Maine Coons are known for many things, including their larger than life personality and physical size. How to Identify a Maine Coon. Range in size, length and volume. Heavily furred ears with extra long tufts of fur growing from inside help keep their ears warm. Veterinarian. I've been in love with the Maine Coon cat breed ever since we welcomed an adorable male Maine Coon kitten into our home 8 years ago.

That´s why I have created this website.Along with the popularity of any breed comes excessive and illegitimate breeding, and unfortunately the Maine Coon is no exception. Sometimes ears have lynx tips (fur growing up from the ends of the ears, like a Lynx). Look at an orange Maine Coon’s face and you see brightly shining green-amber eyes, looking inquisitively at you. Not that it matters to me, I'd adopt them regardless, but I thought all maine coons have ear tufts; these cats don't. Some cats have very noticeable tips whilst on others, these are much more subtle. From the top… a Maine Coon’s ears are wide, large, and pointed with lynx tips and tufts of fur in the ear. The ear tufts on your Maine Coon are not just adorable, but also functional. Their ears are “lynx” like with tufts of fur on the ends. Ear tufts are actually fur growing from the inside of the cat’s ear, while “lynx tips” are the pointed, and often colored, lengths of fur sticking up from the top of his ear. Facebook. What To Expect. Our young stud cat hails from Bergkammen, Germany, where we purchased him from a show cattery. Their information says that they're maine coon. Their most distinguishing feature, however, may be their ear tufts. Here Is What You Need. Also read: When will my Maine Coon get fluffy? The ear tufts on your Maine Coon are not just adorable, but also functional. Maine Coon Central is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. I have not been able to find any independent research that clarifies what color purebred Maine Coon ear tufts should be. Home Giant Maine Coon cattery. As a result, there are many Maine Coon owners curious of their cat’s actual genetics. ... Light silver frill and ear tufts. The vast majority of Maine Coons will have their distinct ear tufts, but it is possible for a cat to be different. This area needs particular attention when grooming a Maine Coon. The American Curl has a beautiful silky coat, but what makes him stand out is his ears. It is very thick and medium to long. She has however reached the rank of champion in cat shows before being fixed and was a breeding Maine Coon for a few years before she had a miscarriage. • Neck ruff, foot ruffs, and ear tufts • A long, fluffy tail (Maine Coon tails average 16 inches, and anything less than 13 inches is unlikely to be a pure Maine Coon unless it is still a juvenile) • A rectangular, muscular, and evenly-proportioned body • A long, straight nose. The first and easiest way to identify a Maine Coon is their size and their strong body. It's so hard to tell with a young kitten, if he might be part Coon. Breeders producing mixed, or part Maine Coons are unable to assure potential buyers that the Maine Coon kittens they sell will ever grow a set of impressive tufty ears. Do All Maine Coon Cats Have Ear Tufts. The Best Litter Box For Maine Coons? That´s why I have created this website. Instead, some Maine Coons will never grow a distinguishing set of lynx tips at all. It's so hard to tell with a young kitten, if he might be part Coon. MY MAINE COONS. Maine Coon ear tufts should be visibly growing out from the cats inner ear, extending beyond the outer edge of the cats ears. Look at your cat’s ears. –  Most cats do not require regular baths, but may get into something that results in a mess! It is also not uncommon for some Maine Coons to have tufts growing from … Head: Broad head, prominent cheek bones Muzzle:Boxy Ears: Large, high, one ear's width apart, tufts, lynx points We have another forever Carolina Maine Coon. If you would like to learn more about Maine Coon lynx tips, take a look at my article: ‘Do all Maine Coons Have Lynx Tips?