I realize by definition my 3-1/2 month Maine Coon is considered a "look-a-like" by breeders since I purchased her from a newspaper ad from a non-registered, non-recognized breeder. However, now more than ever I'm wondering if she's a MC at all. My new kitten "Bear" seemed fluffy when I got her 6 weeks ago, but her fur has not grown much at all to match her body. She resembles the MC from every "other" physical characteristics I have read in books including the mannerisms - she even loves water! The problem is I have a short-haired, robust, muscular kitten, with all the characteristics except the biggest one - the fur...is this normal? Will her fur grow as she matures? I will love this cat regardless, and she's definately my best buddy. But I can't help but be a little dissapointed if this is the way she'll look forever, especially since I wanted a long haired cat to begin with and chose the MC for their good nature. Please give me your honest answer, especially if you have known of "true honest to goodness" Maine kittens with short fur.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2000

Answers

I wouldn't worry yet. One of my Maine Coons didn't have as fluffy a coat as his litter mates, and now he is a gorgeous MC with long, silky fur. Your kitten is still very young and there will be awkward kitten stages she'll go through. (Since you got her six weeks ago, I'm somewhat surprised that the breeder sold her to you at such a young age.) Her fur may start to look more Maine Coonish as she matures. But even if her fur doesn't grow as long as you would like, her other good qualities should more than make up for it. If you love her to pieces, she'll love you back and it won't matter what she looks like. By the way, I'm curious about what her parents looked like. Did they have long hair?

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2000

Unfortunately, I didn't see Bears parents. The more I look at her, the belly fur seems to be getting longer, and behind her head. I can e-mail you a photo if you'd like. Thanks for responding.

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2000

I think you'll be surprised at the changes your kitten goes through in the next few years, they reckon a Coon can take about 4 years to grow to their full size and coat (my first did!) A friend of mine has bred MCs for years so I've been lucky enough to see a lot of different kits, some are pretty hairy by 3 months, some aren't. Girls sometimes don't have the full coat for a while, and I think the time of year has a lot to do with it - some of AnnMary's cats go a lot shorter-haired in the Summer months but have a full coat all Winter, whereas my two boys never seem to lose any coat and always have a full ruff. Take a look at a few breeders' sites (my friend's is www.hurklecat.com and there are plenty of others!), you'll see how much they differ. Is she neutered yet? They usually get thicker coats after that's done. I'm sure she's a love and just gorgeous, so don't worry! Enjoy her.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

Main Coons furr is associated with the sesons. In summer if keept in hot areas they will loose the fur and look like bit longer than short hair cats. Normal. They usually loose hair in the beginning of summer and in shorter or longer period of time they are semi-shorthair. That is natural responce to the climat and prepares cat's fur for change in the winter when new and helthy coat is needed by nature. If the cat is kept indoors and well aircondicioned the furr process might be mutilated to some degree, also some individual cats might be different but as a rule all MC are longhair during the winter months and semishort in the summer provided they are exposed to natural temperatures. If you want I can send you a pic of my MC showing him at both stages. It is funny how looking at most of websites pepole are carefull to display only long furry stage but if you keep looking you will see some pics of shorthair stage. One thing stays: Longer hair on the tail. The tail should be pretty furry. Of course it is much thicker in the winter again but even in the summer months it should be a bit bushy. Still if you want to see my cat I will be happy to email you a picture but let me know first. Good luck. Lidia

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2000

It would be very helpful to see your cat. Do you have any pictures to show? full body in front and profile. Very curious. That should help to guess.Also what area of the States are you living in?

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2000