Can Maine Coon Cats Go Outside: Pros And Cons

This former wild cat breed is famous for being the largest domestic cat breed in the world, with a highly energetic nature, and intelligent mind. But, can Maine Coon cats go outside?

Maine Coon owners remain divided on whether the great outdoors is safe for this much-coveted cat breed. Keep reading to understand what’s best for your feline.

Maine Coons are highly energetic felines with a playful nature and a love for exploring and hunting. This much-coveted cat breed is very laid-back so can be kept as either an indoor or outdoor cat. Many pet parents prefer to keep these large cats as housecats due to the risks present in the outside world of theft, injury, and predators.

In this article, we explain the pros and cons of keeping a Maine Coon indoors or outdoors and highlight the potential dangers of BOTH options.

We’ll also give you a sneak preview of Katrina Stewardon’s latest cat research, where she reveals the percentage of Maine Coon owners keeping their cats indoors.

Can Maine Coon Cats Go Outside?

Maine Coon cats have very laid-back and sociable personalities so can be kept as either indoor or outdoor cats, depending on their owner’s preferences.

These large cats are not legally restricted to being indoor housecats, or outdoor cats, though individual country laws might alter over time.

Many pet parents prefer to keep this former farm cat as an indoor cat due to the dangers this highly-coveted cat breed faces in the outside world, including:

• Theft
• Poisoning
• Predators
• Proximity To Roads
• Injury
• Getting Lost

Some registered Maine Coon breeders include terms within their breeder contracts stating that the Maine Coon kittens they sell must be kept as indoor housecats.

Originating in Northeastern America, these big cats used their superb hunting prowess, muscular build, and powerful claws to hunt the following wild animals, before being domesticated:

• Mice
• Small Birds
• Small Rodents

Known for their highly energetic nature and great climbing abilities, owners opting to keep this cat breed indoors must therefore cater to their feline’s natural instincts to:

• Hunt
• Exercise
• Play.
• Climb

Having evolved naturally for decades, surviving the frigid cold weather of Maine, many pet parents permit these domestic cats outside time, especially those living in rural areas.

The decision to keep your feline friend as a house cat or an outdoor Maine Coon cat is filled with many considerations, but ultimately depends on:

• Where you live i.e. city or rural
• Your breeder contract
• Your personal beliefs and preferences
• Your Maine Coons happiness
• Proximity to roads

If you are keen to let these natural explorers live their best life, via access to the outside world, but are concerned your cat may get lost or stolen if permitted to roam freely, consider:

• Installing a catio or cat enclosure
• Cat-proofing your garden
• Take your cat for a walk on a leash or harness

Keep reading to discover the pros and cons of allowing a Maine Coon to roam freely outdoors.

Benefits Of Keeping A Maine Coon Cat Indoors

It is beneficial to keep your gentle giant within the safety of your home, due to the following reasons:

1. Risk Of Predators

Indoor Maine Coon cats are not at risk from predators, such as the coyote which roam many American states.

It is common in the United States for many owners to keep their Maine Coon cats indoors.

Many of the registered Maine Coon cat breeders even write this requirement into the purchasing contract.

2. Poisons

Indoor cats are not at risk of encountering chemicals or poisons that have been discarded or left lying around by humans in the outside world, e.g. rat poisoning.

Owners can ensure their home is a safe environment for their feline friends.

3. Protecting The Local Wildlife

Maine Coon cats are well known for being superb hunters, yet this isn’t exactly beneficial for the local wildlife who would likely be their prey.

Keeping your Maine Coon indoors ensure that thousands of birds and local wildlife are not killed each year, often just for fun.

Cats have been known to wipe out native populations of small animals which can negatively impact the function of entire ecosystems.

While the Maine Coon cat may have been a functional member of ecosystems in the distant past, they now tend to do more harm than good. 

4. Getting Lost Or Run Away

These large cats enjoy roaming, so may become lost outdoors if unable to find their way home.

Your cat’s love for you may be strong, but its instinctive desire to find a mate or roam can be even stronger.

Every time your cat wanders off on an outdoor adventure, there is a chance it may get lost or run away.

5. Criminals Steal Cats

Criminals often target pedigree cat breeds, such as Maine Coon that roam outdoors because they have a high resell value.

Even older Maine Coon cats are worth a considerable amount of money, in the region of $250-$650. Keeping your cat indoors keeps them safe from theft.

6. Road Traffic

Many cats are killed on the roads each year, so responsible owners keep their Maine Coon indoors to protect them from our ever-busy roads.

