Perhaps one of the most amazing pets is the white Maine Coon - a cat with amazingly beautiful eyes. Those who have already become more familiar with this natural creature are completely delighted with the animal. In this article we will learn the secrets of cat color and its variations. How to choose and care for a kitten.
Cats of this breed most often have blue eyes, although other colors are also found. The body is powerful, the long legs have a massive appearance, helping to avoid falling into snowdrifts in winter. In cold weather, the animal’s warm undercoat saves it. The Maine Coon's fluffy tail is a real work of art. It may well replace a blanket for a cat.
In adulthood, the animal can reach 10 kg of weight. The length of the largest cat of this breed is 132 cm. Representatives of this breed usually have tufted necks, short and massive necks, and adorned with a furry collar. The fur itself is water-repellent, so cats are not afraid to swim.
Features and variations of white color
The fact that Maine Coon kittens are mostly born white can be called a bizarre game of nature; marriage is rare. Even in the uterine period (phase - embryo), the formation of coat color occurs. Responsibility for this lies with pigment cells, evenly distributed in the area of the back, withers, crown and tail.
In nature there are bizarre combination colors; white spots can be seen in different places of the body. Note that the color of a cat can be different, so there are different variations:
- Van - the presence of several darkish spots on the white coat;
- Harlequin - in this version the predominant color is white interspersed with other colors on the back;
- Bicolor – the presence of white and a second auxiliary color;
- White spotting is 1-2 cm in size, popularly called “white buttons”;
- White markings – colloquially they are called “tuxedo” or “medallion”.
Character and habits
Maine Coons are white and smart and friendly cats.
They are affectionate and devoted to their owners and love to be around them.
At the same time, white Maine Coons are unobtrusive.
They will not demand attention to themselves when their owner is busy or in a bad mood. White Maine Coons love to play, they are active and energetic, but not hyperactive, and therefore there is no risk that such a cat will create chaos and disorder in the house or spoil something valuable.
They are completely non-offensive, unlike most other cats. If a Maine Coon was punished for some offense, he does not hold a grudge and does not try to take revenge at the first opportunity, for example, by tearing the curtains or upholstery on the sofa to shreds.
White Maine Coons are friendly towards other animals in the house, with the exception of fish, birds and small rodents, which are not recommended to be introduced to them.
Another exceptional quality of these white cats is their tolerance towards children. Even if a child accidentally hurts the cat, the snow-white Maine Coon will not hiss at the child or, especially, scratch him, but will simply go to another room so that he will no longer be disturbed.
White Maine Coon eye color
Animals of this breed can have eyes of different colors, not just the standard type. There is an albino - a white Maine Coon with blue eyes, a white Maine Coon with different eyes: green, yellow, with a pinkish tint.
Breeders believe that cats with blue eyes are deaf, although this sign is not always true. Scientists have not yet been able to fully study this phenomenon.
Description and appearance
Breed standard
| Body parts | Peculiarities |
| Head | Elongated in length with a curved profile line. Has a large skull and cheekbones. |
| Eyes | Oval in shape, widely planted. The hue can be blue or green with a honey tint. |
| Ears | Elongated with a pointed tip, tassels are present at the edges. |
| Torso | Large and massive, with well-developed muscles. |
| Limbs | Large and muscular, there are small tufts of fur between the pads of the toes. |
| Tail | Densely covered with hair, long. |
| Wool | Fluffy, soft and pleasant to the touch. There is a thick undercoat. |
| Color | Can be red, black, smoky, white, cream, tortoiseshell and others. |
Breed Features
Representatives of the breed with different eyes are considered unique and rare, which gives them value.
The weight of cats in adulthood is 13-15 kg, and they live 14-19 years. Animals with white fur have characteristic features that are associated with gene mutations in the body. Thus, “snow whites” often have blue eyes, but sometimes kittens are born with different irises, which makes Maine Coons rare. The main feature of the dominant gene is that the white shade of the coat suppresses other pigments. Such kittens are practically no different from their own brothers, the difference lies only in appearance and the softness of the coat.
Health problems
The Maine Coon, which is not ill, behaves like a cheerful and active pet. These cats have an excellent appetite and excellent coat. But despite this, the meowing creature needs to be properly cared for. Be extremely careful if any unhealthy symptoms appear.
Like other types of cat breed, Maine Coons need to be vaccinated against common diseases: rhinochoracheitis, panleukopenia, calcivirosis, helminths, etc. If necessary, seek qualified help.
Deafness
In most cases, this disease affects blue-eyed white pets. There is no need to worry too much, because a white Maine Coon can perfectly navigate the room where he lives. The ability to sense vibration helps them in this. Due to hearing loss, cats of this breed have keen eyesight and a good sense of smell.
