How Lengthy Do Maine Coon Cats Stay? Vet-Verified Lifespan & FAQ
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 usually laid again, clever, and pleasant, and so they 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 talk about how lengthy Maine Coon cats stay on common and what you are able to do to provide them the longest, happiest lives doable.
Maine Coon Cat Common Lifespan
Maine Coon cats stay a median of 10–15 years, which is barely lower than the typical cat. Although usually wholesome, Maine Coons are extra liable 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 stay 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dwelling cats at numerous factors, together with a Maine Coon from England named Rubble, who lived to be 31 years outdated!1
How one can Care For Your Maine Coon Cat for a Lengthy Lifespan?
Maine Coon cats are hardy, however their longevity primarily is determined by their well being care. Selling an extended lifespan begins with making certain your breeder does complete screenings for frequent well being points. Cats from breeders who provide mandatory testing and distinctive care can have one of the 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 additionally 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 loss plan
Maine Coons want high-quality meals wealthy in animal protein and low in carbs, with wholesome omega fatty acids to assist 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 often, as many house owners don’t acknowledge their Maine Coons are obese and fail to regulate their weight loss program and train accordingly.
Setting
Maine Coon cats want area to roam and play, which can embrace supervised outside areas like gardens in the event you stay in an condominium. An outside catio is even higher, offering area to play outside whereas avoiding the danger of interactions with different animals or escaping the yard.
Making your Maine Coon an indoor-only cat is acceptable in the event 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 energetic life-style. Encourage each day play to maintain them in form and construct your bond, utilizing toys like feather wands and balls to interact them. All the time guarantee they’ve contemporary water to remain hydrated and preserve 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 lifeless 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 tooth require brushing each 1–2 days. Examine and clear the ears weekly to forestall infections.
Breeding
Breeding Maine Coons ought to be left as much as accountable breeders solely. These are folks which are keen to have their animals screened for genetic sicknesses that may be handed right down to offspring. They’re additionally people who find themselves within the enterprise for the love of the breed, not earnings.
Healthcare
Maine Coon cats ought to go to the vet at the very least as soon as yearly as adults, whereas senior cats profit from going each 6 months. Spaying and neutering on the acceptable age generally is a crucial 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 sluggish development fee, Maine Coons don’t totally mature till roughly 4 years outdated. Males usually take the longest to succeed in full-blown maturity.
Kittenhood (0–6 Months)
Kittens want stimulation and a spotlight. To have interaction your cat mentally, preserve a cat-proofed atmosphere and rotate toys and enrichment gadgets. Socialization is crucial, 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 gasoline their development however may take a look at boundaries and change into extra unbiased.
Be affected person as they work via this difficult section. Coaching could require a visit again to fundamentals, and also you’ll have to search out inventive retailers for his or her power 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 sometimes easygoing, affectionate, and extra relaxed. Take them to the vet at the very 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, discuss along with your vet about their routine. They could suggest specialty diets or dietary supplements to help your cat’s getting older physique. Monitor altering habits, as older cats might have environmental changes if they’ve points feeding, eliminating, or sleeping.
How one can Inform Your Maine Coon Cat’s Age
Tooth
Everlasting tooth are available in at 4–6 months. Youthful cats will are inclined to have whiter tooth, whereas cats with stains are doubtless of their older years. Needless to say cats that don’t obtain correct dental care could have giant quantities of tartar accumulation that would make you suppose they’re older than they really are.
Coat
A kitten’s coat will likely be voluminous and plush, whereas older Maine Coons could have extra graying and coarser fur with out as a lot fluff or density. Self grooming can even decline as cats lose flexibility and develop painful situations like arthritis on account of age.
Muscle and Exercise
Younger cats are energetic and toned. As they age, they change 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 closing shade. Adults regularly present a altering look to their eyes, with seniors typically growing cloudiness and frequent tearing or discharge.
Conclusion
Maine Coon cats stay 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 crucial 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 stay, you may set them up for a few years of completely satisfied, comfy companionship.
Featured Picture Credit score: pix-l ardour, Shutterstock
