Maine Coon Cat's Wild Sounds While Sleeping Have People Asking Questions
Nothing feels better than catching a few Zs after a long day. Whether you're an adult, a child, or even a cat, just about anyone you meet shares an affinity for sleeping. In fact, one of pet parents' favorite things to do is to watch their fur babies sleep!
Even I admit that I have more pictures of my dogs sleeping than I have of anything else. They just look so cute and innocent! As one cat owner has experienced, though, even the cutest-looking sleepers can sound anything but.
Tom the cat snores like a human man! It's hard to say what's behind this feline's unique sound, but there's no doubt that it has people talking. Check out his April 29 TikTok video!
LOL! I've heard my gigantic dog snore like that before, but a cat? This is a first, even for me! It's easy to see why nearly 19 million people have tuned in to hear Tom's unique sleeping sounds, but it's not so easy to see what's causing him to make this noise. I'm glad I'm not the only one with even more questions after watching the video!
Related: Maine Coon Cat's Unexpected Meow Has Everyone in Awe
"Does this little baby have asthma or sleep apnea? Can cats have sleep apnea?" asked @nottaryn20. Good question! While asthma is estimated to affect 1% to 5% of cats worldwide, it's more common to see cats with sleep apnea, especially obese cats and Persian cats with shortened muzzles.
Fortunately, neither of these is the case with Tom the tomcat! In a later video, the Maine Coon cat's owner explained that he was born with defects in his nasal cavity and respiratory system, so he's a well-known snorer. As long as he is comfortable, we can all enjoy his silly sounds!
Birth Defects in Maine Coon Cats
While it's a relief to know that Tom isn't struggling to breathe, it does pose the question of how common his kind of birth defects are. Actually--it's not common! Most cat breeds are predisposed to at least one genetic issue, but for Maine Coons, none of the most frequent include nasal or respiratory concerns.
For the largest domestic cat breed, joint issues like hip dysplasia can occur. In fact, it's about 20% likely that a Maine Coon will develop hip dysplasia at some point in their life. Keeping your Maine Coon at a healthy weight is key to maintaining long-term joint health.
This cat breed can also develop Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy as they age, though any cat of any breed can develop this illness. It's a common form of feline heart disease and is best managed with medication and lifestyle changes.
Fortunately for Tom, who is only about three years old, he is a happy and healthy boy! This goes to show that snoring in cats doesn't always indicate a serious problem. Happy napping, Tom!
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