Maine Coon

Overview

Overview of Maine Coon

As one of the oldest natural breeds in North America, the Maine Coon cat is the official cat of Maine and is the only longhaired cat breed developed in America! Their ancestry is shrouded in mystery, though one of the most entertaining origin stories is the myth that Maine Coons kittens come from semi-feral, domestic cats mating with raccoons - which is impossible! This myth, their bushy tail, combined with a raccoon brown tabby coat (the most common color), led to people referring to these kitties as 'Maine Coons.' Another popular theory is that these fluffy kitties descended from the Angora cats that Marie Antoinette sent to Maine when planning her escape during the French Revolution. Often referred to as gentle giants, the Maine Coon cat is essentially the feline version of the Great Dane. Everything about them is giant: their snowshoe paws, which often have extra toes, their large stature (reaching upwards of 25 lbs), their massive bushy tail, and their personality! A fun fact about this breed is that the current record holder for longest domestic kitty is a Maine Coon cat named Barivel in Italy, who measures 3ft 11.2 in (120 cm). Maine Coon kittens come in a variety of coat colors ranging from black to white and various tabby patterns. They require brushing several times a week to keep mats and tangles under control in their triple-layered coat.