Are Maine Coon Cats Naughty?

These large cats have a reputation for being highly playful, but does this transcends into naughty Maine Coon antics too? Stick with us to find out more about what causes naughtiness in cats and what you can do to fix it.

Are Maine Coon Cats Naughty?

Maine Coons are not naughty by nature and you will be hard-pressed to find a well-loved Maine Coon that is overtly chaotic and mischievous beyond the point of endearing.

Sure, every cat is different and some will be “naughtier” than others, but as a rule, and as a breed, they are not known for being destructive or violent.

However, it is worth noting they might become naughty and destructive if feeling:

• Bored
• Neglected emotionally

If you’re after a cat that can be left alone for long periods, you’re barking up the wrong tree with the Maine Coon cat breed! This breed has high social needs and requires lots of love and attention to be happy and stable.

Maine Coon kittens are no more naughty than any other kitten. Young cats, even kittens, are less likely to understand what is okay and what’s not and, therefore are more likely to act out.

A Maine Coon kitten will scratch, cry, and chew the furniture. But this is part of them growing up, they are exploring their new world, and you need to have a little patience with them.

Causes Of Naughty Behavior

Maine Coons are unlikely to be naughty just for the sake of it. Therefore, it’s important to distinguish juvenile playing and mischief from outwardly bad Maine Coon behavior like ripping up cushions on the couch.

Here are the key causes of cat naughtiness and bad cat behavior:

1. Loneliness

Maine Coon cats hate being left alone. Here’s how long you can leave a Maine Coon cat on its own.

Even as a full-grown adult a Maine Coon should not be left alone for more than 8-10 hours at a time. Longer than this can be stressful and upsetting for your Maine Coon cat as they are extremely social beings.

It is almost impossible to spend every second of every day with your Maine Coon, but you should make an effort to be home as much as possible.

Even if you are not exactly “hanging out” together. Your presence is calming and reassuring.

Try to avoid leaving your Maine Coon for more than 6-8 hours at a time.

Once now and again is understandable but if it is a daily thing, your Maine Coon will begin to suffer.

2. Lack Of Stimulation

Maine Coons need physical and mental stimulation throughout the day to keep them happy and interested.

Maine Coons are great at playing games and generally need about 30 minutes of games each day to ensure they are properly stimulated.

This could be training sessions, throwing a ball, or chasing a feather. Typical cat stuff is all good.

If you are feeling worn out after a long day at work, a cat laser pointer like this one sold on Amazon is great for keeping your Maine Coon cat entertained.

These are my favorite Maine Coon cat toys, that our own Maine Coon cat LOVES!

3. Lack Of Space

Maine Coons are big cats. At least by house cat standards. If they do not have adequate space to roam around inside your (their) home they are going to become frustrated and bored.

This can lead to behaviors like scratching furniture and becoming territorial. Here’s what to do if this happens.

When there is not enough space to go around, your Maine Coon will (sometimes aggressively) try to claim some of what space is available for themself.

Maine Coons need a large apartment or small house at the minimum. If you live in a studio, or even a one-bedroom apartment you likely don’t have enough room.

Make sure you read this guide to determine whether a Maine Coon cat can realistically live in an apartment.

4. Adolescence

The younger your Maine Coon is the more likely they are to misbehave. This is only natural, it is the same way with human children as it is with feline children.

Cope with it for as long as you can while ensuring you nip any overly bad cat behavior (like scratching) in the bud as soon as possible.

As your Maine Coon grows up it will become more and more likely to forgo naughty behavior rather than jump at the chance to be juvenile and chaos ensuing.

Maine Coons mature emotionally (mostly) at about 1 year old.

5. Injury Or Illness

If your Maine Coon has suddenly begun misbehaving, with no change in your daily schedule and lifestyle, it can be a little alarming.

Be aware that this could be due to a hidden cat injury or illness.

When Maine Coons are injured or ill they feel extremely vulnerable and can become quite skittish and potentially aggressive if they feel threatened.

Sometimes cat illness’ can be mood and mind-altering for your cat so if in doubt it is always a good idea to see your vet and have them checked out.

