Did you know that the first ever notable cat show in North America was won by a Maine Coon cat? Considering their luscious thick hair and insanely fluffy tails, this comes as no surprise.
Caring for this gorgeous coat, though, requires time and consistency, and neglecting grooming duties can quickly turn it from a silky dream into a wild, hairy nightmare.
Grooming your Maine Coon cat involves brushing multiple times a week, possible de-matting, brushing the teeth, the occasional bath, and nail trimming. It’s not difficult, but you should have an established routine to make the process easier.
The following post covers all the steps to grooming these bushy beasts, including expert tips and video links to help you along the way.
Contents
How Frequently to Groom Your Gentle Giant of Maine
First things first – does your cat even need a full-fledged groom? This depends on every individual cat. Some might need to be brushed less often, while others may need several rounds of brushing per week and a possible trip to the dreaded bathtub.
This table can give you a general idea of how frequently you should be grooming your Maine Coon cat:
| Grooming Project | Cycle |
|---|---|
| Brushing during non-shedding season | 2-3 times/week |
| Brushing during shedding season | 5 times/week or daily |
| Nail trimming | Once every 10-14 days |
| Brushing the teeth | Every alternative day |
| Cleaning the ears | Once a week |
| Bathing | Only when necessary |
Whether your Maine Coon is shedding or not, brushing its thick coat at least twice a week is absolutely essential to help prevent matting.
As far as bathing goes, Maine Coons don’t really need a bath unless they have dirt and dust in their fur. For indoor cats, dirt accumulation happens over several weeks, so bathing is an occasional part of the routine.
In cases where they have something toxic sticking on the coat such as paint, a bath becomes necessary. Otherwise, it depends on every individual cat. If it enjoys water, as many Maine Coons do, go ahead and bathe it every week – there’s no harm in it.
The rest of the routine that involves the ears, teeth, and nails should be done regularly just as for other cats.
Essentials for Home Grooming
Grooming a Maine Coon cat at home isn’t really difficult – you just need to have the right equipment for it. There’s some stuff that you MUST have, while other items aren’t really necessary but can prove helpful at times.
Required Tools
- Metal comb: the long teeth on these brushes help reach the skin among all the layers of hair on Maine Coons.
Here, we recommend the currently best Maine Coon brushes for you.
- De-shedding brush: the small, fine teeth on this tool help remove dead hair without going in too deep. I recommend some de-shedding tools, which have tiny, short teeth and will not damage the coat or pull out hair unnecessarily.
- Nail clipper: ensure you use a small and lightweight one designed specifically for cats.
- Cat-safe shampoo: use a hypoallergenic formula like Burt’s Bees cat shampoo, which also has the added bonus of being fragrance-free for sensitive cats. Here, we recommend other top Maine Coon shampoos for you.
- Towel: many cats don’t tolerate blow dryers, so using a super absorbent towel that will dry as much hair as possible is helpful. I suggest the Absorber® towel, which unlike cotton or microfiber towels absorbs far more liquid and dries quickly to be reused.
- Ear cleanser: use a mild cleanser safe for routine use, such as Vetoquinol.
- Cotton balls or pads: for cleaning out the ears.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste: cats despise most toothpaste, which is why the poultry flavor of the Vibrac C.E.T. dental kit is a great choice. It also comes with a slip for finger brushing.
Extras
- De-shedding shampoo: this helps reduce shedding over time with continued use.
- Conditioner: moisturizes unruly, dry hair and helps with detangling. I recommend the Davis hypoallergenic conditioner as it also reduces itchiness by calming the skin.
- Blow-dryer: using the cool setting on a blow dryer speeds up the drying process while removing excess dead hair.
- Happy Hoodie ®: this is a small band that goes over your cat’s head like a hoodie to help reduce anxiety caused by loud noises. In fact, it’s recommended for vets dealing with nervous animals.
- Hair trimmer: use this ONLY if you’re experienced enough to shave out sanitary areas.
- Slicker brush: the short metal wires on this flat brush can help detangle areas like a Maine Coon’s fluffy tail where a metal comb won’t be the best option.
- Pet cologne: just something extra that leaves your cat smelling heavenly!
Grooming Your Cat in 7 Simple Steps
Below you’ll come across some important brushing techniques and grooming tips to expertly groom Maine Coon cats at home:
1. Trimming Nails
Before you do anything, ensure you’ve ‘disarmed’ your cat by trimming its nails. You can never know when the kitty meter runs out and a swat comes your way, right?
Let your cat relax on your lap, or choose a time when it’s sleepy after a big meal. Gently press on its toe pads to draw out the nails and start clipping carefully. Trim away the white part of the nail – do NOT cut the pink area known as the ‘quick’ which can cause pain and bleeding.
If you’re not experienced, clip a little bit at a time. Here’s a video demonstrating how you can do this safely:
Though Maine Coons are generally tolerant of the process, some of them can be real big babies about it. So, try to offer its favorite treats as a distraction and positive reinforcement as you trim.
However, if it’s still struggling with all its Maine Coon might, this can turn out to be a two-person job – one holding the cat and distracting it while the other clips away.
If you’re craving more in-depth knowledge, find information on trimming Maine Coon cat nails right here.
2. Brushing: De-matting and De-shedding
Maine Coons can often develop mats, especially if not groomed regularly. So you want to begin by going over the entire coat with a fine-tooth metal comb and detect any mats.
