Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The litter tray

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Maine Coons and re-catting.

47 replies

Moonax · 18/11/2015 20:30

Anyone got experience of Maine Coons? We're long time cat owners but have always had moggies (lovely, all of them). Our last, beautiful black girl was pts about a year ago (she was 19) and we're now thinking cat again. We're looking at rescue cats as the obvious source, and DH likes the idea of older cat and a kitten to stagger the pain of the inevitable losses.

I have always loved Maine Coons, but if anyone has any tips on the reality of pedigree cat owning, I'd be grateful for advice. All our previous cats were easy to handle, wonderful to live with (bar rodent presents) and are greatly missed.

OP posts:

Thread gallery

Seawig · 19/11/2015 12:52

Huntercat has huge paws.

And dwarfs our tortie.

We took him from cats protection as he was bombproof with our toddlers. Utterly unphased by noise, movement, being poked, would lay down while tantruming DS was a foot away screaming and would look interested rather than alarmed by all interactions with small people. Happy to lay totally in the way and have people step over him repeatedly without any concern.

Doesn't like sitting on my lap as it is too small to stretch out on, but will happily be held in a cuddle for ages upside down and purrs like a machine when he gets a head scratch and massage.

Really wonderful cat and feel so lucky to have him. He has just come in from hunting all morning, has eaten, had a cuddle with me and is now laying full stretch on the floor deciding which bed to settle on for his afternoon sleep.

Bogburglar99 · 19/11/2015 12:53

Siberians are another breed which is quite similar, equally long haired but not QUITE as huge.

Bogbastardkitten is a seven month old snow leopard in training with the loveliest of temperaments, really people oriented and daft as a brush.

Just to give you a view of the alternatives

Anastasie · 19/11/2015 13:00

My questions regarding a pedigree animal would be, are they as adept outdoors as other cats?

Are they likely to be a target in any way?

and are they likely to have complex health issues?

If no to the above, and also if you are not so concerned about their monetary value (sorry - not suggesting you are, but some folks are) that you won't want them to have the freedom other cats have, then I would say it'll be fine.

Seawig · 19/11/2015 16:24

I presume Huntercat must be a mix if he has any MC in him, he is nearly 6kg but that is too small for a MC isn't it?

Anyway, whatever he is doesn't matter and wouldn't affect how I treat him! He has a life of luxury at home and freedom to explore wherever so best of both worlds.

Enjoy finding your new cats OP.

Original poster

Moonax · 19/11/2015 17:37

Oh dear. More pictures. Truly, truly doomed.

Can I have them all?

It's sounding better and better for MCs. The hunt is on!

OP posts:

ophiotaurus · 19/11/2015 22:11

Love seeing all of the lovely Maine Coons. So gorgeous.

Ninacarter77 · 22/11/2015 09:13

I have a four year old mainecoon boy.
Monty Beau he is gorgeous.
House boy and very happy roaming the house.
Does take a lot of feeding weighs 22lbs and it is a little disconcerting when he puts his feet on the kitchen worktops to see what you are doing.

Makes the lovely coon talk when he can't find me or is lonely- DH and I work different days so someone is at home with him most days loves company.

Does get a lot of coat mats a seam/stitch ripper works best on these to detangle and he tolerates it well

There is a lot of hair and dust from him so adds to the house work but he is the best...my first ever coon they are unique.

Everybody loves him. Get insurance though and our costs approx. £80 a month for feed and £30 for litter as he won't use a smelly box needs changing everyday...don't know if that's a coon thing or just him.

Go to a reputable breeder sometimes they have retired studs and queen looking for forever homes too...maybe less work than a kitten?

CMOTDibbler · 22/11/2015 09:18

I have a giant, fluffy, vocal cat. He's a rescue of unknown origin, and although he can be a right git - like rolling around on the path to get people to fuss him then biting them - he is fabulous.

If you go to your local cat rescue place and tell the volunteers you want a big cat with lots of personality, they will find the right cat among the many looking for homes.

StillMedusa · 22/11/2015 12:02

I currently have two Coons, and lost my beloved giant Morphy over a year ago.

They do vary in personality! Morph was gigantic, incredibly cuddly and incredibly greedy Obie is a big chunky ginger lump who steals from houses, sneaks in everywhere and refuses to be groomed... he's a teenage nightmare at the moment! Ophie is a sweet increidibly fluffy and big eared girly with the loudest voice I have ever heard in a cat!

