Characteristics – Maine Coon Central

Maine Coons are well known the world over for being loving, affectionate, and oversized cuddle monsters. But are Maine Coon cats naughty? These large cats have a reputation for being highly playful, but does this transcends into naughty Maine Coon antics too? Keep reading to find out! Maine Coons are not well known for being naughty by nature, though they are certainly capable of behaving in less-than-ideal manners. Maine Coons are pretty chilled out cats, even by cat standards, though they are prone to acting out if they feel unloved or under appreciated. Are Maine Coons divas or do they just have genuine needs that must be met to feel happy and secure in their homes? Stick with us to find out more about what might cause naughtiness in Maine Coons and what you can do to fix it. Are Maine Coon Cats Naughty? The Maine Coon is a breed that has been steeped in mystery and intrigue for the past few hundred years. The more we think we know about these cats the less we seem to be certain of them. Where did they come from? Why are they so predominantly adoring despite having evolved to be fiercely capable of holding their own in the bitter winter wilderness of rural Maine? These wildly popular and gorgeous cats are starting to become more "Maine stream" (sorry, had to) and that has led to some confusion about who they are and how their mind works. If you are planning on buying a Maine Coon kitten, you might rightly be asking are Maine Coons naughty? This is a good question and one that all owners should ask before deciding whether or not the Maine Coon is the right breed of cat for them. There is nothing wrong with having a naughty Maine Coon now and again, but no one wants a "Dennis the Menace" type relationship with their cat! The truth of the matter is that Maine Coons are not likely to be overly naughty on a day-to-day basis, but they are prone to acting out when things don't quite go their way! These large cats are not naughty by nature and you will be hard-pressed to find a well-loved Maine Coon that is overtly chaotic and mischievous beyond the point of endearing. Sure, every cat is different and some Maine Coons will be "naughtier" than others. But as a rule, and as a breed, they are not known for being destructive or violent, more so possessive and protective. However, it is worth noting that a Maine Coon might become naughty and destructive if bored. Or, if they feel neglected on an emotional level. If you were looking for a cat that could be left alone for hours, even days, at a time to care for itself you are barking up the wrong tree. The Maine Coon is not that breed. Maine Coons have high levels of social needs and require lots of love and attention to be happy and stable. If you leave your Maine Coon alone all day every day for 12 hours at a time it is only a matter of time before they start to take their frustrations out on your furniture. You must also consider that the younger a Maine Coon cat is, the more likely they are to be naughty. Young cats, even kittens, are less likely to have a firm understanding of what is okay and what is not okay and therefore are more likely to act out. Accidently or not. Are Maine Coon kittens naughty? The truth is yes, but no more so than any other kittens. A Maine Coon kitten will scratch, cry, and chew the furniture. But this is part of them growing up, they are exploring their new world, and you need to have a little patience with them. Examples Of Naughty Behavior In Maine Coons We have established that Maine Coons are not super naughty all the time but certainly can be if given the right motivation. So, what are the most common Maine Coon behavioral problems, why might a Maine Coon cat be aggressive to other cats, and what should you as the owner be on the lookout for? Here are some of the most prevalent examples of naughty Maine Coon cat behavior: Biting If you have ever caught yourself wondering why does my Maine Coon bite me, the answer is likely that you Maine Coon cat is frustrated by something. Biting is a common manifestation of frustration and a way of demonstrating said frustration to you. Your Maine Coon, unfortunately, is not a good verbal communicator so biting is one of their methods of displaying discontent. Here are 10 reasons why your Maine Coon cat might bite you. Why Your Maine Coon Bites You Hissing Many owners, at one time or another, will catch themselves wondering why does my Maine Coon hiss at me? And it is understandable, it's an awful feeling when your Maine Coon hisses at you because it makes you doubt your relationship with them at that moment. Keep in mind that all cats hiss and I doubt you'd ever find any cat owner who has not been hissed at by their precious kitty at least once. Hissing is an expression of fear or stress and is common when Maine Coons are frustrated with their current situation. It is also often done out of fear, even if it is just a gentle way of telling you to give them some space (source 1). Scratching Furniture Maine Coons can become prone to taking their frustrations out on your furniture. This is especially if you