Are Maine Coon Cats Friendly?

If you’re thinking of buying a Maine Coon but are not sure if your kids and other pets will get on well with one, you’ve likely asked yourself, are Maine Coon cats friendly?

Maine Coon cats are incredibly friendly and loving felines that love human company. Referred to as gentle giants, and dogs of the cat world these large cats are not naturally aggressive or territorial, but instead patient and loyal. These affectionate cats make great pets and are friendly and gentle with young children.

Keep reading to learn more about these sociable cats, and the Maine Coon cat’s temperament and personality.

Are Maine Coon Cats Friendly?

Maine Coons are easy-going, friendly, sociable felines, with a playful and energetic nature. According to Omlet, they are the 5th friendliest cat breed in the world!

Know for their large size, these friendly cats have affectionate personalities.

They form a strong bond with their family members, but will also be friendly towards strangers, though they reserve their high levels of affection for their pet parents.

If a Maine Coon cat does not feel it has had enough attention or affection during the daytime, it will often force kisses and love on its Maine Coon owners!

Considered to be one of the most affectionate cat breeds in the world, these social cats make a great addition to any home able to care for them correctly.

Despite being one of the largest domestic cat breeds, your furry friend will not have a naturally aggressive nature. If you notice aggression, however, read this guide.

Are Maine Coon Cats Friendly With Other Cats?

These large muscular cats have a very easy-going temperament and non-territorial nature, so do not mind sharing a house with other household pets, e.g. cats.

Maine Coons have high social needs so will become lonely and depressed if left on their own for long periods of time, therefore the company of another cat is desirable.

Ideally, pet parents should buy two Maine Coons to keep each other company.

If you have multiple cats living in your household, these felines will make great playmates for this playful and active cat breed.

Do Maine Coons Get Along With Other Maine Coons?

Maine Coon cats get along really well with other Maine Coons because they respond well to each others playful, energetic and social needs.

Are Maine Coons Friendly With Dogs?

If you are a dog person and own a cat-friendly dog breed you can expect your Maine Coon to quickly bond with your canine, provided you introduce them correctly.

Maine Coons are known as the dog of the cat world, and share many dog-like traits, so usually form close bonds with the dogs they live with.

Why Are Maine Coons So Friendly?

These long-haired cats are naturally more friendly than other cat breeds due to the following reasons:

1. Loyal

Maine Coons are one of the most popular cat breeds because they are extremely loyal and affectionate towards their family.

They make great companions and quickly learn which family member will give them the attention they long for!

Their overly affectionate nature makes them great family pets because, despite their independent nature, they still actively seek out love and attention from their owners.

2. Laid-Back Nature

Many families consider the Maine Coon to be a family-friendly cat breed because they are naturally laid-back, gentle, and patient, especially around young children.

Often referred to as gentle giants, this large cat breed’s friendly nature can be attributed to their laid-back approach to life!

They are friendly towards everyone because they enjoy receiving attention from their family members.

3. Independent

Despite loving human affection and attention, the Maine Coon is also quite an independent cat that loves experiencing the world around them.

They are not overly clingy, as they also like their own space from time to time.

4. Love To Cuddle

Maine Coon cats show their pet parents unconditional love and affection. If properly socialized as a kitten, they also enjoy cuddling on the sofa with their family.

5. Enjoy Grooming Their Owners

Many cats of this breed enjoy grooming their owners because they consider the family around them their ‘pack’, like dogs do.

They are very friendly with their family and form extra close bonds with them. Grooming their owners is simply another way of showing you they love you!

Are Maine Coon Cats Aggressive?

Thought to be descendants of the Norwegian Forest Cat, Maine Coons are the largest domesticated cat breed, known for their gentle traits and non-aggressive character.

This laid-back cat breed will only hiss at humans, cats, and dogs if repeatedly pestered and not given any personal space to retreat to.

To avoid aggravating your Maine Coon cat, make sure you pay attention to their unique body language so you can identify if they are feeling:

• Stressed
• Irritated
• Annoyed

Here are some clear signs that your Maine Coon is feeling stressed.

Maine Coon Health Concerns

The Maine Coon cat breed is considered relatively healthy, compared to many other purebred cat breeds.

This is because they are a naturally occurring cat breed that originates in the wildness of Maine, in the United States.

They do, however, suffer from the following health issues:

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy
• Hip Dysplasia
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, HCM (Most common form of heart disease)
• Polycystic Kidney Disease
• Periodontal Disease

If you find your cat at a reputable breeder, they will have tested their breeding cats for known genetic diseases.

A genetic test can be purchased online to check for the health problems listed above.

Maine Coon Lifespan

The average Maine Coon lives between 10 – 15 years of age.

However, if we compare this with the results of Katrina Stewardson’s Maine Coon lifespan poll on YouTube (conducted in November 2023), we see that Maine Coons may be living longer!

In a poll of 127 votes, 29% of voters said their Maine Coon lived 15-16 years, whilst a staggering 49% of voters stated their Maine Coon lived for 15 – 17+ years!

Conclusion

So, are Maine Coon cats friendly?

Maine Coons are the oldest native cat breed, and a great choice family pet because they have a very friendly, laid-back nature, and are patient with young children.

The Maine Coons dog-like mannerisms mean they automatically treat young children more gently.

For more reading, check out the 13 Best Maine Coon Personality Traits!