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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Maine Coon anyone?

32 replies

MrsBennetsEldest · 17/02/2014 19:10

Can anyone tell me of their experience with a Maine, DS1 (20) would like one and I only have experience with Bengals, Siamese and Foreigns. Any comments would be very helpful.

OP posts:
IAmOwedMoney · 17/02/2014 19:12

The one we have experience with, cuddles up on our chest a lot with lots of purrrrrrinnnngggg. Sharp claws hurt, though I find you get clawed much less than you do from a run of the mill moggy.

Original poster
MrsBennetsEldest · 17/02/2014 19:15

Thanks IamOwed, so they like cuddles. That's good.:)

OP posts:
IAmOwedMoney · 17/02/2014 19:17

One of the most loving/gentle cat's I have experienced, though ours is still a kitten.

cozietoesie · 17/02/2014 19:19

They do have some tendencies towards inherited disorders. If you're thinking of a kitten (as opposed to a breed rescue) then you might be advised to read \link{http://www.icatcare.org/advice/cat-breeds/maine-coon\this} including the linked guidance.

charleybarley · 17/02/2014 19:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
MrsBennetsEldest · 17/02/2014 19:21

The pictures DS has shown me are of enormous giants. I am looking at my new sofas and feeling a bit nervous. Is yours any more of a vandal than other breeds?

OP posts:
HighBrows · 17/02/2014 19:22

I have a Maine Coon, she's 7. She does the loud purring and she loves to be on my chest at night. She purrs me to sleep....

She's quite clumsy and awkward, her favourite game is to try and trip me on the stairs and anyone else in the house.

She's nosy and curious and very very loyal.

Go for it. Mine is a great pet and companion.

IAmOwedMoney · 17/02/2014 19:22

We have noticed that the kitten is more bendy than our run of the mill moggy is.

Original poster
MrsBennetsEldest · 17/02/2014 19:24

Thankscozie, have read the link now! lots to take into consideration! like he can pay the insurance :)

OP posts:
charleybarley · 17/02/2014 19:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HighBrows · 17/02/2014 19:26

Yes mine whittles wood like a fiend. I have two normal moggy cats and they don't whittle like my Maine Coon.

Cozie my MC is 7 and touches wood hasn't had any health problems.

Original poster
MrsBennetsEldest · 17/02/2014 19:28

Thank you so much everyone. They do look adorable.

OP posts:
Schoolparkingwoes · 17/02/2014 19:30

I would try and socialise it ASAP with children ( if you have any young ones) my mils Maine coone hides whenever the kids visit so we never see it! :-(

cozietoesie · 17/02/2014 19:30

It's just something to be aware of, HighBrows. There are some disreputable breeders knocking around who hide under a cloak of respectability. (And also some who aren't truly up on what they're doing.) If you're alert to the issues, you can make a more informed choice - it must be heartbreaking to have a much love kit diagnosed with an inherited disorder which leaves them in pain or ill.

Original poster
MrsBennetsEldest · 17/02/2014 19:30

Is the not liking dogs a breed trait? I have 4 but they are terrified of the cats.

OP posts:
Thattimeofyearagain · 17/02/2014 19:31

By dbro had one, best cat ever, lovely, loving, thought he was a dog/ human loved people.

RandomMess · 17/02/2014 19:31

MIL has/has had several - some of them have been very shy and nervy, one is fairly ferral as in likes being out and about all the time. The others are okay.

So bit of a mixed bag in her experience. She shows and breeds them now too Shock

HighBrows · 17/02/2014 19:33

Mine isn't overly fond of kids despite being reared with my 3.

Thanks for the link Cozie and it's interesting to know.

Original poster
MrsBennetsEldest · 17/02/2014 19:33

I don't have a small children ( sighs) so no worries there. I'm more concerned with heavy metal pounding through the house and how a kitten would cope. DS is already coming up with Viking themed names for the cat I have yet to agree to.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 17/02/2014 19:36

...Viking themed names.....?

He's not really thinking of an NFC is he?

HighBrows · 17/02/2014 19:37

My MC gets on grand with dogs, she tolerates my parents miniature Yorkie and he is a pest.

cozietoesie · 17/02/2014 19:37

\link{http://www.nfcc.co.uk/\Norwegian} Forest Cat Club.

Original poster
MrsBennetsEldest · 17/02/2014 20:03

Don't be thrown by the Viking thing, he's just really into Norse Mythology etc. it's definitely a Maine Coon he wants.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 17/02/2014 20:05

Show him some NFC stuff and see. Wink

cozietoesie · 17/02/2014 20:06

PS - they're huge as well.