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WHERE DO I FIND A GOOD BREEDER AND WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR? [top] Please read the notes on our Breeding page.
HOW BIG DO MAINE COONS GET? [top] Maine Coons are very slow to mature, not reaching their full size until 3 – 5 years of age. Weights vary but usually females are between 4 and 6 kg and the males 7 – 10 kg. Their size is also dependant on the lines they are bred from.
WHAT IS THEIR TEMPERAMENT LIKE? [top] Maine Coons tend to be very attached to their owners and are extremely loyal. They tend to bond with one specific person in the family. They are mellow, amiable and easy to get along with. They get on very well with other cats, dogs and small children. They love to play games with their owners or other cats. They are truly the gentle giants of the cat world.
HOW MUCH GROOMING DO THEY REQUIRE? [top] A good combing/brushing through at least twice a week should be sufficient to keep any matts at bay. A bath every second month should help with the natural oiliness of the skin and fur – ask your breeder how to go about bathing your kitten. Alternatively find a good grooming parlour who is experienced in grooming cats.
HOW MUCH DOES A MAINE COON COST? [top] Prices may differ from breeder to breeder but do ask the breeder what their price includes to make sure what you are getting for the money you are paying. Generally you will find that the prices are very similar. Do be prepared to wait for that special kitten as most good breeders keep a waiting list of buyers. Steer clear of those whose prices are much cheaper than the other registered breeders – in the end you will usually land up paying a lot more than you bargained for.
WHY CAN’T I TAKE MY KITTEN HOME AT 6 WEEKS? [top] The kitten’s immune system is developing between 6 and 12 weeks of age as the immunity from their mother is wearing off and the immunity from the vaccination is starting to take over. During this time kittens are susceptible to illness, such as upper-respiratory problems and diarrhea. The stress of going to a new home at 6 weeks increases the likelihood and susceptibility to illness. Weaning of a kitten is not an event – it is a process and kittens still nurse from their mother up to ten weeks old if the mother allows it. They eat a little food at first, nurse, and eat a little and so on. Eventually they eat more than they nurse until they stop nursing altogether. Generally mothers will stop allowing kittens to nurse and this helps to teach the kitten to deal positively with frustration and denial. Many kittens at the age of 6 to 8 weeks aren’t consistently using the litter box. Change to a new home will compound this issue and a change in diet can also result in weight loss and diarrhea. The kitten socialization phase starts at about 3 to 4 weeks of age and continues until they move to their new home. Between 6 to 12 weeks they learn to explore under the comforting guidance of their mother. They learn from their mother and siblings how to react with people and other cats. Improper socialization at this stage is why some cats are afraid of people. Kittens at 12 weeks of age are fully weaned, have had adequate socialization with mother and siblings, have received their full kitten vaccinations and have been handled and socialized by the breeder and their family. It must be remembered that it should be the kitten’s current and future well-being that drives the decision of age to place, not finances or a simple desire to have a younger kitten for whatever reason. |
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