One of the most popular cat breeds in the world is probably the largest but sweetest feline – the Maine Coon. The main reason for that is their stunning appearance and nice, friendly personality, which is why they’re often referred to as gentle giants.
However, when you start learning more about Maine Coons, you will realize that there are many mixed Maine Coons that are becoming more and more popular.
Now, meet the Maine Coon Tabby Mix and learn everything you need to know about this breed!
What Is A Maine Coon Tabby Mix?
| Maine Coon Tabby Mix | Maine Coon | |
|---|---|---|
 |  |
|
| Height | 8-15 inches | 10-16 inches |
| Weight | 6-16 pounds | 8-18 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10-13 years | 13-14 years |
| Intelligence | high | high |
| Activity | medium | medium |
| Grooming | high | high |
The Maine Coon is a purebred feline that is registered with The International Cat Association (TICA) and Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA).
When it comes to the tabby part, it is crucial to know that tabby doesn’t refer to a specific breed of cat; the name refers to the cat’s tabby coat pattern, and Maine Coons can appear in this pattern too.
A Maine Coon Tabby Mix is a result of crossbreeding a purebred Maine Coon cat and a tabby domestic cat. When you look at this cat, you will notice that it looks almost the same as a purebred Maine Coon; a smaller version of giant Maine Coons.
However, being smaller doesn’t mean that they’re less attractive or less popular. On the contrary, these cats have gained in popularity and because of that, I want to tell you more about them.
The Historic Overview Of The Maine Coon Tabby Mix
As previously mentioned, the Maine Coon Tabby Mix cat is a newer breed that has become popular but hasn’t been yet recognized by cat associations. If you are wondering how these cats appeared, I have to disappoint you as their origin isn’t completely known.
So, tabby Maine Coons are purebred cats with a tabby pattern, while Maine Coon Tabby Mix cats are a cross of a Maine Coon and a domestic tabby cat.
It’s believed that these cats are actually a crossbreed of Maine Coons and breeds such as American or British Shorthair cats, or that they are part Maine Coon and part domestic short-hair tabby cat.
Even though we don’t know much about their origin, it’s time to learn more about their appearance, personality, and similar things which will help you understand why they’re so popular nowadays.
The Stunning Appearance Of The Maine Coon Tabby Cats
As previously mentioned, Maine Coon Tabby mix cats are actually a smaller version of the purebred Maine Coon breed, and this is due to a gene called chondrodysplasia that affects a cat’s size.
The Maine Coon Tabby Mix cats have long hair and a thick coat that can appear in a variety of tabby patterns and color combinations. On top of their head, you will notice lynx-like ears and ear tufts, and beautiful eyes that may appear in different colors.
Furthermore, these cats are characterized by a tabby pattern which means they have a recognizable mark on their forehead in the shape of the letter M, behind which there are many tales.
Besides the M-shaped tabby marking, the body of these cats is covered with darker stripes on their back, legs, and belly, with rings around the tails.
The main thing you should know is that there are four different types of tabby patterns. Now, let’s check them out!
Possible Tabby Patterns In A Maine Coon Tabby Mix
• Classic tabby – this tabby pattern is characterized by broad swirls marking the cat’s back and each side of the body. It is also known as blotched, it looks like marble and it is one of the most common tabby patterns in cats.
• Mackerel tabby – cats with this tabby pattern look very much like tigers; a pattern with parallel stripes that run vertically down each side of the cat’s body. The mackerel tabby is common for wild cats but it’s also one of the most common tabby patterns in our felines.
• Ticked tabby – one of the most unusual tabby patterns is the ticked one. This type differentiates most from others because there are no visible lines over the cat’s body. That is because this pattern appears due to agouti hair. The only visible marking you will notice is the M-shaped marking on the cat’s forehead.
• Spotted tabby – as the name suggests, cats with the spotted pattern will have spotted markings that will usually be oval-shaped but sometimes it can have longer lines.
