FEEDING - Many people have heard that dry food is the best food for your cat.  It's better for their teeth, etc.  We're learning that this is simply not the case. Feeding a primarily dry diet is suspected to lead to obesity, diabetes, hypothyroid, kidney failure and dental problems. Please see the article "Diet and Health" for the latest information. 

We are always researching the best way to provide nutrition to the cats.  As such, our feeding protocol may change from time to time.  We currently have the adults on high quality canned food such as Innova Evo and Wellness, supplemented with a mix of Iams Hairball,  Innova's EVO, the only grain-free dry food on the market.   We also feed Nature's Prairie Raw Meat.  Currently, kittens are started on canned Evo supplemented with Nature's Prairie Raw Meat and Royal Canin Baby Cat dry.   In the morning and evening we feed the equivalent of about 3 oz of canned food per adult cat.  The total amount of dry food each cat is allowed per day is less than 1/4 cup.  Kittens are free fed dry food as they have a higher caloric requirement than adults.  However, our preference would be to get all of the cats (including the carbohydrate junkies!) off of dry food entirely. 

Whenever changing a cats diet, do it gradually by mixing a small amount of the new food in with what the cat is used to, increasing the amount of the new food daily. This will prevent the new food from causing intestinal distress.  Table food, no matter what your cat wants you to believe, is neither necessary nor good for them.

LITTER BOX - The main rule is to keep whatever it is clean at all times. Scoop daily, both dry and wet material, and dump entire pan at least once a week. If you have more than one cat, you should have a minimum of one box per two cats.  You will need to change the litter box more frequently. Disinfect your box with Clorox bleach mixed 1:32 when you dump the pan. Let it soak for 10 minutes and wash it thoroughly. You may choose a covered or uncovered box, the covered ones tend to keep the litter inside with an overzealous digger.  Cats usually prefer the scoopable litter, but we start kittens out on clay due to risk of ingestion.  Just like human babies, kittens put everything in their mouths at first.  Try to stay basic with your choice of clay litter, the scented ones can be overwhelming for some cats, they may choose a corner in the room instead. If a liquid accident happens, blot up as much as possible, flood the area with club soda and blot again. StainMaster carpet requires a special cleaner in order to prevent from permanently setting the stain. Contact Dupont Chemicals or your local carpet people for info. Commercial stain cleaners I recommend for other types of carpets are: Resolve, Anti Icky-Poo and Un-Duz It. If you have problems with litter box habits CALL US, we will go over your situation. You cannot rule out a medical problem with a chronic mistake-maker. Remember, whatever type of litter pan you choose, whatever litter you use, whatever additives you put in it, THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR A CLEAN BOX.

CLAW CARE-

It is a natural instinct for a cat to sharpen it's claws. It exercises the muscles in the feet and removes the dead outer coat of the nail. A cats paw pads have scent glands on them which the cat uses as a way of "marking territory". You MUST provide your cat with a scratching post of some type. It needs to be tall enough and heavy enough that the cat can stretch out full length and scratch without pulling it over on top of them. The sisal rope (hemp) ones are recommended, as they last longer, and do not closely resemble the carpet on your floors and stairs. You may sprinkle dried catnip (which they might eat) on the scratching post to attract them to it. Your cats nails should be clipped once every 2 weeks.  Be careful not to cut into the pink area of the claw, as it will cause pain to both your cat and your person. Once a cat has been "quicked" it never forgets. If your cat prefers your $2000 leather sofa to the scratching post, purchase a plant mister bottle or a child's squirt gun and spray the cat when you catch him.  Do not make a big production out of it, don't say a word. For some reason, that way cats don't recognize YOU as the source of the water and therefore do not scratch the wrong stuff simply because you are not looking. If you scream "Fluffy!! Stop it!!! "before you squirt them, well then, they know you are behind it.  Also, wide clear tape does not show on most furniture, and the cats can't stand the way it feels. If inappropriate scratching begins to be a problem, call us. It needs to be nipped in the bud, do not wait until it is an established habit!

