r/MaineCoon Oct 27 '19

Mod post "Is my cat a Maine Coon?": A quick guide

Upvotes

Because one of the most common posts on this sub is “is my kitten part Maine Coon?” I thought adding a post with identification information might be useful. While the "suspected" MCs posted here are adorable, this is a breed-specific sub and it is important to try to post MCs only. If anyone disagrees with what I’ve said here or would like to add something, let me know! I am an enthusiast, not an expert.

Additionally, keep in mind that all cats within any breed vary and most domestic cats from shelters are mixes of several/many breeds, just like dogs. The only real way to know that you have a MC/part MC is to buy from a breeder who can provide you with CFA registration paperwork (or similar pedigree documents from recognized organizations) or get genetic testing done.

With the growing popularity of the breed, many breeders require those purchasing kittens as pets to sign contracts ensuring they will spay/neuter the kittens and/or withhold the kitten's "papers" until they receive proof that the cat was fixed. A kitten purchased with breeding rights goes for upwards of $3000 - there just aren't many purebred MCs running the streets and having kittens. This isn't to say you won't find a full or half MC in a shelter, but it does make it unlikely. And beware, the people who try to sell cheap MCs are probably not selling MCs, just fluffy kitties.

I’ll start with some common myths I see:

The "M" on the forehead is a MC trait/identifies a MC - Not at all! An M marking on the forehead is a trait common to cats with tabby markings regardless of breed or coat length. Literally just Google image search "cat" and you'll see so many kitties with Ms that are definitely not MCs. Many MCs have tabby markings, so many MCs have an M, but solid colored MCs do not.

Long hair + large size = MC - Nope! Norwegian forest cats, Siberians, and ragdolls are a few of the other common/well recognized breeds with longer coats and larger body sizes. Also, some domestic cats just have long hair and are big boys. It happens.

Lynx tips and/or toe tufts mean a cat is a MC - Lynx tips and toe tufts can be present on long or medium haired cats of any breed. Moreover, some MCs have very small or absent lynx tips/toe tufts.

How to identify a MC:

Face shape - This is probably the best way to tell a MC from a Norwegian forest cat or Siberian, along with body shape. Norwegian forest cats have triangular faces with cute little noses that look kind of delicate. MCs have long but wedge shaped faces with rectangular mugs. This varies by cat and may be less prominent in kittens and females or obscured by the angle of the photo. Siberians have shorter faces and BIG, ROUND, irresistible eyes that are not often seen on MCs.

The face shape can be hard to distinguish, especially from one picture. Here are some good guides: https://thelittlecarnivore.com/en/article/what-are-the-differences-maine-coon-norwegian-forest-cat

https://www.mainecoonfancy.com/forums/topic/20885-comparison-chart-maine-coon-siberian-and-nfc/

Coloring - A wide range of colors are acceptable for MCs but if your large, fluffy kitty has Siamese points (lighter body with dark patches on the face, ears, tail, or feet) you've probably got more ragdoll than MC. Siamese points aren't generally accepted as a breed standard for MCs. Doesn't mean your cat isn't part MC, but it's definitely an indication of crossbreeding. Nearly every other color or coat pattern is possible for MCs.

Behavior - MCs are friendly, smart, and chatty. Not every MC chirps exclusively (or at all), and other breeds can also chirp, but this is one common vocal trait for the breed. They are generally considered soft-spoken cats. Some MCs like water, but it's not as common a trait as people think! Both of mine will play in their water dish or with the stream from the faucet but they absolutely hate baths. Doglike behavior is often present, but it’s also present in other breeds and not present in all MCs. It's difficult to identify a MC based on behavioral traits.

Other - Comically large paws and/or ears as a kitten. Beautiful, fluffy tails are basically a must. Long, sturdy bodies (longer and lither than Norwegian forest cats and Siberians). They often have "ruffs" around their necks but are less likely to develop a full-on mane than a Siberian or Norwegian forest cat.

