How Lengthy Do Maine Coon Cats Reside? Vet-Verified Lifespan & FAQ

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Thought-about the biggest of home cat breeds, the Maine Coon holds a particular place within the hearts of feline lovers worldwide. They are typically laid again, clever, and pleasant, they usually share their heat and pleasure with family and friends for his or her whole 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 reside on common and what you are able to do to provide them the longest, happiest lives potential.

Maine Coon Cat Common Lifespan

Maine Coon cats reside a mean of 10–15 years, which is barely lower than the typical cat. Although typically wholesome, Maine Coons are extra vulnerable to some well being situations that will restrict their lifespan, together with weight problems and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Nonetheless, with correct care and wholesome genetics, a Maine Coon can reside 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dwelling cats at numerous factors, together with a Maine Coon from England named Rubble, who lived to be 31 years outdated!¹

The way to Care For Your Maine Coon Cat for a Lengthy Lifespan?

Maine Coon cats are hardy, however their longevity primarily relies on their well being care. Selling an extended lifespan begins with guaranteeing your breeder does complete screenings for widespread well being points. Cats from breeders who provide crucial testing and distinctive care may have the very 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 in addition 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 & Food regimen

Maine Coons want high-quality meals wealthy in animal protein and low in carbs, with wholesome omega fatty acids to help 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 chubby and fail to regulate their eating regimen and train accordingly.

Setting

Maine Coon cats want house to roam and play, which can embrace supervised out of doors areas like gardens when you reside in an residence. An out of doors catio is even higher, offering house to play outdoor whereas avoiding the danger of interactions with different animals or escaping the yard.

Making your Maine Coon an indoor-only cat is acceptable when you fear about out of doors 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.

Care

Maine Coons ought to have a clear house and an energetic way of life. Encourage each day play to maintain them in form and construct your bond, utilizing toys like feather wands and balls to interact them. At all times 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 a few weekly to scale back mats, take away useless 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 enamel require brushing each 1–2 days. Examine and clear the ears weekly to forestall infections.

Breeding

Breeding Maine Coons must be left as much as accountable breeders solely. These are folks which might be keen to have their animals screened for genetic diseases that may be handed all the way down to offspring. They’re additionally people who find themselves within the enterprise for the love of the breed, not income.

Healthcare

Maine Coon cats ought to go to the vet a minimum of as soon as yearly as adults, whereas senior cats profit from going each 6 months. Spaying and neutering on the applicable age could be a important step in stopping a number of well being points and lengthening your Maine Coon cat’s lifespan.

The Life Phases of a Maine Coon Cat

As a consequence of their comparatively sluggish development charge, Maine Coons don’t totally mature till roughly 4 years outdated. Males typically take the longest to achieve full-blown maturity.

Kittenhood (0–6 Months)

Kittens want stimulation and a focus. To interact your cat mentally, keep a cat-proofed atmosphere and rotate toys and enrichment gadgets. Socialization is important, as is introducing a routine with grooming and care duties.

Adolescence (6–18 Months)

The adolescent part consists of exercise and stand-offishness. Maine Coons nonetheless want a great deal of train and meals to gasoline their development however may additionally take a look at boundaries and turn into extra unbiased.

Be affected person as they work via this difficult part. Coaching might require a visit again to fundamentals, and also you’ll have to seek out inventive shops for his or her power and mischief.

Junior (1.5–4 Years)

Maine Coons develop quick within the first couple of years. Their improvement then slows however continues till they attain their mature dimension at 3–4 years. They will transition off kitten meals after 18–24 months.

Grownup (4–10 Years)

Grownup Maine Coons are usually easygoing, affectionate, and extra relaxed. Take them to the vet a minimum of 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, speak along with your vet about their routine. They could advocate specialty diets or dietary supplements to assist your cat’s getting old physique. Monitor altering habits, as older cats might have environmental changes if they’ve points feeding, eliminating, or sleeping.

The way to Inform Your Maine Coon Cat’s Age

Tooth

Everlasting enamel are available at 4–6 months. Youthful cats will are likely to have whiter enamel, whereas cats with stains are doubtless of their older years. Take into account that cats that don’t obtain correct dental care might have massive quantities of tartar accumulation that might 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 might have extra graying and coarser fur with out as a lot fluff or density. Self grooming will even decline as cats lose flexibility and develop painful situations like arthritis because of age.

Muscle and Exercise

Younger cats are energetic and toned. As they age, they turn into much less energetic, usually taking over further physique weight and areas of sagginess.

Eyes

Between 4-8 weeks, a kitten’s eyes change from blue to their last coloration. Adults progressively present a altering look to their eyes, with seniors usually growing cloudiness and frequent tearing or discharge.

Conclusion

Maine Coon cats reside 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 important than something, giving homeowners the flexibility so as to add years to their pets’ lives. By following these insights on how lengthy Maine Coon cats reside, you’ll be able to set them up for a few years of completely satisfied, comfy companionship.

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