About the Breed

History, Timeline, Diet and Care

The Maine Coon is the largest American long-haired cat breed. Known for their gentle nature and docile attitude, the history of the Maine Coon traces back to costal cities, cat loving captains, even vikings. Though their origin isn’t known for certain, Maine Coons are quickly becoming popular across the states. They thrive in most climates, especially the cold, and their size makes them a more present member of your family. They carry a hereditary polydactyl gene, meaning some Maine Coons can have between 6-7 toes on each paw. Their snow-shoe like paws can help them be extra helpful when it comes to house pests, and some Maine Coons have been seen using their extra toes to open doors. The life expectancy of a Maine Coon is similar to that of your typical house cat, and in some cases longer.

Mom and Athena. She’s not even full grown!

At Midwest Maine Coons, we encourage our cats to a healthy exposure of different creatures. Felines are happy to be handled by children of all ages, and are comfortable interacting with dogs, house cats, and adults. Our Maine Coons are seldom skittish and love the company of people. They’re taught to respect plants and fish, and are fed a hearty Maine Coon meal twice a day.

Diet

Earthborn

We feed our cats Earthborn Holistic Cat Food. As a treat, Earthborn Holistic Wet Cat Food is given. We also mix sardines, an egg, and some pro-biotic powder for a nutritious boost.
We feed our cats once in the mid morning and once in the evening, including treats as we see fit. Maine Coons have a habit of being a bit dog-like and will swipe your food if they have a chance, so keeping feeding to a regular time encourages them to keep their paws off of the human meals!
Earthborn has a few flavors available. Our cats love them all!

The Raw Diet

Maine Coons can also be fed a concoction of raw fishes, meats, minerals and vitamins to help them maintain longevity and overall wellness. When feeding raw, cats who might normally struggle with their health have had little to no stomach or stool issues, a common problem for most feline owners. Their energy levels are up, and overall they are happier. Cats are carnivores, and feeding them grains and additives often found in most cat food can lead to issues down the road.

Feeding your pet a raw diet can be time consuming and challenging, so we recommend Earthborn Holistic Cat Food. It’s no surprise that given their size, Maine Coons can eat! So this brand is perfect. It comes in large bags and is filling and nutritious. If you’d like to add raw food to your Maine Coon’s diet, inquire via email and we’ll be happy to send you a recipe.

Mom and Joseph grinding raw deliciousness

The Maine Coon Kitty Timeline

When one of our ladies is in heat, we pair her with one of the gents and give them some privacy. Our mamas are pregnant for 60-70 days. When kitten time comes, they enjoy their own enclosure to nest and birth. Litter sizes vary, but most females birth 4-6 kittens. Average house cats can have up to 12, but due to their size, Maine Coon litters end up being smaller.

Our kittens stay with their moms for a few weeks in their enclosure before she begins leading them around to explore. She teaches them to eat solid food and slowly weens them until they are independent and curious. We allow our kittens to stay with their mother for 10 weeks before letting you take your sweet Maine Coon kitty home. Don’t worry, they’re still plenty small and energetic - beware their kitten energy!

Because we value the independence of our clients, we offer you the choice not vaccinate our kittens before sending them home to you. Spaying and neutering is recommended when they turn one to allow their joints and ligaments to go through the necessary hormonal changes. Maine Coons and other large animal breeds require this time before they are fixed.