have not provided them with an adequate alternative like a Maine Coon sized scratching post, like this awesome extra-large cat scratching post sold on Amazon: Buy Now On Amazon It is worth noting, however, that scratching your furniture may not always be a sign of frustration, it may simply be due to a lack of alternatives. If you have plenty of scratching alternatives, and your Maine Coon is still destroying your living room, there is more at play. Boredom and loneliness are often at the heart of the problem. Peeing Outside The Litterbox Cats are generally very agreeable about where they can go to the bathroom. Training a cat to use a litterbox is so much easier than teaching a puppy not to go potty in the house. If your Maine Coon seems like they have suddenly forgotten where its litter box is there is a very high chance they are intentionally trying to annoy you to prove a point! Maine Coons will make their displeasure with their situation clear in many ways, and unfortunately, peeing all over your carpet is one of them. Here are some great extra-large cat litter boxes, ideal for the Maine Coon cat's huge size. Overprotective Unfortunately, Maine Coons can become very overprotective as a manifestation of separation anxiety. Learn more about Maine Coon separation anxiety in this article dedicated to fixing the issue. If you have ever asked the question why does my Maine Coon bite me, overprotectiveness is likely the answer. Additionally, if you have ever had your Maine Coon cat attack family members for seemingly no reason, chances are your Maine Coon is feeling overprotective of either one particular person or a particular space. If this becomes a constant issue, it might be that your Maine Coon does not have enough room to roam inside your house. Furthermore, if this overprotective behavior has come on suddenly, you may need to examine how much quality time you are spending with your Maine Coon. Why Is My Maine Coon So Naughty? Your Maine Coon almost certainly does not intend to be naughty! Do Maine Coon cats have an attitude when they are frustrated or upset? Yes, but they are doing so as a way of communicating their feelings toward you. Maine Coons are unlikely to be naughty just for the sake of it. In that regard, it is important to distinguish juvenile playing and mischief from outwardly bad Maine Coon behavior like ripping up cushions on the couch. Here is our Maine Coon guide to the causes of cat naughtiness and bad cat behavior: 1. Loneliness Maine Coon cats hate being left alone. Here's how long you can leave a Maine Coon cat on its own. Even as a full-grown adult a Maine Coon should not be left alone for more than 8-10 hours at a time. Longer than this can be stressful and upsetting for your Maine Coon cat as they are extremely social beings. It is almost impossible to spend every second of every day with your Maine Coon, but you should make an effort to be home as much as possible. Even if you are not exactly "hanging out" together. Your presence is calming and reassuring. Try to avoid leaving your Maine Coon for more than 6-8 hours at a time. Once now and again is understandable but if it is a daily thing, your Maine Coon will begin to suffer. 2. Lack Of Stimulation A bored Maine Coon is a naughty Maine Coon! Maine Coons need physical and mental stimulation throughout the day to keep them happy and interested. Maine Coons are great at playing games and generally need about 30 minutes of games each day to ensure they are properly stimulated. This could be training sessions, throwing a ball, or chasing a feather. Typical cat stuff is all good. If you are feeling worn out after a long day at work, a cat laser pointer like this one sold on Amazon is great for keeping your Maine Coon cat entertained. These are my favorite Maine Coon cat toys, that our own Maine Coon cat LOVES! 5 Best Maine Coon Cat Toys 3. Lack Of Space Maine Coons are big cats. At least by house cat standards. If they do not have adequate space to roam around inside your (their) home they are going to become frustrated and bored. This can lead to behaviors like scratching furniture and them becoming territorial. Here's what to do if this happens. When there is not enough space to go around, your Maine Coon will (sometimes aggressively) try to claim some of what space is available for themself. Maine Coons need a very large apartment or small house at the minimum. If you are living in a studio, or even a one-bedroom apartment you likely don't have enough room. Make sure you read this guide to determine whether a Maine Coon cat can realistically live in an apartment. Can Maine Coons Live In Apartments 4. Adolescence The younger your Maine Coon is the more likely they are to misbehave. This is only natural, it is the same way with human children as it is with feline children. You partially just have to bare the brunt of it for as long as you can while ensuring you nip any overly bad cat behavior (like scratching) in the bud as soon as possible. As your Maine Coon grows up it will become more and more likely to forgo naughty behavior rather than jump at the chance to be juvenile