If you recently got a Maine Coon kitten, but do not see signs of that distinctive fluffy coat, you are probably wondering when will my Maine Coon get fluffy?
Maine Coons have two thick, dense coats and a third outer guard coat. It takes up to four years for their long fur and distinctive mane to develop. However, the Maine Coon’s distinctive mane usually begins to grow when a kitten is about nine months old.
Some owners worry that their Maine Coon will never become fluffy, or that their Maine Coon isn’t purebred. After all, the Maine Coon’s soft, thick coat is one of its defining traits.
While owners love Maine Coons for their luxurious, thick fur, it can also be difficult to maintain.
If you’re worried that your Maine Coon’s fur will become tangled or matted, read on to find out how you can keep your Maine Coon’s coat in perfect condition!
When Will My Maine Coon Get Fluffy?
The Maine Coon is a majestic cat breed that developed naturally in the state of Maine.
They are famous for being the largest domesticated cat breed in the world, as well as for their long, thick fur that forms a distinctive mane or ruff around their neck and chest.
The reason a Maine Coon’s fur is so thick is that its coat is made of three layers.
The outer layer is also known as the guard layer, which is oily and semi-water-repellant. The middle and inner coats are different lengths, but both provide insulation against cold weather.
However, Maine Coons don’t start out with their coat fully developed.
So when do Maine Coons get their full coat? Maine Coon kittens start to become fluffy when they are just about eight weeks old, but it can take up to four years for their full coat to come in.
Why Are Maine Coons Fluffy?
It’s no secret that the Maine Coon’s fluffy fur is one of its best traits, but why is that fur so fluffy in the first place?
Here are the three reasons why Maine Coons have such thick, long fur:
1. Protection From The Cold
The first and most obvious reason for the Maine Coon’s long, thick coat is to protect it from the cold.
These cats developed naturally in the state of Maine, which is notorious for its long, harsh winters.
That thick coat insulates them from the cold, keeping them toasty through the winter.
2. Water Resistance
The Maine Coon’s outer layer of fur is oily and semi-water resistant, which helps melting snow to slide right off its coat.
These rugged cats wouldn’t last long in the frigid state of Maine without that long outer layer to keep them from getting soaked with freezing snow!
3. Looks
Even though Maine Coons developed naturally at first, they became incredibly popular for their ability to hunt rodents, and then cat fanciers were attracted to their beautiful coats.
Breeders continued to breed these cats, accentuating that long fur and distinctive mane until it became an even more integral part of the breed.
Are All Maine Coons Fluffy?
The Maine Coon’s long, beautiful fur is a hallmark of the breed, but are all Maine Coons fluffy? In short, yes, all purebred Maine Coons are fluffy.
Breeders are held to a strict standard, and only breed Maine Coons of pure lineage, which does not include short-haired cats.
If you see a Maine Coon that is not fluffy, that means it is either a mixed breed, or it isn’t a Maine Coon at all!
Why Isn’t My Maine Coon Fluffy?
If your Maine Coon doesn’t have that distinctive fluffy coat, then there are only three possible reasons:
1. Your Maine Coon Is Still Young
It can take a long time for a Maine Coon to become fully fluffy.
In some cases, it can take up to four years for these cats to develop their full coats!
2. Mixed Breed
It is possible for your cat to be a mixed breed, with a Maine Coon ancestor and a short-haired, non-fluffy cat as another ancestor.
3. Your Cat Is Not A Maine Coon
Unfortunately, a Maine Coon that isn’t fluffy might simply not be a Maine Coon at all!
If you got your cat from a backyard breeder without registration papers, it’s likely your cat is not a Maine Coon.
Alternatively, if you adopted a kitten/cat from someone who simply claimed it was a Maine Coon without any evidence, the chances are high that your cat is not a Maine Coon.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to buy a Maine Coon kitten or cat.
Are Purebred Maine Coons Fluffier?
As mentioned earlier, sometimes mixed Maine Coons aren’t fluffy at all.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all purebred Maine Coons are inherently fluffier than mixed Maine Coons.
That depends entirely on what breed or breeds were included in a Maine Coon mix’s heritage.
A mixed Maine Coon with a parent from a short-haired, non-fluffy breed such as a Siamese or Abyssinian is less likely to be fluffy.
If a Maine Coon was mixed with an equally fluffy breed like a Persian or
A Norwegian Forest Cat, however, the result will likely be just as fluffy as a purebred Maine Coon.
