December 2012 Maybe Maine Coons

Welcome to our December 2012 photo album of Maybe-Maine Coons and mixes, where cat lovers ask, "Is s/he a Coonie?"

Maybe-Maine Coon Cats For December:

Am I an Imposter Maine?

By: Debra in Lawrence, KS

I adopted Ms. Kitty from my mom's front porch when she was a baby. She greets me at the door, hops on her scratcher throne, then rolls on the floor so I can rub her tummy.

She is very gentle and quiet, chirps when she meows. She likes to roll her kitty ball in the tub and plays hide and seek. She doesn't like to go outside but entertains herself with the squirrels who come to perch on the windowsill.

Sometimes she curls her tail and twitches like a squirrel. When she hears noises, she perks up, stretches her body out and assumes the pointer position. I don't think she knows she is a cat.

Comments:

Debbie: She looks like a tuxedo Maine Coon to me. What a gorgeous girl!

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Bought from local pet shop in Saudi Arabia

By: Faisal A. in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

I asked the salesman what breed he was and he said American. Now he looks like he might be a mix of Maine Coon and some other breed, I can't be sure.

When he was younger I thought he looked Siberian, but I'm no expert. And I'm finding a hard time finding an expert in this town.

Here are some pictures, I could use your help determining his breed or mixed breeds.

Here's Mr. Lincoln.. :)

Comments:

Rosie P: Hi Faisal, couldn't be sure if he is MC, but he sure is very beautiful :)

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My Cat, Bear

By: Jeff in Milan, Michigan

I was given Bear by my cousin who found him laying in the snow when he was roughly two weeks old. This was 7 years ago. I took him home and raised him. He has grown into a wonderful cat.

Highly intelligent. He shakes hands on command, high fives, jumps in my arms on command, plays fetch, knows when you spell out certain words like food, treat, snack.

He also does other tricks and seems to enjoy doing them for me.

He also loves car rides.

(Note from editor: Jeff, your pictures didn't come through - This happens when they are large files, meaning high quality photos. There are tips on our Contact Page for editing photos for the web, if you'd like to try again.)

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My Romeo

By: Juliene in Lake Mary, FL
Romeo

My Romeo is very loving.

His tail is bushy and his coat is as soft as silk. His hair is shaggy especially on his belly.

I am wondering if he is a Main coon mix.

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Mr. Whiskers

By: L. Curran in Moses Lake, WA

Mr. Whiskers, a Black and White....one person said he looked like a tuxedo, maybe in color. He has always been a unique cat in my area and in my 68 years of owning cats.

I was given him as a birthday gift 12 years ago. He was living wild on a farm with lots of cats and his mother had a Siamese type head, so I assumed Mr. Whiskers was part or probably part Siamese. I did not see the father of Mr. Whiskers.

Mr. Whiskers was 4 months of old when I brought him home from the farm he was born on. He was skinny, small and the vet argued with me that he was only maybe 2 months old. When I asked the vet to look at his privates, he had to admit ...Read More

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Our Maybe Maine Coon Cat Bear

By: Lois Eckstrom in Williamson, NY, USA

Bear came into our yard and our lives, emaciated and almost dead in July 2011, yowling loudly. We fed him, he let us close and we realized he was a house cat with no claws.

He had almost no hair and had several wounds - some similar to being thrown out of a moving car, some like he was in a fight with other animals. He was so thin, he could barely walk and his hips popped out of joint with each step. We fed him fish, chicken, beef, eggs.... and he ate voraciously.

As his health improved, his eyes brightened and his personality began to emerge. He caught mice and brought them to us when we sat down at the picnic table for dinner most nights.

After a few days, and gone for a while, he returned with a mouse that was stiff and dead for a long time. Bear had a dead mouse stashed under the deck to parade around when he couldn't find a fresh one! Manipulative, but smart, Bear brought that dead rigamortis mouse out often to entertain and impress us.

In short order, Bear ran the show in our home. His favorite activities are eating, napping, belly rubs, eating, playing hide and seek, napping, head scratches, eating, chasing, napping, eating.... He is sweet and usually runs to the door to greet us home. If he's not in the same room, he comes running when we call his name. He is clever at opening the cupboards and is extremely nosey. He loves to be in the room near us and in the middle of the action.

