakes Made by Maine Coon Owners
Maine Coon cats are known for their gentle personalities, stunning looks, and friendly disposition. They are a beloved breed among cat lovers, and it's not hard to see why. However, even the most experienced cat owners can make mistakes when it comes to caring for their Maine Coon. In this blog post, we'll explore 16 surprisingly common mistakes that Maine Coon cat owners make and how to avoid them.
Not Providing Enough Space: Maine Coons are a large and active breed that needs plenty of room to move around. Not providing enough space can lead to boredom, frustration, and even health problems. Make sure to provide plenty of room for your Maine Coon to play, climb, and explore.
Not Grooming Properly: Maine Coons have a thick, luxurious coat that requires regular grooming. Neglecting to groom your Maine Coon can lead to matting, hairballs, and skin irritation. Make sure to brush your Maine Coon's coat at least once a week, and more often during shedding season. Click here for best brush for Maine Coon
Mistake of Shaving A Maine Coon: Maine Coons have a unique double coat of fur that serves a number of important functions. The long, coarse outer coat helps to repel water and dirt, while the soft, thick undercoat provides insulation and helps regulate body temperature. Shaving a Maine Coon can disrupt this natural balance and cause a range of problems. To keep your Maine Coon healthy and happy, it is important to let their natural coat grow and to provide regular grooming to prevent matting and tangles. If you have concerns about your cat's coat, talk to your veterinarian or a professional groomer for advice on how to maintain their fur without resorting to shaving.
Not Feeding the right food: Maine Coons have unique dietary needs, and feeding them the wrong food can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. Make sure to feed your Maine Coon a high-quality cat food that is specifically formulated for their breed. Maine Coons require a diet that is rich in protein, which is of utmost importance. Proteins should never be omitted from the Maine Coon's diet. Excellent sources of protein include chicken, turkey, salmon, liver, and tuna. The required protein intake varies depending on your Maine Coon's age and size, and various cat food brands offer different options for your cat at different stages of its life.
Not Providing Fresh Water: Maine Coons are known to drink a lot of water, and it's important to provide them with fresh, clean water at all times. Neglecting to do so can lead to dehydration and urinary tract problems.
Not Providing Enough Mental Stimulation: Maine Coons are intelligent and curious cats that need mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Not providing enough mental stimulation can lead to boredom, anxiety, and even destructive behavior. Make sure to provide plenty of toys, scratching posts, and playtime to keep your Maine Coon entertained.
Not Providing Proper Veterinary Care: Maine Coons are prone to certain health problems, such as hip dysplasia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Neglecting to provide proper veterinary care can lead to serious health problems down the line. Make sure to take your Maine Coon for regular check-ups and vaccinations.
Not Buying Pet Insurance: One mistake of not buying pet insurance for a Maine Coon is the potential financial burden that may arise in case of unexpected illness or injury. Maine Coons are generally healthy cats, but they are prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia, heart disease, and urinary tract problems. These health issues can be costly to treat and may require ongoing medical care, which can quickly add up in expenses. Without pet insurance, the cost of treating your Maine Coon's health issues would be your sole responsibility. Depending on the severity of the issue, the treatment costs can be thousands of dollars, which can put a significant financial strain on pet owners. Therefore, it's essential to consider purchasing pet insurance for your Maine Coon to ensure that you are financially prepared in case of unexpected illness or injury. By investing in pet insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that your cat's health needs will be covered, and you won't have to worry about the financial burden of treatment costs. At our cattery, we provide a complimentary month of pet insurance through Trupanion, a highly reputable insurance provider in the market.
Not Socializing Properly: Maine Coons are a social breed that enjoys human interaction. Not socializing your Maine Coon properly can lead to shyness, fear, and even aggression. Make sure to spend plenty of time with your Maine Coon and expose them to different people and situations.
Not Providing Enough Litter Boxes: Maine Coons are fastidious cats that need a clean litter box at all times. Not providing enough litter boxes can lead to litter box avoidance and accidents. As a general rule, provide one litter box per cat plus one extra.
Not Providing a Scratching Post: Maine Coons love to scratch, and it's important to provide them with a designated scratching post to prevent damage to your furniture. Not providing a scratching post can lead to destructive behavior and anxiety.
Not Providing Enough Exercise: Maine Coons are an active breed that needs plenty of exercise to stay healthy. Not providing enough exercise can lead to weight gain, muscle atrophy, and other health problems. Make sure to provide plenty of opportunities for your Maine Coon to play and exercise.
Not Giving Cat Regular Cat Vaccinations: One of the most common mistakes that cat owners make is not giving their cats regular vaccinations. Vaccinations are crucial for protecting cats from a range of potentially deadly diseases, and failing to vaccinate your cat can put their health and well-being at risk. We know for experience since unfortunately, we lost one of our imported cats from Russia during her travel due to contracting Feline panleukopenia. It was discovered that the Russian breeder had failed to provide her with the appropriate vaccinations, and a timely vaccine could have prevented her death.
Not Brushing Your Maine Coon's Teeth: Forgetting to brush your cat's teeth is a common mistake that many cat owners make. While it may not seem like a big deal, neglecting your cat's dental hygiene can lead to a range of serious health problems. It's also important to make sure you are brushing your cat's teeth regularly. Aim for at least once a week, or ideally, 2-3 times per week. You can also supplement brushing with dental treats or toys that help clean your cat's teeth.
Wrong-Shaped Bowl: Maine Coons are known for their long and luxurious fur, impressive size, and distinctive facial features, including their prominent whiskers. These whiskers, also known as vibrissae, are long and sensitive hairs that help cats navigate their environment and detect potential prey. However, many Maine coon cat owners may not realize that these whiskers also play an important role in their cat's eating habits. When a Maine Coon's whiskers come into contact with the sides of a narrow food bowl, it can cause discomfort and even pain for the cat. This is because the whiskers are highly sensitive and can easily become overstimulated when they are pressed against a surface. To prevent this from happening, it is important to choose a food bowl that is appropriately sized for your Maine Coon's needs. The bowl should have a diameter that is wider than the span of their whiskers, which will allow them to eat comfortably without experiencing any discomfort or pain. Check one of the bowls we use in our cattery.
Giving Your Maine Coon Milk: Giving your Maine Coon milk can be a mistake that many cat owners make. While cats love the taste of milk, many cats are lactose intolerant, and consuming milk can lead to digestive problems and other health issues unless it has been specifically designed for cats.