Real Pros And Cons Of Owning A Maine Coon Cat (From 13+ Years Of Experience)
Maine Coon cats are often described as gentle giants – affectionate, intelligent, and dog-like in personality. But living with one is very different from admiring them online.
I’ve owned Maine Coons for over 13 years, including raising Pippin from a tiny kitten and later adopting two adult Maine Coons, Mika and Bali.
Across those years, I’ve experienced everything from extreme affection and intelligence to expensive vet bills, behavioural challenges, heavy shedding, and the emotional toll of serious health issues.
If you’re considering this breed, this article shares the real pros and cons of owning a Maine Coon cat, based not on theory but on lived experience.
To understand whether a Maine Coon fits your expectations, start with the essential overview in What is a Maine Coon.
🐾 The Real Pros And Cons Of Maine Coon Cats
🐱 Maine Coons Are Gentle Giants – But Not Always!
Maine Coons are widely known for their calm and friendly temperament, and in many ways, this reputation is deserved. All three of my Maine Coons have been affectionate, people-focused cats.
However, being a “gentle giant” does not mean they never lash out.
Pippin developed arthritis and mild hip dysplasia as he aged. His fur was prone to painful knots, and brushing often caused discomfort, which led to defensive behaviour. He would lash out when grooming sessions became painful.
Mika, adopted at the age of four, remains highly sensitive to overstimulation. Even at eight years old (2026), he can switch quickly from enjoying affection to needing space. Overstimulation may happen during play or stroking and can escalate within seconds.
Something as small as the sound of trainers on our wooden floors causes Mika visible anxiety. He will run and hide despite there being no real threat – a reminder that temperament is deeply influenced by early life experiences.
Bali, by comparison, is the classic gentle giant. He adores affection and physical contact, though he still displays nervous traits likely linked to limited socialisation as a kitten.
Why does this happen?
Maine Coons are extremely sensitive to physical discomfort. Pain from arthritis, hip dysplasia, dental disease, matting, or overstimulation can trigger defensive behaviour even in otherwise gentle cats.
What appears as aggression is often a protective response to discomfort rather than a personality flaw.
Early Socialisation Shapes Personality For Life
Pippin was raised from a young kitten, which made a profound difference to his confidence.
He greeted visitors at the door, happily approached strangers, and adapted easily to household noise and activity. He even went on holiday with us for two weeks in France! He learned household rules early and followed simple commands.
By contrast, Mika and Bali were adopted at four years old. Their personalities were already formed.
Initially, they would sprint toward any open door and nearly knock us over trying to escape outside. Over time, their behaviour improved – today they often sit and chirp politely while waiting for the door to open, but the difference between kitten-raised and adult-adopted cats remains clear.
Early socialisation has a lasting impact on confidence. Kittens exposed to household noise, strangers, children, and handling between 2 and 9 weeks of age are significantly more adaptable as adults.
Cats adopted later in life may still be loving companions, but their fear responses and tolerance thresholds are usually more fixed.
👶 Maine Coons And Children
Pippin grew up alongside my son Zachary and seemed to instinctively understand that children move unpredictably. He tolerated clumsy strokes and formed a deep bond with him.
Since adopting Bali, a similar bond has developed, but our children understand they must be more cautious around Mika. He was not raised with children and may lash out if startled by sudden movement.
This doesn’t make him aggressive; it simply reflects his early environment.
Exceptionally Intelligent – Sometimes Too Intelligent
Maine Coons are among the most intelligent domestic cat breeds.
Mika completes dog puzzle toys effortlessly, and Pippin was trained to shake hands on command. However, intelligence is a double-edged sword!
Watch Mika complete a complicated dog treat puzzle on my YouTube channel.
Highly intelligent cats become bored easily, and boredom often manifests as destructive behaviour, excessive vocalisation, or attention-seeking.
Maine Coons require daily mental stimulation, not just food and affection, to remain content.
