Pros & Cons of Adopting a Maine Coon Cat

It might not seem like getting a cat is an important decision. But it is, especially with Maine Coons. Their size and specific behavior make for some of the greatest cats out there. They’re really warm, friendly, and unique cats that anyone would want around.

But they do have disadvantages to go along with the perks. If you’re ready to explore with me the pros and cons of adopting a Maine Coon cat, then keep reading! This guide should serve you well in making a well-informed decision.

Pros Of Adopting a Maine Coon Cat

So, here are the pros of adopting a Maine coon cat:

– Very Affectionate

Cats are usually very aloof and individualistic animals. While they let you pet them and cuddle with them, they often don’t get cozy with their owners. Well, Maine Coons are on the extreme side of the spectrum, especially males.

Their affection can drown you in a sea of love and cuddling. When a Maine Coon male wants affection, which is all day long, he’ll come to you and sit there for 5-6 hours. Or maybe more. A cat’s character is different based on the species and Maine Coons have a great character.

Do you know how some cats have bad days when you can’t even touch them for fear of getting a chunk of flesh sliced off? Maine Coons rarely go through that. They’re very tolerant, calm, and affectionate animals that love the heck out of their owners. Nothing too fantastic – they just come up to you and start purring and caressing you with their furry coat.

Cats are legendary for being very individualistic and demanding attention all the time. They want a good slave to do their bidding, which is where the owner comes in. But Maine Coons show affection instead of demanding it.

They may headbutt you, rub your leg in the morning, or purr loudly when you’re around. As physically large as a Maine Coon is, its heart is even larger. Males crave affection on an hourly basis, especially if you fondle their coats.

– No Aggressiveness

I might have mentioned this before but this aspect deserves its own category. Most cats are simply aggressive on some days. Or when you touch them on sensitive areas (the belly), they’ll scratch or bite you to make sure you never do it again. The audacity on touching that sacred area! Most cats will also dish out damage twice in a row just to be sure you never get that idea again.

Maine Coons are simply not aggressive in that way. If they don’t like something you do, they’ll just run away. No biting, no scratching, no harm done. They’re just like that, loving, affectionate, and pacifistic. So, when you touch your Maine Coon’s belly and he runs away, he didn’t like it. Try it again but this time take it slowly, showing him that you mean no harm.

Usually, Maine Coons who trust you will intentionally expose their bellies as a sign of confidence and trust. When a cat shows you its belly, it means it fully trusts you with its life. It’s their most vulnerable area, after all.

Maine Coons are quick to trust their owners, males in particular. You won’t have any problem with aggressive behavior from most cats of this species. But if you do, then you must be doing something wrong.

– Ideal Pets for Kids

These “Gentle Giants” are called this way for a good reason. Maine Coons are very kind, attentive, and gentle with other people. Indeed, they can cause a bit of damage if they bite or scratch. But only if they do that. Chances are you’ll never see a Maine Coon swipe its claws at something or someone. These cats somehow understand the needs and want of other animals and humans.

With a toddler, a Maine Coon would be very gentle and avoid harming him, in other words. Despite that scary size, Maine Coons are one of the gentlest pets out there, even among cats.

This isn’t to say that Maine Coons will take punishment without fighting back or fleeing. They prefer retreating and living to fight for another day, though. The world would be a better place with Maine Coons swarming all around us.

Your child will have memorable experiences with the family’s Gentle Giant. Imagine the cat purring and cuddling with your child. Even if the little one somehow harms the cat, a Maine Coon will leave rather than attack back. They understand quite a lot, contrary to popular beliefs about cats. Maine Coons are generally more intelligent than most other cat species.

– Low Shedding

Despite all that thick fur and gorgeous coat, a Maine Coon doesn’t shed too much. It’s paradoxical, I know. But such is the way nature goes sometimes. Instead of shedding a lot, Maine Coons prefer keeping all that warm fur on them. Their ancestors needed the extra warmth because they lived in cold areas. Chances are your regular house cat sheds much more than a Maine Coon.

These cats also don’t have thick undercoats. Brushing them is a blast and it doesn’t take long before you’re done. They don’t need daily brushing, either. Compared to other high-maintenance cats like Persians, Maine Coons are just fine.

Normally, you’d have to brush a Maine Coon once per week or, at the very worst, two times per week. When the coat starts looking mat, that’s when you should take out the brush.

