5 Ways Maine Coons Show Their Loyalty
Maine Coons are known for being sociable cats that form close bonds with their pet parents. But, are Maine Coon cats loyal? Or, will they be affectionate and loving to anyone?
Maine Coons are highly social cats that love human interaction. They have a gentle nature and bond closely with their owners, though do value personal space at times. They are very loyal felines. Whilst they often have a favorite person, they are not one-person cats. Instead, their sociable nature means they are also friendly towards strangers.
Read on to find out why these large cats make such great companions, without being considered clingy.
Are Maine Coon Cats Loyal?
Maine Coon cats are one of the oldest natural breeds in the United States, with dog-like traits that have made them one of the most popular cat breeds in the 21st century.
Initially, these wild-looking felines lived among humans because they were great at hunting vermin, yet in today’s world, these gentle giants are very much the adored family pet.
The Maine Coon’s personality makes them ideal for the whole family, including those with children because they are very loyal cats and not naturally aggressive.
Here are some ways Maine Coons express their loyalty:
1. They Follow You
A common trait of Maine Coon cats is that they love to follow their owners from room to room.
They make great pets because they are sociable and curious cats that want to know what their family members are up to, but do not demand attention like lap cats do.
Instead, these big cats will watch their family from a distance, resting near their owners without getting underfoot.
2. More Affectionate With Their Owners
One of the best things about Maine Coon cats is that they are incredibly friendly and social to everyone, including strangers.
However, while Maine Coons are confident and sociable around strangers your furry friend is intensely loyal to its own family, so will always show more love towards its favorite people.
Female Maine Coons are known for being more aloof in nature but do warm up once they get to know you. They are less likely to be as open and friendly towards a stranger, immediately.
3. Patient Nature With Children
The Maine Coon makes an ideal family cat because it loves affection and attention, and shares its love and loyalty with the entire family, including the children.
These intelligent cats seem to understand that human children are very much like playful kittens, so act more gently and patiently around them.
These non-aggressive felines are not known for attacking family members unless they are threatened and fearful. For example, if a child keeps pulling their tail or hitting them.
4. Want To Comfort You
Maine Coons are emotionally intelligent felines that sense when their owners are sad.
They have an uncanny ability to read their owner’s moods and are often able to sense tension in the household.
If you are feeling down or in discomfort you may notice your cat is more affectionate and loving toward you, doing its best to comfort you!
5. Maine Coons Are Protective
Another way Maine Coon cats show loyalty towards their family member is through their protective nature.
As the largest domestic cat breed in the world, they use their large size to protect their owners. For example, they may stand between you and a stranger or animal they perceive is a threat.
Amazingly, some Maine Coons have even nipped at children who were playing with something dangerous or about to walk into the street!
Maine Coon Personality Traits
Maine Coons are fiercely loyal to their owners, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many traits these cats have!
These are the 13 Best Maine Coon Personality Traits.
Here are some common traits of Maine Coon cats:
1. Highly Intelligent
Maine Coons are among the smartest cat breeds in the world, here’s why.
They can be trained to do all sorts of tricks and can follow simple commands, such as fetching a ball or going for walks on a pet harness.
2. They Get Along Well With Other Pets
These long-haired cats are very sociable so love spending time with other pets, including dogs!
Due to their high prey drive, however, it is not recommended Maine Coon owners also keep small pets like birds, mice, or other rodents.
3. Enjoy Going For Walks
Due to the dangers of the outside world, many owners are not comfortable letting their cats roam freely outdoors.
Thankfully, one of the quirky personality traits of the Maine Coon is that they like going for a walk.
Maine Coon owners with indoor cats can teach their large cats to walk on a leash or harness!
4. Dogs-Like Behaviors
Maine Coons are often referred to as the ‘dog of the cat world’ because they are:
- Very Loyal
- Extremely Playful
- Walk On A Leash
- Play Fetch
- Learn Tricks
- Want To Be With Their Owner
5. Playful For Life
Whilst all kittens are known for being playful, the Maine Coon is unique because it never seems to grow up! Instead, these big cats remain playful and kitten-like late into their adult lives.
Their massive size doesn’t hold them back, as even adult Maine Coon cats love to play at every opportunity!
