Oriental Shorthair vs Maine Coon - Breed Comparison

The Maine Coon cat hails from Maine, USA. It’s a natural cat breed with actually little being known of its exact origins.

In fact, the first reference to the cat seems to have been in about 1861. It was in 1895 that a female Maine Coon was named Best Cat at a cat show held in Madison Square Gardens.

The Cat Fanciers Association was formed in 1908, and the 5th cat registered as a Maine Coon named Molly Bond.

The Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association was formed in 1968. The cat is also the official state cat of Maine.

This domestic cat is also related to the Siamese Cat. Orientals come from a diverse group of cats, but they have their foundation in the Siamese breed.

The cat was imported from Thailand to the UK during the 1800s. This particular cat was accepted as an actual breed in 1977. Quite a few of the top cat organizations recognize the Oriental Shorthair but as a Siamese.

This is a large cat breed with strong bone structure. They can weigh between 5 and 9kg.

The height of these cats can be in the region of 25 and 41cm and they can reach a length of 97cm, including the tail. The body is muscular and robust with the chest being broad.

When it comes to the cat’s coat, the Maine Coon is characterized by the ruff along its chest. It has a 3-layered, water-resistant coat with longer hairs over a silky undercoat, and a long, bushy tail. The color of the coat can vary but the most common color is brown tabby. . It is medium- to long-haired. It’s a seasonal shedder with the fur being considerably thicker in the winter. All colors are available in this cat except blue.

Temperament:

The Maine Coon is a sociable cat and known for it playfulness as well as it being an intelligent cat and easy to train.

You’ll certainly need to supply the cat with some puzzle toys so as to stimulate his brain. It is also one of these cats known to have dog-like characteristics, becoming attached to its human owners, and being good-natured.

It is a loving cat and is also fairly vocal, wanting to tell its human owners what it wants. It’s not a lap cat. It is a gentle cat and gets on well with children and dogs as well as other cats.

The Oriental Shorthair has a longish head with a slender neck and large ears. The legs are long and slender. The medium-sized cat weighs in the region of 3 – 5kg.

The eyes can be blue or green. Sometimes the cat will have one blue eye and one green eye. The coat is short and smooth and can be in a host of different colors.

Temperament:

The Oriental Shorthair is a curious, intelligent cat and they’re talkative too, loving to have conversations with their human family. They are cats that absolutely want to be part of the family. They don’t want to be left alone for too long either and get on well with children and pets in the home.

Maine Coon cats are such awesome pets and highly entertaining. They're excellent climbers too and to add to their many amazing characteristics, they love playing in water too.

You’ll be doing him a favor by providing him with a paddling pool. They’re so clever, they may even learn to turn a tap on.

He is such a social, friendly, family-loving cat and it's not surprising that he’s a firm favorite with most cat lovers.

The Oriental Shorthair promises to be an active companion in your life. It’s a cat that likes to involve itself with all the activities that its human family takes part in.

He is a great entertainer too, and he loves all the attention he gets, thriving on being the center of attention.

The Oriental Shorthair cat is slightly more quieter than the Siamese cat but he will still want to tell you what he’s doing and what he wants.

It’s a cat that has many many colors and shades, but the color extends to the cat’s personality. It has a colorful, interesting, inquisitive personality.

The cat is lively and social and will fit in best with a lively, active home where there are also animals to keep him company. By having this loving cat in your home and life, you bring in joy and happiness.

There are certain health problems that seem to occur in this particular cat breed, including hip dysplasia and feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hip dysplasia is a condition of the hip joint that can cause degeneration of the joints. It can lead to stiffness and pain for your cat and it can be that your cat develops osteoarthritis.

If your cat develops hip dysplasia it won’t want to jump, it becomes lethargic and there may even be muscle loss in the rear legs.

Oriental Shorthairs share some of the same health issues as Siamese cats. Make sure, if your cat shows signs of illness that you have pinpointed a vet in your area.

Things such as asthma, bronchial disease, lymphoma, neurological disorders, and gastrointestinal problems will need to be seen by the vet.

Think about having your cat spayed or neutered. Not only is this surgery important for preventing unwanted pregnancies, but it can also remove the urge for the cat to roam. The procedure has health benefits for your cat too.

Ensure that your Oriental shorthair has his vaccines up to date. These vaccines are important for preventing your cat from getting some deadly feline diseases. Kittens usually get the first vaccines between the ages of 6 and 8 weeks. Certainly, if you decide to go on holiday and you want to board your cat, the boarding kennels will require that the vet’s card and vaccines are 100% up to date.

Prevent parasites by using a treatment subscribed for your pet by the vet.

Cat owners need to realize that diet is one of the most important factors of keeping a cat healthy. The Maine Coon needs nutritious food.

Some people give their cat a mix of dry kibble as well as wet food. It is better to feed your pet smaller meals as opposed to large meals. What is very important is that the cat food is of a high-quality and that it be made up of meaty protein as every cat is a carnivore.

Provide your Maine Coon with a litter box and put it in a quiet, private area. It’s a large cat so make sure the litter box is large as well. With a cat you may need to experiment with him to figure out where he prefers his litter box to be.

This is an active cat so ensure that he gets plenty of exercise. Provide him with climbing equipment and stimulating toys. Your Maine Coon might even enjoy going for a walk and for this, you’ll need to get a cat harness.

Every cat likes to scratch – it’s normal behavior. Make sure you have one or two scratching posts with heavy bases set up for your cat otherwise he may direct his scratching on your furniture.

Every cat owner needs to know a good vet in their area so that their pet can get immediate veterinary help when he becomes sick.

Your Maine Coon’s coat is thick – made up of 3 layers. To maintain its silky feel, and to prevent matting, make sure to brush it once or twice a week. Make it an enjoyable, gentle grooming session for your furry pet. Speak to your vet about the right kind of brushes.

The short glossy coat doesn't shed much and the cat is considered low maintenance. A brush once a week will be adequate. A wipe down with a damp cloth will keep the cat dust-free and shiny.

Just doing this for your cat is good for the cat’s morale as he thrives on attention, relishing the human interaction he gets during grooming.

Trim his nails, particularly if he is an indoor cat.

Keep your Oriental Shorthair lean and mean by not overfeeding him. The cat’s build is designed for slimness and he won't do at all well with the extra weight. The extra weight can lead to lots of health problems, one of which is diabetes.

If in any doubt as to how much to feed your cat, consult your vet about portion sizes. There are excellent commercially manufactured cat foods on the market, and the manufacturers know that cats are carnivores and that the best cat goods are high in protein.

Avoid giving your cat any kind of human food. Never leave him without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Provide your cat with a litter box and keep the box free of cat droppings. You can invest in small rakes from the pet shop and they make it easy to rake up the feces and dispose of them. Change the litter regularly too.