My new buddy - is he a maine coon?

[purr]

If anyone seen my post in the lounge about the stray that was living in my shed I apologize :) I'm wondering if hes a Maine Coon mix - HES HUGE. Absolutely beautiful and doubles the size of my 15 lb Calico. He makes her look like a runt.

[Jo March]

1. I'm not sure but WOW, what a beautiful cat!

He is one big fella!

He doesn't have the tufts that MCs usually have on their ears and paws. He also doesn't have the large tufts on the sides of his face. I'm not sure what he is but he does look huge!

We have a large cat, Jasper, and we thought that he was a MC but turns out that he is a Norwegian Forest cat.

Maybe some other folks will be able to weigh in on this.

Beautiful, beautiful kitty!

[purr]

5. He definately is huge!

I never seen a cat with huge paws before other than a Savannah. Hes got some monster paws! Super sweet too!

[Jo March]

22. Must...pet...that....cat....

Can't...resist...urge....

[purr]

25. He is very irresistible.

His favorite spot is on my oldest sons bed and when I walk in he has this high pitched meow like HEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLOOO!!

[RebelOne]

2. I am more of a dog person, so I am not an expert on cats.

But it does appear to me that he has a touch of Coon.

[purr]

6. I'm not that familiar with other breeds of cats other than Sphynx and Rexs

So this is a new one to me as well :)

[Lorien]

3. He looks more like a Norwegian Forest cat to me

which is likely related to the Maine Coon, but without the addition of "American forest cat" blood (lynx and bobcat). Norwegian Forest cats generally have smaller muzzles and long hair all over their bodies-while Maine Coons have large, squarish muzzles, "lynx tips" on the ears, and the very long hair is confined to the ruff, belly, tail, and "britches".

Here's mine for comparison:



Note the shorter hair on the back and legs:









You might also look up Siberian forest cats, though I think Siberians may be slightly less hairy than your guy

[purr]

7. I just love your cat

he is huge and beautiful!!! This kitty has huge paws like yours as well. Doesnt have the same facial structure or the hair tuffs - but the one ear looks like he was in a fight at one time and got the top chopped off.

[NV Whino]

13. A cropped ear is an indication

that he was a feral cat and has been neutered. I hate seeing cropped ears on cats. On the other hand, it does help to identify spayed/neutered ferals or semiferals.

[Lorien]

17. He may have had frostbite

outdoor cats often lose their ear tips to frostbite up North, poor thing!

[purr]

19. I know.. I made an appt for him this friday and I'll let you know

how it goes. I asked to get him scanned for a chip as well.

[Grateful for Hope]

11. Wanted to mention, Lorien

that my daughter has a pure Maine Coon she bought from a breeder. She is slender through the face (her muzzle is not large), and has long hair all over her body. So, much so, that my daughter has had her shaved on occasion (Precious seems to like being shaved...go figure).

When I visit my daughter, I am going to try to get a pic of Precious.

All Maine Coons are gorgeous!!!

[Lorien]

12. Hopefully the breeder gave her a "pet quality" discount

My Oberon is also "pet quality" because his silver coat has "tarnish" in it, so he can't contribute to the gene pool (but he's perfect to me)! Female Maine Coons do have slightly less boxy muzzles, but all over long hair would disqualify it from showing, therefore it would have to be sold at a discount (or adopted out). Many people who want a Maine Coon (myself included) wanted one for their unique temperaments first, so "disqualifying" characteristics don't matter that much. Here's the Cat Fancier's association description:

Characteristics

Everything about the Maine Coon points to its adaptation to a harsh climate. Its glossy coat, heavy and water-resistant, is like that of no other breed, and must be felt to be appreciated. It is longer on the ruff, stomach and britches to protect against wet and snow, and shorter on the back and neck to guard against tangling in the underbrush. The coat falls smoothly, and is almost maintenance-free: a weekly combing is all that is usually required to keep it in top condition. The long, bushy tail which the cat wraps around himself when he curls up to sleep can protect him from cold winters. His ears are more heavily furred (both inside and on the tips) than many breeds for protection from the cold, and have a large range of movement. Big, round, tufted feet serve as 'snow shoes.' Their large eyes and ears are also survival traits, serving as they do increase sight and hearing. The relatively long, square muzzle facilitates grasping prey and lapping water from streams and puddles.

http://www.fanciers.com/breed-faqs/maine-coon-faq.html#Char

[Grateful for Hope]

14. I don't think she did, Lorien

But, Kim (my daughter) wanted Precious for similar reasons to your's -- for her temperament. She did insist that Kim have her spayed. Unfortumately, she is "pretty dumb" as Kim tells me. She has another cat (also female, but short-haired) that beats Precious up when she gets mad at Kim. Precious just takes it, and doesn't fight back.