Grooming is a pain.. Morph was ok with it, and Ophie tolerates it enough to keep her looking decent, but Obie has the thickest Maine Coon coat and he hates being groomed...last summer I had to pay mega bucks to get him dematted at the vets and we try to just keep snipping away, combing and knot splitting!

But they are FABULOUS!

Original poster

Moonax · 28/11/2015 16:28

Thank you all for the MC advice and pictures. I've been in contact with various rescues and we have been matched with a 5 year old black/chocolate MC girl. Homecheck needs to be completed, but then hopefullly she'll be able to come to us.

Very excited :)

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 28/11/2015 16:32

Moonax that's lovely.
Pictures soon!!

Original poster

Moonax · 28/11/2015 16:54

As soon as we're confirmed - yes! Pictures galore.

OP posts:

SpellBookandCandle · 28/11/2015 17:00

My 17 lbs MC cross is currently lying across me. He came as a rescue with his brother. I love them both to bits. My boys are chatty, affectionate and curious. They still love humans despite being tossed out of a moving car as kittens

IAmcuriousyellow · 28/11/2015 20:14

Delighted for you! Hope all goes well.

Original poster

Moonax · 09/12/2015 07:52

Beautiful rescue MC arrives tomorrow

She's a bit on the thin, neglected and shy side and nobody enquired about this gorgeous girl because she is nearly black - which is the most bizarre reason I can think of for not wanting a cat. She will live in a corner of our (large) kitchen to start with as the poor love has only ever lived in pens. The idea is to let her get used to us and the house slowly, letting her build up confidence in her own time.

If anyone has good advice on helping to get a shy cat to settle, I'd love to hear it.

OP posts:

Fluffycloudland77 · 09/12/2015 08:06

Only ever lived in a pen? that's awful for any cat. I'd just let her explore at her own pace and put dishes of lovely cooked chicken out.

Black cats do get overlooked.

PurpleHairAndPearls · 09/12/2015 10:16

Those eyes! You're (and she is) so lucky

I am by no means an expert but our cat had been abandoned (just left locked in a house when the people moved out - don't know how long she had been there) and took some time to adjust to us.

We had to keep the house as quiet as possible - we even stopped getting the shopping delivered as it was too traumatic for her - and then gradually build up to the "normal" noise/activity level. Lots of high up sanctuaries for her, one of the DC's loft bed was ideal, and little toys to keep her occupied and interact with us (as she had to stay inside for 6 weeks I think). Without fail she could be enticed to us with Dreamies - cat crack her favourite "toy" is the red laser pointer thing.

She adjusted amazingly quickly to be honest, but she was only a baby when we found her. Now she is very confident and rules us all. The only thing I find sad is she gobbles all her food and would eat anything you would put down - the vet said it's because she is scared of being starved again (goodness this will make me cry!) She is a healthy weight though.

It's one of the best things we ever did. She landed on her feet - she is so spoiled. As I type I am looking at her three cat advent calendars!

Best of luck for you all tomorrow.

PurpleHairAndPearls · 09/12/2015 10:17

Oh mine isn't a MC though, she does have long hair though. We have gone through three hoovers since we got her including a Henry

Original poster

Moonax · 11/12/2015 17:30

Apologies for not replying sooner to thank you for all that great advice Purple. We back in waiting mode. She needs her teeth doing the rescue want to do that before she comes to us rather than sending her to a new environment where the first thing that happens to her is a lovely general anesthetic.

OP posts:

StopLaughingDrRoss · 14/12/2015 20:25

She is beautiful though Moonax... will she be home before Christmas, do they think?

Original poster

Moonax · 14/12/2015 20:59

We hope so StopLaughing. It would be the ideal time for her to settle in as there will only be the three of us this year and by some miracle, we all have a 10 day break. Depends how her teeth go (gingivitis, some must come out as she's in pain). The rescue place are just wonderful. They care so much about their cats, do proper home checks and want to send her when she is going to be able to settle well.

OP posts:

IAmcuriousyellow · 19/12/2015 21:20

Moonax, my MC had gingivitis when I got him back in February. I wasn't a believer in homeopathy but hated the thought of removing teeth - took him to a homeopathic vet and was astonished when the gingivitis just faded and disappeared. I took a photo of his mouth the other day, I'll see if I can upload it, his gums are a lovely shell pink with no red anywhere. And I think it can be stress related, might improve a lot when she's home with you?

Flip

1 2