Maine Coon Cats & Kittens for sale from Ethical Breeders

Meet the Maine Coon

Of course, the most distinctive feature of a Maine Coon is its chunky size. In fact, it was a Maine Coon who took the title for the world’s longest cat in the 2010 Guinness World Records, measuring 48.5 inches long. However, not all Maine Coons will reach this size; your typical gentle giant will reach a height of 10–16 inches and a length of 30-40 inches.

Maine Coons descend from Norwegian Forest Cats and have a wild cat lineage, which is why they grow so much. Plus, they mature slowly, which results in them developing strong and heavy bones and muscles. The Maine Coon’s long, silky fur makes them appear even larger and gives them their beautiful, majestic, and cuddly appearance.

Their smooth, shaggy two-layered coat also reflects their heritage as they served as mouse catchers and farm cats in the harsh Maine climate. The fur length also differs throughout their body, shorter on the shoulders, longer on the stomach and britches, and accompanied by a long, bushy tail.

The vast majority of Maine Coons found in the UK have a brown, tabby pattern, but these cats can come in a wide range of colours and patterns. Aside from brown, they can be solid white, cream, red, blue, or black. You can also find them in one of these colours with a tabby pattern, or bi-colour, tortoiseshell, shaded, or calico.

Lastly, Maine Coon’s have gentle-looking faces and heads proportionate to their bodies. They have large, pointed ears that often have cute wisps of hair and big, expressive eyes, which are usually a shade of green, gold, or greenish-gold.

The temperament of a Maine Coon

Maine Coon owners often remark on how good-natured and laid-back their felines are. They are certainly a friendly, affectionate and people-loving breed that makes them desirable and enjoyable pets. However, they are very active and love to play, so they are not typically lapcats but will stay close to you nonetheless.

Despite being super affectionate, Maine Coons are not needy by any means. For example, they will not be offended if you close them out of the bathroom to shower in peace. They are also not too loud and will not use their meow to whine to get what they want. Instead, the sounds they make tend to be more chirp-like and pleasant.

Maine Coons take four to five years to fully mature, which is longer than most other breeds. Because of this, your gentle giant will retain its kitten-like playfulness, so you’ll need to ensure you have plenty of toys and games around to keep them entertained.

Moreover, as they once served as mouse catchers, they have incredible hunting skills. In a domestic setting, they will recreate this by chasing their toys, balls, and maybe even your feet! Even so, they are not lovers of high places and do not climb or jump as much as other breeds do. Instead, they survey the ground with an eye out for prey at all times.

Finally, all Maine Coon owners should know just how intelligent these kitties are. The more you work their smart brain by teaching them tricks and commands, the more they will thrive.

Best homes for a Maine Coon

Maine Coons have a perfect balance between devotion and independence, making them an excellent option for all kinds of households. They are also very gentle and tolerant with children, making fantastic family pets for those with young kids. What’s more, their amiable personality means most Maine Coons are happy to live with other cats, as well as calm dogs.

Maine Coons are independent enough to stay on their own for short periods. However, although they are not needy, do not forget that they are still highly social cats. Therefore, their well-being may suffer if they are left alone all day, every day, so they are best suited to owners who are home some of the time.