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Considering a Maine Coon?

Maine Coons make wonderful pets. They are large, generally playful (but not destructive), intelligent, inquisitive, chatty, loving, and more than a little goofy. They develop distinct personalities and love to ‘help’ their humans out with whatever they are doing, particularly if it’s in the kitchen! Although most like a cuddle, they are not lap-cats, and not the kind of cat to spend all day and night snoozing or being aloof. They enjoy playing; some will learn to play ‘fetch’, and most will happily spend the day following you around the house.

A history of the breed can be found here.

On the downside, because Maine Coons are semi-longhaired, they need to be groomed. Some books suggest that once a week is sufficient; I find that a quick comb every day or two is best for keeping tangles at bay. Tangles in the ‘armpits’ are common, and if left ungroomed, can develop into matted lumps. The long hair also means that occasional toilet-related mess on the rear area and back of the hind legs is almost inevitable – this can be cleaned with shampoo and warm water, and any lumps can be groomed out. You can buy grooming combs at any pet shop for very little cost.