Grooming your Maine Coon's big, shaggy coat

The Maine Coon's coat is long, shaggy, and silky rather than cottony, with a lighter undercoat than a Persian's and a distinctive ruff around the neck, bushy tail, and ear tufts. The coat has a slightly oily, water-resistant texture that naturally sheds dirt. Mats still form — especially under the arms, around the collar area where the ruff meets the body, and on the britches (rear leg feathering) — but they develop slower than on Persians. Maine Coons also shed heavily in spring and fall as they blow their seasonal coat.

Aim for 2–3 full brush-outs per week, 10–15 minutes each, and daily quick passes during spring and fall shedding. Use a stainless steel comb for the bulk of the work — it glides through the silky coat and finds early tangles — followed by a slicker brush on the ruff and britches. Work through the mane, the tail, and the rear feathering separately. Maine Coons are famously tolerant and dog-like, so most accept grooming willingly; start sessions while they're relaxed, like after a meal. Pay special attention to the "pants" and belly, where friction from sitting causes tangles.

Twice a year your Maine Coon will drop a shocking amount of coat.

Twice a year your Maine Coon will drop a shocking amount of coat. During these weeks, brush daily with an undercoat tool or deshedding comb used gently — the goal is to lift loose undercoat before it becomes tumbleweeds on your Memphis floors. A professional deshedding treatment during peak blowout season can cut home shedding dramatically. This is the one time a Maine Coon owner should lean on a groomer for coat maintenance even if home brushing is otherwise sufficient.

Most Maine Coons need baths only a few times a year

Most Maine Coons need baths only a few times a year — every 2–3 months is plenty — because their coat's natural oils do the protective work. That said, their size makes bathtime an event: clear the schedule, have towels ready, and brush thoroughly first. Use warm water and a cat-safe shampoo, rinsing extremely well since the thick coat holds soap residue. A full dry with a high-velocity dryer on cool is mandatory; a half-damp Maine Coon can take hours to air-dry and the damp undercoat can mat. In Memphis's humid months, make sure the dry is complete.

Maine Coons have large, tufted paws

Maine Coons have large, tufted paws — trim nails every 3–4 weeks, and check between the toes for packed litter or debris caught in the tufts. Their ear tufts (the "lynx tips") are natural and should never be trimmed; just wipe the visible outer ear weekly to manage wax. Like all cats, they benefit from regular tooth brushing — start young if you can, since Maine Coons can be prone to gum issues. Their size also means a larger scratching surface matters for nail maintenance between trims.

Bring your Maine Coon in during spring and fall shedding for a professional deshedding treatment

Bring your Maine Coon in during spring and fall shedding for a professional deshedding treatment — it's the highest-value service of the year for this breed. Book anytime mats form in the britches or armpits that won't comb out, for a sanitary trim, or before summer if you want the belly clipped shorter for comfort. At All About Pawz in Memphis, Bath Only starts at $45 and Bath & Haircut from $75 — our groomers handle big, shaggy cats regularly.