If you’re just now discovering the Maine Coon breed, you may be asking yourself, “Do Maine Coon Cats Make Good Pets“? I asked myself the same question.
Research for Your Maine Coon Purchase
Maine Coon Kittens for Sale
Can Maine Coon Cats be Left Alone?
Maine Coon cats love their humans and they’re very social cats. When you get one as a kitten, prepare them for their owners being away sometimes. They tend to adjust better into adulthood. Everything hinges on what you prepare them for as an adult cat.
If you hire a pet sitter, your pets will get used to strangers or someone familiar coming to take care of them. Then, it will be easier for them to be unattended by their regular humans.
On the other hand, if you are always at home, either as a retired person, a stay-at-home parent, or a home worker, your Maine Coon may experience some stress. This is likely if you then decide to take a 7-day vacation when your cat is two years old.
Is a Maine Coon High maintenance?
As a Maine Coon owner myself, I think that the biggest demand for maintenance with a Maine Coon is their coats. They need to brushed and groomed 2 to 3 times per week. Without this regular attention, you’ll see mats develop, and that’s never good for your cat.
Other than regular grooming for your Maine Coon, they tend to be as much maintenance as any other cat you would own as a pet.
Can Maine Coons Live with Dogs?
The Maine Coon cat is known as the “cat-dog” since it exhibits dog like behavior. For example they like to play fetch with their toys, and even go swimming or play in the kitchen sink.
For the majority of Maine Coons, I would say they do very well with dogs as their co-habitants as long as the dog is friendly. A proper introduction is always advised to ensure a quality friendship between your Maine Coon and your other pets.
Life Before Being Owned by a Maine Coon
Before I discovered Maine Coons , which happens to be one of the most memorable days of my life, I was owned by a Flame Point Himalayan named Jack. My husband got him for me as a Christmas present in 1998.
He kind of looked like Grumpy Cat, like he was constantly frowning. He was a cool cat, with a laid back personality, but he wasn’t very social. He was quiet and kind, but he also liked to hide under the bed. Any time we had company, he didn’t want to have any part of socializing and would disappear. Jack passed away in 2008 from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). He was 14 years old.
After a year, I wanted to add a new breed of cat into my life. So my son and I started researching different cat breeds. Derek searched for Top 10 Most Affectionate Cat Breeds, and found the Maine Coon.
At that time, he sent me some looks and told me how cool they were because of their size. Of course, that’s usually the first thing that intrigues people into this breed. Consequently, I’m now owned by several Maine Coon Cats and couldn’t be happier with the decision to own this breed.
That brings us to this…
Maine Coons Love their Humans
Since my first Maine Coon, I’ve been enthralled by these cats. They’re not your ordinary cat. They are very unique and extraordinarily social. Somewhat dog-like as their reputation defines, and quite the expressionists!
There’s just something about having a Maine Coon that changes the way you look at cats. They are truly special in so many ways, and it’s no wonder that they are loved by so many.
16 Reasons Why Maine Coons Make Good Pets
- They are highly social. Everywhere you go, there they are, just hanging out and lounging around making sure you’re not up to no good. If you decide to move from the living room to the bedroom, well then so do they. They like to be where the action is. Where the people are. Where they can see if you’re headed to the kitchen or not.
- They keep you warm in the winter. They are such a big ball of fur and most males reach the 20+ pound range, it’s like having a giant furry toddler in your bed during the winter. You can grab one, throw it under the blankets and by the time you hop into bed, they’ve got it all warmed up for you. You can give them a big old hug and warm up faster.
- Maine Coons make well weighted blanket supplements. They like to sleep in the same bed as their guardians, and they’re a bit heavy, so they make perfect weights to tie the blankets down.
- When people come to your house, they’re intimidated by your Maine Coon. They think it’s some wild cat – like a bobcat or a lynx. It’s really funny. I just let them think it. 😛
This was Just Four Reasons – There’s 12 More. Keep Reading
5. They make wonderful alarm clocks. They’re biologically programmed to start stirring around 4:00 am every day. When they wake, they’re REALLY hungry. So by default, they turn into an alarm clock for their humans. They walk all over you, trill, chirp, and meow until you wake up. If you’re not on your feet soon enough, then they progress into jumping across the bed, running down the hall, and banging into the walls. If you shut the door and try to sleep, they know how to knock.
6. There’s never any wondering if they’re hungry. They sit by the pantry or wherever you keep their food and mean mug until you open it. They can also open cabinet doors, front doors and car doors.