Types Of Naughty Behavior

Here are some of the most prevalent examples of naughty Maine Coon cat behavior:

1. Biting

Biting is a common manifestation of frustration and a way of demonstrating said frustration to you.

Your Maine Coon, unfortunately, is not a good verbal communicator so biting is one of their methods of displaying discontent.

Here are 10 reasons why your Maine Coon cat might bite you.

2. Hissing

Hissing is an expression of fear or stress and is common when Maine Coons are frustrated with their current situation.

It is also often done out of fear, even if it is just a gentle way of telling you to give them some space (source 1).

3. Scratching Furniture

Maine Coons can become prone to taking their frustrations out on your furniture. It is worth noting, however, that scratching your furniture may not always be a sign of frustration, it may simply be due to a lack of alternatives.

If you have plenty of scratching alternatives, and your Maine Coon is still destroying your living room, there is more at play.

Boredom and loneliness are often at the heart of the problem.

4. Peeing Outside The Litterbox

Cats are generally very agreeable about where they can go to the bathroom. Training a cat to use a litterbox is so much easier than teaching a puppy not to go potty in the house.

If your Maine Coon seems like they have suddenly forgotten where its litter box is there is a very high chance they are intentionally trying to annoy you to prove a point!

Maine Coons will make their displeasure with their situation clear in many ways, and unfortunately, peeing all over your carpet is one of them.

Here are some great extra-large cat litter boxes, ideal for the Maine Coon cat’s huge size.

5. Overprotective

Maine Coons can become very overprotective as a manifestation of separation anxiety. Learn more about this issue here.

If your cat bites you or your family for seemingly no reason, chances are they are feeling overprotective of either one particular person or a particular space.

If this becomes a constant issue, it might be that your Maine Coon does not have enough room to roam inside your house.

Furthermore, if this overprotective behavior has come on suddenly, you may need to examine how much quality time you are spending with your Maine Coon.

How To Discipline A Maine Coon Cat

Disciplining a cat is very difficult, purely because it is very unlikely that your cat will connect the action that you are punishing with the punishment. It’s more likely to think you are lashing out at them out of spite.

This will not affect their naughty behavior but will make them less receptive to your commands and more likely to misbehave in the future. Which is the opposite effect of what we are after!

Bad behavior in Maine Coons should be dealt with in the following ways:

1. Re-Focussing

A quick and simple method of disciplining your Maine Coon can be to quickly refocus them from whatever it is they were doing along with the word “No” firmly, and loudly, but not yelling.

For example, if your Maine Coon is on the dining room table and they are not supposed to be, the word “No” combined with literally picking them up off the dining table is all you need to do.

2. Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is the only way you should combat major bad behaviors.

Instead of punishing bad behavior, reward good behavior.

Let’s say your Maine Coon is howling incessantly for no reason. Don’t yell at them. Reward them when they stop.

3. Repetition

Repetition is included purely because it is something you need to bear in mind.

If you are trying to prevent your Maine Coon from doing something, it may take you 100 times picking them up off the dining table and putting them on the floor before they eventually stop doing it entirely.

Don’t give up and don’t lose your temper.

How Not To Discipline A Cat

Bad behaviors in Maine Coon cats should NOT be dealt with by doing any of the following:

Yelling

Yelling at your Maine Coon is not only cruel but confusing for them.

They do not know why you are yelling, nor do they know what on earth you are saying. They just see an angry person and feel scared and unsure of themselves.

Hitting

Never hit your Maine Coon. Tapping them gently alongside the word “No” is about as severe a physical punishment as you should dish out.

Water Spray Bottles

Some people like to use water bottles to spray their Maine Coon when they are doing something wrong.

This might work for some people but many professionals would argue that it is cruel and confusing.

Your Maine Coon will be unlikely to connect the spray bottle punishment to the behavior you are trying to prevent.

Withholding Food Or Water

Never withhold food, water, or love from your Maine Coon.

You are certainly disciplining them but you are also abusing them and they will NOT understand why.