Small knots can be de-matted using a small fine-tooth metal comb, while larger ones should be brushed with a wide-tooth comb. Use short strokes to detangle the hair as you would when teasing human hair.
If the mat is really tight, hold the hair at the base and brush out the length – this prevents tugging which is painful and irritates cats. Take your time and be gentle.
Once you’ve rid the hair of any mats, go over the entire coat again with the metal comb to smooth out the hair. Be sure to go under the arms, legs, and behind the ears – this is where hair gets the most tangled.
After you smooth out the coat, use a deshedding brush to remove dead hair. Brush in the direction of the hair using short strokes and a firm hand, and remove the excess hair from the body as it accumulates on the brush.
For a more in-depth understanding, explore here to discover information about brushing Maine Coon cats.
3. Bathing
If your cat’s fur is visibly dirty, feels gritty, and stinks, bathing should be the next step. And if your kitty is one of those Maine Coons that love water – great! If not, well, brace yourself for a splashy showdown, and consider asking someone to help you.
Start by pouring water in a wash basin or sink that’s wide enough to comfortably fit an adult Maine Coon. Keep the water level low and make sure it isn’t hot or cold – just lukewarm. Try to do this while your cat’s in the vicinity so it gets used to the sound of running water.
Next, mix the shampoo of your choice in the water instead of directly applying it so it spreads and lathers easily. Remember to turn off the tap after this – the noise might make them extra jumpy.
Now comes the tricky part. Gently place your cat inside the wash basin so it’s standing comfortably and use a small cup to pour the soapy water on its back.
If your cat starts to go off the rocker at this point, try putting on a Happy Hoodie ® over its head. This will dampen the echoing noises in the bathroom and help the cat relax. Reassuring in a calm voice goes a long way too.
Let the entire body up to the neck get soaking wet while avoiding the face, then scrub with your fingers and lather the shampoo everywhere. Make sure it reaches the depths of the thick coat.
Now turn on the tap and rinse off the shampoo, ensuring no suds remain. If your cat is really dirty, you might need to go for another round of shampoo.
For more in-depth knowledge, discover simple methods on how to bathe Maine Coon cats right here.
4. Drying
Place your defeated yet ever-wary kitty in a towel and wrap it up like a burrito to calm it down. Then rub the towel from the front of the body to the back in a forward motion. Don’t scrub it with the towel either – this might tangle up the hair you already brushed.
If your cat allows it, use a blow dryer on the cool setting and blow in the direction of the hair till it’s completely dry.
5. Cleaning the Face and Ears
Use a warm, wet washcloth to gently clean your cat’s face, including any gunk near the eyes. For the ears, use a mild cleanser and a cotton pad or ball to wipe the pink area, but don’t go in too deep. Wipe from the inside towards the outside without pushing any gunk in the ear canal.
If you notice yellow/black discharge, brown grits, or redness, do not clean the ear and see a vet ASAP, as this indicates an ear infection.2
6. Brushing the Teeth
Make sure your cat is relaxed when you brush its teeth, or choose another day for the job. Begin by touching around the mouth and giving plenty of chin scratches, then allow it to taste the toothpaste to get accustomed to it.
Now gently push back your cat’s lips and rub the teeth with a Q-tip or a piece of cloth. If it lets you do this, proceed with a soft-bristled toothbrush with pet toothpaste on it and brush in circular motions. Focus at the top or the roots of the teeth where most of the plaque accumulates.
Cats can get quite squirmy during this ordeal, so I recommend holding them with the crook of your arm while using your hands to brush.
Be patient, as cats can take time to get used to it, especially if they haven’t been trained for this from a young age. Don’t forget to offer plenty of treats and praises as well!
For more detailed information, explore how to brush your Maine Coon’s teeth right here.
7. Finishing Touches
Last but not least, you might want to shave out the sanitary areas. A Maine Coon cat’s long hair can get in the way when it uses the litter, leaving the back end very dirty and smelly. Shaving the hair here might be a good idea only if you’re experienced with a trimmer.
After you’re done with everything, brush out the tail with a slicker brush and go over the entire coat one last time. Spritz some cologne on it if you want, and you’ve got yourself the softest and most fresh-smelling cuddle buddy.
Should I Take My Maine Coon to the Groomers?
There are times when grooming your Maine Coon cat at home won’t do the trick and you MUST see a professional groomer.
If your cat:
- Has developed several tight and unbrushable mats that need to be shaved
- Refuses to let you trim its nails
- Thrashes around in the water and gets too agitated to be handled by yourself
- Needs a full body shave, also known as the ‘lion cut’ to combat the summer heat
- Has been neglected for too long and is very dirty and matted
you should definitely take it to a professional groomer who is experienced in handling, shaving, and bathing nervous animals. Don’t try to shave or restrain a very stressed-out cat yourself to groom it – you may end up doing more harm than good.
Final Thoughts
In concluding our comprehensive guide to grooming your magnificent Maine Coon, we’ve explored the lush world of their luxurious fur and captivating tails. Winning the first notable cat show in North America, Maine Coons boast undeniable beauty.
To preserve the splendor of their coat, consistency in grooming is key. Our guide details essential steps, from brushing to teeth cleaning, offering a roadmap for a rewarding home grooming experience. Remember, the decision to groom at home or seek professional assistance depends on your cat’s unique needs.
As you embark on this grooming journey, may your Maine Coon’s coat remain a testament to your dedication and care. Here’s to a home filled with the softest, most fresh-smelling cuddle buddy – your beloved Maine Coon!