If you are not too sure if your treasured Maine Coon is a part or a purebred Maine Coon cat, make sure you read this simple guide I wrote.
Once you’ve read the guide, it shouldn’t take you too long to establish the likelihood of whether your cat is a purebred Maine Coon cat, or not.
For those of you still feeling uncertain about your decision, cross-check your cat’s behavior with these key ‘Purebred Maine Coon Cat Personality Traits‘.
When Do Maine Coons Get Their Fluffy Tail?
Maine Coons are also known for their incredibly fluffy tails. So, do Maine Coon kittens have fluffy tails?
Very young Maine Coon kittens don’t have fluffy tails, but their tails will begin to develop their thick fur between four and six months old.
What Age Do Maine Coons Grow Their Mane?
The Maine Coon’s distinctive ruff or mane is so iconic that many people mistakenly believe the Maine Coon’s name to be “Mane Coon!” (obviously spelled wrong!).
If your Maine Coon is still a kitten and seems to be lacking that lionlike fur around its neck, you might be worrying that your cat will never grow it out!
Don’t worry, though; while it can take some time, most Maine Coons end up growing out their mane eventually.
Discover some more fascinating facts about Maine Coon fur in my article ‘Maine Coon Colors And Patterns‘.
The beginnings of this mane usually develop when the Maine Coon reaches about nine months old, although it can take longer for late bloomers.
Sadly, not all Maine Coons even grow a mane, but it is a very common feature.
Do Maine Coons Shed Their Mane?
If your Maine Coon once had a long, luxurious mane that seemed to disappear, however, you might be wondering do Maine Coons shed their mane?
The Maine Coon’s mane is most distinctive in the winter months when the breed relies most heavily on its long, thick fur to keep it warm.
During the summer, however, many Maine Coons will partially shed their manes.
While it’s rare for a Maine Coon to shed its mane entirely in the summer, it will usually become less prominent.
Do Maine Coons Have Fur Between Their Toes?
It is common for many Maine Coon cats to have tufts of fur between their toes, which stick out more than the surrounding fur.
These are commonly called toe tufts, and they aren’t unique to Maine Coon Cats. Instead, this is a feature commonly found in many medium and long-haired cats.
Toe tufts help to muffle the sound of a cat’s paw steps while walking, which helps them to silently stalk prey.
Most feral and outdoor cats tend to lose their toe tufts from the abrasion of walking on rocks and other rough surfaces.
However, indoor cats usually keep their toe tufts since they typically only walk on even or soft surfaces.
When Do Maine Coons Get Their Ear Tufts
Many owners will look at their kittens and wonder when do Maine Coons get their lynx tips?
While this feature is not present in all Maine Coons, the tufts of fur on this breed’s ears are quite attractive, and many owners eagerly await their kittens to develop these lynx tips.
A Maine Coon’s ear tufts typically take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months to begin developing, but they can take as long as two years to develop completely.
But do all Maine Coons grow lynx-like ear tufts?
Read more about this subject here.
Do Maine Coon Cats Shed A Lot Of Hair?
One of the downsides of the Maine Coon’s luxurious fur is how much these cats shed.
All cats need to shed their fur, but since the Maine Coon has a triple-layered coat, they end up shedding a lot more fur than short-haired cats.
However, they don’t seem to shed much more than other long-haired cat breeds, such as the Persian or the Himalayan.
Read more about the Maine Coon Vs Persian cat in this article I wrote.
While Maine Coons shed a little bit of their fur year-round, they mostly shed with the seasons. In the fall, they shed their lighter summer coats in order to grow out their thick winter coats.
Then, in the spring, they shed that heavy winter coat to make way for the summer.
Do Maine Coons Get Matted Fur?
Any breed of long-haired cat is potentially vulnerable to matting.
This is when the cat’s fur becomes so tangled that it forms an inseparable cluster that requires a lot of time and patience to remove.
Mats are not just unsightly, though; they can cause irritation and even infection for the poor cat who has one.
Normally, cats are able to groom their own fur, which prevents matting. In some cases, however, cats aren’t able to keep their fur properly groomed.
Overweight cats who can’t reach every part of their body to groom it are especially vulnerable to matting.
Senior cats also tend to become less vigorous at grooming as they age, and are also prone to mats.
Finally, cats that are stressed, lonely, or depressed may neglect to groom themselves, leading to mats, as well.
How Do I Keep My Maine Coon From Matting?
Matting is not only uncomfortable for cats, but it’s also potentially dangerous.
