Maine Coon

Common names: Coon Cat, Maine Cat, Maine Shag

VITAL STATS

Origin: Maine, United States

Life span: 9-15 years

Weight: 9-18 pounds

Height: 8-16 inches

Length: 19-32 inches

FEATURES

Coat characteristic: Straight

Coat color: White, Black, Blue, Red, Cream, Brown, Silver, Tortoiseshell, Bluecream, and Golden

Eye color: Copper, Green, Gold, and Odd-eyed

BREED CHARACTERISTICS

Adaptibility

Affection Level

Child friendly

Dog friendly

Energy level

General Health

Grooming
Intelligence

Playfulness

Shedding level

Social Needs

Stranger Friendly

Tendency to Vocalize

OVERVIEW

Known for being the largest domestic cat breed, Maine Coon is a big lug with heavy bones and
muscles. In reality, they are not as big as breeders try to make us think. They have their standard, 11-18
pounds for males, and 9-11 pounds for females. So any Maine Coon that reaches a weight of 30 pounds
is grossly overweight. But these kitties are more than their sizes, they’re affectionate and adaptable.

Maine Coons are the "gentle giants" of the cat world and they possess above-average
intelligence, making them relatively easy to train. Though these cats are loyal to their family, Maine
Coons are independent and not clingy to their owners; they are not known for being a "lap cat", but
their gentle disposition makes the breed relaxed around dogs, other cats, and children. Aside from their
nonchalant side, they’ve kept their hunting instincts, just in case you need a good mouser.

Maine Coons have several physical adaptations for survival in harsh winter climates. The coat of
this breed is heavy and shaggy but its texture is silky and it drapes longer on the stomach and behind the
legs but is shorter over the shoulders. A Maine Coon has substantial, medium-length legs and large,
round paws, well tufted with fur, to serve as “snowshoes” during winter. Its tail is long, tapering, and
heavily furred, almost resembling a raccoon's tail. The brown tabby pattern is so common in this breed
that many people don't know Maine Coons can come in any other colors or patterns. The Maine Coon's
coat needs daily attention. She should be brushed to make certain that her fur does not tangle, and she
should be combed to smooth her coat. Usually, this grooming is easy to do if she is trained at a young
age. If you can handle a whole lot of cats, this kitty might be a perfect addition to your family.

HEALTH
 Maine Coons are healthy and hardy breed, but they are still some hereditary health issues that
can be of concern, especially if you aren’t cautious about who you buy from. One of the unique health
problems that this breed may encounter is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is usually common in large
animals. Other health issues may include Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and
Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The risks may be worsened by obesity. Keeping a Maine Coon at an
appropriate weight is one of the easiest ways to prevent health disorders. Make the most preventive
abilities to ensure a healthier and happier cat.

GROOMING

Despite the length and shagginess of the Maine Coon's coat, it has a silky texture that doesn't
mat easily. It needs weekly combing to remove dead hairs and spread the hair oil. Trim the nails as
needed, usually every 10 days to 14 days. Wipe the corner of the eyes with a soft, damp towel, and
check the ears weekly. If the ear is dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened
with a mixture of cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the
interior of the ear. Cats can also be prone to periodontal disease, so brush the teeth with vet-approved
pet toothpaste and schedule regular veterinary dental cleanings.

TRAINING

There are actually several cat breeds that can be easily trained and housebreak and one of them
is the Maine Coon cat. The Maine Coon one of the most intelligent breeds of cats therefore they are fast
learners and they tend to be creatures of habit, which make them respond well to reward-based and
clicker training. But although they are fast learners, training them still requires time and a lot of patience
because cats especially kittens have notoriously short attention spans. Cat training is all about repetition
and rewards. Any negative reinforcement would not work; it can only frighten the cat thus making them
too aggressive or the bonding would get affected. When training them, you must be gentle but also firm
with your pet cat.

EXERCISE

Every pet needs some form of physical activity. Carrying out certain activities would help in
maintaining the ideal body weight and at the same time, their muscles and bones become strong. But
unlike dogs, cats only need a minimal amount of physical activities. It is recommended to scheduling
playtime once or twice daily, with about 15 minutes per session. Other cat health and behavior experts
offer similar recommendations, with the total amount of playtime ranging from 20 to 60 minutes daily.

