These tufts are there for protection. About 40% of early Maine Coons used to be polydactyl but now it’s not quite so prevalent. Family Maine Coons are known for their large size, with females averaging up to 16 pounds and males up to 18, with some tipping the scales at 20-plus pounds. [15] “Maine Coon Cat Breed Information.” Vetstreet, www.vetstreet.com/cats/maine-coon. Coat: Length: Uneven; shorter on shoulders, gradually lengthening. If one parent has the gene, around 40 to 50% of their kittens will inherit it too. I've learned a lot during the past (almost) five decades and this blog gives me a medium to share everything I have learned ( both good and bad) about pets. Frontal ruff, long shaggy britches, and belly fur. Texture: All-weather coat. Listen to these two cuties: But expect it all: meowing, yowling, chirping, trilling. Bathe this cat only if his fur looks greasy or stringy. Join our newsletter to get cat-tastic news and fun cat things. We are always happy to share and chat about Maine Coons! FHC is the most common form of heart disease in all cat breeds. White or bi-colored cats may even have blue or odd eyes (known as heterochromia iridum). A Maine Coon cat may be oversized, and sport a lion-like ruff at the neck, and wild toe tufts, but a Maine Coon is a not a lynx or a lynx cross. [10] “12 Huge Facts About Maine Coons.” Mental Floss, 11 Mar. Even if both parents carry the gene this doesn’t mean their kittens will have extra toes. Get a grooming rake for the undercoat and a stainless steel comb for tangles. Toes and Tufts Rule! However obscure the origins, the characteristics of the Maine Coon are quite distinct and very much valued – a bruiser of a cat physically with a long and large, rectangular body and thick silky fur that repels water, a lush tail and toe and ear tufts. The maximum is usually 7 toes on each paw which would total 28 but this is quite rare. Maine farmers definitely weren’t bringing their barn mousers to the groomer. Physical anomaly commonly found on East Coast of North America. This site is owned and operated by M & J Pettitt, who is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. See posts on silver, black Maine Coons. It is also not uncommon for some Maine Coons to have tufts growing from … Our cats are family raised in our loving home. When do Maine Coons get their ear tufts?… The Cat Fancier’s Association counts 75 color combinations and disallows only two (lilac and chocolate) because they may indicate crossbreeding. This is a working cat. You’ll find 5 on each fore paw and 4 on each hind paw. [14] “Hip Dysplasia.” Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, 22 May 2018, www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/hip-dysplasia. There is a strong resemblance between Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats. Maine Coon toes are notoriously chunky and well-tufted, They are perfect for spreading the cat’s weight to prevent it from sinking in snow. Avoid breeders who say they have HCM-free lines – it’s impossible to guarantee that a cat won’t develop the disease. You may hear this condition referred to as the Hemingway Mutation because the author Ernest Hemingway had many polydactyl cats living with him at his home in Key West, Florida. Toe tufts, while adorable, are really there to help keep toes warm. It is not surprising that many people get confused with the technical terminology for each part of a Maine Coons ear. Around the same time the Central Maine Cat Club was formed in a successful attempt to reignite interest in the breed. They also have hair coming out of their ears as a way to protect themselves from harsh and cold climates. The eyes can be any color: green, gold, or copper. Many of the breed also have tufts on their ears, and tufts between their toes. However, people do refer to a certain cat behavior as making... Every cat owner knows the signs and sounds of a cat who is about to vomit. Extra toes do not grow at a later date! Brushing your Maine Coon once or twice a week will do more to keep your house clean and your cat healthy than any other method. This is not just a good-looking cat, this is a nice cat. The usual number of toes for a Maine Coon is 18; five toes on each of their front paws, and four on each of their back paws. 2016, www.mentalfloss.com/article/76734/12-huge-facts-about-maine-coons. Hip displaysia. They evolved to survive the harsh Maine winters so they have tufts of fur on their paws as well as that long silky coat with the thick under coat. More than likely, they might be a mixed breed. The Maine Coon has large ears with hair at the tips, giving these cats a look that’s pretty much like the lynx. Hip displaysia is a defect of the hip socket that is more common in the males of larger, big boned species, like Maine Coons and Persians. There is no official recording of the most toes counted on a Maine Coon. [9], Today, the Maine Coon is the third most popular breed in the U.S. (according to CFA registration statistics in 2015), and beloved in Japan and Europe.[10]. [13] Cat Fanciers' Association: Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), web.archive.org/web/20080513083815/www.cfa.org/articles/health/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy.html. They are very useful when it comes to hunting! Sociable, gentle, intelligent, affectionate – these are some of the words used to describe the Maine Coon cat. Polydactyl Maine Coons are born with extra toes, due to inherited genetic anomaly. There is nothing that can really influence polydactylism, so breeders can’t try to increase the chances of cats being born with extra toes. Colors vary. The heavy coat and extremely long bushy tail helps keep the cat warm in winter. These cats were originally kept by Maine farmers and ships' captains for their keen hunting skills and most will need to continually express the hunter side of themselves through toys. [5] “Maine Coon Cat Breed Information.” Vetstreet, www.vetstreet.com/cats/maine-coon. There are some pretty good stories, though. Let me cut to the chase: nobody really knows how the Maine Coon evolved. This cat loves attention so grooming should not be a fuss. Barivel measures 3 feet 11.2 inches from nose to the tip of his tail. Kittens who are affected may walk with swaying rear ends and have difficulty jumping. It has been suggested that their extra toes evolved to help Maine Coons walk more easily over snow but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Toe tufts. They come in all colors except for seal point colors.