• Patched tabby – this pattern is also called the torbie pattern, which is actually a mix of tabby and tortoiseshell patterns, and it’s also common for Maine Coon Tabby Mix cats. Besides the beautiful combination of three different colors on the cat’s body, another recognizable feature, as it’s the case with every tabby pattern, is the M-shaped marking on the cat’s forehead.
What About The Maine Coon Tabby Cat’s CATitude?
Maine Coon Tabby Mix cats are a smaller version of purebred Mine Coons, however, their heart is just as big. These cats aren’t characterized by a fierce CATitude, instead, they’re lovely, intelligent, and friendly felines who enjoy being in human company.
These Maine Coon mix cats can easily adapt to different types of families, and even other animals; just ensure you introduce them properly.
These beautiful cats are often described as having dog-like personalities. That means that they’re very affectionate, loyal to their owners, intelligent, and quick to learn new tricks.
Another thing that makes them dog-like is that they like to follow their owners everywhere and can get whatever they want. They’re not extremely energetic, as some other cat breeds are, which is why you need to encourage them to play or exercise and keep them in good shape.
What makes these cats so remarkable is their strong hunting instinct. That means that you can easily encourage your kitty to exercise, just find potential ‘prey’ to occupy their mind.
Their hunting instincts are even stronger if your cat is an outdoor cat. They have a strong sense of smell and hearing, but also great vision which allows them to detect possible prey, such as birds.
With their strong legs, they’re able to jump and catch prey with their sharp claws. What’s also interesting is that you may notice when the cat sees the prey, as it will probably start to chatter or chirp.
If you choose this cat breed to be your pet friend, you’ll actually get a Maine Coon trapped in a smaller body, but full of love and affection that they want to share with you!
Do Maine Coon Tabby Cats Have A Long Lifespan?
Purebred Maine Coons have a very long lifespan, however, when it comes to these mixed Maine Coons, their lifespan is somewhat shorter; they can reach a lifespan of 10-13 years.
With every cat breed that you choose, you have to pay attention to the breed’s lifespan and the possible health issues that are characteristic of a specific breed. Due to different genes, mixed cats usually inherit a lot of good and bad things from both parent breeds.
Maine Coon Tabby Mix cats have inherited a predisposition for health issues that are usually characteristic of Maine Coons and other tabby cats.
Here are some of the health issues that are characteristic of these mixed cats, but remember that the key to a long and happy life is to take your cat to the vet regularly, and pay attention to the quality of a cat’s life.
Possible Health Issues
• Obesity – Maine Coon Tabby Mix cats are prone to obesity, probably because they’re not very energetic, especially if they’re kept indoors.
Because of that, as a responsible cat parent, you should pay attention to the cat’s diet, and feeding schedule, but also encourage your kitty to exercise and keep it in good shape.
The main reason why you should keep your pet cat from gaining weight is that obesity usually leads to severe health issues that can be difficult to treat.
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) – this is a condition that causes thickening of the heart muscles, making it difficult for the heart to function.
Other cat breeds that are prone to this condition are Norwegian Forest cats, Ragdolls, Scottish Folds, and similar. Unfortunately, this health issue is hereditary which is why you need to be careful to only adopt or buy a kitten from reputable breeders.
Luckily, genetic tests nowadays allow breeders and owners to test their cats. Cats that are tested positive for HCM shouldn’t be bred as that can result in more cats prone to this health issue.
• Hip Dysplasia – larger cat breeds or those with certain genetic defects are often prone to hip dysplasia. However, in some breeds, this is also a hereditary health issue; breeding cats who are prone to hip dysplasia should be avoided at all costs.
To find that out, breeders and owners usually take their cats to the vet when they reach 2 years old to have an X-ray.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) – this issue is actually a congenital disease of the kidneys.
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy – Maine Coon Tabby Mix cats are also prone to a form of motor neuron disease called spinal muscular atrophy. This is a genetic issue that affects the nerves in the spinal cord, leading to loss of movement and low function of the skeletal muscles.
Therefore, be careful when adopting such kittens, and make sure you do a DNA test to make sure your kitten is healthy and free from this or similar health problems.