‘. The breed only has “peach fuzz” on occasion but is otherwise completely furless. All purebred Maine Coon cats have ear tufts that grow out of their inner ears, offering protection to the cats sensitive ear organ. • Neck ruff, foot ruffs, and ear tufts • A long, fluffy tail (Maine Coon tails average 16 inches, and anything less than 13 inches is unlikely to be a pure Maine Coon unless it is still a juvenile) • A rectangular, muscular, and evenly-proportioned body • A long, straight nose. These cats can keep themselves warm by wrapping their tail around their faces like a scarf. Yes, you read that right: The Maine Coon is known for her large, tufted paws (dubbed snowshoes), in addition to those glamorous ear tufts that land her on this list. Sections of this page. They are called "lynx tips". I have two CFA registered Maine Coons and my female has smaller tufts like the ones in your picture (~1 cm). The maine coon has large ears with hair at the tips giving these cats a look thats pretty much like the lynx. See more of Glamason Maine Coon Kittens on Facebook. Accessibility Help. Well known for being the biggest domesticated cat breed, Maine Coons are also famous for their long, soft coats, big paws, and ability to adapt to almost any environment. What is often called an ear tuft is actually two different fur structures. Another aspect of Maine Coon cats is their very obvious ear tufts. Aside from buying a DNA test, there are a few ways you can tell if your cat is a Maine Coon or not. A Maine Coon’s eyes vs a normal cat’s is very distinct. The eyes maybe green, gold or copper – in white cats it is possible to have blue or odd eyes. Some Maine Coons have a feral (wild) look and appear hostile. The top of his ears have black hair, however, it barely extends beyond the tip of the ear. Ear tufts on a one-month-old Maine Coon kitten Are Maine Coons vocal? Some Maine Coons might develop fuller, longer ear tufts with age, but they won’t ever magically appear overnight. Whilst some Maine Coons have exaggerated Lynx tips sprouting from the tip of each ear, others have such short tips they are barely noticeable. This site is owned and operated by Maine Coon Central. From the ear tufts, shaggy coat in it's many colors, awesome size, and magnificent tail, there is so much to talk about here! Read more on that in our article here! Cats without lynx tips by 2 years are unlikely to ever grow them, Most Maine Coons have wispy hair that sprouts out of their inner ear. We have another Maine Coon mix that has the ear tufts, personality, and all [may be full-bred] and his tail is actually 4 inches shorter than his body! They are strange, aren’t they? The hairs do not shy away from attention – they stick out from the ears quite noticeably. Do all Maine Coons have an M on their forehead? That is not to say that mixed Maine Coons will never grow ear tufts. How can you tell a Maine Coon cat? Maine Coon cats are a natural breed anyway, with all colors possible. I'm looking to adopt a cat or kitten. When do Maine Coons get their ear tufts? They are strange, aren’t they? The paws are large, round and tufted. While the tufts function to help keep that extremity warm, they can also hold in the dirt or unwanted ear wax. To check if your cat is part Maine Coon or purebred, look at her ears closely. Jurgen, who is a Blue Classic Tabby and White, is 2 years of age. The first and easiest way to identify a Maine Coon is their size and their strong body. I am also aware that while they are a desirable trait, not all Maine Coons will develop long ear tufts. Providing food or supplements with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids will help improve the overall quality of their coats. They grow outwards from the tapered pointed tip of a Maine Coons ear. These cats also have a distinct silky, yet curly coat that lays close to their bodies. J's Barbershop. My names Katrina Stewardson, and I’m a self confessed CRAZY CAT LADY! The Maine Coon has large ears with hair at the tips, giving these cats a look that’s pretty much like the lynx. Should You Let Your Maine Coon Outside? I saw cute black and tuxedo cats. Legends tell the Maine Coon is the result of an impossible love between an American lynx and a raccoon. One of the oldest known American breeds, the Maine Coon has a coat to protect it from the harsh Maine winters.Ironically, the first Maine Coon cats had less defined ear tufts than our modern day house cats due to selective breeding. The name “Curl” doesn’t refer to his fur, but actually the shape of his ears, which are also tufted. Characterized by long beautiful fluffy tails, the European Maine Coons are sure to please any enthusiast. From