If you have just purchased a Maine Coon cat or are planning to bring one home, you might have wondered how you will keep one of these friendly giant cats clean.
So do Maine Coon cats need baths?
Bathing Maine Coon cats is a great way to help your feline keep its long thick fur clean and healthy. Washing removes excess dander, dead hair trapped within the Maine Coon coat, controls shedding, and reduces allergy sufferers’ symptoms. Bathing is optional though, and only necessary if your cat is struggling to keep its fur coat clean.
This post will discuss everything about bathing a Maine Coon cat to help first-time owners know how to keep their cats clean.
Keep reading to find out more!
Do Maine Coon Cats Need Baths?
Maine Coon cats are known for being the largest domesticated cats.
Millions of people around the world love this large cat breed because of its:
- Stunning Looks
- Playful Nature
- Gentle Personality
Although their lineage is shrouded in mystery, nature created them for hunting in the cold and harsh environments of North eastern America.
This is evident from the multi-layered coat that protects them from the cold and wet, giving them the ability to survive even the coldest climate without human help and pursue their prey in every weather.
Their long, thick fur keeps them warm and is semi-water repellant to keep them dry, even when playing with water, swimming, and taking baths.
It is not unusual to see a Maine Coon cat swimming or playing in a bathtub.
Here’s why the Maine Coon cat breed is so fascinated with water.
Like other cats, Maine Coons are self-cleaning creatures. They will often groom themselves.
While this means that bathing your Maine Coons is not an absolute necessity, it does not mean that you should never bathe your cat.
So, do cats need baths?
Many owners prefer to bathe their Maine Coon cats. This is because the Maine Coon breed tends to suffer psychologically, especially when their coat is dirty or fur severely matted.
In such cases, bathing your cat will go a long way towards relieving your cat of the unneeded stress.
Whilst we know that Maine Coon cats groom themselves regularly to keep clean, owners can help their Maine Coon by bathing them once a month to get rid of excess dander over their fur.
Bathing will also remove loose dead hair from its coat.
Other instances when it makes perfect sense to bathe your Maine Coon is when the feline suffers a dry skin condition, or their coat becomes significantly dirty.
Overall, bathing your Maine Coon cat helps keep the cat’s coat lean and healthy, whilst also reducing fur shedding levels.
Importantly though, if you elect to bathe your Maine Coon, make sure to do it regularly i.e. once a month.
Failure to maintain a regular routine might lead to issues with your cat accepting bathing on future occasions.
Furthermore, for those of you planning to bathe and wash your Maine Coon cat, bathing must be introduced whilst the cat is still a kitten, preferably as soon as you get the kitten home.
This is important since Maine Coon cats are:
- Energetic
- Extremely Active
- Sometimes Naughty
Whilst being very laid back and trainable, older Maine Coons, particularly the male of the species, are more stubborn and set in their ways.
This means they are so less likely to be interested in learning to bathe.
With bathing being probably the most frightening element of grooming cats for most individuals, you should make sure to take small baby steps when introducing your Maine Coon kitten to bathing.
Failure to be patient and calm will only scare your cat and make the bathing process unsuccessful.
Pros Of Bathing A Maine Coon Cat
If you are wondering do vets recommend bathing cats or you are simply unsure whether to just ignore this optional Maine Coon grooming technique?
Here are the pros and cons to consider regards whether to bathe a Maine Coon cat or not:
Although it is not necessary for owners to bathe their Maine Coon cats, you can see that it is clear that washing cats are beneficial in a number of ways:
Removes Loose Fur
Bathing helps to get rid of loose dead hair from the Maine Coon furry coat.
By washing your Maine Coon, you detach loose dead hair caught within the cat’s thick dense fur. Ultimately, this prevents matting and reduces shedding.
Bathing your cat once per month can help control shedding and keep its coat clean.
Removes Excess Dander
If you are allergic to cats, washing your Maine Coon can be a win-win for both you and your pet.
While many people assume that they are allergic to cat hair, the reality is that they are actually allergic to dead skin cells, commonly known as dander.
Bathing your Maine Coon helps remove the cat’s dander, which can significantly reduce allergy sufferers’ symptoms.
Helps Improve Dry Skin Conditions
Cats are known to groom themselves, but, they cannot wet their skin when it dries.