Pet parents should buy their furry friends plenty of toys. These toys must be durable and interactive to keep these highly energetic and playful felines entertained.
6. They Love Water
Purebred Maine Coon cats love playing in water, whether it be patting the water in their water bowl, or taking a swim in the bath!
These laid-back cats spend so much time entertaining themselves with water. Clever Maine Coons can even teach themselves how to turn on the faucet to get running water!
7. Vocal Cats
The Maine Coon is a vocal cat breed that often chirps, trills, and talks to its owners to get what it wants, whether that be food or attention. They do not meow like normal cats.
Here is a YouTube video of Katrina Stewardson’s Maine Coon cat talking:
Are Maine Coons One-Person Cats?
This affectionate cat breed will thrive with just one owner, provided you give them plenty of love and attention each day.
These domestic cats are highly sociable and adaptable though, so enjoy spending time with all the members of their family.
Maine Coon cats usually have a favorite owner whom they bond closest to. This is often the family member who plays with them and feeds them!
Ultimately, Maine Coons are very loyal felines that will be your best friend for life.
How Do Maine Coons Show Affection?
Maine Coon cats are affectionate to their owners in far more subtler ways than dogs are.
Below are the ways Maine Coons show affection:
1. Follow You
Cats show their affection by spending time near you.
Maine Coons are not considered a super clingy cat breed but do like to follow their owners around the house, to watch them.
2. Slow Blinking
If your Maine Coon slowly blinks at you this is another way they show they love and trust you.
By closing their eyes they are saying they trust you not to attack them whilst they are vulnerable.
3. Cuddles And Head Butting
Cats show affection by letting their owners cuddle them, or cuddling you. Many cats also rub their face and backs against their favorite humans, or head butt them.
Learn more about Maine Coon head butting, here.
4. Exposing Their Belly
Cats have soft bellies covering their important organs. When a cat rolls on its back exposing its belly to you, this is the ultimate show of trust.
Maine Coons do not show their bellies to receive pets. While some cats enjoy belly rubs, most expose their bellies to show how much they love you!
5. Biting
A Maine Coon cat bite is a way some cats show their affection, but only if it is a little nip rather than a full-on bite!
If your cat is licking or gently rubbing against you and then bites you softly, this is a feline’s way of expressing affection.
Here are some other reasons Why Your Maine Coon Is Biting You.
6. Sleeping Near You
Even though cats are predators they can be attacked by all sorts of dangerous things in the wild, so have learned to be very careful about whom they trust.
Cats know they are most vulnerable while they are asleep. Therefore, a cat choosing to sleep near you rather than hiding under the bed is showing they love and trust you.
Are Maine Coons Clingy?
Despite being friendly cats that follow their owners around, the Maine Coon cat breed is not considered clingy because these cats do not get underfoot, nor demand non-stop attention.
Instead, they are just curious felines that enjoy more social interaction than other cat breeds.
While this breed is not particularly clingy, they are not suited to spending large amounts of time on their own.
Do Maine Coons Protect Their Owners?
Maine Coon cats can be very protective of their owners, despite being significantly smaller than their human family.
In a few rare cases, some Maine Coon cats have been witnessed protecting their owners by moving between their owners and the perceived threat!
Maine Coons are particularly protective of children, who they seem to regard as being ‘kitten-like’.
Will Maine Coons Run Away?
Maine Coons are loyal creatures that develop strong bonds with their owners. They are not likely to run away unless they are mistreated or in pain.
Outdoor Maine Coons may roam around the neighborhood for hours, but will always come back home at night unless they become lost or separated from their family.
Indoor Maine Coon cats, however, are more likely to get lost if a door is left open because they have less experience with their surrounding outside world.
Maine Coons rarely run away on purpose, but even with their excellent navigation skills, lots of factors can cause a beloved pet to stray too far from home and never come back.
Conclusion
Are Maine Coon Cats loyal? The short answer is yes!
These social cats are highly affectionate towards their family and famous for being loyal companions. They enjoy following their owners around, and some even display protective instincts.
The Maine Coon is a loving cat breed that develops strong bonds with its owners.
Related Questions
Do Maine Coons Walk Funny?
Maine Coons do not walk differently from other cats, although a cat suffering from conditions like spinal muscular atrophy or hip dysplasia may have an unusual gait.
