15 Reasons Not To Get A Maine Coon
The Maine Coons gentle natured disposition and claim to fame as one of the largest domestic cat breeds in the world has resulted in this cat breed becoming increasingly popular.
However, these longhaired cats can be difficult to handle, as evident by the 15 reasons not to get a Maine Coon cat listed below.
Maine Coons are active cats needing plenty of social interaction and enrichment. They become lonely, depressed, and destructive if social and mental needs are not met. Known for their intelligence, high levels of energy, and expensive price tag, this cat breed requires mentally stimulating toys. Regular grooming is essential to prevent matted fur.
Cat lovers around the world might adore the Maine Coon cat breed, but these beautiful cats are not suitable for everyone. Think twice before investing in this highly demanding cat breed.
Read on to learn why the Maine Coon cat’s personality and characteristics make owning a Maine Coon a real handful!
15 Reasons Not To Get A Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is the biggest cat breed in the world and a native of the state of Maine where they developed naturally.
They first became popular for their ability to hunt mice, rats, and other vermin, and sailors would often take them aboard ships to keep their living space pest-free.
With few health concerns, this popular breed seems ideal. This is NOT a regular house cat though, as you will soon discover by reading the following reasons not to get a Maine Coon cat:
1. They Love To Climb
Maine Coons are notorious for their love of climbing and require lots of physical activity and exercise each day.
It is essential that Maine Coon owners purchase a large, sturdy cat tree made from high-quality materials only, that their attractive cat can jump, scratch, and play on.
Investing in multiple scratching posts that use good quality natural sisal rope would also be an important addition to keep your pure-breed cats happy.
Failure to cater to the Maine Coons physical and mental needs will result in your large Maine Coon jumping onto, or climbing up every tall piece of furniture in your home!
The best option for cat trees would be these extra-large cat towers.
You might also want to install cat shelves so your Maine Coon has another dimension of the house to run around and explore.
Please be aware that these adventurous climbers DO NOT distinguish between cat-made furniture and regular furniture, so will need to be trained not to jump on high furniture!
Thankfully, Maine Coons are highly trainable felines so it is possible to prevent bad climbing behaviors, provided you teach them whilst they are still a kitten.
2. Maine Coons Are Expensive
The dogs of the cat world, as Maine Coons are otherwise known, are extremely EXPENSIVE.
Maine Coon kittens cost anywhere between $400 – $2,500, so this cat breed might not be the best financial choice compared to a shelter cat costing roughly $150.
Keep up to date with how much Maine Coon cats are currently costing, by reading Katrina Stewardson’s article on the Latest Maine Coon Cat Costs.
If cost is a factor in your decision to own a large cat breed, it is not advised you purchase a Maine Coon cat.
A common misconception is that a Maine Coon will not cost more than a regular cat breed. This is NOT true!
Instead, the cost of owning a Maine Coon does not end once you have paid the high Maine Coon kitten price. Instead, you also need to factor in the following ongoing costs:
- High-quality cat food
- Extra-large cat trees
- Expensive cat toys
- Unexpected veterinary bills
- Pet Insurance
3. Backyard Breeders
Many cat lovers are unable to afford the expensive Maine Coon price tag. Unfortunately, criminals and unethical cat breeders take advantage of this fact.
It is all too easy to fall prey to backyard breeders selling ‘cheap Maine Coon kittens’, or domestic cats that LOOK similar to purebred Maine Coons, but are actually mixed-breed cats.
If you rush into a decision to buy a Maine Coon advertised online, without doing adequate research, you may lose your hard-earned cash.
Backyard breeders are able to sell cheap Maine Coon kittens because they have not followed Maine Coon breeding standards, i.e. checked breeding cats for hereditary diseases.
Irresponsible breeders may also sell sick Maine Coon kittens, or tell you a kitten is purebred when it isn’t even a Maine Coon at all!
Avoid Maine Coon cat scammers by watching out for these 24 WARNING FLAGS.
The good news is that a reputable breeder will only sell you authentic Maine Coons, albeit at a significantly higher price. However, a higher upfront fee is still better than an unhealthy cheap Maine Coon kitten with genetic conditions that will cost more in the long run.
If you are confused regards how to purchase or adopt a Maine Coon cat, take a look at my FREE Maine Coon Buying Guide.
4. They Are Extremely Smart
The Maine Coon is an incredibly intelligent cat breed with an uncanny ability to sense human emotions.
These gentle giants are often referred to as ‘dog-like’ because they are highly trainable and able to learn simple tricks, such as playing fetch! Or, walking on a leash or harness.