Dry skin can be an unfortunate cat health condition, and one of the ways to help the condition is by bathing your cat regularly (or as advised by your veterinarian).
Helps Cat Feel Cooler During Summer
With their long-haired, thick coats, Maine Coon cats are more likely to feel a lot of heat during the summer months.
As such, your cat feels great relief when freshly washed.
Makes Fur Coat Cleaner, Shinier, And Healthier
Bathing your Maine Cooon cat with cat shampoo and using a pet coat conditioner of natural origin is a great way to make your Maine Coon’s coat and skin healthier and shinier.
Best of all, it leaves your cat with a clean coat this is mat and tangle-free.
Helps Reducce Or Eliminate Fleas
If your Maine Coon has fleas, bathing the cat with flea-control shampoo can help stop the fleas and other skin parasites.
Learn more about Maine Coon flea treatment.
Maine Coons like Water
Maine Coons have semi-water-resistant fur that keeps them warm and dry, enabling them to play with water and take baths.
Unlike other cat breeds, many Maine Coon cats actually enjoy having a bath!
Maine Coons are fascinated with water, and their love of water is so well known that it is included as one of the breed’s common characteristics.
It is even not uncommon to see Maine Coon cats spending copious amounts of time patting the water in their bowls.
Cons Of Bathing A Maine Coon Cat
- Difficulty: Introducing Maine Coon kittens and cats to bathing can be very difficult. Older Maine Coons will potentially be harder to bathe.
- Emotional Stress: Bathing can potentially cause undue emotional stress to your cat.
How Often Should You Bathe A Maine Coon Cat?
A vast majority of adult Maine Coon cats enjoy baths since they are fascinated with water. While this can encourage you to bathe your Maine Coon too often, there is a caveat.
If your Maine Coon is exclusively an indoor cat, it will require a different bathing schedule compared to cats that go outdoors often, since it is unlikely to get very dirty.
For those of you electing to wash your Maine Coon, make sure to bathe the feline on a regular basis i.e. once a month; otherwise, the cat will have issues accepting to take a bath.
Maine Coon cats are long-haired and may require more frequent bathing and brushing to reduce tangles.
Generally, bathing your Maine Coon once a month will help control shedding and keep the coat clean and healthy.
The only exception when you should wash your Maine Coon more than once a month is when it covers itself with something it should not lick off, like paint or oil (source 1).
It is important not to over-bathe your cat because it may hurt their ability to control their body temperature.
How To Bathe A Maine Coon
When you get a Maine Coon kitten, it is your responsibility to groom the cat and keep its fluffy coat in great condition.
If you plan to bathe your feline, beware that there is a whole process behind bathing Maine Coon cats due to the type of fur these beloved cats have. So, make sure you take care, and always take baby steps.
Below are the steps on how to bathe a Maine Coon kitten, or cat:
1. Groom
Make sure you groom your Maine Coon before giving them a bath.
Grooming your cat is important since it helps detach easily removable dirt, dander, and dead hair.
2. Preparation
Before you begin the Maine Coon bathing process, make sure you gather everything you will need. Keep the items within reach so you do not have to leave the cat alone in the tub.
Place a mat down in the tub for safety and comfort, then fill the bath with just a few inches of water.
The water should be at lukewarm temperatures.
3. Getting Soaked
Place your Maine Coon into the tub, and use your hands to soak their thick coat with the water from the tub.
Soaking a Maine Coon can be harder than it sounds since they have considerably thick fur.
Whilst soaking your kitten or cat, make sure not to get water in your Maine Coon’s ears and eyes.
If you are just introducing your Maine Coon to bathing, it is advisable that you close the bathroom door before beginning the process, in order to minimize the chances of your cat escaping.
4. Shampooing
Once the cat is all wet, start applying cat shampoo to your cat’s fur carefully.
To achieve this, pour a little cat shampoo into the palm of your hands, rub your hands together, and gently massage the shampoo into your Maine Coon’s fur.
Alternatively, follow the instructions stated on your cat shampoo bottle.
Be careful not to use a lot of shampoo around the cat’s facial area.
5. Rinse Your Maine Coon Thoroughly
Set your shower head to a lukewarm temperature, on a low-pressure setting.
Next, allow the water spray to run for a bit before bringing it close to your Maine Coon.