That description didn't mention their meows. Isn't it true that they have little, high-pitched meows?

Spidey has this meow, and, I suspect he has some Maine Coon in him.


edited for spelling

[Lorien]

15. It's a bird-like trill-somewhat musical

Oberon's meow is much more high pitched than my other cats. It always sounds like he's asking a question; "wha? Whhaaaa?" Mostly he trills when he's calling me or the other kitties, but he has specific mews for "I'd like some food" "the water is low in my cup in the sink", "I want to show you something" then a series of short chirps that means "play with me, dammit"!

He's only slightly above average for kitty intelligence; good at working out problems, and he's smarter than Miro-but next to Puck he looks a bit dim. She's my feline Border Collie, so it's tough for any other cat to keep up with her, lol!

Luckily, Oberon's breeders are very honest; I couldn't see any tarnish on him when he was a kitten, but somehow they did-and sure enough, it really started to show a year later. They had already neutered him, given him his shots, etc.-so he was a real bargain. :-)

[Grateful for Hope]

20. This does sound like Spidey

I love listening to him because he does trill...and it's usually when I am passing by him as if he wants me to notice him (and, hopefully play with him). He also meows, but it just doesn't seem to fit his ever-growing body, it is so high-pitched.

Oberon sounds like such an angel...:D It's like you can love him just from the way you describe him!

[meow2u3]

37. Does Oberon go "mrrp"?

My Boots does that, and he's no Maine Coon, although he does have small lynx tips on his ears.

[Lorien]

38. Not really, but Puck does all the time!

More or a "urrrr, urrr, URP!" She does it when she wants to go on a walk, or just wants to have a "conversation". What does Boots use the vocalization for?

[purr]

41. This kitty seems to have that little meow too..

Almost like a chirp as well!

[demnan]

65. Charley does that all the time

only cat I've ever had that muttered to himself.

[Grateful for Hope]

55. Lorien....hopefully you will see this

I got a couple of pretty bad pics of Precious this weekend. I had to make a rush trip to NY to take care of some business, and, I brought my camera to take some pics of my grandbabies, and, of Precious.

Anyway, Kim reminded me that I went with her to pick Precious out at the breeder's. She is small as far a Maine Coon's go, but, I do now remember that the breeder said that she was the most eligible for show quality of that particular litter. I guess that the breeder was feeding us a line since after we picked this kitty? She IS beautiful, however....as are all Maine Coons!

pic1:







pic2:

[Lorien]

61. Wow-I've never seen that much fur on an MC!

definitely an MC face-save for the small jaw. That coat is really unbelievable though!

[superconnected]

42. I love pics of Oberon.

Those are great.

[Grateful for Hope]

4. He's pretty beautiful

I am definitely no expert on Maine Coons, but, whatever he is, it is a beautiful sight!

[purr]

8. Isnt he?

I'm very touched by how nice and social he is!

[Grateful for Hope]

10. He sure is! n/t

[japple]

9. He's a knockout, just gorgeous. Love that white tipped tail.

He does look like Maine Coon or Norweigan.

[Lorien]

16. I'd love to see another photo-close up of his face in natural light

it looks like his eyes are a remarkable color!

[purr]

18. I'll try and get another pic... hes such a loverboy and all he wants to

do is cuddle.. its like he never gets it.

[purr]

23. Close up:

[Grateful for Hope]

26. He sure is beautiful

Awesome eye color!

In response to your post that he might be a she, I have yet to see any boy parts on Spidey as his fur is so long in the back of his legs.

[purr]

27. Same thing with him.. Its like nothing BUT fur back there!

Hows that for an ego hit? :rofl:

[Grateful for Hope]

28. Pretty funny!

[MANative]

29. This is an intelligent cat....

you can see it in his eyes. He's plotting something deliciously naughty right now!! Or maybe he's plotting a take-over of the kingdom - yup, that's it - definitely a noble claiming his rightful place. ;-)

[purr]

32. He took over my sons bedroom :)

Been sleeping happily up there all day.. will catch him come down stairs to go potty but then runs right back up on his bed.

