How much does a lovely pedigree cat cost ?
**************************************
 
Equivalent to :
 200-300  loaves of bread
or
1 monthly rent
or
10 - 20 dinners for two
or
100 - 200 boxes of cigarettes
or
30 - 60 bottles  of  wine  ...  including headache tablets
 or
a few tanks of petrol
...............................................................

For cat friends :

6 - 12  big bags of good premium food
or
a  large, good quality  cat tree.

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Do I have to brush my Maine Coon regularly ?
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 Yes please !!!  How would you feel if you had to run around with messy hair???

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Do Maine Coon cats shed hair ?
***************************

Yes. Not as much as Persian cats but we shed  more than naked-cats :-))) - daily !!!

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I  am  looking  for a  sweet tempered, calm and quiet cat. Would  a Maine Coon  be the right cat for me ?
*************************************************************************************

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm ... NO !!!

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We  live in a small bedsit without balcony. Can we  fit  in two Maine Coons  ?
******************************************************************

OOOPS !!! You  would  never find a respectable breeder for this project ... and it ´s
no use telling lies. .. many breeders  take  their kittens
 to  their  new home !!!

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Dogfood is  much  cheaper - why  do  I  have to feed my cat proper catfood ?
*******************************************************************
 
If you can  survive 15 years  on birdfood without developing health problems - please
call me !!!

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How frequently do I have to I clean the cat toilet ?
*********************************************

How often do you clean YOUR toilet ???  Daily !!!

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Maine Coons  are said to be long-lived and healthy ... is that  correct  ?
*************************************************************

 Basically yes, but any living creature has its own  limits and genetic features.
 By carefully selecting breeding partners  the breeder  provides a solid  
base for a healthy and long-lived cat.

Each race has specific problems -  even the Maine Coon !!! Every
respectable breeder will test for signs of HD, HCM and PL !!!

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There are so many breeders - whom should I choose ?
*********************************************

Look at many breeders. But  don´t visit them  all on  the same  day !!!  Every  breeder strives to
maintain a high  level of hygiene, but each cattery  will have specific bacteria which may be
transmitted to other catteries through visitors.
.....................................................................................................

 Ask a lot of questions !!! Look at the parents and the kittens - do the animals
come to you ??? Are they playful ??? Are the rooms clean ???
 Does the breeder allow enough time for you and do you feel
that  s/he gives you good advice?
.........................................................................

Then you have  possibly found a good breeder :-))) !!!  If the breeder is interested  in
 you and asks questions about your life style, don´t get upset  - it may be the beginning
of  good co-operation or even friendship in the interest of the  little cat
you have lost your heart  to  ...

(Text by Ina Zahlten)