and chaos ensuing. Maine Coons mature emotionally (mostly) at about 1 year old. 5. Injury Or Illness If your Maine Coon has suddenly begun misbehaving, with no change in your daily schedule and lifestyle, it can be a little alarming. Be aware that this could be due to a hidden cat injury or illness. When Maine Coons are injured or ill they feel extremely vulnerable and can become quite skittish and potentially aggressive if they feel threatened. Sometimes cat illness' can be mood and mind-altering for your cat so if in doubt it is always a good idea to see your vet and have them checked out. How To Discipline A Maine Coon Cat Disciplining a cat is very difficult, purely because it is very unlikely that your cat will connect the action that you are punishing with the punishment. It is far more likely that your Maine Coon will simply think you are lashing out at them out of spite. This will not affect their naughty behavior but will make them less receptive to your commands and more likely to misbehave in the future. Which is the opposite effect of what we are after! It is far easier for us to understand the behavior of our Maine Coon, than for a Maine Coon cat to interpret human actions against them. How To Deal With Cat Behavior Problems Bad behavior in Maine Coon cats should be dealt with in the following ways: 1. Re-Focussing A quick and simple method of disciplining your Maine Coon can be to quickly refocus them from whatever it is they were doing along with the word "No" firmly, and loudly, but not yelling. For example, if your Maine Coon is on the dining room table and they are not supposed to be, the word "No" combined with literally picking them up off the dining table is all you need to do. 2. Positive Reinforcement Positive reinforcement is the only way you should combat major bad behaviors. Instead of punishing bad behavior, reward good behavior. Let's say your Maine Coon is howling incessantly for no reason. Don't yell at them. Reward them when they stop. 3. Repetition Repetition is included purely because it is something you need to bear in mind. If you are trying to prevent your Maine Coon from doing something, it may take you 100 times of picking them up off the dining table and putting them on the floor before they eventually stop doing it entirely. Don't give up and don't lose your temper. How To Discipline A Cat Bad behaviors in Maine Coon cats should NOT be dealt with by doing any of the following (source 1): Yelling Yelling at your Maine Coon is not only cruel but confusing for them. They do not know why you are yelling, nor do they know what on earth you are saying. They just see an angry person and feel scared and unsure of themselves. Hitting Never hit your Maine Coon. Tapping them gently alongside the word "No" is about as severe a physical punishment as you should dish out. Water Spray Bottles Some people like to use water bottles to spray their Maine Coon when they are doing something wrong. This might work for some people but many professionals would argue that it is cruel and confusing. Your Maine Coon will be unlikely to connect the spray bottle punishment to the behavior you are trying to prevent. Withholding Food Or Water Never withhold food, water, or love from your Maine Coon. You are certainly disciplining them but you are also abusing them and they will NOT understand why. Conclusion So, are Maine Coons naughty? The simple answer is not really. They can act out from time to time but if you take good care of them and ensure their social and spacial needs are well met, you will find that they are an easy going cat breed. Remember, if your Maine Coon is being particularly naughty there is a very high chance that there is an underlying issue at play that is causing your cat to act out. It is more common in kittens but can happen in adult cats, and even senior Maine Coons too. Many people mistake a Maine Coon that is acting out as a Maine Coon that dislikes its owner, but this is not the case. Even if your Maine Coon is being aggressive towards you it could simply be a sign that you are leaving them alone too long. The question of how to get a Maine Coon to like you is a common one for people with naughty Maine Coon cats. The real question should be how can I better care for my Maine Coon so they do not act out as much. Related Questions Maine Coon Bite Force The bite force for all domestic cats sits at 20-75 PSI (pounds per square inch). Since Maine Coons are larger, with larger jaws and stronger muscles, they are at the upper end of that range and may even surpass it (especially in strong cats). Can A Maine Coon Kill A Human Not only would a Maine Coon be unable to kill a human, but it would also be unwilling to try. Maine Coons are not aggressive by nature and generally enjoy being around people. However, a Maine Coon bite to a human artery could cause death if not treated immediately. Why Does My Maine Coon Follow Me Everywhere Maine Coons love to spend time with their family, especially their favorite family member. Maine Coons will follow their person around the house as they prefer to be with you than on their own.