ETA: don't know where the photo of the cat with raw meat came from, MC not confirmed :P


r/MaineCoon Apr 29 '22

Results from Recent User Poll, and New Rules for the Sub

Upvotes

Hi all! I'm here to report the results of our recent subreddit poll. In the poll, I asked about users' opinions regarding allowing breeders to promote their cats/catteries and about allowing outside social media links on posts. There was also an open ended response question about general subreddit improvement. This poll was fueled by continued user reports expressing that these kinds of posts were annoying/unhelpful to the community. Also, this sub isn't a marketplace or advertising platform. This is a place to see and discuss Maine Coons.

8 people responded. For the first question, "Should r/mainecoon ban posts from breeders that are promotion for their cats/litters/cattery?", 87.5% of repsondents favored banning breeder promotion on the sub. For the second question, "Should r/mainecoon ban posts that include promotion of a user's other social media accounts? (E.g., "follow my cat on instagram")", 62.5% voted to ban posts that did not otherwise add content to the sub, 12.5% voted to allow these posts, and 25% voted to ban these posts entirely.

In response, I propose the following rules.

Rule 4. No posts or comment activity from breeders/catteries promoting their business or arranging sales of cats.

We ban and will remove:

  • Pictures of new litters/kittens that in any way state they are for sale
  • Links to the breeder/cattery website or social media in the post title or comment section
  • Pictures with the breeder/cattery URL, logo, or name
  • Posts that are accompanied by links/advertisements for new litters in the comments section (this includes comments like "message me for pricing")
  • Any explicit discussion of buying or selling kittens between the seller and a buyer in the comments section of a post
  • Any kind of "announcement" of new litters or new breeding adults

We do not ban, but ask breeders to please limit:

  • Repeated pictures of new litters/kittens (one post per week allowed)

Breeders/catteries may post:

  • Any pictures of their cats that do not reference their business or violate the above guidelines
  • Mentions that they own a cattery/breed cats that are informational or provide context for other discussion

Rule 5. Posts that link to or promote a user's outside social media accounts are allowed only under limited circumstances.

We ban and will remove:

  • References to your Instagram/Twitter/YouTube/etc username in the title of the post
  • Explicit requests to "follow me/my cat" in the title of the post

We ask users to please limit:

  • Any posts that require users to visit an outside social media website to view (e.g., Instagram, Youtube, Twitter; Links to Imgur ARE allowed as this is a primary image hosting platform for Reddit)
  • Repeated requests for followers in the comments section

Users may post:

  • A link to their social media accounts in the comment section of their own posts for other users who are interested
  • Pictures that, as part of a picture of a Maine Coon, contain relatively discreet URLs/handles for outside social media accounts

I also want to address the following comment from a respondent: " Maybe having a permanent sticky for Breeder questions and maybe a community updated wiki of "subreddit trusted" breeders, maybe similar to how /r/tea has a list of approved vendors. Consolidating the info would be really helpful, assuming semi regular updates like once a quarter. "

I agree that having breeder reviews/testimonies as part of the sub is valuable, and this was the intended effect of the "Breeder Review Thread" that is usually stickied on the sub. After this post is unstickied in a week (Reddit only allows two at a time), I will re-sticky that thread. I will also work on adding a subreddit wiki/about section that links to past breeder review threads and I continue to encourage users to contribute to the review threads. While it seems obviously unwise to endorse a breeder/cattery by the owner's testimony alone, but I think reviews from consumers are helpful and should be more accessible. I'm happy to link the usernames of breeders who have their catteries reviewed by other users (as long as the reviews are genuine) at their request! I would be more proactive in updating/consolidating that information myself but we're a mod team of one at the moment. I'll try to do this at least once or twice a year, and I'd appreciate it if y'all would continue to add your experiences to the review thread or to individual posts on the sub that I can link in.

