Are Maine Coons Good For Beginners?

Maine Coon cats are excellent pets in very high demand. They are sweet, fluffy, and huge, and we pretty much all want one. But are they good for beginners?

Many people wrongly assume these giant cats are easy to look after, but they’d be wrong. Keep reading to find out about this former wild cat breed’s unique needs.

Are Maine Coons Good For Beginners?

Despite their large size and unique demeanor, Maine Coons are amazing pets for first-time cat owners that thought they wanted a dog!

Their higher-than-average intelligence combined with their warm and loving personalities make them a great first pet for owners who are willing to put in the work.

If you are not familiar with the Maine Coon as a breed there are a few things you should know.

• They are the biggest domesticated cat breed in the world. And the longest!
• They have high social needs and have an extra-loving temperament.

These big cats have been around for many years, yet only recently seen an uptick in popularity.

Here are some of the most important personality traits associated with Maine Coons that make them an ideal pet for first-time owners:

1. Affectionate

Maine Coons are incredibly affectionate and many of them love a good cuddle.

If you are a first-time pet owner chances are you are looking for a pet that loves to cuddle as much as possible!

Many cat breeds can be quite standoffish. This is not the case with Maine Coons who would rather sit on your lap, or next to you, overdoing anything else.

2. Highly Intelligent

Maine Coons are very intelligent.

This makes the Maine Coon a more interesting and curious pet to own, whilst also making them easier to train.

Maine Coons are also very emotionally-intelligent. They are good at reading your mood and adapting to the situation.

Your Maine Coon can tell if you are stressed and will try to make you feel better.

Have you ever wondered if Maine Coon cats are the smartest cat breed? If so, take a look at this!

3. Loyal

Maine Coons are incredibly loyal. They love their family more than anything in the world.

Maine Coon cats often pick one person to be their special person, then spend as much time with them as possible.

Maine Coons will be loyal to that person above all others.

4. Playful

Maine Coons are super playful. They need to play games for about 30 minutes a day to be properly stimulated.

If you are looking for a pet that loves to interact with you then the Maine Coon is the way to go.

5. Family Friendly

Maine Coons are family-friendly felines.

They love to be involved in the family unit and hang out with the gang.

These large cats have a reputation for being great with kids and are extremely tolerant of inquisitive noisy children. Many cats are not!

6. Laid Back

Maine Coons are also very chilled-out felines.

They are very laid back and prefer lounging around for most of the day.

These cats are not considered high maintenance by most standards, even compared to other breeds of cats.

Discover some more fascinating information about what the Maine Coon temperament is, by taking a look at this!

Are Maine Coons Hard To Take Care Of?

Maine Coons are generally friendly, sociable, and affectionate cats, but their large size and unique coat do require specific care.

While not difficult for experienced cat owners, Maine Coons do require attention and effort to keep them happy and healthy.

Here are the key factors to consider when taking care of a Maine Coon:

1. Grooming

• Long Coat: Maine Coons have long, thick fur that needs regular grooming. Their coat can become matted if not brushed regularly, especially in areas like the belly, armpits, and behind the ears.
• Frequency: Ideally, they should be brushed at least 2-3 times a week to prevent tangles and mats.
• Shedding: They shed year-round, with increased shedding during seasonal changes, so you’ll need to stay on top of brushing.

2. Bathing

If you teach them whilst they are still kittens, it is possible to teach a Maine Coon to be washed in the bath/sink/shower! Read more about this here.

Bathing is a great way to keep their fur clean and help remove dander and dead hairs caught up in their thick dense coats. However, NEVER wash your Maine Coon cat more than once a month, and always use these cat shampoos.

3. Diet & Nutrition

• High Protein Diet: Maine Coons are large, active cats that require a diet rich in high-quality protein to support their muscle mass and energy levels.
• Portion Control: Due to their large appetite, you’ll need to monitor portion sizes to avoid overfeeding. Obesity can be a concern, especially in indoor cats.
• Water Intake: Ensure they always have access to fresh water, as Maine Coons, like other cats, are prone to urinary tract issues.

4. Exercise & Mental Stimulation

• Active Nature: Maine Coons are playful, curious, and energetic. They need plenty of interactive playtime and opportunities to explore their environment. These cats require approximately 30 minutes of play each day to keep fit and stay physically and mentally healthy.
• Toys & Puzzles: Provide engaging toys and climbing structures to keep them entertained and prevent boredom, which can lead to destructive behavior.
• Space to Roam: They enjoy a large living space and are likely to enjoy a secure outdoor area if you’re open to supervised outdoor time.

5. Health Considerations

• Genetic Conditions: Maine Coons can be prone to certain genetic health issues like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hip dysplasia, and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
• Regular Vet Visits: Regular veterinary check-ups, including heart screenings, are essential to detect any health issues early.
• Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to prevent joint problems and obesity-related health issues.

6. Social Needs

• Affectionate Companions: Maine Coons are often described as “gentle giants” with a calm demeanor. They are social and enjoy interacting with their human family members.
• Not Solitary Cats: They can become lonely or bored if left alone for too long. They often thrive in homes with multiple people or other pets.