Tendency to allergies
New foods are given to the animal with extreme caution, since Maine Coons are often susceptible to allergic reactions. It may occur due to the following products:
- Fish and seafood;
- eggs;
- chicken;
- vegetables with bright colors: carrots, tomatoes, beets.
If the snow-white coat turns yellow, and the animal’s eyes are watery, you should immediately remove the new product from the diet and contact a veterinarian.
Feeding
Snow-white Maine Coons need high-quality food with a balanced and proven composition. If you decide to feed your cat dry food, then you need to carefully study its contents; the food should not contain components such as:
- beets, carrots;
- chicken and beef liver;
- copper, which is often found in feed;
- vitamins with dyes.
These rules also apply to natural food. It is not advisable to consume offal and buckwheat porridge. Fermented milk products will be useful; except for milk, it cannot be given to a cat. It is better to feed meat, fish and vegetables boiled, this way you can avoid infection with helminths. Sweet foods are contraindicated for Maine Coons because they are prone to allergic reactions.
Caring for a white-haired Maine Coon
Caring for a pet primarily involves its general health and the appearance of its coat.
Wool
At the exhibition, Maine Coons with luxurious fur, fluffy collars, and attractive “pants” on powerful paws always attract enthusiastic attention. Nature has endowed these beauties with fur protection, which in the wild saves animals from the harsh weather conditions of northeastern America.
To prevent your pet’s chic fur coat from becoming dirty black and forming “beaters”, it needs to be carefully looked after. For example:
- during shedding, comb out excess hair with special combs that facilitate this process;
- bathe your pet so that its fur shines with purity and beauty;
- treat with medications to avoid the development of dermatitis.
Feeding
It is preferable to feed the Maine Coon with special food (premium class), which contains the necessary micro-macroelements and vitamin supplements. Such food usually does not contain harmful salt, sucrose and additional spices. It is useful to add sprouted cereals - oats, wheat - to dishes twice a week.
Walking and playing
Large felines are very active. Despite its size. Therefore, the Maine Coon benefits from active exercise. Being in a small space, they move little and gain excess weight. Cats can even develop depression.
If possible, it is better to walk your pet in a suburban area or nature. Here you can run and play with your cat. They will be happy to play with a blue or other colored ball. If the animal does not want to leave the apartment, you should not force it outside.
How much do Maine Coon kittens cost?
The cost of Maine Coon kittens will depend on many factors:
- category of the pet (its pedigree);
- Maine Coon color;
- floor.
Despite the fact that this breed is not rare, the cost of Maine Coons is quite high. I have already compiled a rating of the most expensive cats in the world, in which this breed took an honorable 9th place. The cost of kittens starts from $600.
However, on average, for a Maine Coon with a good pedigree and original color, you will have to pay about 1000-1100 dollars.
Never trust breeders who offer Maine Coon kittens for $100-150. As a rule, it is just a cross between several breeds, where you are unlikely to know for sure what the pet will look like when it grows up a little.
Sources:
https://dogcatfan.com/371-white-maine-coon.html
https://zoodoma.com/koshki/mejn-kun/belyj.html
https://catmolly.com/mejn-kun/
Appearance description
Cats have a massive body, with a large head and strong paws. There are small tufts of wool between the toes. The eyes are almond-shaped and set wide apart. They can be green, yellow-gold, blue or differently colored.
The coat, which has a thick undercoat, is elongated on the sides, belly and back. Often on the neck, the hair forms an elegant frill or collar.By right, cats are record holders in terms of size among domestic breed cats. The length of an adult Maine Coon cat can be up to 1 meter and weigh 10 kg. Cats weighing 15 kg have been recorded.
Interestingly, cats of this breed have the longest and most unusual tail, from 40 to 60 cm. It is very fluffy and equal to the length of the body. Wrapped up with its tail, the cat can sleep peacefully on a cold surface.
Health and life expectancy
Cats and cats usually have excellent health. Rarely, diseases such as heart disease, muscular atrophy of the back, and polycystic kidney disease occur.
The lifespan of Maine Coons is from 12 to 15 years.
By purchasing a Maine Coon cat, you will have a pet of unusual appearance, smart and with an affectionate character.
Description of the Maine Coon breed
These cats stand out among others, because the Maine Coon is the largest cat breed. They are also distinguished by the following characteristics:
- Elongated long head with a powerful skull;
- Square muzzle with characteristic high cheekbones;
- Oval, wide-set eyes;
- Large ears with tassels;
- Fluffy paws with hairs between the toes;
- Long and strong muscular body. The weight of a Maine Coon can reach 10 kg;
- Lush and very long tail. Records for body length belong to Maine Coons!
The Maine Coon's coat is fluffy and silky to the touch. Very thick and flowing due to the undercoat. The collar-mane on the neck and woolen pants are prominent.