You do need to bathe a Maine Coon weekly, though. Their coat often gets tangled, dusty, and dirty with all that hair going on. Believe it or not, Maine Coons actually love water so much they look forward to bath time.

You’ll have an antsy cat fondling you when you take it to the bath. You better have all your tools on hand, including shampoo and a few sets of towels on hand, though. Maine Coons need a lot of drying out.

– Acceptive of Leashes

Out of all domesticated cats, Maine Coons are the most acceptive of leashes. That’s because they are laid-back cats who don’t really care much. As long as you take care of them and love them, they’ll accept being leashed.

You can easily train a Maine Coon to walk by your side and perform tricks if you want. These are the perfect pets for traveling or long walks, though walking with a leashed cat may seem awkward to some.

It’s a good exercise for them, so take them out as often as possible. Let the people talk and you be gorgeous with your cat! Training a Maine Coon isn’t difficult at all if I think about it. My Morgan learned to walk on a leash after only two walks, and he was barely an adult. Talk about intelligence and calmness!

Cons Of Adopting a Maine Coon Cat

Although there are many pros to adopting a Maine coon cat, there are also some cons you should take in consideration:

– Maine Coons are Expensive

What did you expect? Maine Coons are a rare and exotic breed with quite a few unique characteristics. One healthy Maine Coon will cost around $1000-$1200 at an official breeder. You will pay less with unofficial breeders but then there’s the problem of trust.

Are you confident that the Maine Coon is pure? You’ll never know if the cat is a mix or just an impure Maine Coon. There are ways to verify this but a pedigree will solve most problems. If the cat doesn’t have a pedigree, I recommend not buying it.

Many people sell Maine Coon hybrids claiming that they are pure. The buyers often don’t know the difference, and they end up being deceived. They do cost less, which is a plus in the buyers’ book.

Moreover, the breeders don’t check the kittens for diseases, which ends up costing you a lot of money when the kitten falls ill. I recommend paying the full price for a Maine Coon if you really want one. Sure, it costs a lot but it may be worth it for you.

– Require Large Cat Trees

Considering that Maine Coons grow really big, regularly reach more than 3 feet (1 meter) in length, and 13-15 lbs (6-7 kg) in weight, you’ll need one hell of a cat tree to satisfy its urges. A common cat tree generally costs around $100 but you can expect to pay double that sum for a Maine Coon.

If you have more than one Maine Coon, the cost is entirely justified. Fortunately, you’ll make do with a smaller cat tree when the Maine Coon is smaller. These cats grow quite slowly, so it’ll be a while before you have to buy a bigger cat tree.

– Food Expenses

As I said, Maine Coons are big cats, so they’ll eat a lot more than your regular cat. With an 8-kg cat, you bet food’s going to be more expensive. Most cat food companies are crassly misrepresenting cat dietary needs.

Maine Coons need much more food than a regular cat. My advice is to feed your cat about 10-11 meals per day, with a few cat crackers per meal. Maine Coons need a lot of protein, so speak with your veterinarian when in doubt about the proportions.

Fortunately, Maine Coons are not picky about their food. They’ll eat pretty much anything but they don’t digest milk. Meat and fish are the best for them. Legumes and greenery, it’s not exactly a good idea.

Cats are carnivores, after all. You’d rather feed them good-quality meat or cat food rich in protein, rather than fibers and carbohydrates. The good thing is Maine Coons are very healthy and they often live up to 15 years or more.

Though, hip dysplasia is often a problem Maine Coons have. You’ll need to watch for symptoms and consult a veterinarian if you think something’s wrong. Obesity, heart, and kidney issues are also common among Maine Coons.

Don’t overfeed your cat and make sure it exercises as long as it needs. If you live in an apartment, take your cat for a walk. Teaching it to accept a leash is incredibly easy, as well. Anyway, when in doubt, talk to your veterinarian and they’ll advise you on the best course of action.

Conclusion

Adopting a Maine Coon Cat is a heavy responsibility but if you’re a cat lover, you should have no problems. Maine Coons are different from average cats, both in their needs, wants, and behavior. Males are needier and require more attention than females.

Or, better yet, they demand more attention than females. Female Maine Coons, on the other hand, are more aloof and laidback. They’ll leave you alone if you don’t come to them. But if you do, be ready for some love!