Maine Coon Behavior Problems: Why They Happen & What Really Works
Maine Coons are often described as gentle giants. They’re affectionate, intelligent, and famously people-focused. For many owners, that reputation is exactly what draws them to the breed. But living with Maine Coons long-term teaches you something else too: their intelligence and sensitivity also mean they can develop behaviour problems that feel confusing, frustrating, and sometimes deeply personal.
The truth is that most so-called “bad behaviour” in Maine Coons isn’t bad at all. It’s communication. It’s instinct. And very often, it’s habit – behaviour that has become part of how a cat understands the world.
After many years living with three very different Maine Coons, we’ve learned that behaviour is shaped far less by breed stereotypes and far more by early experiences, environment, and the patterns that get reinforced over time.
Why Maine Coons Develop Behaviour Problems
Maine Coons are not passive cats. They are emotionally aware, highly observant, and extremely persistent. These traits make them wonderful companions, but they also mean that when something in their world feels wrong – too boring, too stressful, too unpredictable – they respond.
Behaviour problems usually grow from four overlapping roots:
- Learned habits
- Emotional responses
- Instinctive drives
- Physical discomfort
A cat that rushes doors may not be rebellious; they may simply have learned that doors lead to excitement. A cat that cries constantly may not be needy; they may be bored or anxious. A cat that lashes out may not be aggressive; they may be hurting.
Understanding why a behaviour exists always matters more than trying to stop it.
If you suspect your cat has learned their undesirable habits while young, you might be interested in understanding if there is an easy solution to fixing this problem, and why it happened in the first place. Read our guide on How To Socialise A Maine Coon Kitten to understand the issue more clearly.
What We Learned From Pippin, Mika, And Bali
Our first Maine Coon, Pippin, came to us as a kitten from a reputable breeder. From the start, he :
- Learned household routines and boundaries in a calm, consistent way
- He understood where he was allowed to go
- How to ask for what he wanted
- How to live alongside people
Those early lessons stayed with him for life.
If Pippin wanted to go outside, he didn’t charge the door; he sat politely and chirped!! He learned quickly not to jump on kitchen counters and rarely tested that rule. He wasn’t perfect, but his behaviour was grounded in early structure.
Years later, we adopted Mika and Bali at four years old. They were loving and gentle cats, but their behaviour patterns were already deeply set. When they first arrived, they would bolt for the front and back doors, practically knocking us over in their rush to get out! It felt as though they had spent years craving outdoor freedom.
With time and patience, that behaviour softened. Now, at eight years old, they usually sit and chirp politely too, but the instinct to rush still surfaces from time to time.
The same has been true of kitchen counters. Pippin never went near them. Bali, however, has taken years to curb the habit. Even now, I’ll occasionally catch him standing on the worktop, which is hardly hygienic if he’s just used the litter tray!! He knows the rule, so he jumps down immediately when he sees me, but he still enjoys breaking it now and then.
Living with these three Maine Coon cats taught us something fundamental: behaviour becomes part of identity. Once a pattern is established, you don’t erase it – you learn how to reshape it.
The Most Common Behaviour Problems In Maine Coons
1. Door Dashing
Many of the issues owners worry about most come from natural feline instincts. Door-dashing is a perfect example. Maine Coons are known for being curious, confident, and often love spending time outdoors. Cats who previously had free access outside, or who were allowed to rush doors early in life, quickly learn that doors equal excitement. Once that association is formed, it can take years to soften.
2. Jumping On The Counter
Counter-surfing is another classic. Maine Coons are tall, athletic cats who naturally seek height. Counters offer warmth, smells, and a sense of control over their environment. When this behaviour begins early, it becomes incredibly persistent – not because the cat is stubborn, but because the reward is built into the action.
3. Vocalisation
Vocalisation often worries owners, too. Maine Coons are famously chatty, but constant crying or howling is usually a sign that something deeper is going on. Loneliness, boredom, anxiety, or even subtle discomfort can all express themselves through sound.
4. Aggression, Withdrawal, Toileting Issues, Or Destructive Habits
Then some behaviours feel more serious – sudden aggression, withdrawal, inappropriate toileting, or destructive habits. These often point to emotional stress, environmental change, or underlying medical issues rather than personality flaws.
If you’re concerned about your Maine Coon’s tendency towards aggression, make sure you read my guide to understand what’s causing this unwanted behavioral issue:
To work out the cause of these feline behavioral issues, refer to my Maine Coon Body Language Guide for more information.
When Behaviour Is Actually A Health Signal
One of the biggest mistakes owners make is assuming a behavioural change is “just attitude.” In reality, behaviour is one of the earliest ways cats show that something isn’t right physically.
Pain from arthritis, dental disease, urinary problems, digestive discomfort, or neurological changes can all surface first as:
- Irritability
- Withdrawal
- Aggression
A Maine Coon who suddenly stops using the litter tray or becomes snappy may not be misbehaving; they may be hurting.
Any sudden or unexplained change in behaviour should always trigger a health check before you focus on training or discipline.
Why Age Matters So Much In Behaviour
Kittens absorb rules effortlessly. Adult cats carry history.
A kitten learns what is safe, what is allowed, and how humans respond, whereas an adult cat already has those beliefs, often reinforced over the years. That doesn’t mean adult cats can’t learn. Mika and Bali certainly did. But it does mean that change takes longer and requires more patience.
With adult cats, behaviour work is not about control. It’s about rewriting expectations. You’re not just teaching a new habit – you’re gently challenging a belief that has felt true for years.
What Actually Works With Maine Coon Behaviour
Over time, we’ve found that success always comes from the same foundations:
- Calm consistency
- Predictable routines
- Clear boundaries that never rely on fear
Punishment, shouting, and sudden reactions don’t teach Maine Coons what to do; they only teach them that their environment is unpredictable. These cats are sensitive and emotionally aware. Harsh responses damage trust and often make behaviour worse, not better.
What does work is giving your Maine Coon cats better choices:
- You don’t stop door-rushing – you teach waiting
- You don’t stop counter-jumping – you make better climbing spaces more rewarding
- You don’t stop vocalising – you meet the need behind it, whether that’s play, reassurance, or routine.
Behaviour change in Maine Coons isn’t about winning. It’s about guiding.
Here’s a great article I wrote that explains How To Train A Maine Coon. I followed these exact steps/methods with my own three Maine Coon cats, and they worked!
When Professional Help Really Matters
If behaviour problems escalate, cause fear in the household, or seem tied to anxiety, professional support can be transformative. A veterinary behaviourist doesn’t label your cat as difficult; they help untangle the biology, history, and environment shaping what you’re seeing.
For some families, that support makes the difference between constant stress and genuine harmony.
The Deeper Truth About Maine Coon Behaviour
Maine Coons aren’t difficult cats. They are deeply intelligent, emotionally complex cats. That means their good behaviour is extraordinary, and their challenging behaviour has layers.
Living with Pippin, Mika, and Bali showed us three completely different behavioural journeys, not because they were different breeds, but because they had different beginnings.
And that’s the real heart of Maine Coon behaviour problems.
Not “what’s wrong with my cat?”
But “what has my cat learned, and how can I help them learn something better?”