[MANative]

40. And now it is truly

HIS bed. Sorry, son of Purr, you have been supplanted!! ;)

[purr]

48. LOL!!

I know... hes taking over all the beds.. He'll make his rounds at night - he'll go from my sons, to my daughters, then to mine, and then back. Hes a sweetheart!

[ET Awful]

21. He's such a good lookin' dude . . .

Does he have a name yet? :P

[purr]

24. Not yet :) Still waiting to see if anyone claims him.

I'm starting to think hes a she because I STILL cant see any boy parts :)

[Jo March]

31. I'll claim him!!

I'm in NC so it would be a stretch to think that she's mine but WORK WITH ME ON THIS ONE!

[purr]

33. LOL!!!!

That would make him one hell of a long distance runner dontcha think? :)

[CountAllVotes]

30. I had a Maine Coon

He didn't look anything like your cat here, but he was BIG and a real hunter too. Not an indoor cat on any level whatsoever. I sure loved him a lot, but many of my "neighbors" didn't. :(

:kick:

[purr]

34. I'll find out on friday what he is.. I got a kick ass vet..

as long as I dont see one of his goony associate vets who I really dont like. UGH!

[CountAllVotes]

35. they have a chirp of a meow

and they tend to be very big cats and tend to attach to one person only. So, a kittenlike meow with a very BIG personality! I loved my Maine Coon so much but I had to give him up being the neighbors tried to poison him. He was a bit of a bully and didn't like being teased. BIG SIGH! :(

[purr]

36. That sucks :( couldnt you have kept him inside and then you

would've been able to keep him? :( I hate people that poison/harm/kill animals. That is so wrong :(

[CountAllVotes]

43. yes me too

Luckily we moved from that place. It was AWFUL and there were a lot of people around like that at that place. :( He simply was not an indoor cat and he did not like being kept indoors, he had "fits" so to speak and he'd get real angry and even bite at times.

So he loved the great outdoors and loved to hunt, that is his life.

There is a positive spin to this though. I took him to a no kill shelter and he was adopted by a millionaire that owns a ranch south of where I live and there are no other pets either. The man went to the animal rescue as his wife had just died and he spotted my cat and it was love at first sight I was told. So he is still alive best I know and enjoying life as a millionaire now.

A good ending to a very sad story anyway I guess. *sigh*

I still miss him so much and this happened over 5 years ago believe it or not.

[purr]

46. You'll never forget him..

I never forgot any of my cats that I've lost over the years. They all were special and are still dear to me. That sgood he got adopted by someone who obviously needed someone special in their lives. A sad story turning into a good one is always a choker for me :(

[CountAllVotes]

49. yes it had a good ending for my Maine Coon

but believe it or not, I still cry about losing him. It was so hard giving away a pet you love. I remember every cat/dog I've ever had too. The oldest cat I had lived to be 17 years old and I adopted the Maine Coon we've been discussing after she had died. So, it was rough and it still is rough. I told the animal rescue (he'd end up back there if anything were to happen to the owner as they track all of the pets they adopt out - that is their policy - truly a "no kill" shelter for the animal's life) to call me ASAP and I'd come and get him back. So far, no calls so I guess it must have worked out good for the man anyway.

That place had child molesters, pet murderers, thieves, drug addicts, and after I moved out about 2 mos. later, a murder of a human being! Fun place alright. :puke: Glad I managed to get out of that place. It seemed like an impossibility for many years but alas, I got out (thank you god).

After I moved I went back to the rescue and adopted a new kitten. He grew into a 20 lb. Flame point Siamese and he is a very nice cat but rather shy. I had no idea what breed he was when I adopted him as he was all white but had orange ears (that was the "tip" that he was a Flame point siamese, but I had no idea).

So it worked out ok I guess. *sigh* again.

[alittlelark]

39. I've had two Coon kitties.

Neither were orange - but I must say that your guy has the look! As you pet him and look into his fur he will have many layers, some wavy, if he is a coon. His ruff seems small, but then Coons develop the full ruff at about 2 yrs.

