Widely known as one of the largest domestic cat breeds (surpassed only by the Savannah Cat in height), the Maine Coon may look intimidating at first. Their tufted, lynx-like fur adds to their iconic and almost wild look. However, despite their rugged appearance, these cats are gentle giants with affectionate personalities and quiet chirps (as well as rare meows) that will melt anyone’s heart.
If you have a special Maine Coon in your life, you may be curious about Maine Coon care and common Maine Coon health issues to watch out for. This Sploot Vets guide provides helpful tips to keep your Maine Coon cat at their healthiest and happiest.
Are Maine Coon Cats High Maintenance?
Maine Coons are moderately high maintenance. Similar to most cats, Maine Coon care consists of a nutritious diet, an enriching environment with cat furniture, playtime, and yearly or bi-yearly pet wellness exams and dental care.
In addition, Maine Coons need consistent grooming primarily due to their dense, water-resistant fur and year-round shedding.
Common Maine Coon Health Issues
All cat breeds have their own set of predispositions to health issues. Being aware of these helps pet parents make informed decisions about their cat’s care.
Some examples of the most common Maine Coon cat health issues include:
- Ear infections – The Maine Coon’s large, tufted ears with dense fur can trap dirt and moisture, making them susceptible to ear infections—especially if wax or dirt buildups are not cleaned.
- Hip Dysplasia – A genetic condition where the hip joint doesn’t develop properly, leading to arthritis and mobility issues.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) – An inherited Maine Coon health issue causing thickened heart muscles, which can lead to heart failure if untreated.
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) – A genetic disorder causing muscle weakness and loss of coordination and mobility
- Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) – A condition inherited from breeding lines where fluid-filled cysts can form in the kidneys, potentially leading to kidney failure.
Complete Maine Coon Care Tips
1. Health & Veterinary Care for Maine Coons
Preventive Maine Coon care includes yearly or bi-yearly pet wellness exams, cat vaccines, heartworm preventives, dietary optimizations, enrichment tips, and more.
Note: Pet wellness exams facilitate personalized care for your Maine Coon and address both hereditary Maine Coon health issues and other health problems. In any case, early intervention generally leads to a better prognosis.
2. Dental Care for Maine Coons
Regular dental care helps prevent plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to gum disease and other dental issues in cats.
To protect your Maine Coon’s oral health, we recommend:
- Scheduling annual dental exams and anesthetized complete oral health evaluation, dental radiographs, and cleaning with a vet
- Brushing your Maine Coon’s teeth a few times a week
- Providing vet-recommended dental treats or water additives for cats (especially for cats that are highly resistant to brushing)
3. Maine Coon Nutrition & Diet
A balanced vet-recommended diet that meets AAFCO’s standards will provide your Maine Coon with the nutrients they need to thrive.
A few additional features to look for in a Maine Coon’s diet include:
- High-quality protein – supports your Maine Coon’s robust muscular structure.
- Hydration or urinary support – helps maintain urinary health and prevent dehydration (which can speed up or worsen PKD, a common Maine Coon health issue)
- Omega-3 – essential for maintaining a healthy heart and joints, thus helping slow down various hereditary Maine Coon health issues (i.e. HCM and hip dysplasia)
4. Maine Coon Exercise & Mental Stimulation
Maine Coons are typically active and adventurous by nature. This means they need plenty of space to climb as well as mental stimulation from interactive cat toys, cat games during playtime, and the like.
Note: Maine Coons are bigger and heavier than most domestic cats and may need sturdy cat furniture that can safely accommodate their size and weight.
There are also a few additional exercises that Maine Coons can try, which are typically NOT advisable for other cat breeds. Some Maine Coons love water and can be introduced to swimming in a safe, cat-friendly, enclosed pool. Some Maine Coons can also be trained to walk on a harness.
5. Maine Coon Grooming Tips
Due to the Maine Coon’s year-round shedding and dense fur that can trap dust, they require daily brushing—as well as cat baths every few months.
Maine Coons can also benefit from ear cleaning as needed (i.e. if you observe wax or dirt buildup on their ears). Make sure to use a mild vet-approved cat ear cleaner.
→ Learn more - Cat Care Routine For a Healthy & Happy Cat [Vet-Approved Guide]
How Do I Take Care Of My Maine Coon Kitten?
If you’re taking care of a Maine Coon kitten, make sure to bring them to a Fear Free vet for a kitten exam, kitten vaccines, and vet recommendations on age-appropriate kitten food.
Note: Vets may recommend breed-specific kitten food (or the best alternative) for your Maine Coon kitten since they grow at a slower rate than most other cat breeds. Therefore, they require a fitting formulation that supports their slower growth.
In addition, we recommend starting early on kitten socialization so that your Maine Coon kitten can grow up to be calm and confident.
→ Learn More - How to Take Care of a New Kitten 101: The 1st Year [Vet-Approved]
Maine Coon Care at Sploot Vets
Get personalized Maine Coon Care at Sploot Vets! We provide primary care, urgent care, and emergency vet services, all under one roof. In addition, our Fear Free Certified medical team prioritizes your cat’s comfort and well-being, ensuring stress-free vet visits that your pet can look forward to.
Experience next-level vet care today! Our vet clinics in Denver, Chicago and Colorado Springs are open 365 days a year, accepting same-day appointments and urgent intakes!
Book an appointment here or through the Sploot Vets app.