GROOMING - A Maine Coon is a shag coated (different lengths in different areas) cat. They do "Blow Coat" at certain times of the year, you will notice a lot of shedding. It is necessary that you comb the cat during these periods to remove the dead hair and prevent mats. The most common places for Coons to mat is in the underarm area, belly and britches (back of the thigh). Hairballs can also be caused from ingesting hair during normal grooming. They can cause deadly impaction in the intestines, not to mention wet gooshy things you tend to step in barefooted in the dark. Purchase a wide toothed metal comb for the majority of your grooming. Serious mats are best clipped out with electric clippers, a trip to the vet or groomer. Don't take your kitchen scissors and try to cut out any mats, a cat's skin is very thin and tears easily.  A seam ripper, used for taking stitches out of fabric, can be *very carefully* used to remove mats from a cat.  Always hold the seam ripper against your finger to keep from accidentally sticking the cat.  Mats constantly pull against the skin, and can cause tearing of the skin and infection. (Think of how you would feel if you had your hair in a pony tail that was too tight and you could not take it out.)

Our cats are bathed in order to keep their coats free of excess oil. To bathe your kitten, purchase a rubber hose/shower head attachment (around $3.00 at Walmart or your hardware store) clip their claws, and comb them thoroughly. DO NOT ever bathe a matted cat, it makes the mats tighter. Place them in the kitchen sink. Do not fill the sink with water. The water temperature should be comfortable on your wrist, not hot. Work from the neck back, you may wash faces with a wash cloth. Wet the kitten down as best you can (oily hair is hard to saturate) Goop the kitten (Mechanics hand cleaner) from the neck back, rinse thoroughly. Dawn dishwashing detergent is next, again from the neck back. Rinse. Finish with a mild shampoo, Paul Mitchell Shampoo One works well, so does Redkin Cat or Pantene. You may use a mild conditioner if you like: Redkin Phinal Phase or Pantene work well. Rinse THOROUGHLY. Blot dry with clean towels as much as you can, then finish with a blow-dryer. Most kittens are frightened of this, if you are unable to hold them by their scruff, place them into a cat carrier and do it from the front. Comb thoroughly when dry. If done regularly, the cat becomes quite accustomed to this. Do NOT wait until you have a full grown cat to start.

Get your kitten accustomed to regular grooming and they will be easy to handle as adults.

A "lion cut" is a hairstyle that can be acquired from the groomers if you so choose. 

FLEAS -  We recommend Advantage.  Check with your veterinarian as to new information coming out on flea products. Program and Top Spot are also available.  There are documented cases of serious reactions from all of these products, especially the over the counter types.  Use caution and always be around to observe your cat after applying anything to them.

TRAVELING & VACATIONS: While Maine Coons are highly adaptable and social animals, by and large, they are better off in their home environment as opposed to traveling with you. Cats do not adapt to new locations nearly as easily as dogs do. A dog will walk into a new room and immediately make themselves content, while a cat will become stressed and more than likely hide.

GENERAL - Maine Coons like high places. Chairs, couches, beds, windowsills, etc. If you want to open your windows, be sure screens are secure, and open from the top only a few inches. Do not allow your cat on the kitchen counters even once unless you are prepared for such a habit. Put the cat on the floor and say NO. If the problem persists, try the plant mister.  For health's sake, NEVER introduce another cat to this cat unless the other animal has been tested by a veterinarian for Feline Leukemia, Feline Aids, parasites, and general health!  If down the road you want to introduce another cat into your home, please refer to the sheet enclosed with this package called "Introducing your new Cat/Kitten into your home."

DANGER- Do not leave strings, twist ties, rubber bands, sewing materials, paper clips, used dental floss etc. about. *ALL* of our trash cans are covered. Do not let your cat rummage in the garbage. Various houseplants are poisonous to cats. Always check your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer before operation. For some reason, cats are very attracted to plastic and paper bags from grocery stores, and usually try to stick their head through the handles.  If they are successful, it results in a terrified cat running away from something that's closely following it and doesn't go away.  They can be injured as a result! Please make sure that you put all bags out of their reach! Maine Coons are intelligent, and curious. Take precautions.