Maine Coons Cat Care

A very popular cat among long-haired cat lovers is the Maine Coon cat. This type of cat is speculated to have migrated from England to the United States with early English travelers. The Maine Coon cat is a fairly large breed of cat, being one of the oldest natural breeds in North America. Characteristics of the Maine Coon cat include large bone structure, thick fur and rectangular body shape. If you are planning to adopt a Maine Coon cat, here are some of the basic pet care procedures for a Maine Coon cat.

Maine Coons Cat Feeding

Like most cats, a Maine Coon cat will thrive off of a diet that is high in protein. Since Maine Coon cats are such a large breed, they usually require a higher feeding ratio than other cats. Maine Coon cats are a very old breed, and will do well if you choose to feed them a raw food diet. Most raw food diets involve a significant amount of work, and it is very important to choose your protein sources carefully.

Maine Coons Cat Litter

Since Maine Coon cats are so large, they do require a fairly big litter box in order to be comfortable. When choosing litter, try to select a low-dust formula. This is best for both you and your cat’s respiratory health. If you have multiple cats, try to have a separate litter box for each cat. Maine Coon cats, like most cat breeds, prefer to have their littering area clean and free from waste. Try to do a quick cleaning of your cat’s litter box on a daily basis, while completely replacing the box with fresh litter once per week.

Try to place the litter box in a private area of the house, since Maine Coon cats prefer to have privacy when going to the bathroom. A closed litter box is best, since this will also help to control any litter box odor.

Maine Coons Cat Dental Care

Maine Coon cats, unlike many other cat breeds, are very prone to periodontal disease. Since gum problems in a cat can progress to serious medical conditions, it is very important to keep constant watch over your Maine Coon cat’s dental health. You can purchase a pet-specific toothbrush at most pet supply stores, along with specially formulated toothpaste for cats. Most cats are not receptive to having their teeth brushed, and Maine Coon cats are no exception. However, try to brush your cat’s teeth at least once per week.

Maine Coons Cat Hairballs

Since Maine Coon cats are classified as a long-haired cat breed, they do have a tendency to have problems with hairballs. Hairballs are usually not harmful to your cat’s health, unless they result in intestinal blockage. To help prevent excess hairballs, it’s recommended that you brush your Maine Coon cat on a semi-daily basis. This is an effective hairball prevention method, and is also a way to greatly reduce shedding. In addition to this, you can also choose to feed your Maine Coon cat a hairball-specific cat food formula, which helps to digest any ingested hair.