Every renowned cat association has a registry outlining breeds it considers as cats. These associations have yardsticks used to determine what should be considered a cat or not.
Whether it is a purebred, crossbred, or mixed breed, we like to go by the yardsticks used by the Cat Fanciers Association. This is not only because they have more registered breeds but because they are more flexible in deciding what should be considered a cat. To learn about them, you can click here.
Regardless of the rigid or dynamic way feline associations determine breeds that should be considered cats, some of these breeds do not have a problem. They meet all of the standards. The Maine Coon is one of such.
It is even one of the first breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association and many other feline groups. Other than this, it is a very common breed loved and accepted by people across the world. It would therefore not be out of place to learn some interesting things about them.
You are at the right place if this is what you want. Here, we will shed light on 5 interesting things about them. Some of the details here will be new to you so you should keep reading.
Some Interesting things about Maine Coon Cats
There are many true as well as unfounded theories surrounding this feline breed. To tell the difference between fiction and facts, here are some things you should know about these unique feline creatures:
Their Looks can be Deceiving
There is this saying about not judging a book by its cover. Well, it is very relevant when explaining the personality of a Maine Coon cat. This is because simply judging from its massive size can give you the wrong impression.
So, you need to know this cat for what it is. The first thing is not to confuse this feline creature for a bobcat. They are a lot different. This is especially in terms of personality and temperament.
The bobcat can be very dangerous but this is not the case with the Maine Coon. They are even fondly called gentle giants by admirers. This explains its warm and friendly nature.
You Need to Earn its Trust
Frankly, this is one of the friendliest and social cats on the surface of the earth. However, the Maine Coon will not give this up on a platter of gold. You need to earn their trust.
This might be a result of their intelligence. They start as very reserved towards people and come out of their shells once they realize the people around them can be trusted. So, you should not do anything to lose their trust.
No Clarity about Its Origin
We do not like this subject surrounding this amazing pet. Unfortunately, it is what it is. There is so much uncertainty surrounding the evolution of this feline creature.
About its origin, the most known fact is that it was first discovered and widely recognized in the region of Maine. This is an area in France. Other than this, a lot of debate as to how it came to be has come up.
Some of them are even unrealistic. For instance, some theories are hinged on the fact that cats were crossbred with bobcats. Judging from the looks, this might seem true but it is not. This is because it is not a biological possibility.
Speaking of biological possibilities, there is yet another tale explaining that the Main Coon is a product of crossbreeding raccoons and cats. This is also not biologically realistic. So, you should take it with a pinch of salt.
Well, some of the realistic theories include how some longhaired cats onboard crossbred with some domestic ones onshore. While it cannot be proven, it is more realistic than the bobcat and raccoon theories. The whole point here is that many tales about how this animal came to be cannot be proven.
You Can Lead-Train Them
This is one thing that sets them apart from many other cat breeds. They are intelligent and can be given tasks. This is why lead-training them is a possibility.
So, nothing stops you from walking with them in the park, down the street, and many other places. You do not have to be worried about having to carry this large-sized cat all the time. They can walk with a leash connecting owner and pet.
However, you should not get carried away when using the leash. Remember that they are cats and there is a limit to how you can pull. This is one area dogs are different.
We even advise that you do not use the regular kind of leash. Rather, you should use something convenient for their neck or even walking jackets. This is a lot better than the regular leash.
They Are Water Loving Felines
There are just a handful of cats that find playing with water fun. Some of them include American Shorthair, Turkish Van, Manx, American Bobtail, Bengal cats, and Japanese Bobtail. For more on this subject, you can visit: https://www.cuteness.com/13712604/why-is-my-cat-obsessed-with-water
Well, you should know the Maine Coon also belongs in this rare category as most cats have a hard time dealing with water. So, you should not be surprised that this feline likes to watch you bathe or even get into the act as well.
Wrap Up
There is so much love in the air with a Maine Coon around you. These amazing feline companions have a lot of interesting things about them and we have discussed some. We hope this will make you consider raising one or increase the bond you have with yours.