characteristics to personality, this is the complete guide to Maine Coon cats! A Maine Coon with a Shaded Gray Cream and White color has a white undercoat and gray and cream shading on its face, sides, and tail. Pet Breeder. Maine Coon Ear Tufts and Lynx Tips. If ear tufts are not present by this stage, it is highly possible that a Maine Coon will never develop these prestigious wispy hairs at all (source). The two year mark is considered relevant in this matter because tip growth is thought to stop when a Maine Coons full coat has fully grown in. With a long, shaggy coat that lays close to the body, a bushy long tail, tufted paw pads and large ears adorned with furry tufts and “lynx tips” on top, their build reflects the Maine Coon’s origins in the cold Northeast. Maine Coons are considered less true to the breed, if their ears are untufted (source). If you’ve just bought a Maine Coon cat, you can expect to see some beautiful ear tufts and lynx points within the first few months. It is not surprising that many people get confused with the technical terminology for each part of a Maine Coons ear. Not all Maine Coons have lynx tips: Ear Tufts: All Maine Coons have wispy hair that sprouts out of their inner ear. One common myth about Maine Coons is that they all have an “M” design on their forehead. Breed Info. Be sure to check your Maine Coons paws on a regular basis. Just be sure to use lukewarm water, a small amount of pet-friendly soap, and set aside a lot of time for drying! Lynx tips significantly differ in size, length and volume, depending upon each cats individual genetics. People Might Think You Own a Lynx! Keep in mind, however, that not all cats meet their breed standards even if they are purebred. This is because the wispy hair helps to prevent dirt and debris from the environment reaching the cats delicate inner ear. Maine Coon : To Semi-longhair breeds: Body: The large to very large cat has a muscular, elongated and broad body. What is a Tabby Maine Coon Cat – Complete Guide. The Maine Coon could be the most popular cat breed with tufted ears. Some people will even doubt the pedigree of a Maine Coon if they don’t see these irresistible fluffs on a cat. Maine Coon cats have two kinds of ear hair characteristics that can get confused. These ear tufts should also be long (anywhere up to 4 inches in length), and grow outwards past the cats outer ear. And some adults are clearly Maine Coon cats, some not so clearly. There are several ways you can identify a Maine Coon. Used for improved mobility in snowy conditions, their feet are large and full of fur. Its function is to keep debris out and possibly also to filter sounds efficiently into the cat’s ear canal. A Maine Coon also has luxurious tufts of hair in its lynx-like ears. Maine Coons are the largest domestic cat breed aside from Savannah cats, which aren’t counted as “domestic” by all cat enthusiasts. This breed’s usual eye color is gold and/or green, however, white Maine Coons are either blue-eyed or odd-eyed which means that one eye is blue while the other is either green or gold. A Maine Coon can cost between $1,000 – $2,000. A telltale sign of the Maine Coon cat is their fur. Characteristics of the Maine Coon Cat. There is a ruff, which begins at the base of the ears and is heavier in males than females. Ear Tufts and Lynx Tips – The Difference. Barber Shop. Can reach up to 4 inches in length! Individuals opting for cheaper mixed Maine Coons might therefore be disappointed when they discover that their treasured feline friend will not necessarily grow a pair of regal looking Maine Coon ear tufts. Not only are Maine Coons large, but so are their paws. Many Maine Coons have tabby coats, but there are plenty of other coat types that would not include an “M” shape. An orange chin and nose, and on top light orange ears and lynx-link ear tufts. There are many Maine Coons however, whose ear tuft colors tend to match their main fur coat colorings. East Coast Maine Coons. These cats are up to twice the size of your average house cat. Maine Coon Ear Care – Cleaning The Maine Coon Ears. One of the defining physical characteristics of the Maine Coon are the ear tufts, the long hair that grows out from the tip of each ear to make the ears look larger and give then a more triangular appearance.Ear tufts are enshrined in the American cat association breed