What kind of cats have I got?
Discussion
We got these from a rehoming center in October. There wasn't a lot of information about them from their previous home but they were described as Maine Coons. I'm not so sure, though - they're a bit bigger than average but not as big as some Maines I've seen, they don't have the "Lynx tips" on their ears and they don't really make that chirping noise that some (most?) Maines do. They are quite vocal when they want to be but it's mostly regular miaowing rather than chirping.
That said though, their coats and body shapes are about right for Maine Coons. They seem pretty intelligent and are generally affectionate and playful, all of the above I'm told are Maine Coon traits.
Snowy is a male, about 6kg and we were told he was 5 years old when we got him last year:
And Sasha is female, between 4.5 and 5kg, we were told she was 2yo:
Sorry about the poor pics, I'll try and upload some better ones later.
Just curious really as we don't have any way of tracing their history. I guess they could be Norwegian Forest cats or Siberians maybe. Anyone able to ID them or give any further clues?
That said though, their coats and body shapes are about right for Maine Coons. They seem pretty intelligent and are generally affectionate and playful, all of the above I'm told are Maine Coon traits.
Snowy is a male, about 6kg and we were told he was 5 years old when we got him last year:
And Sasha is female, between 4.5 and 5kg, we were told she was 2yo:
Sorry about the poor pics, I'll try and upload some better ones later.
Just curious really as we don't have any way of tracing their history. I guess they could be Norwegian Forest cats or Siberians maybe. Anyone able to ID them or give any further clues?
saleen836 said:
I would say they are both just normal domestic cats but a bit bigger, Mrs Saleen has 2 brothers which are normal long haired domestic and are just over 2 years old, one of them isn't far off 6kg with his smaller brother not far off 5kg, and neither of them is overweight.
I'd agree they're probably not Maine Coons - we've got a small herd of them and apart from the lack of Lynx tips the shape of the head isn't right and the paws look too small. We've also got a Norwegian Forest and they've a very distinctive shaped head, which again doesn't match the photos.Edited to add - two of the 'herd' - Oscar and Watson.
Edited by Andy_GSA on Friday 1st June 18:17
just me said:
I would think domestic. They are significantly different in appearance to Maine Coons. Beautiful cats!
Andy_GSA, how many cats do you have???! Very cute! Love Maine Coons, and some people think they are descended from Norwegian Forest Cats.
5 in total, this is the rest of the mob:Andy_GSA, how many cats do you have???! Very cute! Love Maine Coons, and some people think they are descended from Norwegian Forest Cats.
Autumn the Norwegian Forest Cat:
George, another Maine Coon who is about 1 year old in this photo, he's still growing:
Molly, George's sister, next to Watson (who's about 9Kg and not overweight)
Top one looks domestic, bottom one has a little look of MC about her/him, only say that for the point to her face/nose, slanted eyes and big ears; however like you say no lynx tips and no mane either.
One of ours is quite pointy with big ears, our other has a more traditional maine coon look
Excuse for pics?
Our two
Lily & Poppy, Lily is 3, Poppy is 1. Lily is a big filled out one, Poppy is very slender and long. Both very different temperaments but still lovely in their own ways, however neither liked being picked up
Closer one of Poppy
One of ours is quite pointy with big ears, our other has a more traditional maine coon look
Excuse for pics?
Our two
Lily & Poppy, Lily is 3, Poppy is 1. Lily is a big filled out one, Poppy is very slender and long. Both very different temperaments but still lovely in their own ways, however neither liked being picked up
Closer one of Poppy
saleen836 said:
I would say they are both just normal domestic cats but a bit bigger, Mrs Saleen has 2 brothers which are normal long haired domestic and are just over 2 years old, one of them isn't far off 6kg with his smaller brother not far off 5kg, and neither of them is overweight.
Could be, on the subject of weight and size though they've both gained weight and grown since we got them and last time the vet saw them she said they're probably both still a bit underweight tho so reckon they will get bigger. The wee one is only between 2 and 3 years old so if she is a Maine then she's probably got at least another year of growing to do.just me said:
I would think domestic. They are significantly different in appearance to Maine Coons. Beautiful cats!
Thanks!Sheets Tabuer said:
You've seen my NFC on the show us your cats thread, if you notice they have triangular shaped faces hence why they are called wedgies and almond shaped eyes.
Ours do have quite triangular faces, they also have the high cheekbones and the slightly concave nose profile that I read are Maine Coon features.missdiane said:
Top one looks domestic, bottom one has a little look of MC about her/him, only say that for the point to her face/nose, slanted eyes and big ears; however like you say no lynx tips and no mane either.
One of ours is quite pointy with big ears, our other has a more traditional maine coon look
They do both have manes, the boy (top one, Snowy) has a much longer one than Sasha, I thought that was typical of MC's also?One of ours is quite pointy with big ears, our other has a more traditional maine coon look
Realised looking at the original pics that they really aren't very good, here are a couple more of Snowy:
And one of Sasha:
You can see they do have manes and although they don't have the lynx tips they do have the tufts of hair in the ears. That said, I've seen other MCs without lynx tips. Someone said they don't appear to have big paws - again that's a pictures thing, they do have fairly large paws but probably not disproportionately so to their bodies.
They look kinda similar to some of the MCs posted in the thread but quite different to others. Guess we'll probably never know for sure, they may well be crosses with another breed or a regular domestic I suppose.
Thanks for all the other pics, all very beautiful cats!
Your pic of Snowey looks like Mrs Saleens biggest cat (apart from colouring) similar mane and fluffy although ours has a bushier tail.Here they are...
The one on the bottom perch has had his mane trimmed as it was becomming a full on Sir Walter Raleigh ruffle, to give you an idea of his size he can stand on his hind legs and place his front paws on top of the work surface!
The one on the bottom perch has had his mane trimmed as it was becomming a full on Sir Walter Raleigh ruffle, to give you an idea of his size he can stand on his hind legs and place his front paws on top of the work surface!
Snowy can just about reach the worktop when he's at full stretch too. He doesn't have to jump down off the sofa or our bed, he just kind of steps off onto the floor 
Funny how they have certain physical and behavioural traits of Maine Coons but not others, maybe they are crosses. Whatever ours are they're two of the gentlest most fun and good natured cats we could have hoped for, especially for the soon-to-be Mrs. 8bit who's never had pets of any sort before now.
Funny how they have certain physical and behavioural traits of Maine Coons but not others, maybe they are crosses. Whatever ours are they're two of the gentlest most fun and good natured cats we could have hoped for, especially for the soon-to-be Mrs. 8bit who's never had pets of any sort before now.
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