The Maine Coon, also known as the American Longhair cat, is a distinctive breed of domestic cat recognized for its remarkable physical characteristics and impressive hunting skills. It is one of the oldest natural cat breeds in North America, native to the state of Maine, which has designated it as its official state animal.
The Maine Coon is entirely different from other cat breeds; they are often referred to as “small giants” among felines, towering and resembling a small lion. The temperament of Maine Coons is both powerful and assertive. Although they appear adorable, many people often “bow” to their impressive presence. Owning such a large cat is not as easy as one might think.
Many cat enthusiasts dream of having a Maine Coon due to their beautiful and striking appearance. However, the reality is that very few people actually own this breed. Why is that?
Compared to ordinary cats, Maine Coons require a significantly larger quantity of food. Regular cat food and canned food do not satisfy the appetites of Maine Coons. They need a substantial amount of nutrients during their physical development to support their skeletal and muscular systems, which generally means feeding them a lot of raw meat.
The first reason why not many people own this breed is its price; Maine Coons are much more expensive compared to other common cat breeds, with prices in Vietnam reaching several tens of millions of VND. This price is truly beyond the budget of most people.
The exact origins and timeline of how Maine Coons were brought to the United States are not clearly known, and many theories have been proposed regarding this matter. Maine Coons once thrived in cat shows in the late 19th century; however, in the early 20th century, as other long-haired breeds were introduced to the U.S., the popularity of Maine Coons began to decline. Recently, Maine Coons have made a comeback and are now one of the most popular cat breeds in the world.
The second point is that this breed loves to be active and is very lively. They need regular exercise, which may deter some lazy individuals. One of the reasons many people prefer cats over dogs is that cats tend to be more laid-back and do not require as much time for walks or space as dogs do. In contrast, Maine Coons enjoy physical activity, so their space requirements are significant; a cramped environment is not suitable for them.
One old tale recounts that Queen Marie Antoinette of France, before her execution, planned to escape with the help of Captain Samuel Clough. She brought aboard Clough’s ship several of her most prized possessions, including six beloved cats of the Ankara breed. Although Marie Antoinette could not evade her fate, her cats safely made it to the shores of Wiscasset, Maine, where they interbred with local short-haired cats, resulting in the Maine Coon breed.
The third point is that they are very large; this breed can stand up to about four feet tall, equivalent to the height of a child. With their tall and robust bodies and high activity levels, it is evident that they will require a lot of food. Sometimes their appetite can rival that of a human, and they eat quite a bit, while cat food is not cheap.
Another story suggests that when Captain Charles Coon docked in New England, the long-haired cats on his ship also “disembarked” onto land and mated with local wild cats. The kittens born from this union were called “Coon cats,” leading to the birth of the Maine Coon breed.
Another factor is that their fur is very long and challenging to manage when shedding occurs. Anyone who has owned a Maine Coon knows that grooming them is quite labor-intensive, requiring at least an hour each day to maintain their coat. Their fur is not only long and thick but also sheds easily, so when keeping this breed, you may find their hair everywhere—from the sofa, clothes, coffee tables, cups, to floating in the air.
The widely accepted hypothesis today is that the Maine Coon results from crossbreeding between local short-haired domestic cats and long-haired cats brought by Viking sailors in the 11th century or modern-day English sailors (including possibly Captain Coon from the legend). The Viking origin theory is proposed due to the peculiar resemblance between the Maine Coon and the Norwegian Forest cat—a domestic breed believed to be descended from cats that accompanied Viking sailors.