FEEDING

For adult cats, dry meals should be composed of minimum protein content 26 to 40 percent,
while kittens should be fed a food with a minimum protein content of 30 to 45 percent plus different
percentages of fiber, vitamins and omega-3 and 6. If you feed your Maine Coon a high-quality food, you
would have to feed the average weight Maine Coon (13lbs) between 55g and 70g of dry food per day if
they only eat dry food, and about 50g of kibble if they eat a mixed diet. However, the quantity of food
depends on its size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Don’t forget to regularly provide clean and
fresh water as it is crucial for your Maine Coon cat’s diet and health.

DID YOU KNOW?

 ● You probably know that most cats simply hate water. Maine Coon cats, however, love water.
There are a lot of Maine Coon cats that enjoy swimming and if they don´t swim they at least play
with their water bowl.
● In 2010, the Guinness World Records accepted a male purebred Maine Coon named "Stewie" as
the "Longest Cat", measuring 48.5 inches from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. Stewie
died last February 4, 2013, from cancer at his home in Reno, Nevada, at age 8. As of 2015 the
living record-holder for "Longest Cat" is "Ludo", measuring 3 ft and 10.59 inches. He lives in
Wakefield, UK. In May 2018 the Maine Coon "Barivel" measured 3 ft 11.2 in, making him the
current holder of the Guinness World Records.
● The Maine Coon cat is considered the only longhair breed native to the United States. Originally
they were outdoor cats, and later became working breed who kept barns, ships, and homes
clear of rodents.
● If you’ve watched the movies based on J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books you’ll have noticed
several cat actors stealing the limelight. One of these is a certain infamous is a tabby Maine
Coon, Mrs. Norris, the beloved cat of Mr. Filch, the caretaker at the Hogwarts School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry.

https://purrcraze.com/are-maine-coons-easy-to-train-what-you-should-expect

https://cattime.com/cat-breeds/maine-coon-cats#/slide/1

https://brightside.me/wonder-animals/9-facts-about-maine-coon-cats-that-breeders-dont-talk-about-
795532/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine_Coon

http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/maine-coon#health

https://www.petfinder.com/cat-breeds/maine-coon/

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/cat-breeds/maine-coon

https://purrcraze.com/do-maine-coon-cats-eat-a-lot
 Abyssinian

Common names: Aby, Bunny cat

VITAL STATS

Origin: Ethiopia

Life span: 9-15 years

Weight: 6-10 pounds

Height: 8-10 inches

Length: 12-16 inches

FEATURES

Coat characteristic: Silky, Smooth

Coat color: Ruddy, Red, Blue, Fawn, and Cinnamon

Eye color: Green and Gold

BREED CHARACTERISTICS

Adaptibility

Affection Level

Child friendly
Dog friendly

Energy level

General Health

Grooming

Intelligence

Playfulness

Shedding level

Social Needs

Stranger Friendly

Tendency to Vocalize

OVERVIEW

The slender and fine-boned Abyssinian is unquestionably one of the oldest known breeds, but
no records exist regarding the cats’ origins. Some think the Abyssinians’ ancestors came from Abyssinia
(now Ethiopia), and that they were named for that country. Others say their ancestors likely lived along
the coast of the Indian Ocean, as well as parts of Southeast Asia. Even their uncertain origin, the wild-
looking Abyssinians today is known for being a true house cat. They are one of the most popular
pedigreed cats registered by the Cat Fanciers Association.

Abyssinian is a popular breed due to its unusual intelligence and extroverted and playful,
personalities. So if you’re pining for a sweet, gentle lap cat, the Abyssinian isn’t a good match for your
home. Abyssinian craves to play and stimulation, so if there is no other pets in the house, an Aby will
look to you for entertainment. They will play with their toys for hours but also enjoy a good time of
interactive play with their parents. A love of heights is a signal trait of the Abyssinian. She likes to be as
high up as possible and will appreciate having one or more ceiling-height cat trees. This cat does best
with a person of any age who spends ample time at home, including an older child who can train and
play with him.