Maine Coon kittens should be well-socialized before you bring them home. However, this doesn’t signify the end of the process as you should strive to constantly expose them to new (and potentially scary) stimuli as often as possible.

Read this guide to understand how to socialize a Maine Coon kitten.

7. Training

• Easy to Train: Maine Coons are highly intelligent and can be trained to do tricks or use the litter box with ease. They are also known to learn commands and enjoy interactive play.
• Litter Box Maintenance: Like any cat, regular cleaning of the litter box is essential. Maine Coons are usually clean cats but may avoid using a dirty box.

8. Claw Maintenance

• Clipping Nails: Regular nail trimming is essential for indoor Maine Coons. Their large, powerful claws can grow quite long, and they may scratch furniture or people if not trimmed regularly.

Trim your indoor cat’s nails once every 3 weeks, or less if you have hardwood or stone floors that wear their claws down naturally.

Alternatively, if you are not sure about trimming your Maine Coons claws, you can either follow this guide or, invest in an extra-large cat tree that enables them to scratch and maintain their claws themselves.

9. Lifespan And Aging

• Longevity: Maine Coons generally live 12-15 years or longer with proper care. As they age, they may require adjustments in diet, exercise, and vet visits.
• Senior Care: Older Maine Coons may develop arthritis or other age-related health concerns, so keeping an eye on their mobility and overall health is important.

10. Noise Level

• Vocal Cats: Maine Coons are generally more vocal than other breeds. They may “talk” to you with chirps, trills, and meows, especially when they want attention or food.

Cat Food

The Maine Coon diet requires:

• A large amount of protein
• Small levels of fatty acids
• Low level of carbohydrates

Here are some great Maine Coon food options to consider:

1. Dry Food Diet

A dry food diet is a great all-rounder choice for most Maine Coons. It is easy for you to store and generally enjoyable for your cat to be eating regularly.

Royal Canin dry cat food is specially designed for Maine Coons and thus meets all of their nutritional needs.

2. Wet Food Diet

Wet food better emulates the Maine Coon cat’s natural eating habits and is thus more popular among many owners.

Many owners find that a mix of wet and dry works best for their Maine Coon.

A great wet food option comes from Royal Canin. They regularly have sales on so keep an eye peeled!

3. Homemade Food Diet

Homemade food can be a great option because you know exactly what goes into your cat’s food. If your cat is a fussy eater, you can also tailor the homemade food specifically to your cat’s likes and dislikes!

Try to include as many natural protein sources as you can such as chicken and duck. Salmon is also a great source of fatty acids.

A homemade cat food diet can be a little pricey compared to premade food, but the benefits are very clear.

Ongoing Costs

These big cats are well known for being costly to adopt or buy, however, the costs simply do not stop!

I’m regularly horrified by how much my two Maine Coon cats’ food bill is, especially as they are on a specialist urinary dry and wet cat food.

Budget for:

• Vet bills
• Flea / Tick Treatments
• Grooming brushes and shampoos
• Ongoing food bills
• Cat insurance
• Cost of toys and games
• Replacement cat trees and scratching posts

Pet costs only seem to be going upwards. Here are some typical annual costs to keep in mind, and please be aware they could be far bigger.

Our cat, Bali cost us a staggering GBP 3,500 last year from a single pet hospital visit. Thankfully the insurance paid for most of it, but if they hadn’t we’d have HAD TO find it, SOMEHOW. Consider the costs below as MINIMUM annual costs:

• Food: $600
• Toys: $200
• Vet Bills: $400
• Insurance: $300
• Treats: $100-200
• Extras: $50-$250
• Extra-Large Cat Tree: $50 – $350

Are Maine Coons Cats Allowed Outside?

Whilst the Maine Coon cat is technically allowed out by law, there is a huge divide in the cat-lover community about whether or not this should be the case. It’s a complex subject that can get some owners quite frustrated.

There is no definitive right or wrong answer to this question unless the owner signed a breeder contract stating the Maine Coon was not allowed to roam freely.

Ultimately, it is up to every owner to decide which side of the fence they sit on.

To help guide you in the decision of whether Maine Coon cats should be allowed outside, or not, here are the basic premise of both sides of the argument:

Why Let Maine Coons Outside?

• Cats are meant to be outdoors. Maine Coons in particular are very well adapted to living in the wild.

• It is cruel to keep a Maine Coon indoors where they may feel trapped or cramped.

• Cats are a natural part of the local ecosystem and can be used to prevent vermin e.g. mice.

• It is fun for your cat to go outside. The outside world offers ample mental stimulation for them.

Why Keep Maine Coons Indoors?

• Cats do not always come back. Whether it be from injury or something more sinister.

• Cats are vicious hunters and can devastate local ecosystems.

• Maine Coons can hurt themselves trying to jump over fencing, etc.

• Maine Coons are very valuable and may be kidnapped.

• Maine Coons can get lost and may never find their way home.

• It may go against your breeder contract and leave you legally vulnerable.

• If you live in a city it is not a nice environment for outdoor cats. Cars, buses, etc are a huge danger to them.