Are Maine Coon Cats Good Hunters

The Maine Coon’s high prey drive and intelligence mean that these cats are incredible hunters, but this is not always a good thing. Read on to find out how you can keep both your cat and local wildlife safe!

Are Maine Coon Cats Good Hunters?

Maine Coons are some of the best hunters out of all the cat breeds. These cats became popular in the 1800s for their ability to catch mice, rats, and other vermin on farms and aboard ships. Maine Coons that have access to the outdoors will readily hunt a variety of wildlife.

Maine Coons are large, majestic cats that developed naturally in the frigid state of Maine. In the harsh, snowy climate, these cats adapted to the cold and survived by catching local wildlife.

These cats are such good hunters that they became famous in the 1800s among sailors and farmers alike, who kept them around to hunt down rodents and other pests on their ships.

Why Are They Good Hunters?

Here are some of the many reasons that make Maine Coons such talented hunters:

Wild Origins

Maine Coons developed naturally in the United States, where they had to adapt to the snowy, frigid climate to survive.

Through natural selection, only the best hunters were able to survive, meaning that today’s descendants of the first Maine Coons are still expert hunters.

Selective Breeding

Even though Maine Coons developed naturally, humans took an immediate interest in these strong, capable cats.

Farmers and sailors prized Maine Coons for their ability to hunt vermin and began to keep them around as companions.

Of course, these sailors and farmers only accepted the best of these hunters, so that, over time, the breed consisted of cats with the best hunting skills.

Intelligence

Maine Coons are one of the most intelligent cat breeds in the world. Click here to read my article 10 Reasons Why Maine Coons Are The Smartest Cats.

These large cats have incredible problem-solving skills and are better at thinking ahead than other cat breeds.

This makes them more skillful when it comes to choosing which prey to hunt, as well as for deciding when and how to sneak up on that prey.

Prey Drive

One of the most vital of the Maine Coon hunting skills is their high prey drive since cats with excellent speed and intelligence will not make a great hunter without the desire to hunt.

Breeds with low prey drives, such as Persians, are much more interested in sleeping or cuddling than hunting.

Cats with high prey drives are more excited by movement and are more alert to their environments.

Considering their high prey drive, you might naturally wonder if Maine Coon cats are territorial. Make sure you click on the link to find out the answer!

Speed And Agility

Despite the Maine Coon’s large size, these cats are surprisingly fast and nimble.

Cats need to be strikingly agile to catch small, speedy prey like birds and mice.

The Maine Coon’s long fur may make them look portly, but under that thick pelt is a lean, muscular body perfectly designed for catching quick prey.

Paw Size

Maine Coons have large, wide paws, which are great for helping them walk on snow. However, this large paw size can also affect their hunting abilities.

This larger surface area can increase their chances of catching a particularly slippery mouse or vole.

Furthermore, Maine Coons are more likely to be polydactyl than most cat breeds. Polydactyl cats are born with one or more extra toes, which can help them to better grasp escaping prey.

What Do Maine Coon Cats Hunt?

Here are the different animals that Maine Coons can hunt (source 1):

1. Mice And Rats

If you have a rodent problem on your property, you might be wondering, do Maine Coons catch mice?

These cats became famous for their ability to hunt mice and rats, and in the 1800s, they were highly valued among farmers and sailors alike.

Today, Maine Coons still catch mice and rats when the opportunity arises.

2. Fish

Maine Coons have thick, semi-water-repellent fur, and as a result, they often love playing in the water!

Maine Coons occasionally hunt fish, which can quickly become a problem for owners of decorative ponds and koi fish.

3. Birds

All cats are adept at hunting birds, even without their wings! These crafty, silent stalkers can easily catch birds searching for food on the ground.

Unfortunately, outdoor and feral cats are so good at hunting birds that they have contributed to several bird species’ extinction.

4. Rabbits And Hares

Maine Coons are also known to hunt rabbits or even hares on occasion.

However, these animals pose a particular danger to cats, as their powerful claws and hind legs can easily injure a cat.

5. Other Small Rodents

Aside from mice and rats, Maine Coons also hunt a variety of other small rodents, including:

• Shrews
• Moles
• Voles

6. Reptiles And Amphibians

While snakes, lizards, and frogs may not sound appetizing to us humans, cats do not mind eating the occasional reptile or amphibian if they are especially hungry.

In general, cats prefer to eat small mammals or birds, but a Maine Coon’s high prey drive also means these cats do not mind catching any living thing, even if they are not hungry!

7. Insects

As surprising as it may sound, Maine Coons will even hunt:

• Grasshoppers
• Cicadas
• Other Insects

How Do I Stop My Cat Hunting

Many cat owners enjoy letting their cats outdoors but are concerned about their cat-hunting wildlife. Cats that hunt outdoors are also at risk of injury, illness, and poisoning, and contribute to wildlife extinction.

Here are some steps you could take to stop your cat hunting:

Keep Your Cat Indoors

The first and most obvious way to stop your cat from hunting is by keeping your cat indoors. This is a big decision and not one that works for every cat owner.

However, keeping your cat indoors has many benefits, so long as you can provide lots of toys, climbing areas, and enrichment indoors.

Create A Routine

Cats are most active hunters during dusk and dawn, and this is also when prey is most active.

If you do not want to keep your cat indoors all the time, you can create a routine that keeps your cat indoors during dusk and dawn.

That way, your cat can still explore nature during the day while keeping your cat indoors during peak hunting hours.

Give Your Cat A Bell

Add a bell to your cat’s collar, which can scare off potential prey.

Unfortunately, a more recent study has shown this method may not be as effective as once thought, but it is still a potential way to decrease your cat’s hunting.

Increase Protein

Cats require diets with a:

• A high amount of protein
• Moderate amount of fat
• Only a small amount of carbohydrates.

Cheap cat food brands often introduce a lot of grains and other filler carbs, which can cause nutritional deficiencies and increase your cat’s desire to hunt.

These are the best foods to feed your Maine Coon cat.

Play With Your Cat More Often

One of the most effective ways to prevent your cat from hunting is to provide more enrichment and stimulation.

Play with your Maine Coon for at least 10 to 15 minutes every day, and provide plenty of fun toys to play with and places to explore (source 1,2).