This moderately vocal cat stands out for her ticked coat, which comes in a bevy of colors,
including a reddish ruddy, chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lilac, and fawn—as well as a silver version for all of
these colors. She has a gentle dip in the triangular head and has rather large ears sit tilted forward on
her head giving her an alert, aware look about her as if she is always paying attention to everything that
is going on around her. Her large green to gold eyes, which look large in her face, show the alertness and
intelligence inherent in the breed.

HEALTH

Abyssinians are hearty, healthy cats, but they can still suffer from inherited diseases like
pyruvate kinase deficiency-- involving an enzyme that regulates energy metabolism in red blood cells.
Cats with this deficiency typically exhibit anemia, which can arise at any point during the cat’s adult life.
Other problems that are reported in the Abyssinian breed include hyperesthesia syndrome, patellar
luxation, and renal amyloidosis. The risks may be worsened by obesity. Keeping an Abyssinian at an
appropriate weight is one of the easiest ways to prevent health disorders. Make the most preventive
abilities to ensure a healthier and happier cat.

GROOMING

With her soft, silky, and fine in texture with a lustrous sheen coat, the Aby is a relatively low-
maintenance breed. The coat comes in four colors: ruddy, red, blue, and fawn. In England, Australia, and
New Zealand, a fifth color, silver, has been accepted. Weekly grooming with a steel comb should be
sufficient to remove any dead fur or dander and distribute skin oils. A bath when the cat is shedding will
help to remove excess hair more quickly. Wipe the corner of the eyes with soft, damp towel, and check
the ears weakly. If the ear is dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a
mixture of cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the interior of
the ear. Because they are prone to periodontal disease; brushing teeth with vet-approved pet
toothpaste and regular veterinary dental cleanings should be required.

TRAINING

Abyssinians are gifted with intellect. But that does not mean they will learn the tricks in a day
however like other pets, Abys are motivated through two types of rewards – praise and an eatable treat.
Petting, showing affection, and holding a cat for showing good behavior enhance positive interaction. A
clicker can also help in training a cat. Without a clicker, your Abyssinian might become confused as to
why they are being rewarded. If it obeys a command, hears a click, and gets a treat – they will catch on
fast. Avoid negative reinforcement would not work and it can frighten the cat thus making them too
aggressive or the bonding would get affected. Training a Abyssinian cat is worth the effort. It not only
makes life easy but also enhances relationship.

EXERCISE

Every pet needs some form of physical activity. Since Abyssinians are active cats, exercising is
not a trouble. They can generally keep their weight under control through playing and jumping. It is
recommended to scheduling playtime once or twice daily, with about 15 minutes per session. Other cat
health and behavior experts offer similar recommendations, with the total amount of playtime ranging
from 20 to 60 minutes daily.

FEEDING

These cats are recommended to have a well-balanced feed. Abyssinian cat prefers to eat foods
rich in protein and fat to keep the coat shiny and healthy. Do not feed your cat with carbohydrate foods
as they can’t process them correctly. It should be full of real, named meat ingredients and absent of
fillers like corn, wheat, and starches. The daily recommendation for kittens should be 10g crude
proteins, 4g of total fat while adult cats need 41g of crude protein and 5.5g of total fat. However, the
quantity of food depends on its size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. From age six months to
maturity, most cats will do well when fed two times a day. Once the cat becomes an adult, at about one
year, feeding once or twice a day is appropriate in most cases. Don’t forget to regularly provide clean
and fresh water as it is crucial for your Siamese cat’s diet and health.

DID YOU KNOW?

● Some recent genetic tests and studies even show that the breed is descended from ancient
Egyptian cats. Others point to the cat’s similarities to ancient paintings and sculptures as
evidence that the Aby descended from the line revered by Egyptian Pharaoh.
● In 1978, an Abyssinian cat starred in the Disney film The Cat from Out Space.
● Its name is derived not from Ethiopia (formerly Abyssinia), was thought to be the place of origin
of these cats, but because the early “Abyssinians” competitively displayed in shows were
imported from that country.
● Pure breed kittens can cost from $700 up to more than $2000.

https://cattime.com/cat-breeds/abyssinian-cats#/slide/1

https://figopetinsurance.com/blog/getting-know-abyssinian

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abyssinian_cat

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/cat-breeds/abyssinian

http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/abyssinian#health
https://www.petfinder.com/cat-breeds/abyssinian/

https://fluffyplanet.com/train-abyssinian-cat/