Maine Coon Mane: When It Develops and How to Groom It
Maine Coon cats are known for their beautiful and distinctive mane, which is one of their most striking features. However, it’s important to note that not all Maine Coons develop a full mane, and the timing of when a Maine Coon gets their mane can vary based on several factors. Typically, a Maine Coon will start to develop their mane at nine months of age, and it will continue to grow and fill out as they mature. By the time they reach adulthood at around 3 to 4 years old, their mane should be fully developed.
The seasons have a role to play in your Maine Coon’s mane.
In the summers, they shed their heavy undercoat. This is called “blowing their coat.” As the winters get closer, they develop a thick double coat. During pregnancy, a Maine Coon queen’s coat may become thicker and fuller due to hormonal changes. After giving birth and while nursing her kittens, a queen may lose some hair due to stress, a lack of proper nutrition, or hormonal changes. However, this hair loss should be temporary and should not be severe enough to cause noticeable bald spots.
The mane of a Maine Coon, which can grow quite long and thick, can be trickier to maintain than the rest of the pet’s coat.
The following are some tips for grooming a Maine Coon’s mane:
- Brushing: To begin, detangle your cat’s mane by brushing it thoroughly with a wide-toothed comb, stainless steel comb, or slicker brush. To prevent hurting your cat, gently work from the outside of the mane inwards.
- De-matting: If you come across any mats, carefully cut them out with a mat splitter, dematting tool, or scissors. Do not yank or pull on the mats, as this could cause pain and damage to your cat’s coat.
- Trimming: If your cat’s mane is too long, you might want to use scissors or clippers to cut it down. Use caution and work slowly to avoid cutting too much hair at once.
- Conditioning: After brushing, apply a cat-specific conditioner to keep your cat’s mane soft and shiny. Use your fingers to apply a small amount and work it through the hair. Be very thorough with rinsing.
If this is all sounding overwhelming, don’t worry. There’s always the recourse of a professional groomer if you’re not comfortable doing all this yourself. Remember, regular grooming is important to keep your Maine Coon’s mane and coat healthy and beautiful.
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