A curious cat breed that is notorious for their sheer size is the Maine Coon. Owners of Maine Coons praise their pets, citing that they are some of the best-natured, and not to mention beautiful, cats in the world. But why get a Maine Coon over a tabby or another thoroughbred? Well, it’s true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and many cats already desperately need a home, but we thought we’d give you a bit of info about the Maine Coon and what makes them tick on the off chance that you’re looking to add such a unique animal to your family.
Maine Coons, as their name suggests, come from Maine and are a very desirable pure breed. They come in different patterns, with red Maine Coons being the rarest. There are many reasons to adopt the elusive Maine Coon if you’re prepared for the unique lifestyle they have. Let’s dive into some facts about these cats that may surprise you and might even have you fall in love with them like so many others.
Fantastic Pets
Maine Coon Cats are fantastic pets for those that are ready to get involved with them. They seem unassuming, but they hide a few secrets many people don’t know. Red Maine Coon cats are highly sought after, but scientifically speaking, they aren’t actually even red. These red cats, despite their name, usually are actually orange. When it comes to red-smoke Maine Coon cats, they have even more to hide.
Red smoke Maine Coon cats also have the “red” name attached to them. They usually actually have cream-colored fur with orange tips. They are typically lighter than orange tabbies and other red cats. Even though they aren’t actually red, red smoke Main coons are a rarity, so if you can find one, just know that you’re fortunate.
Huge Cats
Now that we’ve established how big they are and that they aren’t actually red, we can move on to their size. Maine Coons are praised for their enormous size, probably because owners would like to imagine they own some kind of wild beast, and they’re actually quite close, depending on the size of the Maine Coon.
Most Maine Coons are pretty big, being between 20 to 40 inches long, and can weigh anywhere between 15 and a massive 25 pounds. Just for fun, we’ll also give you the exact measurements for a typical housecat which at the most is 28 inches long and only weighs a fraction of a Maine coon at 5 to 10 pounds. They are some of the most enormous cat breeds, and many of their kind hold the record for being the biggest cats.
Smoky Versus Tabby
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to different Maine Coons in order not to get too confused. Most Red Maine Coons that you come across are tabbies, which is why smoky examples are so sought after.
Red cats generally have one of four different striped patterns on their fur. There are tiger stripes, light and dark stripes, and spotted and swirled patterns. This sets smoky Maine Coons apart from their tabby counterparts, as their fur is almost always solid. We have no idea why, but it’s a remarkable fact that makes Maine Coons even more unique!
Red Smoke Maine Coons And Freckles
Right now, social media is all about freckles. For some reason, the craze is out of control and doesn’t look like it’ll end anytime soon! With this weird trend in mind, we’ve got some good news about smoky red Maine Coons! They can have unique freckles that make them even cuter!
Cats that develop these unique freckles are called Lentigines, and just like people, red cats tend to have these more prominently than any others. Because smoky red Maine Coons are basically red (sort of), this means that they can have these “freckles” on their noses and other places. These aren’t an indicator of any health risks, so don’t worry about that.
Friendly Pets
Now that we’ve covered red Maine Coon cats’ physical characteristics in detail, we can move on to their personalities because everyone knows you can’t judge a book by its cover. There are many trends right now that show just what kind of personality red cats can have, but let’s delve into the traits most families should expect from their cats.
Smoky red Maine Coons are great family cats because they are deeply loving and seek praise and appreciation above all else. They bond with people very quickly, which means they might start following their owners around, similar to an obedient dog. They may even try to distract you while you work and just want to spend the whole day with you.
Mostly Males
While across all species, genders should be more or less 50/50, the gene in cats that makes them “red” seems to happen more in one gender than the other. This pigment is pheomelanin and is the “ginger” trait that so many love.
The pigmentation occurs in X chromosomes, meaning that males only need one of their chromosomes to have it for it to be dominant. Females may not have it in both chromosomes, meaning it wouldn’t be guaranteed. This means that you need to be okay with male cats, as only 1 out of every five smoky red Maine Coons are actually female.
Nickname Potential
Cat lovers who decide to adopt a red Maine Coon, smoky or otherwise, have a unique opportunity that they can’t possibly pass up, and that’s nickname potential. With their fiery coats and equally fiery personalities, they suit so many awesome nicknames ranging anywhere from “autumn” to “Pumpkin.” smoky red Maine Coons can even be called “Pumpkin Spice Latte.”
