Are Maine Coons Hyper?

One characteristic we often associate with young kittens is hyperactivity, as any cat owner will tell you. But are Maine Coons hyper even as they mature?

Are Maine Coons Hyper?

Adult Maine Coons are not particularly hyper but do have a reputation for being infantlike and goofy throughout their lives. Their temperament is playful, and energetic, but not overly hyperactive compared to other cat breeds.

By comparison, Maine Coon kittens are very hyper and love to explore and play non-stop, though they will noticeably calm down after 6 months old.

Owners should purchase plenty of mentally stimulating cat toys to keep their cats physically active and mentally engaged. Failure to provide toys for your kitten may lead to boredom and destruction.

It is important to note, however, that Maine Coon kittens are no more hyper as kittens than any other cat breed.

Although not hyper, these cats still enjoy zoomies where they race around your house in a manic fashion! Bursts of high energy are short-lived, and pass when your cat has worn itself out.

Are Maine Coons High Energy?

Maine Coons may not be known for being hyperactive but that does not mean they are not still bundles of energy just waiting to go off!

Keep in mind that Maine Coons can be high energy especially when their needs are not being met.

To ensure that you are meeting all of their needs and are not creating a hyperactive Maine Coon kitten or cat, here are the most common causes of an overly energetic Maine Coon:

1. Lack Of Stimulation

Lack of stimulation is one of the biggest causes of an overly energetic Maine Coon.

If they cannot work off their stored energy by playing games with you for about 30 minutes a day, your Maine Coon cat will likely display hyperactive behavioral traits.

They are going to end up resorting to spending hours each day catapulting themselves around your home and being potentially quite destructive.

2. Not Enough Space

If Maine Coons do not have enough space to roam around, especially males, they can become quite energetic and hyperactive as overcompensation for lack of room to move.

If you are hoping to leave a Maine Coon alone in a small apartment all day every day, well, that is just not going to work for this cat breed. Your Maine Coon cat will quickly let you know that they are unhappy and on edge.

3. Social Needs Not Met

If your Maine Coons social needs are unmet they will likely become overactive and potentially destructive.

You should not leave a Maine Coon alone for more than 5-6 hours, regularly to ensure your Maine Coon is not becoming stressed and lonely.

If you Maine Coon becomes stressed, this is what you need to do.

4. Lack Of Toys And Equipment

Maine Coons love to play with cat toys and climb.

If your Maine Coon is struggling with a lack of access to toys like balls and feathers as well as cat trees or other climbing equipment they are going to have to expend their energy in other ways.

These are my favorite Maine Coon cat toys, which have been hugely successful at keeping our male Maine Coon cat stimulated throughout the day.

If you haven’t yet invested in an extra-large cat tower, these cat trees have been rated highly by the cat-lover community.

What Age Do Maine Coons Calm Down?

Maine Coons are well known for being active cats and while they are not always necessarily hyperactive adults, they will always enjoy a good game or a quick sprint around the home.

Like all kittens, they tend to be quite energetic which will naturally leave you wondering when will my Maine Coon calm down?

Energetic kittens are cute and entertaining, no doubt, but they can also be pretty darn mentally draining.

You will be relieved to hear that Maine Coon growth stages are often well ahead of other cat breeds (mentally, not physically).

So luckily, by 6 months old Maine Coon kittens tend to have outgrown the manic kitten phase and are well on their way to becoming lovely, slightly calmer, and collected adult cats.

Keep in mind, however, that Maine Coons often start to become a little more energetic and territorial when they are about 9-12 months old.

This is only for a few weeks/months though, as they adapt to adulthood.

This is nothing to worry about and is perfectly normal for male and female Maine Coon cats, though it is more prevalent in males.

When To Neuter A Maine Coon

If you are planning on neutering your Maine Coon the best time to do so is between four and six months old.

Anything younger than this will leave your Maine Coon kitten at risk of anesthesia-related complications and no vet worth their salt would perform the procedure.

Whilst it is possible to wait until your Maine Coon is older than six months, you need to factor in that your Maine Coon will start to begin puberty not long after the 6-month mark.

It is generally considered best to perform the procedure ahead of puberty.

If you are unsure when to neuter your Maine Coon kitten, read this article. Alternatively, speak to your vet about what is best for you and your cat.