Black Maine Coon Cat Breed Info: Pictures, Traits & Facts

The Black Maine Coon cat is a large animal, the giants of the cat world. They are relatively easy to train as far as cats go, but they require extensive grooming. Grooming helps minimize the amount of hair that they shed in the home and stops their fur from matting.

These cats have a variety of coat colors and patterns. They can be bi-color, calico, solid-colored, tabby, and more. They are known more for their size and the shape of their bodies than for a distinctive coloring. Maine Coons have taken leaps in popularity, especially since at one point, they almost became extinct.

Black Maine Coon Kittens — Before You Bring One Home

 

3 Little-Known Facts About Black Maine Coon Cats

1.  The Maine Coon Cat is the only native long-haired cat in North America.

The Maine Coon Cat is also one of the oldest natural breeds of domesticated cats to come to the West. There is debate about how they got here, but they have been here for centuries by any account.

The first theory is that the Maine Coon came with the early arrival of the Vikings on their ships as they began to sail farther past Greenland. They would have come to the country centuries before Columbus landed on the Eastern U.S. shores and greeted the pilgrims when they came hundreds of years later.

The other predominant theory is that they are descendants of longhaired cats that belonged to Marie Antoinette. They were supposedly sent to America before the queen herself, as she had hopes of escaping there. They mated with other local shorthaired cats as the country continued to develop.

What researchers are absolutely sure of is that a tabby cat and a raccoon did not mate to create the ring-tailed Maine Coon that we have today. Although it is a biological impossibility, many people, including those in charge of naming this breed, firmly believed in the occurrence.

2.  The Black Maine Coon coloration is one of the most stunning colors of the breed.

The Black Maine Coon is not a separate breed from the typical Maine Coons. Instead, these cats are simply different variations on the possible coat colors and patterns that Maine Coons can have.

Black is one of the most stunning and slightly rarer color variations for these cats. They are often known for having a tabby coat, meaning they have stripes and markings in darker shades throughout their coat, from head to tail.

Other colors that Maine Coons can come in include:

Since there are so many variations on the coat of the Maine Coon, it is not a good way to distinguish the breed from any other. Breeders often breed specific colors of the cat based on the parents and the people whom they are trying to market them to.

3.  The Maine Coon breed is the largest among the domesticated felines.

Although the coat doesn’t help set this breed apart from any other breed, they have significant distinguishing features. The most obvious of these is their size. Maine Coon cats are one of the largest breeds of domesticated feline. They are often nicknamed “Gentle Giants.”

In the 2010 Guinness Book of World Records, the title for the longest cat recorded was held by a Maine Coon named Stewie. From the tip of his nose to the end of his tail, he measured 48.5 inches, or 123 centimeters.

The average size of this feline beast of a cat is between 8 to 18 pounds, depending on their gender. However, both males and females can be long, on average measuring 39.6 inches from tip to tip.

To put this in perspective, the average cat only weighs about 8 pounds as an adult and measures approximately 18-25 inches from tip to tip. Having a Black Maine Coon is like having two cats in one!

Temperament & Intelligence of the Black Maine Coon

The nickname of “Gentle Giant” is appropriate for these animals. Even with their massive size, they are friendly and kind animals. The Black Maine Coon is quite affectionate, and they seem to think of themselves as a much smaller cat. They love to spend time cuddling up with their owners or sitting on or in front of whatever you are trying to pay attention to at the time.

The Black Maine Coon is a sweet-tempered animal that is gentle with other animals and children. They are quite famous for their ability to get along with small children, watch over babies while they sleep, and follow around younger children like dogs.

They seem to gallop around the house more than sneak. Black Maine Coons need a bit more space to exercise than a typical cat, since they can’t run around the home like smaller kitties.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

Black Maine Coon cats are exceptional family animals. They need daily care and interaction, so being part of a loving and attentive family is a good situation for them. Since they are so large, they are not as delicate around children. Both the cat and your children should be taught how to interact with each other appropriately so neither accidentally harms the other.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Just as Black Maine Coon cats are docile around their human counterparts, they are also well-known for their friendly nature toward other animals. They typically have a laidback temperament and a highly social personality that suits them well when they live with other cats.

