13.05.2022

Maine Coon vs. normal cat—Untamed helps you perceive the differences!

Whether you’re looking to adopt a Maine Coon or you’re curious if your moggy has some Maine Coon in them, you’re not alone. Ask an invested feline enthusiast, and they’ll immediately roll out nerdy Maine Coon vs. normal cat facts, which can be borderline vague and incomprehensible! 

In this guide, we follow a simplified approach to streamline the visual and non-visual markers of Maine Coons. Our no-fuss assessment hacks will make it super easy for you to tell this breed apart from other domesticated kitties. We’ll also offer some handy upkeep and dietary tips exclusive to these felines!

Um, it’s okay, hooman. I mistake you for a couch sometimes.

Source: mainecoon.meme

Maine Coon cat vs. regular cat—physical differences

If you compare Maine Coons with other cats visually, you’ll notice that this breed is significantly larger and fluffier than average kitties. They originate from the predominantly cold New England region in the U.S. and have thick double coats for winter insulation. Their signature long fur can grow out to form a pyramid shape around their necks, often resembling the lustrous mane of a lion. These features seem distinct but are also observed in other breeds that come from cold climates, like Siberians and Norwegian Forest cats. So, what distinctive physiognomy and physical attributes do Maine Coons have? Let’s find out!

An infallible one-look assessment for Maine Coons! 

Telling if a kitty is a purebred Maine Coon is simple if you know where to look. For example, Maine Coons don’t have distinct coat colours, but their unique eyes are clear giveaways of their breed! 

The table below will help you make a quick visual assessment:

Let’s test it out! Maine Coon eyes vs. normal cat eyes—can you spot who’s who?

Source: (top/middle/bottom) Tengyart/Adryan RA/smgphotographyart

Maine Coon vs. domestic cat—personality distinction

Here are some distinctive personality traits of Maine Coons:

1. Friendly and sociable—Maine Coons are called the dogs of the cat world because they thrive on connecting with humans and other pets, unlike average cats who usually keep to themselves. Introduce your Coonie to strangers, and they’re likely to walk right up and hop into their laps!
2. Independent—A Maine Coon’s independence doesn’t contradict their sociability. They’re dedicated to you but also detached and can go about the day without seeking your attention. While felines like Siamese and the Abyssinian cats can be emotionally needy, Maine Coons don’t mind hanging out by themselves as long as you take care of their meals on time
3. Observant—Maine Coons are more observant than regular indoor cats because of their sharp hunting instincts. They used to be barn cats adept at keeping farms free from bugs, birds, and pests. Naturally, they are more attentive to their environment than average cats and can easily make a mental map of your daily schedule and little eccentricities
4. Vocal—Maine Coons vocalise differently than other cats thanks to their quiet, high-pitched voice. While they are expressive, they don’t often go for the standard meowing but let out shrill purrs, loud chirps, and long, drawn-out yowls to communicate
5. Thoughtful—It’s amazing how Maine Coons translate their intelligence to kind gestures like comforting you when you’re sad or looking out for your baby when you’re not around. Their unwavering loyalty to their humans makes them easily trainable as pets

Caring for a Maine Coon as compared to a normal cat

As a Maine Coon cat parent, you should pay attention to your kitty’s:

1. Breed-specific grooming needs
2. Dietary requirements for optimum health

The fur factor—Maine Coons are born ready to combat the winter. Does that change the way you care for them?

Source: cat_maine.coon

Do Maine Coons need special grooming?

Maine Coons need a more rigorous grooming schedule than other kitties. Although this breed can shed their short undercoat seasonally, those living indoors in a temperature-controlled environment shouldn't shed too much. You should make a suitable grooming schedule based on your kitty’s individual shedding pattern.

Here are some grooming tips shared by various Maine Coon pawrents:

• Brush their coat at least once every week (grooming sessions can turn into a fulfilling bonding session if you play your cards right!)
• Bathe them frequently to minimise dander, especially if someone in your household is allergic to cats
• Clean their teeth every day as this breed is prone to dental and gum diseases
• Consider trimming your Maine Coon’s coat if their immediate environment is warm. Their coat is built to withstand the cold, and continuous exposure to heat can cause low-grade shedding throughout the year
• Get them a tall scratching post to keep their claws healthy 

What are the dietary needs of Maine Coons?

A Maine Coon’s lifespan is not promising when compared to that of regular cats. Most healthy cats can live up to 20 years, but Maine Coons have an average lifespan of 12–15 years. This breed is prone to developing several health problems as they get older. Certain diseases like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cystitis, and spinal muscular atrophy are genetic, while other conditions like obesity, diabetes, and hip dysplasia can be caused by poor nutrition.

