Grooming and Bathing your Maine Coon
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Maine Coon cats have beautiful, long hair and long manes that need to be brushed and maintained to prevent tangles and matts. We try to Netflix and chill and brush our cats at least a few times a week.
Although this may seem like a daunting, time consuming task, it usually only takes us about 15 minutes each time and with some patience and persistence, our Maine Coons have grown to love being brushed! I am frequently asked if Maine Coons shed a lot. They do shed, but if you keep a regular schedule brushing them, which removes their dead hair, the shedding will be minimal. |
Start Young
Most cats don't mind being brushed and groomed if started from a very young age. Typically they enjoy being brushed around their face, topside and chin, but can show a little hesitance on their bellies and groin region. However if you start young, they usually get used to it. If they show resistance, it's best to start out brushing them for just a few minutes and reward them with treats.
Make brushing your Maine Coon a routine
Our Maine Coons know it's time to be brushed when it's dusk, the TV is on, and they see me coming with their brush. Voodoo is not a fan of being brushed and she is my sassy pants girl, but she does enjoy treats afterwards.
Use a soft bristle brush and comb
Using a soft bristle brush is much gentler on their hair and skin. A hard bristle brush will scratch their skin and yank at their hair, making them associate grooming time with pain. Brushing your Maine Coon shouldn't hurt, and soft bristle brushes work great! Although soft bristle brushes do work, we personally find that a comb works better and doesn't seem to pull as much as the brush.
Matted hair
Usually if you stay on top of cat grooming and brushing you'll prevent the hair from matting. Some mats can be so bad that they end up pulling at the skin and injuring it, another great reason to stay on top of grooming your kitty! However if mats do form, use a fine tooth comb between the skin and the base of the mat and clip the mat out carefully with scissors.
Trimming Nails
Our Maine Coons have all of their claws and need to be trimmed monthly. We use cat nail clippers to keep their nails trimmed. You want to use caution while trimming them and not cut into the quick of the nail. If you cannot trim them yourself, most vets are willing to trim them.
Most cats don't mind being brushed and groomed if started from a very young age. Typically they enjoy being brushed around their face, topside and chin, but can show a little hesitance on their bellies and groin region. However if you start young, they usually get used to it. If they show resistance, it's best to start out brushing them for just a few minutes and reward them with treats.
Make brushing your Maine Coon a routine
Our Maine Coons know it's time to be brushed when it's dusk, the TV is on, and they see me coming with their brush. Voodoo is not a fan of being brushed and she is my sassy pants girl, but she does enjoy treats afterwards.
Use a soft bristle brush and comb
Using a soft bristle brush is much gentler on their hair and skin. A hard bristle brush will scratch their skin and yank at their hair, making them associate grooming time with pain. Brushing your Maine Coon shouldn't hurt, and soft bristle brushes work great! Although soft bristle brushes do work, we personally find that a comb works better and doesn't seem to pull as much as the brush.
Matted hair
Usually if you stay on top of cat grooming and brushing you'll prevent the hair from matting. Some mats can be so bad that they end up pulling at the skin and injuring it, another great reason to stay on top of grooming your kitty! However if mats do form, use a fine tooth comb between the skin and the base of the mat and clip the mat out carefully with scissors.
Trimming Nails
Our Maine Coons have all of their claws and need to be trimmed monthly. We use cat nail clippers to keep their nails trimmed. You want to use caution while trimming them and not cut into the quick of the nail. If you cannot trim them yourself, most vets are willing to trim them.
