Maine Coon cats are well known for having thick, luscious, shaggy fur, but do Maine Coons have a double coat?
Keep reading to discover the secret behind the Maine Coon’s semi-water-repellent fur, and whether there’s any truth in the rumors that they actually have three layers of fur to keep them warm.
Purebred Maine Coon cats usually have a double-layered coat, split into an undercoat and a top layer. The top layer, also known as the guard layer, is oily with semi-water-repellant properties that repel water and dirt. Their undercoat is very dense and formed by two shorter dense layers that trap air, providing insulation against cold weather.
The fluffy fur of a Maine Coon is one of their much-loved physical traits, so let’s delve deeper into the subject of how many fur coats the Maine Coon cat actually has.
Do Maine Coons Have A Double Coat?
Maine Coon cats are well known for being the largest domesticated cat breed in the world.
They are easily recognizable by their sheer size, weighing up to 25 lbs in weight. Their long, rectangular bodies and broad chests are also clear signature features of this pedigree cat breed.
The Maine Coon cat breed is thought to be native to the state of Maine in the USA, however, how their first arrived in Maine still remains a mystery, even to this day.
Despite many tales of their origins doing the rounds over the years, it is still unclear who their primogenitors were, nor how they first came to New England.
Take a look at the most popular Maine Coon Cat folklore tales and make your mind up on the subject!
Regardless of how Maine Coon cats first arrived in the state of Maine, they are thought to have developed long, thick fur, to help them survive the frigid winter climate of Maine.
Whereas other domestic cat breeds perished, the Maine Coon cat breed survived in the wilderness hunting prey and was able to survive the harsh winter conditions.
Discover if Maine Coon cats still live in the wild to this very day, in my article.
The Maine Coon’s soft, thick coat is one of the breed’s defining traits that can be brushed successfully using these 5 Maine Coon grooming tools.
Technically speaking, all purebred Maine Coon cats have a thick, double-layered coat that is well suited for harsh climatic conditions, with a silky texture that reduces the ease of matting.
It is worth noting, however, that some specialists say the Maine Coon has a triple coat. Maine Coons do not have awn hairs though, so in this case, we will argue that the Maine Coon only has two coats.
Keep reading to see how the different layers of the Maine Coons fur coat have a purpose to serve:
Layers 1 & 2: Undercoat
The Maine Coon coat is made up of an undercoat with very fine downy hairs covered by a layer of longer hairs and a glossy outer layer.
This double undercoat is usually dense and very soft, which provides insulation against cold weather.
Layer 3: Outer Layer
The outer layer develops as the Maine Coon grows out of the kitten phase.
This fur layer is:
- Thicker
- Coarser
- Gets Considerably Long
The outer coat of a Maine Coon is glossy and semi-water-resistant.
It is hypothesized that Maine Coons developed this long shaggy semi-water-resistant coat when they were first introduced to North America.
The Maine Coon guard hairs played a key role in helping the Maine Coon survive the harsh winters and winds of Maine, US.
The guard hairs excellently repelled:
- Water
- Snow
- Dirt
Maine Coons are instantly recognizable by their oily guard hairs.
Do Maine Coons Have Oily Fur?
A Maine Coon cat’s coat should be glossy, not greasy or oily.
A greasy coat can be a sign that your cat is suffering from one of these underlying health issues or nutrient deficiency.
How To Keep A Maine Coon From Matting
All purebred Maine Coon cats have a double-layered coat that needs to be brushed on a regular basis to avoid your cat’s fur becoming matted.
The Maine Coon coat has a shaggy long coat that is prone to matting, if not cared for correctly.
Knots and tangles must be removed quickly since tangles in the undercoat can pull on your cat’s skin, thereby reducing its effectiveness in helping your Maine Coon regulate their temperature.
Therefore, make sure you brush and groom your Maine Coon cat with these cat brushes at least 2-3 times a week to ensure the feline’s fur does not become knotted and matted.
If you are not too sure how to brush your Maine Coons thick dense fur, make sure you follow these essential grooming tips.
Do Maine Coons Have An Undercoat
Adult Maine Coons have a double coat.
Their undercoat is made up of fine, dense, downy long hairs that help to keep your cat warm.
However, not all cats will develop an undercoat; therefore, you may be asking yourself, how do I know if my cat has an undercoat?
The most effective way of working out whether your cat has an undercoat, or not, is by looking at its fur. Each coating layer has a different type of fur in terms of length and density.
