Couperwife Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 I warn you though, huge cats are ace, but they ain't fun to get to the vets if you have to walk any distance. I'm embarassed to admit it, but I have a carrier with wheels. our pussycat doctor (can't call it the vet or Piper goes into hiding - next door ) is at the end of our road, 5 minutes walk maximum. but I always drive her there if I dont, she throws up everywhere - and I mean everywhere, it even comes out of the cat box its obviously stressful for her not that Piper is spoilt rotten or anything cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Glad it was of use Tessa, Im MEGA jealous Just out of interest if you don't mind me asking how much is a purebred Maine Coon kitten these days? My Cleo is not a pedigree and is a Maine Coon/Persian cross but even she was £80 6 years ago and she was the runt of the litter. I'm guessing you wouldn't get much change from £500? She is going to cost £375 Apparently she will come with pedigrees and pics of her mum and dad and we must have her spayed within 6 months with certification so we don't try and breed from her. I just 'know' I am going to fall truly, madly deeply in love, so am polishing off my credit card Thanks again for everyone's advice and help and of course I will post a pic when we finally get her. Tessa £375 is about right for a pet/show cat - it would be over £500 if you wanted a breeding queen. Also her registration cert will say that you cannot register any kittens from her, I have three Maine coons - my big boy weighs in at about 20lbs and my two girls are about 12 each - much easier to take to the vets as I remembered when it was time for their vaccinations 2 weeks ago. I show mine and yesterday, Tilly became a Premier ( neuter equivilent of a Champion) they really are gentle giants Here's Tilly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 For anyone in the northwest looking for Maine Coons I can recommend breeders if you send me a pm. There is also a kitten list for the Maine Coon cat club here http://www.maine-coon-cat-club.com/kittens/ and they also have a rescue page as well. They come in so many wonderful colours and I just love them to bits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 OOh Tessa, today is the day, isn't it! Bet you are excited, please post some pics (if she doesn't disappear under the sofa for the first 8 hours, as kittens sometimes do). Bellekatz, your pusscat looks absolutely gorgeous - what a lovely girl, no wonder she won a prize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted May 4, 2008 Author Share Posted May 4, 2008 OOh Tessa, today is the day, isn't it! Bet you are excited, please post some pics (if she doesn't disappear under the sofa for the first 8 hours, as kittens sometimes do). Today is indeed the day, but we are only going to the breeder to view the kitten and leave a deposit if we decide to buy her. She still needs one more round of vaccinations and has to stay with the breeder for a week after that in case of bad reactions. I will try and take some photos of her today, but can only do that if the breeder agrees:roll: Beautiful cat Bellekatz, well done on her award Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 how will you be able to bear waiting for another week!!! sorry, had misread your earlier post, I thought you were collecting her today. It will be worse than waiting for the Eglu delivery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Good Luck today Tessa - I'm sure she will be worth the wait! I just want to add that I only groom mine before a show or when they are moulting. Mine don't knot and dont need any maintenance at all the rest of the time.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted May 4, 2008 Author Share Posted May 4, 2008 Good Luck today Tessa - I'm sure she will be worth the wait! I just want to add that I only groom mine before a show or when they are moulting. Mine don't knot and dont need any maintenance at all the rest of the time.......... That is good news I try and remember to brush the dog every day because it does cut down on the amount of hair she leaves all over the house, the dog actually enjoys being groomed. Every cat I have ever owned hated being groomed and it was a real battle, which I always lost A self grooming cat would be a very good thing. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted May 4, 2008 Author Share Posted May 4, 2008 It will be worse than waiting for the Eglu delivery! I know, I know! At least when you are waiting for an Eglu delivery there are loads of preparations to do which keeps you occupied, but all I need to do is buy a litter tray and litter and then sit drumming my fingers on the table Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Oh your gorgeous Tilly looks just like my Dilly, but big and healthy. Well done that cat! Nero is going to his first show in a few weeks, and I'm really tense about it! I don't have any decent pictures of Arthur (black cats don't photograph all that well in any light!) but I'm going to try and get some decent pictures of them all and the kittens. Apparently it works better if you don't use any flash, I practised on Evie and got this, which is much better than any pictures I've ever taken before I think. She's actually eight weeks pregnant in this photo, but we didn't know. Just thought she was fat. Put her on a diet in fact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Lovely picture of