Grooming a Maine Coon

One of the most important things to remember when you have or are looking to get a longhair cat, grooming. Maine Coons are known for having a long and beautiful coat, this does not come without work. Their long coat needs to be combed and brushed regularly to prevent mats and tangles. Grooming your cat is very beneficial as it can help to promote healthy skin & coat, reduce shedding, and reduce the possibility of hairballs that could potentially cause intestinal blockages. We recommend keeping your kitty in a routine of getting groomed, this will help as they get older.

When you think of grooming, you might only think of brushing but, it is much more than that. It is important to not only comb and brush your cat but, also clip their nails, clean their face & ears, bathe & blow dry, and if your cat will allow also brush their teeth. Now the question is, how often should you be doing this? Below you will see a basic grooming routine.

• Brushing/Combing: Maine Coons have a long coat that needs to be combed and brushed as often as possible to prevent mats and tangles. We use/recommend a slicker brush and a greyhound comb, these can be purchased at most pet supply stores. It is important to use a comb as well as a slicker brush as slicker brushes only reach the top layer of fur. A comb will ensure you are getting down to the root and reduce the risk of matting with a proper routine.
• Nail Clipping: It is important to clip your Maine Coon’s nails every few weeks, generally every week and a half. You will reduce the risk of their nails curling into their paw pads which can be a very painful experience. We use nail clippers that are designed for cats that have a guard, this will help to prevent you from clipping their nails too close to the quick. If you are unable to clip your Maine Coon’s claws at home, consider making a standing appointment at the veterinarian.
• Teeth Cleaning: If your Maine Coon will allow you, it is important to clean their teeth regularly to help keep their teeth and gums healthy. You can brush their teeth several times a week. You can also have their teeth cleaned by a veterinarian. Some choose to use water additives to help prevent dental problems. Make sure that you are taking your Maine Coon to the vet for physical exams at least once a year. This will help to catch potential problems early and keep them managed.
• Ear Cleaning: It is important to clean your Maine Coon’s ears every so often as needed. During this you can check their ears to make sure there are no signs of infection such as a buildup of wax, discharge, redness, inflammation, etc. To clean their ears you can use wipes specifically for cat ears, a cotton round with ear cleaning solution, etc. While doing this make sure to not forcefully wipe or push on their ears, you will want to gently clean to prevent injury to the ear. Again, if you are unable to do so and notice something is wrong we would recommend taking your Maine Coon to the vet.
• Bathe/Blowout: Maine Coons have a long coat that needs to be cleaned, you can bathe your Maine Coon every month or so, as needed. Before bathing them you need to completely comb out their fur, it is important to remove any tangles prior to getting their fur wet. Once you are done bathing your Maine Coon you need to dry them completely. You can do this using a hair dryer or a high velocity pet dryer, this will help prevent mats and tangles. Bathing is not a requirement however many Maine Coon owners choose to bathe their cats on occasion.

Please keep in mind that this routine may not work for all cats, it is important to know your cat and it’s needs. To keep up with this routine we recommend starting as soon as your kitten comes home, this will help as they get older. All of the supplies mentioned above can be purchased at a pet supply store or online. We do not recommend using any type of de-shedding/furminator combs, these can damage your Maine Coon’s fur. If you are properly using a slicker brush and greyhound comb, you do not need any type of de-shedding brush.

*Please note everything listed above is just our personal tips/opinion based on research and personal experience. This is not veterinarian or breeding advice.*