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Original poster

Maine Coon

241 replies

Baranj · 13/10/2023 19:51

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.

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baggienat · 13/10/2023 20:56

I have a Maine Coon, she’s 15 now and sadly quite arthritic but still happy on her medication, just can’t jump the fences anymore!
I have always let her go out, and she loves it, she wouldn’t have liked to be an indoor cat.
She’s amazing, they are so dog like, she will shake a paw for treats and chase a tin foil ball and bring it back. She’s very loud and loves to be sat with you all the time. I can’t see me ever having another breed and I will miss her so much when she’s gone x

moggerhanger · 13/10/2023 20:59

We got a rescue Maine Coon and she was a great cat. Such a character! We brushed her regularly, which she adored, but we still got clumps of hair all over the floor. Only one instance of pooey bum, and that was because she'd sat on some brambly twigs and got a twig stuck across her bum - the poo then kind of piled up around it, and then dried (she was snoozing outdoors in summer). Had to cut it off. I'd love to have another MC, despite the hair, the scattered litter and the poo twig.

Toddlerteaplease · 13/10/2023 21:00

My friend has 3 huge ones! As long as you keep on top of the grooming it's fine. Make sure their bum and trousers are kept short.

Octavia64 · 13/10/2023 21:01

Males who have not been neutered have much more pungent spray than other cats.

I have had a cat that decided it wanted to spray in a couple of places and the smell wasn't great, but frankly in my opinion cat diarrhoea smells worse.

If they do do this (and I've had 10 cats over 20 years and only one did it and only for a short time) then there is usually a reason behind it and it can be stopped.

We added another litter tray just for that cat.

Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 21:01

@DigbyTheDigger

The Maine Coon was DH and DD’s choice. DH owned a German Shepherd before I married him. Maine Coon is the only breed he will consider and is prepared to take on the work around it, so I won’t be alone. I am around neighbourhood cats all the time, but I have never owned one so I don’t know what it would involve. I don’t want to deprive my DD of owning one because of my OCD’s. Pets can be great way to teach children about having a sense of responsibility. I’m hoping it isn’t as bad as I have built up in my mind.

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Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 21:05

@HateMyRubbishBoss Do you know what breed it was? Both DH and DD have heart set on Maine Coon, but it will still be interesting to know.

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BandicootCrash · 13/10/2023 21:06

A maine coon is not an easy first pet. A regular short haired moggie is very low maintenance. But all cats are prone to occasional diarrhoea and/or vomiting, and you either keep them in and have to deal with the litter tray, or you let them out and have to deal with rat guts 🤷‍♀️

FWIW I've recently got Guinea pigs, and they are the cutest, easiest pets I've ever had.

Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 21:10

@moggerhanger I can deal with the occasional poo twig! That doesn’t sound too bad at all 😂

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Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 21:32

@Alltheyearround I think they’re sold as indoor as they are a friendly breed and likely to be stolen or hit by cars when out. I have mixed feelings on this, so I’ve found a breeder that doesn’t restrict us from allowing the cat outdoors. There are a few that said it would be fine in a cat proofed garden or on a harness during walks. Some breeders strictly want them to be indoors. We are going with a breeder that allows garden access and walks.

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Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 21:39

@BandicootCrash I’ve spoken to several breeders who all think they would be great first time pets. This would be DH’s second pet, so not totally inexperienced. His first was a German Shepherd and he said that dogs are much higher maintenance. He feels that a cat would be suitable as they can be litter trained. My DD has always liked cats. I couldn’t sway her on a rabbit or Guinea pig ☹️

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Alltheyearround · 13/10/2023 21:42

From memory I think spraying tends to be more of an issue in multi-cat households.

Silkiebunny · 13/10/2023 21:48

I think it will be fine, if your DH is prepared to do most of the litter trays and odd accidents. We do get tabby carpet but that's just hoovering. The spray does smell after 5 minutes or so but if you neuter shouldn't get and if you spray apple flash or whatever and wipe it goes quickly.

Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 21:48

@Silkiebunny my DH is prepared to do most of the messy stuff too. I am happy to hoover hair and disinfect where necessary. He’s on vomit and litterbox duty! I have heard so many others say that it was the best decision ever. I don’t want to deprive my DD of that.

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Alltheyearround · 13/10/2023 21:50

@Baranj our cat is an indoor as we asked the rescue centre to tell us if they thought they had a cat who would prefer indoors (didn't want to get a kitten and make it into an indoor cat).

Ours is/was quite scared by whatever happened to her in the wide world so indoors is nice and calm for her. I do often think she'd like a sunny garden to lie in and chew the grass etc.in the summer months.

Indoor life feels a bit like comfy prison (though she chooses not to go out even if doors open). I think lack of stimulation is a side effect of total indoor life.
So appreciate you have taken the time to think about that.