Bear's fur grew in luxurious and silky. He is quite regal. We can not understand why someone threw him out. The vets believe he is 3-4 years old. Bear has odd quirks that make us think he was previously abused. He is terrified of toilet paper, and every time he pukes, he hides and cowers.

He is smart, loving, and a pure joy (except maybe for the hairballs.....) He has us pretty well trained, but we do scuffle over food, as he tends toward overweight. He ranges between 17# (ideal weight - trim and firm) and 23# (pudgy and not able to jump from the floor to the back of the couch... he has to do it in 2 jumps).

We're happy Bear chose our home. He is part of our family and a delight.

Comments:

Alesha Bondy: I was so excited to see Bear. My Tyrone is identicle to Bear. My daughter couldn't tell the difference :). The colour of his fur is so beautiful.

Debra: Bear is absolutely gorgeous!

Barb: Bear is a beautiful Maine Coon. So glad you took him in--lucky Bear-lucky you.

Linda: For people who didn't think you had time for a pet, you've changed your tunes pretty quickly! Bear is a good trainer.

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Thinking of adopting, is he part Maine Coon?

By: Bonnie in Scottsdale, AZ

I'm hoping to adopt a full or part Maine Coon. This young cat is up for adoption nearby and I am wondering if he's part Maine Coon. The vet that fixed him thinks he's about 9 months old. Thanks for your help!

Comments:

Carole Stofira: He/She sure looks like part Maine Coon to me! Adorable!! I got my 3 yr. old Maine Coon just a few month's ago at Pet Smart. She was brought there from Paws & Prayers as a rescue and they had on her card she was a Domestic Short Hair/Maine Coon/tabby, and this cat looks just like my Lyla, except (being older) she's much more filled out , a bit bigger, and her fur is llonger. But all the other characteristics are the same. I'd sure take him/her in a minute!!

Sarah: He looks like a coonie! The only way to be sure is to look for some personal traits.one major sign is his voice. I have always had Coonies and one tell tail sign is a call that is like high pitched trill kind of like a purr kind of cooing sound. Hope you choose to get him either way!

Cheryl Locklear: Looks very Maine Coon to me. Has all of the physical traits.

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We bought a Lynx Point but got a Giant

By: Connie Volkman in Wichita, Kansas

I was owned by two registered Maine Coon Lovlies that have gone to the Rainbow Ridge for all beautiful Kitties.

I just rescued a Siamese Lynx Point Baby that is now larger than my full grown Siamese Lynx Points ages 2 and 3 years. London is only 7 months but he is now getting long hair in places that only coons get and he has that coon nose and tail with the coloring of a Lynx.

He's a doll with his beautiful blue eyes but can tackle a dog. He chirps and eats his food with his paws just like my other large M.Coons always did.

Having raised Sadie Hawcoons and Maggie for 21 1/2 years (a long time for cats). I feel I really got to know the traits and when London started growing so big so fast and his paws were so huge, I knew I had another darling Main Coon in our home.

We couldn't be happier but I'm not so sure about the other cats who feel like a giant is looming over them. Our camera is on the blitz but I will take photos soon.
Connie In Kansas

Comments:

Barb: Would love to see a picture of "Looming" London.

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Chewbacca The Kitty!

By: Lindsay Perry in Louisville, KY

We got Chewbacca from the humane society when he was 2 months old. At the time we got him, he was very malnourished and required bottle feeding with kitty formula.

Now he is 5 months old and HUGE! He still has relatively short legs but a very large midsection. He has a very fluffy tail and a collar of fluffy fur... Is it possible this beauty has any Maine coon in him? The first picture is from when we first got him, the others are more recent.

Chewy has got a very unique personality... He is very playful and uses his paws to do all kinds of things (even get food out of his bowl and into his mouth!) We have 3 other cats and Chewy's personality so unique!

(Note from editor: Lindsay, your pictures didn't come through - This happens when they are large files, meaning high quality photos. There are tips on our Contact Page for editing photos for the web, if you'd like to try again.)

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Could He Be A Coon Mix?

By: Melissa Scasntlebury

We got this cat from my mother in law when he was 7 weeks old. She has an outdoor female calico and there is a Coon in the neighborhood that gets out.

We think he may be mixed but not sure. He is an indoor cat that is a very jealous cat when it comes to our outside cats. If he even smells them on my kids, who come over in the weekends, he hisses at them.