We trained our Maine Coon cat to talk!! … Watch this video posted by Katrina Stewardson on Maine Coon Central’s Youtube Channel of ‘Pippin’ talking to his human dad:
It may sound cool to own a clever Maine Coon cat but think twice before buying one since intelligent cats come with their own PROBLEMS.
For example, if you do not cater to this large cat’s mental stimulation requirements, they may become destructive.
Smart cats get up to all sorts of naughty behavior, including:
- Raiding cupboards for food
- Learn to turn on water faucets
- Opening doors
- Climbing furniture to reach their toys
- Scratching the furniture to get your attention
This naughty Maine Coon behavior, added to this cat breed’s normal kitten-like personality late into its Maine Coon lifespan makes these big cats a challenge!
If you want a well-mannered indoor cat that can be trusted to behave when your back is turned, the Maine Coon is not the type of cat you are looking for!
5. Not All Maine Coons Grow Big
Maine Coon cats are one of the most popular cat breeds because they are far larger than the average cat, growing up to 22 lbs in weight!
According to the TICA Maine Coon cat breed standards the average Maine Coon weighs as follows:
- Female Maine Coons weigh between 12-15 lbs
- Male Maine Coons weigh an average of 18-22 lbs
If we compare Maine Coon Size Vs Average Housecat, we find that a normal cat weighs between 8-15 pounds, with female cats weighing 8 – 12 lbs and male normal cats weighing 11 – 15 lbs.
Whilst the Maine Coon breed has a reputation for growing into large cats, there are always exceptions to the rule, such as runt of the litter Maine Coons, or dwarf Maine Coon cats.
Therefore, if you only want a LARGE Maine Coon please keep in mind that not every Maine Coon is guaranteed to grow as big as the average size guidelines.
6. They Get Lonely Easily
The Maine Coon is a highly sociable cat breed that likes to spend a lot of time around its human owners, playing or resting.
Whilst these cats are not known for being overly clingy or needy, they do like to follow their owners around the house to be near to you for these reasons.
Many owners find this Maine Coon trait endearing because their cat chooses to spend time with them rather than demanding to sit ON them. However, not everyone likes this cat behavior!
Whilst Maine Coons are relatively unobtrusive, their social needs are high so this cat breed is not recommended for people that spend a lot of time outside the home.
If left alone for too long, a Maine Coon may feel:
- Lonely
- Depressed
- Bored
One successful way to alleviate this issue is by purchasing a second Maine Coon cat, but this certainly isn’t a CHEAP option!
7. Maine Coons Need A Lot Of Enrichment
One of the main reasons why Maine Coons end up being a poor choice of breed for certain owners is because they require a lot of enrichment.
These intelligent cats will quickly become bored by regular cat toys and prefer activities that puzzle them and keep them thinking.
If Maine Coon cats do not get enough enrichment, their boredom can lead to destruction.
I own three Maine Coon cats, so have personally tried and tested countless cat toys over the years. These are the 5 Best Maine Coon Cat toys, and are both sturdy and highly stimulating.
Providing enough enrichment for a Maine Coon is not a problem if you are willing to commit to the effort and expense.
For instance, buying a large cat tree, and cat shelves, and taking your Maine Coon on regular walks on a leash or harness will go a long way toward keeping this large cat breed entertained.
Buying interactive, durable toys will also be necessary, and provide daily play sessions for your Maine Coon.
If you are not able to provide the level of enrichment this cat breed needs, consider buying a more independent cat breed.
8. Excessive Grooming Requirements
One of the cons of Maine Coon cats is it’s high maintenance long fur.
A famous hallmark of the Maine Coon cat breed is its long coat, and thick fur that forms a characteristic mane like a lion.
As eye-catching as the Maine Coon’s fur might be it can become quite a challenge for owners to keep up with, especially if the cat is prone to tangles and matting.
Be prepared to groom and brush your cat thoroughly 2-3 times a week, and more if the weather is damp, or it is cat shedding season.
Whilst this high frequency of grooming may sound too much, regular brushing is vital because the Maine Coon cat’s fur can quickly become matted and out of control.
I have owned two Maine Coons with fur that is prone to knotting, and one Maine Coon with long silky hair.
To keep on top of the big Maine Coons with high-maintenance fur, I found these five Maine Coon cat brushes to be particularly useful in removing knots and tangles.
Unfortunately, not all Maine Coon cats like being brushed, and this is the case with one of our adopted Maine Coons. This means we have to spend EVEN LONGER playing and grooming him.
It is important to remove matted fur and knots as these stress your Maine Coon cat out because they are not unable to remove the knots themselves, without pulling their fur out.
Learn more about Maine Coon Matted Fur and the problems this causes.
This breed’s long fur can prove troublesome in some areas, particularly on its leg pits and backside. If dirty or tangled, consider trimming fur to keep your Maine Coon clean.
