21 Things To Know About Maine Coons (2024)

There are plenty of important things to know about Maine Coons before you welcome one into your home.

But, they are by no means simple! Luckily, this comprehensive guide to life with a Maine Coon cat will guide you through all your queries.

There are a plethora of important things to know about Maine Coons that are often overlooked by new owners. Like their hefty price tag, their need for social interactions, or how much grooming they require. By neglecting even one of these things you can potentially jeopardize the homecoming of your new feline friend.

These fun-loving, intelligent, gentle creatures are wonderful pets and exceptionally rewarding companions. However, owning one requires thorough research and complete commitment if you want to successfully bring a Maine Coon into your family.

Maine Coons require a tremendous amount of effort if you want to truly care for them the way that they deserve. It can be quite tricky to learn how to properly love and care for any pet, but, Maine Coons are a little more difficult.

They are so unique in their personalities, behaviors, and needs that it is impossible to get off to a good start without utilizing an excellent guide like this that is, thankfully, at your disposal!

Read on to learn 21 things you need to know about Maine Coons, before living with a Maine Coon.

21 Important Things To Know About Maine Coons

The Maine Coon is an incredibly interesting cat that has quite a mysterious background.

There are many rumors as to where the Maine Coon originated from. One folktale even suggests the Maine Coon cat originates from one of Marie Antoinette’s cats that she attempted to flee France with before her untimely death.

We may not ever know their exact origin for sure, but there are some things we do know.

For starters, we know they are the largest domesticated cat in the world. We also know that Maine Coons are known for their long coats, tufted round feet, and gorgeous manes.

Here are 21 other things you should know before buying a Maine Coon, or replying to a Maine Coon kittens for sale post.

This list covers it all, because it shows you both the worst and best things about Maine Coons (source 1):

1. Expensive Price Tag

Buying a Maine Coon cat is, naturally, one of the first and most important stages of your relationship. However, new owners should beware that Maine Coons often come with an expensive price tag!

Maine Coon Kittens are the most expensive, followed by adolescents and then adults.

Whilst it is possible to purchase a Maine Coon from a shelter for far less. Or, in some cases even adopt a retired breeding cat. These cats are far harder to find.

Here is a list of how much it costs to buy/adopt a Maine Coon:

• Kitten: $1000 – $3000
• Adolescent: $800 – $2500
• Adult: $400 – $1500
• Shelter Cat: $100 (Price varies from cat to cat and shelter to shelter)
• Retired Breeding Cat: $1000 -$2000 (You may find one for less, however their cost varies too much to estimate accurately)

If the Maine Coons high price tag is an issue for you, make sure you read my article 10 Places To Find A Free Maine Coon Cat, before giving up your dream of owning a Maine Coon.

2. Highly Sociable

Maine Coons are incredibly social creatures who thrive on love and affection.

They like feeling like a member of the family and that means spending ample amounts of quality time with you. Whether it is with you, your family members, or with other household pets.

Maine Coons adore human companionship above all else and will become stressed and even frantic if left alone for too long.

Older Maine Coons are better equipped to deal with long periods of alone time, several hours in some cases. But, any more than that can cause your Maine Coon untold distress.

For a more in-depth discussion on this, why not read my article ‘Do Maine Coons Need A Companion?‘.

3. Healthy Cat Breed

Maine Coons are, in general, a very robust and healthy cat breed.

They have been around for a long while now and have cemented themselves as one of the “tougher” American cat breeds.

However, they are not perfect by any stretch of the imagination and are often predisposed to a few serious health issues.

Note though that by identifying these issues, their causes, and symptoms, you can preemptively care for your new fluffy friend.

Here are the 7 most common Maine Coon health problems:

• Obesity: Lack of exercise and overfeeding can cause obesity and other weight-related health problems in Maine Coons.

• Hip Dysplasia: Common to larger cat breeds, and dogs, hip dysplasia is linked to arthritis and mobility issues in old age.

• Stomatitis: A common issue in cats that causes their gums and mouth to become sore and inflamed. Read more about it.

• Kidney Disease: Maine Coons are prone to developing ulcers on their kidneys that can become very painful. This is known as polycystic kidney disease. Learn more here.

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy: This is a hereditary disease that causes loss of balance, poor coordination, and even abnormal and painful posture. More details on this condition.

4. Popular Cat Breed

Maine Coons are one of the most popular cat breeds not only in Maine, but the world!

One of the biggest reasons for their popularity is their unwavering:

• Friendliness
• Warmth
• Affection

But, why are Maine Coons so friendly compared to other cats? It likely stems from their need for social interactions.

Maine Coons are social butterflies, being friendly is the best way to ensure they receive heaps of positive social interactions.

Kindness begets kindness, an ethos the Maine Coon has taken to heart.

5. They Talk A Lot!

Maine Coons love a good chin-wag, as some would say.

They love to talk and enjoy being spoken to in return.

