The Maine Coon is a highly popular cat, but it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of Maine Coon cats before deciding whether or not to bring one into your home.
The Maine Coon is a highly popular breed that is loved for its intelligence, sociable nature, and beautiful appearance. This is a gentle and patient breed that fits well into most families. However, the Maine Coon also requires a lot of extra care, which can become draining and expensive.
As intelligent and affectionate as these cats are, they tend to be much harder work than most cats, so you should carefully consider if you’re equipped to handle this breed before making the decision to bring one home.
The Maine Coon is an attractive cat, but you shouldn’t let its beautiful appearance and attractive personality convince you to get one before you’re ready.
Make sure to learn all about the possible cons of owning a Maine Coon before bringing one into a forever home!
Pros And Cons Of Maine Coon Cats
The Maine Coon is the largest domestic cat breed in the world and has earned itself the reputation of being the “gentle giants” of the cat world.
They are also known for being:
- Fun
- Sociable
- Highly Intelligent
For the last few decades, people all over the world have been going crazy for this cat breed!
The Maine Coon developed naturally in the state of Maine, where it became popular for hunting mice and rats.
There are a lot of mysterious stories surrounding the development of this breed, but nobody knows for sure exactly how it came to be, which only adds to the breed’s charm!
Even though the Maine Coon is one of the most popular cat breeds in the world, it’s important to recognize that this breed isn’t for everyone.
They can require a lot of time, care, and money to keep happy and healthy.
That’s why we’ve compiled a guide to help you determine whether or not a Maine Coon is the right breed for you, as well as what to know before getting a Maine Coon.
Pros Of Owning A Maine Coon
There’s a reason why the Maine Coon breed is so popular- it’s got a laundry list of attractive traits.
Here are some of the most positive aspects of owning a Maine Coon Cat:
1. Healthy Cat Breed
Many cat breeds, such as the Persian or the Munchkin, are prone to a lot of bad health problems.
The Maine Coon, however, is a hardy breed with very few health problems.
This breed developed naturally and was not influenced by human intervention, resulting in far healthier features.
2. Stunning Good Looks
One of the most attractive features of the Maine Coon breed is its incredibly handsome appearance.
These cats are incredibly large, typically weighing between 8 and 25 pounds. They have a regal, lionlike appearance, with massive paws and a square jaw.
Their medium-length fur is much longer around their neck and shoulders, creating a mane or ruff that makes this domestic breed look just like a wild cat!
They also come in over 75 different combinations of colors and patterns.
Click on the link to read more about Maine Coon colors.
3. Family Friendly
Another great feature of the Maine Coon cat is that it fits very well into just about any family. While they do tend to bond more closely with one owner, they have big hearts with plenty of love to share with everyone!
Furthermore, this is the perfect cat breed for families with children.
The Maine Coon is famous for its gentle and patient nature, and they are especially tolerant with kids.
It is important to keep an eye on your children while they play, however, to ensure they treat the Maine Coon just as gently as the cat treats them!
4. Very Affectionate
One of the most popular traits of the Maine Coon Cat is its affectionate nature.
A common misconception about cats is that they have aloof and independent personalities. While this is largely untrue for most cats, it’s especially false when it comes to this breed.
The Maine Coon is famous for being loving and affectionate towards its family members, often following them from room to room.
These cats are perfect for cuddling up on the couch after a long day at work, and they will always be there to offer you love and companionship.
5. Independent
Despite the Maine Coon’s affectionate nature, they aren’t intrusive.
These cats aren’t prone to getting under your feet or constantly begging for attention.
While they do like to follow their owners from room to room, they’re good at observing from a distance while you work, but they’re happy to accept any pets or affection you’re willing to give.
6. Emotionally Sensitive
Another great feature of the Maine Coon cat is its sensitive nature. One look into those wide, intelligent eyes, and you’ll know that your Maine Coon is in tune with your emotions.
Many Maine Coon owners have told stories of their cats comforting them while they’re sad.
These cats are very sensitive to their environments and can sense when their family members are in a bad mood.
7. Loyal
The Maine Coon is also known for being an incredibly loyal cat.
While they are often sociable with strangers, it’s clear from their interactions that they always have a strong bond with their family members.
This cat breed is so famously loyal that they are often referred to as the dogs of the cat world.