They can have other nicknames that will suit their personalities over their unique and brilliant look. “Snugglebug” is an excellent nickname if your Maine Coon loves to cuddle with you under or on top of the covers. Whether you’re more into traditional cutesy names or out-of-pocket ones, we’re sure they’ll suit all of them.
Maintenance
Many people who first lay their eyes on a red Maine Coon may do a double-take when they see their enormous size and luscious fur. Don’t worry, though; their maintenance is well worth it for anybody willing, and it’s not all that bad.
They do need grooming every now and then just like other long-haired cat breeds and owners should take the responsibility of ensuring that they are both mentally and physically stimulated. They are worth all of the hassle when you see how amazing they are with their owners.
Expressive Cats
Maine Coons, regardless of their type, are said to be highly emotionally intelligent and expressive kitties. They are much more vocal and will try to express their needs and emotions to their owners, whether that’s the need for food or just the want for some affection.
Most commonly, cats will let out a meow every once in a while and will purr when they snuggle up to you and are happy, but expect way more from Maine Coons. This breed loves to make all sorts of strange and unique sounds, like growling, trilling, and even chirping.
Dog-Like Behavior
Maine Coons are fabulous felines, regardless of the specific breed that you’re looking for. We’ve already established that these Maine Coons can have dog-like traits with their owners, showing a deep and loving bond, but what makes them even more perfect is another trait usually associated with canines.
Many call Maine Coons dogs of the cat world due to some of their behavior, including love to play fetch with an appropriately sized ball and even walk with their owners on a leash – remember, they really just want to be by your side so it doesn’t matter how this is achieved.
Kings Of Communication
Smoky red Maine Coons are the kings of communication. We previously spoke about how awesome they are at their different vocal cues. They use these cues to grow closer to you, and if you can interpret them correctly, they’ll love you even more! From their unique sound for food to the one that tells you they want to cuddle, you’ll need to learn which means which.
While some people don’t like overly vocal cats, we think it adds something special to their personality. Who wants a drab pet that doesn’t communicate and tries to strike up a conversation frequently? For people who wish to have good company and a good chat, Maine Coons are for them.
Being Ready For Their Breed
With all of the wonderful things that we’ve covered about the Maine Coon, there are some things that you’ll have to prepare and deal with that’ll ensure that your pet has the best life possible.
These things that require a bit of effort and preparedness range from frequent washing and grooming to giving them a lot of attention and even preparing for vet bills and health complications. But at the end of the day, their amazing spirit, personality, and aesthetic more than makeup for it in our book. Maine Coons are some of the best pets for those that are willing to put in the effort.
Grooming Is Important
A bit of regular maintenance for smoky red Maine Coons is crucial in keeping them happy, which should keep you happy. Their long and gorgeous fur won’t stay pristine forever, especially when they get a bit too into their outdoor pursuits and end up catching jacks, thorns, and all sorts of other things in their thick coat.
Maine Coons should be washed semi-frequently, but if you notice an odor or that their fur is dirty and they themselves can’t clean it out, it’s probably a good idea to give them a bath on the spot. If you notice that their fur is matted, then a wash may not be enough, and grooming should be in order. This will also help with their shedding.
Stimulation And Space To Thrive
While it’s true that most cats do need some kind of space to roam, housecats are usually content just to be confined to an apartment with multiple rooms as long as their owners mentally and physically stimulate them. Maine Coons, on the other hand, thrive best when they have a lot of space to explore. Even if it’s inside, they’ll try to fit into every nook and cranny to map out every inch of your house or apartment.
They love being outdoors, but if that’s not possible, interactive toys are sorely needed. A scratching post, climbing tree, and lots of fun toys will help keep them from getting bored. They need to sate their instincts, which can be hard if not properly taken care of.
Health Complications
There’s a pretty proven correlation between larger pets and more health issues. This is seen most commonly in large breed dogs, but it’s unfortunately the same for the Maine Coon, being such an enormous cat. Proactivity with vet visits is important to regularly check on their health and make sure nothing is going wrong.
Before adopting a Maine Coon, it’s important to do your research and be well-prepared for any health complications that may arise in the future. Keep a modest amount of money tucked away just for vet bills because when they occur, they can be quite expensive. Talking to your vet can also give you vital information about what your specific Maine Coon might need.
Explore more of our trending stories and hit Follow to keep them coming to your feed!
Don’t miss out on more stories like this! Hit the Follow button at the top of this article to stay updated with the latest news. Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
