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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 or Tonkinese?

37 replies

Lottiethelemming · 24/03/2021 21:27

I had thread here before about buying a Maine Coon kitten. I've no plans yet as we're waiting to buy a house.

I'm desperate for a cat, it's all I think about so I spend a lot if time researching.

I've come across the Tonkinese breed which is intriguing.

I want a kitten or young adult that is super friendly and cuddly. I've got 2 young boys who love animals.

Any pros or cons between the 2?

Price isn't an issue, I already follow lots of genuine breeders / rehoming centres and I know a kitten of either type can cost up to £1k or so.

I'm already edging towards a young adult so this isn't a 'don't buy a kitten!' Thread.

I'd like the opinions if those who have either breed.

DP and I work from home so caring for them isn't an issue.

I'm happy (can't wait) for them to sleep alongside me in bed.

I will have no issues maintaining their coats. I will be sure they are insured, chipped, spayed and registered with a good vet.

OP posts:
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Original poster
Lottiethelemming · 24/03/2021 21:28

Also, any house we buy will have a big garden and not on a main road.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lottiethelemming · 24/03/2021 21:29

I'm also happy to have a house cat, preferably to be honest!

OP posts:
Dobbyhasnomaster · 24/03/2021 21:35

I have a half Maine coon half tabby and she is NOT cuddly! Bloody cute though

Toddlerteaplease · 24/03/2021 23:32

I've got Persians. They are house cats and very cuddly!

sunflowersandbuttercups · 25/03/2021 09:15

If you want a house cat, have you considered a ragdoll?

Soubriquet · 25/03/2021 09:16

Depends on size really too

Do you want a large cat (Maine coons get big) or a cat sized cat?

I have a Maine coon cross and she’s a cuddly lovely thing.

NutellaEllaElla · 25/03/2021 09:19

Why not go for a rescue, you can visit and see their temperament, they're just as lovely as pedigrees with fewer health problems.

CovidCorvid · 25/03/2021 09:21

Get a Birman, they’re so cuddly.

Elbels · 25/03/2021 09:22

Tonk tonk tonk!

Absolute best breed in the world, I'd never have a different breed.

Notable · 25/03/2021 09:25

I’ve had lots of tonks and they are hands down the best cats around. Super affectionate people lovers with big personalities and purrs.

I don’t think anything about a tonk would rule it out as a house cat but I’ve never tried. On the other hand I’ve read that Maine coons are not recommended to roam. I’ve never owned one though so I can’t comment from experience.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 25/03/2021 09:29

I have a Maine coon cross and she’s a cuddly lovely thing.

It's funny how they're all different isn't it?

Mine only tolerates me picking him up - when anyone else tries they get a hiss if they're lucky - a growl and swipe if they're not Grin

He's quite affectionate but it must be on his terms and he's certainly not a cuddly lap cat. He loves a head scratch though!

AConvivialHost · 25/03/2021 09:29

I've had two Maine Coons and also have moggies. My two MCs have been very similar - very soft and loving, with no concept of their size. They try and squeeze on laps and into spaces they don't fit, and then look shocked when they knock everything over. My current boy loves water and likes paw paddling when anyone is in the bath.

As both of mine have had such similar personalities, I think it must be a breed thing. I can't imagine not having an MC as part of my crew now and my DH, who is very much a dog man, thinks they are something a bit special too.

mrscatmad31 · 25/03/2021 09:40

I have a Tonkinese, he is demanding, throws up a lot and chews anything plastic/fabric.. but he is an amazing character and everyone loves him. Any Oriental breed are fairly demanding but you do get a lot back from them. I had a Siamese previously who also threw up a lot (they are known for it) also chewed plastic although not as bad and he was so noisy! But again, he had a fantastic character and everyone adored him. I am very pro rescue and both my pedigrees weren't bought, they were unwanted (the Siamese because he threw up all the time!!) But my next cat will probably be a Siamese kitten 😁

mrscatmad31 · 25/03/2021 09:42

Oh and mine has always been a housecat, my Siamese used to love being walked but my Tonk won't tolerate it, we have a cat proofed garden though and he loves it

WithIcePlease · 25/03/2021 10:00

Just think you are all BU as clicked on this and no cat pics!

HappyHoppyHippo · 25/03/2021 11:49

@WithIcePlease Same! Confused

Toddlerteaplease · 25/03/2021 17:53

Cheddar and Magic.

