Grooming a Maine Coon Tabby
Here’s some tips I’ve picked up from looking after my maine coon tabby boys, King Henry and The Jester.
Despite common fears about mats, Maine Coon cats are fairly easy to groom though they have semi-long hair with thick coats. My classic brown Maine Coon tabby boy has silky greasy fur which is quite easy to look after. My silver tabby Maine Coon, Jester has different fur – more dry and frizzy-like which can be prone to mats if not combed regularly. It can be difficult to tell the different types of coat by looking at maine coon cat pictures although different Coons definitely have different types of coat. As long as the coat is kep in good condition, their fur normally lays flat and is relatively tangle-free, but you will still need to brush their coat to prevent matting.
Pay close attention to their front and back legs and to their undersides. They will keep themselves clean but need your help to keep their coats shiny and healthy. To bathe your cat, you need these basic items:
1. Cat friendly degreaser
2. Mild cat shampoo
3. Empty bottle to mix water with shampoo
4. Something for rinsing, either a jug or a shower spray
5. Steel comb
6. Fur brush
7. Towel
To bathe your cat, first run 3 to 4 inches of warm water into your bathtub. Do this step without your cat in the room. Once the tub is ready, gently lower your cat, feet first, into the bath. Pour bath water over its body with a jug or a cup. Shampoo according to label instructions. Start with one section of its fur and lather. You can use an empty bottle to mix some of the shampoo with warm water. Be sure to praise and reassure your cat throughout the bath.
After fully shampooing its fur, rinse thoroughly. You can use shower spray, but avoid fast jets or too much splashing water. Place your cat in a large towel and dry the excess water as quickly as possible. Afterwards, brush its coat at regular intervals until dry. Be particularly careful of its tail, and be sure not to catch the tailbone with the brush. That can cause discomfort and pain if you don’t take extra care to avoid the area. When you comb your kitten’s fur, you will be able to remove fleas and examine their coat and skin health.
You may wish to clip your cat’s claws, especially if they live inside and don’t use scratching posts for claw grooming. To clip its claws, place your cat in your lap and angle the clippers downward. You want to clip quickly in the same direction, rather than cutting across claw. Be careful not to clip too deeply or down to the quick, which is the pink within the claw.
Bathe your Maine Coon when she is a kitten, and she will quickly adapt to bathing and grooming. They do love water, and with your praise, bathing should be a positive experience. You’ll also need to brush your kitten’s teeth for good oral hygiene.
When the kitten is older you may consider using a professional groomer, especially if your cat will be a show cat. Personally I think there is no more majestic sight than a classic brown Maine Coon tabby with an immaculate coat. Establish a bathing and grooming schedule early in your kitten’s life. Not only will the process keep him healthy and clean, it will help you bond with your cat.
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Royal Canin Maine Coon Food
If your particular brand of food does not include all of the necessary healthy ingredients, talk to your vet about supplements that can be given in addition to dry food. One of the most popular dry foods specially formulated for Cooncats is Royal Canin Maine Coon 31. It’s also the only breed specfic food I’ve been able to find on the market. It is safe and offers high-quality supplements necessary for optimal health.
Your cat depends on you for food, water, shelter, and love. One of the most important areas of Maine Coon health is diet. You’ll want to look for food with high quality supplements. It is especially important to pay attention to supplements that can reduce inflammation and increase joint support. This may be particularly important for pedigree Coon cats (like other pedigrees) because of risks related to specific genetic health conditions, like hip dysplasia or heart enlargement, called Hypertrophic Cardiomypathy (HCM).
What is a healthy diet? Maine Coon care can require a special diet, which will help maintain a healthy weight, protective skin and fur, and help minimize health problems, such as hip dysplasia. It’s important to pick a cat food with supplements that help with joint protection and relief plus supplements to fight off inflammation and regenerate joint tissue. The most important supplement to look for is Glucosamine Hydrochloride. Chondroitin and fish oil are also recommended. Omega-3 and Omega 6 help reduce blood pressure, reduce the likelihood of blood clotting, and protect the skin. Linoleic Acid, which is found in Omega 6, helps keep its coat shiny and soft.
Most breeders recommend a high quality dry food that contains Omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids; Vitamins B, C, E and H (Biotin); Glucosamine; Chondroitin; Digestive Enzymes; and Probiotics. Maine Coon cats eat an average of 11 meals per day and eat a large quantity per meal. Cats, aged 5 to 10 years, are more likely to have weight problems, which can be controlled by switching to a lower calorie food. Water is vitally important. Coon cats love to play in water, so make sure you keep a clean, fresh water supply available all the time. It may be tempting to give milk to your cat, but they don’t tolerate it well because of the high fructose content.
In 2007, pet owners were distraught when over 10, 000 animals became sick or died due to tainted food products. Over 2,500 cats died because of the substance, melamine, which was found in imported wheat gluten, rice gluten, and corn gluten. To be aware of pet food recalls and find out the latest in safe foods you can visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov. For basic guidelines in choosing a pet food, check the labels for the following:
- No products made by Menu Foods
- Manufactured by Chenango Valley Pet Foods in Sherburne, NY, a USDA-inspected facility
- No wheat, soy, or gluten products of any kind and no sugar, fillers, or byproducts
- No chemicals or artificial preservatives
- All human-grade ingredients
- All ingredients are from U.S. suppliers, and suppliers do not outsource for their ingredients
There are many choices, but is your responsibility to look for the best kind of food and to ensure your cat gets necessary supplements, minerals and vitamins. Royal Canin Maine Coon 31 is recommended at the time of writing. Giving your pet a healthy diet will minimise health risks and help your cooncat live a happy and healthier life.
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