15 Annoying (But Hilarious) Habits Only Maine Coon Owners Understand
Maine Coons are often called “gentle giants,” but don’t let their friendly name fool you! They can be ridiculously persistent, hilariously messy, and clever enough to test your patience daily.
Think of them as affectionate comedians with paws … BIG PAWS!
Things Maine Coons Do
Maine Coons can be food-thieving, faucet-activating terrors at times. But each quirky, mischievous, affectionate habit reminds us they’re intelligent beings with personality.
1. Faucet Habit And Water Shenanigans
These cats treat your sink like a waterpark! They’ll dunk their toys into their water bowl (sock, mouse, or perhaps your spare charger cable), then paw splatter water everywhere.
And yes, some scoot around the sink to tap the faucet lever, because if it’s poised above water, they must press it. And, drink from it!
Tip: Give them a shallow bathtub with floating toys, then lay rugs around the bath. They’ll be thrilled, whilst you’re soaked but entertained!
2. Countersurfer Supreme
What’s off-limits? … Not much! These giants think every surface is a personal jungle gym.
Anything on a countertop becomes prime lounging real estate. Coffee cups, fresh mail, your laptop – your cat is now sleeping on them.
Fridges, bookshelves, and kitchen cabinets – they’ll also find a way to get up there, too!
All courtesy of a long-tailed acrobat who’s mastered vertical jumping.
Fix: Invest in a mega cat tree or wall shelves to entice them upward, and train redirection rather than punishment
3. They’re Walking, Shedding Fuzz Factories
Don’t believe the lies – these fur babies shed everywhere. Especially, if they’re play-fighting with their brother or sister!
Their double-layer coats scatter fur like confetti. You’ll need to be prepared for regular brushing and pet-friendly rollers to contain the flying fluff!
Tip: Brush your kitten regularly to get them used to the sensation, and gift them treats so they learn to enjoy grooming.
4. Food Obsession = Olympic Snatch Skills
Maine Coons have a big appetite. They’ll break into containers, scale refrigerators, and ignore your pleas as they nap on the kitchen counter, eyeing up your dinner plate.
Tip: Keep food sealed in inaccessible cupboards, and satisfy your feline friend with scheduled meals or puzzle feeders to channel that hunger into brain play.
5. Shadow Mode: They’ll Follow You Everywhere
Privacy is not an option when you own a Maine Coon!
They’ll follow you everywhere, even to the bathroom. And, if you dare to shut a door, prepare for the forlorn meow that follows, or paws padding on the door.
Tip: Provide safe alone-time with interactive toys or a window perch to balance togetherness with boundaries
6. Loud, Musically Inclined Vocalists
Forget soft meows: Maine Coons trill, chirp, and belt out short operas when they want attention. And yes, they’re convinced their piping is Grammy-worthy!
Not sure what noises Maine Coon cats make? If so, here are some of their WEIRD noises that you’ll need to get acclimatised to!
Tip: Avoid rewarding excessive vocal demands. Channel playtime before bed to burn energy and minimize midnight recitals
7. Clumsy Giants In Motion
These adorable giants will walk between your legs perfectly – it’s like living with furry trip wires around your home, in every room.
But, this doesn’t mean they’re not clumsy. They’ll think nothing of rubbing against something in your house and coincidentally knocking it over in the process!
Tip: Be vigilant when walking, especially in socks. A strong footing cat tree helps keep them from the underfoot corridor.
8. Chewastic Mischief Makers
Cords, plastic, cables, and even your socks – they like to chew on things from time to time, particularly when they are kittens.
This is usually boredom or exploratory behavior, but you’ll need to child-proof the house so your appliances survive.
Tip: Add chew-proof covers to your cords, or offer leather-safe chew toys to satisfy gnawing instincts
9. Expert Litter Avoiders
Most Maine Coons are litter-box savvy, but upset them with a dirty or cramped box, they’ll retaliate… anywhere. Yes, even on your freshly laundered clothes!
And, while we’re on the subject. Don’t be shocked to find a Maine Coon dangle-berry left around your home, on the floor or sofa … yuck!
Tip: Provide at least one extra-large tray plus one spare, keep them scrupulously clean, and locate quietly to avoid accidents
10. Gorgeous Paw Crossers And Belly Flops
Watch them lounge like royalty, front paws crossed in regal disdain, then suddenly belly-up flop with full exposure. It’s trust and weird confidence rolled into one.
Our two Maine Coons love to walk right up to us and drop with a huge thud at our feet. Or, on our feet! They’re heavy cats, so you know they’ve landed on you!
Tip: Naked bellies mean vulnerability. If they relax this way, return the courtesy with gentle strokes or petting.
11. Territorial Tension With Other Pets
Despite their friendly nature, Maine Coons can dominate smaller pets if poorly socialized during the kitten stage.
Generally speaking, though, these extra-large domestic cats get on well with other pets due to their sociable nature.
Tip: Early socialization with other pets and structured supervision can prevent bullying or dominance flare-ups.
12. Begging For Food
These cats live for calories! They’ll stare you down until you crack, especially if you’ve rewarded their begging before.
If you’ve ever given a snack just to make them stop, congratulations: you’ve taught them to beg more sweetly… and louder.
Tip: Stick to a strict mealtime routine. Resist the scrabbling paw on your leg. Failure to comply results in one unrelenting feline stare-down.
13. Scratching Everything In Sight
Maine Coons scratch not just to trim claws, but to decorate their territory: sofas, carpets, curtains, you name it, they leave their mark with flair.
And since their paws hold scent glands, that scratching is like them posting “This is mine” stickers across your furnishings!
Tip: Offer multiple scratchers – vertical, horizontal, sisal, cardboard, and keep rotation frequent; variety is their spice of life!
14. Ultimate Home Destructor
They don’t just scratch, they upend your paperwork, chew corners of your sofa, and use pillows as launchpads for their secret missions. It’s not evil, it’s boredom.
Here are some great ways to keep your feline friend entertained.
Tip: Trade destruction for construction: introduce motorised chase toys, oversized plush prey, or a DIY obstacle course. Bored kitty = chaos. Enriched kitty = chaos contained.
15. Late-Night “Zoomie” Madness
While you’re drifting to dreamland, they switch to overdrive. They’ll sprint across hallways, launch off counters, and stage mid-air flips at 3 AM, because energy stores must be spent and your serenity tolerated!
Tip: Engage in intense play sessions just before bedtime. Bonus points if you lure them onto a harness and go for a moonlit stroll.
