Maine Coon Temperament
While an individual cat’s personality can vary based on genetics and its environment, the Maine Coon cat breed’s temperament remains relatively consistent.
Maine Coon Temperament
The Maine Coon is a gentle, even-tempered breed that is incredibly social and loving towards its family members. Their patient nature means they get along well with children, other cats, and even dogs. They are also intelligent and dog-like, and can even learn tricks and commands!
Below are some of the most common Maine Coon personality traits:
Loving
Maine Coons form deep bonds with their owners, and unlike some cat breeds, they do not just pick one favorite person and ignore everyone else!
However, you might find that the female Maine Coon takes a little longer to warm up to you, or a stranger since they are considered more ‘cat-like’ and ‘aloof’.
These big cats have really big hearts, and you might find that they follow you around the house because they love spending time with you!
Here is a great video on Maine Coon Central’s Youtube channel that clearly shows our male Maine Coon cat following me EVERYWHERE! Pippin is such a funny Maine Coon cat!
Here are some other reasons why these gentle giants follow their owners around.
Social
Maine Coons are very social cats. While they love their family members best, they are still very friendly around strangers, and they can become friends with just about anyone.
Due to their social nature, however, they can become lonely and depressed if they do not receive enough attention.
That’s why it is usually a good idea to get your Maine Coon another cat or even a dog as a companion.
Before doing so, read my two articles, first:
Gentle
Due to the large Maine Coon weight, many people find this breed intimidating at first.
However, they soon realize that Maine Coons are some of the gentlest creatures in the world!
While these big cats can bite or scratch if they feel scared or threatened, they are not swift to anger.
Instead, these cats are very patient, and if you are bothering them, they’ll tell you first through quiet growls and flattened ears before batting you away with their paws.
If you’ve been struggling with Maine Coon aggression though, make sure you read these 14 key causes.
Great Family Pets
The Maine Coon’s gentle, social nature means they make wonderful family pets, even if you have children or other animals.
They are very patient with children, and they readily become companions with cats and even dogs!
Intelligent
Maine Coons are so intelligent, that they’ve even been nicknamed the “dogs of the cat world.”
They love to play fetch, and they can learn a huge variety of commands and tricks.
Their high intelligence also means that they can become bored easily, however, and they might use their intelligence to get into mischief.
Here are 10 great reasons why Maine Coons are the smartest cats, in the world.
Hunters
Maine Coons have incredibly strong hunting instincts and a high prey drive.
They’ll stalk just about anything that moves, and they need to spend a lot of time chasing, pouncing, and pretending to hunt prey to feel fulfilled and satisfied.
When it comes to the Maine Coon personality, female Maine Coons are more likely to be active hunters.
This is because, in the wild, female cats are responsible for protecting and feeding their young, so they must be more wary and alert than males.
As a result, females are more likely to be a bit territorial or skittish, but if they are raised in a warm and loving environment, they can be just as cuddly as any male!
Learn more about the Maine Coon’s hunting skills HERE.
Active
This is a highly active breed that needs a lot more exercise than most cats. They need to be able to stretch their legs, run, and climb all over the place!
This is why you’ll need to get an extra large cat tree. Many owners also install cat shelves along their walls, to entertain their Maine Coons.
You should play with your Maine Coon for at least half an hour every day to ensure they are getting enough exercise, but you can also train them to go on walks if they still have lots of energy left over.
Love Of Water
One of the most unique Maine Coon personality traits is their love of water.
While most cats fear water, Maine Coons have a natural affinity for it.
Their long, semi-waterproof coat helped to protect them from the snow and rain when they first originated in the state of Maine.
Today, they haven’t lost their wild instincts, and many Maine Coons learn to play in the toilet or even turn on the faucet!
Unusual Voice
While most cats meow loudly to get your attention, Maine Coons have a unique, soft voice.
They usually trill, squeak, or chirp instead of meow.
They are not particularly talkative or demanding, but they will use their voice to ask for attention or food.
Temperament With Dogs
Maine Coon cats are known for their friendly and social nature, which often extends to their interactions with dogs.
Their temperament tends to be more dog-like than that of many other cats, which makes them more adaptable to cohabitating with dogs.
Here’s what you can expect from a Maine Coon’s temperament with dogs:
- Social and Affectionate: Maine Coons are typically very social cats. They enjoy companionship and can get along well with dogs if properly introduced. Some Maine Coons may even seek out the company of dogs for play and cuddles.
- Curious and Playful: Maine Coons have an inquisitive and playful nature. When they see a dog, they might be curious and want to interact, often trying to initiate play by chasing or pouncing. This can create a fun dynamic between the two animals.
- Laid-back and Tolerant: Maine Coons are generally laid-back cats. This means they often tolerate the presence of dogs, even if the dogs are energetic or a little overwhelming at first. As long as the dog respects the Maine Coon’s boundaries, the cat will usually remain calm and composed.
- Size and Confidence: Maine Coons are large, confident cats, and their size can help them stand their ground with dogs. They won’t easily be intimidated and may even show the dog who’s boss if needed! However, their calm demeanor typically avoids aggression.
- Patience with Puppies: If a Maine Coon is raised around dogs, especially puppies, it can form strong bonds with them. They tend to be patient and gentle, especially as they are accustomed to being around other animals from a young age.
Tips For Successful Coexistence
- Slow Introductions: When introducing a Maine Coon to a dog, do so slowly. Allow them to sniff each other from a distance before any physical contact.
- Supervision: Initially, supervise their interactions. Maine Coons are patient, but it’s important to ensure that both the dog and cat are comfortable.
- Respect Boundaries: Maine Coons may enjoy company, but they still need their own space. Give them quiet spots to retreat to if they need a break from the dog.
