Are Maine Coon Cats Hypoallergenic? Cat Allergies

Having a cat under the same roof brings a stress-relieving company that keeps you entertained all the time. However, some people may have cat allergies that prevent them from living the same experience. Therefore, many cat lovers with allergies tend to adopt hypoallergenic cat breeds such as Maine Coon. The question is, are Maine Coon cats hypoallergenic? Here, we will talk about this so you can have a better idea of the topic. 

What Causes Cat Allergies

cat allergies causes

Cats produce certain types of allergens such as the Fel D1 protein. This allergen can be found in the cat’s saliva, skin, dander, and urine. There is a common belief that allergens are mainly found in the cat’s hair and once they’re touched, they get released. Well, that’s not true, what happens is that when the cat grooms itself, it transfers the allergen from its saliva to fur. That dried saliva is now in the air and once it gets touched, it triggers the allergic reaction.

In general, allergic reactions are not dangerous. They can vary from light to mild, however, they can get severe in certain cases. If so, it’s highly recommended rushing to the nearest hospital right away.

Why do some people have allergic reactions while others don’t? 

Allergic reactions to cats

The most obvious answer is because of their immune systems. For some reason, some people’s immune systems get highly activated and send vibes to the mind as if there is a deadly danger. They start to produce antibodies to attack the enemy known as the allergen.

Are Maine Coon Cats Hypoallergenic?

cat allergies symptoms

No, they are not. Hypoallergenic does not mean that they do not cause allergic at all. It means that their breed is less likely to cause allergic reactions. 

The Most Common Cat Allergy Symptoms

Here’s a list of the most common cat allergy symptoms that people with cat allergies may face: 

  • Itchy and/or runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Massive rashes especially on the chest and face
  • Hives
  • Red, itchy and/or swollen eyes
  • Coughing
  • Difficulties in breath

If you, by anyhow, are sensitive to cat allergies you may experience either one or more of the mentioned symptoms. If you are not that much sensitive towards cat allergies, the symptoms will start to appear after 4 to 8 hours of contact with the cat.

Do Maine Coon Cats Shed?

As a matter of fact, Maine Coon cats do not shed that much. The length of their hair may create a concern in your mind. They produce more amounts of unwanted hair compared to other cat breeds. Keep in mind that a good combing, smooth brushing, is highly recommended in order to keep their fur silky and beautiful the way it is.

How to Reduce Cat Allergies? What Procedures Should You Follow? 

maine coon cats hypoallergenic

Loving your Maine Coon but having to deal with allergic reactions seems a little bit challenging. A lovely Maine Coon cat will bring sweetness to your home and joy to your life. They are known for their joyful nature; they love to snuggle and play with their humans. They surely can bring the sweetest vibes even to your worst day ever. I bet you have been thinking if there’s a way to help you better handle the situation at your home. The good news is you can actually follow some procedures in order to reduce the effect of allergic reactions. 

Here are some tips of the instructions you should follow to reduce the allergic reaction:

  • Get a female cat; female cats are believed to release fewer amounts of the allergens compared to the male ones. 
  • Prevent your Maine Coon cat from entering certain places in the house such as bedrooms and bathrooms. 
  • Wash your hands frequently especially after touching the cat or dealing with its litter box. On top of that, DO NOT touch your face by anyhow, and make sure you wear gloves. 
  • Cover the furniture with washable covers to reduce the spread of allergen through the cat’s dander, saliva, and fur. 
  • Wash your cat’s blanket, bed, bedding, and toys with hot water
  • Make sure you change their litter box daily, if possible, or every two days while wearing gloves. This is highly important because every time the cat uses its litter box, it releases allergens.
  • Wash clothes on a daily base
  • Consider immunotherapy; which involves regular shots that help to form gradual resistance over several years.
  • Vacuum daily, get a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter that will catch dander, and keep it in.
  • Get a HEPA air filter in order to prevent airborne from spreading in your home. 
  • Do not allow your cat to lick or scratch you
  • Consider using anti-allergen sprays

Is there available Medicine that helps prevent Allergic Reactions?

