Any Maine Coon owners out there? Tell me what I need to know.

[mummyplonk]

Hi, DH and I have been looking at getting a pet for the last few years. I have had numerous cats in my life, moggies, short haired exotic. But I have always dreamt of a Maine coon once the children where a bit bigger. Their personalities seem amazing. Could anyone please give me any first hand advice? Do you keep yours indoors? Are Males more affectionate? etc.

[MrsGrumps]

I've got 3 mc siblings of 4 years and they are rescues that I got 2 years ago. All are lovely but the boy is the most affectionate whilst the two girls will come for a fuss but are also happy sleeping the day away. They do go out at weekends but I'm on tenderhooks until they come back in. I've also got two kitten brothers who have different fathers, one is part Ragdoll and he is the most placid and affectionate of them all. To the point where he sleeps tucked into my chest/chin every night, and should I roll over he moves to that side too.

The kittens so far have not experienced the outside world and I'm in no rush for them too, maybe by next summer I will let them explore but I live in a busy part of town and to loose any of them would break me.

[3littlewomen]

Our big red boy used to be transported sat in a child's carseat! He would sit beautifully and not move a muscle! If you tried to put him in a cage you would end up seriously damaged with a cat howling the whole way!

[kiwigirl42]

We got our seal point Ragdoll as a 2 yr old (no longer wanted ) and he'd never been outside.
I didn 't have the heart to keep him in so he tootles off outdoors every day. In the summer he lies down under the apple trees all afternoon and they both socialise with the bunny (in fact, take naps in poor bunny's hutch in the summer. Luckily Buns has a big outdoor run as well).
We have a labrador too and the pets all get on well together (well, when Mr Flea is not being an arse, that is!)

[bishboschone]

Oh I see .. Our neighbours have an indoor cat and he sits in the window and watches mine outside .. It makes me sad .. I adore my cats but I think quality of life is important for them and I would rather they enjoyed life than were shut inside .

[kiwigirl42]

we have 2 Ragdolls and adore them - one is a big seal point boy aged 8, he is very placid until he wants food or cuddles then he blatt, blatt, blatts until he gets what he wants. The other is an 18 mth lilac point - naughty, delinquent creature who DS loves to bits (we all do really - he is just a ratbag).

I think girl cats are more affectionate. Its only our 13 yr old feral cat who sleeps in my arms when I have a migraine, not the boys. But boys definitely have more personality!

Our Rags do go outside but mainly only into ours and next doors fenced off gardens. We got Flea (the ratbag) castrated probably too soon reading above thread but he was starting to stay out all night and go a long way away. He is cross eyed too (!!) which adds to his charm.

The kids sing 'He's a pointy, squinty squirrel with a wandering eye .....'

I'd never have another breed of cat again now as long as I can afford them but will get a cuddly girl next time

[haggisaggis]

My Coonie gets out - and catches lots - but seems to be a trend among breeders not to sell to people who will let their cats out in case they get lost /' stolen / run over. Mine is a nightmare if kept in - objects loudly and has been known to pee on the bed to express his disgust.

[2blessed2bstressed]

bish I don't think any cat is an indoor cat actually, but lots of people who own pedigree cats do tend to keep them inside for fear of them being lost, stolen, or run over. Not just pedigrees in fairness, but I think the risk of theft is higher if you have a lovely looking breed like a Maine Coon.
I personally don't think it's very fair on the cat, and mine is off through the catflap whenever she wants (v cold here today so she is snuggled in on armchair in my bedroom), and often returns with gifts - but I understand why some people don't let them out.

[CleansLate]

ILs have two maine coons. Brothers.

One is almost feral, you barely see him, he kills rabbits and squirrels and doesn't like to be touched. The other is a lap-sitter and very affectionate. Litter-mates, same socialisation, just different personalities.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I dont have a Maine coon, but I do have an active breed of cat which I believe coons fall under.

What they dont tell you with active cats is that they dont give up, if he wants something he will miaow for an hour before he concedes you are not giving in.

We went to a coon show and they were gorgeous, DH knows someone who lives in the country and has one and says he's a huge lump of a cat who rules the roost over the dogs.

[theDudesmummy]

Given they are specially evolved to deal with the harsh Maine winters (lovely waterproof coat, fur in ears and between the paws pads etc) I think it would be wrong to keep them in (Just my opinion)

[theDudesmummy]

I have a red tabby Maine Coon but she is small and not big (runt of a very large litter). She is now 16 and still going despite being diagnosed years ago with cardiomyopathy. She is not very friendly and never has been, but I think that is just her. She has always been an indoor and outdoor cat with no problems.

[bishboschone]

Why are Maine coons indoor cats?