This is a cat that will stand by you through thick and thin, and will always be there to comfort you after a long day.
8. Highly Intelligent
Perhaps the best feature of the Maine Coon Cat is its extreme intelligence.
Not only are these cats emotionally intelligent, with the uncanny ability to read their owner’s mood, but they’re bright in just about every other aspect of their lives, as well.
The Maine Coon is so smart that it can be trained to do all sorts of tricks.
They are also famous for playing fetch with various toys!
If you begin early on in a Maine Coon’s kittenhood, these cats can even be trained to walk on a leash and harness.
9. Friendly With Other Animals
A lot of pet owners worry about bringing a new animal into their home, especially if they already have pets.
One amazing thing about Maine Coon Cats is that they’re incredibly adaptable, and their social nature isn’t just towards humans – they often extend their affection to other animals!
The Maine Coon is a cat that craves companionship, and they get along extremely well with other cats. They’re even known for getting along well with dogs!
However, the Maine Coon does have a high prey drive, so they shouldn’t be allowed near any small rodents or birds.
10. Playful
Maine Coons are also known for being incredibly playful.
These cats have a doglike personality that lasts well into their senior years.
It seems that these cats never lose their fascination for their surroundings, even as they grow older!
They are always excited to run around and chase whatever toys you’ve gotten for them, and many owners find their Maine Coons act like kittens throughout their entire lives!
I have tested so many different Maine Coon cat toys and found these sturdy cat toys to last the test of time.
11. Not Aggressive
A lot of potential Maine Coon owners are intimidated by their large size.
After all, a bit or scratch from these cats would be particularly nasty.
However, the Maine Coon doesn’t use its huge size to bully anyone at all.
These cats may be large, but they’re incredibly gentle and patient.
12. Sociable Nature
The Maine Coon fits right into the family with its sociable nature.
They love to be part of the action, and while they can be quiet and unobtrusive, they won’t let you forget that they’re always there, right by your side!
They got along famously well with other pets, and will even welcome strangers!
While many other cat breeds can be aloof and independent, the Maine Coon will warm your heart with its friendly nature.
13. Low Shedding
Another part of the Maine Coon that can seem intimidating at first is its long fur.
However, these cats are known for shedding less than most longhair cats.
Their fur also comes out in clumps, which makes it easier to clean up!
These cats do shed heavily twice a year, in the spring and fall as they prepare for the change of seasons, but overall they shed less than other longhair cats.
14. Not Highly Territorial
Some cats can become quite territorial, and are unwilling to share their space with humans or other animals.
This can also lead to behavioral problems such as spraying. Maine Coons, however, are not prone to territoriality.
So long as they have plenty of space to roam around in, they’re happy to share the house with the rest of their family!
15. Vocal
One of the most charming features of Maine Coons is their voice.
Unlike most other cats, the Maine Coon doesn’t really meow. Instead, they have a habit of chirping or trilling.
These are chatty cats that love to talk to you! Many owners find that their Maine Coon is happy to have entire “conversations” with them.
However, they aren’t so vocal as to start whining or crying excessively, which can be a problem in other breeds like Siamese cats.
16. Long Lifespan
The Maine Coon is a healthy breed that can be expected to live a long time.
With proper care, the life expectancy of Maine Coon Cats is between 12 and 15 years!
If you are keen to increase the lifespan of your Maine Coon cat, make sure you read my article to learn some important tips.
Reasons Not To Get A Maine Coon
As attractive as all of the above features might seem, it’s incredibly important that you understand both the good and the bad about Maine Coon Cats before making a commitment to one.
Here are some of the more negative aspects about Maine Coons to keep in mind before making the decision to bring one into your home.
1. Expensive
Maine Coons often cost between $500 and $2500, meaning they aren’t exactly a good option for many potential cat owners.
Cheaper “Maine Coons” on Craigslist or other sites might seem attractive at first, but they might end up costing you more in the long run.
Firstly, many backyard breeders don’t deworm or vaccinate their cats, causing an extra expense to you.
Secondly, many sellers try to pass off mixed-breed Maine Coons as pure-bred.
If you truly want a Maine Coon cat, your best option is to pay full price for an honest, registered breeder.
