Metis Maine Coon: features, varieties and recommendations for the content

Metis are kittens obtained by crossing animals of the same species, but of different breeds. Quite often, unscrupulous owners cross animals that have already had any kind of marriage in the breed. Usually, mixed breed cats may have a defect in appearance or in character that does not correspond to purebred individuals. Every year the demand for exotic breeds of the cat family is growing, while the half-breed Maine Coon is no exception.

Officially breeding of breeds of this breed is strictly prohibited. But in reality, it is not possible to control crossbreeding, so amateur breeders often cross Maine Coon with different types of cats. Half-breeds are much cheaper in cost of purebreds, which only increases their market demand. Before making a purchase decision, you should carefully study all the pros and cons of different types of mestizos, because the result of such a cross can be completely unpredictable.

In specialized nurseries it is forbidden to buy discarded individuals for breeding, but they can be purchased as a pet. The main condition for the purchase of such a baby is mandatory castration or sterilization of the kitten in the future. Metis and purebred cat completely different.

The appearance of a half-breed may be the most diverse, it all depends on what genes are transmitted from parents.

Purebred breed has such qualities as:

• goodwill;
• ease of dealing with people and other cats;
• devotion;
• lack of aggression;
• loyalty;
• prudence

When mating with an ordinary cat, the listed features change and sometimes disappear altogether. Distinguishing purebred Maine Coon is quite simple: the representatives of this breed have slanted eyes, wide cheekbones, an elongated head shape, tassels on the ears, an unusually fluffy and long tail, massive paws. Babies in 3 months weigh at least 2.5 kg (an ordinary cat at this age weighs no more than 1 kg.). Adult males reach a length of about 1 meter and a weight of about 11 kg, height at withers up to 40 cm (females somewhat smaller).

The main advantage of the half-breeds is their moderate cost. And the mestizas are very docile and friendly. Despite its origin, such pets will be faithful and loyal friends. Another positive quality is the loving and sociable seals.

Developed intelligence allows you to perform various commands, and a light susceptibility to information will help to quickly teach the kitten to the tray. Metis - holders of strong immunity, they are less sick. According to external data, they are not inferior to pedigreed cats. Their unusual color and bushy tail can enchant anyone. To avoid surprises, before buying such a pet, you should carefully study the information about its parents.

It is undesirable to breed mestizens, as there is a huge risk of cat death during childbirth due to the large size of the kittens.

During the entire existence of the Maine Coon, scientists have made many attempts to get mestizos. All this was done in order to add some qualities from other breeds to purebred individuals.

When crossing with representatives of the Persian breed, large red kittens with a rather fluffy coat are very often obtained - no hint of similarity to the Maine Coons, of giant Persian size. An attempt to cross a purebred specimen with a bengal to increase the size of animals was also a failure.

The Maine Coon and Siberian kitten looks most like a thoroughbred, but it will never grow to such large sizes as a pedigree. Typically, these kids give out for the noble, but offer a discount, and this lured trustful customers. A mixture of Maine Coon with a domestic cat turned out quite by accident. The kitten has lost some positive traits, but the colors have been preserved.

Most often, the Maine Coon mestizos are obtained when mating with an ordinary cat, and also cross them with the British, Siberians, Neva masquerades, Persian and other breeds.

As a result of interspecific crossbreeding, kittens with an unpredictable coat length may turn out: it all depends on what kind of coat the partner has.

It is strictly forbidden to breed Maine Coon breeds; the seller must inform the buyer that the animal is a half-breed. However, buyers themselves also should not be vigilant and do not buy kittens at a discount.

If you cross a male Maine Coon with a female smaller feline breeds - the mother is likely to die during childbirth due to too large kittens.

In terms of friendliness and sociability mestizas are categorical in nature: a kitten can be either too friendly and even somewhat annoying, or aggressive. Unscrupulous breeders, as well as inexperienced amateurs, for example, seeing that the kitten turned out like a Bengal, and not a Maine Coon, dissatisfied with the appearance, can simply throw the animal on the street, condemning it to hunger and wandering. Therefore, they often try to sell kittens as early as possible, as long as they are difficult to distinguish from pedigree.

It is often better to buy a purebred Siberian cat than a half-breed. Pure breed cat representatives much better in health and character traits than a mixture.

If the metis is still purchased, the first thing to do is to show a professional veterinarian, determine the schedule of vaccinations and the date of sterilization, as well as identify the defects of the individual.

If everything is relatively in order with a kitten, then the recommendations for care do not practically differ from the content of purebred cats, namely:

• daily combing with a furminator during active molting;
• use of shampoo with conditioner for long-haired cats while swimming;
• the diet of raw beef, boiled chicken and rabbit, than the purchased food;
• banned milk;
• sour cream, kefir and cottage cheese are useful;
• Premium jelly food is allowed, but it is likely that the cat will refuse natural food;
• It is recommended to wash the eyes daily with a special compound in order to avoid infection;
• the animal must have free access to special toys to remove plaque;
• weekly cleaning of the ears with a cotton pad dipped in a special lotion;
• weekly manicure (the first procedure is recommended to be carried out by a specialist, who at the same time will show how to do it correctly without touching the blood vessels);
• if the half-breed is large, a large tray is needed.

Buy any thoroughbred purebred cat or cat must upon reaching the age of 3.5 months - it is at this age that almost all defects are found, and tassels on the ears grow in the Maine Coon thoroughbreds. In the pedigree of this Maine Coon, 4 generations of its ancestors and their exhibition achievements should be indicated, and also remember that purebred cats are never sold at a discount (the culled individual is usually only one in the litter and costs 2-3 times cheaper, not 10%).

For information on how to determine the pure blood of a Maine Coon, see the video below.