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Royal Fluffyness : Secrets of Maine Coon Grooming
- Les Aristocoons
- Oct 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 13
The Maine Coon is a fascinating breed: large, majestic, and adorned with a magnificent coat that captivates everyone who meets its gaze. But such beauty comes with a price — owning a long-haired cat also means dedicating time to coat care. Without a proper grooming routine, tangles, mats, and dead hair can quickly become a nightmare for both cat and human.
As a passionate Maine Coon breeder and proud “mom” to these extraordinary felines for over six years, I’ve had the chance to experiment with countless techniques, tools, and products. Today, I’m sharing all my knowledge to help turn grooming into an enjoyable, effective, and stress-free moment for both you and your furry companion.
The Importance of Starting Early
The secret to successful grooming begins long before adulthood. The most common mistake owners make is waiting until their cat needs a serious brushing to start. By then, it’s often too late — the cat isn’t used to it, dislikes the experience, and it becomes stressful for everyone involved.
The key is to make grooming part of your kitten’s daily life from the very beginning. Ideally, this habit starts with the breeder during the socialization period. At first, the goal isn’t to remove dead hair or detangle knots, but simply to associate brushing with a normal, pleasant, and routine activity.
In our cattery, we start brushing kittens almost daily in very short sessions of one to two minutes. Even if it seems unnecessary, it builds a solid foundation. The goal: for the cat to understand that brushing is a natural part of life.
Tip: The shorter and more regular the sessions, the better they’ll be received. Once grown, your Maine Coon will easily accept handling, making life much easier — for both of you!
The Right Tools for Effective Grooming
A great grooming routine starts with the right equipment. Not all tools serve the same purpose, and using them in the right order is crucial to avoid pain, frustration, and wasted time.
Here are the tools we recommend in our cattery:
Finishing comb: Perfect for kittens or delicate touch-ups. It smooths the coat and removes small, invisible tangles. You can see this comb attached.
Soft brush: Gentle on young cats’ sensitive skin and helps identify tangled areas without pulling. We use Wet Brush models — soft yet effective.
Undercoat brush: Essential during shedding seasons. It removes dead undercoat without breaking the hair shaft.
Dual-tooth comb: Start with the wide-spaced side for rough detangling, then finish with the fine side for a perfect result.
Mat breaker: Designed for stubborn knots, it cuts through mats without damaging the rest of the coat. Use only when necessary.
As a complement, a clipper can be helpful for trimming sensitive areas (belly, armpits, hindquarters) or removing a large mat. Some models like the one we use in our cattery even vacuum up the cut hair, making cleanup much easier.
What to avoid: Scissors. A cat’s skin is extremely thin and moves easily with the fur. Cutting a mat can easily result in serious injury, especially if the cat moves suddenly.
Bonus tip: A detangling spray makes brushing far more comfortable. Two sprays per side are enough for an adult, while one light spray per week is sufficient for a kitten. You can also apply a bit more directly to problem areas.
The Ideal Grooming Routine
Maine Coons shed year-round, but spring and fall are the heaviest shedding periods. In spring, they lose their thick winter undercoat.
During these seasons, a full bath or deep grooming session will complement your weekly brushings. It will drastically reduce loose hair around your home and help maintain coat quality.
Here’s our cattery’s grooming routine:
Apply detangling spray
Use the undercoat brush
Go through with the dual-tooth comb
Finish with the fine comb
Apply a nourishing conditioner
The areas most prone to knots are the belly, armpits, and hindquarters. Light trimming once or twice a year in these zones can prevent most problems.
Bathing a Maine Coon: Yes or No?
This topic often divides cat owners. However, for Maine Coons, the answer is yes — a bath around four times a year (once per season) helps maintain coat health and beauty.
If your cat has never been bathed and suddenly needs one as an adult, it can quickly turn into chaos. But if introduced early, it becomes a simple, stress-free routine.
Recommended products:
Pro Hex 4% Shampoo (available from your veterinarian)
Sabine & Gaspard Shampoo color reviver
Sabine & Gaspard Shampoo
Sabine & Gaspard Conditioner
Tips for a successful bath:
Rinse thoroughly between each shampoo.
Use lukewarm water (test on your wrist).
Place a towel at the bottom of the tub to prevent slipping.
Have two people present if possible — it’s safer.
After the bath, towel-dry your cat, apply conditioner, and finish with a hairdryer on low heat. Never let your cat air-dry, especially in winter — they could easily catch a chill.
If certain areas are oily, apply a degreasing product before the bath and leave it on for five minutes.
Not enough time for a big bath or in need of a quick fix?
Not a problem with the no rinse Sabine & Gaspard shampoo we love to use in our cattery! It's a must to have at home.
Maine Coon Grooming: An Act of Love and Well-Being
Grooming a Maine Coon isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s an act of love, health, and comfort. It’s also a bonding moment that allows you to monitor their skin condition, detect parasites or irregularities early, and provide them with lasting well-being.
With a solid routine, the right tools, and a gentle, consistent approach, grooming becomes a shared pleasure rather than a chore. In return, your cat will boast a silky, healthy, and radiant coat — truly worthy of the king (or queen) they are.
Remember: patience, repetition, and consistency are your best allies. Start early, stay consistent, and turn grooming into a special ritual that will strengthen your bond with your majestic companion for years to come.
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