This post will remain stickied for at least one week, after which the new rules will be posted. If anyone has comments/proposed amendments, I'm happy to hear from you!


r/MaineCoon 18h ago

New baby

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

I lost my soul cat about two years ago (another Maine Coon named Beast). I wasn’t ready at first to add another to our family in case they were too similar. Finally felt it was time back in May of this year and got on a waitlist.
Just brought home our little baby, his name is Banshee.
(All our kitties are named after XMen).


r/MaineCoon 13h ago

This guy

Post image
Upvotes

Makes himself comfy anywhere 😹


r/MaineCoon 15h ago

“No, officer! I am not high on catnip, how dare you!”

Post image
Upvotes

r/MaineCoon 19h ago

Skinny kitty

Post image
Upvotes

My boy is 2 years old in October and I feel like he’s underweight. He’s my first mainecoon so maybe they’re just on the boney side but I can feel all his vertebrae and pelvis etc. I keep his dry food full and give him 3 cans of wet food a day😵‍💫 he never eats it all but I just feel like he’s so skinny. Is this normal? We have a check up this week and I’ll definitely ask the vet about it.

Pic of nimby


r/MaineCoon 15h ago

Happy Birthday Jose and Kahlúa

Post image
Upvotes

r/MaineCoon 6h ago

New Maine Coon fur-parent; need help

Upvotes

I have a 10-month old Male Persian Cat and he is completely healthy, we just had his check up and he was neutered last Sept 1.

I would like to ask for tips, recommendations and advice for taking care of a Maine Coon. I will get a Female 6-month old Maine Coon by September 15.

  1. Food recommendation
  2. Vitamins
  3. Maintenance
  4. Tips

Also, is there some way to make my two cats bond immediately and refrain from fighting when they finally meet each other next week?


r/MaineCoon 1d ago

My gorgeous boy

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

r/MaineCoon 22h ago

Luna & Artemis ✨🌙

Post image
Upvotes

r/MaineCoon 1d ago

Maine Coon diet issues?

Upvotes

My boy is 1 year and 9 months old and recently started having some serious problems with number 2 being very, very wet. I took him to the vet and she suggested he shouldn't be eating the wet food that I've been feeding him and the only thing he should eat is dry food. This did fix the problem, but I just don't like the idea of making him just eat this one thing all the time. Does anybody else's m c have issues with wet food? I have feeding him the Royall Canin Maine Coon food and loved it but just developed diarrhea so dry it is at the moment.


r/MaineCoon 2d ago

Just brought home our kitty!

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Say hi to Teddy! He’s 13 weeks and we are in love 🥰


r/MaineCoon 1d ago

Wondering is there’s any maine coon group chat I can join?

Upvotes

First time maine coon parent and looking for a friendly community to join🥰

Cat tax below


r/MaineCoon 3d ago

Brought home our “baby”, a question

Post image
Upvotes

He’s 1 year old and already defying vertical photo preview limits. Apparently at his old house he was a menace to society, plants, and shelves in that order.

We’ve had him in our bedroom day 1, individually let him explore each upstairs room day 2, day 3 gave him range of the whole upper floor. now he’s got his “turf” we’re giving him open access to watch the open lower floor and go there at his own pace, since it’s a big space.

He’s quietly vocal, lovey, lazily playful, of course gorgeous.

He is a picky eater (a cat? picky? please hold your gasps and fainting for the end of the presentation)

he’s partial to chicken flavored things but the kibble he does reluctantly accept is royal canon maine coon kibble.

He’s even gotten “appetite inducement” ointment from the vet.

q

Anyone else have a kitten trying to live on air, any tips for other foods and treats to try? freeze dried chicken treats or churus and RC kibble is IT, right now.


r/MaineCoon 5d ago

First Maine Coon shed?

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

First year,season shedding questions?

I have two Maine Coon boys that are now 1-year-old. It is the first week of September and from what I understand This would be the normal time of the year for them to do their first shed.