Here are three ways you can help your cat prevent mats.
1. Brush Regularly
Maine Coons require regular brushing, at least once or twice a week, and more during shedding season. Grooming your cat regularly is the most effective way to prevent mats.
2. Feel For Tangles
Mats always start with tangles of fur. Gently comb your fingers through your cat’s fur to help dislodge any tangles.
3. Trim
Maine Coons have longer fur near their necks and chests, tails, belly, and paws, which means these areas are more prone to mats.
If your Maine Coon seems to develop mats in these areas, you might want to consider taking your cat to a groomer and trimming any problem areas shorter.
How To Maintain Maine Coon Fur
Keeping your Maine Coon’s fur well taken care of not only looks beautiful, but it is better for your cat’s health, as well.
Here are some ways you can keep your Maine Coon’s coat in perfect condition.
1. Establish A Routine
You should ideally groom your Maine Coon twice a week, although once is acceptable outside of shedding season.
Establish a routine early on with your Maine Coon to keep its fur healthy at all times.
These are my favorite Maine Coon grooming tools.
2. Detangling
Use a wide-tooth comb throughout your cat’s fur to loosen any tangles and prevent mats.
This will also prevent knotting and painful tugging when you use finer brushes and combs.
3. Deshedding
Use a fine tooth comb, slicker brush, or a de-shedding product such as the Furminator to help remove dead hairs from your cat’s thick undercoat.
4. Finishing Touches
Use a bristle brush on the top of your cat’s coat.
While bristle brushes don’t exactly remove any excess hair, they do smooth out your Maine Coon’s coat after grooming and add an extra bit of shine.
5. Occasional Baths
While bathing is usually optional, it can help remove excess dander and oils, as well as dead and loose hair.
Furthermore, if you have an outdoor Maine Coon, or you take your cat on lots of walks, it might get dirty and muddy.
In this case, baths are a great way to keep your Maine Coon’s fur clean.
Why Is My Maine Coon Losing Hair
If your Maine Coon is losing hair, then it might be a cause for concern.
Here are the common causes behind hair loss in Maine Coon Cats:
Natural Shedding
If you notice a lot more fur on your furniture and rugs than usual, it’s likely a case of natural shedding.
Cats naturally shed in the spring and fall in preparation for the change of seasons.
While shedding can be annoying, it’s nothing to worry about.
If you notice rapid hair loss in your cat, which results in thinning or balding areas, however, then it’s a cause for concern.
Excessive Grooming
Some cats begin grooming themselves excessively when they are stressed or ill, which can cause their fur to fall out.
This is usually most apparent on a cat’s stomach, which might start to develop bald patches.
Parasites
A variety of parasites, as well as skin or fungal infections, can lead to hair loss in cats.
Some potential parasites that cause hair loss include ringworm, fleas, and mites.
Allergies
Cats can suffer from allergies just like humans do, and one possible symptom of these allergies is fur loss.
Some common allergies in cats include:
- Grains
- Sea Food
- Pollen
Talk to your vet about food allergies, especially if you notice any other symptoms like coughing and sneezing, watery, red eyes, or irritated skin.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a disease that causes a cat’s thyroid to produce too much of one hormone, known as thyroxine.
This causes an increase in metabolism, which can cause weight loss and hair loss, among other problems.
Do Maine Coons Have Oily Fur?
All cats secrete oils from their skin to their fur, which protects and moisturizes them.
Maine Coons also have an extra bit of oil on their outer layer of fur, which is semi-water repellant.
This keeps them from getting too cold in the snow, as melted snow typically slides right off of them!
Do Maine Coons Need Haircuts?
Cats don’t grow hair in the same way that humans do.
While human hair will continue to grow for long periods of time, cat hair falls out before it can grow too long.
Maine Coon fur consistently reaches around the same length before shedding. As a result, they don’t usually need haircuts.
With that being said, sometimes Maine Coons do require trimming. Their long fur can lead to tangles, and their rear ends might get dirty while using the litter box.
If this is the case, you should take your Maine Coon to the groomers for some regular trims to keep your cat clean and healthy.
Conclusion
If you recently brought home a Maine Coon kitten, but still don’t see signs of its coat coming in, you’re likely wondering when will my Maine Coon get fluffy?
Maine Coons are known for their luxurious, thick coats, but their fur can take up to four years to fully develop.
While this long fur is a sight to behold, it does require some extra maintenance, and a regular grooming schedule is vital to keeping your cat clean and healthy.