Our Maine Coons
Our Maine Coons are not typical farm or barn cats. Although, they live on the farm, they are indoor pets. Historically, Maine Coons originated in the state of Maine. They were bred to be large, athletic farm cats with long slightly oily hair. Maine Coons are suited for the inclement climate of the Northeast. However, when KimRidge Farm moved to Arizona, all our cats became full-time indoor residents.
The reason being is that the local desert environment is cruel for any outdoor pets. Unfortunately, outdoor cats get injured or even killed by wild coyotes and stray dogs in this hostile environment. In addition, a danger of an encounter with a venomous snake or scorpion is very high.
The climate in Arizona is very harsh for northern breeds. The sun in the high desert is so relentless, it will singe the fur, burn the eyes and ears. All cats stay in the air-conditioned house with no exception.
Our Maine Coon Stories
What do we Feed our Maine Coons?
Cats are Obligate Carnivores
Just like all cats wild or domestic, Maine Coons are obligate carnivores. In the wild, cats catch mise, rats, birds, squirrels, lizards, insects and anything else that provides a complete protein diet. Likewise, the diet of our indoor cats emulates that of their native environment. Hence, our cats eat raw chicken with the bones and organs included, raw fish, small amounts of red meat, farm-fresh eggs from our free-ranging chickens.
Cat Food Preparation
We prepare their food ahead of time. We buy chicken and grind it along with the bones and organs. Sometimes, we add fish or red meat to their daily rations. Our Maine Coons also benefit from raw eggs from our free-range chickens. The eggs are beneficial only when they come from free-ranging birds who enjoy at least 80% protein in their natural diet. These eggs are rich in vitamin K2, the key vitamin involved in the regulation of calcium absorption into the bone and removal of calcium from the smooth muscle of the arteries. Thus, farm eggs help maintain healthy heart and bones.
We store our cat food in the freezer and defrost small portions in the refrigerator. Our Maine Coons eat twice a day.
Because of this healthy nutrition, our Maine Coons are strong, muscular, energetic, and overall healthy. Their coats are silky and shiny. Their kitty litter is virtually odor-free. Because their food does not have artificial fillers and unnecessary carbohydrates, the cats require less food compared to the commercial wet or dry food. The cost of feeding raw meat to our cats does not exceed the cost of buying dry food. And, it’s much less expensive than a combination of dry and canned food.
Our only one-time expense for this type of food preparation was Weston commercial meat grinder that is powerful enough to grind chicken bones into the meals. The investment was well-worth it. Cats need bones for calcium and other minerals. Obviously, we use this grinder for our hamburgers and other meals.
Our Cats
Right now, we have two Maine Coons.
Umay joined the family when she was 12 weeks old. She is two years old now. We are very fortunate to have this majestic female Maine Coon cat. Umay is very friendly, but she has a wild knack in her. She likes to ambush her humans and catch them by the arms.
Nimbus is a blue Maine Coon. He is a new addition to our family. He came to us from a Maine Coon breeder in Phoenix, AZ at the age of two. Nimbus adjusted to his new home amazingly quickly. In fact, he was snuggling with us on the first day. Nimbus has a laid-back personality. He follows us everywhere and loves to cuddle. But, he doesn’t last long on the lap because he gets hot very quickly in his thick and silky long haired coat. Umay is very pleased to have Nimbus as her new companion.
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