I adopted a cat last year who is probably part maine coon and/or part
ragdoll. The size and temperment is described the same for both. He has
the look of the ragdoll, but talks like a maine coon. He's a big boy,
but small for both breeds.

When I got him, they said he was 3-4 years old, but I think it was a
guess because of his size. He was 12 1/2 pounds when I got him, gained
weight like crazy (changed his food), settled down, lost weight, and is
now a healthy 16.4 lbs. His photos taken last August (taken 6 months
after I adopted him) are very different from his current photos. He
looks immature. Back then, he didn't seem that way. But he's thicker
now, especially in the face, and he just looks more like a kitten in
those photos. A couple judges and some breeders at a cat show also
commented on it when I asked their opinion of his breed. So, we decided
he must have been only 1 year to 2 years old when I got him. Great for
me - I'll get to enjoy him longer!

When I got Jay Jay, he gained weight liek crazy. Partly because he was
a stray and not used to food available 24/7. I had to restrict his
food. But he was still gaining. Even on the lite stuff. Then I switched
his food to Royal Canon's maine coon food. I was actually trying to
eliminate the stinky poo. But the food also caused him to lose weight
and stablize. The kibbles are larger, so he has to put some effort into
chewing it. He went from inhaling it to being satisfied on less food.
He went from 12.5 to 19, and back down to 16.4 pounds. And I can free
feed him now. I took him to theshow last week in the  household pet
class. Several judges commented on his good condition. Unfortunately,
he hissed at most of the judges, so he only got a ribbon in one ring
(before he got mad and started hissing).

http://www.zoocrewphoto.com/cats/jayjay.jpg

This photo was taken in December. I'll get out the one taken in August.

Don't encourage the abuser to take another cat home that will be
subsequently subjected to a declaw procedure.

Yeah, I agree.  This is a good cat for Brandy.

Another thing... if this cat is 6, he must have had a former owner,
maybe some old person who died, or someone who gave him up.  He's
probably confused and sad.  Someone needs to make things right for
him.

Charlie

I think I will go out and try some Royal Canin and do the half and half
routine for awhile.  My MC does have a very stinky feces and the
looseness is messy on his back side.  Took forever to clean him up the
other day and I don't want to cut it off - it is so fluffy and pretty
when clean!  He acts like he is burying it, but it clumsy and ends up
with it on his front paws - just another mess.  If it were more solid,
this wouldn't be such an issue!  Every day scooping is a must!

I took the strap off of my camera.  My kitty was more interested in
playing with the "string" than anything else.  Now, he sees the camera
and starts posing!  I also give him lots of praise, etc. while doing
the "photo shoot" - like they do for the professional models, you
know?!!  He loves it.

You might try giving him some of each. He'd still have some wet, but
the kibble might help clear up the loose feces. Jay Jay's were solid
before I put him on the Royal Canin, but they were very stinky. I was
having to scoop the litter 3 times a day, and instantly, after he went.

The smell was horrible, and he doesn't cover. I'm surprised the
neighbors couldn't smell it. After switching the food, the smell
stopped. He still doesn't cover, but nobody gags. And he doesn't need
to go as often. So, I am back to scooping the litter boxes once a day,
sometimes twice. It's so much better than before. And no more junk
stuck in his pantaloons. He had one shave done when I first got him,
and it has all grown back with no need to shave again.