He follows me everywhere I go and even sleeps with me. He's a good cat and loves to play. His favorite this to play with has feathers all over it.

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Is our sweet Masie a Maine Coon?

By: Elizabeth in Michigan

We drove by a 'Free kitten' sign and stopped. I planned on getting my kitty fix and walking away. What I didn't expect was this wonderful fluff ball with a huge, sweet personality to greet me.

The ppl said someone dropped a pregnant mama kitty off at their door and they needed to get rid of the kittens as they already had six strays they adopted. So sad. I went home and BEGGED my husband, who doesn't like cats, and he let me bring Masie home.

He's a perfect fit for our family that even my husband has come to like him!! Masie is very friendly, smart and let's the kids tote him around all over the house. (Even tho he was an outdoor kitten, we're keeping him exclusively indoors). He follows us around everywhere we go and cries at the door when I leave him to go to the bathroom.

Even I'd he's not a Maine, we have fallen deeply on live with him and wouldn't sell him for a million bucks!

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Rascal

By: Amy in Long Beach, CA

Rascal is my rescue cat. I got him last September when he was about two months old. The shelter said he was a Lynx-point Siamese. But now we thing there's some Maine Coon in him.

He doesn't have all of the MC qualities...he's not the most affectionate boy, but he sure is funny.

He's got rather large feet and bones and he's already 14 pounds! He's not even 1 1/2 yet!

He's not the most loving of cats. He bites quite often (no blood, luckily). That's why his name fits. I hope he grows out of this attitude he has. But I still love the little bugger!

He's definitely Siamese, as you may be able to tell from his crazy, cross eyes. But he also definitely looks like a MC at times.
So what do you think? Maine Coon??

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Tyrone

By: Alesha Bondy in Canada

This is Ty. We rescued him from an acreage when he was 7weeks old. He is 2 years old and now weighs 17pounds and has a tail length of about 16inches and a body length of about 36inches. He is a black smokey colour.

He has big paws and ruffs between each nail, and lots of extra fur on the bottom of his paws. He has longer hair around his neck and chest, and under his belly and tail. He has ruffs of fur from his ears and on the tips. His fur texture is feathery and light, but also kind of thicker deeper down. I've always thought he was different.

He makes weird chirping noises, climbs walls, lays at your feet, especially when you are doing things around the house. When he lays down, he stretches his whole body out and his back legs too. He lays on his back with all his limbs in opposite directions. Quite a funny sight, lol!

He loves water, like a lot. He would climb in the tub if he wasn't so big, loves drinking out of his water dish and tips it over trying to feel and splash the water inside.

He is always around us anywhere we are in the house and is rarely missing. He gets along famously with children and will sit and watch them play. It's funny because he doesn't necessarily want to be picked up, but loves the attention. He loves to chase us around the house.

My family members and visitors have always noted that he is different from house cats that they have or have normally seen. I never knew about main coons, but when I was told about them I started researching.

Mostly I've read that Maine Coons are pure breed. Is it possible that we lucked out and found this beauty in a barn, or is it possible that he is a Maine Coon mix? Thanks so much.

These pics are of him recently, at a year old, and the one with him and the pumpkin is him when he was 3months old.

(Note from editor: Alesha, your pictures didn't come through - This happens when they are large files, meaning high quality photos. There are tips on our Contact Page for editing photos for the web, if you'd like to try again.)

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Cricket

By: Nicole in Minnesota, US

I got my kitten Cricket on October 20 when she was ten weeks old. She is just over four months now, and very meddlesome! :P We picked her up after a wild goose chase all over the sites looking for long haired kittens.

My mom was intent on getting one that looked very similar to my sister's kitten, who I believe definitely has Maine Coon blood in her (she shows all the traits except for the ear tufts!). So after weeks of looking, I had resorted to Craigslist, which I wasn't too keen on searching for kittens there, but lo and behold, I came across an ad that showed my darling Cricket and her siblings... Read More About Cricket

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Our Max - Do You Think He Is a Maine Coon Mix?

Our Gentle Giant Max

Hi, this is Max, he 22 lbs, has the ruff around his neck, tuffs on his feet, and chirps/small meow. He follows us around like a dog, and rounds us up to sleep with him at night.