Prevent Allergic Reactions

First things first, talk with your doctor and consult allergy medicines. These medicines might be the ones over the corner that will provide you with relief. In addition, you may also take allergy pills and/or inhalers according to your case. However, severe allergic reactions will need more serious medications that your doctor will prescribe for you. Besides, natural medicines can also work to protect your body from allergens such as herbs.

Caring for Your Maine Coon Cat

Caring for Your Maine Coon Cat

There is a possibility that you may keep your cat’s allergen spread at a lower rate by following these tips:

  • Brush your cat gradually, every day
  • Bathe your cat frequently
  • Comb their hair every day

All cat breeds reduce the protein Fel D1 which transfers the allergen to the cat’s dander, urine, saliva, hair, and skin. The good news is that some cat breeds such as Maine Coon produce this allergen in fewer amounts. This does not mean that people with cat allergies will not face allergic reactions while dealing with a Maine Coon cat. It means that they will be more tolerant of those cats.

Maine Coon Cat Lifespan

Maine Coon cats are a large breed of cats that is generally healthy and can live long periods of time. Research has shown that the average Maine Coon cat lifespan is between 10 and 12.5 years. Other data show that some can even live for up to 15 years.

Maine Coon Cats aren’t inclined to wander. They might not be capable climbers such as the Wedgies, but they’re excellent hunters. But, Maine Coon cats could somewhat be drawn to strangers.

Maine Coons cats are usually a healthy breed. They are among the biggest of the domestic cat breeds in addition to them a pure breed of cat. There being domestic cats doesn’t mean they aren’t good hunters, and this can put them in danger sometimes.

What shortens a Maine Coon cat’s lifespan?

maine coon cat lifespan

These felines use their tail for a blanket by wrapping it around their body when they’re in need of additional warmth. If you go for a food type that has more fat in it, make certain you give them enough exercise to prevent extra weight gain.

There are quite a few health-related issues these can suffer from, like HCM (Hypothermic Cardio Myopathy) which is a form of heart disease that is inherited in the Maine Coon breed.

HD (Hip Dysplasia), a disease that can be as severe as causing lameness in these cats.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a genetic disorder that affects the skeletal muscles of the trunk and limbs. Ask your vet for tests that can detect if your cat either carries or suffers from it.

These diseases, among others, can cause your Maine Coon’s lifespan to drop significantly and are a huge concern.

Nobody can guarantee that their cats won’t ever develop HCM. Currently, they’re too new a breed to get any reliable data on what causes this disease. Male cats are somewhat more prone to this condition than females.

What prolongs a Maine coon cat lifespan?

Some cats are somewhat more likely than others to be accepting of different pets in the house. These cats tend to feature huge paws and fur that is multi-layered.

Those social cats can develop severe cases of depression if they are kept alone for long periods of time. Having another cat in the house with them has the ability to decrease their lifespan.

Nutrition is also very important in the cat’s well-being which may directly be linked to their lifespan. It is important that your cat only eats good quality foods that do not have any risk for their health.

If you’re looking for fantastic high-quality pet food, try out the Life’s Abundance’s product line. What’s more, Life’s Abundance’s doesn’t use artificial flavorings, preservatives or any sort of coloring agents in the food, which makes it a much healthier option for your Maine Coon.

Care is also an important factor in keeping your cat a healthy one. Regularly brushing their teeth can prevent many periodontal diseases.

Your cat’s fur can grow pretty fast and must be groomed and taken care of as well. Keeping your cat’s hair short has both its pros and cons. It can prevent some diseases caused by hair clogging. The latter can even open wounds in their skin. But it can also expose their skin to different dangers. The sun can easily reach it and may cause some irritation.

Since this breed of cat is a great hunter, having their hair short can make them vulnerable to many dangers while hunting. Climbing trees for example by cats with short hair may result in the branches easily cutting them and even opening wounds in the Maine Coon’s body.