The tabby has So much fur compared to The black smoke, Is it normal for the hair to come out in small clumps ?

in the last several days I just seem to be finding it everywhere, I brush him twice daily. Although brushing his belly and underparts is literally almost impossible ,he hates the belly brushes. He has been shaved under there but his main and other parts seem to be coming out in pretty good sheds.

He's also licking and scratching a little just since the shedding began. I'm wondering if this is normal? I'm assuming the licking is normal. I don't know if the scratching is normal. It's not overly scratching but definitely seems to realize that his fur is coming out, he does seem to be pulling some of it out with his tongue and feet, naturally, I realize cleaning with their tongues and feet is a normal grooming process, but I've never had a breed of cat with fur this thick. I know they have three layers of fur.

Also just curious since this is only their first year, I believe from what I've read that they're fur is just now beginning to come into its full heavier coat over the next year or more since they are still considered juveniles.

I've owned many cats over the years, including ragdolls, That are long hair but never a cat that's supposedly literally blows their coat twice a year like a dog does .

I know there's many of you out there that have had MCS for years. Just curious as to when The two times a year it comes for them to blow their coat What to expect.

Thanks for any advice 🐈🐈


r/MaineCoon 6d ago

apple’s granddaughter 🍓

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

i recently posted my girl apple and i wanted to introduce her sissy strawberry as well! strawberry is technically her granddaughter 😉


r/MaineCoon 6d ago

I painted my cat (a Maine Coon) as a 16th-century monarch, because this is exactly how cats see themselves 😂

Post image
Upvotes

r/MaineCoon 6d ago

Pip doesn't care I'm trying to make lasagna...

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

r/MaineCoon 6d ago

1st Time Cat Owner — Meet Backwood

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

(Ft. Nice photos I got of him in the vet office. 📸)

Meet Backwood! He's my first cat and my first Maine Coon, and I'm really excited to welcome him home finally.

I've been doing my homework on the breed and getting everything ready for him. I know Maine Coons have their own quirks, and I'm looking forward to learning even more as I get to know his personality

For all the experienced Maine Coon owners here: what was something about your cat that you didn't expect when you first brought them home?

I'd love to hear your experiences with the breed and see how Backwood compares as he grows


r/MaineCoon 7d ago

Our Sweet Babies

Post image
Upvotes

Here is another picture of our Freya girl and her naughty naughty sister Calypso 🤭 peep the extra toes 😍


r/MaineCoon 8d ago

my firstborn 🍎

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

my gorgeous Apple

the cuddliest, sweetest baby ever


r/MaineCoon 7d ago

Information for Maiane Coon

Upvotes

Hi everyone! I wanted to get a Maine Coon, unlike the normal cat I have. What are the differences here, like changing the diet and other things? Thank you all so much.


r/MaineCoon 9d ago

My boy with his brother from another mother

Post image
Upvotes

r/MaineCoon 8d ago

TICA Maine Coon Breeder List

Upvotes

I'm curious as to if there are any requirements besides a membership in TICA to be listed as a breeder on their site and why a breeder that lists TICA on their own site wouldn't be listed as a breeder on TICA's site. The reason I ask is about 2 weeks ago when I decided I might actually get a full blood MC, I looked on their site and there were 0 breeders listed for my state and only a couple in neighboring states. I ended up finding a few breeders on CFA's site. Those breeders have TICA on listed on their website, but they're not listed on TICA's website as a breeder.

Fast forward to this weekend, when there is a TICA show in my state and suddenly there's about a dozen breeders listed. Many are not actually located in my state though. However, when I click on the breeder there's two boxes which indicate whether that breeder has shown at a TICA show and whether they have registered any litters with TICA. Many of the breeders have done neither which makes me a little suspicious as to the quality of cat I might get, much like I feel when I go to a breeder's own site and there's just the one page with minimal information.


r/MaineCoon 9d ago

My boy

Post image
Upvotes