We got him from the Humane Society where he stood out amongst the other cats because of his gentle giant persona.

He is 2 1/2 yrs, and loves to be wherever you are. You could pat him all day and he would love it.
What do you think?

Comments:

Andy Mathisen: Looks (and sounds!) like a Maine Coon to me. Lots of fun, fur..and purrs ahead?

Barb: Probably a full Maine Coon or mostly Maine. Beautiful!

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My Little Mittens

By: Heather in Baltimore

I have a kitty named mittens she was a rescue. A guy had a litter and he swore they were Persian kittens. She was also the runt according to him. When I got her she was just 10 weeks old.

I always thought she was a mixed breed but not with Persian. She has always been big to me. Bigger than other cats I've had in the past. She loves to play peek-a-boo, and tag with the kids, she loves the cold, and she can eat. She has a really fluffy coat giving her a bath is hard cause. Her fur never fully gets wet.

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This is Murphy. Maine Coon? Mix?

By: Bill in Shreveport, LA, USA

Murphy suddenly appeared at the courthouse where I work and approached everyone eagerly - very gregarious. After seeing him narrowly escape death on the adjacent, busy thouroghfare, I took him home. Murphy immediately put the other cats in their place and charmed the dogs.

And speaking of dogs, He acts more like a canine than any other cat we've known - following us from room to room and just napping in the middle of the room on the floor. Honestly, in the month he's been with us, he seems to actually know his name, and usually comes when called.

He'll drink from a running faucet evry time he has the opportunity. His meow is more like a high-pitched squeak. He has tufts of hair between his toes and and very heavy tufts in his ears. Ear-tips are not dramatically lynx-like, but the look is there.

The vet says that he is in good health, well-fed, 8 to 10 months old, and, weighs in at 12.5 pounds. He has not been neutered. The Dr.'s first comment was, "Ahhh, a Coonie, maybe."

So what do you Maine Coon experts think? Could he be part "Coonie"? Regardless, he has captured our hearts!
Thanks!!!

Comments:

RanLeen: What a beauty...they ARE as special.... as everyone says !!!

suzg9: I'm not an expert, but he looks Coonie to me. My calico coon is similar. Same high pitched squeak for a meow. Vet says that could come from hairballs over time. Got her when she was 2.5 yrs. old. Now she's twelve and still adorable. Enjoy Murphy, sounds like he loves it there. :-)

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Maine Coon mix kittens?

By: Cheryl in Toronto, Canada

I've only had these little guys for 4 days, they are 8 wks. old and came from a rescue ctr. Can't comment too much on their personalities at this point but they are both sweethearts so far.

One is a bit shy with people but the other is a purr machine. They both greet me at the door when I come home. I'm guessing they are a mix but am a bit unsure about their tails, as they're not particularly long or bushy at this point... wondering if they're still too young and the tail does fill out?

Comments:

Cheryl: Oh I didn't know anyone had commented - thanks for the feedback. Well they are definitely not full MC but I'm pretty confident that they have some mix. Their tails are not comparable to full MC but are getting bushier every day. One is slowly showing more coon traits than the other. Otherwise they are an absolute delight! Loyal, affectionate, look into my eyes, follow me around, clowns I'm very lucky.

Barb: wow-you lucked out-looks like 2 full Maine Coon kittens!!

Cheryl Locklear: They look like our Little Man when he was a baby. Must have more Maine Coon in them than not.

Lia: They look like full Maine Coon.. the tails are just like that that young, they get bigger and bushier as they grow.. the lynx tips on the ears, the markings, the tufts on the ears are a good indicator. What do you plan to do with the kittens????? are they up for adoption??

Jessy: Yes, the tail will fill in.

Sylvia: They are definately whole lot part Maine Coon!!! lucky You!!!

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Buster, A Little Bit Coonie??

By: Kim in Eureka Springs, AR, USA

Buster 6 months

My beautiful Elvie was a Maine Coon, and passed away from old age. I was so lonely as I have had cats my entire adult life. When I felt the time was right, I went to the local shelter to pick out a new cat.

Just inside the door of the shelter was a cat that the Animal Control officer had just brought to the shelter. He looked full grown, but upon inspection by the resident vet, he was aged at 12 to 14 weeks, and had giant feet.

