Long-legged cats move very elegantly, although their hind legs are longer than their front legs, their rump is slightly higher than their shoulder blades when walking. I know that some of you like the silhouette of long-legged furries. However, you should know that long legs are an advantage from the cat's point of view. They turn out to be very useful. Why? Because they increase the speed and jumpiness of the animal.
Note that fast-running animals have long limbs. The best examples are horses or gazelles and the felines, cheetahs, which have specialized in fast running. Long limbs mean a longer stride and quicker running. Also, with humans - the fastest athlete-runners are characterized by long and slender legs, right?
The Length of the hind legs is significant. This is because they are the driving force during running or jumping. Animals use them to push themselves off the ground while walking, running, or jumping. So the longer they are, the longer the jumps. Cheetahs also have hind legs that are longer than their front legs. Notice that in those species that move by jumping, the hind limbs also tend to be longer than the front ones. For example, kangaroos, hares, rabbits, gerbils, or Egyptian hoppers (Jaculus jaculus).
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King sizes of Maine Coon cat
The Maine coon is a kitten of considerable size. Usually, males reach the weight of 9 kg, and females 6 kg. Their usual body weight fluctuates between 3.5 and 11 kilograms, but beware, in 2010, his proper place in the book found a cat coming from Reno Stewie, which measured up to - bagatelle - 123 cm.
Characteristic features of appearance which distinguish the main marten cat are:
- strongly muscular neck of the head;
- head of medium size, wider in males;
- gently concave profile with gently arched forehead;
- prominent cheekbones;
- the muzzle of medium length;
- angular nose;
- Strongly defined chin;
- Ears set high with a wide base, leaning forward;
- so-called lynx tufts on top of ears;
- expressive, slightly oval eyes in the colour of amber, green, or gold;
- various coat colours
- half-long, very dense fur
- long, very fluffy tail.
Main coons are impossible not to love. They make you feel good just by their appearance, which is really soft. Furry love his tail. He carries it lifted up with pleasure and gladly spreads it in a cat's plume. The huge paws allow them to keep their balance visually as well.
Character for big and small
Every catwalk indeed has its own path, but from every rule, there is an exception, and in the cat world, such an exception is the main Kun, which follows the path of its owner. This does not mean he does not love his individuality, but he can put it aside to accompany those he loves. Some specimens go a step further in their attachment and cry when they have to be left alone for a few hours.
The friendly disposition of this breed of purrs makes them dream friends for children. The intelligence of these kittens allows us to teach them many tricks and specific behaviours, but beware - this should not be confused with training or an attempt to enslave. It is worth teaching him how to walk on a cat leash and be absolutely consistent in his upbringing - otherwise, instead of a well-mannered cat, we will have an adult prankster with a character of a toddler.
Of course, muscle strength and proper body shape are also important. Cats such as the Russian Blue are well-muscled and feature a lean physique. This, combined with their long legs, especially their hind legs, make them good jumpers. So cats that have long hind legs are usually jumpier than their short-legged relatives. Such stocky and short-legged furries as Persians can never match them in this area.
Maine coons are a large breed of domestic cats. Their weight varies from 6 to 11 kg, depending on sex. Length, on the other hand, reaches 1 meter, including the tail. They have a broad chest, muscular body, and legs. Their appearance and build have been shaped by years of living in harsh weather conditions.
The coat of the Maine Coon is dense, long, and loosely falling along the body. It is definitely longer on the neck, thighs, and belly.
When it comes to colour, all combinations are allowed, but the most popular are tabby cats, which are a shade of brown. The long tail covered with thick fur was a quilt intended to protect the cat while sleeping in harsh weather conditions.
Who is the Maine Coon for?
Cats with long legs always have a special grace and charm, so they are especially loved by humans. Breeds with long paws can be found so many, but pedigree cats will always delight their owner with their beauty. A unique cat with very long paws is an exceptional rarity.
Maine coon is one of the most popular cat breeds in Poland. Not without reason. It is suitable for a large and noisy family with children and single people or retirees. It will find itself ideally in an apartment and a house. He likes playing and lounging on the couch. He is not likely to be interested in climbing on the furniture. Additionally, he is faithful as a dog and loves to cuddle and be the centre of attention. You just have to remember that the Maine coon requires a lot of grooming and regular check-ups at the vet.
Do Maine Coons come in different sizes?
Maine Coons have a good reputation because of their huge size.
If you have a Maine Coon cat whose size has not reached that of the famous big cats on the internet, it may make you wonder, can a Maine Coon cat be small?
While many popular Maine Coons online are quite large, not every cat of this breed is destined to grow huge!
Here are some possible reasons why your Maine Coon may be smaller or shorter than you expected:
Not reaching full size
If you're disappointed to find only small Maine Coon kittens for sale or worried that your little Maine Coon will never grow, don't worry!
Maine Coons typically weigh between 8 and 25 pounds, but they take much longer to reach full size than the average cat.
Maine Coons are not fully grown until they are three and five years old.
Genetics
Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee your Maine Coon's size, and even if your Maine Coon's parents are larger than average, your cat's unique genetic makeup may vary.
In addition to mixing the Maine Coon breed, there may have been some developmental issues with your cat at birth. Sometimes cats have shorter features due to imbalances or abnormal bone development.
So, in theory, any cat can have shorter legs, even if they normally shouldn't. This has less to do with breed and more with genetics and poor muscle development.
Dwarfism
Dwarfism is an inherited genetic condition that leads to shortened legs, among other things.
The so-called Munchkin Maine Coon may look cute, but remember that this genetic mutation affects more than just the cat's legs and can lead to joint pain and other health problems in the future.
Breeding of Litters
Litters of the Maine Coon breed can occur in several different ways.
Runts can occur when a female cat has kittens with more than one cat, and kittens conceived later are born prematurely.
Sometimes a mother cat may have a Y-shaped uterus, which can cause one kitten to develop in an awkward position, leading to fewer nutrients and a smaller size.
This is a mix.
If you find that your Maine Coon has shorter legs, it's probably a mix. This means your cat is not purebred but shares unique traits with another breed.
With shorter legs, it is likely that your Maine Coon may be mixed with one of the dwarf breeds. This could include the Munchkin, the Krzatelf, or even the Minskin cat.
Maine coon health and care
Maine coons have a reputation for being rather healthy and hardy cats. Unfortunately, also this breed is burdened with genetic diseases. It happens relatively often in them polycystic kidneys, leading to their failure or hypertrophy of the heart chamber. Therefore, in the case of this breed, it is important to annually check to examine the kidneys and heart. Maine coon, due to its size, has a predisposition to hip dysplasia. Juvenile gingivitis is also quite common. With proper care and a balanced diet, Maine coon cats live up to 14-18 years.
The Maine coon's three-layered coat means that tangles often form. Therefore, you should comb your cat with a long metal comb several times a week. You should get your cat used to these grooming actions from the first weeks of life. Because the cat's fur is waterproof, it shouldn't be bathed without a clear reason (serious dirt, with which the cat can't cope on its own) or a vet's recommendation. Dry shampoo can be used for grooming.