You should also regularly take them to the vet to make sure they are in good shape and don’t have any health issues. This helps to deal with some of the most frequent issues that Maine Coon cats have a tendency to experience. Including hip and joint difficulties, and cardiovascular health difficulties, which can be deadly at times.

Conclusion

For the most part, Maine Coon cats are a breed that can live long periods of time. But even the longest living creatures can risk premature death if not taken care of. This may sound scary but it is the truth.

The Maine Coon Cat Personality and Temperament

Maine Coon Cats are an excellent mix of the active character of the Siamese as well as tempered Persian. Before you choose which of the two strains to take home, you should first be aware of how one differs from the other.

Maine Coon Temperament

From all the classics to something special, they’re a very bright breed of cats.  If you really love these pets, consider adopting two cats, they love to have some company.

Maine Coon cats are known to be very intelligent and friendly. In fact, if you see a Maine Coon that isn’t friendly, that’s because it has had a bad experience. These cats also show curious and playful traits. They love playing chase and hunting outdoors. They are natural born-hunters.

The personality of the male and female

By being aware of what your cat is attempting to tell you, you will be better at predicting their mood, intentions, and prerequisites. Maine Coon temperament is known to be like a dog, particularly if it’s properly socialized. This breed of cat doesn’t have that much difference between its female and male counterparts.

Males are known to be more like clowns and tend to show more playful traits. They also need more personal space. This can be linked to their bigger size than that of the female.

Females, on the other hand, are more reserved and laid back. This can be noticed when they interact with people since it takes them more time to trust someone and become comfortable around them.

Your vet needs to be in a position to let you know how the little guys do in relation to where they need to be. Just do not forget to take your furry little friend to the vet on a normal schedule to be certain anything that could possibly be caught is captured.

These cats do whatever they want, whenever they want. This is why it is better to keep them entertained and give them a good deal of alternatives around the house, like toys and cat trees to climb on. This will keep them more focused.

How to treat a Maine Coon cat

Maine coon cat personality

We all love cats and would like to be sure they’re safe and sound for the remainder of their lives. I believe one of the reasons they’re holding on to life thanks to the love they receive.

All pedigreed cats have some kind of health problem, just as all individuals have the capacity to inherit a specific disease.

Let’s look at a variety of the very best dry and wet alternatives for feeding this muscle cat. Your primary purpose is to make your cat feel comfortable and think that brushing is just another sort of petting.

Conclusion

Maine Coon cats are very different from your everyday cat. They exhibit a lot of positive traits and are very friendly.

You can even compare them to dogs if you may. They love to be involved with humans and are quite playful. Overall, it doesn’t matter that much if you get a male or female cat. They are more similar than different, and both are very loving and fun to be around.

How much are Maine Coon cats?

Maine Coon cats have a distinct charming appearance, they are the largest domesticated cat breeds, and they were awarded, for many times, as the biggest and longest cats of the world. 

Knowing the cost of a Maine Coon cat or kitten is one of the first questions that you may have in mind when you start looking to add it to your family.

If you are reading this, it means that you are into adding a Maine Coon cat or kitten to your home, so here you will find some answers to your request.

Therefore, to purchase a Maine Coon, it is too important to verify if it is the right breed for you. However, the topic of this post is to understand the costs related to having a Maine Coon cat and to know where to buy them.

How much are Maine Coon costs?

How much are Maine Coon costs?

To get your Main Coon kitten or cat, You can expect to pay between $600 to $1200. In general, the average price is around $1000. This price range is for buying a purebred Maine Coon from a breeder who produces the Main Coon cat with high-quality standards in terms of breeding.

Are they expensive?  you can have another option which is to apply for it from a Maine Coon rescue organization or animal shelter organization, then it may cost you between $200 to $400.

After purchasing your Maine Coon Cat with the price that was asked by the seller or the breeder. It doesn’t end here, many costs will be engaged regularly to keep and to maintain your Maine Coon cat or kitten in good conditions.

