Where did the Maine Coon Cat originate?

There are many differing stories regarding the origin of the Maine Coon, for it is indeed a cat of legend. One thing we do know for certain is that it is *not* related to the raccoon (different species can not intermix), even though the tabbies are known for their ringed tails. Most likely, the Maine Coon Cat evolved on the Eastern seaboard, a combination of long-haired cats that came over by ship from England crossed with domestic shorthairs on the coast. It is very plausible to imagine that ships' captains kept cats aboard, since rats and mice were a real problem in the early days. And, as any Maine Coon Cat owner knows, these animals are excellent mousers -- if given the opportunity.

How Big Do They Get?

Most breeders say that an average MC male is between 12 - 18 pounds, and females between 9 - 12 pounds. Size can vary by bloodline. At Artemea males so far have traditionally ranged anywhere from 14 - 18+ pounds at maturity, with females smaller, usually between 9 - 13 pounds.

What Should I Feed My Maine Coon?

At our cattery all our kittens are fed high quality dry cat food (such as IAMS kitten food and Science Diet) on a free-choice basis. They often are supplemented with canned cat food once or twice daily (again, IAMS). We have had no problems with feeding the kittens free-choice dry food. However, we have had to cut back the feed on our alters, who tend to gain weight very easily. They are still fed IAMS dry, but it is the "light" variety, on a controlled basis. They get a "bit" of canned food (again, the "light" variety) as a treat twice a day.

What About Feeding Raw Meat?

Some breeders swear by it, other breeders swear at it. We do not feed raw meat at Artemea.

Will a Maine Coon Get Along With Other Pets?

Maine Coons feel they are the "king of the jungle". They are so big, in many ways, they are. Therefore, they are not intimidated by other animals, they do not fear them, and since they are docile by nature, they do not tend to have any problems getting along with them. Usually, it is the "other" pet in the household that will need to get used to a Maine Coon.

Is a Maine Coon Different Than Other Cats?

In many ways, yes. They are not as stand-offish as many cats sometimes tend to be. They would rather be with their people than not. But they do not just jump on your lap and stay there. They want to have a 'dialog" with you. They will "ask you" about your day (yes, really!) and often wait to greet you when you get home, much as a dog would. (At Artemea, our GP "Rider" is *always* waiting at the door for us when we come home). They love to scoop with their massive paws. Sometimes the "scooping" will be water, sometimes dry food out of their bowls, sometimes, your hand, encouraging you to pet them.

Maine Coons are creatures of habit. For example, every morning, during breakfast, our daughter Ashley's cat, Bart, comes running to the kitchen table as we have breakfast. This is *every* morning. No, he does not beg for food. Instead, he lays on his back, carefully situated between our chairs and WAITS. What is he waiting for? Adulation and praise. We say, "Oh, beautful Bartie, oh what a beautiful kitty, oh what a wonderful boy"....at which point, he rolls from side to side, tossing his mane, like a big lion, assuming poses. This is just part of his daily routine.

Do They Meow?

No, not in the traditional sense. A Maine Coon Cat has a unique voice, which it uses to communicate its wishes. Its communication dialog is usually a series of trills, chirps, loud purrs, and "mouthing of word-type sounds". Maine Coon Cats are "quiet" cats, in that they do not "talk" all the time. They talk when they want something or as a greeting.

What is the Difference Between a Male and Female Maine Coon?

Well, first of course, the most noticeable difference is size. The male Maine Coon matures to be a much larger animal than the female. Second, while both males and females make excellent pets, in our experience, the males, once neutered, tend to be a bit more laid-back than the females. However, the females are extemely sensitive to their owners, and can provide a lot of "kindredness" also. Both sexes remain "kittenish" their entire lives, and love to "play" with you. A Maine Coon is easily amused and can have as much fun chasing a wadded up paper ball as chasing an expensive cat toy. Our Maine Coons seem to particularly love chasing the plastic "easter eggs", especially if we fill them with a few pieces of dry food for "rattle".

You Require No Declawing, Yet the Cats Must be Kept Inside So Why Not Declaw?

Declawing is a mutilation of the cat, involving not just removing the "nail" but the actual first joint of each toe. There is never a reason to declaw. We teach all new owners how to clip their kittens claws and we have never had a problem with furniture damage.

How Do I Choose a Kitten?

Unless you are a breeder, a pet kitten is usually chosen solely for personality, and in some cases appearance. We recommend that you contact breeders in your area and visit their catteries if they have kittens available that sound interesting to you. Seeing the kitten in its home environment is crucial. At Artemea, we spend *lots* of time with our kittens, because socialization is very important. Since our daughter (age 5 and a half) spends a lot of time with the kittens, our babies get used to small children at an early age. If we don't have a kitten that is right for you, we will refer you to other breeders -- and most breeders we know will do the same. The goal is a happy, healthy pet and a happy owner.