Cars are a serious threat to outdoor cats.

Your Maine Coon may have instinctual smarts, but they did not evolve alongside cars, which puts them at risk of injury, or worse still, death.

Many Maine Coon owners keep their Maine Coons indoors, therefore, since most developed areas are very dangerous places for your feline to wander freely.

7. Intelligent Felines

Maine Coon cats are intelligent felines often thought to be one of the Smartest Cat Breeds since they can be trained to walk on a leash or harness.

Indoor house cats can be walked outside, which gives this breed of cat safe access to the physical exercise they need, new environments, new surroundings, and more!

This is the best way to ensure these curious creatures avoid potential hazards.

8. Expensive Felines

Maine Coon kittens are expensive, with an average price tag of $1,000 per cat.

A common reason why owners keep their cats indoors is because they are protecting their investment.

9. Diseases

Outdoor cats are at greater risk of catching infectious diseases, especially if they have open wounds from fighting with another cat.

Indoor Maine Coons are far less likely to come into contact with diseases, therefore experience less health issues.

For example, if your cat picks up a zoonotic disease or certain parasites, the disease may pose a risk to the people in your family as well.

This is because zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that can be transmitted between species i.e. animal to human.

Outdoor access can also make it easier for cats to hide signs of disease since sick Maine Coons have a reputation for hiding.

An indoor lifestyle is therefore a simple preventative measure that owners take to keep their Maine Coon cat free from diseases.

It’s also worth noting that allowing a Maine Coon cat outside might make it more difficult for you to take your cat for a vet visit!

10. Longer Lifespan

Statistically, indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats. Owners can extend their cat’s lifespan by keeping their cat safe and healthy, indoors.

11. Cat-Proofing

Owners can install a catio, a cat enclosure, or cat-proof their garden to enable their indoor cat to safely enjoy the outside world if they wish.

Creating a safe outdoor space for an indoor cat is advantageous since it gives them plenty of room to roam and explore their larger territory.

12. Sociable Felines

These gentle giants are known for being sociable felines who love spending all their time with their owners, so do not stress if kept as indoor cats.

13. Varied Cat Toys

There are countless cat toys available in the shops that stimulate your Maine Coons mind, thereby keeping them happy and entertained.

These are my favorite Maine Coon Cat Toys.

14. Keeping An Eye On A Sick Cat

A sick Maine Coon is safer living indoors than outside since owners can keep a close eye on their long-haired cat’s behavior, eating habits, etc.

Maine Coons are prone to the following health conditions. It is advised cats with these conditions be kept indoors, for their own safety and health:

• Polycystic Kidney Disease
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy
• Feline Leukemia
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (Heart Disease/Heart Failure)
• Lyme Disease

15. Correct Diet

Owners know what their indoor cat is eating, whereas owners of cats roaming freely outdoors do not.

It is important to know what your cat’s diet contains since you can spot subtle changes in their food preferences and routines in a timely manner.

16. Getting Trapped

Maine Coons are naturally curious felines that may become trapped accidentally in a neighbor’s garage, or shed.

17. Fights With Other Animals

Indoor cats are not subject to fighting with other local cats that might act aggressively towards your Maine Coon.

18. Curiosity

Maine Coon cats are naturally curious felines. This sense of curiosity may pose a danger to them in the outside world.

19. Peace Of Mind

Owners that keep their Maine Coon indoors do not have to worry or stress about their cat’s safety.

20. Stay Clean

Indoor cats do not get as dirty as outdoor cats because they do not come into contact with dirty puddles, and mud. Your house and cat in turn stay clean!

21. Risk Of Injury

Nature is not humane and even cats with great instincts can make mistakes.

Bites from other animals, injuries from falls, and ingesting toxic items are just a few of the injuries an outdoor cat can accidentally sustain.

Individuals who support the idea that Maine Coons should be kept indoors point out that indoor Maine Coon cats are less likely to get injured.

Reasons To Let Maine Coon Outside

Outdoor time is essential for your Maine Coon cat’s health, happiness, and overall sense of well-being.

To get a well-rounded answer to the query, can Maine Coon cats go outside, we will now explore the advantages of letting these large cats outdoors.

Below are the key reasons why a responsible owner allows their feline outside:

1. Healthy Cat Claws

Outdoor Maine Coons keep their claws in a healthy condition by climbing and scratching trees, so do not need their claws trimmed on a weekly basis.