7. They show affection with head butts. Although sometimes that can cause a slight concussion because their heads are really large, it’s nice to head bump with a cat that has a head the size of a grapefruit. It’s comforting.
8. Maine Coons are very photogenic. I’ve never seen a bad photo of a Coonie. Even if they just woke up or are full mouth yawning, the photo always turns our great. Bonus, they don’t mind if you tag them in any of their photos. Check out some pictures of Maine Coon Cats.
That Was Half, Are You Ready for More?
9. If you love the sound of stampeding elephants in your house, then these guys are perfect! They’re not light, and they have heavy feet! They’re actually the biggest domesticated cat in existence.
10. They make awesome refrigerator ornaments. They like to be up high. Like really high. So they get on top of cabinets, refrigerators, anything they can reach that is high enough that no one can get them! When they’re up there, they look majestic.
11. Most (but not all) Maine Coons like the water. Some like to take showers, and even swim in the tub. Some of mine are fascinated by the sound of running water, so they have a water fountain. Sometimes they all just sit around the fountain and have bonfires. Notice I said most, not all, like the water. Ask me about the one that does not like water…..He tried to scalp me once when I tried to give him a bath.
12. Maine Coon Kittens are the cutest baby animal on planet Earth. There’s no denying that.
13. Maine Coons give you a new appreciation for cats. Even if you weren’t a “cat fan” before, or maybe you’re allergic to cats like I am, they’re worth taking Flonase and Aleve every day just to have a few in your life.
14. The average life expectancy of a Maine Coon is 10 to 15 Years. That’s alot of time you get to enjoy your wonderful furry friend.
Shall We Keep Going? Of course!!
14. They’re like Lay’s potato chips. You can’t have just one. They do better in pairs because of their social nature. So if you work all day, or aren’t at home a lot, then you must have two so they have someone to chat with during the day. Unlike chips, though, Maine Coons don’t make you gain weight. That’s the best part.
15. Your Maine Coon will leave enough fur around the house that you can make a cat hair hat or a fur sausage. I could certainly keep going with reasons why.
16. Maine Coons are really goofy and entertaining. Some are cool, some in a klutzy, and some are just plain hilarious. No matter what personality type you get in your Maine Coon pet, they will keep you laughing all day and night. Think of your Maine Coon as a lifetime of live entertainment.
And For Your Entertainment, Here’s a Tutorial Video on How to Make a Cat Hair Cat Hat – [In Case you’re Wondering]
I could certainly keep listing reasons. The Maine Coons make a good pet. But I think you get it. A glimpse into the life of being owned by a Maine Coon, the most majestic goofball cat that has ever lived.
Should I Get a Maine Coon Kitten?
A few of the major concerns of being ready to buy a Maine Coon kitten include having enough money, enough time, enough patience and access to resources. You should also make sure that your other family members are in good enough shape to welcome a new pet into your home.
Financial Responsibilities
To start, you should evaluate your financial situation. One problem is that people know that they can afford a kitten, but they don’t think about the costs that come later.
If the kitten is not already spayed or neutered and up-to-date on shots, that will typically be your responsibility. You will also have to take the kitten to the vet every year for annual vaccinations and health exams.
Your kitten may be put on certain medications, receive shots, or require additional testing from time to time. Veterinary care is not inexpensive.
Hopefully, you won’t be faced with any unexpected health issues, but it’s not out of the question. you must be prepared to take care of your pet to ensure his health and well-being.
Next, you will have to buy your Maine Coon kitten everything they need. You will need toys to keep your energetic kitten busy. You will need a cozy bed and blankets so that your kitten has a place to sleep. Food and water dishes, a collar, a carrier, a brush, and treats can all begin to add up too.
Don’t forget the monthly cost of a high-quality kitten food. This may be dry or a combination of wet and dry. A litter pan only needs to be replaced occasionally, but you will need to purchase cat litter as needed.
Something that may often be overlooked is a pet sitter or boarding. If you travel or vacation , you will need to hire a pet sitter to take care of your cat while you’re away. Cats are pretty easy to care for, but the cost can still add up quickly!
Kittens and Cats Are Messy!
Kittens and cats can be very messy little creatures. Not only do they kick litter out of the litter box and onto the floor, it can sometimes hit the wall and be accompanied by some extra goodies (pee or poop). You may even find a random turd on the floor in the middle of your living room. Perhaps it stuck to the britches and they flung it off later.