This is important because it allows your cat time to get used to the noise and sight of the water spraying near them.
Spraying your cat immediately might frighten them.
Depending upon how much water is in the bathtub at this point, you may need to release some of the water from the bathtub.
Maine Coon cats love water, meaning rinsing them can be much easier and more enjoyable than you might expect.
As you rinse your Maine Coon, use a brush or fingers to get in deep and get all the shampoo out of their thick fur.
For the cat’s face, use a damp washcloth to gently wipe the cat shampoo off them.
6. Repeat Steps
If necessary, you can repeat steps 4 and 5 as many times as you want to ensure that your Maine Coons thick dense fur is fully clean.
Read the cat shampoo instructions to see how many times these steps need to be repeated.
7. Dry Your Maine Coon
After rinsing your Maine Coon cat, use your hands to get as much of the excess water out of its fur before drying the cat with a towel. Just make sure to do it gently so as not to hurt the cat’s skin.
Alternatively, wrap your cat in a towel while it is in the bathtub and set it gently onto another towel.
Take your time to gently dry the cat, and switch to a second towel when necessary.
Drying a Maine Coon is easy but time-consuming. You can save time by using highly absorbent towels or a blow dryer (if your cat permits this!).
8. Release Your Cat And Treat Them
Set your Maine Coon free and watch it strut around with a freshly bathed coat.
When bathing your Maine Coons, remember to comfort the cat with her treats afterward.
Best Maine Coon Shampoo
Maine Coon owners should always use cat shampoos that have been exclusively designed and formulated to be used on cats, not ordinary human shampoos.
This advice is very important because human shampoo could severely hurt your Maine Coons fur and skin.
Here are some important reasons why you should only use cat shampoo:
- Soap-Free: Shampoos designed and formulated to be used on cats are soap-free. They contain natural ingredients that help moisturize your cat’s sensitive skin.
- Deodorizing Properties: It is not uncommon for a Maine Coon cat to emit an unpleasant odor from time to time (here’s why). Thankfully, most cat shampoos smell great, which helps deodorize unwanted cat odors.
- Anti-Itch: Cat shampoos have anti-itch properties.
- Biodegradable: Cat shampoos are biodegradable.
Alternatives To Bathing A Cat
If you did not introduce your Maine Coon to bathing during kittenhood, the good news is that there are alternative ways to keep your Maine Coon cat clean.
Here are some great ways to keep a Maine Coon clean without necessarily giving it a bath:
1. Dry Cleaning With Wipes
If you are getting short of time, wet wipes designed for cats can help clean your Maine Coon within no time.
They often come with dandruff control or extra shine properties, which helps improve your cat’s skin and fur.
2. Brushing
Brushing is one of the most reliable ways of ensuring your Maine Coon’s fur does not get matted or tangled.
If bathing is not your Maine Coon’s thing, brushing will help keep the coat clean and healthy.
Just make sure to only buy the ‘Best Maine Coon Brushes‘.
3. Dry Shampoo
If you want to save time and achieve the same results as bathing a Maine Coon cat would achieve, try using dry shampoo for cats.
Cat dry shampoos are no-rinse waterless shampoos that allow you to clean your Maine Coon without using any water.
It is a perfect solution for cleaning cats with trouble learning to bathe.
For the complete guide to keeping your Maine Coon cat clean, make sure you read this article I wrote.
How To Maintain Maine Coon Fur
Maine Coon cats are characterized by having dense fur on both their body and tail.
If you are a Maine Coon owner, you will have often found balls of fur in your lawn or wooden floor, and realized that these furballs were coming from your Maine Coon cat.
For this reason, you may be asking yourself, do Maine coons need to be groomed?
The answer is of course, yes! … Maine Coon cats need to be groomed regularly; otherwise, their long fur may become entangled and make your beautiful feline stressed and upset.
To keep your Maine Coon groomed, there are certain cat grooming tools that will make your cat grooming exercise a complete success.
For a full list of the best cat grooming tools, read this guide.
Here is a list of the Maine Coon grooming tools I recommend, and their benefits. Make good use of these tools, and you will maintain your feline’s fur and keep it always looking great:
Soft Bristle Cat Brush
A soft bristle cat brush is a two-sided brush sold in most retail and pet supply stores. One side of the brush is used to brush the fur, while the other side is used to comb out any fur mats.
