Maine Coon cats are renowned for their silky, long-haired coats but they require specialized brushes and combs to keep their fur in mint condition. In this article, I will cover everything you need to know about Maine Coon fur maintenance and explore the best brushes currently on the market.
- The Undercoat and the Overcoat
- What Brushes or Combes Should I Buy To Groom My Maine Coon?
- How Do I Ensure I’m Buying A Great Product?
- Why You Should Brush Your Maine Coon
- Origins Of Maine Coon’s Fur
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions – Best Brushes for Maine Coons
The Undercoat and the Overcoat
The Maine Coon has two coats of fur to keep them warm- an undercoat and an overcoat.
The undercoat consists of two layers, a shorter layer of downy hairs and a layer of longer hairs. This dense silky, soft undercoat protects the cat from the cold.
The overcoat is the outer coat, which grows as the cat reaches adulthood. The overcoat is longer, thicker, shaggier, and has a coarser texture. Also called the “guard hairs,” the water-resistant, glossy fur overcoat repels snow, water, and dirt. Many people believe the Maine Coon developed this overcoat after arriving in Maine. The guard hairs are essential to survival through the northern state’s relentless winter winds and frigid temperatures.
What Brushes or Combes Should I Buy To Groom My Maine Coon?
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You will need several brushes and combs to groom your Maine Coon because they serve different purposes. There are so many products on the market it can be overwhelming. Let’s look at what brush types you need and their purposes. Ideally, having one of each of the following items is best:
Slicker Brush
A slicker brush removes loose hair, dander, dirt, and tangles. It helps spread your cat’s natural oils throughout its coat, creating a shiny, smooth, sleek fur coat.
Our favorite slicker brush is…
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
Rated as the #1 cat & dog brush on Amazon and “Best Overall” by Spruce Pets in 2022, the Hertzko slicker brush is an excellent choice for Maine Coons. Its angled, fine bristles help maintain your kitty’s shiny, healthy coat. This brush also has a self-cleaning feature that allows the fur to release with the push of a button. The bristles retract, and you can wipe it clean. An anti-slip handle and soft grip make the Hertzko self-cleaning slicker brush pleasing to hold and easy to use.
Pin Brush
A pin brush is better if your cat is too sensitive for a slicker brush. It is more gentle than a slicker brush, but it’s unfortunately not as good at removing your Maine Coon’s thick undercoat. The pin brush is designed for fur that mats and knots easily, so using this brush will detangle the undercoat to prevent your kitty’s fur from matting. It also combs and neatens the coat, distributes natural oils, and improves your cat’s circulation!
Our favorite pin brush is…
Vokiuler Pin Pet Brush (Double-Sided With Bristle Brush)
This professional two-sided bristle and pin pet brush provides two brush types for your Maine Coon. The oval brush has a sturdy, durable, coated bamboo frame with an ergonomic grip handle. One side is a pin brush with round-headed bristles to prevent scratching. The other side has genuine boar bristles, which are significantly softer than nylon and are perfect for those sensitive places like your kitty’s face and belly. The bristle side will gently clean dirt and debris from the topcoat and remove any loose hair. Your Maine Coon will love it!
Grooming Glove
A grooming glove is for cats that prefer to be petted rather than brushed. Elderly and sensitive cats often prefer it. The grooming glove fits on your hand just like a glove with a brush built into the palm. The bristles are very soft and made of either silicone or rubber and will remove loose hair and reduce shedding. While bathing your Maine Coon, you can use it to remove fur as well.
Our favourite grooming glove is…
H HandsOn Pet Grooming Gloves
These patented #1 ranked, award-winning pet grooming gloves will make grooming a breeze! Hard-to-reach areas are no problem with these gloves, and the hook and loop fastener ensures they stay on. The gloves are hypoallergenic by design, made from tough nitrile, PVC, and nylon. They have bristle fingertips and round tips on the palms, which allows for massaging, bathing, de-shedding, and grooming while your hands and nails stay clean. The tips are made with a non-abrasive, flexible rubber, allowing you to groom your Maine Coon without hurting its skin. And an extra bit of convenience- You can rinse off the gloves and leave them to air dry or toss them in the washing machine.
Undercoat Rake or De-matting Rake
The undercoat rake removes mats, knots, and tangles from your cat’s undercoat. It works by digging into the mats and untangling them by picking the fur apart and smoothing it. The rake works best for cats with hair prone to matting and knotting. Some undercoat rakes also work well at de-shedding your cat and removing its undercoat.
Our favourite undercoat rake is…
Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Brush
This undercoat rake is dual-sided, lightweight, and has a non-slip rubber handle to hold comfortably without risk to your cat. The undercoat rake, or de-matting brush, has sharpened teeth to remove mats and tangles easily. Still, the teeth are also fine and rounded, making it possible to de-mat without scratching or irritating skin. By starting with the nine teeth side to tackle mats and knots and ending with the 17 teeth side to thin and de-shed your Maine Coon, you will have a more professional-looking result and a happier kitty. Best of all, it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee!
De-shedding Tool
A de-shedding tool reaches past the overcoat and into the undercoat, releasing the loose, dead fur from the undercoat before it mats without cutting or damaging the topcoat.
Our favourite de-shedding tool is…
FURminator 10730 Long Hair Deshedding Tool for Cats
This de-shedding tool works wonders on long-haired cats and would be a quick and effective way to remove your Maine Coon’s undercoat and loose fur. The revolutionary grooming tool has a patented stainless steel edge that reduces hairballs and reduces shedding up to an impressive 90%! It will safely reach your kitty’s undercoat without damaging their topcoat or cutting their skin. The FURminator also stimulates natural oil production, making your cat’s topcoat shiny. The ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to hold and easy to use. A beneficial aspect is how easy it is to clean the FURminator. With a push of the FURejector button, the hair releases, and the brush is clean!
