7 Issues to Know in regards to the White Maine Coon Cat 2023

The white Maine Coon Cat is a outstanding feline companion that has stolen the hearts of many cat lovers over the previous few many years. These cats are admired for his or her swish nature, intelligence, and delicate demeanor, to not point out their gorgeous white fur, outstanding measurement, and mysterious presence.

Whereas Maine Coon Cats come in numerous colours, the enchanting attract of the white variant is mesmerizing. Along with their putting seems, White Maine Coon Cats are curious explorers who kind deep bonds with their human companions. Their pleasant and affectionate temperament makes them nice household pets, as they develop sturdy and dependable connections with everybody of their households.

Let’s look nearer at White Maine Coon Cats, exploring their fascinating historical past, bodily traits, and pleasant personalities. We’ll additionally have a look at a few of their extra curious traits, like why they love water and proneness to sure well being points. That is all in regards to the White Maine Coon.

Can Maine Coons Be White?

Maine Coon cats come in additional than 75 totally different colours and patterns, and white Maine Coons are among the many hottest. They’ve lovely lengthy, pure white fur and infrequently have fascinating eye colours like blue, gold, and inexperienced.

White Maine Coons aren’t naturally white, however they’ve a white masking gene that makes them seem white. This gene covers up their true shade, so their actual shade is hidden beneath the white fur. It’s vital to know that white isn’t thought-about a shade on this case. 

White Maine Coon cats are sometimes referred to as a “non-color.” Typically white Maine Coon kittens are born with a small spot of their true shade on their head, nevertheless it normally goes away as they develop up. All Maine Coons can have inexperienced, green-gold, copper, or gold eyes. White Maine Coons may have blue eyes or eyes which can be two totally different colours. 

NB: The Cat Fanciers Affiliation acknowledges white as a stable shade for Maine Coons, so long as the cat has pink paw pads and a pink nostril. 

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1. White Maine Coon Historical past and Origin

The Maine Coon is a really outdated breed of cat that comes from North America, particularly from the state of Maine. It’s even the official state cat there! 

Tales differ on the place this breed got here from, however there are a number of fascinating concepts about the way it got here to be.

One is that the Maine Coon is said to longhaired cats that belonged to Marie Antoinette. It’s prompt that these cats had been despatched to America earlier than she tried to flee from France. 

One other principle is that the breed was created when short-haired cats in Maine mated with longhaired cats introduced by sailors from New England and even by Vikings once they explored North America.

The Maine Coon turned actually well-liked in the US within the late 1800s. Actually, in 1895, a brown tabby Maine Coon named Cosey gained the primary massive cat present ever held within the nation. 

These days, Maine Coons are well-liked worldwide. In response to the CFA, they’re ranked third among the many most beloved cat breeds. You possibly can usually see them strutting their stuff at cat exhibits and successful massive prizes too!

As talked about, the white Maine Coon is only a variation of shade on this breed.

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2. Formal Recognition of the White Maine Coon Cat

White Maine Coons had been formally acknowledged by the Cat Fanciers’ Affiliation (CFA) in 1976. Three years later, in 1979, The Worldwide Cat Affiliation (TICA) additionally accepted them. 

Are White Maine Coons Uncommon?

White Maine Coon cats are thought-about uncommon as a result of they make up just one.5% of the whole Maine Coon inhabitants. This low share makes them a singular and unusual shade. If in case you have a white Maine Coon in your house, take into account your self amongst a number of fortunate house owners.

3. Look and Traits of White Maine Coon cats

The White Maine Coon is a fascinating and chic variation of the Maine Coon cat breed, famend for its lengthy and opulent white fur. Whereas they share many traits with their extra colourful counterparts, white Maine Coons possess a singular magnificence that distinguishes them.

White Maine Coons usually have medium to lengthy fur, which is silky and dense. This breed boasts a sturdy, muscular physique with giant, tufted ears and a protracted, bushy tail. Their gorgeous white coat could also be accompanied by odd eye colours or matching blue eyes, additional enhancing their enchanting look.

Facially, White Maine Coons exhibit excessive cheekbones, a sq. muzzle, and a robust chin, lending them an esteemed look. Regardless of their majestic look, White Maine Coons are identified for his or her mild, amiable, and nice disposition.

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Are White Maine Coons Albino Cats? The Science!

