How slim should Main Coons be and teeth brushing problem?

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Yugo - 03 Jun 2007 22:39 GMT

Before this Main Coon, I had a red tabby. He was 4 or 5 years old
before he began gaining some fat. My Maine Coon is 10 months old and
she already has a little belly pouch and her ribs are not that easy to
count anymore... you need some imagination.

So I introduced some dry food at 12% fat to the regular 18% fat diet
but soon discovered that her fur didn't look so good, and she still
has almost as much fat. So, I came to the conclusion that Maine Coons
have naturally more fat than ordinary cats. I seems you can't expect
them to be lean anymore than a seal, for instance. Is this right?

I began bushing my previous cat's teeth when he was about 3 years old,
but it was a bit late. So I thought I'd begin sooner with this one,
and I go very gently using only a very soft brush but, even though
she's normally very kind and gentle, she won't let me brush her teeth
and even open her mouth. Any way around this?

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Shadow Walker - 07 Jun 2007 03:39 GMT

Main coons are like other cats except they can be larger in size. This
doesn't mean they should be fatter that would be like saying if a person was
taller they should be fatter. You should be able to touch your cat and not
feel bones poking through and rids should be palpable, read this chart it
might help.

http://www.placervillevet.com/feline%20body%20condition.htm

If your cat is ten months old and getting fat you need to exercise him. Get
some toys that make him want to romp for more than a few minutes, get a toy
that you can interact with him with, something he has to chase. Once a cat
gets over weight it can take some time to get it off.

Also purchase a good quality cat food. There is debate about canned verses
dry but I personally use dry and have not had teeth problems. For me canned
always left buildup and left my cats breath rank they didn't like it much
anyway.
If you brush your cats teeth make sure you use a cat approved paste.

> Before this Main Coon, I had a red tabby. He was 4 or 5 years old before
> he began gaining some fat. My Maine Coon is 10 months old and she already
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> very kind and gentle, she won't let me brush her teeth and even open her
> mouth. Any way around this?

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Yugo - 07 Jun 2007 19:46 GMT

> Main coons are like other cats except they can be larger in size. This
> doesn't mean they should be fatter that would be like saying if a person was
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> http://www.placervillevet.com/feline%20body%20condition.htm

My cat is 10 months old, so rest assured she's not obese. OTOH, I'm
still not quite sure a Maine Coon should be as lean as, say, a Siamese.

As for her fur, I'm beginning to think that, after 10 months, a little
bath could be in order.

> If your cat is ten months old and getting fat you need to exercise him.

I give her as much exercise as I can in a 3 room appartment, but a
play land the size of a football fiels would be more appropriate, I think.

> Also purchase a good quality cat food.

That's what she gets!

Regards!

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