14 Tricks Keep My Indoor Maine Coons Happy

Maine Coons are laidback felines that can be kept as either indoor or outdoor pets. However, this large cat breed can be difficult to keep as an indoor cat.

Therefore, owners with indoor cats must cater to this cat breed’s physical and mental needs by providing a catio, cat-safe fencing, a cat tower, interactive toys, and walking their cat on a leash outside.

14 Ways To Keep Indoor Maine Coon Happy

Maine Coon cats are known for being extremely energetic and highly playful felines, a behavioral trait that lasts throughout their entire lifespan.

These cats thrive in the outdoor world, so cat lovers will need to do their utmost to mimic the outdoor world, by providing opportunities for:

• Climbing
• Jumping
• Chasing
• Mental Stimulation
• Hunting

Maine Coons can be good indoor cats due to their laid-back personality, provided their needs are adequately catered to.

Below are my favorite methods of ensuring your indoor Maine Coon remains happy:

1. Bring The Wilderness Into Your Home!

Make your home an exciting and intriguing place for your Maine Coon to live!

For instance, ensure you have a reasonable amount of space for them to play, and plenty of toys/cat towers that engage their curious minds.

2. Buy A Cat Tower

Maine Coon cats are excellent climbers and love to stretch and scratch, even when their nails are regularly trimmed.

If your cat exclusively stays indoors, purchase a tall cat tree that enables them to jump, climb, and rest safely in an elevated position.

These are my Favorite Extra-Large Cat Trees because they are ideally suited to large cat breeds, like the Maine Coon.

3. Scratching Posts

Buy a sturdy scratching post like this one, that I reviewed on Maine Coon Central’s YouTube channel.

Scratching posts are effective at keeping your cat’s claws in great condition. They are also effective because they cater to cats:

• Instinctual Behavior: Scratching is a natural behavior for cats that helps them stretch, exercise, and maintain healthy claws.
• Territory Marking: Scratching allows cats to mark their territory with both visual and scent cues, promoting a sense of security and ownership.
• Stress Relief: Scratching helps cats release pent-up energy and frustration, serving as a form of stress relief and emotional outlet.
• Nail Maintenance: Regular scratching helps cats shed the outer layers of their claws, keeping them healthy and preventing overgrowth or discomfort.
• Environmental Enrichment: Provides mental stimulation and a physical outlet for cats, preventing boredom and promoting overall well-being.
• Ownership And Control: Scratching posts give cats a sense of ownership and control over their environment, boosting their confidence and satisfaction.

4. Best Maine Coon Cat Toys

Providing cat toys for an indoor cat makes them happy for several reasons:

• Mental Stimulation: Toys engage a cat’s mind, providing enrichment and preventing boredom by stimulating their natural hunting instincts.
• Physical Exercise: Interactive toys encourage activity and exercise, helping indoor cats stay healthy and maintain a healthy weight.
• Stress Relief: Playing with toys allows cats to release pent-up energy and stress, promoting relaxation and emotional well-being.
• Bonding Opportunity: Interactive play sessions with toys strengthen the bond between cats and their owners, fostering trust and companionship.
• Preventing Destructive Behavior: Toys redirect a cat’s natural hunting and prey drive away from household items, reducing the likelihood of destructive behavior.
• Environmental Enrichment: Toys provide variety and novelty in an indoor cat’s environment, preventing monotony and enriching their daily lives.

Interactive toys provide stimulating toys that challenge their intelligence and satisfy their curiosity, such as puzzle feeders or treat-dispensing toys.

5. Fresh Air And Sunshine

Fresh air and sunshine make an indoor cat happy for several reasons:

• Enriched Environment: Exposure to the outdoors provides sensory stimulation, such as new sights, sounds, and smells prevents boredom, and enriches a cat’s environment.
• Natural Light: Sunlight exposure regulates a cat’s circadian rhythm, promoting better sleep patterns and overall health.
• Vitamin D Synthesis: Sunlight exposure helps cats produce vitamin D, which is essential for bone health and overall well-being.
• Mental Stimulation: Outdoor exploration offers opportunities for physical activity, exploration, and mental engagement, which can prevent behavioral issues and promote mental health.
• Connection To Nature: Many cats enjoy experiencing the natural world, whether it’s watching birds, feeling the breeze, or exploring the surroundings.

6. Space

Giving a large cat space in the home makes an indoor Maine Coon cat happy for several reasons:

• Physical Activity: Maine Coons are active and athletic cats that require ample space to move around, stretch, and exercise.
• Exploration: Maine Coons are curious by nature and enjoy exploring their environment. Providing them with space allows them to satisfy their natural curiosity and engage in exploratory behaviors, which prevent boredom and promote mental stimulation.
• Territory Marking: Maine Coons benefit from having designated areas within the home that they can claim as their own. This enables them to mark their territory and establish a sense of ownership.

7. Vertical Space

Install cat trees, shelves, and climbing furniture to satisfy the cat’s instinct to climb and explore.