They may not necessarily have any way of communicating exactly what they are thinking or feeling, but they can certainly try.

Cats do not tend to meow all that much in the wild. Instead, they adapted their sounds as a way of garnering human attention!

Maine Coons are no different and are masters at effectively using their chirps, trills, and mews to get our undivided attention.

Here are some other reasons why Maine Coon cats talk so much!

6. They Need Regular Grooming

Maine Coons require regular grooming sessions to remove all of the dead fur and dander that can otherwise matte up their lovely coats.

Maine Coons require brushing two or three times a week, using these Maine coon grooming tools.

However, they do tend to shed more with the changing of the seasons.

So, be on the lookout for a heavy shedding Maine Coon, when the weather starts to warm up and they no longer need their thick winter coat.

7. They Are Goofy

Maine Coons are the class clowns of the feline world. They love to play games and seem to never run out of silly ways to try and get your attention.

If you are a serious so-and-so who cannot take a funny-feline joke, then Maine Coons may not be the right breed for you.

On a more serious note, since Maine Coons grow to be very big, keep in mind that not every part of their body will develop at an equal speed. Maine Coons tend to be less coordinated and more unintentionally goofy during these times.

8. They Love Water

While some cat breeds are terrified of water. Hate being bathed, desperately avoiding puddles, and getting grumpy when it rains, the Maine Coon is the total opposite.

Instead, Maine Coons are complete water fiends that want to splash, make a mess, and even swim in large enough bodies of water!

If your Maine Coon is left alone for too long, you may find that it has learned how to run itself a bath and can turn on almost any faucet!

If their desperate loneliness was not reason enough to stop you from leaving your Maine Coon alone, maybe the risk of a flooded bathroom will be!

Read this guide to discover why Maine Coon cats are obsessed with water.

9. Some Grow Rather Big!

Maine Coons can get pretty darn big, with males being often substantially bigger than their female counterparts.

The average Maine Coon will range between 10 to 16 inches in height and 8 to 25 pounds in weight.

For reference, a normal cat might only weigh 8 pounds!

Maine Coons are easily one of the largest cat breeds and are pound-for-pound undoubtedly the cutest!

The Maine Coon cat now holds the record for being the longest cat breed and biggest cat breed. Learn about this here.

10. Family Friendly

Maine Coons are incredibly social.

They thrive when they feel included in the family unit and are incredibly affectionate, loyal, and protective of “their people”.

This means that not only are Maine Coons excellent family pets who love to get stuck into whatever is going on at home, but they are also wonderful with children. Even young babies.

Maine Coons are protective of their family members and feel a particular fondness for infants, they are likely to watch over them and regularly “check-up” on them to make sure they are okay.

However, as with any animal, be cautious leaving your Maine Coon with a newborn as you never know quite what could happen.

Make sure you read my guide to keep your baby and children safe in the company of a Maine Coon cat.

If in doubt, this is the best way to introduce a Maine Coon cat to a baby.

11. They Need Daily Exercise

Maine Coons are big kitties and big kitties need lots of exercises.

Maine Coons need at least half an hour of exercise every day but are happiest when they get closer to an hour. More is almost always better.

There are plenty of ways to ensure your Maine Coon is getting enough exercise. For example, playing fetch with their ball, providing them a scratching post and climbing tower, or even playing chase are great ways to provide endless fun.

This is how you train a Maine Coon cat to play fetch.

Some people choose to let their Maine Coon roam outside to get their much-needed exercise. Others prefer not to.

While there is no definitive right or wrong answer, all cat owners must be responsible for their cats at all times.

12. Always Buy Health Insurance

Health insurance is a must-have for any Maine Coon owner.

These wonderful creatures are sadly prone to some health conditions, especially with age, that will become quite expensive over time.

It is estimated that caring for a Maine Coon may cost as much as $1000 per year excluding vet bills.

Emergency vet treatment can be extortionate, with even the more regular medicines for common issues such as arthritis treatment (a common issue with Maine Coons) costing as much as $344 per year.

Kidney disease can be as much as $649.

You will find some of the most common veterinary costs for house cats here.

13. Get On Well With Household Pets

Maine Coons are excellent with most other household pets and are especially great with dogs.

If you have dreams of having a dog and cat that share the same bed and cuddle each night as they fall asleep, a Maine Coon is the cat for you!

While Maine Coons are great with most pets and children, some pets are just a tad too close to their natural prey, including:

• Rats
• Mice
• Hamsters
• Birds

The pets listed above will eventually become potential prey as soon as they share a household with one of these exceptional hunters.

14. Extremely Playful

Maine Coons have a reputation for being playful and childlike even into their twilight years.

Why? No one knows for sure. It could be due to their desire to be part of the family, or maybe it is because they are simply predisposed to being absolutely adorable with everything that they do.

All you need to know is that if you like to play with your pet then a Maine Coon might be just what you need.

