Are Maine Coons Stubborn?
If you have fallen in love with the Maine Coon cat breed and are wondering how difficult it will be to train your giant cat, you might be wondering, are Maine Coons stubborn?
A stubborn cat can be difficult to care for, so it is important to research thoroughly before bringing home a cat breed that you have never had before.
Maine Coons are not generally stubborn. These intelligent cats are much easier to train than the average cat, and they readily learn all sorts of tricks. A cat’s stubbornness also depends on the way it was raised, so it is important to practice obedience training at a young age, regardless of the cat’s breed.
Getting a new cat is a huge decision, especially if you want to get an expensive breed like a Maine Coon.
It is therefore very important to learn about the Maine Coon breed temperament and personality thoroughly, to make sure it is a good fit for your family and lifestyle.
Read on to find out all about the incredible Maine Coon personality.
Are Maine Coons Stubborn?
The Maine Coon is an enormous breed, which has become famous for being the largest domestic cat breed in the entire world.
Maine Coons are rugged, intelligent cats that were historically kept by farmers and sailors to keep away mice and other pests.
Today, though, they have skyrocketed in popularity, and are now one of the most popular cat breeds out there!
The Maine Coon size compared to that of human beings can make these cats appear daunting, at first glance, causing many potential owners to wonder if these large cats are stubborn or difficult to train.
If you have been looking at Maine Coon kittens for sale, you might begin to wonder if this breed will be a good fit for you, especially if you do not have much experience training cats.
In general, though, Maine Coons are actually much less stubborn than the average cat, and they can easily learn all sorts of tricks!
Here’s a great article that shows you how to teach a Maine Coon cat to play fetch!!
While a cat’s personality will still vary based on an individual cat’s environment and genetics, Maine Coons are known to share a similar temperament.
Here are some of the most common Maine Coon personality traits:
1. Intelligent
Maine Coons are one of the most intelligent cat breeds in the world.
The usual cat toys and games often end up boring them, as they prefer interesting puzzles and more complicated chasing and climbing games.
Maine Coons also learn tricks easily, and can even be trained to walk on a leash just like a dog!
2. Affectionate
One of the most amazing aspects of the Maine Coon temperament is how loving and affectionate this breed is.
While they usually are not clingy or needy, they love spending time around their owners and will happily follow you unobtrusively around the house.
If you are keen to learn why Maine Coon cats follow their owners around the house, read this article I wrote.
3. Gentle
Maine Coons are patient, gentle creatures.
They make wonderful family pets, because they typically become close companions with other cats and dogs, and they get along very well with children.
4. Social
This is a highly social breed that thrives on companionship.
While they are not usually clingy, they do need plenty of attention from their owners.
If they do not get much attention from their humans, then they will need another cat or dog to keep them company.
5. Playful
Maine Coons are also incredibly playful. They have a very high prey drive and love to chase and pounce after anything that moves!
These active cats need lots of exercise, so it is important to provide cat trees and places to climb, as well as lots of play time each day.
When comparing male vs female Maine Coons, females tend to be even more playful and active, because they typically have stronger hunting instincts.
Pros And Cons Of Maine Coon Cats
The Maine Coon is one of the most popular cat breeds in the world, but every cat comes with its own challenges.
Here are some of the pros and cons of owning a Maine Coon, so you can decide for yourself whether this breed is a good fit for you:
Pros Of Owning A Maine Coon Cat
They Are Easy To Train
Since Maine Coons are so intelligent, they are incredibly easy to train.
This means that not only can you teach them all sorts of tricks, but they are also easier to train to stay off of tables or counters.
Maine Coon cats can even be trained to walk on a leash and harness!
They Make Great Family Pets
Maine Coons are gentle and patient, so they get along really well with cats, dogs, and even children.
Many cat breeds can become overwhelmed by large families, but the Maine Coon fits in well with just about any living situation, so long as they are given their own space to escape to if they ever get overwhelmed.
Is there enough room for a Maine Coon cat to live in an apartment, though? Find out here.
They Are Healthy
Many purebred cats suffer from a variety of inherited genetic conditions, but Maine Coons are one of the healthier cat breeds.
While they can still inherit some genetic conditions (top 7 Maine Coon health problems), good breeders screen all of their cats before breeding them, to prevent any inherited illnesses.
