Maine Coon

[Baranj]

Hi everyone. I would really appreciate some honesty regarding cat ownership. Whilst I’m mainly interested in hearing from Maine Coon owners, I’d appreciate advice from any feline owners.

I have never owned a pet. My DD has been begging us for a cat for the past three years, and we’ve settled on the Maine Coon breed having read so many wonderful things about them, however, I suffer from major OCDs - I’m a total hygiene freak!

I have read that they are great at cleaning themselves, but being long-haired I understand they can suffer with the occasional messy bottom. (Q1) I would like to know how common this is; and does shaving the area reduce the chances of this happening?

I’m also concerned about spraying. We’ve decided on a male and we will have him neutered between 9-11 months as suggested by the breeder (although this is later than what some other breeders have suggested).

(Q2) Did your male Maine coon ever spray indoors; or ever decide to stop using the litter tray? Even though he will be neutered, I understand they may still spray - and that both males and females can do this.

We will allow our cat access to the garden and the breeder said this would be fine, as long as the garden is cat friendly. We also intend on taking him for walks on a harness.

Again, my main concern is the spraying and if this happened to anyone with a neutered male Maine Coon and, if so, how did you resolve it. We would hate to make a financial and emotional investment only to realise I’m out of my depth.

Thank you.

I've had cats most of my life and currently have three six month old Maine coon kittens.

They haven't sprayed yet.

However, some of my cats in the past have had cat ibs and have had frequent diarrhoea, thinking particularly of one that used to try to eat human food at any opportunity. The kittens I have now since I switched their food to the expensive meat haven't had any diarrhoea.

They are very good at kicking the cat litter out of the tray - I now have pads down all around it to protect the floor.

They seem good at keeping themselves groomed but yes they do shed hair and you'll need to hoover regularly.

Mine are happy so far in my garden, I'm not sure I could train them to walk in a harness but no harm trying I guess. I've seen it done.

Oh, and when they get diarrhoea they don't always make it to the cat litter tray in time.

Realistically at some point you are likely to have to clean up an accident.

I don’t have Maine Coons, but a male rescue from 3 years ago

he was already neutered so no issues, but came here to say he’s super super super clean!
I do wash him once a month and he actually loves it!

I don’t think I can ever get another pet as I am really used to him been super groomed !

If you're a hygiene freak wouldn't a bog standard short haired moggy be a better choice?

They will be likely to throw up hairballs too as they have a long coat. Maybe see if there are cat groomers in your area. My cat has long hair (not a Maine Coon) and will hiss and scratch if I try to brush him but I found a mobile cat groomer who keeps his coat under control.

Not maine coon, but I have a male Norwegian forest, two ragdolls and a sphynx. My Wegie very rarely needs cleaning and I just trim around his bum if need be. Mine are all strictly house cats as agreed when signing the contract from my breeder. I'm actually shocked at being told neuter at such a late age. Because with my ragdolls (ages 12 and 7) and Norwegian (3) we were told neuter by 4 months to receive gccf papers. With my sphynx (2) he was neutered at 12 weeks, before he was allowed to leave. Which most reputable breeders are doing now. Please make sure you buy from a registered breeder with health tested parents.

I have a Maine coon, they are great! Mine did struggle to keep himself clean during the first year, but it wasn't that bad, and you can always get any mats cut off by the vet if you don't want to do it. He's fine now. The bigger problem I think is that there will be times when your cat is sick or has diarrhea. Mine has never sprayed but we had him neutered earlier - about 6 months I think?

I have a male Maine Coon and they are the best cat ever. They do have sensitive stomaches so any food changes can trigger an upset stomach, maybe once every 2 months or so. Cutting the bum hair would make it easier to clean, sometimes you have to wash the tail - most Maine Coons are OK with water, some love it but some don't. We have one that is not keen.

