Thought-about the biggest of home cat breeds, the Maine Coon holds a particular place within the hearts of feline lovers worldwide. They are usually laid again, clever, and pleasant, they usually share their heat and pleasure with family and friends for his or her total lives.
How lengthy are you able to anticipate your Maine Coon to fill the house with their infectiously pleasant and adoring aura? We’ll talk about how lengthy Maine Coon cats reside on common and what you are able to do to provide them the longest, happiest lives doable.
Maine Coon Cat Common Lifespan
Maine Coon cats reside a mean of 10–15 years, which is barely lower than the common cat. Although usually wholesome, Maine Coons are extra liable to some well being situations which will restrict their lifespan, together with weight problems and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
Nonetheless, with correct care and wholesome genetics, a Maine Coon can reside properly into their teenagers and even over the age of 20. A number of Maine Coons have been the oldest residing cats at numerous factors, together with a Maine Coon from England named Rubble, who lived to be 31 years previous!1
Tips on how to Care For Your Maine Coon Cat for a Lengthy Lifespan?
Maine Coon cats are hardy, however their longevity primarily depends upon their well being care. Selling an extended lifespan begins with making certain your breeder does complete screenings for frequent well being points. Cats from breeders who supply mandatory testing and distinctive care can have the perfect probability of main lengthy, fulfilling lives.
After buying your Maine Coon, your feeding, grooming, and care routine will have an effect on not solely their lifespan but in addition their high quality of life. With considerate care, your cat will possible be happier, and also you’ll save money and time by stopping avoidable well being issues and vet visits.
Feeding & Weight loss program
Maine Coons want high-quality meals wealthy in animal protein and low in carbs, with wholesome omega fatty acids to help their organs, joints, pores and skin, and coat. Adults ought to eat 20–30 energy per pound of physique weight. Monitor your cat’s physique situation incessantly, as many house owners don’t acknowledge their Maine Coons are chubby and fail to regulate their food regimen and train accordingly.
Atmosphere
Maine Coon cats want area to roam and play, which can embody supervised outside areas like gardens if you happen to reside in an condo. An outside catio is even higher, offering area to play outside whereas avoiding the chance of interactions with different animals or escaping the yard.
Making your Maine Coon an indoor-only cat is acceptable if you happen to fear about outside hazards. They need to have loads of cabinets and climbing furnishings, cat timber, scratching posts for train, and enrichment gadgets like puzzle feeders and crinkly animal toys to keep away from boredom.
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Care
Maine Coons ought to have a clear area and an lively life-style. Encourage every day play to maintain them in form and construct your bond, utilizing toys like feather wands and balls to interact them. At all times guarantee they’ve recent water to remain hydrated and preserve hazardous objects or off-limits areas inaccessible.
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Cleansing
Brush your Maine Coon’s plush coat two to a few weekly to scale back mats, take away lifeless hair, and strengthen the pores and skin and fur, and bathe them each 1–2 months with a cat shampoo to maintain their pores and skin and coat clear. Nails want clipping each 2–3 weeks, and enamel require brushing each 1–2 days. Examine and clear the ears weekly to forestall infections.
Breeding
Breeding Maine Coons must be left as much as responsible breeders solely. These are folks which might be prepared to have their animals screened for genetic sicknesses that may be handed all the way down to offspring. They’re additionally people who find themselves within the enterprise for the love of the breed, not income.
Healthcare
Maine Coon cats ought to go to the vet a minimum of as soon as yearly as adults, whereas senior cats profit from going each 6 months. Spaying and neutering on the applicable age generally is a vital step in stopping a number of well being points and lengthening your Maine Coon cat’s lifespan.
The Life Levels of a Maine Coon Cat
Resulting from their comparatively sluggish progress price, Maine Coons don’t absolutely mature till roughly 4 years previous. Males usually take the longest to achieve full-blown maturity.
Kittenhood (0–6 Months)
Kittens want stimulation and a focus. To have interaction your cat mentally, keep a cat-proofed surroundings and rotate toys and enrichment gadgets. Socialization is vital, as is introducing a routine with grooming and care duties.
Adolescence (6–18 Months)
The adolescent part consists of exercise and stand-offishness. Maine Coons nonetheless want a great deal of train and food to fuel their growth however may additionally take a look at boundaries and grow to be extra unbiased.
Be affected person as they work via this difficult part. Coaching could require a visit again to fundamentals, and also you’ll have to seek out inventive shops for his or her vitality and mischief.
Junior (1.5–4 Years)
Maine Coons develop quick within the first couple of years. Their growth then slows however continues till they attain their mature dimension at 3–4 years. They will transition off kitten meals after 18–24 months.
Grownup (4–10 Years)
Grownup Maine Coons are sometimes easygoing, affectionate, and extra relaxed. Take them to the vet a minimum of as soon as yearly, and supply ongoing enrichment with a rotation of toys and gadgets to maintain them in form and docile.
Senior (10+ Years)
As your Maine Coon ages, discuss together with your vet about their routine. They could advocate specialty diets or dietary supplements to assist your cat’s ageing physique. Monitor altering habits, as older cats may have environmental changes if they’ve points feeding, eliminating, or sleeping.
Tips on how to Inform Your Maine Coon Cat’s Age
Tooth
Everlasting enamel are available in at 4–6 months. Youthful cats will are likely to have whiter enamel, whereas cats with stains are possible of their older years. Remember that cats that don’t obtain correct dental care could have giant quantities of tartar accumulation that would make you assume they’re older than they really are.
Coat
A kitten’s coat might be voluminous and plush, whereas older Maine Coons could have extra graying and coarser fur with out as a lot fluff or density. Self grooming can even decline as cats lose flexibility and develop painful conditions like arthritis as a consequence of age.
Muscle and Exercise
Younger cats are lively and toned. As they age, they grow to be much less energetic, usually taking up additional physique weight and areas of sagginess.
Eyes
Between 4-8 weeks, a kitten’s eyes change from blue to their closing shade. Adults regularly present a altering look to their eyes, with seniors usually growing cloudiness and frequent tearing or discharge.
Conclusion
Maine Coon cats reside round 12.5 years on common, however the breed solely has a minor affect on any pet’s longevity or high quality of life. Breeding practices and upbringing are extra vital than something, giving homeowners the power so as to add years to their pets’ lives. By following these insights on how lengthy Maine Coon cats reside, you may set them up for a few years of comfortable, snug companionship.
Featured Picture Credit score: pix-l ardour, Shutterstock
