Maine Coon Tabby Mix: All You Need to Know About Tabby Maine Coon

As the name suggests, the Maine Coon Tabby mix breed is a cross between the Maine Coon and a tabby. Maine Coons are known for being mixed with a variety of other breeds and, in this case, you can recognize the cross due to the distinctive Tabby color pattern.

However, as with any cat breed, you should always do your research before welcoming them into your home. Fortunately for you, we have a compiled and everything you need to know a guide on Maine Coon Tabby mix cats right here.

Characteristics

The following are the main characteristics shown by the Maine Coon Tabby mix cat:

Characteristic	Description
Height	10-16 inches
Weight	8-18 pounds
Lifespan	11-15 years
Origin	Maine
Temperament	Family-friendly, playful, and outgoing
Intelligence	High
Social skills	Very good with people
People skills	Loyal and loves to play
Children	Great within the family dynamic

Breed History –

The Maine Coon Tabby mix breed is not something that has been around for a long time and is still not accepted for the show. However, they are growing in popularity with breeders and owners alike, combining the beautiful markings of the Tabby with the main features of the Maine Coon. They have even been recognized by International Maine Coon clubs in recent times.

The breed has a history of traveling, mainly across Europe and Canada, although it originated in Maine. When it arrived in Canada, it became an extremely popular cat among the local people.

Old tales suggested the Maine Coon was produced via mating between wild cats and raccoons, although this has since been rubbished as it is biologically impossible. Other stories suggest the first Maine Coon cats may have been bred from Marie Antoinette’s cats, which were sent to Maine on a ship at some point. Whatever the case, they originated in the United States and were soon used as crossbreeding cats, mixed with other famous breeds.

Interesting Facts

• People once thought the Maine Coon was created via breeding between wild cats and raccoons – but this is entirely false.
• They may have descended from Marie Antionette’s cats.
• Tabby is actually a type of cat marking, not a breed of cat.

Temperament and Personality

Tabby and Maine Coons are playful and loving pets forming strong bonds with their owners. Once you breed them together, you are left with a highly affectionate and sociable bundle of joy. They are not scared by strangers and are very outgoing cats by nature, meaning they are independent, although they still welcome lots of love and attention.

Although most domesticated cats tend to be playful, the Maine Coon Tabby mix breed takes that to an entirely new level. They have a reputation for acting like a kitten well into their adult life, so you need to bear that in mind. It is definitely a good idea to provide them with lots of toys to stay entertained and stimulated.

The Maine Coon tabby mix is known to have strong hunting instincts and will often hunt down birds for fun. They are adept at stalking their prey and using their sharp claws and stocky legs to pounce on them. This is pure instinct for a Maine Coon tabby mix breed.

Feeding and Diet

The Maine Coon Tabby mix breed does not have any specific dietary needs. However, they do best when given a high-quality diet of fresh food – ideally something with high protein that includes real meat or fish as a primary ingredient.

Grooming and Shedding

They have a beautiful coat, but that also comes with a need to maintain it. Regular grooming is needed to ensure the fur does not get matted over time. We recommend grooming your cat regularly but in small intervals, and a quick brush every day or two should be fine. If your cat enjoys being brushed, feel free to give them longer grooming sessions.

How to tell a Maine Coon cat from a tabby?

Any breed can be a Tabby, as this word is now used to describe markings more than a breed. Therefore, a kitty with specific markings can also be a tabby. Therefore, the main difference between a Maine Coon and a Tabby is that they are actually different classifications – the former being a breed and the latter being a pattern. The easiest way to determine whether a cat is a Tabby is by looking for the distinctive M-shaped marking on their forehead. If they have this, they are likely a Tabby cat. Tabby cats also usually have green eyes, and you will notice a lighter eye-liner fur around their eyes. Tabby cats tend to be more solid and robust in their shape. The most common Tabby colors are gray, brown, and orange, with whirled or stipped fur. Tabby comes in a number of different patterns, including striped, flecked, dotted, banded, lined, and swirled.

How to tell if your cat is a Maine Coon mix?

The Maine Coon breed often stands out against other Tabby mixes due to a number of unique characteristics. They are usually more muscular and visibly larger than other Tabby variants. However, they also have a low growth rate so it may take a while to reach their peak size. They also have longer and shaggier coats, as well as longer tails. The Maine Coon is known to be highly trainable due to their impressive intelligence when compared to other cats. They are even known to have dog-like personalities. A Maine Coon mix tends to be more expensive than most other breeds. They also have longer and more luscious fur and are known to be particularly loving and playful, even for domesticated cats.

READ MORE: All About Maine Coon Cats

Health Care

Maine Coon cats do come with some medical conditions to keep an eye out for and regular check-ups with a vet are never a bad idea.

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy thickens a cat’s main heart muscle and can lead to other heart-related problems. It is estimated that one in every ten Maine Coon cats has this problem.
• Hip dysplasia is another issue that can impact the Maine Coon and a number of other breeds of cats and dogs. This is basically a defect in the hip joint that can cause pain during movement.
• Spinal muscular atrophy is a type of motor neuron disease that can cause a weakening of the muscle and even paralysis.
• Polycystic kidney disease is a congenital problem present at birth and can result in cysts within the kidneys.
• Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mouth caused by feline herpes that can occur in the Maine Coon.
• Periodontal disease is one of the most prominent health issues in this breed of cat and results in the Maine Coon’s gum tissue destruction.
• Finally, obesity is also a known problem to keep an eye out for with the Maine Coon.

READ MORE: Best Cat Food for Weight Loss

As with any breed, you should regularly check your cat’s ears for any sign of infection or dirt build-up. You should also look to start a tooth brushing routine with your mixed kitty. Your vet should be able to give you breed-specific tips and tricks on that front. Your vet should also be able to help you design a care routine for your feline friend.

Exercise

Maine Coon Tabby mixes are extremely playful cats and love nothing more than to have fun with their owners. Therefore, we recommend investing in toys and climbing equipment for your car to enjoy around the home, and this will keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Maine Coon cats also have prominent hunting instincts and are known to stalk and catch animals as large as birds. So, they will likely keep themselves nice and exercised when roaming around outside too.

Adoption:

Maine Coon Tabby mixes are not rare to find, and Maine Coons are quite a common breed of cat, and Tabby markings are also very common. Therefore, there is a good chance you could find a Maine Coon Tabby mix breed at your local shelter in need of rehousing. Of course, we always recommend giving a home to a cat who needs one rather than purchasing a bred kitten.

Breeders

If you cannot find a Maine Coon Tabby mix breed at your local shelters, this may be your best chance of finding one local. This breed is prevalent so finding a breeder should not be difficult. Some simple research into your local area should reveal some breeding options. Always select a breeder with good reviews to ensure that you are getting a healthy Maine Coon Tabby mix kitten rather than something else.

Conclusion

And there we have it, everything you need to know about the Maine Coon Tabby mix cat breed. They indeed are a joy to have around the family home and will be a welcome addition to your group. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact or post a message in the comments section below. We wish you all the luck with your new pet.

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