Here are some tips to guide you:
- Long-Haired Cats: Most cats with long hair have an undercoat that is located at the base of their long hair/fur.
- Easily Matted Fur: When your cat’s fur mats easily, there is a higher than average chance that the cat has an undercoat.
- Too Much Shedding: Undercoats produce lots of hairs at short intervals. These hairs are the ones that will shed off easily onto your clothes.
Most cats have an undercoat and the Maine Coon, being a long-haired cat is no different.
Maine Coon Neck Ruff
Maine Coons are well known for the lion-like mane around their neck.
This mane is also referred to as a ‘ruff’ and predominates their front and lower side. The ruff goes all round to their back.
Since Maine Coons are characterized by their mane, you may be wondering, do Maine Coons shed their mane?
Well, during the summer months a Maine Coons mane will become less dense. However, it will never shed off completely, leaving the cat’s neck maneless.
Some owners like to emphasize the lion look of a Maine Coon, by giving their cat a Maine Coon lion cut. Read more about this emotive subject matter.
Do Maine Coons Grow A Winter Coat?
Maine Coon cats shed a lot of fur during the summer months to help regulate their body temperatures when the weather is too hot.
However, for the purpose of keeping themselves warm during the cold winter season, they also grow a thick winter coat, particularly during the transitional fall season.
In line with the breeds origin, the Maine Coons winter coat functions as an insulator to the cat’s body.
The winter coat protects your Maine Coon against extreme cold conditions and helps it to remain warm throughout the cold season.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that the outer semi-water-repellent layer of your Maine Coon’s coat grows considerably longer during the wintertime, to help keep your feline dry (source 1).
Do Maine Coons Shed In The Summer
Maine Coons are known for their long, luscious coat of fur, which makes grooming an essential aspect of your cat’s daily life.
This is the best way to groom a Maine Coon cat.
Make sure you only use these Maine Coon cat brushes though, if you want to achieve optimum benefit from all your cat grooming efforts.
As you would expect, Maine Coons will shed a lot of fur during the summer months to be able to live comfortably in the hot weather.
Have you ever wondered if a Maine Coon can live in hot climates, such as India? If you have, you might be fascinated to read the facts here.
Maine Coon Summer Coat Vs. Winter Coat
If you compare the Maine Coons summer coat vs. winter coat, you will quickly notice a great level of difference between them. Most notably, the Maine Coon summer coat is far less dense than the winter coat.
If you are a cat fanatic, you will also notice the ruff of hair around the Maine Coon neck and chest becoming less dense during the summer months.
Typically, Maine Coons shed more fur during summer. By comparison, they rarely shed any fur during the winter season when the thickness of their fur is necessary to keep them warm.
During the cold months, they grow an undercoat to help insulate their bodies.
As the season shifts to spring, your Maine Coon will shed a lot of furs to prepare their body for the hot approaching summer season.
Importantly, even though Maine Coons have a thinner layer of fur during the summer months, they are not directly affected by the hot sun rays because their fur protects them against the potentially harmful sunlight (source 1).
How Often Should I Groom My Maine Coon
Maine Coon cats have long luscious fur, and if not well-groomed they may end up developing these health issues.
It is important that you groom your Maine Coon regularly, a minimum of 2-3 times a week should suffice, but more often will be necessary if your cat is prone to matted fur.
Shaving A Maine Coon Cat
If you are a first-time owner, it is worth noting that grooming does not involve shaving your cat’s long fur.
Maine Coon hairstyles is a very emotive subject that causes a great level of controversy across the world. Here’s why.
Maine Coon Teeth And Baths
You should give your Maine Coon dental care and occasional baths to remove dead cells that may be stuck within the skin.
If you are not sure whether your Maine Coon needs a bath, check against this guide.
How To Keep A Maine Coon From Matting
If you have never owned a Maine Coon cat before, you are likely wondering do Maine Coons need to be groomed?
The simple answer is yes.
Maine Coon grooming helps to reduce the likelihood of these Maine Coon matted fur signs occurring.
If done correctly, at least 2-3 times a week, grooming will ensure your cat remains both clean and mat free.
In order to groom your Maine Coon cat successfully, make sure you buy these essential grooming tools. Once purchased, use them regularly to brush your cat.
Here are some quick links to Amazon, for the cat grooming tools needed to care for your Maine Coons fur correctly:
- De-Matting Combs
- Soft Bristle Brushes
- Grooming Gloves
- Slicker Brushes
- De-Shedding Tools
- Bathing Shampoos
- Clippers
When your cat’s long fur starts to mat, it loses its beauty and may give your Maine Coon a wildcat-like look. In other words, matting can make your cat look like it has no one caring for it.
