Thought of the most important 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 complete lives.
How lengthy are you able to anticipate your Maine Coon to fill the house with their infectiously pleasant and adoring aura? We’ll focus on how lengthy Maine Coon cats reside on common and what you are able to do to provide them the longest, happiest lives potential.
Maine Coon Cat Common Lifespan
Maine Coon cats reside a median of 10–15 years, which is barely lower than the typical cat. Although usually 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 reside nicely into their teenagers and even over the age of 20. A number of Maine Coons have been the oldest dwelling cats at numerous factors, together with a Maine Coon from England named Rubble, who lived to be 31 years previous!1
The best way to Care For Your Maine Coon Cat for a Lengthy Lifespan?
Maine Coon cats are hardy, however their longevity primarily is dependent upon their well being care. Selling a protracted lifespan begins with guaranteeing your breeder does complete screenings for widespread well being points. Cats from breeders who supply vital testing and distinctive care could have the very best probability 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 in addition their high quality of life. With considerate care, your cat will doubtless be happier, and also you’ll save money and time by stopping avoidable well being issues and vet visits.
Feeding & Weight-reduction plan
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 incessantly, as many homeowners don’t acknowledge their Maine Coons are obese and fail to regulate their weight loss plan and train accordingly.
Surroundings
Maine Coon cats want area to roam and play, which can embody supervised outside areas like gardens in case you reside in an condo. An outside catio is even higher, offering area 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 suitable in case you fear about outside hazards. They need to have loads of cabinets and climbing furnishings, cat timber, 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 area 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. All the time 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 3 weekly to cut back mats, take away useless 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. Test and clear the ears weekly to stop infections.
Breeding
Breeding Maine Coons needs to be left as much as accountable breeders solely. These are folks which can be prepared to have their animals screened for genetic diseases that may be handed all the way down to offspring. They’re additionally people who find themselves within the enterprise for the love of the breed, not income.
Healthcare
Maine Coon cats ought to go to the vet at the least as soon as yearly as adults, whereas senior cats profit from going each 6 months. Spaying and neutering on the applicable age generally is a important step in stopping a number of well being points and increasing your Maine Coon cat’s lifespan.
The Life Levels of a Maine Coon Cat
As a result of their comparatively gradual progress charge, Maine Coons don’t absolutely mature till roughly 4 years previous. Males usually take the longest to succeed in full-blown maturity.
Kittenhood (0–6 Months)
Kittens want stimulation and a spotlight. To interact your cat mentally, preserve a cat-proofed setting and rotate toys and enrichment gadgets. Socialization is important, as is introducing a routine with grooming and care duties.
Adolescence (6–18 Months)
The adolescent section consists of exercise and stand-offishness. Maine Coons nonetheless want a great deal of train and meals to gas their progress however can also take a look at boundaries and turn into extra impartial.
Be affected person as they work via this difficult section. Coaching might require a visit again to fundamentals, and also you’ll have to seek out artistic shops for his or her vitality and mischief.
Junior (1.5–4 Years)
Maine Coons develop quick within the first couple of years. Their growth 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 usually easygoing, affectionate, and extra relaxed. Take them to the vet at the 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 together with your vet about their routine. They might suggest specialty diets or dietary supplements to assist your cat’s getting older physique. Monitor altering habits, as older cats might have environmental changes if they’ve points feeding, eliminating, or sleeping.
The best way to Inform Your Maine Coon Cat’s Age
Tooth
Everlasting enamel are available at 4–6 months. Youthful cats will are likely to have whiter enamel, whereas cats with stains are doubtless of their older years. Take into account that cats that don’t obtain correct dental care might have massive quantities of tartar accumulation that might make you suppose they’re older than they really are.
Coat
A kitten’s coat shall 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 will 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 turn into much less energetic, typically taking over additional physique weight and areas of sagginess.
Eyes
Between 4-8 weeks, a kitten’s eyes change from blue to their remaining colour. Adults steadily present a altering look to their eyes, with seniors typically growing cloudiness and frequent tearing or discharge.
Conclusion
Maine Coon cats reside round 12.5 years on common, however the breed solely has a minor influence on any pet’s longevity or high quality of life. Breeding practices and upbringing are extra important than something, giving house owners the flexibility so as to add years to their pets’ lives. By following these insights on how lengthy Maine Coon cats reside, you possibly can set them up for a few years of glad, snug companionship.
Featured Picture Credit score: pix-l ardour, Shutterstock