Don’t get too caught up wondering what do Maine Coons like to play with. They are the same as any other cat. Thus, a ball, a string, or even a cardboard box makes an excellent toy for this excellent breed.

Here are some other fantastic cat toys suited to the Maine Coon cat breed.

15. Highly Intelligent

Maine Coons are highly intelligent animals.

They are far smarter than your average house cat and therefore need much more mental stimulation.

Maine Coons love to play games or solve puzzles. They are bright and inquisitive by nature and this trait must be nurtured within them. Or, you run the risk of having a bored Maine Coon.

And what does a bored Maine Coon do? Bored Maine Coon cats become destructive, and:

• Scratch your furniture
• Rip up your clothing
• Are a nuisance to you, your home, and themselves

Discover the 10 Reasons Maine Coons Are The Smartest Cats in this article.

16. Highly Trainable

Maine Coons are incredibly intelligent, as we just discussed.

What many people fail to realize, however, is that this makes them exceptionally trainable.

If you were hoping to have a cat that could sit on command, walk on a leash, and even use a human toilet (yes, you heard me correctly!), then the Maine Coon is the right breed for you.

Just do not let their trainability go to waste by teaching them bad habits!

This is the best way to begin training a Maine Coon cat.

17. Average Lifespan

The average lifespan for a house cat is anywhere from 12-20 years. Sadly, when it comes to Maine Coons, they will only live 12-15 years due to their increased size.

The bigger an animal is, of its species, the shorter its lifespan will often be.

However, Maine Coons can live much longer than 15 years if they have the following:

• A good diet
• Lots of exercise
• Plenty of love

18. You Should Neuter Your Maine Coon Kitten

Maine Coons kittens should be neutered somewhere between 4 and 6 months of age. For the best advice on this, read this neutering guide.

As well as stopping unwanted pregnancies, neutering can reduce problematic behaviors such as spraying urine all over your home and uncharacteristic aggression.

It is not uncommon for breeder contracts to stipulate that you must neuter your Maine Coon kitten after purchase.

19. Importance Of Buying Two Cats Not One

In an ideal world you should purchase or adopt two Maine Coon kittens.

But, let’s be realistic that at their extortionate cost, this decision will set you back many thousands of dollars.

The reason we ask you to consider owning two Maine Coons rather than one is that Maine Coons tend to be happier when they have someone to play with.

Whilst two Maine Coons sounds as if it would be more work, it isn’t at all. In fact, it is a lot easier as the cats take care of each other’s physical and emotional needs.

Maine Coons seek companionship and if you are not always there to provide it, they are going to be far happier with another cat who can help fill the void.

However, if you are like our family and work from home, your Maine Coon will automatically get plenty of attention from their human family, so a second cat is more of an optional decision.

Finally, before you fall off your chair in shock at the cost of two Maine Coon cats, keep in mind that the second cat doesn’t necessarily have to be a pedigree too. It just has to get along with your Maine Coon.

20. They Can Get Lonely

Maine Coons have a real issue with loneliness. Yet, many owners fail to take this into proper consideration.

No one likes to feel lonely, it feels awful and can leave us feeling hollow inside.

Maine Coons are no different. They are sensitive souls who hate nothing more than feeling alone and left out.

A Maine Coon that is often acting out and being naughty is more often than not suffering from loneliness.

21. You Won’t Ever Go Back

After bringing a Maine Coon into your family there is no going back! And to be honest, you won’t want to!

Maine Coons are the best of cats and the best of dogs all rolled into one. They are a completely different experience altogether and one you will not be able to emulate with any other pet.

Be prepared, Maine Coon cuddles can be pretty darn addictive!

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a lot more to the Maine Coon than simply being larger than a normal cat.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the best things about Maine Coons, along with the bad things about Maine Coons!

So, if you haven’t taken note of the things to know about Maine Coons, make sure you go back and consider these important factors. These are things you need to know about Maine Coons, so don’t miss out!

These wonderful animals have so much complexity and depth to their character.

With such unique and charming personalities it is almost impossible to truly appreciate them without fully understanding what makes them tick, what their needs are, and how you can fulfill them completely and utterly.

Good luck with your brand new Maine Coon, or perhaps a lifelong friend that you now better understand.

If you have any more questions about Maine Coons perhaps you will find your answer below in our related questions section.

Related Questions

Should I Get A Maine Coon Quiz

If you answer yes to one or more of these questions then the Maine Coon might be the perfect pet for you!

• Do you love to cuddle?
• Do you enjoy grooming your pet?
• Are you happy to spend a little more money in return for a lot more love?
• Are you looking for a long-term companion?
• Do you think that bigger is always better?
• Would you be interested in a cat that is canine-like in its affection?

Will My Maine Coon Run Away?

Maine Coons are no more likely to run away than any other cat. Therefore, yes it could potentially run away. But, it is not more likely to do so than any other cat you might own.

Google Web Stories

View our story: Things to know about Maine Coons