From their storied history to their goofy, playful nature, Maine Coon cats are far from your average cat breed. One glance at their size alone could make you question everything you thought you knew about cats in general — and their personalities make them that much more intriguing.
If you’re thinking about adding a Maine Coon to your family, it’s important to think beyond the novelty of their size and quirkiness.
You may have heard of the Maine Coon cat, and if you’re looking for a new feline family member, you may have even seen pictures of them. But it’s just as probable that the Maine Coon breed is completely unfamiliar to you. Yes, Maine Coons are quite large. But it’s not just their size that makes them so distinct.
First recognized as a breed in Maine, it isn’t shocking that the Maine Coon became the official state cat. Believe it or not, Maine, Maryland, and Massachusetts are the only three states with an official state cat, and Maine was the first to get one in 1985. In 1895 a Maine Coon named Cosey won “Best Cat” at the first major cat show in the United States. However, the breed wasn’t officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) until 1976.
In 2021, the CFA ranked Maine Coons as the second-most popular cat breed. Though great for the breed, this popularity also means a pet owner will pay a higher price to buy a purebred Maine Coon from a reputable breeder.
This breed has qualities and traits that might seem surprising for a cat. That being said, not all Maine Coons will have the same personality or demeanor. Personality is a mix of temperament and environmental factors, like home life and relationships with humans and other pets.
Cats aren’t typically thought of as being trainable. That’s one of the Maine Coon’s unique traits: this breed is trainable.
Much like dogs (and humans), Maine Coons are creatures of habit. By linking expected behaviors to pleasant things, like treats, you can train your cat to do a variety of things — including wearing a harness and leash.
Your Maine Coon’s high level of intelligence means they pick up on new things quickly and can even be coaxed into playing fetch! Much of this has to do with their high prey drive.
The Maine Coon’s intelligence also allows them to easily adapt to people and other pets within their environment. Some of this adaptability comes from their memory — even if you’re away for a while, your Maine Coon cat will remember you.
Maine Coons tend to think of themselves as pack animals — which makes you and your family their pack mates. These gentle giants want to be involved in everything you do, no matter where you might be.
Though they may not want to sit on your lap, your cat will want to snuggle up next to you as you lounge on the couch or try to sleep in your bed. Unlike most cats, this breed tends to be a little more dependent.
If you think you’ll be gone a lot throughout the day or are traveling frequently, consider getting your Maine Coon a friend to keep them company.
Another unique trait is their love (and need) for daily play sessions. Because they are large, intelligent animals, they crave the activity.
That stimulation can come from fetching, as mentioned earlier, or other games that’ll allow them to burn off some energy, such as chasing a flirt pole.
Maine Coons are a naturally curious breed, so keep that in mind during playtime — and even outside of playtime, too.
By providing your Maine Coon with plenty of interactive toys, scratching posts, and perches to explore, you’ll be able to accommodate their natural curiosity and need for physical and mental stimulation, and keep them safe at the same time.
Maine Coons are quirky, cuddly, and a whole lot of fun.
However, as with any pet, it’s important to look at both the positives and potential negatives in your decision to adopt a specific breed.
Before jumping into becoming a pet parent to a Maine Coon cat, there are a few things to consider. Do you have enough space for your Maine Coon to explore and play? Will you be able to manage their heavy shedding and their need to be the center of attention?
At betterpet.com, we know that you only want what’s best for your pet, whatever breed (or breeds) they might be. Understanding your cat’s needs and proper care is crucial to their health and overall well-being.
The most obvious difference between male and female Maine Coon cats is their size. Males tend to weigh more, from 15 to 25 pounds, whereas females are on the lower end of the scale at 11 to 15 pounds.
Males and females also have slight behavioral differences. Males tend to be more affectionate and playful, and they can also be more dependent on their owners than females.
So if you’re looking for a cat that loves frequent attention and is more dog-like, a male might be right for your household.
On the other hand, their female counterparts tend to be more cautious of new people and are typically less demanding of attention.
Don’t let their size fool you! Maine Coon cats are one of the friendliest cat breeds — though, as with any breed, their environment and the amount of socialization they’ve had do affect their behavior, as well.
They may become aggressive if they feel stressed or threatened, but this isn’t a common trait for the breed.
Adding to the unique charm of this breed, Maine Coons are known for their vocalizations. They purr, like other cats, but they also make a chirping sound instead of a typical meow. Your Maine Coon will chirp to get your attention and alert you of their needs — whether they’re happy, hungry, excited, or distressed.
Maine Coons can make great house pets if you have enough space and can provide them with enough mental stimulation. They’re known for their friendly and playful nature, but their large size also means they need room to roam and play. With proper care, they make wonderful additions to most households.
Not only do Maine Coon cats typically like water, but they often play in it, too — whether in the tub, sink, or even their water bowl.
Many of these cats also love playing in the snow. Fun fact, they can even walk on top of it due to their unique paw structure.