Here are some creative ways to keep your Maine Coon cat entertained.
🎾 Playful, But Only In Short Bursts
Despite their size, Maine Coons are not endlessly energetic. Play sessions often last just 5-10 minutes before they abruptly lose interest and need rest.
Bali, however, experiences intense early-evening zoomies, sprinting across our wooden floors at full speed and sliding to a stop on his claws.
If you value pristine flooring, be warned: my once beautiful oak floors are now covered in scratches from enthusiastic feline drifting.
❤️ Extremely Affectionate – On Their Own Terms
Pippin was the most affectionate cat I’ve ever owned. He licked our hands, arms, and faces and became a devoted lap cat as he aged.
By comparison, Mika has never been a lap cat. Whereas Bali adores physical closeness but prefers to stretch across us rather than sit neatly, which often results in overheating and interrupted sleep.
Affection varies greatly between individuals.
🧹 Shedding Is A Daily Reality
Shedding is unavoidable.
Pippin shed moderately, but Mika and Bali shed heavily. Mika’s fur sticks stubbornly to cushions and clothing, and after hoovering, a single play fight can undo all your efforts.
Coat type matters greatly.
Bali’s silky fur rarely tangles, whereas Mika, and previously Pippin, have dense coats prone to knots.
Long-term matting is not just cosmetic. Tight knots pull painfully at the skin, restrict airflow, and may lead to skin infections. Cats that associate brushing with pain may become defensive, making grooming increasingly difficult over time.
💬 Vocal, Expressive, And Persistent
If Bali decides it’s playtime, he will pace outside the bedroom, chirping loudly, sometimes leaving a toy at the door as a gift.
Mika communicates by standing upright on his hind legs and pawing repeatedly at doors while talking nonstop until his demands are met.
Mika also likes to chat to you as he walks up to you – he has so many things to say!! Here’s a great example of my Maine Coon chatting away to me, shown on my Maine Coon Central YouTube channel.
Quiet cats they are not.
💰 The Financial Reality Of Owning A Maine Coon
Maine Coons are expensive cats to own.
- 7kg Premium Dry Food Bag (2026): ~£75 (~$95 USD) a month (for two cats).
- Dental surgery costs (2024 & 2025):
- Bali: £690 (~$875 USD) – One tooth removed & scaled, and polished.
- Mika: £720 (~$915 USD) – One tooth removed.
Their large size increases anaesthetic risk, medication dosages, and surgical fees.
Maine Coons are predisposed to inherited conditions, including:
Lifetime pet insurance is essential.
We made the mistake of not having it with Pippin, and were told that if Pippin needed a single hip replacement, it would cost us £7,500 ($10,070!!!) – 2022 cost.
Later, when Bali developed a severe urinary tract infection, his emergency hospital stay exceeded £3,500, a cost only covered because we had lifetime insurance.
Our monthly premium for two Maine Coons is now £85 per month (2026), with only a £4,000 annual claim limit per cat. In hindsight, having seen real-life feline vet bills, I would probably purchase the £7,000 annual claim limit for any future cats.
Purchase Price Reality
- Pippin (13+ years ago): £650 from a Maine Coon cat hobby breeder.
- Today’s average Maine Coon kitten: £1,000-£1,500+
Mika and Bali were adopted together for £450, but arrived with dental disease (gingivitis and teeth removed) that our pet insurance would not cover, ultimately costing thousands.
Cheaper upfront does not always mean cheaper long-term. That has been a painfully expensive realisation for me.
💔 The Emotional Cost Of Health Problems
Pippin likely suffered from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and was euthanised at just 10 years old after becoming paralysed in the backend.
Before that, he endured:
- Bent tail canal injury
- Arthritis
- Hip dysplasia
- Urinary tract infection
- Repeated specialist hospital visits
Some trips involved over 1.5 hours of driving each way, adding stress for both him and us.
Owning a Maine Coon is deeply rewarding, but when health problems arise, the emotional toll can be immense.
