You have just adopted a cat and you are wondering if it is not crossed with a Maine Coon? In addition to carrying out a genetic test, several indicators can help you recognize a Maine Coon cross cat, such as its size, its weight and the tufts of hair on its ears. Explanations.
What is a Maine Coon crossbreed cat?
A Maine Coon crossbreed cat, also called a Maine Coon Mix, is simply a cat whose father or mother is not a purebred Maine Coon. The mixture between the two parents thus produces a cat with several characteristics of the Maine Coon.
If your mustachioed cat comes from a Maine Coon cat breeder, there is no doubt about its feline origins - breeders ensure that they produce and raise only purebred Maine Coons registered with the LOOF (Official Book of Feline Origins). On the other hand, if you have taken in a feline from the street or adopted a kitten from a private individual without knowing the father, there may be doubt. In any case, there are a few telltale signs indicating that your beloved furry friend descends from a line of these beautiful giants.
At Ziggy, we asked ourselves the same question for our little Céline. Found in a bush, she arrived in our lives in July 2024. After looking for a family, we adopted her (impossible to resist her cute little face), and since then, she fills us with happiness every day.
Physical Characteristics of a Maine Coon Crossbreed Cat
Cat size and silhouette
Maine Coons are known for their large size. This feline is one of the largest domestic cats in the world. A kitty that can sometimes reach 12 kilos! A crossbreed can inherit this characteristic, even if it is generally a little smaller than a pure Maine Coon. Obviously, weight is not everything. If your cat weighs 7 kilos, it may simply be obese. Only its optimal weight determined by your veterinarian will be able to alert you.
The Maine Coon also has a sturdy build with solid bone and developed musculature. It has imposing legs.
The tail
The Maine Coon's tail is long and particularly bushy, with plumed hair reminiscent of a raccoon's. Maine Coon crossbreeds often retain this characteristic, although their tails may be a little less dense than those of a pure Maine Coon. The length of the tail is often proportional to its size, a typical trait of the gentle giant breed.
Fur and coat texture
The coat is one of the most distinctive signs of a crossbreed with a Maine Coon cat. The Maine Coon is naturally endowed with a thick, medium-long to long coat. Shorter on the shoulders, its fur gradually lengthens on the sides. A Maine Coon crossbreed cat can also have this same hairy characteristic, especially on the neck, creating a small ruff, like that of the lion.
Ears with tufts of hair
One of the physical characteristics of the Maine Coon is the small tufts of hair that come out of its ears, also called “feathers.” In a mixed-breed cat, these tufts may be less pronounced, but the ears often remain large with abundant hair inside.
Face shape
Another clue to recognize a Maine Coon mix is the shape of the head. Maine Coons have a square muzzle and a well-defined chin. Maine Coon mixes may have a less square face, but with similar features.
The Behavior and Temperament of a Maine Coon Cross
Sociability and affection
The Maine Coon is a cat with great qualities: gentle and affectionate, it appreciates cuddles and human contact, both from adults and children. Maine Coon crossbreeds often retain this endearing personality.
Activity and games
The Maine Coon cat is known for its little cat-dog personality. It is a very playful cat that likes to have fun and exercise. If you throw it a toy or a cork, it is very likely that it will bring it back to you!
Genetic testing to confirm a Maine Coon cross
If your cat has several of these characteristics, it is possible that he is a Maine Coon cross. However, the best way to confirm his origins is through genetic testing, but this can be expensive.
Know your cat to take good care of it
Knowing what breed your whiskered cat might be can be essential to meeting all of their needs, including care, cat food, and health.
Your big whiskered one will need regular brushing to prevent knots and hairballs from forming in his digestive tract. For this, you can count on our double-headed cat brush made from ash wood from sustainably managed forests, vegan and made in France in the Oise.
He will also need a quality cat diet , rich in quality animal proteins to maintain his lean mass (musculature, tone, immunity, good digestion capacity) and have a beautiful coat.
As explained in our article on Maine Coon nutrition , the skin and hair are largely made up of proteins: about 90% of the hair is made up of them (keratin). Its food must also be rich in fatty acids (Omega 6 and 3) to maintain a healthy fur.
Ziggy Maine Coon Cat Food
At Ziggy, we have developed Maine Coon cat food that meets all of these nutritional criteria, so that your cat lives healthy and happy. And their little extra, they are adapted to their wide and powerful jaw, if this is the case for your Maine Coon cross.
Is our kitten Celine a Maine Coon cross?
For now, she is still too small to have a clear opinion, but this little cat is starting to have all the characteristics of the most popular cat in France.
Nous avons recueilli une petite chatte gestante il y a 4 ans et elle a donné naissance à 4 chatons, dont deux qui ont les caractéristiques des Maine Coon, un mâle roux et une femelle brown tabby. D’après notre vétérinaire, ils seraient croisés. Le mâle était devenu immense..et la femelle aussi beaucoup plus grosse que ses 2 autres soeurs à poil court. Malheureusement, l’année dernière notre Blondin est décédé subitement. Ce fut un dur coup..et notre vet croit qu’il était probablement atteint de cardiomyopathie hypertrophique, maladie fréquente chez les Maine Coon. Donc, surveillez de près votre petit trésor.
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