Maine Coon Cats (A Complete Pet Owner's Manual) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Chris crouches, then leaps, landing silently on the countertop above..." (more)
Key Phrases: coon kitten, nail capping, cattery breeder, New England (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This very large and very friendly feline breed is described in words, dozens of color photos, and informative line drawings. Cat fanciers get information on breeding, feeding, health care, and much more. The most extensive line of basic pet information and training guides on the market, Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals are written by experts, and profusely illustrated with full-color photos and instructive, high-quality line art. Each manual is individually written. Not one of Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals is a clone from a single common catch-all book, with one or two chapters added on to make it appear new. Instead, each Barron's manual has been planned, designed, and written from scratch—always by an experienced breeder, trainer, veterinarian, or qualified expert.

From the Back Cover

(back cover)
Information and advice to help you take good care of your Maine Coon Cat

The typical Maine Coon Cat: its origins, traits, temperament, and more

Expert advice: feeding, health care, and much more

Understanding your Maine Coon Cat: its vocal and body language

Step-by-step directions for everyday care

Informative and attractive checklists and sidebars

Filled with handsome full-color photos

(picture caption)
This large native American cat is currently one of the most popular breeds in the United States. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (August 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812090381
• ISBN-13: 978-0812090383
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 6.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #707,209 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  Books > Home & Garden > Animal Care & Pets > Cats > Breeds

• This item is part of The Complete Pet Owner's Manual Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Personalized Greeting Card of a Cat Book, February 8, 2001

By	E. A. Lovitt "starmoth" (Gladwin, MI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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"Maine Coon Cats" is one of a series of cat books published by Barron's. It has been 'personalized' by inserting the breed name 'Maine Coon' into the title and various other places in the text. Most of text is about cats in general, but all of the book's photographs display big, fuzzy Maine Coons. And there are some specifics about this very special breed - the cost of a show kitten vs. 'just a pet', a short history of the breed, etc. We own a small Maine Coon cattery ('JustThisOnce' Cattery) with five current residents (if you don't count the humans). For a more specific book on this native American breed, I'd recommend "This is the Maine Coon Cat" by Sharyn P. Bass. The photographs are mainly black and white (and grainy), but the text is much more specific to Coonies, especially if you plan to show. I learned from Bass's book that our Maine Coons aren't unique in the way they scoop water out of their dish with a big, hairy paw and then drink it. Evidently, this is one of the breed traits that got Maine Coons mistaken for raccoons in the first place!

I don't want to turn you away from Barron's "Maine Coon Cats - A Complete Owners Manual". It contains very good generic information about raising cats, and the photographs are really lovely. It just has that 'mass produced' feel about it.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good short book on Maine Coon cats, October 20, 2002

By	Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This is a good introduction to Maine Coon cats. Mostly, this is a "care and feeding of" book that could apply to any cat, which is what this book is really for. If you are new to cat ownership and have a Maine Coon, this will get you started.

We have Maine Coon rescue cats and we don't plan to breed any cats (preferring to adopt orphans--there's a glut of cats out there.) But if you were planning to breed Maine Coons, you surely would need a more comprehensive book than this slim volume.

However, if you just want some general background about the history, pictures of coat colors and information about the general qualities of this breed, this book is just fine. The most valuable page is actually in the back, describing various illnesses, with a black and white drawing and description of a cat "not doin' right", which is how a cat subtly tells you it is feeling sick. We caught our cat "not doin' right" and she was actually on the point of being seriously ill. We caught it in time--thanks to that helpful description --cats are sometimes not terribly expressive, purring even in pain and perking up if their beloved owners are around.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for the new Maine Coon owner, October 16, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Souderton, PA) - See all my reviews

We are Maine Coon breeders and think so much of this book that we include a copy with every kitten purchased. It's full of good cat care information, great pictures of cats, and a guide to understanding behavior.