Maine Coon Insurance in the Netherlands

The Maine Coon is known as a “Gentle Giant” – one of the largest domestic cat breeds in the world. Males usually weigh between 6 and 9 kg, females 3.5 to 6 kg. Despite their imposing size, Maine Coons have a friendly, sociable and affectionate character.

Their behaviour is often compared to that of dogs: they love games, happily follow their owner around and get on well with children and other pets. Their long, dense coat and plumed tail give them a wild appearance, but they are generally easy to look after (weekly brushing is usually enough).

Typical health problems: Maine Coons are generally healthy and have a life expectancy of ~9 to 15 years. Even so, the breed carries a few hereditary risks to bear in mind:

• Hip dysplasia (HD): Because of their large build, Maine Coons are prone to hip dysplasia, a hip joint disorder that can cause pain and osteoarthritis.

• HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy): A hereditary heart disease in which the heart muscle thickens. HCM is relatively common in Maine Coons and can lead to heart failure.

• PL (Patellar Luxation): A dislocation of the kneecap (knee problems) that can occur in larger cats.

• Other conditions: Maine Coons can also be predisposed to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD), although these occur less frequently.

The costs of diagnosing and treating the conditions above can mount up considerably – think X-rays, MRI scans, cardiac ultrasounds, surgery or lifelong medication. Insuring a Maine Coon is therefore a sensible move: good cat insurance covers a large part of these medical costs, so you are not faced with financial surprises and can always provide the best care.