2. Marking Their Territory

Although Maine Coon are not considered highly territorial felines, the act of scratching outside enables them to mark their territory, warning off potential predators.

Outdoor Maine Coons are less likely to scratch your furniture, since they scratch and maintain their claws whilst outside.

3. Smarter Than You Think

Whilst road traffic will always be a risk to any cat permitted to roam freely outside, this extra-large cat breed is considered one of the Smartest Cats In The World.

Many cat experts think the Maine Coon cat’s higher level of intelligence makes them safer around roads and traffic, than the average cat.

4. Exercise

These highly energetic felines require plenty of exercise each day to prevent them from becoming overweight.

Outdoor Maine Coons have ample opportunities to run, climb, hunt, and generally exercise their muscular frame.

5. Playtime

The outdoor world is the Maine Coon cat’s natural habitat and gives them many opportunities for physical exercise, and playtime.

Whilst indoor cats rely on cat toys to stimulate play, outdoor Maine Coons have ample ways to entertain themselves, e.g. chasing a leaf blowing in the wind, or hunting live prey.

6. Scents And Smells

Outdoor smells and tastes are exciting and enjoyable for a Maine Coon.

7. Cruelty

Many cat lovers consider keeping a cat indoors to be cruel, and unkind. They argue that cats should be free to roam the outdoor world, so they live a full and happy life.

8. Cost Shouldn’t Be A Factor

Forcing a Maine Coon to stay indoors simply because the average Maine Coon kitten costs $1,000 is cruel. Cats are living creatures and they deserve freedom as much as we do.

If cost is a factor in your decision-making factor, consider purchasing a less expensive cat breed rather than an expensive pedigree Maine Coon!

9. Responsible Owners Get Their Cats Vaccinated

Whilst indoor cats are less likely to encounter feline diseases, this doesn’t mean that every Maine Coon should be kept indoors.

Instead, responsible cat owners ensure their cats have received all the necessary vaccinations to prevent them from contracting diseases.

The best Maine Coon breeders also scan their breeding cats for signs of disease, prior to breeding their cats, further reducing the chance of a cat disease.

10. Cat Proofing Is Inhumane

Catproofing a garden is effectively keeping a Maine Coon cat as a prisoner within their home!

Many cat parents consider restricting a cat within a home to be cruel and unkind.

Freedom is important, and while we often focus on its context about people, it can also be applied to cats.

Depending on personal beliefs, keeping a Maine Coon indoors can feel like a denial of their freedom.

Recognition of their ancestors’ wild lives can strengthen these beliefs, making an indoor life seem both unnatural and restrictive.

11. Psychological Damage

Indoor Maine Coons can suffer from boredom, and depression because they do not have access to the outside world that offers them a variety of mental stimulation.

Cats are naturally outdoor animals and gain mental stimulation from exploring and interacting with the world around them.

12. Curiosity

Maine Coon cats are natural explorers that thrive when permitted to venture outside.

These curious felines enjoy scouting their territory and interacting with the outside world.

13. Prevents Obesity

Indoor Maine Coons are more prone to obesity than outdoor Maine Coon cats because they are only able to interact with interactive toys or play with their owners.

By contrast, outdoor cats tend to burn off more calories by interacting with the continual source of stimuli around them, e.g:

• Climbing Trees
• Hunting Prey
• Running
• Playing

14. No Need For A Litter Tray!

Permitting a Maine Coon outside will negate the need for you to clean your cat’s litter tray every day, saving you time and money.

Cat litter can also cause blindness in young children who come into contact with it.

This is a huge risk for families with young children since small particles of cat litter are easily spread throughout the home, as a cat steps out of their litter tray.

15. Chewing Grass

Cats often chew grass if they are not feeling well to make themselves physically sick, thereby expelling the food that does not agree with their stomach.

16. Tracking Your Cat

Although the curious Maine Coon can become trapped whilst outdoors, owners can alleviate this concern by purchasing a cat tracker to locate a cat that may be lost.

17. Enrichment

A monotonous life is suitable for very few organisms, and the Maine Coon is not one of them.

Cats are animals with a seemingly endless sense of curiosity. In the wild, they engage with countless new stimuli that satisfy that curiosity.

Due to their wild ancestry, Maine Coons display classic feline curiosity mixed with strong instincts to hunt.

This large cat breed is hard-wired to hunt and explore wild landscapes, thus many Maine Coon owners consider denying forms of enrichment that satisfy these instincts to be inhumane.

