Do Maine Coons Have A Double Coat?
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.
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).
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 regularly 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.
