TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction 1
- Glossary of Cat Terms 3
- Chapter One: Understanding Maine Coon Cats 11
- Facts About Maine Coon Cats 11
- Summary of Maine Coon Cat Facts 13
- Maine Coon Cat Breed History 15
- Chapter Two: Things to Know Before Getting a Maine Coon Cat 19
- Do You Need a License? 20
- Do Maine Coon Cats Get Along with Other Pets? 21
- How Many Maine Coon Cats Should You Keep? 22
- How Much Does it Cost to Keep a Maine Coon Cat? 23
- What are the Pros and Cons of Maine Coon Cats? 26
- Pros of the Maine Coon Cat Breed 27
- Cons of the Maine Coon Cat Breed 27
- Chapter Three: Purchasing Your Maine Coon Cat 29
- Where Can You Buy Maine Coon Cats? 30
- How to Choose a Reputable Maine Coon Cat Breeder 32
- Tips for Selecting a Healthy Maine Coon Kitten 34
- Preparing Your Home 36
- Chapter Four: Caring for Your New Maine Coon 39
- Habitat and Exercise Requirements for Maine Coon Cats 40
- Toys and Accessories for Maine Coon Cats 42
- Chapter Five: Meeting Your Maine Coon Cat’s Nutritional Needs 45
- The Nutritional Needs of Cats 46
- How to Select a High-Quality Cat Food Brand 48
- Tips for Feeding Your Maine Coon Cat 50
- Dangerous Foods to Avoid 52
- Chapter Six: Training Your Maine Coon Cat 55
- Socializing Your New Kitten 56
- Litter Training for Kittens 58
- Clicker Training for Teaching Maine Coone Cats Tricks 59
- Chapter Seven: Grooming Your Maine Coon Cat 63
- Tips for Grooming Maine Coon Cats 64
- Tips for Bathing Maine Coon Cats 66
- Other Grooming Tasks 67
- Chapter Eight: Breeding Your Maine Coon Cat 69
- Basic Cat Breeding Information 71
- The Queen 71
- The Feline Heat Cycle 74
- Pregnancy 75
- Breeding Tips and Raising Kittens 77
- Chapter Nine: Showing Your Maine Coon Cat 81
- A Brief History of the Maine Coot Cat in Show 82
- Maine Coon Cat Breed Standards 85
- 1. The Maine Coon Breeders and Fancier’s Association’s (MCBFA) Maine Coon Cat Breed Standard 86
- 2. The International Cat Assocation (TICA) Maine Coon Cat Breed Standard 88
- 3. The Cat Fancier’s Association’s (CFA) Maine Coon Standard 91
- 4. Fédération Internationale Féline (or FIFe) Main Coon Breed Standard 94
- 5. American Cat Fancier (ACF) Association Maine Coon Standard 97
- 6. Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) Maine Coon Standard 100
- Preparing Your Maine Coon Cat for Show 103
- Chapter Ten: Keeping Your Maine Coon Cat Healthy 111
- Common Health Problems Affecting Maine Coon Cats 112
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) 114
- Hip Dysplasia 115
- Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) 117
- Preventing Illness with Vaccinations 118
- Maine Coon Cat Care Sheet 123
- 1.) Basic Maine Coon Cat Information 124
- 2.) Nutritional Needs 125
- 3.) Breeding Information 126
- Index 129
- Photo References 139
- References 141