Whatever the case - DAMN - That's a BEAUTIFUL cat!!!!

[purr]

47. Hes very wavy.. fluffy as can be.

Its a definate change - I'm used to the hairless variety.. now I got one with TONS of hair!

[japple]

44. I have to keep coming back to this thread just to look at that 1st picture

you posted. He has the most intelligent face and it gives me hope to look at it after I've read the Alito confirmation threads that have been running all day.

[purr]

45. He is a very relaxing cat...

I pet him and my stress levels instantly go down. There is a high relaxing energy field around him or something. My other 3 relax me, but not to the extent he does! I love the first pic I took of him - hes absolutely gorgeous!

[Beaverhausen]

50. See post #23 - the close-up

His/Her eyes are such a beautiful color. What a sweetie!

[demnan]

51. Well he's just a spectacular beauty

but probably has Maine Coon cat there somewhere. What a lovely cat he is and how lucky he was to find you. It will be funny to see pictures of him next to your Sphinx cats!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

52. He's so cute!

Reminds me of my old pal, the late, great Charles (1974-1995).

[Grateful for Hope]

53. Charles lived to be a ripe old age

and, I can see why you call him the "great" Charles.

Very handsome dude!

[legally blonde]

54. your new buddy looks similar to my Morty

I think he's some sort of forest-type cat, maybe ragdoll.
From the discriptions above, the distinctive meows, chirps, personality, etc., he sounds just like Morty.
Morty was a stray that "found" my sister (he just jumped into her lap and started to purr). He's quite the snuggle-bug and has become very attached to me (and my cat, Manilla).



I have some better pictures of him, but I need to scan them into my computer.

[kestrel91316]

56. Not a Maine Coon ..............

unless he has papers that say so (and who gives a rip about purebred cats anyway??).

Breed: Domestic Longhair
Color: orange tabby/white

BTW, I have observed over the years that 75-80% of my orange tabby patients are males. No idea why.

[roguevalley]

57. looks like one with that lion's head. what a great kitty

[Eurobabe]

58. Oh he's beautiful!

Glad to see he's adopted YOU. Enjoy him, love him...you're a kind person to take him in. Love, 48%er

[Digit]

59. I think he is a Maine Coon...I have one, too

Mine is tiny, only 7 pounds and was a stray. She chirps and trills and has the most extraordinarily long whiskers like your adorable fella.
I asked my vet if she could be a Norwegian instead, and she said definitely Maine Coon.

It was just over a year ago she was diagnosed with malignant cancer. She is still hanging in there.
Keep us updated...I am dying to know what your vet says.

[Lorien]

62. I've never heard of one that small-but she sure has the classic

coat (long and shorter where it should be), and her eye placement, ear size and placement, etc. is also classic MC. Maybe she was a runt that was dumped by an unscrupulous breeder. I'm so sorry that she's been ill. She looks very happy and content in your photo, though. She was lucky to have found you. :hug:

[Digit]

64. We are inseparable

I thought that perhaps she became stunted by not receiving the right nutrition was a kitten. She was about 3 months old when she was found.

If you look closely, you can just see that her tummy is shaved where she had the last tumors removed.

Oh, and I consider myself the lucky one in this relationship. She has brought me love and devotion I have never known in a pet before.
She is my treasure.

[Grateful for Hope]

63. He is a pretty boy!

My Spidey has almost identical fur distribution.

One question: Is the fur around his face like under-coat? I ask because the fur around Spidey's face and neck is like an undercoat in that it can become matted, and it it a different color than the rest of his fur, while the rest of his fur remains matt-free.

Strange...

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

66. My kitty is your kitty's long lost twin sister

I couldn't believe this picture! I will have to try to take a picture of mine, but it's uncanny. My Kitty is also on the smaller side when you think of Maine Coons - she is 11 pounds but she also has the distinctive "mwrrrppp" sound and an incredible neck ruff and has the longer hair in all the right places. Like your cutie, our cat has been just unbelievably lovable and human oriented. Ours is seven years old and is still extremely kittenish in her love of games and intrigues. I'm assuming your cat doesn't know she has malignant cancer and could hang in for quite a long while with your love and support.

[Sanity Claws]

60. Does he have a name yet?

I remember someone thought his name was Merlin. Not a bad name for a cat that magically found you and quickly made a place for himself in your home.