standards. They are large and wide, with long tufts coming out of them, and lynx-like tufts on the tips. The Maine Coon has large ears with hair at the tips, giving these cats a look that’s pretty much like the lynx. Do all Maine Coon cats have ear tufts growing out of their ears? How much does a Maine Coon cost? From an assessment of various different Maine Coon photos online, I have concluded that Maine Coon ear tufts come in a range of colors, many of which will match the Maine Coons main fur coloring. While they may have this mark, it is not on all, nor is it exclusive to the breed. In general though, white and off-white ear tufts appear to be the most common. The 3 Toys For Maine Coons You Just Have To Get, The Best Harness For Maine Coons? What makes a Coon a Coon? Ear tufts are not necessarily present on part Maine Coons, or mixed Maine Coons though, since their mixed genetics are likely to have influenced their overall physical looks. Maine Coon. Related Pages. Because of cross-breeding in the early history of the breed, there are many accepted color variations aside from tabby. The paws also have tufts forming a snowshoe effect. They're possibly mixed with maine coon? If you can think of any other questions to help me learn more about my kitty then I'd be glad to answer any questions. Maine Coon Lifespan – How Old Do Maine Coons Get?

It all started with a guinea pig called Percy when I was 5 years old and since then I’ve lived with two more guinea pigs, a hamster, mice, a rabbit, a tortoise, a dog, and 11 cats. I'm just curious, do all Maine Coons have ear tufts or not? See ‘ear tufts’ above for more details. If you have it in your heart and you have the patience and time, please consider rehabilitating a rescued Maine Coon cat or kitten. Trailside Veterinary Services. There is actual mention of ear tufts - EARS: Shape: large, well-tufted. What is often called an ear tuft is actually two different fur structures. Look at your cat’s ears. As you can see, their ear tufts tend to be white, or off-white in color. But of all the domestic cats, the Maine Coon has the most prominent ear tufts. It should be noted that every breed within every species has variations in individuals, meaning any one animal can look different from the accepted standard. Not that it matters to me, I'd adopt them regardless, but I thought all maine coons have ear tufts; these cats don't. A Maine Coon mix will usually have not as strong ear tufts as a purebred Maine Coon from a reputable breeder. How much does a Maine Coon cost? Personality. Believe it or not, your cat’s diet can affect their coat quality. Ear tufts are actually fur growing from the inside of the cat’s ear, while “lynx tips” are the pointed, and often colored, lengths of fur sticking up from the top of his ear. This is a common myth about the breed, but the “M” shape actually comes from the tabby coat type, which appears in other breeds. Press alt + / to open this menu. Therefore, if your cat has not grown any tips by the time they are 2 years old, owners should discount the idea that they will ever grow. The quick and simple answer to that is no. If you are lovers of the Maine Coon breed, why not read more of my informative articles. Recent Post by Page. We called him 'Pippin', but he also goes by the names ‘Pipsteroo’, and ‘Pippikins’! Purebred Maine Coon cats are clearly recognizable by their ears, though it might prove more difficult to correctly identify a Maine Coon with mixed breed genetics. This post is part of the color series. Most Maine Coons have ear tufts or lynx tips similar to the wisps and tufts of a Lynx. All maine coon cats have two rather distinctive ear characteristics which are often confused as … The muscular neck is of medium length, the rib cage is broad. Maine Coon coats are not complete until they reach about two years of age! Their muzzle is usually square and box-like. Ironically, the first Maine Coon cats had less defined ear tufts than our modern day house cats due to selective breeding. Ear tufts on a one-month-old Maine Coon kitten Are Maine Coons vocal? 