Evie - they do work so much better if you can use natural light. Good luck with your first show with Nero - I am sort of hooked. I love going to shows but dont like to travel too far as that stress the cats. I find the the kitten and neuter classes are pretty friendly but it does get serious if you show entire males and females I also like the Household pets section and judged them at the Preston and Blackpool show recently. I had a great time and they were lovely - kust wanted to take them all home with me, especially a great big Black short haired lad I nicknamed "six dinner sid"!! Having said that I wouldnt show if the cats weren't happy about it. My first MC Lulu, hated it so I didnt take her much, but the three I have now love the attention and they just sleep all afternoon anyway! Good Luck with nero and let us know how he gets on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Good Luck today Tessa - I'm sure she will be worth the wait! I just want to add that I only groom mine before a show or when they are moulting. Mine don't knot and dont need any maintenance at all the rest of the time.......... Cleo is a MC/Persian cross so unfortunately she does knot. I wish she didnt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 OOh Tessa, today is the day, isn't it! Bet you are excited, please post some pics (if she doesn't disappear under the sofa for the first 8 hours, as kittens sometimes do). Today is indeed the day, but we are only going to the breeder to view the kitten and leave a deposit if we decide to buy her. She still needs one more round of vaccinations and has to stay with the breeder for a week after that in case of bad reactions. I will try and take some photos of her today, but can only do that if the breeder agrees:roll: Beautiful cat Bellekatz, well done on her award Tessa I hope it's going well Tessa xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Glad it was of use Tessa, Im MEGA jealous Just out of interest if you don't mind me asking how much is a purebred Maine Coon kitten these days? My Cleo is not a pedigree and is a Maine Coon/Persian cross but even she was £80 6 years ago and she was the runt of the litter. I'm guessing you wouldn't get much change from £500? She is going to cost £375 Apparently she will come with pedigrees and pics of her mum and dad and we must have her spayed within 6 months with certification so we don't try and breed from her. I just 'know' I am going to fall truly, madly deeply in love, so am polishing off my credit card Thanks again for everyone's advice and help and of course I will post a pic when we finally get her. Tessa £375 is about right for a pet/show cat - it would be over £500 if you wanted a breeding queen. Also her registration cert will say that you cannot register any kittens from her, I have three Maine coons - my big boy weighs in at about 20lbs and my two girls are about 12 each - much easier to take to the vets as I remembered when it was time for their vaccinations 2 weeks ago. I show mine and yesterday, Tilly became a Premier ( neuter equivilent of a Champion) they really are gentle giants Here's Tilly Wow, what a stunning MC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 This is Tilly's brother Taz ( who had his picture painted by a friend of mine and is sold worldwide!!) And this is Taz and Tilly's neice Storm when she was younger I love my Maine Coons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Any news yet Tessa? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Bellekatz they are gorgeous! I love my Cleo she is only a cross and not purebreed but has most of the features and vocal traits and nature. She dosent wash her little 'snow shoes' much though and I'm not allowed to touch them Yes, Tessa are you back yet? How did it go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted May 4, 2008 Author Share Posted May 4, 2008 Just got back! You think chicken people are weird, you aint seen nothing until you've been inside a Maine Coon breeders house They had 20. Cats everywhere, every seat in the living room was occupied by a cat, every window sill, one in the kitchen sink licking from the dripping tap, it was weird beyond. Anyway the kittens and mum were in a seperate room, all very clean and tickety boo. We had two to choose from a tiny little cute male, the runt I'm thinking, and a gorgeous girl, dark tabby with a white flash on her head. She was very shy and wasn't as keen as the others to play with the toys the breeder gave us. We chose her DH said she looked like she would be a homebody and would be unlikely to stray. She is very pretty and cute. The bad news is we can't have her until the 23rd of May as the breeder isn't allowed to sell her until she is 13 weeks...Oh well. When we told the breeder we were going to allow her to free range he was Apparently some breeders wont sell you a MC if you are going to let them out, same kind of thing as some farmers not letting you buy chickens if you are going to keep them in an Eglu I suppose No pics I'm afraid, not that the breeder refused, it just wasn't the right thing to do somehow. I know I will have loads of questions to ask you Maine Coon owners as we go along, and thankyou to all who posted the beautiful pics of your cats. Counting down the days Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Tessa - my maine coons dont go out - it is quite common for pedigree breeders to insist on that - i have a cat run outside for them for warm/hot days when we