Wide-tooth Stainless Steel Comb
A wide-tooth stainless steel comb works to remove dirt, knots, mats, tangles, dander, and dead loose hair. The comb is particularly great for removing debris like burrs. It not only reduces shedding but also reduces frizzy hair by cutting down static electricity. This comb is a great finishing tool because it fluffs your Maine Coon’s fur.
Our favourite comb is…
Detangling Pet Comb With Long & Short Stainless Steel Teeth
This great detangling comb is the #1 rated dog and cat comb on Amazon, and it was rated “best” in 2022 by Pet Keen, Groomers’ Land, and others. The pet comb is made of stainless steel teeth for strength, and the long and short teeth work together to loosen knots and mats in half the time! It has an anti-slip handle grip so the comb will be secure in your hand.
How Do I Ensure I’m Buying A Great Product?
Some products are better than others, specifically regarding what you should buy to groom your Maine Coon. To get the best products for your Maine Coon kitty, look for items that are:
- Strong/durable – A strong, durable product will save you money in the long run.
- Large size – This is especially helpful if your Maine Coon is larger than an average-sized cat, as many are. Many cat brushes are pretty small, so choosing a large size will save you time and energy brushing.
- Gentle – The product should be able to reach down to the deepest layers of hair, but it shouldn’t scratch your cat’s skin.
- Easy to clean – Make your life easier, and choose an easy-to-clean brush. Some are self-cleaning, so you don’t have to stick your fingers in the sharp bristles to pull the hairs out.
- Comfortable for the cat – You have many choices for brushes, but your Maine Coon will have preferences. Try a few kinds to find what works for your kitty.
- Comfortable for you to use – Maintaining your Maine Coon’s fur is a daily task, so finding products that are comfortable for you are essential!
Why You Should Brush Your Maine Coon
Your Maine Coon’s fur is pretty easy to care for, but you must brush them regularly to keep their coat healthy and beautiful and to have a happy kitty. When the seasons change from winter to spring and the temperatures rise, your cat’s thick fur coat will thin out because it doesn’t need protection until colder weather returns later in the year. Removing all of the dead hair will prevent it from getting matted. Ideally, it is best to brush your Maine Coon every day.
Brushing your Maine Coon each day is helpful for other reasons too. The daily task will ensure that your cat will not pull out their knotted fur, leaving bald spots and painful areas, causing distress to your sweet pet. The undercoat can get matted if it isn’t groomed regularly. If a patch of fur is matted, the hairs will pull your cat’s skin, creating discomfort.
Regular brushing reduces the chances that your Maine Coon’s lovely coat will become tangled or matted. Not only that, it removes dead skin cells and helps spread your cat’s natural oils evenly throughout its coat.
Origins Of Maine Coon’s Fur
How Maine Coons first arrived in the northern U.S. remains a mystery. Some claim that the Maine coon is a descendant of Marie Antoinette’s six long-haired Turkish Angora cats. Legend has it that Marie planned to flee to North America during the French Revolution, so she sent her cats ahead of herself onboard Samuel Clough’s ship. According to legend, she couldn’t escape after all, but her cats went on to Maine and were set free. It was then that they mated with short-haired cats already living in Maine, and the Maine Coon breed began!
Another folktale is that Maine Coons descended from long-haired cats brought over by the Vikings. The Vikings would keep cats aboard their ships as mousers. When they reached Maine, one of their long-haired cats went onto dry land and mated with a short-haired cat living there.
The Viking tale could also be a valid explanation for the Maine Coon’s origin because the breed is very closely related to the Norwegian Forest Cat, which originates far away from Maine but was said to be a breed the Vikings would have had on their ships. While we don’t know which, if any, of the legends are true, the breed developed a fur coat designed to withstand the harsh and bitterly cold winters in Maine.
Where other cat breeds would freeze to death, Maine Coons could survive the cruel winters. Their thick, water-resistant fur coat protected them through all types of weather. Even a Maine Coon’s ears are covered with thick fur inside and outside to keep them extra warm.
The tufts of hair over their paws that many call “snow boots” are also designed to protect them in the frigid weather. Perhaps as fluffy as the rest of the kitty, the Maine Coon’s big bushy tail wraps around them to keep them warm and snuggly, a perfect blanket on a cold winter’s night.
Conclusion
Maine Coon cats, known for their long-haired coats, need specific grooming tools for optimal fur health. This article outlined essential brushes and combs tailored for the Maine Coon’s unique fur structure. From the Herttzko Slicker Brush to the FURminator Deshedding Tool, each product addresses specific grooming challenges. Regular grooming not only maintains a radiant coat but also deepens the bond between cat and owner.
Frequently Asked Questions – Best Brushes for Maine Coons
What makes the Maine Coon’s fur unique and why do they need specialized brushes?
Maine Coons have a distinct fur structure, consisting of an undercoat and an overcoat. Their long, silky fur requires specific brushes to prevent tangling, matting, and to maintain its health and shine.
How often should I brush my Maine Coon using these recommended brushes?
It’s ideal to brush your Maine Coon daily to prevent matting and to distribute their natural oils evenly. The frequency might vary based on the specific brush type and your cat’s individual needs.
Are there any brushes specifically designed for sensitive areas on a Maine Coon?
Yes, some brushes, are designed to be gentle on sensitive areas such as the face and belly. It’s essential to choose brushes that cater to your Maine Coon’s comfort and grooming requirements.