Vertical space is essential for indoor cats as it satisfies their instincts whilst also providing:

• Mental and physical stimulation
• Enhancing feelings of security
• Promotes relaxation

8. Regular Play Sessions

Engage in interactive play sessions with your cat for roughly 30 minutes each day, using toys that encourage their athleticism and provide mental stimulation.

Spending quality time interacting with your Maine Coon will strengthen your bond and keeps them happy.

9. Environmental Enrichment

Rotate toys, introduce new scents or textures, and create hiding spots to keep your cat’s environment engaging and dynamic.

10. Training Activities

Teach tricks or agility exercises to engage their intelligence and provide mental stimulation.

11. Access To Windows

Position perches or cat trees near windows to allow them to observe outdoor activities and engage in birdwatching.

12. Safe Outdoor Experiences

Create a secure outdoor enclosure or provide supervised outdoor walks using a harness or leash. Here’s How To Train A Cat To Walk On A Leash.

Installing a catio, or cat fence in your yard will enable your cat to roam freely outside, yet still within the safety of your property.

Supervised outdoor walks on a leash are also an excellent way of safely enabling your Maine Coon to explore the outdoor world, and keep them happy and fulfilled.

13. Companion Animals

Consider adopting a compatible feline or canine companion to provide social interaction and companionship.

14. Hang Cat Toys Around The House

Maine Coons are fascinated by shapes and colors. Hanging colorful toys at a reasonable height can help lift their moods!

For those of you living in an apartment, read our guide: Can Maine Coons Live In Apartments?

Reasons To Keep Maine Coon Indoors

Explore the myriad of reasons why keeping a Maine Coon indoors is beneficial, from protecting them against outdoor dangers to catering to their unique needs.

1. Theft

Maine Coon cats are very expensive (2024 Maine Coon Prices).

With the average price of a purebred Maine Coon kitten ranging between $800 to $2,500, its no surprise that many of these pedigree cats are stolen each year.

Criminals target Maine Coon cats for resale due to their high value as a pedigree breed, making them vulnerable to theft if allowed to roam freely outdoors.

This practice poses significant risks to the safety and well-being of these beloved felines, emphasizing the importance of keeping them indoors to protect against such threats.

2. Complying With Breeder Contracts

Registered Maine Coon cat breeders typically sell kittens with contracts stipulating that the cat must be kept indoors to ensure their safety and well-being.

This requirement reflects the breed’s susceptibility to various outdoor dangers and emphasizes responsible ownership practices.

By adhering to these contracts, breeders aim to safeguard the health, longevity, and happiness of the kittens they sell, promoting a positive experience for both the cat and its owner.

3. Lower Risk Of Injury

Keeping a Maine Coon indoors significantly reduces the risk of injury to the cat.

Indoors, they are protected from various hazards such as:

• Traffic Accidents
• Attacks By Other Animals
• Exposure To Toxins And Infectious Diseases

Additionally, indoor environments can be carefully controlled to minimize risks such as falls from heights or encounters with dangerous wildlife.

4. Lower Risk Of Disappearing

Keeping a Maine Coon indoors lowers the risk of them getting lost by preventing them from wandering away from home.

Indoor cats are confined to the safety of their environment, reducing the likelihood of accidental escapes.

This minimizes the chance of them becoming disoriented or unable to find their way back, ensuring their security and well-being.

5. Lower Risk Of Illness

Keeping a Maine Coon indoors lowers its risk of illness by minimizing exposure to various pathogens and environmental hazards present outdoors.

Indoors, Maine Coons are protected from infectious diseases transmitted by other animals, parasites, and environmental toxins.

Additionally, indoor environments can be controlled to maintain optimal hygiene and prevent exposure to harmful substances, reducing the likelihood of illness.

Indoor Maine Coon Lifespan

The average Maine Coon cat lives between 12-15 years. However, an indoor Maine Coon may live up to two decades because their living environment reduces the risks associated with outdoor hazards.

Below are the main reasons why indoor Maine Coons live longer:

1. Reduced exposure to outdoor hazards such as predators, traffic, and toxins.
2. Protection from extreme weather conditions, diseases, and parasites.
3. Consistent access to veterinary care and preventative healthcare measures.
4. Controlled diet and nutrition, reducing the risk of obesity and related health issues.
5. Lower stress levels and a more predictable, stable environment.
6. Enhanced safety measures, such as cat-proofed homes and secure enclosures.
7. Regular mental and physical stimulation through indoor enrichment activities.
8. Limited exposure to infectious diseases from other animals.
9. Enhanced socialization opportunities with human companions.
10. Close monitoring for early detection and prompt treatment of health concerns.

Conclusion

While Maine Coon cats have qualities making them adaptable to indoor living, whether they’re good indoor pets will depend on individual circumstances and preferences.

By considering factors such as space, enrichment, and companionship, you can create a fulfilling indoor environment for your Maine Coon.

Whether they roam the great outdoors or thrive in the comfort of your home, Maine Coons bring their unique charm and personality to any living situation.

So, are Maine Coon cats good indoor cats? With proper care and attention, they can be excellent companions in any setting.