want doors open etc but otherwise they have the run of the house, mainly downstairs including the large conservatory and two sets of stairs and landings. (no bedrooms as my son has asthma) Its not as big as my chicken run but there are only three of them as opposed to 9 chucks!! We do have other cats that go out, but quite often they prefer to be indoors anyway. If you decide to get a cat bed/cat tree you have to make sure it is MC proof as we found out this weekend. the last one we had lasted no time once our heavyweights had had a run at it so we bought a new wooden one which has lost the top bit again. I dont think they make anything that can withstand a 20lbs cat at full pelt! My breeder lives down the road from me (literally on the same road!) and we have become good friends so I get to see all her litters of kittens ( and help look after her cats when they are away) - its so hard not to bring them all home but I have my favourite 3 from the last 4 years so I am happy!! 13 weeks is normal for pedigree cats as well - I was used to that so it seemed strange to get Jack as a pup at only 8 weeks. I'm sure she will be a lovely girl and can't wait to see a pic of her. Do you know what her pedigree name will be? I am lucky in that I help my friend choose her pedigree names sometimes when she gets stuck And cat people weird? I'm a cat and chicken person - must make me super weird!! ( but I knew that anyway ) Don't forget photos as soon as she arrives! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Sounds lovely, Tessa. OK, another 18 days to wait .... we will want to hear news as soon as she's arrived. I really love the photos of MCs above - they are gorgeous cats. Yes, what are you going to call her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Morning Tessa, glad it all went well and you have chosen your girl! Sounds all very exciting and the 23rd isn't too far away. Can't wait to see the kitty pics when she arrives! Are you thinking of names already? I named Cleo once I had her and it was a natural choice because when she was little she had big black 'eyeliner' marks on her eyes like Cleopatra I think she quite fancies herself as the Queen of Egypt as well Cleo goes out but luckily she tends to stick to the garden which is good, I trained her at an early age to come to her name so if she is out and and I want her in I call and she usually appears (I give her a tiny piece of chicken as a reward which we always have in the fridge). Congrats on becoming a MC owner! Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 I didn't know this thing about Maine Coon's not going outside I have no problem with the cat being inside all the time, it is more the litter box issue I really don't want a litter box in the kitchen, we don't have a utility room as such. I accept that a kitten needs a litter box to begin with but I have always house trained my other cats super fast to get rid of the litter box asap, I will have to see how it goes. Also never had a cat bed, my cats have always chosen where they will sleep, seems to change all the time. The breeder did mention special Maine Coon cat food? He said he will give me a supply when we pick up the kitten. I think one of the foods was called Wellbeloved?? Do you feed special food, I was intending to feed dry food without chicken in it. No don't have her pedigree name, forgot to ask I met her mum and dad, they had fancy names, but were known as Ted and Queenie. Ted was the biggest cat I have ever seen, absolutely beautiful he looked like something you would encounter in the jungle Also haven't decided on her name, we are both thinking hard. I asked my grandson (2) what he would call a cat, he said "BOB", Bob the Builder is his favourite person in the whole world We will not be naming her Bob. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Mine do sleep where they like but we have a cat play gym/bed for them to scratch on so that they dont damage the furniture - sees to work ok. I should warn you that they do sleep in strange places, sinks, on top of my welsh dresser etc but they are quite happy there! James Wellbeloved is a dry food that you can feed any cat not just Maine coons, but there is a special biscuit by Royal Canin that is designed for them as the biscuits are much bigger than normal ones. They do swallow normal ones without much chewing most of the time because they are so big compared with your normal cat, so this is bigger so they have to chew it first which helps their digestion and helps keep their teeth clean. Having said that- it is expensive just for 1 cat and mine dont have it My litter tray is in a corner of my conservatory or on the stairs - it s a big one and is covered - a little tray will be ok to start but they will soon outgrow it. Remember that the not going out thing will probably form part of contract that you sign with the breeder when you actually buy the cat and it will probably also state the stuff about neutering and not breeding. Good luck with choosing a name for her - even if you choose now you might end up calling her something else when she starts to show her personality!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 We've decided to name her "Google", because technically that is how we found her, although actually we should call her SarahB because through her we found the breeder. Anyway Google it is. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Fab name Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