Here’s how to care for your Maine Coon cat correctly, so you are not reported to the local cat governing bodies
Maine Coon Grooming Tips
Here are some Maine Coon grooming tips that will assist you when grooming your treasured feline:
1. Use Detangling Detergent
Sprinkle a detangling detergent on your cat’s fur, then use a cat comb to gently try and detangle your cats knotted fur.
You can also use a wide-toothed comb and gently attempt to detach the mats from your cat’s thick fur.
2. Use Clippers On The Matted Fur
Clipping matted fur is one of the easiest ways to remove troublesome mats from your cat’s thick dense fur, without hurting them.
Never use scissors to cut the matted hair because you may accidentally cut your cat.
3. Groom Your Cat Regularly
Grooming your cat on a regular basis is by far the most reliable way to prevent matting in Maine Coons cats.
Grooming is also an excellent way to keep your Maine Coon cat clean.
If your Maine Coon already has mats though, remove them carefully and then stay on top of your cat’s grooming needs to prevent future matting.
Do Maine Coons Need Haircuts
Maine Coons are recognizable by their long fur coats. It is believed that this rugged cat breed developed its thick coat as an adaptive feature to the colder seasons in Maine.
The fur on indoor Maine Coon cats is no longer required to keep the cat warm during the cold winter months, since most cat owners ensure adequate warmth within their home, especially during the colder seasons.
With such long fur though, do Maine Coons need to be shaved? And, should I shave my Maine Coon during summer?
This is a very controversial subject matter, so make sure you understand all the pros and cons of shaving a Maine Coon cat.
Ultimately, Maine Coon cats do not need to be shaved, however, some owners might opt to give their treasured cat a Maine Coon haircut.
Typically, it is not necessary to shave your cat unless you are cutting the matted fur away from the body.
Below are the key pros and cons of shaving your Maine Coon cat:
Reasons To Shave A Maine Coon Cat
Some owners argue that the Maine Coon cats coat should be shaved, due to the following reasons:
1. Easy Handling When Shedding
All cats shed fur, and this signifies that they are healthy.
The amount of hair they shed depends greatly on their photoperiod.
Indoor cats will shed less fur than outdoor cats because of the controlled temperatures and artificial light.
Shaving your Maine Coon will help control the number of hairballs it forms whilst grooming itself.
2. Lower Hairball Formation
Most cats groom themselves and can spend up to 50% of their time doing so.
As they groom, they may develop hairballs that later drop on your floor or chairs.
To reduce the number of hairballs scattering in your compound, shaving your Maine Coon cat is one of the techniques you cannot go wrong with.
3. Advantageous To Old Cats With Less Stability
Older cats are not usually as active as their young counterparts.
For this reason, they may fail to groom themselves enough, causing their hair to become matted.
Old cats may have also developed problems with their bones and joints, which can greatly affect their flexibility. Since they are not flexible enough to groom themselves, shaving their fur might prove helpful to the health of their coat.
4. Shaving Helps Control Fleas
Most fleas hide within the Maine Coons long hairs and fur.
Shaving helps to reduce the hiding spaces and, in turn, controls the spread of fleas to the cat’s skin.
Disadvantages Of Shaving A Maine Coon Cat
Below are the cons of shaving a Maine Coon:
1. Traumatic To The Cat
If you shave your Maine Coon roughly, your cat may end up fearing the entire process or, worse, become traumatized.
Therefore, if you must shave your cat, then do it gently, so your Maine Coon does not perceive shaving as harmful.
2. Enhances The Start Of Skin Disease
While shaving, you might unknowingly scratch or catch your feline’s skin.
Such scratches and cuts may lead to skin diseases and scars.
How To Cut A Maine Coons Hair
The Maine Coon haircut varies, depending on each owner’s preferences.
Many cat owners give their Maine Coon a ‘lion cut’. Click here to discover what a Maine Coon lion cut is.
If you wish to give your Maine Coon this particular Maine Coon hairstyle it is important that you only visit a knowledgeable cat groomer, since not all groomers know how to do a lion cut correctly.
In short, the Maine Coon lion cut is the decision to shave a Maine Coon cat’s fur, to make them resemble a lion. Usually, the body fur is trimmed whilst leaving the head and neck fur untouched.
In extreme cases, the body and tail are shaved, leaving only a small pom-pom at the cat’s tail tip.