He isn't neutered and is indoor only and does spray a bit in corners, normally my bedroom whilst looking at me but he didn't start that until after 1 so I think if you get yours neutered before then it shouldn't be an issue. We just flash wipe it.

Do you have anyone else who could help with the cat? I have ocd and Floof is the best cat ever but I have DH who clears upset stomaches. He trills all day long, is permanently happy, gentle and kind. He is just turned 1 and I got him during my chemotherapy and it was the best decision ever.

I don't think you should get a cat if you will be worrying about the hygiene issues all the time. They shed fur on chairs and carpets, they are sick in all kinds of places, there is occasional poo on bottom, you have to manage litter trays - if you know in advance you can't cope with this it would be kinder to cats not to get one.

Ours was from a registered breeder and health checked, vaccinated etc and we were advised not to neuter before 6 months the breeder said can damage them as large breed though its difficult as to register requires you to neuter by 6 months unless a breeding one.

Ours has never been sick, the moggie we had before was sick. Does have a litter tray which needs cleaning once a day as they are sold indoor only.

Be careful with a garden, our cat is 1.1 metres and they can jump very high and ours at least is of very little brain and trusts everyone and everything so would be very vulnerable in a garden that he could escape / other animals have access to. You can cat proof a garden but its pricey, looked like £2k or so or use a catio. But a normal fence wouldn't be enough.

Our Maine Coon is currently sitting next to me with his coat covered in burs. I didn’t realise when we bought him how long and dense the breed’s fur is. He occasionally gets a tangly smelly bum and has had to be taken to the vet to be shaved in that area.

I have two Maine Coons. The male is much bigger with a much thicker coat (they have same father different mothers). Neutered at six months as recommended by vet - as one of both sexes and access to outside I wouldn't want to risk it! No spraying.
They have a cat flap so can come and go. The female is out more than the male who is never far from the house. No issues with cleanliness but they shed like crazy! You could groom and vacuum twice a day and still get loads of hair.
The male in particular is very friendly and cuddly. Neither are lap cats though - they are so big that they stretch out next to you and roll over for a tummy rub.

Thank you so much for your reply. My main concern is the smell from the spray. I’m glad to hear you’ve never experienced this. I have been researching thoroughly to see if it’s something I can handle. The occasional diarrhoea is okay, but I was not sure how frequent this is. Thank you for clearing this up. I have been told by the breeder that it should be a diet rich in meat and no or little carbs as this can cause stomach issues. Can I ask what you feed them?

I’ve done this with my kids so that’s fine!

Cat Confidential by Vicky Halls is good on reasons for spraying and how to avoid. Also good on indoor cats, they do need stimulation like different vantage points - so cat towers etc are good. They need to see territory from different heights if that makes sense.

Why are Maines sold as indoor only? Just curious.

We have an adopted mog from cat santuary, very clean but there is fluff on carpet, occassional poo splodges ( and bum wiping duty) as she has some kind of funny tummy. Cat litter is hurled everywhere (but you could get a litter tray with hood I guess). I change it at least daily (and remove poo whenever I see it). I'm a bit OCD too, so ours is next to the loo. LOL. Can be whiffy those cat trays. Wood litter is good (Pets at home can deliver as heavy).

Good luck! Having a cat has brought much happiness and I have got used to sorting out the odd accident with kitchen roll and anti bac spray. On that note be very careful of cleaning stuff - much of it toxic to cats!

I only use ant bac washing up liquid on the cat tray when I swish it out once a week.

I never leave anything like bleach or sterilising fluid (e.g. in a bucket) anywhere the cat could get to it (kitchen - she is not allowed in there). Cats will likely jump on your dining table though, when you're out or asleep. Just so you know!

Our male is super cuddly and friendly and very playful and trills all the time. He rarely goes on your lap as he's too big and at 8kgs its a bit of a shock when he does but he will cuddle up to you and nuzzle like this.

I had a Main Coon cross, and she was the friendliest, most loyal and beautiful cat I could wish for. She lived until she was 21. She also had a Queen of the Universe attitude, like most cats.