The Maine Coon lifespan is between 12 and 15 years old, making them hardy and long-lived cat breed.
Cons Of Owning A Maine Coon Cat
They Are Expensive
Raising Maine Coons takes a lot of money and hard work, which is why breeders have to charge high fees for these cats (latest Maine Coon purchase costs).
On average, a Maine Coon will cost between $1,000 and $2,500, which is certainly too much for some people.
Although, if you ask any owner of this breed, are Maine Coons worth the money, their answer will almost certainly be yes. Here are 13 reasons not to buy a Maine Coon cat though!
However, price is still one of the common reasons not to get a Maine Coon, and if you cannot afford one, you may still be lucky enough to find an intelligent, loving Maine Coon cat from a shelter.
They Need Lots Of Enrichment
Maine Coons are playful, intelligent cats that need a lot of exercise and stimulation to keep from getting bored.
If they do not get enough time or space to climb, run, and play, they might take out their pent-up energy on your carpet or furniture.
This is one of the most common problems with Maine Coon cats, as many owners do not realize just how much exercise they need.
They Shed A Lot
Long-haired cats, like the Maine Coon, shed a lot.
Their long thick fur also needs to be brushed at least twice a week.
Their fur can be challenging to maintain, especially because the long tufts of fur around their paws, belly, and backside can easily become tangled and dirty.
However, they are not much more difficult to groom than the average longhaired cat.
Are Maine Coons Difficult?
Some cat breeds are notoriously different to handle, but is the Maine Coon breed any different?
Overall, these cats are mellow and easy to care for, but they can be difficult in some situations.
Here are some possible ways your Maine Coon might be difficult:
- Destructive Behavior: Maine Coons can become destructive if they do not get enough playtime, exercise, or mental stimulation. You should keep a rotation of exciting toys, and provide plenty of space to climb, jump, and run around.
- Aggression: Most Maine Coons are gentle and loving, but they can become aggressive if they feel unsafe or threatened. For example, maybe your other household pets are acting aggressively toward the Maine Coon? Or, do family members disrespect your cat’s boundaries? If so, these are possible reasons why your Maine Coon is acting aggressively.
- Territoriality: Your Maine Coon might become territorial or shy if it feels its space has been invaded. If you have a crowded household with lots of children or pets, it is important that your Maine Coon has its own safe space to escape to. Otherwise, it may feel threatened, and try to defend its territory.
Are Maine Coons Cuddly?
Maine Coon cats are incredibly social, and they love hanging out with their owners.
While they tend not to like being picked up as often as some of the cuddliest breeds, such as Ragdolls or Persians, they still love a good cuddle.
Male Maine Coons tend to be more cuddly than females, but your cat’s cuddliness will also depend on its unique personality.
Are Maine Coons Hypoallergenic?
Maine Coon cats are not technically hypoallergenic.
However, despite having long, thick fur that sheds a lot, they are better for allergy sufferers than many other cat breeds due to their Fel d1 protein levels.
Read my article to discover why the Maine Coon cat is more hypoallergenic than many cat breeds.
Are Maine Coons Dangerous?
If you have children or small pets, it is natural to wonder, are Maine Coons aggressive. After all, these cats are very large, so are Maine Coons safe to keep around your family?
While a scared Maine Coon could lash out to defend itself, a well-socialized Maine Coon poses virtually no threat to its family members.
A Maine Coon can scratch and bite, however, which can become dangerous if the wounds are left untreated and become infected.
Overall, though, they are not a dangerous cat breed unless they are improperly socialized or feel unsafe or threatened in their environment.
Conclusion
If you have been wanting to bring home a cat, but are unsure whether you’ll be able to train it, you are likely wondering, are Maine Coons stubborn?
The truth of the matter is that Maine Coons are incredibly intelligent, social creatures, and they are rarely ever stubborn.
They easily learn tricks and commands and respond well to training so long as you are consistent and start at a young age.
Related Questions
Are Maine Coons Messy?
While cats are generally tidy creatures, Maine Coons have a habit of playing with their food and water dishes, which can sometimes make a mess.
Why Is My Maine Coon So Needy?
If your Maine Coon is constantly begging for your attention, it could be suffering from separation anxiety, or you may not be giving it enough attention.