White Maine Coons are sometimes mistaken for albino Maine Coon cats, however this assumption is wrong. Albino cats have a genetic defect that causes a scarcity of pigmentation, leading to a white coat. The seen pores and skin round their eyes and mouth is pink, they usually have pink noses. Their eyes can also seem pinkish as a result of lack of pigmentation within the iris.

White Maine Coons, though not true albinos, can have very pale blue eyes if partially albino. A blue-eyed Maine Coon can also be extra liable to deafness (see beneath).

4. Character and Temperament

Regardless that they’re giant, White Maine Coons aren’t imply or bossy. They’re curious and sensible, they usually like exploring and enjoying. They show intelligence and curiosity, usually displaying dog-like behaviors equivalent to following their house owners and enjoying fetch.

Folks name them “mild giants” as a result of they’re variety and calm. They like being with their human household and exhibiting love. They’re good companions for households with youngsters or different pets.

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5. Grooming and Care of White Maine Coons

Caring for White Maine Coon cats includes common grooming to maintain their lovely coats wanting their finest. As a result of their fur is lengthy, brushing them no less than as soon as every week is vital to stop matting and tangles. A large-tooth comb or slicker brush can assist stop knots and take away unfastened hair.

Bathing will not be one thing that must be accomplished usually for White Maine Coons, however often it might be essential to maintain their fur clear and white. When bathing, use a mild cat shampoo and keep away from getting water of their ears to stop infections.

It’s a good suggestion to introduce white Maine Coon cats to bathing when they’re nonetheless kittens. Don’t wait till they’re adults, otherwise you’ll have a tough time. You can too often use cat wipes designed for hygiene and cleanliness.

Some individuals suppose proudly owning a white cat is tough, they usually’re not solely fallacious! White Maine Coons aren’t extra liable to getting soiled than different Maine Coon colours. Nevertheless, their pure white fur exhibits dust extra simply, making it seem dirtier than it’s.

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Why Maine Coons Love Water

Maine Coon cats have a robust affinity for water and revel in enjoying with it. Their fur is considerably proof against water, retaining them heat and dry even once they’re involved with it. It’s frequent for them to lick water from leaky taps or play with their water bowls.

Many individuals discover the Maine Coon cat’s love of water fascinating and lovable. It’s a widely known trait of the breed, acknowledged by specialists as a typical attribute.

One doable clarification for his or her love of water is a folklore fable that claims they’re descendants of cats that lived on Viking ships. These longhaired cats, presumably Norwegian Forest Cats, had been stored on the ships to regulate the mouse inhabitants. The concept is that rising up on the ships made them comfy with water. 

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The Weird Raccoon Conspiracy

There’s a considerably weird and unlikely fable suggesting that Maine Coon cats love the water as a result of they’re believed to have some raccoon genes. In response to this story, it’s stated {that a} semi-wild home cat and a raccoon had offspring, resulting in the creation of the Maine Coon breed we see as we speak.

Nevertheless, scientists have confirmed that this fable is biologically inconceivable. Though there are similarities between Maine Coon cats and raccoons, they don’t seem to be associated on this manner.

Photograph by Omar Ramadan: 

6. A Notice on White Maine Coon Breeding and Genetics

White Maine Coons are identified for being massive cats, and there are numerous theories explaining why. One simple clarification is that they’ve an prolonged development interval. 

Not like most cats, which attain their full measurement by the age of two and even earlier, white Maine Coons proceed rising till they’re round 4 or 5 years outdated.

Listed here are some extra fascinating information associated to breeding and genetics:

• If you wish to breed an all-white Maine Coon kitten, no less than one of many mother and father should be fully white.
• Breeders can not management if their white Maine Coon cat will cross on the “masking gene” to its kittens. This gene is essential for creating white Maine Coon cats as a result of it blocks different colours from showing.
• White Maine Coon cats have litters that may be both white or have hidden patterns and colours. Breeders research the household historical past of the breeding cats and the earlier kittens they’ve had in a managed breeding atmosphere to determine the masked patterns and colours of the white Maine Coons.
• When White Maine Coon kittens are born, they usually have a small coloured mark on prime of their heads. Nevertheless, this mark fades away inside a number of months. Breeders shortly pay attention to this mark as a result of it signifies the cat’s masked coloring. If a white kitten with this mark grows up and breeds, there’s a probability that the kittens will both be white or have the identical shade that briefly appeared as a mark on the highest of their heads.