So what are the several costs related to owning a Maine Coon cat?

Costs related to having a Maine Coon cat with the estimated annual cost

After getting your Main Coon cat into your life, your journey starts with it in order to provide her a perfect life to grow up happy and healthy, and through this journey, there are many expenses that you will engage which are entirely crucial to take care of your pet in its lifetime.

Food, veterinary visits, toys, litter and litter boxes are the basics expenses that you will spend when you decide to adopt any pet. But for a Maine Coon cat or kitten, there are some specifics facts that you should consider and that we will share with you now in this article.

Food

Before any estimation of the annual costs associated with feeding your Maine Coon cat or kitten, it is so important to remind yourself that Maine Coons become largest and longest especially when they are 3 years, and they start to reach their full size, so when it comes to nutrition, it is logical that they will need more quantities of food compared to other cat breeds. Many owners of this cat breed said that the average annual cost that they pay for their Maine Coon cat food is between $700 to $1300.

Veterinary exams

Animals from shelters or rescue organizations are often healthy but if it is not the case then a complete round of vaccinations must be done once per month until they reach 16 weeks of age. These vaccinations can cost anywhere from $25 to $50 each.

Instead of the basics vaccinations that may be done by the breeder from where you bought your Maine Coon cat, regular veterinary visits are required when your cat catches any health problem, for that the estimated annual cost may be between $60 and $100.

Litter box

There are many sizes of litter boxes that you can purchase for your cat, but be careful about your choice regarding your Maine Coon size, you may need a larger one. An appropriate litter box may cost you between $10 to $50, depending on its size and design.

Toys

Maine Coons are too playful, and they enjoy the water, some people told that they can be good swimmers especially if you dipped some toys in their water. For that, getting some toys for them is a good way to keep them well entertained, which may cost you from $4 and above.

Grooming

Maine Coons are known by their long hair which needs special care, a cat shampoo may cost you around $7 per bottle. 

Moreover, it is necessary to take care of their ears, teeth, and nails which may be free if you do it yourself.

On the other side, there are many pets salons where professional groomers provide grooming services like cat bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning and teeth brushing, that may be helpful if you want to save your time and energy. That may cost you from $90 to $150 per year.

Insurance

Pet insurance is a preventive care, for some pet owners it seems unnecessary, but the purpose of having it is to recover the cost that you may spend if your cat health requires expensive exams and medication. It cost around $350 per year.

Where to buy a Maine Coon cat?

When you are into a Maine Coon Cat, it is recommended to purchase it from a reputable breeder, this will guarantee you the fact that you are getting a purebred Maine Coon. 

In matter to help you find a certified breeder, we would like to inform you about ‘’The Cat Fanciers Association’’ (CFA) which is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1906, in the USA, and was formed with the intent of allowing greater flexibility in the development of purebred cats. Therefore, by the determination of some rules to licensing the cat shows and certifies the breeder’s services.

By searching on the CFA website you will get a huge list of certified breeders who are located in different states of the USA, by that you can be sure that you can get a  purebred Maine Coon cat or kitten.

As said before, if you judge that the price of purchasing a Maine Coon from a breeder is expensive, note that there are many rescue organizations and animal shelter organizations in the USA from where you can get a Maine Coon cat with less price or for free.

Conclusion

Before adopting a Maine Coon cat or kitten, it is important to know that the most important cost that you will have is your time and your love.

Maine Coon cats and kittens are affectionate, playful and sociable, they like human interaction, and they need to be involved in most of your activities.

If you ignore your Maine Coon cat or Kitten, she can be bored or even depressed, so be careful and know that they need affection more than most people think, for that, it is vital to provide your attention for her well-being.

Regarding the several costs related to having a Maine Coon cat or kitten, the estimations above can vary easily depending on the location and the quality of the services and several other factors, the most important thing to keep in mind is that most owners of this breed enjoy all the maintain acts of their Maine Coons and said that they are worth that price and describe them as ‘’the dogs of the cat family’’.