Are Maine Coon Cats Legal?
A lot of potential owners are worried that they might not be able to bring this magnificent breed into their homes because they do not know if Maine Coons are illegal or not.
Are Maine Coon Cats Legal?
Maine Coons are not illegal to keep as pets in any country or state to date, nor are any other domestic cat breeds. Breeders may require licenses to breed and sell Maine Coons, but this can vary from country to country. The Maine Coon is a peaceful cat that is neither endangered nor dangerous, so there is no reason for it to be illegal.
The Maine Coon is the largest domesticated cat breed in the world. These cats originated naturally in the state of Maine, where they developed long, thick fur and large paws that helped them survive in cold weather.
Even though Maine Coons are exceptionally large, they are gentle, peaceful cats that pose no threat to their owners.
Find out more about the Maine Coon personality, in my helpful article.
They are also fully domesticated and are not related to any wild cats.
As a result, Maine Coons are perfectly legal to own everywhere.
Are Maine Coon Cats Endangered?
It is usually illegal to keep endangered animals as pets, so some people wonder, are Maine Coons endangered?
Thankfully, these wonderful cats aren’t endangered at all, and their population only seems to be growing as they become more popular.
However, this wasn’t always the case.
In the early 1900s, Maine Coons grew in popularity for their ability to catch rats and other vermin.
They were kept on farms, in houses, and even on ships! In the 1950s, however, a new breed called the Persian was introduced, and they became all the rage amongst cat owners.
Sadly, as more cat owners began to adopt Persians, the Maine Coon took a huge hit, and they became so endangered that they were nearly declared extinct.
Thankfully, a few fanciers of the breed were able to bring the Maine Coon back from the brink of extinction, and they remain one of the most popular cat breeds in the world today.
Even though they were once highly endangered, chances are the breed won’t be in danger of extinction again any time soon!
If the history of the Maine Coon cat has sparked your interest, why not discover more about this fascinating breed in my article:
Where Do Maine Coon Cats Originate?
Can You Have A Maine Coon As A Pet?
Maine Coons are not endangered, and they are not considered dangerous, either. As a result, they are perfectly legal to own and make great pets.
While part of their popularity can be traced to their magnificent size and beautiful appearance, the Maine Coon’s sweet and playful temperament is another huge reason these cats are so popular.
Maine Coons are highly intelligent, and can be trained to play fetch, do tricks, and even walk on a leash and harness!
They are highly playful and retain a kitten-like personality well into adulthood.
They’re also very laid back and gentle, which makes them perfect for households with children.
Maine Coons make ideal pets, but they also make surprisingly good actors.
Two famous Maine Coon actors include:
1. Pebbles, who played Mrs. Norris from the famous Harry Potter series
2. Leo, who played the cat Church from the 2019 iteration of Pet Sematary.
This is because Maine Coons are highly intelligent, and can be trained to do all sorts of tricks.
Do You Need A License To Own A Maine Coon?
Many wild and exotic animals require special licenses in order to be kept.
These licenses prove that you’ll have the time and resources to put towards caring for animals that require more maintenance and care than domesticated animals.
The Maine Coon is a purely domestic cat, however, and doesn’t require nearly as much care as, say, a serval or caracal.
While they do require a bit more enrichment and exercise than most cat breeds, they’re perfectly simple to care for when compared to a wild or exotic animal.
Read my article ‘How To Care For A Maine Coon‘ to be fully versed in how to look after one of these amazing cats.
As a result, Maine Coons do not require licenses to be kept as pets.
However, if you plan on breeding and selling Maine Coons, it’s possible you’ll need a license.
Some states and countries require licenses for any breeding, but most places only require a license if you’re keeping and breeding several Maine Coons.
Here’s the full guide on how to breed a Maine Coon cat.
What’s The Biggest Cat You Can Legally Own?
Believe it or not, it’s possible to own cats even larger than the Maine Coon!
Even though the Maine Coon is the largest domesticated cat breed in the world, it is possible to keep wild and exotic cats as pets with proper licenses.
Of course, these cats are much more difficult to care for, and it’s usually considered unethical and irresponsible to keep wild animals as pets.
With that being said, some wild cat breeds that are possible to legally own in the proper location with the right licenses include:
- Bobcats
- Servals
- Lynxes
- Ocelots
- Caracals
Maine Coon Vs Normal Cat
Maine Coons are unique cats with a lot of differences from regular cats.
Here is a quick summary of the key differences:
1. Size
The first main difference is size.
Maine Coons are significantly taller and longer than the average domestic cat, and they weigh significantly more, as well.
While most domestic cats weigh between 7 and 10 pounds, the average Maine Coon weighs between 12 and 25 pounds!
2. Temperament
Maine Coon temperament also varies greatly from most cats.
Maine Coons are known for being highly intelligent, as well as social and affectionate.
They are famous for their gentle, laid-back nature, as well as their patience when it comes to children.
Most regular cats can be quite affectionate towards their owners, but Maine Coons Cats are consistently more friendly than the average cat.
They are so social that they often follow their owners from room to room and can become incredibly lonely if they’re left alone for long periods of time.
In fact, these cats do best with another animal for company, such as another cat, or even a dog!
3. Enrichment
Maine Coons also need a lot more enrichment and exercise than regular cats.
Because they are so smart, regular toys can become easily boring, and they need lots of stimulation to keep from becoming bored and destructive.
Make sure you’ve purchased these top five Maine Coon cat toys, to help keep these intelligent cats’ minds stimulated.
These cats also love to climb, so it’s essential to provide them with a large cat tree, like these ones.
In addition, why not purchase some cat shelves, and create other high spaces for your Maine Coon to climb on.
Maine Coons are typically considered a hardy breed, but unfortunately, any purebred cat is more likely to suffer health problems than a regular cat.
Maine Coons are prone to a variety of health problems, including:
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (click here to learn more about this health condition)
The term ‘Polycystic Kidney Disease’ (otherwise known as PKD) sounds extremely frightening.
Fear of the condition is more common when you do not understand what this Maine Coon Health Problem is though.
Owners trying to learn more about PKD should read my PKD article, to ensure they know what PKD is, and what to expect.
Are Maine Coon Cats Allowed Outside?
Choosing whether or not to keep your Maine Coon indoors versus letting it roam outdoors is a very personal decision.
However, keep in mind that it’s becoming increasingly popular for breeders to have all of their customers sign a contract saying they will keep their Maine Coons indoors.
To help you make an informed decision, read my article ‘Can Maine Coon Cats Go Outside?‘.
This article is great because it lists the ‘for’ and ‘against’ arguments on this emotive subject, without pressuring you to follow either route.
Maine Coons are highly adventurous cats that need a lot of exercise and enrichment to stay happy.
Some owners argue that keeping them cooped up indoors will make them sad, so they let their cats roam outdoors, as well.
However, allowing your cat outdoors puts it at risk for all sorts of dangers. Outdoor cats are significantly more likely to be stolen, hit by cars, or injured or killed by other animals.
Outdoor cats are also more susceptible to illness, infection, and parasites.
Finally, it’s worth noting that allowing your cat outdoors can have an impact on the environment.
Cats have led to the extinction of 63 different species of animals due to their expertise as hunters.
Maine Coons, who are especially good at hunting, can have a hugely negative impact on local wildlife.