I have been on walks with 2 Maine Coons (not my own), and they are so curious and friendly. They make amazing walking companions - though I guess you have to be careful around dogs?

Vet will worm them if they do go out as they can pick up the eggs from other animal poo (yuck but reality). Vet nurses excellent at nail clips and quick pill administering!

Doyouthinktheyknow · 13/10/2023 21:50

I have a long haired cat. We’ve had a number of poo episodes in the 2 years we have had her. Most notably when she scraped her arse along my bedroom carpet to try and remove her poo. It didn’t work, I just had a shitty carpet and cat🤣🤣

We don’t do a hygiene trim but do have special blunt ended scissors and have mastered the scoop and trim manoeuvre to manage any stuck poo. She hates being picked up so it’s all very challenging.

Cats are generally clean but there will be accidents and they generally make a mess of their litter tray.

Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 21:51

@Silkiebunny We were told 7 months by one breeder and 9-12 months by another for the same reason. Apparently early neutering can affect bone growth and narrow the urethra?

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Iwant2move · 13/10/2023 21:52

I have two female Maine Coons. I’ve never had a problem with diarrhoea bottoms with either of them.
They are only allowed access to a catio, not the garden. This doesn’t stop them bringing field mice and voles in to keep as pets.
They are lovely cats but they shed ridiculous amounts of fur.
Mine have two water fountains to drink from and a large dog water bowl which they sit in (this is why the drinking fountains were necessary).

Maine Coon
Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 21:53

@Silkiebunny Yes, we are getting the cat proof fencing and a Catio too.

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Silkiebunny · 13/10/2023 21:55

It was the best decision ever for us - I have ocd and a DH who will do litter tray and accidents and its been really fine. DH was very sad when our old moggie died and said I could get another small female cat but DD and I fell in love with Floof, who is male and 8kgs but DH is totally in love with him too. He helped DD through her GCSEs during my chemo, he is such a happy cat you can never be cross with him whatever he does. He just trills a lot of the day, its such a lovely noise and he's so gentle. He loves visitors and leaps around. He is quite full on but we love that. I love his big soft paws poking my feet or he goes for my bum quite a lot. 😂Its actually probably good for the ocd as you love them so much anything is fine.

CatherinedeBourgh · 13/10/2023 21:56

I've had 3 male maine coons. All were lovely. All died young from heart problems, despite being highly genetically screened by reputable breeders. They do shed like crazy.

If you do get one, give them lots of extra taurine, apparently it reduces the risk of sudden death.

I've also got a female maine coon who is now 12, and very healthy.

newmama311 · 13/10/2023 22:01

Lost one Maine coon baby boy to hcm (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) under 2 years old, which is a heart condition common in Maine coons, be sure to ask questions around if the parents have had screening for this, lots online to read up about

Silkiebunny · 13/10/2023 22:01

I think cat proof fencing and a catio would be ideal. Ours stays indoors but he is permanently happy and trilly. He has got into the garden a few times but just sits there looking slightly panicked and bewildered. Sometimes looking at our silkie chickens. Possibly thinking breakfast, lunch, dinner. Though there's very little between the ears with him and not sure he even realises what they are. Our moggie was quite clever.

Silkiebunny · 13/10/2023 22:04

We got Floof from one of the breeders in the Maine Coon cat club http://www.maine-coon-cat-club.com/?fbclid=IwAR12TkOFNmAzjtPJN-sbbVAANtphYU2DMMaYURUSKdhRhlDjx3jv2XiuuYg, they also have a few rescues usually a few years older and already neutered.

RandomMess · 13/10/2023 22:04

You can get dried cat kibble that is very high in protein- such as Eden and Josera. They definitely minimise the amount of 💩 and tummy upsets.

They eat an awful lot!!

Interesting my MIL neuters hers before they go to their new homes as they weigh enough and ensures they don't procreate either deliberately or accidentally!

Research and get a very large litter tray. Zooplus do an excellent top entry tray that helps contain the litter!

JudyGemstone · 13/10/2023 22:07

I got mine when she was 4 years old, rehomed her from a breeder who was retiring her as a breeding queen so she was spayed at that age. She’s just turned 10 last week.

she has never sprayed anywhere and is brilliant with her litter tray. She has felt and royal canin maine coon dry, I know it’s not the best but it’s what the breeder had her on and she likes it so whatever.

She does go out but spends more of her time at home. I don’t have a cat flap or anything like that. She sheds A LOT and we have to hoover all the time. We have clipped her coat short a couple of times when she’s got tangled too bad.

she’s my first cat I’ve had as an adult and is a very easy pet, the perfect cat for us really. We love her so much. I’d have another when she goes but I wouldn’t pay £1k odd for a kitten because thats ridiculous, it would have to be a rehomed adult again.

This is my Ivy…