7. The majority of Maine Coon kittens should start developing their Maine Coon ear tufts by the time they are a couple of weeks old. Yet another practical feature of the Maine Coon is their bushy tail. Maine Coon lynx tips are considered a desirable physical feature that grow outwards from the point at the top of a cat’s ear. 2. Maine Coon eyes are large and expressive. The Maine Coon Cat Club, which was started in 1973, had some major contributions to the breed’s acceptance. Discover more about breed info for Maine Coons here. Just as the coat of the cat needs weekly grooming so do the ears. I am assuming that the question was actually "how old are they" instead of "how are they." And if they are orange, the sun literally shines when they scamper into the room and do something silly. Pierre´s Maine Coon, Maze, doesn´t have very strong ear tufts/ lynx tips. Owners of Maine Coons need to pay special attention to their pets ears. Why Maine Coon Ear Tufts Are Mistaken For Lynx Tips. Purebred Maine Coons are more likely to grow lynx tips, than mixed Maine Coon cats. Stuck as to which cat breed is best suited to your family? Males are typically 13 to 18 pounds but often reach the mid-twenties. Maine Coon Cost: What You Should Know. Create New Account. This makes this cat no less a member of his “breed”; After all, genetic mutations are what have given us our most beloved breeds! To check if your cat is part Maine Coon or purebred, look at her ears closely. Not Now. That’s the wild wispy hairs coming from inside their ears. Its function is to keep debris out and possibly also to filter sounds efficiently into the cat’s ear canal. Anjayma … The tufts also keep the Maine Coon warm, whilst also helping to stop debris getting into a Maine Coons ears. If you’re attracted to cats with special fur features, here are some other breeds to check out. The tail hair is long and flowing. The medium long legs are solid and muscular. three different coat types. or. Breeders are encouraged to breed cats with well tufted ears. Obviously one of the easiest ways to spot a Maine Coon are their signature ears. Maine coon cat ear tufts. And some adults are clearly Maine Coon cats, some not so clearly. Scientists also suggest that the fur helps filter and direct sound to their earway. Luckily for Maine Coon owners, most love water, making them much easier to bathe than their feline cousins. One is a Maine Coon, named Maze and the other is a regular house cat, named Gigetta. The Maine Coon could be the most popular cat breed with tufted ears. Maine Coon. The adorable. Log In. Maine Coon cats have two kinds of ear hair characteristics that can get confused. Listen to Nico sing as a Maine Coon with huge messy ear tufts wakes up and greets the morning sun. Both phrases refer to the same thing. They both have a mass of Maine Coon ear tufts growing out of their inner ears. Email or Phone: Password: Forgot account? See posts on silver, black Maine Coons.

Maine Coon ear tufts (or lynx tips) are the long hairs that sprout from the tips of each ear whilst ear furnishings are the soft fluffy hairs that emerge from the inner surfaces. 1. *So, we think maybe the tail is a smaller concern when figuring out if he is Maine Coon--is this accurate? Whilst a large percentage of Maine Coon cats will eventually grow their Maine Coon lynx tips, it is not a given that this breed definitely will. One way is by looking at its physical features like its large size, shaggy fur, tapered tail and ears, and large eyes. Regardless of the cat you choose, make sure you’re ready to take proper care of their coats! No. Sign Up. take our test that helps you to identify a Maine Coon. The 13 Cat Breeds With Ear Tufts. Heavily furred ears with extra long tufts of fur growing from inside can keep warm more easily. Discover more about breed info for Maine Coons here. According to the Cat Fanciers Federation, Maine Coons should have large ears that sit high on their heads, are wide at the base, and taper to a point. Learn More Our Maine Coons. Be sure you’re ready to take care of one these beautiful cats before bringing them home. For more on their personality and quirks, you'll want to check out our section on their Behavior And Traits. Maine Coon ear tufts - classic tabby and white appearance - Photo by foxypar4 (Flickr) One of the defining characteristics of the Maine Coon's appearance is the ear tufts, the hair that grows from the tips of the ear flaps (the outer ear). Maine Coon Central also participates in affiliate programs with other sites. The vast majority of Maine Coons will have their distinct ear tufts, but it is possible for a cat to be different.