New South Cattery
Beware of Scammers
BEWARE of catteries that claim they have pedigree kittens that are priced below the national average price range! Most times these listings are scams, for mix-breed domestic house cats, or for kittens produced by backyard breeders and kitten mills with cats that are not registered for breeding, have not undergone proper health screening, and/or have been raised in less-than-ideal living conditions.
Pet Scammers have entered our world in full force. What can be done to protect ourselves? Each day we hear of another person who put a deposit on a kitten or paid for a cat, only to be scammed. The scammers are liars and do not even own any pets. Stealing your money is their job and they watch, listen, and then steal what they need to provide a fake cattery. When you contact someone who shows photos of kittens, what do you do to trust there is a real kitten to adopt? References are one way so ask them to provide breeders and pet families who can speak of their cats/kittens. Ask what vet office they use and then google it to ensure it's a real place. Call them and ask about this person and their cats.
1. Look at their contract. Remember that these people steal photos, information, and paperwork from real breeders. They promise the world. If you read a long contract and think maybe you are being promised everything, then beware. We all want a good contract but if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Look at their website. Stolen photos and fake names/addresses are used so you do not know who they are. Ask for videos of them holding the parent cat and playing with kittens. Insist on Facetime or real-time video. Check them out and learn as much about their cats as possible.
3. Ask what vet office they use. Get the name and phone number and then google it and make sure it is real and that the phone number is the same as they gave you. Call them and ask about them and their pets. If you are not getting the right info, then move on and don't buy from this person.
4. You must be careful, but you do not need to be paranoid, there are many good breeders out there and they love their cats very much. Take your time to research breeders. Spend time getting to know your breeder, it will be time well spent.
This area is fully editable and gives you the opportunity to go into more detail about your business, what you do and what sets you apart from the competition. This area is fully editable and gives you the opportunity to go into more detail about your business, what you do and what sets you apart from the competition.
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Why are Maine Coons so expensive?
Maine Coon cats can be expensive because of several factors, including high demand, breeding costs, and rearing costs:
Demand
Maine Coons are a popular breed due to their unique characteristics, such as their distinctive appearance, temperment, and beauty.
Maine Coons are a popular breed due to their unique characteristics, such as their distinctive appearance, temperment, and beauty.
Breeding costs
Breeding Maine Coons involves health testing, veterinary care for the mother and kittens, and other expenses.
Rearing costs
Raising healthy kittens requires proper nutrition, socialization, and a lot of love and time
Characteristics:
As mentioned earlier, Maine Coon cats are notable for their large size. Beyond impressively tipping the scales, this cat breed is the longest out there: They typically range between 30-40 inches, with the world record-holder Maine Coon cat recorded at 48.5 inches long. These cats have thick, shaggy fur that can come in all colors and patterns. A fluffy ruff accents their chests, and they have large paws that are often polydactyl—meaning they have extra toes, the better to hunt and climb!
Personality:
Although their history as hard-working hunting cats is well-documented, Maine Coons today are loved for their playful, adaptable, and friendly temperaments. They are easygoing enough to get along with just about anyone, and their dog-like playfulness means they can be trained to fetch and walk on a leash.
these cats provide an all-around balanced personality in their family’s household: they’re spirited, but aren’t always bouncing off the walls with hyperactivity; they’re affectionate, but not demanding of their human’s attention; they’re vocal (more likely to chirp or trill than cry), but not badgering.
Giving your Maine Coon the best life:
While your Maine Coon probably won’t be overly needy, you’ll still want to ensure you’re providing them the means to live their longest, happiest life possible. Even though these cats are easygoing, they love attention from family members (or even strangers!), so don’t assume they’d prefer to be left alone all the time.
Providing daily physical stimulation in person and the means for other forms of stimulation while you’re away is the best approach to caring for your Maine Coon.
Interactive toys and furniture. Your Maine Coon loves to play, and may need a little boost from their humans to burn enough calories to balance their hearty appetites. Use laser pointers, cat wands, ball toys, and catnip to spice up a play session. While you’re not home, toys like puzzle feeders can be a fun and stimulating distraction. So can cat furniture, which allows your Maine Coon to climb new heights, survey the world from above (or the world outside if next to a window), and scratch furniture you actually want them to scratch.
Adventure and exploration:
Although cats should ideally be kept indoors, Maine Coons often have the right temperament (not to mention a protective coat) to brave the outdoors—with you, that is! Consider teaching your Maine Coon how to walk on a leash and go for short explorations outside. This will provide physical and mental stimulation that your Maine Coon can’t achieve indoors. Just be sure to keep them on a leash, and keep up on heartworm, flea, and tick medication. Start this eary!
Proper nutrition:
Most Maine Coons are naturally large, but that doesn’t mean they should get much larger portions than the average cat. Your Maine Coon cat becoming obese only puts them at further risk for the health conditions listed earlier.
