The
Maine Coon cat, though gaining in popularity, is still relatively unknown to
most people in America. They are the largest domestic cats with males
growing to an average of 21 pounds and females to an average of 16
pounds. They are longhaired cats coming in every color combination in
solids, mixed, tabbies, etc. The "Maine" features they are known for
are very LARGE, well tufted ears with tips of long hair at the top like a
bobcat, squared off, well pronounced snouts, large, round eyes, very large feet
and muscular, boxy shaped, and long bodies. My Maine Coon male, Raziel, can
stand up on his hind legs and peer into the kitchen sink! The longest hair on
their bodies is found on their gorgeous plumed tails as well as big, fluffy
chests and long fur around their britches.
I only need to comb my two Maine Coons once a week to keep up with
their grooming. And they are rarely sick, even with a cold. They
can also easily be harness-trained. My two love to go outside and check
out the yard with me for an occasional treat in the sunshine. I would
highly recommend they are indoor cats though. Why spend between $400-$600
for a good, well-bred MC, and then let them get sick, injured or stolen?
I also wholeheartedly believe that scratching can be curtailed without
the need to declaw. Declawing is a heinous act of amputation, pure and
simple. It is absolutely unnecessary and heartless. Cats can never
reclaim their true catness after such an extreme and painful surgery. All
any cat needs is a good scratching post made with twine (not carpeting, duh!)
and a cat is perfectly happy. You may even want to provide him with a few
others throughout the house. They take up little room and give them a place to
rub on and feel at home.
When I adopted my first Maine Coon cat a decade ago, all my
preconceived notions about cats were tossed out the window. Many have
described the Maine Coon as the cat that is more like a dog (apologies to all
the Maine Coon lovers out there, but you KNOW this is true!). Why are
they "more like a dog?" Well, while they possess all the
fascinating characteristics that make the cat so special, they are more amiable
that most cats. They will follow you around from room to room. They
will roll around and ask for their bellies to be pet. They love to have
their backs scratched.
And they LOVE to play in and drink water. MCs often use their
water dishes for a bathtub on a day-to-day basis. You'll find that if you
own one, that is makes more sense to provide one dish for drinking and one for
bathing! And use a heavy ceramic bowl with straight sides that cannot tip
over easily because their boisterous bathing often involves spillage!
Their personalities are sweet and ever so gentle, playful and loving. Some are lap cats and some prefer to sit next to you, but they all love to be near you. My younger, 11 lb. silver female, Cami,
will invite herself up onto my lap several times a day, while Raziel, my big 21-pound
curmudgeon, only graces me with that honor about once or twice a month. He is a dear, but like some MCs, just prefers to
watch me and be sitting near me, vs. ON me. Raziel doesn't like a lot of
attention and tends toward nervousness, but I do not think this is breed-specific. I made the mistake of adopting him without a companion and leaving him alone at home while I worked full-time. He just became accustomed to being an independent kitty. I have met many, many Maine Coons who are serious cuddle-muffins, so again, I believe their behavior really depends on how they are raised and socialized, especially early on.
With their big, well tufted mitts, they are also extremely dexterous. It's
amazing to see a cat reach into its dish and pick out food morsels, one by one,
eating them off their paw like a little fuzzy person! They also catch
balls in mid-air and open cabinets, so be ready to rubber band or tape up the
cabinets that you do not want them to get into! My silver princess is
either prancing about the house, tall plume tail high in the air, or is opening
and then closing cabinet doors with a big bang! She's earned the
nickname, "Miss Thumbs."
Maine Coons also have one more very unique trait -- their voices sound
more like a Mexican rrrrrr with that roll of the tongue, than a cat. It's
very unusual and I can't recall ever hearing the same sort of sound from any
other cat. Cami will often end her meow with an ooooo sound. So
it's often more of a Meowwww-oooooooo! And Razz has more of a
Brrrrrowwwww! They are very vocal, often talking and chattering to get
your attention.
However, if you love the Maine Coon look and do want a lap cat, do not
give up. They do exist. As I said, my Camielle does a lot of lap
sitting, but it is only on her terms and after SHE has chosen to do so.
If I pick her up, she will certainly jump right back down again the minute I
let my grasp go. She just doesn't like to be forced into anything.
She has a morning ritual of joining me in bed where she kneads my chest or head
(I call this "giving me biscuits").
Lucky for me I keep her talons well trimmed. Then, I will open the
covers and she will duck in close to my chest. There she'll cozy up to
me, purr louder than a bumblebee on speed and fall asleep with her paws
entwined around my arm so I can't sneak away.
My Raziel will often show affection but for brief moments. It's
as if he doesn't want me to know he really does have a heart. Whenever I
catch a glimpse of it, he darts away from me, his male cat pride still
intact. Those moments are fabulous and terribly fulfilling though.
I call them Razz blankets. Whenever I come home from work, I will pick up
my big boy and lay down on the floor. He will spread out above me and stretch
his head up to rub against my chin, or rest of my face. He will not purr,
but he will makes soothing noises deep in his throat, almost like a low
squeak. And he will completely relax while I slowly, loosely embrace
him. He will not try and leave. And for those 30 seconds to a
minute of that Razz blanket I feel the most absolute joy and relaxation.
Nothing else can come close to feeling a living, breathing 23-pound fur
blanket, heart beating against yours.
And at night, under cover of darkness, he will jump up onto the bed and grumble until I reach down to pet him. Then he will purr like there is no tomorrow! I love my Raziel more than raspberries!
So I vouch for the breed 100%. Whichever you get, big curmudgeon boy or sweet, princess of a girl, I know you will love the Maine Coon cat. They are unique and lovely cats.
And at night, under cover of darkness, he will jump up onto the bed and grumble until I reach down to pet him. Then he will purr like there is no tomorrow! I love my Raziel more than raspberries!
So I vouch for the breed 100%. Whichever you get, big curmudgeon boy or sweet, princess of a girl, I know you will love the Maine Coon cat. They are unique and lovely cats.