[bishboschone]

I have two normal tabbies who have fantastic personalities and a beautiful tortoiseshell who is so aloof it's untrue . You would think she had been badly treated but she came from a lovely home and had a lovely home here ...She spits and growls at you and won't allowed you to pick her up . Despite this I love her as she does have her moments but I would think very hard about breeds if I got another cat . Sometimes I guess it's just luck of the draw .

[mummyplonk]

Sounds like they dont like being groomed much for both of you to mention that bit! thank you. Maybe I should try to start that when he is very young. I was wondering what you do to get them to the vet when they are at full size haggisaggis, I guess a dog carrier?

[mummyplonk]

I love Rag dolls too, I would love a pair of these bishboshone, they have the sweetest faces. DH has his heart set on a Maine Coon, he likes the idea of a big honey monster, I was hesitant at first until I looked more into their personalities. This could be the only pet we have until we hit retirement age so really keen to get the right one to join our family. Has anyone had any problems with furniture destruction at all? Also, sorry, Do they malt more than a normal cat as they have such long hair?

[haggisaggis]

WE have a silver mackarel tabby male - he's about 18 months. A great character - he gets out but many breeders won't sell to someone who wants to let their cat out so you should be OK keeping yours in. Ours is friendly but not overly so - think he will become more of a lap cat with age. You will need to groom them - no matter what the breeder says. Ours got so matted we had to get part of his coat shaved. He hates being groomed. They are very vocal and very large - we got a large size cat carrier and already he can't stand in it. I would love another one but w ehave a black moggy who would have 40 fits if we got yet another cat..

[BelleDameSousMistletoe]

Sorry, should have said, the Maine Coons are house cats although, really, they'd prefer not to be. Devil cat is not but won't go out.

[BelleDameSousMistletoe]

I have two Maine Coons - they are now 12 years old. One enormous ginger boy and, his sister, a lovely grey girl. They're both completely cuddly and loving. I've never known them bite or scratch either. When my DD was about 2 and going through "the biting phase" she bit the boy on his leg - hard enough to make him yowl. Even then, he just got up and walked away - he didn't spit, scratch or bite her.

They have very loud purrs and also "chirrup" for attention/to find each other. Apparently, they can be trained too although, really, who has time?!

The girl cat rushes to DD if she is crying too. The cat is better at telling whether they're real tears or not - if the cat's not there, the tears are usually not entirely genuine!!

Not had any health problems with them although they did become quite stressed when I introduced the devil cat into the fold (unwanted, part feral kitten - ugliest and most annoying cat you will ever see). The Maine Coons are noisy but the small beast is the noisiest cat ever (vet thinks part Siamese).

The only thing I would say, though, is that you may need to groom them occasionally. Mine hate being groomed but end up with clumps and knots of fur which then have to be cut out if I don't.

[bishboschone]

Have you considered rag dolls ? My friends has two and they have amazing personalities .. Really placid and affectionate and cuddly!!

[mummyplonk]

Thanks for the replies, that is shocking about your neighbours 3littlewomen. I have PM'd you about breeder recomendation. Hope we manage to find a nice snuggly boy like yours.

[3littlewomen]

Insurance is a must in our opinion! We have a real thing for the big dozy red tabbies.... Our female is a blue tortie, huge but not a people cat.

The red kitten is a real snuggler and we plan to keep him indoors - have had real problems with neighbours enticing our coons into their houses to encourage them to stay .

Best of luck with you kitten or cat

[Floralnomad]

Be very careful when choosing a breeder , my mum has a Ragdoll ( breeder does rags and maines) he's about 10 now and it is an extremely 'reputable ' breeder .the cat has had health issues from the day after we got him and she couldn't distance herself quickly enough ! Having said that my mum loves him ,he's an indoor cat and a complete pain in the arse ,costs an a fortune to feed because he is very picky and also has digestive problems .likes to sit with people but not on them , keeps crying at you if you're sitting where he wants to sit until you move ,can't stand any temperature changes so has to have heaters and fans at relevant times of the year and is allergic to loads of stuff like vaccinations / flea treatments. I think we just picked a wrong un!

[mummyplonk]

Thanks 2blessed, I love your description of your lovely "soft lump" I have read somewhere that some colours are not true breeds and can encounter more problems, I do love the silver/grey coat I hope they do not fall into that catagory.

[2blessed2bstressed]

We have had 2 Maine Coons, 1st was a boy - from a rescue - he was enormous, and the most gentle, affectionate, soft lump you could ever wish to meet. He lived until he was 18, and other than developing diabetes when he was around 16 (vet nurse showed me how to do his injections and he did very well) he didn't have any health problems at all. We now have a girl, she's 6. She's very stand offish, won't stand for being petted, and is the loudest cat I have ever known! She hasnt had any problems either.
She is also extremely beautiful. Both of mine have made full use of cat flaps and were/are excellent hunters.
I personally wouldn't have "indoor" cats, but have no beef with those that do.