The average lifespan of a Maine Coon cat is around 10–13 years, but some have lived much longer. Factors that can affect any cat's lifespan include health, diet, exercise, genetics, living conditions and grooming.
Health
Early detection and treatment of health issues, such as dental disease, obesity, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, can help extend a Maine Coon's lifespan. Worried about how to pay for detection and treatment of health issues? Cat Health Insurance.
Diet
A balanced diet can help a Maine Coon live a long and happy life. A cat's diet is important for their health because it provides the nutrients they need to support their immune system, digestion, and weight. A balanced diet that's tailored to your cat's individual needs can help ensure they're healthy and energetic.
Here are some tips for keeping your cat healthy with diet:
Choose the right food
Cats are obligate carnivores, so their diet should be based on animal products that provide high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and minimal carbohydrates. You can consult your veterinarian to determine the best food for your cat.
Feed small, frequent meals
Mimic your cat's natural hunting habits by feeding them small meals throughout the day. Avoid leaving food out all day.
Transition gradually
Sudden changes in diet can cause stomach upset and diarrhea, so transition your cat to new food gradually.
Keep them hydrated
Cats don't drink enough water on their own, so you can encourage them to drink more by providing a water fountain. Canned food also provides some hydration.
Avoid certain foods
Avoid feeding your cat onions, garlic, chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, bread dough, alcohol, and anything with artificial sweeteners.
Exercise
Regular exercise can help a Maine Coon maintain a healthy weight. Exercise is essential for a cat's health because it helps them maintain a healthy weight, improves their muscle tone, and strengthens their bones. Cats who exercise daily are generally less anxious, experience less pain associated with joint disease, and have less significant weight gain throughout their lives. Not only does daily exercise help a cat maintain a healthy weight, but exercise also engages a cat's mind, enhancing their quality of life.
Weight management
Exercise helps cats burn calories and maintain a healthy weight, which can help prevent obesity and related health problems.
Muscle and bone strength
Exercise helps cats build and maintain strong muscles and bones, which is especially important as they age.
Mental health
Exercise can help prevent boredom and anxiety, and allows cats to express their natural behaviors.
Joint health
Cats who exercise daily experience less pain associated with joint disease.
Circulation and respiration
Exercise improves a cat's circulation and respiratory function.
Lifespan
A healthy exercise plan can help extend a cat's lifespan.
Here are some tips for keeping your cat active:
Playtime: Schedule playtime around your cat's most active times, which are dawn and dusk. You can also try breaking playtime into shorter sessions throughout the day.
Toys: Provide your cat with toys like balls, sticks with feathers, or flashlight pointers. You can also try leaving out paper bags, tissue paper, and cardboard boxes to inspire play.
Cat tree or condo: Provide a cat tree or cat condo to encourage climbing.
Scratching post: Provide a scratching post or pad.
Play-dates: Set up play-dates with a friend or relative's pet.
Food puzzles: Provide your cat with a food puzzle to encourage them to work for treats.
Genetics
Maine Coons are prone (like all breed of cats) to inheriting certain diseases from their parents. Genes are segments of DNA that provide instructions for building proteins, which are the building blocks of our cells and carry out various functions in the body.
Mutations can cause problems:
Sometimes, changes in the DNA sequence (mutations) can alter the instructions within a gene, leading to a protein that doesn't work properly.
Inherited conditions:
These mutations can be passed down from parents to children, causing genetic disorders or predisposing individuals to certain diseases.
Examples of genetic diseases:
Sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, and some forms of cancer are examples of diseases caused by specific genetic mutations.
Environmental factors also play a role:
While genetics can influence our health risks, environmental factors like diet, lifestyle, and exposure to toxins can also interact with our genes to impact our health.
Living conditions
A cat's life expectancy can be affected by their overall health and living conditions. Substandard housing such as water leaks, poor ventilation, dirty carpets and pest infestation can lead to an increase in mold, mites and other allergens associated with poor health. Cold indoor conditions have been associated with poorer health, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Poor housing quality can lead to a number of health issues, including:
Mold and allergens
Poor ventilation, water leaks, and dirty carpets can lead to an increase in mold and mites, which can cause poor health.
Cold temperatures
Cold indoor conditions can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and respiratory conditions.
Lead exposure
Exposure to lead from paint, pipes, and faucets can cause irreversible neurological damage, especially in children.
Overcrowding
Children living in overcrowded homes are more likely to have behavioral problems, poorer physical health, and lower academic performance.
Mental health
Poor housing quality can also lead to mental health issues, including:
Stress, anxiety, and depression
Emotional and behavioral problems
Psychological distress
Grooming
Proper grooming can help ensure a Maine Coon lives a long and healthy life. By grooming your cat, you reduce the amount of hair they swallow, thereby decreasing the occurrence of hairballs. This not only improves their digestive health but also minimizes the risk of choking and intestinal blockages.
Prevent matting: Brushing and combing removes dead fur and prevents tangles and matting, which can lead to skin irritation.
Check for health issues: Regular grooming can help you identify lumps or bumps that could be a sign of cancer or parasites.
Improve circulation: Brushing improves circulation in the skin.
Remove dirt and allergens: Brushing removes dirt particles that can cause allergies.
Trim nails and brush teeth: Regular grooming helps prevent dental disease and infections.
Reduce stress: Grooming can increase oxytocin levels and decrease stress.
Reduce shedding: Grooming removes loose hairs and reduces the risk of hairballs.
Release natural oils: Brushing stimulates the production of natural oils that keep a cat's coat healthy and shiny.
Overgrooming: Overgrooming can be a sign of stress or an underlying illness. It can lead to skin infections and excessive hairballs.
FUN FACT
In May 2020, a Maine Coon named Rubble was named the world's oldest cat at the age of 31.