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 talk about how lengthy Maine Coon cats stay on common and what you are able to do to offer them the longest, happiest lives attainable.
Maine Coon Cat Common Lifespan
Maine Coon cats stay a median of 10–15 years, which is barely lower than the common cat. Although typically wholesome, Maine Coons are extra susceptible 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 stay effectively into their teenagers and even over the age of 20. A number of Maine Coons have been the oldest residing cats at varied factors, together with a Maine Coon from England named Rubble, who lived to be 31 years outdated!1
How one can Care For Your Maine Coon Cat for a Lengthy Lifespan?
Maine Coon cats are hardy, however their longevity primarily will depend on 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 provide crucial testing and distinctive care can have the most effective 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 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 often, as many house owners don’t acknowledge their Maine Coons are obese and fail to regulate their weight-reduction plan and train accordingly.
Setting
Maine Coon cats want house to roam and play, which can embrace supervised out of doors areas like gardens for those who stay in an house. An outside catio is even higher, offering house to play outdoor whereas avoiding the danger of interactions with different animals or escaping the yard.
Making your Maine Coon an indoor-only cat is acceptable for those who fear about out of doors hazards. They need to have loads of cabinets and climbing furnishings, cat bushes, 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 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 have interaction them. At all times guarantee they’ve contemporary water to remain hydrated and maintain 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. Verify and clear the ears weekly to stop infections.
Breeding
Breeding Maine Coons needs to be left as much as accountable breeders solely. These are individuals which can be prepared to have their animals screened for genetic sicknesses 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 earnings.
Healthcare
Maine Coon cats ought to go to the vet at the very 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 essential step in stopping a number of well being points and increasing your Maine Coon cat’s lifespan.
The Life Phases of a Maine Coon Cat
On account of their comparatively sluggish progress charge, Maine Coons don’t absolutely mature till roughly 4 years outdated. Males typically take the longest to succeed in full-blown maturity.
Kittenhood (0–6 Months)
Kittens want stimulation and a focus. To interact your cat mentally, preserve a cat-proofed atmosphere and rotate toys and enrichment gadgets. Socialization is essential, 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 gasoline their progress however may take a look at boundaries and develop into extra impartial.
Be affected person as they work by this difficult part. Coaching might require a visit again to fundamentals, and also you’ll have to seek 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 improvement then slows however continues till they attain their mature measurement at 3–4 years. They’ll 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 at the very least 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, speak along with your vet about their routine. They might advocate specialty diets or dietary supplements to assist your cat’s getting old physique. Monitor altering habits, as older cats might have environmental changes if they’ve points feeding, eliminating, or sleeping.
How one can Inform Your Maine Coon Cat’s Age
Enamel
Everlasting enamel are available in at 4–6 months. Youthful cats will are inclined to have whiter enamel, whereas cats with stains are possible of their older years. Remember that cats that don’t obtain correct dental care might have massive quantities of tartar accumulation that would make you suppose they’re older than they really are.
Coat
A kitten’s coat might 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 may 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 develop into much less energetic, typically taking up further physique weight and areas of sagginess.
Eyes
Between 4-8 weeks, a kitten’s eyes change from blue to their remaining shade. Adults progressively present a altering look to their eyes, with seniors typically growing cloudiness and frequent tearing or discharge.
Conclusion
Maine Coon cats stay round 12.5 years on common, however the breed solely has a minor impression on any pet’s longevity or high quality of life. Breeding practices and upbringing are extra essential than something, giving house owners the power so as to add years to their pets’ lives. By following these insights on how lengthy Maine Coon cats stay, you possibly can set them up for a few years of comfortable, snug companionship.
Featured Picture Credit score: pix-l ardour, Shutterstock
