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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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RandomMess · 13/10/2023 22:10

All our cats LOVE watching the birds through the window so our birds all well fed and we have mirror film on the window so the birds.

Also the XXL scratching barrels are good for MC as they are much sturdier for 11kg of cat hurling itself up it.

JudyGemstone · 13/10/2023 22:11

This is my Ivy even!

Maine Coon
JudyGemstone · 13/10/2023 22:14

This is her with one of her kittens before we had her…

Maine Coon
moggerhanger · 13/10/2023 22:17

This was our daft old buzzard (RIP). Made it to 16.

Maine Coon
Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 22:18

Thank you. I will look into this.

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Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 22:22

@Alltheyearround I have heard this too. It’s just we live in an area where there are lots of cats. I worry by allowing garden access where there are other cats, he may feel threatened? I wouldn’t want him to start spraying indoors. I don’t know if that would be an issue?

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Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 22:25

@JudyGemstone Ivy is stunning! I love her markings. And her kitten is just adorable. Both beautiful cats.

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Sailawaygirl · 13/10/2023 22:28

I have 2 Norwegian x girls. both very fluffy. one is amazing at keeping her self clean and she is very careful with litter tray, she will cover up her sisters mess in litter tray! the other sister has more regular poo bottom and about once a month vomits up a hair ball. So its kind of based on the cat. I put them in the bath since they were kittens for swimming practise, which they used to enjoy as we also used to live on a boat. this helps with poo bottom and although poo bottom cat is much more averse to water, now she is an old lady, so it is a last resort now.

Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 22:33

@Iwant2move Wow! Stunning. Can I ask if the females are affectionate? Maine Coon females are portrayed as aloof and less social. Is this true from your experience? I would consider either male or female, but husband feels out-numbered with DD and myself. He’s adamant it has to be a male 🙄

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Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 22:34

@moggerhanger I’m sorry for your loss. Such a beautiful cat.

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JudyGemstone · 13/10/2023 22:37

I think females are generally more aloof yeah, with all cat breeds.

Ivy is affectionate and very sweet but she’s not needy and won’t sit on laps.

if you want a large fluffy lap cat consider a rag doll instead maybe?

Floralnomad · 13/10/2023 22:39

Try and get your husband to look at Siamese , they are the best cats and so friendly , they really are the most dog like cat . I know everyone proposes their own breed but we’ve had Ragdolls and normal moggies in the past and Siamese are totally different .

Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 22:40

@Silkiebunny thank you for the suggestion. I was inclined to go down the bleach route, but I know this can be toxic when mixed with anmmonia and it’s not safe for cats. I have heard the smell can linger and soak into boards?

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moggerhanger · 13/10/2023 22:41

Our girl was very affectionate, but on her own terms. If she wanted to sit on you, you got well and truly sat on whether it was convenient or not. If she didn't want to sit on you, no amount of cajoling would persuade her. But she was very placid and sociable, in that she liked to be where you were. Unless there was a box to sit in, of course, or a bucket, basket, suitcase, rucksack...

Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 22:47

@CatherinedeBourgh I’m sorry to hear this. I have never heard of Taurine for cats. Does it come as a supplement? How do you administer it? Thank you.

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Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 22:52

@Floralnomad I have heard wonderful things about this breed too. Such characters. My DD is the real reason for getting the cat. She wants Maine Coon as does DH. She watches so many videos on them that it would be hard to sway her on another breed.

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Silkiebunny · 13/10/2023 22:52

Floof has always been very affectionate and will come for snuggles putting his head next to your head or lying by your arm. He can jump high like to top of wardrobe in one go and when he wants a game he can do this standing up and banging the wardrobe thing. This time was at 1am🤔

Maine Coon
Maine Coon
Maine Coon
Maine Coon
Silkiebunny · 13/10/2023 22:55

Don't use bleach as it's toxic to cats and also it smells like urine to them and encourages them to pee. I put the apple normal flash and smell goes quite quickly. Floof always looks really hurt at me.

volunteersruz · 13/10/2023 22:58

I’m really perplexed if you have ocd why you’d choose a long haired cat that needs indoor litter?? What’s wrong with a short haired moggy that can go out and about?

Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 22:59

@newmama311 sorry to hear this. Two years old is very young. I do worry about this. My DD is 9 and losing a pet can be devastating. The breeder is TICA registered and all parents have been health checked for HCM.

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Snowinsummer · 13/10/2023 23:00

I have a Maine coon & she is the first cat I've owned that doesn't spray in the house (others have all been neutered males & have done so). I have owned a moggy, Persian, ragdoll & Norwegian forest cat. I wouldn't personally get a male again for this reason. Maine coons are also messy, they mess with their food & play with their water. If you are worried about this they may not be the best fit. My cat also seems to have quite a sensitive stomach & because she is so large, so is the poo.

cellarst · 13/10/2023 23:02

How about an Abyssinian? They have lovely personalities and are far cleaner.

MrsSkylerWhite · 13/10/2023 23:04

I’m nearly 60, have owned several cats. Our Jude was the most fantastic of them all. You really can’t go wrong with a Maine Coon.

UndercoverCop · 13/10/2023 23:05

These cats are so beautiful. I really wanted a Maine coon but couldn't find a reputable breeder locally. We ended up with a Bengal, he's very talkative, very smart (sits, paw, clicker trained etc) but this means he can also open doors, drawers and cupboards, takes things from inside and then hides them. He loves water and regularly jumps in a just run bath which amuses DS no end.
He's also the most affectionate cat I've ever had, if DS so much as whimpers when he bangs his knee the cat is there immediately and tries to stroke or nuzzle DS' head, same with a full on tantrum! If we ever get another cat in the future I'd love a Maine Coon though

Original poster
Baranj · 13/10/2023 23:06

@volunteersruz I don’t have a say on the breed. It’s what my DD and DH want. I am preparing myself for what it involves and if it’s something I can overcome. I don’t mind the occasional mishap, but if it’s a daily occurrence, then it’s something I would not be able to do. Indoor litter trays will be placed in the bathrooms. One on each floor.

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