To combat obesity, try an automatic pet feeder that dispenses healthy portions several times a day.
Pet Food is the only food industry allowed to lie to consumers. While pet food advertising bombards us with the images of plump fresh meats, brightly colored vegetables, and beautiful grains in their products, this is deceptive advertising. Most cat food is highly processed by-products full of filler and preservatives. I personally feed my cats dry food and then supplement with raw chicken, organ meat, fish, and eggs. I must confess, I also feed them inexpensive wet cat food from the can (because they really like it and my breeding females need all the calories they can get)
Grooming needs:
The long, thick fur of the Maine Coon can become matted and tangled if not groomed on a regular basis. You may be able to get away with brushing or combing them once a week, but in the spring and summer, you’ll be better off grooming them daily.
Make sure to trim your Maine Coon’s nails at least once a month and brush their teeth if they’ll let you. More likely, you’ll need to have your vet do dental cleanings on your Maine Coon.
Veterinarian check-ups:
Regular veterinary check-ups are essential for maintaining your Maine Coon’s health. Make sure to take your cat to the vet annually before 10 years of age (or more, if your cat has certain medical conditions), and at least twice a year after that.
Potential health-related concerns:
There are certain medical conditions for which your Maine Coon cat might be more at risk, so knowing what to look out for can help improve your response rate to any abnormalities. Hip dysplasia, which results from the abnormal development of the hip joint, can cause limping and lameness in Maine Coons. Hips may be poorly aligned, leading to discomfort and reduced physical activity. Hip dysplasia may even lead to early arthritis, which is chronically undertreated in cats.
Like many breeds, Maine Coons can also develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or when the heart muscles become too thickened. Over time, this condition can worsen heart function and lead to heart disease in cats.
A Maine Coon that is in good health (and stays indoors) can typically live for 12 to 15 years. When we consider that the average lifespan of an indoor house cat is 10 to 15 years, it’s a relief to see that Maine Coons are right on track!
Unlike dog breeds, larger cat breeds don’t necessarily have shorter average lifespans than smaller cat breeds. And this isn’t all that surprising, considering that the difference between small and large cat breeds is only 10-15 pounds—whereas the difference between small and large dog breeds can be upwards of 100 pounds!
Maine Coons are playful and friendly cats that love interacting with their humans, although they don’t require constant attention. They are typically good at entertaining themselves but benefit from daily exercise with their family members.
Like many other cats, there are medical conditions that could impact their health, so it’s essential to take your cat to the vet regularly.
Unlike dog breeds, larger cat breeds don’t necessarily have shorter average lifespans than smaller cat breeds. And this isn’t all that surprising, considering that the difference between small and large cat breeds is only 10-15 pounds—whereas the difference between small and large dog breeds can be upwards of 100 pounds!
Maine Coons are playful and friendly cats that love interacting with their humans, although they don’t require constant attention. They are typically good at entertaining themselves but benefit from daily exercise with their family members.
Like many other cats, there are medical conditions that could impact their health, so it’s essential to take your cat to the vet regularly.
The Lifespan of a Maine Coon
The mighty Maine Coon cat is one of the most popular cat breeds the world over. These long-haired giants have a lot going for them: they’re the state cat of Maine, the record-holder for longest domestic cat breed, often blessed with extra toes, and beloved for their excellent temperament.
As Maine Coons are known for being one of the largest domestic cat breeds, some pet parents may wonder if cat lifespans are similar to dogs’—that the larger the breed, the shorter the lifespan. We’ll explore the answer to this question and more.
When it comes to how long your cat will live, many factors impact their lifespan, including nutrition, exercise needs, genetic conditions, and proper grooming. Taking the best care of your pet can help ensure they live a long and healthy life.
You should be prepared for all of a Maine Coon’s needs before you adopt one. Learning about their care requirements can prolong their time spent as your furry best friend.
The Maine Coon cat is one of the largest—if not THE largest—natural domestic cat breeds, weighing on average between 10 and 18 pounds. However, the largest Maine Coons can weigh up to 25 pounds.
This cat is more than just their impressive size, however. Keep reading to learn about the Maine Coon’s long history and amazing personality.
History: There have been many “theories” about the origin of the Maine Coon, some more fantastic than others: For example, you may have heard that Maine Coons are part raccoon. Other legends include the Maine Coon arriving in the U.S. when Vikings visited, or that they descended from Marie Antoinette’s Turkish Angora cats. The truth is a little more mundane: It’s most likely that Maine Coons originated over the course of centuries (as early as the 1600s) from encounters between domesticated American Shorthair cats and long-haired cats from overseas. Their heavy, water-resistant coat and large, muscular body make the Maine Coon cat suited for harsh New England winters. These cats served as useful hunters for centuries, keeping vermin out of barns and homes. Eventually, they were welcomed inside as loving, playful companions.