Thought of the biggest of home cat breeds, the Maine Coon holds a particular place within the hearts of feline lovers worldwide. They are typically laid again, clever, and pleasant, they usually share their heat and pleasure with family and friends for his or her whole lives.
How lengthy are you able to count on your Maine Coon to fill the house with their infectiously pleasant and adoring aura? We’ll focus on how lengthy Maine Coon cats stay on common and what you are able to do to present them the longest, happiest lives attainable.
Maine Coon Cat Common Lifespan
Maine Coon cats stay a mean of 10–15 years, which is barely lower than the common cat. Although typically wholesome, Maine Coons are extra vulnerable to some well being situations that will restrict their lifespan, together with weight problems and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
Nonetheless, with correct care and wholesome genetics, a Maine Coon can stay properly into their teenagers and even over the age of 20. A number of Maine Coons have been the oldest dwelling cats at varied 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 relies on their well being care. Selling a protracted lifespan begins with guaranteeing your breeder does complete screenings for frequent well being points. Cats from breeders who provide crucial testing and distinctive care may have the perfect likelihood 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 additionally their high quality of life. With considerate care, your cat will doubtless be happier, and also you’ll save money and time by stopping avoidable well being issues and vet visits.
Feeding & Weight loss plan
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 homeowners don’t acknowledge their Maine Coons are obese and fail to regulate their weight-reduction plan and train accordingly.
Surroundings
Maine Coon cats want house to roam and play, which can embrace supervised outside areas like gardens in case you stay in an condo. An outside catio is even higher, offering house to play outside whereas avoiding the danger of interactions with different animals or escaping the yard.
Making your Maine Coon an indoor-only cat is suitable in case you fear about outside hazards. They need to have loads of cabinets and climbing furnishings, cat bushes, scratching posts for train, and enrichment units like puzzle feeders and crinkly animal toys to keep away from boredom.
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Care
Maine Coons ought to have a clear house and an lively way of life. Encourage each day play to maintain them in form and construct your bond, utilizing toys like feather wands and balls to interact them. All the time guarantee they’ve contemporary water to remain hydrated and hold hazardous objects or off-limits areas inaccessible.
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Cleansing
Brush your Maine Coon’s plush coat two to 3 weekly to cut 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 tooth 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 accountable breeders solely. These are individuals which can be prepared to have their animals screened for genetic diseases that may be handed right 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 at the least as soon as yearly as adults, whereas senior cats profit from going each 6 months. Spaying and neutering on the acceptable age is usually a crucial step in stopping a number of well being points and increasing your Maine Coon cat’s lifespan.
The Life Levels of a Maine Coon Cat
Because of their comparatively gradual development price, Maine Coons don’t absolutely mature till roughly 4 years previous. Males typically take the longest to achieve full-blown maturity.
Kittenhood (0–6 Months)
Kittens want stimulation and a focus. To have interaction your cat mentally, preserve a cat-proofed atmosphere and rotate toys and enrichment units. Socialization is crucial, 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 meals to gas their development however can also check boundaries and change into extra unbiased.
Be affected person as they work by way of this difficult part. Coaching might require a visit again to fundamentals, and also you’ll have to search out artistic shops for his or her power 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’ll transition off kitten meals after 18–24 months.
Grownup (4–10 Years)
Grownup Maine Coons are usually easygoing, affectionate, and extra relaxed. Take them to the vet at the least as soon as yearly, and supply ongoing enrichment with a rotation of toys and units to maintain them in form and docile.
Senior (10+ Years)
As your Maine Coon ages, discuss together with your vet about their routine. They might suggest specialty diets or dietary supplements to help your cat’s growing old 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
Enamel
Everlasting tooth are available in at 4–6 months. Youthful cats will are likely to have whiter tooth, whereas cats with stains are doubtless of their older years. Remember that cats that don’t obtain correct dental care might have massive quantities of tartar accumulation that might make you assume they’re older than they really are.
Coat
A kitten’s coat will probably be voluminous and plush, whereas older Maine Coons might 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 situations like arthritis attributable to age.
Muscle and Exercise
Younger cats are lively and toned. As they age, they change into 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 coloration. Adults regularly present a altering look to their eyes, with seniors usually creating cloudiness and frequent tearing or discharge.
Conclusion
Maine Coon cats stay 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 crucial than something, giving homeowners the flexibility so as to add years to their pets’ lives. By following these insights on how lengthy Maine Coon cats stay, you may set them up for a few years of glad, snug companionship.
Featured Picture Credit score: pix-l ardour, Shutterstock
