Does anyone have a Maine Coon cat?

Question

What are the advantages, disadvantages? So far, kitty just keeps me awake at night wanting to play. Other than that, he's sweet as can be. Is there anything I need to be aware of for the future? Will he wig out on me? (I've never had a cat before)

Answer 1

Don't terrorize your cat! LOL This goes for all species. If you try to dress the cat in clothing, hiss at it, pull its tail, etc, then YES it will wig out on you as it becomes an adult. Cats are very peculiar about that.

I don't know alot about Maine coons in particular... other that I believe my cat has some or is a Maine coon. I do own 2 other cats, and have had more in the past.

When raising any cat, or kitten, it is important NOT to use your hands as play toys. This teaches the cat that it is ok, to bite, scratch, or kick at your hands. As a kitten, it is adorable, but as the cat gets bigger and stronger, it can really hurt.

Our cat weighs 21 pounds, and this is with no fat. He was taught to "play" with hands as a young kitten. Believe me, we broke him of that very quickly.

I would also not spend a lot of money on cat toys. Our cats favorite toy is a children's fishing pole with something tied to the end (the pole is about 2 1/2 feet long.) Other than that, a rolled up piece of paper, tin foil, your favorite belt, or anything can entertain a cat for hours. It does not have to be a speciality toy.

Be sure to get your cat spayed or neutered. Unless you plan on breeding (which takes a lot of time and skill) it is always best to "fix" your cat.

If you decide to declaw, do it as young as possible, and I would only suggest declawing the front feet. If you choose not to declaw, and you don't want Kitty tearing up your furniture, there is a product you can use to help with that.

Go here: www.softpaws.com That is what my husband and I use, as all our cats were juvenile to adults when we found/adopted them. Much too old to be declawed. Putting on the softpaws is a 2 person job, and a learned skill. The website offers some tips.

I hope this helps a little bit, and good luck!

Answer 2

I have a beautiful black coon cat (he's not all maine coon, but he's as big and fluffy as any coon I've ever seen.) I don't know if these are "normal" coon things, but here's what I've noticed about Samie...

1: Kind of agressive with the other cats, very gentle with humans.
2: Enjoys eating raw shrimp. I'm not kidding, that's all he'll eat!
3: Likes to lick photographs. Again, this is a strange cat.
4: Likes to dip his paws in the dry food bowl, get a few pieces, and dunk them in the water dish. I think it's his way of "fishing".
5: Very dependent on us. If we leave the house, he'll wait in the window until we come home.

As I said before, this is just my cat, not yours. All cats have their own individual personalities. Take the time to get used to your new friend, and you'll learn more about them.

Answer 3

Maine Coon's are beautiful cats and big. They are really no different than any other cat I have and he is a real sweetheart.
The only cats that wig out are the ones not being properly cared for or in pain/sick.
If you have any problems just consult with a vet and you will find the problem. Be sure to neuter because that can be a problem if you don't.

Answer 4

I used to have a 2 year old Maine Coon Cat. She was a beautiful blk and brown striped and she weighed 14 lbs. all she really did was sleep(Alot), eat, and of coarse take a bath. I bought her at the Local animal shelter..I happened to over hear someone asking about her and the worker told them that they were going to put her down that night because she has been there too long and she looked very raggedy and had tons of furballs in her fur. and She barely fit in the cage they put her in. she had a horrifice time using the bathroom because she was soo tall and chunky. she was only $25 and so we brought her home and the first thing she did was go to our bed and sleep. and then she woke to eat. she knew she was in a good place. but last year we moved from an apartment and into a rent house and well aparently our cat liked small places because she ran out our back door of the new place and havent seen her since. Her name was Delilah

Answer 5

Oh wow, I loved our Maine Coon cat (I had to adopt him out when we moved). My son named him "Sgt. Tibbs" (after the rescuer kitty in "101 Dalmatians") & we got him at a yard sale one day when I jokingly asked, "How much for the cat?" & ended up getting him for free.

This Maine Coon cat was the coolest cat in the world. He was really mellow & laidback at times, but very playful at others. He had a fetish for phone cords, and would bite 'em just enough to sever 'em, rendering the telephone useless for making/receiving calls. My roommate had a mutt who seemed to be both gender & species confused, and would hump our cat whenever she was in heat. Sgt. Tibbs didn't seem to care, and would just roll his eyes as if the dog were stupid.

Sometimes Sgt. Tibbs would like to dash out the door (I tried to keep our cats indoors, though). The best way to coax him back was to shake a box of dry cat food, and he'd come running back every time. He loved to eat more than exploring the great outdoors.

I definitely think Maine Coon cats rock!

Answer 6

is all i have are maine coons i have black 1s white 1s and even 1s with blue eyes and yes they are defrent from other cats they play defrent they like to talk they let ya know what they want and they want it now and no they dont spaz out unless ya do mean things to them good luck and best wishes wif ya new kitty he will love ya for ever

Answer 7

well they can be tempermental if they don't get what they want. Ours slept all day and frolicked in the moonlight... good thing I am a night owl. I kept my Maine Coon in check by brushing him quite a bit.

Answer 8

Yes i have one

Answer 9

no, but I want one. they're soooo pretty!