Maine Coon or Tonkinese?
Maine Coon or Tonkinese?
micaschist · 25/03/2021 18:36

I love Tonks! I currently have 2, both very affectionate. I've also had Burmese and Siamese. Both Tonks are pretty athletic. Mine go out, so I can't say how they'd like being house cats. If you sit down for a second you get a pile on of cats. I like it!

Lonecatwithkitten · 26/03/2021 07:06

Maine Coons are beautiful, but there are significant issues with hip dysplasia in the breed. If you want a similar cat I would be tempted more by the Norweign Forest or traditional Siberian (not the colour points lots of them have respiratory issues).
I have a Siberian she is very much a cuddle.

Maine Coon or Tonkinese?
StatisticallyChallenged · 29/03/2021 23:46

I have 4 maine coons at the moment, have had 6 in total over the years so can maybe give an insight in to them.

So far:
-Every one has been gentle; I've never had an aggressive one. We've had literally a handful of scratches over the years
-They've all been pretty good with kids. Our oldest boy we got as a kitten 2 weeks before my eldest DD was born, next one when she was 2, then about 6 and the last when she was nearly 9 and youngest was just a baby. DH was also a childminder so we've seen a lot of this breed around kids and they're great. At worst they just bugger off if they aren't in the mood. I've seen them actually cure a kid's cat phobia because they're just so calm. I don't know if it's their size but for some reason they're just much less skittish than the average cat IMO which really helps around kids.

  • they're hairy bastards
  • you need a BIG and sturdy cat tree/scratchpost. Petfun have good ones, massive and attached to wall. Your bog standard post won't attract them.
  • so far we've not had any health issues - ours have only come from a couple of breeders so I think we've been fortunate in finding ones who did good health checks.
  • my experience is they go through a huffy teenage phase. As kittens they're utter cuddle bugs but from about 1-2.5 they're a bit more distant then they just get snugglier and snugglier from then on. I often have them all on the bed with me.
  • They have bonded incredibly with my eldest, she frequently sleeps with one in the crook of her arm. Oddly they don't like being picked up generally but they'll let her do it - they seem to have a great sense for kids.
  • Even my screetchy youngest (currently 2.5) is tolerated well and they're happy to lie in the room with her, lie on the sofa near her and so on.
  • the boys seem to be cuddlier than the girls, but the girls have awesome personalities.

Mine were all house cats as we lived in the middle of town. We've moved now and have a totally cat proofed garden so they are allowed outside. A couple of them took to it quickly and really enjoy a potter outside, the 3rd has suddenly discovered it and is getting keen, and the 4th is just a big fat NOPE to going out. But they were very content as house cats.

TuttiFrutti · 31/03/2021 13:40

We have a Tonk. She is VERY affectionate, never happier than when she's lying on a lap being cuddled, and if we're walking around the kitchen she will leap onto our shoulders and drape herself around while we walk about doing stuff. She is very athletic and playful. She does miaow a lot (like a Siamese), and although she likes going outside she is not a roamer and is never out for more than an hour, unlike our Burmese and the moggies we've had.

They are people cats, and like a lot of human interaction. I would thoroughly recommend the breed if you have some time to give them - you can't just ignore them, unlike a lot of cats.

betterfantasia · 31/03/2021 14:10

Maine Coons go with you on walks, expect to be by your side, sit outside the bathroom door and really behaved like a service animal IMO. Leave them alone and they're like a sheepdog looking for the farmer. Very tolerant but very constant.

betterfantasia · 31/03/2021 14:12

Maine Coons sit beside you or behind you like a PA and they give a weird little cackle instead of a miaow. Unless they've lost you - they have a siren for that.

StatisticallyChallenged · 31/03/2021 14:31

@betterfantasia

Maine Coons sit beside you or behind you like a PA and they give a weird little cackle instead of a miaow. Unless they've lost you - they have a siren for that.
I'm yet to meet one with a normal miaow! They beep, meep, chirp, burble and purr but miaowing not so much.
SisterA · 31/03/2021 15:10

I’ve got a ragamuffin. Cousin to the ragdoll and VERY cuddly and affectionate. I have a 2 year old so he really does put up with a lot of cuddling and loves attention. He does like to sleep in our bed. And he’s super soft and fluffy and extra cuddly. All round wonderful and handsome and I love him to bits. He’s our first cat and very easy to take care of. Love him so much I could just explode.

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