I immediately took him to my vet who looked at his teeth and genitals, and pronounced him 12 to 14 wks also. At that time, Buster weighed in at 5.5 pounds. One month later when he was neutered, he weighed 7.5 pounds. Buster is now 23 wks old, and weighs 10 pounds, and is 32 inches long (11/30/12), paw to paw.

He has ear tufts and long ear hair, but this is all regrowing as he had ringworm on his whole head when I got him. It looks like he has two distinctive coats of hair, long and medium.

His belly and britches have long hair, and his mane is just now starting to fill out. His hair feels "slick". BUT, he has every personality trait of a coonie. I can't leave the room without him following. He is very vocal, makes trilling sounds, and meows like a tiny kitten. He fetches his "mousie", and even throws it in the air and catches it if no one is able to play with him. He keeps his "mousie" in his water bowl when not playing, and drinks by licking the mousie. He even knows what "mousie" is, and when I ask, he brings it to me.

I know it sounds crazy, but I love Buster like he was a child. He loves the dogs, and pets them by rubbing his head on them. He rides in the car like a pro.

Can he be part Maine coon in your opinion? It doesn't matter, because I adore him no matter what he is. He is so very loveable! My vet calls him "little cougar". lol! Thanks for your advice and wonderful website!

Buster, a Maine Coon mix?? - Additional Submission

Buster came to me from the local shelter. He was only 12 weeks old, and weighed 5 pounds. I won't bore you with all of his traits, but let's just say he has "every single personality trait of the Maine coon" IMO.

He has a medium length coat all over, except for his belly and britches which are long-haired/shaggy. It is difficult to tell in the 6 mo. pics, but his neck hair(mane) is getting longer now. His coat is so soft and slick, I just want to bury my face in it.

He had long hair in his ears and big ear tufts, but got ringworm at the shelter, especially on his ears. His hair is now growing back, and the ear tufts are reappearing. He is now 6-1/2 mos. old(12/7/12), weighs 11-12 pounds, and paw-to-paw is 33-34 inches long.

Two different vets aged him when I first got him, and agree on his age based on his tooth development and genital size. So his current age of 6-1.2 mos. is correct. Buster is absolutely the light of my life, & YES, he is more easily trained to do tricks than my AKC Doberman.

I love my little clown, and am convinced he is at least a Maine Coon mix. He is so smart and loveable! My husband was skeptical at first, but now totally agrees Buster is at least a Coonie mix. What do you think? Thanks and Happy Holidays!

Comments:

Susan: Appropriate name. From his looks he could go a few rounds with Tyson and win!

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Bistro the Maybe Maine Coon?

By: Molly and Dave in Fredericton, NB, Canada

My husband and I adopted Bistro from our local animal shelter in July of 2012.

He was 3.5 years old when we got him and he is such a gem. He was found wondering in down the street outside of town. He had been sick from the time he came into the shelter until shortly before we adopted him so he had been isolated.

He was quite lean when we got him but once he started filling out, the Maine Coon features really started to come out! He's super adorable and hilarious. He took over the spare bedroom and it's now referred to as "Bistro's bedroom." He's a little shy around new people but that seems to get better with time.

He loves chasing moths. He purrs like a fiend and loves to be brushed. His favourite snack is sliced turkey. He's pretty much amazing in every way. I love our cozy family of 3.

Comments:

Barb: Love his white "cheeks" and his name. A big boy!!

Kim: I love Bistro. He is gorgeous. I love his colour!!!

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Niko - is he a Maine Coon

By: Micke in Austin

I adopted Niko from a local shelter a couple of months ago. He weighs over 15 pounds and about 23 inches long or longer.

I went to the shelter to look at another cat but Niko kept coming up to me. I sat down and he jumped on my lap and was very affectionate. Trip home was good. I took him out of box and he just laid in my friends lap the entire way home. He felt at home right way.

He follows me around and he is very vocal. When I get home he greets me at the door then jumps on the counter meowing like crazy. He likes to be held. He is showing an interest in water. He doesn't play with it but when I am done bathing he will get into shower or tub interested in water. However if I turn water on he will run.

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Arby-part Maine Coon?

By: Kelsey in Nebraska

He shows all the signs of being a Coon. He is very large with a fluffy tail. He is very vocal.

Comments:

Tina: You bet he is! Looks a lot like my Jazz - the talking and the eyes give it away

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