Finally, the Maine Coons legs are shaved in the lion cut so that fur only remains on their:
- Head
- Face
- Neck Ruff
Whether you want a lion cat or any other cat haircut, please keep in mind that shaving your cat has more adverse effects than just leaving them with less fur.
Below are some very few good reasons why you may think of shaving a cat, including:
- Skin Issues: Veterinarians encourage owners to shave their cats when they have serious skin issues.
- Surgery: Cats are often shaved in preparation for surgery
- Matted Fur: Cats’ fur should be shaved if the fur is heavily matted.
If you must give your cat a lion cut, never do this yourself. You may end up hurting your cat more than you could have imagined.
To complete the Maine Coon lion cut your cat may need to be sedated so that it can tolerate the haircutting process.
Never administer the sedation pills on your own. Instead, always seek veterinarian assistance to do this as you may give your cat the wrong dose.
Do Maine Coons Need Baths?
The Maine Coon is a unique cat breed that owners should observe closely on matters concerning its hygiene.
Bathing your cat is optional, however, should you feel it is necessary then make sure not to do it more regularly than once per month.
Cats are known to be self-cleaning animals, however, some Maine Coons fail to thoroughly clean their coats due to the long fur they possess.
Bathing your Maine Coon comes with many benefits that can enhance the well-being of your little feline.
Some benefits of bathing your Maine Coon cat, include:
Removes Loose Fur
Bathing your Maine Coon helps remove the loose fur that is stuck in between their thick hair. This reduces shedding and lowers mating instincts.
Removes Dander
If you believe you are allergic to your cat’s fur, try washing your Maine Coon to remove the excess dander from their fur and skin.
Research has shown that bathing a cat helps remove the dead skin cells that are the main allergens in a cat’s fur.
If you still experience allergies after the bathing process, you are likely allergic to your cat.
Reduces Dry Skin Conditions
Bathing a cat helps them wet their skin and thus reduce any dry skin conditions.
Dry skin can be a bad health issue for your cat.
Additionally, it may cause other skin diseases that ultimately lead to a cat’s death.
All this could be avoided with regular cat baths.
Cools Skin For Summer
Maine Coons have a thick coat and long hair that makes them feel warm.
During summer, this warmth may be too much for the cat, and bathing your cat will help make them feel cool for a short period of time.
Helps Control Fleas
Dirty cats have a larger possibility of being infested by fleas.
Bathing your cat reduces the cases of fleas and flea-related diseases.
Makes Their Coat And Fur Shiny, Clean, And Healthy
Using cat shampoo and cat conditioners like these whilst bathing your cat is advantageous and will leave your cat’s fur more healthy and attractive.
Best Shampoo For Maine Coon Cats
Whilst there are many different cat shampoos on the market to choose from, make sure you only purchase the cat shampoo or conditioner that best suits the needs of your cat.
Don’t get carried away by expensive packaging claiming to heal or fix every single cat issue that you can think of!
Keep in mind that each shampoo has unique properties and serves different functions on the skin.
These are my favorite cat shampoos and conditioners.
One of the best shampoos on the market is this oatmeal Shampoo for cats (sold on Amazon).
This shampoo helps to reduce itching and is 100% biodegradable, plus cruelty-free.
Here are some factors that make this product the best and most loved by many people across the world:
- Anti-Itch: When buying shampoo, you may want to consider a product with anti-itch properties. Thankfully, some of the best Maine Coon shampoos on the market come with ingredients that provide immediate but natural itch relief.
- Helps Heal Dry Skin: This product has been specially formulated to combat dry skin conditions. The oatmeal and aloe vera help to heal skin irritations, promote healing, and moisturize sensitive dry skin.
Conclusion
If you have been wondering do Maine Coons have a double coat then you might have been surprised to hear that these gentle giants have a thick dense double coat.
Some cat specialists, however, purport that the Maine Coon has a third coat i.e. two dense and thick undercoats, and a long thick outer guard coat.
Related Questions
Do Maine Coons Like Water?
Maine Coon cats are fascinated by almost everything related to water. Their love for water is so well known that it is often listed as one of this cat’s breed’s traits.
Maine Coon Groomer Near Me
To find a nearby Maine Coon groomer ask local Maine Coon owners who they use, or simply search on the internet using your location.
Maine Coon Claws
Maine Coons have a set of five to six fingers on each paw. All the fingers have a claw at the end. The claw is usually pointed, long, and has a curvy nail made of keratin.