If you find that you kitty is kicking liter outside of the box, try offering the cat a bigger, deeper litter box. you can even opt for one that they have to walk into, or a covered pan. Ultimately, you may find that your cat is the special kind, the kind that will always kick litter onto the floor. 🙂
Kitten Proofing Your Home
Before you buy a Maine Coon kitten and bring your kitten home – you have to get your house ready. There are several things that need to be done around the house to prepare. These preparations are going to take time and energy as well. Of course, you will need to set up a bed, litter box, and all of the other kitten accessories.
You will also need to kitten-proof your home. This includes removing any toxic plants, moving any potentially dangerous items, and hiding electronics cords. If you have any fragile decorations on shelves or tables, you should move them to a higher place. Be careful though. Kittens are known to be curious and will climb your furniture and countertops to reach their destinations!
You should ensure that they have enough space to roam around. Cat trees and other cat furniture are a great way to give them more space without having to move to a bigger home. These pieces of furniture will keep your cat occupied since they will have more places to explore.
Kitten Mischief
Kittens are VERY energetic and mischievous for the first year of their life. This means getting into things they shouldn’t, scratching places you don’t want them to, knocking things off the counters and shelves, biting and scratching your toes and hands, and keeping you up at night.
If you have only an adult cat, you may have forgotten what it’s like to have a kitten in the house. During their waking hours, they are running around crazy, playing with things that aren’t meant to be toys, jumping to new heights, chewing on and eating everything they find, and exploring the world around them.
Most of them will calm down and become lazy lovers after they have outgrown the kitten and teenager phase. It will require patience and understanding that they are just babies, full of energy and curiosity. You can’t expect them to act like mature adults cats for a couple of years. If you’re hope is to have a calm “lap kitty”, you may not see these characteristics in your cat for quite some time. They’re quite similar to a human toddler, who just doesn’t have time or interest in sitting around with you watching TV.
Scratchy, Scratchy
Maine Coon cats and kittens have a natural instinct to claw on things. They do not discriminate against furniture, beds, chairs, or scratching posts. It’s important that you have scratching posts available in multiple rooms of your home. However, there will be instances when the kitten will scratch on things that you don’t want them to. Don’t ever hit or punish the kitten for doing this!! Instead, redirect them to their dedicated scratching post. You may have to do this several times. maybe even for a couple of months before the kitten learns where is appropriate to scratch.
If you absolutely are against a kitten clawing on your furniture or stretching with their claws out, then absolutely do not get a kitten. 🙂
Does Everyone in the Home Agree to a New Kitten?
Finally, you need to talk to whoever you’re living with. If your spouse, roommate, or anyone else doesn’t want another cat, you might not be able to get one. This is especially true if somebody has allergies.
If you’re renting, your landlord may have set rules for pets. You may be limited to a set number of animals in one apartment unit. You might have to pay a fee and provide vet records. It depends on the landlord, but this process is fairly straightforward. Of course, if you have already met your pet maximum, you likely won’t be able to push the limits.
You should consider the kids in the home too. Do they have allergies? Are they gentle with the animals they have been around so far? It might be good to visit a shelter to see how they react to cats before bringing one home that’s officially yours.
Will Your Other Resident Pets Be Happy About the Newcomer?
If you have other pets in your home, you will have to make sure that they will get along with a kitten. It can be hard to tell whether this transition will go smoothly. If your existing pets seriously hate other animals, it may not work out. If you are unsure, there are plenty of ways to help the transition go better. Read this article about introducing your cat to other animals.
Are you considering two Maine Coon kittens instead of one? That might be a great addition to your family!
Kittens are a Lifetime Commitment
When you purchase a Maine Coon kitten, you are committing to care for and raise that baby. Your goal is to nurture it into a happy, healthy adult. From there, you will enjoy the company or your companion for the rest of its life. This means accepting the kitten for who it is.
Kittens and cats each have their own unique personalities. They are not meant to “replace” another cat that you may have had. They are their own “person” and should be accepted as such. When you adopt your new pet, and accept them into your home, they are yours forever.
Not every kitten, cat, dog, and especially HUMAN is perfect. Offer them the things they need to be happy, and they will reward you with reciprocating love and affection.
If you truly aren’t ready to be patient with your new kitten, it’s best to wait. You should make sure you’re prepared for a kitten and ready to help them transition into a new home. It will be best for everyone involved if you are sure of the decision before you make the leap. If a kitten doesn’t sound right for you, then you can consider adopting a retired Maine Coon.
For another reference about getting a new kitten, read this TICA resource “Finding the Purrfect Kitten”.
