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.

He weighs about 9kg - his fluff is mainly on his belly and around his neck/ruff but he's not a cat who's easy to photograph!

He's a lovely boy and very healthy - never had any issues with him whatsoever. We have two younger moggies who he gets on very well with - he's especially good with them as kittens and is very tolerant.

That sounds a great set up for a house cat @Baranj Good luck, they are a great addition.

@margotrose He is the same size and weight as a full-bred Maine coon male! 9kg is what most breeders have told us their males reach. Two breeders said theirs reach 12kg but that sounds like the giant variety. Not sure how normal that is? Maine coons are known for their patience and tolerance of children. His personality is exactly what we’ve read about. You’re lucky to have a lovely cat and with a great personality.

@Londonlondon4 I am still on the fence about it, but I hope I can get over my ODC and see him as a beautiful addition to the family.

Thanks @Baranj ☺️

The rescue think he's mixed with your standard domestic short hair - his younger "brother" is just a farm cat and weights 5kg so nearly double the size.

It hurts to pick him up 😂

@margotrose 😂

We have him! So here's my kitten tax. No name as yet... DS has that privilege and wants to find a suitable 'proper' name ie not Fluffy or Marmalade. 😸

So adorable!

What's the name of the Scandi actor that's in Beck and one of the Fast & Furious films? My husband always refers to him as "lashings of ginger beard". Wasn't he also Tormund in GOT? Tormund would work...

Boris (Becker)?

OMG he's lovely! Be ready to fall in love fast, they really get you.

You've made me broody for another male maine coon, even though I've sworn never again...

It's relatively important to get a DNA test on them because 35% of Maine coons are susceptible to a heart problem that unfortunately makes them pass away around the age of five years old. https://www.langfordvets.co.uk/media/1710/maine-coon-hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy-hcm.pdf otherwise they are bright gorgeous intelligent affectionate creatures.

Unfortunately all my Maine coons have been tested and still died at or before that age - apparently a lack of taurine can make them die even if they have no genetic susceptibility. I wish I'd known, which is why I always rabbit on about it to anyone who might be thinking about a Maine Coon.

Can you get Taurine supplements in addition to making sure they have sufficient and complete food?

Kitten's parents have been tested for a shed load of inherited things and are negative for all of them so he will be too.
He is now a scary smart nutcase which they can't test for but I had a fair idea when we first met. But adorable. Already 4kg at 5 months which puts him almost on a par with the others (and they're not small moggies).

It's the zoomies straight at the catflap, round the garden and back in at warp speed that makes me laugh. The sureflap's getting a workout...

Yes, you can get taurine in liquid, powder or paste form, whatever your cat will take.

Hi @Baranj I was wondering if you ended up getting a Maine Coon after all?

I was wondering the same.