Minnie was a very prolific hunter. I was often presented with dead and half dead mice, rats, rabbits, bats, birds and once a mole. I don't know if this is usual with the breed, but if clearing up dead things and bits of dead things is a problem, maybe I'd think again about getting a cat unless they are going to be indoor only.

She had a long fluffy coat, and if I didn't brush her every day she was prone to matting. It was a real struggle to brush her because she was a cat with her own agenda, and it just was not always possible. So she got small mats sometimes. Combing and trimming these out of a reluctant cat is no joke.

Any cat (or dog) who has hairy 'trousers' will occasionally have a shitty bum. And you do have to deal with that. Also sometimes litter tray habits are not always pristine. Litter and poo will escape from the tray, and sometimes it will be deliberately spread around for a laugh.

The moulting is unreal at times. It's all year round, but Minnie blew her coat in the Spring when it was not unusual to hoover every day, sometimes twice. Clumps would appear in places she had not visited, and being fine hair, it blows around the house. You will get hair in your food, and your guests food, there's no getting away from it.

But, its been 8 years since she died, and i miss her every day. She would greet me with a soft chirrup when I got home from work and ask (demand) pets and fusses before I spoke to anyone else in the house. She comforted me when I was sad, and was the best friend I could wish for. If my husband wasn't allergic to cats I would get another Main Coon in a heartbeat.

@Baranj We feed ours on cereal free - can get pouches of wet food or kibble.
James Wellbeloved (also Pets at home delivery - not promoting them but set deliveries do ensure you never run out).

I also use fine shredded paper (no staples!) to make the wood pellet cat litter last a bit longer. However, bathroom/landing/stairs do get bits of it all over. I am now resigned to this. If only we could train a cat to hover up.

I have wooden flooring and hair is less of a problem as I hoover a lot. I am prepared to take on the commitment for my DD as I will have DH’s help too. He is willing to take on the messy stuff as well. I have a child and diarrhoea and vomiting are all things I’m use too. I just wanted to know how frequent it was. I have heard spraying has a distinct and pungent smell so that would be a massive put off as I’ve never dealt with it so do not know what I’d be getting myself into.

Hoover. But hovering cats could be fun too.

Ours goes to vet for pedicure - indoor cats claws don't get worn down, so you have to do them yourself (do-able if they are docile, but you need to be careful where to clip - not too far up) or transport them to the V E T S every few months. Mine growls menacingly at all the dogs in the waiting room :) 🐱

He’s beautiful! 😻

I've got a half Maine Coon but with very long hair. He was neutered at 6 months. He cleans himself and my other little female shorthair also grooms him around his ears. He 5 now and he has never had an accident in the house but he does occasionally vomit up a furball because he grooms himself well. I also brush him every other day. Be sure to brush them often and check for Matt's under leg Pitts. If mine ever gets a little Matt I just use pet scissors to cut it out. He's such a good boy he just stands still and lets me groom him and clean his teeth too. If you do it regularly from the time they are a little kitten they get used to it and I always give a little cat treat afterwards. He never gets poo around his bottom and I've never trimmed his fur around his bottom. They are a very loyal and loving breed of cat. Mine stands outside when I drive off, and he is often stands waiting for me an hour later when I return.

I have a Maine coon cross.
He is a very loving loyal cat.
He is twice the size of my other cats and very good natured with them.
However he is also a prolific hunter. He brings home rats, birds, frogs and mice. He has two big bells on his fluorescent collar, but he is clever and can move without them making a sound. He roams for hours, l have a tracker on him. He is very intelligent for a cat and is outdoors a lot more than my other cats. He would be very restless and bored not being allowed outdoors on his own. He clocks up no end of miles on his daily walks, l can tell by his tracker.
I will admit his backside doesn't smell too good at times, l wash him and comb him.
I think the world of him so this doesn't bother me.