It is essential to brush your Maine Coon cat’s fur regularly, and a crucial part of keeping your Maine Coons fur in great condition.
Hair Clippers
You may need to clip your cat’s fur if it becomes tangled, knotted, or matted.
Clipping also helps you design the fur in the best way you wish, should you wish to give your Maine Coon a hairstyle.
Please note, shaving a Maine Coon cat is a highly controversial subject matter.
Read why in my complete guide to the Maine Coon Lion Cut.
Deshedding Tool
This tool functions more efficiently and effectively than a common bristle brush.
A de-shedding tool is mostly used on large cats as it clears more fur on just a single glide.
It also prevents the fur from entangling and the formation of hairballs.
A great advantage of this tool is that it is self-cleaning, so you will not struggle to clean it after or before use.
Cat Wipes And Shampoo And Spray
Like other pets, some cats will enjoy being bathed while others will not. If your Maine Coon enjoys being bathed, you will need to purchase cat shampoo.
The cat shampoo will help enhance the tidiness of these self-cleaning creatures’ fur.
It is vital that you ensure you use a nontoxic cat shampoo because shampoo residues might be left on the cat’s coat after being bathed.
Use cat wipes to clean your cat when you realize that it does not enjoy bathing.
Do Indoor Cats Need Baths
The answer to whether or not indoor cats need a bath has no clear answer but instead depends on your preference as the owner.
Cats do not necessarily need to be bathed every time they walk outside. This is because they constantly clean themselves using their tongue, and some Maine Coon cats will not like bathing.
Still, you may need to bathe your Maine Coon if they have a skin infection or mite infestation.
How To Bathe A Cat With Fleas
Maine Coon cats affected by fleas often find it unpleasant to be washed. However, despite this, it is still necessary to bathe your cat at this time so that you get rid of the unwanted fleas infestation.
Here are a few tips to help you wash a cat with fleas:
- Keep yourselves, and your cat calm.
- Give your Maine Coon time to get used to the bath or sink water.
- Prepare all the tools you will need before bathing your cat.
- Use warm water.
- Give your Maine Coon time to get used to the bath or sink water.
- Prepare all the tools you will need before bathing your cat.
- Use warm water.
Step By Step Guide To Bathing A Cat With Fleas
To clean a Maine Coon cat that has fleas, follow these steps:
- Make sure your cat is in a calm and comfortable state.
- Gently scoop warm water using your hands and pour it over your cat.
- Repeat scooping water until the cat’s fur is wet up to the skin.
- Pour flea shampoo into the warm water and allow it to lather in the water. As you sprinkle the water on the cat, it is important to avoid all body parts near their eyes, and their eyes themselves.
- Read the flea treatment instructions carefully to avoid leaving the shampoo on your cat for longer than directed.
- Rinse the Maine Coons fur with clean water and let it dry in a towel, then naturally air dry.
My Maine Coon Stinks
It is not common for Maine Coons to stink, but there are occasions when they may sometimes.
Below are some reasons that might cause your Maine Coon to produce an unattractive odor, especially from the anal regions:
- Anal Gland Infection: When a cats anal glands are infected, they may produce an unpleasant odor. In such cases, the owners should seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible.
- Dental Infection: Maine Coon teeth infections like gingivitis and periodontitis may make your feline smell.
- Bladder Infections: This can only be realized from the Maine Coon cat’s urine, especially if it sprinkles some on its fur. Please consult your professional veterinarian for advice.
- Maine Coon Farts: Yes, this really is a thing! Maine Coon cats fart from time to time.
All these factors may cause your lovely Maine Coon to produce a bad smell. If you notice your Maine Coon smelling, therefore, it is advisable to seek the help of a veterinary specialist asap.
Conclusion
There is a lot you can do when it comes to grooming your Maine Coon cat.
For owners wondering do Maine Coon cats need baths, hopefully, this post helps you understand everything about keeping your Maine Coon’s skin and coat clean and healthy.
Related Questions
1. Do Maine Coons Like Water?
The Maine Coon cat breed is totally fascinated by water in any form and will happily spend large parts of their day playing with water.
2. Do Maine Coons Fart A Lot?
Maine Coons do not usually suffer from flatulence issues. If you notice your Maine Coon farting a lot, take a closer look at their diet to determine if it is the possible cause.