18. Genetics And Breed History

The Maine Coon cat is physically designed to survive in the outside world. For starters, its majestic fur coat has three layers!

These layers include two short thick, and dense coats, and a longer outer guard coat, which all ensure the cat stays warm even in the most frigid Winter climates.

The Maine Coon fur is also insulated and partly water-repellent for harsh winter weather, snow, and water, making them suited to going outside.

This famous cat breed has an intense prey drive and a reputation for being a great hunter. It can therefore look after itself!

In many ways, a house is a stark contrast to the environment the Maine Coons ancestors evolved in to survive.

For some people, these factors alone are motivating enough reasons that make them prioritize outdoor access for their Maine Coons.

Which Option Is Best?

The best option is for pet parents to create a safe environment within their garden or backyard where their Maine Coon can play safely outdoors, under their watchful eye.

If you have an enclosed area, i.e. a courtyard with tall fences or a wall that your Maine Coon will not be able to climb or jump, consider allowing your cat time outside.

Alternatively, you could build a cat run for the garden, or a catio to enable your cat to experience the outdoors safely.

Time outdoors is beneficial for a Maine Coon because the outside world is full of excitement, play, and enrichment for felines.

Before allowing your Maine Coon to explore outside, make sure you know How High Maine Coon Cats Can Jump!

Should I Let My Maine Coon Outside?

Maine Coons are laidback so can be kept as indoor or outdoor pets. However, Many owners keep Maine Coons indoors to protect them from potential predators and traffic.

This coveted breed is also at risk of being stolen for resale. Before letting your cat outside, review the cat’s safety i.e. existing cat-proofing, local wildlife, and breeder contract.

The answer to outdoor access is owner-specific. Ultimately, Maine Coon cats can live as indoor or outdoor cats, but owners must consider their cat’s safety before allowing a cat to roam freely.

Cat Research Study 2023

In November 2023, Katrina Stewardson (Director Of Maine Coon Central) conducted a poll on the Maine Coon Central YouTube Community Channel.

130 voters were asked to categorize their Maine Coon into one of the following options, in regards to what type of cat they owned:

• Indoor cat
• Indoor cat with access to cat-proofed garden or catio
• Outdoor cat
• A mixture of indoor and outdoor (weather-dependent)

The initial findings of this cat study were that a staggering 68% of voters kept their Maine Coon as an indoor cat, whereas only 2% of voters owned outdoor cats.

A relatively large proportion of 18% of voters opted to keep their Maine Coon as a ‘Mixture of Indoor And Outdoor (Weather Dependent)’.

Surprisingly, only 13% of owners stated that they had a cat-proofed garden or catio.

Are Maine Coons Good House Cats?

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the reasons why some Maine Coon owners permit their cats to roam freely, whereas other cat owners do not.

Let’s take a closer look at the Maine Coon personality, to understand if Maine Coons make good house cats, or not.

Friendly

Are Maine Coon cats friendly?

Yes, Maine Coons have a reputation for being extra-friendly felines.

This sociable cat breed loves to spend quality time with its owners.

Affectionate Companions

Are Maine Coons affectionate companions?

Otherwise known as a gentle giant, the Maine Coon cat breed is thought to be loving without being too clingy.

Energetic And Entertaining

Are Maine Coons energetic and entertaining?

If you know what you are signing up for, you can keep your Maine Coon indoors.

This cat breed is very entertaining when they have plenty of places to climb and play.

Here are the best extra-large Maine Coon cat trees, to keep your cat entertained.

Just make sure your cat has enough space to engage their natural behaviors, and plenty of Maine Coon cat toys, so they do not take their boredom out on your furniture!

Here are some great Maine Coon cat toys, that are not only fun but also stimulate your intelligent felines’ mental capacity.

Family Friendly

Are Maine Coon cats family-friendly?

When properly introduced, this breed is known to be a gentle and playful companion for other pets and children.

Learn how to introduce your Maine Coon cat to a new baby, in this article.

Conclusion

Throughout this article, we’ve covered the pros and cons of letting a Maine Coon roam outside. So, can Maine Coon cats go outside? What’s the verdict?

Maine Coons can be kept as either indoor housecats or outdoor cats. The decision to let a Maine Coon outside rests with the cat owner, their personal situation, and the potential threats the cat faces outside.

Pet parents who signed a breeder contract stating the cat would be kept indoors will need to abide by the contract’s terms and conditions.

If you opt to keep your Maine Coon indoors, it is a good idea to take your cat for regular walks outside on a harness so they benefit from the outdoors, safely.