This temperament even applies to the company of other animals, such as dogs. They can have a high prey drive around rodents, like any other cat, so be sure to keep these smaller furries properly encased for their protection.

Things to Know When Owning a Black Maine Coon

Food & Diet Requirements

Since Black Maine Coon cats can have so many potential health issues, their nutrition and diet need to be carefully controlled. They are large cats and have a propensity for gaining weight quickly and becoming obese if they aren’t monitored.

Black Maine Coons should get a typical cat diet of dry food or wet food meant for cats. They should eat about 3 ounces of dry kibble each day or 9 ounces of wet food. You can also mix these two textures if you want to create a combination that they might appreciate more.

Remember that each cat is different and their overall dietary needs will differ based on their age, weight, and typical amounts of activity.

Exercise 🐈

Typically, cats are not known for requiring much effort to keep them active and healthy. Unlike dogs, they are known for practically caring for themselves. However, since Black Maine Coons are so large and are given to struggling with their weight, it is best to set aside time each day to keep them active. That is even more important if they are entirely indoor cats.

Take about 15-20 minutes a day to give them exercise. You can play with them and use toys like strings and laser pointers. If they want to be active during other times of the day, consider getting them automated toys that they can use without you. Make them run and jump around during the playtime to help them stay healthier for longer.

Training 🧶

If you want to train your Black Maine Coon cat beyond housebreaking, you will need to do so in small time segments. Cats have limited attention spans, so break training into three or four 5-minute sessions every day.

They are generally affable cats, so this breed is a bit easier to train than others.

Grooming ✂️

A Black Maine Coon cat’s coat is the area of care in which they need the most time committed to them. They have a long coat of thick hair that is silky in texture but can still mat easily during their daily activities.

They need to be combed at least twice weekly. This helps keep them silky smooth and reduces the amount that they shed around the house by removing dead hair. Combing them keeps their fur healthier because it allows the distribution of skin oils over their coat.

Black Maine Coons might need baths every once in a while. It depends on the amount of oil that their skin produces. If they are starting to feel greasy or their fur appears stringy, then they will likely need a bath.

Beyond grooming them, they need to get their teeth brushed daily or at least weekly to avoid periodontal disease. Keep their nails trimmed by clipping them every couple of weeks and wipe away the corners of their eyes with a soft cloth whenever you see spots of discharge. It is best to use a different cloth or towel for each eye to reduce the risk of spreading a potential infection.

Keep the Black Maine Coon’s litter box sparkly clean because they are particular about it and will refuse to use it if it is too dirty. This won’t end well for either of you. Having a dirty litter box can also facilitate disease spread, particularly if you have more than one cat.

Health and Conditions 🏥

The Black Maine Coon can suffer from various health issues, mostly due to their incredibly large size. Many of these manifest in joint and bone problems that can eventually cause complete lameness if not looked after properly. Conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are inherited diseases in Black Maine Coons that should not be bred into them.

Male vs. Female

Male Black Maine Coon cats tend to behave in a silly way, with more of a quirky personality than females. Female Black Maine Coons tend to be more dignified, but they still love a good game of chase.

Males also tend to be more massive than females, although they often measure close to the same length. Female Coon cats weigh between 8 to 12 pounds, whereas males can be closer between 13 to 18 pounds.

If you have ever been shocked by the size of a Maine Coon cat, now you know that you don’t have to worry about these gentle giants. They are affectionate and docile, with more of a need for affection and companionship than many other felines.

Black Maine Coons make excellent and beautiful family cats, particularly if you have other animals in the house. As farm cats and mousers, they can be an expensive choice, but it will often pay off in the long run.

Featured Image: Eric Isselee, Shutterstock, Fish Icon