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7. White Maine Coon Well being and Lifespan

Maine Coon white cats are normally very wholesome and might reside for a very long time, normally round 12 to fifteen years. Nevertheless, a number of well being issues could also be extra prevalent on this breed.

Deafness in a White Maine Coon with Blue Eyes

There’s a little bit of unhappy information on the subject of white cats generally, and particularly White Maine Coons. White Maine Coons with blue eyes usually tend to be deaf in a single or each ears.

That is due to a gene referred to as the W gene, which is accountable for their white coat shade and can also be linked to deafness. Nevertheless, not all blue-eyed white Maine Coons will likely be deaf, and plenty of can nonetheless reside joyful and wholesome lives regardless of this situation. Deafness will be examined for in kittens when they’re nonetheless fairly younger.

Aspect be aware: Learn this for extra on blue-eyed cat breeds.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a uncommon situation in cats in comparison with canines and people. Nevertheless, cat house owners ought to nonetheless know its indicators and the right way to handle it if it occurs.

Hip dysplasia is a genetic drawback the place the ball-and-socket joint connecting a cat’s thigh bone to its hip is malformed. The ball is the knobby prime finish of the thigh bone, and the socket is a cup-shaped cavity within the hip bone. Usually, the femoral head suits effectively into the acetabulum, permitting the cat to maneuver comfortably by gliding and rotating. 

Hip dysplasia can happen in White Maine Coons, no less than partially agitated by the cat’s measurement. It impacts the event of the hip joint, resulting in issues with mobility and arthritis. 

In cats with hip dysplasia, the ball and socket don’t align correctly and are unfastened. This causes the femoral head to maneuver inconsistently. The misalignment, often called subluxation, results in the femoral head and acetabulum rubbing and grinding in opposition to one another.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Maine Coon Cats

Maine Coon cats have a genetic mutation that impacts round 30% of them. This mutation will increase their probabilities of creating a situation referred to as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. 

The situation causes the partitions of the guts to thicken, resulting in coronary heart failure and different problems like blood clots blocking main blood vessels. Coronary heart failure may cause extended discomfort and malaise, whereas blocked blood vessels end in extreme ache. 

It’s doable to detect this genetic mutation by way of a particular genetic take a look at and ultrasound scanning of the guts earlier than the cat reaches breeding age. 

Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy is one other inherited situation that enormous White Maine Coon house owners ought to concentrate on. This neurological dysfunction may end up in muscle weak spot and atrophy.

Sunburn

White cats, just like the White Maine Coon, usually tend to get sunburnt than cats with different colours, in keeping with the RSPCA. Sunburn may cause discomfort and even life-threatening injury to your cat’s pores and skin. 

As an proprietor, it’s vital to take additional precautions to maintain your White Maine Coon secure from sunburn. Listed here are some useful ideas:

• Present shade: Guarantee your cat can entry shady areas to hunt refuge from direct daylight.
• Restrict outside publicity: Keep away from letting your cat spend extended intervals outdoor throughout peak solar hours, particularly when the solar’s rays are strongest.
• Use sunscreen: Seek the advice of your veterinarian with a pet-safe sunscreen particularly designed for cats on uncovered pores and skin areas, such because the ears and nostril.

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Pores and skin Most cancers

White Maine Coons, identified for his or her magnificence, are sadly liable to pores and skin most cancers because of their pale pores and skin shade. In response to the RSPCA, pure white cats usually tend to develop pores and skin most cancers round their ears, eyelids, and nostril the place their hair is skinny or absent. Limiting solar publicity and retaining them inside can assist lower your cat’s danger of pores and skin most cancers.

Last Ideas on White Maine Coon Cats

White Maine Coon Cats are fascinating creatures that mix magnificence, appeal, and intelligence. Their putting snowy fur and enchanting blue or heterochromatic eyes make them a real marvel to behold. 

They’re visually gorgeous and possess a loving and affectionate nature, forming sturdy bonds with their human companions. With their playful and pleasant personalities, White Maine Coon Cats deliver pleasure and heat to any family fortunate sufficient to welcome them. 

Wish to know extra? Learn this text all about Maine Coone Cats. 

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Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud mother or father of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is enthusiastic about understanding cats and totally different cat breeds.