2. Health Problems
While the Maine Coon is generally considered to be a healthy cat, there are still a few key health problems that are commonly found in the breed.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, and Spinal Muscular Atrophy are the three most common health problems in Maine Coon Cats.
If you are not sure what these health problems are, click on the links to read more:
For more information on Maine Coon health problems, take a look at my article ‘Top 7 Maine Coon Health problems‘.
3. Space Needs
The Maine Coon is much larger than other cat breeds and, as a result, they often need a lot more space.
It’s important for this cat to have space of its own where it feels safe and protected.
Living in a small, cramped apartment with lots of people will cause the Maine Coon stress, especially if it doesn’t have any space of its own to escape to.
It’s totally possible for a Maine Coon to live in an apartment, provided it is large enough that the cat is able to have its own space.
Read more about how to make this possible, by clicking on this link to my article.
4. Grooming Requirements
The Maine Coon’s long fur means it often needs more care when it comes to grooming.
This is especially true of cats that are prone to matting and tangling.
Many Maine Coons have longer fur around their paws, which can easily become dirty, and might need to be trimmed.
It’s also important to brush a Maine Coon at least once or twice a week (and more during shedding season) to prevent matting and hairballs.
These are my five favorite Maine Coon grooming tools.
5. Needy / Clingy
Overall, the Maine Coon is considered a sociable breed without being intrusive.
However, these are still fundamentally social cats that need attention and affection.
They’re best suited to owners that work from home, or else they can become lonely and even destructive.
If you spend a lot of time away from home, then a Maine Coon Cat might not be the best option for you.
It is possible, however, to get a dog or cat companion for your Maine Coon to reduce loneliness.
6. Require High Levels Of Exercise
The Maine Coon is a highly active cat that needs space to run and jump around.
It’s important to play with these cats for at least thirty minutes every day. Low exercise combined with excessive food can cause obesity, as well.
These cat trees are extra-large, so offer a great opportunity for your cats to get the exercise they need.
7. Greater risk Of Theft
One unfortunate downside about Maine Coons is that they are often the victims of theft.
This is an expensive and highly coveted breed, and criminals are likely to target pedigree cats to sell online.
8. Their Toys Are More Expensive
The Maine Coon is a large cat that plays very hard.
As such, they need sturdy toys that can withstand rough play. Sturdier toys end up costing quite a bit more over time.
Furthermore, because the Maine Coon is a highly intelligent cat breed, they need more than just a few balls to bat around.
Intellectually stimulating toys, such as toys that move around, will better satisfy their intelligent hunting instincts.
Here are some great Maine Coon cat toys, that are both sturdy and great value for money.
9. They Get Bored Easily
The Maine Coon is a highly intelligent cat. Without proper enrichment, they can become bored and even destructive.
You’ll need to keep your cat entertained through regular play sessions, stimulating toys, and plenty of space to run around.
While it can be fun to live with such an intelligent cat breed, keep in mind that their brains do make them higher maintenance.
10. They Need Extra Large Cat Towers
Maine Coons love to climb and explore, so a cat tree is a vital expense.
Unfortunately, since Maine Coons are so large, a standard-size cat tree simply won’t work for them.
You’ll have to buy a larger (and therefore more expensive) cat tree to ensure your Maine Coon’s needs are being met.
These are my favorite extra-large cat trees.
11. Bigger Food Bill
Maine Coons cannot grow healthily on cheap cat food. These kinds of cat foods use grains as filler calories because they’re cheaper to produce.
However, the Maine Coon is so large and active that they require high amounts of protein.
This cat breed needs high-quality, high-protein foods to ensure proper health.
Click here to learn more about the best Maine Coon diet.
Conclusion
It’s vital to understand both the pros and cons of Maine Coon Cats before making the commitment to bring one into your home.
Maine Coons are highly intelligent, gentle, and family-friendly cats that can provide years of fun and companionship.
However, these large cat breeds require special toys and a high-quality diet to keep them happy and healthy all their lives.
It’s important to consider both the good and the bad before finally deciding whether or not a Maine Coon Cat is right for you.
Related Questions
Should I Get A Maine Coon Quiz
If you’re still unsure whether or not a Maine Coon is the right cat for you, there are plenty of quizzes available online to help you determine whether or not you’re equipped to handle this breed.