• Periodontal Disease – this condition causes progressive deterioration of the gums around the cat’s teeth. The main culprit for this issue is bacteria that appear between the cat’s teeth and gums and start destroying them.
• Stomatitis – this is inflammation of the mouth, usually caused by the Feline Herpes Virus. All kittens and breeding cats should be DNA tested for this as this issue can be severe so it’s important to avoid it.
What About Polydactyl Maine Coon Tabby Mix?
A polydactyl cat is a cat that is born with extra toes. This condition was a common feature for Maine Coons in the past, but with different breeding processes, this was intentionally bred out.
Nowadays, these cats may be polydactyl but it isn’t as common as it once was. Still, you will often notice female polydactyl cats in cat shows.
But why is this considered a health issue? This condition has both advantages and disadvantages. For example, feral or wild cats are often polydactyl which is important for them as it allows them to catch their prey more easily.
However, it’s also considered a potential threat because polydactyl cats can easily get injured while playing, running, jumping, grooming, or similar.
Owning A Maine Coon Tabby Mix
Whether owning these cats is easy or difficult is up to you to decide after you check out this part of the article!
Price
The price of the Maine Coon Tabby Mix may depend on several different things, such as gender, breeder, colors, and similar.
These cats can often be found in shelters and adoption or rescue centers, where you can adopt one for around $75 to $100. The price may also depend on whether you’re adopting a young kitten or an adult cat.
If you choose a mixed Maine Coon kitten, you can expect to pay somewhere around $200 to $700. However, if you find breeders or something similar, then you can expect to pay around $400 to $1000 for one.
Still, keep in mind that after adopting the cat, the costs only continue to grow and you need to pay attention to vet costs, medications, necessary cat items, food, and many other things.
Grooming
Everyone who has ever seen a Maine Coon cat knows that these cats have long, thick coats which allow them to survive extremely cold temperatures, as they originate from Siberia, Russia.
What’s even better is that their undercoat is thick and this makes their fur water-resistant. They’re also characterized by ruffs of hair around their neck and lynx-like ears, giving them a wilder look.
All in all, Maine Coon Tabby Mix cats need special attention when it comes to grooming. You might need several different combs and you may need to brush your cat on a daily basis to prevent its fur from mats and tangles and keep it in good condition.
You should follow these tips if you want your kitty to look beautiful with its fluffy fur, but another benefit of taking good care of their coat and regular brushing is that you can also reduce the risk of hairballs which is characteristic of long-haired breeds.
Diet
All cats are obligate carnivores. That means that their diet should consist of animal protein from meat or fish meat.
As I already mentioned, these cats are prone to obesity therefore you might want to avoid high calorie food and choose top-quality cat food that is made of the best and most nutritive ingredients from which a cat can benefit.
So, while they don’t have special needs when it comes to their diet, I would recommend you provide highly digestible food, use food with hairball formula, mix the wet and dry food, and don’t give them human food unless it’s an occasional (safe) treat.
Exercise
As previously mentioned, Maine Coon Tabbies are playful but not too energetic. In fact, you need to encourage them to exercise more, especially because they’re prone to obesity.
In order to do that, you can provide them with interesting toys that look like potential prey and they can get busy hunting them.
Furthermore, you can provide them with interesting cat equipment, such as cat trees for bigger cats, cat running wheels, or similar things that will keep them both mentally and physically active.
Maine Coonclusion
In this article I wanted to introduce you to the remarkable Maine Coon Tabby Mix. This mix is increasingly popular nowadays and for a certain reason.
It’s crucial to differentiate it from regular tabby Maine Coon cats, as this feline is a mix of purebred Maine Coon and a domestic shorthair tabby cat.
With that being said, these cats look like mini Maine Coons but their easy-going personalities and huge hearts are the same. Although owning this cat may be a bit difficult, I think that it’s very interesting and having such a furry companion is very rare.
I hope that you liked this article and that you will find a perfect feline friend for yourself. Come again tomorrow and see what I have prepared for you!
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