Quality food plays a huge role in keeping Maine Coons healthy throughout life. When shopping for food products, keep an eye out for the protein-fat-carb ratio. According to the nutrient ratios in the natural feline diet, your kitty’s meals should have:

• Over 50% proteins—Maine Coons need adequate proteins from whole meats to maintain their brawny physique. Make sure their meals have amino acids like taurine and arginine that are necessary for cardiovascular and bone health. These micronutrients are found in animal proteins like chicken breast and liver, tuna, salmon, turkey, etc.
• Up to 20% fats—Fatty acids (such as omega-3) keep a Maine Coon’s coat glossy and prevent frizz and tangles. Lean seafood like salmon, mackerel, and sardine are great sources of good fats
• No more than 3% carbs—Your kitty shouldn’t have too many carbs as they don’t have enough digestive enzymes to process the nutrient. Maine Coons on high-carb diets can suffer from:
• Weight gain and diabetes mellitus
• Frequent gastrointestinal issues (barfing, constipation, regurgitation, etc.)
• Food allergies and intolerances (usually due to grains and dairy)
• Inappetence

So, what food works for Maine Coons?

Maine Coons do well on a grain-free, high-protein wet food made from whole meat. Avoid products with fillers and poor-quality protein sources, such as processed animal derivatives, plant proteins, and hydrolysed proteins. Some vets don’t recommend giving raw food to Maine Coons as such products carry a huge risk of food poisoning due to pathogen contamination.

Besides feeding them high-quality food, you should also ensure your Maine Coon follows a suitable meal plan. Ideally, they should consume about 45 calories per day for every kilo of their bodyweight. You can spread their daily rations in 2–3 meals and serve them at intervals of 8 to 12 hours to prevent bad eating habits like bingeing and gorging.

Maine Coons are powered by whole meat—Untamed brings the best to the table!

Image (c) Untamed

Help your Maine Coon live a healthy life with Untamed wet food!

Maine Coons need food that complements their muscular build and promotes their health in the long run. Untamed wet food supports this breed perfectly! Our jelly and gravy meals contain human-grade whole meat cooked in natural ingredients, ideal for maintaining a kitty’s muscle tone and regulating their organ function.

Untamed recipes are formulated by vets to include correct quantities of all important micronutrients like taurine and vitamin E. You can trust our meals to be:

1. High-protein—Our food is 60%–63% whole meats like chicken, duck, tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardine, and shrimp. The protein content we offer is twice as high as that in most retail products!
2. Allergen-free—Common allergens like dairy and grains have no place in our dishes. If your kitty is bogged down by food allergies or sensitivities, try our single-protein meals:
1. Chocka Chicken in Jelly
2. Tuck-in Tuna in Jelly
3. Tummy-friendly—We don’t add hard-to-digest ingredients like animal derivatives and plant proteins to our food. Our gentle steaming method keeps the meat tender, which promotes smooth digestion
4. Super tasty—At Untamed, we preserve the natural taste and aroma of our meaty morsels. Even the fussiest of divas cannot refuse our meals!

We’d love to know more about your kitty—take our TRY NOW quiz to order an Untamed taster pack for them!

For Untamed, every kitty is one in a million!

If you want food suitable for felines of all breeds and ages, Untamed is your answer! Our formulas can optimise the health of kittens, adult cats, and seniors. Regular consumption of our sugar- and grain-free products can:

• Stabilise weight and appetite in cats
• Prevent or manage common illnesses like diabetes, arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Reduce issues with the gastrointestinal tract, such as gagging, vomiting, and diarrhoea

We don’t have to brag about our top-notch products—the Untamed effect does that for us! Here’s the feedback we’ve gotten from our clients who’ve switched their kitties to Untamed:

Every kitty wants their share of Untamed. We don’t play favourites—our food nourishes and strengthens all cats!

Image (c) Untamed

Shop with ease—make the best use of our free home deliveries!

Our food is tailored to offer the best to kitties, but our shopping experience is all about you! We offer these services to make your life easier:

• Free one-day shipping
• Regular delivery of cat food to your doorstep every month
• Easy modification of orders
• A no-questions-asked cancellation policy

We adhere to eco-friendly and ethical practices, which include:

• Using recyclable packaging
• Buying humanely farmed meat
• Getting seafood from dolphin-safe and sustainable suppliers

Start your Untamed cat food trial today by following these steps:

1. Take our TRY NOW quiz
2. Select the products
3. Place the order

We’ll be honoured to feed your kitty for life!

Raising Maine Coons vs. regular kittens—growth variations

While average kittens grow into adults within a year, Maine Coon younglings need three to five years to reach their full size. Their peculiar growth rate impacts how much and how often they eat. This breed needs larger meals than regular kitties throughout kittenhood, spread across four to eight meals in a day.

Good weather is when it’s raining Maine Coons!

Source: Jean Beaufort

A Maine Coon kitten needs the same nutrients as other felines. They should have a high-calorie diet containing over 50% proteins. Avoid giving them dry food regularly as it is highly processed and loaded with carbs. Your kitty can get addicted to the artificial texture of biscuits and reject healthy canned food later.

Maine Coon kittens are curious explorers, so make sure you keep toxic food like grapes, garlic, and onions out of their reach.