MyCatBreeds
Both Maine Coon and American Shorthair are originated from United States. Both Maine Coon and American Shorthair are having almost same weight. Maine Coon may live 5 years less than American Shorthair. Both Maine Coon and American Shorthair has same litter size. Maine Coon requires Moderate maintenance. But American Shorthair requires Low maintenance
The Maine Coon cat hails from Maine, USA. It’s a natural cat breed with actually little being known of its exact origins.
In fact, the first reference to the cat seems to have been in about 1861. It was in 1895 that a female Maine Coon was named Best Cat at a cat show held in Madison Square Gardens.
The Cat Fanciers Association was formed in 1908, and the 5th cat registered as a Maine Coon named Molly Bond.
The Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association was formed in 1968. The cat is also the official state cat of Maine.
Often sailors of old would keep cats onboard to protect their stores from mice and rats, and so it was when settlers sailed from Europe to North America.
They had cats onboard and once onshore they interbred. But in the 20th century, a selective breeding program began to bring out the best qualities of these cats.
The American Shorthair is one of these cats – a pedigreed cat that is accepted by all North American cat registries. At first, the cat was known as the Domestic Shorthair but it was renamed in 1966.
This is a large cat breed with strong bone structure. They can weigh between 5 and 9kg.
The height of these cats can be in the region of 25 and 41cm and they can reach a length of 97cm, including the tail. The body is muscular and robust with the chest being broad.
When it comes to the cat’s coat, the Maine Coon is characterized by the ruff along its chest. It has a 3-layered, water-resistant coat with longer hairs over a silky undercoat, and a long, bushy tail. The color of the coat can vary but the most common color is brown tabby. . It is medium- to long-haired. It’s a seasonal shedder with the fur being considerably thicker in the winter. All colors are available in this cat except blue.
The Maine Coon is a sociable cat and known for it playfulness as well as it being an intelligent cat and easy to train.
You’ll certainly need to supply the cat with some puzzle toys so as to stimulate his brain. It is also one of these cats known to have dog-like characteristics, becoming attached to its human owners, and being good-natured.
It is a loving cat and is also fairly vocal, wanting to tell its human owners what it wants. It’s not a lap cat. It is a gentle cat and gets on well with children and dogs as well as other cats.
The American Shorthair is a large, sturdy cat with a round face and short ears. Their coats can come in many different patterns and colors. They shed so the fur will need to be brushed from time to time.
They stand at about 20 – 25cm in height and they weigh between 5 and 7kg.
The American Shorthairs are easy, no-fuss cats. They’re also low maintenance, healthy, amicable cats, ready to even be friends with strangers and your dogs.
He is an intelligent cat too so it will be important to provide him with toys that challenge him to think. These good-natured cats make perfect famiy companions.
Maine Coon cats are such awesome pets and highly entertaining. They're excellent climbers too and to add to their many amazing characteristics, they love playing in water too.
You’ll be doing him a favor by providing him with a paddling pool. They’re so clever, they may even learn to turn a tap on.
He is such a social, friendly, family-loving cat and it's not surprising that he’s a firm favorite with most cat lovers.
The American Shorthair is a playful cat and is quite capable of amusing himself, but will welcome your games too. He’s a big cat so make sure he gets enough exercise to avoid him becoming obese.
He is a low maintenance cat and you don't have to be worrying about him too much as he just likes to get on with life. He loves being well-fed, getting your attention and lying in the sun.
This is one cat that doesn’t need a lot of attention so being easy to care for, independent, playful, and affectionate, you’re going to have one of a kind companion and friend.
There are certain health problems that seem to occur in this particular cat breed, including hip dysplasia and feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Hip dysplasia is a condition of the hip joint that can cause degeneration of the joints. It can lead to stiffness and pain for your cat and it can be that your cat develops osteoarthritis.
If your cat develops hip dysplasia it won’t want to jump, it becomes lethargic and there may even be muscle loss in the rear legs.
With good nutrition and a loving caring lifestyle, the American Shorthair can live to be 15 – 20 years of age and even longer.
Their flattish faces also make the American Shorthair prone to respiratory issues.
Cat owners need to realize that diet is one of the most important factors of keeping a cat healthy. The Maine Coon needs nutritious food.
Some people give their cat a mix of dry kibble as well as wet food. It is better to feed your pet smaller meals as opposed to large meals. What is very important is that the cat food is of a high-quality and that it be made up of meaty protein as every cat is a carnivore.
Provide your Maine Coon with a litter box and put it in a quiet, private area. It’s a large cat so make sure the litter box is large as well. With a cat you may need to experiment with him to figure out where he prefers his litter box to be.
This is an active cat so ensure that he gets plenty of exercise. Provide him with climbing equipment and stimulating toys. Your Maine Coon might even enjoy going for a walk and for this, you’ll need to get a cat harness.
Every cat likes to scratch – it’s normal behavior. Make sure you have one or two scratching posts with heavy bases set up for your cat otherwise he may direct his scratching on your furniture.
Every cat owner needs to know a good vet in their area so that their pet can get immediate veterinary help when he becomes sick.
Your Maine Coon’s coat is thick – made up of 3 layers. To maintain its silky feel, and to prevent matting, make sure to brush it once or twice a week. Make it an enjoyable, gentle grooming session for your furry pet. Speak to your vet about the right kind of brushes.
Your American Shorthair will benefit greatly from regular brushing and he looks forward to this grooming period and being pampered by you for a few minutes.
It helps to remove the dead hair from his coat and this is important so that he doesn’t ingest the loose hair. While you’re brushing him, you can also run your fingers over him to make sure there are no unusual lumps. Anything odd or any sign of illness you should take your cat to see the vet immediately.
Make sure your American Shorthair has access to the best quality food there is. There are many commercially manufactured cat foods available and your vet can advise you on the best one to choose.
Cats are carnivores so aways choose food that is high in proten. Food must be provided in accordance with the cat’s age and energy levels. Certainly a generic cat or one with a medical condition will need a certain type of food than a young, frisky kitten. Make sure your cat always has access to fresh, cool water.
Make sure your furry feline friend has everything he needs to ensure he is comfortable. This includes feeding bowls, toys, a litter box, soft bedding, nutritious food as well as scratching post and climbing equipment.
Have your pet neutered or spayed if you don’t want kittens from your cat. These procedures have enormous health benefits for your pet and it prevents even more kittens coming into a world that already has far too many unwanted pets.
Make sure your cat is up to date with all his vaccines because without being vaccinated your cat can succumb to any one of the life-threatening cat illnesses there are. Kittens need to have their first vaccines at 8 weeks of age.
If you have to take your cat to the vet you need a carrier basket so that your cat feels comfortable and safe inside it.
You can’t just put your cat on a leash and take him to the vet as inside the car he will lurch around and cause you to lose attention. A transport box that is familiar to your cat will be the best way for you and your cat to travel.