Here are some other great tips on How To Keep A Maine Coon Clean.
For many owners, the extra work of grooming a Maine Coon is well worth it for the breed’s wonderful personality, but it can be a source of concern for some potential owners.
9. Maine Coons Have A High Prey Drive
Maine Coons became popular for their hunting skills that enable them to catch mice and other vermin, which is a huge bonus for owners wanting to keep mice and rats out of garages.
However, if you own other small pets such as mice, ferrets, or birds, owning a Maine Coon would probably be a disastrous pet choice!
Even by keeping your animals separated at all times, accidents can happen, and the Maine Coon’s hunting instincts might kick in and cause the death of another beloved pet.
10. Purebred Cats Have Health Problems Too!
Maine Coons are considered a healthy and hardy cat breed because they naturally developed in the harsh winter weather of New England.
These former outdoor cats are purebred though, making them more likely to encounter certain genetic problems than other cat breeds.
Whilst responsible breeders genetically test their breeding cats to ensure they only breed cats testing negatively for particular health disorders, a Maine Coon may still develop these health problems:
If you are nervous about your Maine Coon experiencing potential health problems, and expensive medical bills, you would be better off buying a regular cat.
These are the Top 7 Maine Coon Health Problems to watch out for in your large cat.
11. Extra-Large Maine Coons Are Harder To Buy For!
The Maine Coon is a great pet if you have the time, money, and energy to entertain them.
However, do not underestimate the additional challenges this breed presents if you are lucky enough to own a Maine Coon that grows to be ENORMOUS, like Kefir the Maine Coon cat!
Most cat toys and supplies are specifically sized for the average housecat, weighing 8 – 15 lbs. These cat products are not suitable for a heavy 22 lb Maine Coon cat!
The Maine Coon’s large size means they inadvertently damage and destroy their toys more quickly than other cat breeds.
Consequently, the lifelong costs of a Maine Coon are far higher than a normal cat, since you will be buying dog-sized cat products, including:
If you think you can handle the extra costs related to the Maine Coon cat’s size and weight, do not overlook the fact this cat breed also needs more space. Here’s how much space they need.
Is your apartment too small for a Maine Coon kitten? Check here.
12. Maine Coons Remain Kitten-Like For Years!
One unique and adorable trait of the Maine Coon cat breed is that they remain playful, curious, and kitten-like late into their adult years.
Whilst most cat breeds grow out of their kitten phase relatively early, the Maine Coon remains perpetually fascinated by toys and other stimuli! This is when they realistically calm down!When Do Maine Coon Kittens Calm Down?
13. Maine Coons Love Water
Whilst most cats hate water the opposite is true for a Maine Coon cat who spends copious amounts of time playing with their water bowls and patting the water!
Maine Coons are fascinated with water, especially if it is moving like in a pet water fountain. It is thought this trait originates from their possible history as a sea cat.
It might also be because Maine Coons have semi-water-repellent oily fur coats that keep them dry, which may explain why these cats follow their owners into the shower or bath!
The Maine Coon’s love of water can be challenging since these large cats enjoy splashing in their water bowls, and making a mess! Some Maine Coons have also learned to turn on faucets!
14. Maine Coons Are Extremely Loving
The Maine Coon is one of the most affectionate cat breeds in existence, so owners may find the amount of affection their cat wants to give them too much to handle!
Whilst they may happily spend most of their days simply watching you from afar when the mood strikes (on their terms) these felines become the cuddliest cats on the planet.
Most Maine Coon owners love this about their cats, but it is not for everybody, and some owners might consider the Maine Coon to be rather needy. But, are they?
Maine Coon cats are not known for being independent and aloof cats.
15. Risk Of Criminals
Owning a Maine Coon puts you at risk of suffering from criminal behavior since these large cats are highly sought after. Your cat may be targeted due to its high resell price.
If you prefer to own an outdoor cat, your Maine Coon is at risk of Maine Coon theft and the threat of potential predators in the outside world, e.g. coyotes.
Conclusion
With so many reasons not to get a Maine Coon, it is surprising anyone does buy one!
You may have noticed, however, that the reasons not to get a Maine Coon are also the same reasons why other owners adore these cats. Potential owners should therefore seriously consider if a Maine Coon is right for them, before bringing one home.
Maine Coons are highly intelligent cats that can get into a lot of trouble. They need a lot of enrichment, or else they can become bored and destructive.
These cats retain a kitten-like personality for life, which, while endearing to some, can be a challenge for others.
Maine Coons also have high social needs. While these affectionate cats are not known for being clingy, they will become lonely if not given enough attention each day.
Overall, the Maine Coon requires special care, and only make a great pet if cared for correctly.
