The beautiful Maine Coon

[dangermouse]

Originally Posted by Arctic Kitten

I would scroll down through the forums, it looks like there are a few, specificly on main coon cats, and their owners with different posts.

But in the meantime... homework!!!!

Maine Coon Cats by Verismo: Maine Coon Cat Pictures
Cat Fanciers' Association: Breed Profile: Maine Coon
Cat Fanciers: Maine Coon: Cat Breed FAQ

Thanks for the links. I could get on all of them at work but ive just got home & tried to look its now saying that I dont have the correct server & 'Forbidden '

Any ideas ? Thanks

[romesq]

The Maine Coon is a wonderful breed. We have a delightful fellow in the rather rare tuxedo pattern. He is beautifully behaved and such a lover boy. We keep his claws clipped and he uses the sisal scratching post regularly. Never has so much as touched furniture or rugs.

As for companions, he has a traditional (Applehead) Siamese. Both love to be around their people, but the Meezer is FAR more dependent (perhaps even neurotic) than the Coon. As for walking on a lead, perhaps if you start as a kitten. Use a harness first, then later attach the lead and let the cat drag it about, then pick it up. But please don't let your cats outside! So much danger and disease. I've had cats all my life (approaching 60) and I've yet to have one that was not content to be in the house only.

The only caveat regarding the Coons is the genetic predisposition to hypertropic cardiomyopathy (HCM). It does run in the breed (up to 30% by some estimates) and it is serious. However, many have mild versions and respond to treatment. You may want to do your research on this so you know what to ask a breeder.

Finally, on breeders. Make sure you get one whose stock has been strengthen by x-breeding outside local genetic pools.

As a final recommendation : the Coons are just marvelous cats. I'd have a houseful if I could!

[dangermouse]

Thank you. Its wonderful having everyone here for help & advice !

I am on the hunt ! Contacted lots of breeders. Now its just trying to find the right one. I really love the silver Tabbies & it has to be a male as all of my pets have been males!

I found a website yesterday here in the UK & they had some beautiful cats on there & Now i cant find it. it was nice as there were lots of letters from people who had previously bought kittens from them & every single one looked perfect. Beautiful large faces, lynx tips & truly stunning! I have to search again !

In the meantime if anyone has any funny stories about their Maine Coons.. anything mischievious they have got up to.. or how the males differ from the females that would be ace.. Thanks in advance

[szechuan]

You are right about there being so much information that it will be pretty time consuming to research.

There are some short pages at Maine Coon Cats that has mid to high level information from a personal perspective. It definitely gives enough information to determine whether you'd be interested in getting a Maine Coon.

I loved mine!!!

[nancy thereader]

I had a wonderful old Maine Coon cat Mickey the most delightful, gentle cat in the world who became very ill when he was older.

A new kitten had come into the family and although he was jealous, he tried not to let it show. This new kitten Madeleine was a Persian and unlike Mickey was not at all intelligent. One day, Madeleine got stuck up in the attic ; she was way underneath the rafters and no one could get to her.

She meowed and meowed. Mickey heard this & slowly he trudged up the attic steps and came down with Madeleine in his mouth.

Exhausted from this workout, Mickey lay down by the fire and went to sleep.

He never woke up.

He was a cat-in-a-million and I will never forget him.

[littlelou]

Yes they crave attention and companionship,.....Bubba is constantly beside, on top, behind, or in front of me. There are times I'd just like to say..Give me 5 minutes of peace and then come back....He truly is a wonderful companion to me....Annabelle who is 1/2 MC 1/2 ?!?!?! actually has more MC characteristics, her neck ruff is much nicer than his, her fluffy britches are fuller and the meow is the typical squeeky maine coon mew. Please consider 2, even if they aren't both MC's, they'll have each other when you're not there. Be prepared for a shadow...Bubba starts out sleeping on the pillow beside mine, then I wake up to find him wrapped around my head "cat Hat" style. I truly need to hire an elderly lady to brush him, cradle him, and baby him all day...
Annabelle is warming up to me (after almost 7 years....born feral) and she now sleeps beside me, will let me brush her and will sit on my lap for 4-5 minutes at a time....that was an accomplishment.

Bubba loves to walk outside on his leash, I bought the figure 8 type of harness leash and he marches around the yard like he owns it. Not so for Annie.

[Siobjuan]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE visit your local rescue shelter first. There are many Maine Coons waiting to be adopted.

We got our (all 23 lbs of him) marshmallow Maine Coon, Stan, from the ASPCA and have never regretted it! We have 2 Scottish folds, Aslan & Tigger, (also rescues) and a brand spanking new kitty, Simon, (got on Saturday!)

Stan is a love bug to humans and even cuddles with Oreo the Wonderdog, but he really prefers the other cats to leave him alone. Azzy and Tigs love to give him grief and Simon pounces and tries to get him to play.

The best thing is that Stan curls up and sleeps leaning on my head every night! Great in the winter, not so much in the summer!

[Azkadellia]

My Cleo.....

Mythicoon's Nile Queen Cleopatra of Y*******

At 12, she shows no signs of her age, and is a wonderful cat.

Maines are truly one of a kind cats. And they either like you, or they don't. Once your family is adopted by a Mainer, they make a pick of one human, that is their human, but they like everyone else, just really attach to one human in house.

They are BIG cats. Cleo goes 15 pounds, and in body size, she's the size of a small lynx.

They are laid back, wonderful furry giant cats. They are known for liking water, some will even swim.

Cleo will NOT tolerate a lead at all. So she is strictly an indoor cat, with a princess's life.

Recently, her house pal, Minh, passed away. At her age, we were leary of brining in a new cat or kitten. We adopted two kittens, sadly, one passed away, but she is adjusting to the new kitty, who is now 13 weeks old. She lets him know when she doesn't want bothered in no uncertain terms.

Maines are rarely known to be skittish, but if they are, they probably will be for life.
Cleo is somewhat skittish, and we believe it is due to the long flight she had to get to us when she was just 12 weeks old.

Health-wise, they can be prone to hip dysplasia, cardiac, and kidney issues, but Cleo has none of that going on. She is slightly arthritic, of course because of age, but it doesn't slow her down one bit.

The coat requires grooming, at least 3 to 4 times a week with both combs and brushes.

I love the breed, and plan to get another one in the future.....

Maines are awesome cats.

[buffalopc]

I have one BIG Maine Coon who is more like a dog than a cat, but he's never been outside in his 8 years of life and hasn't seemed to mind. He has always had other animals around though, as well as lots of views of the birds outdoors! I can say he is so laid back its amazing. He could care less when you give him a bath and he LOVES the hair dryer. Never had him scratch or bite ever, I don't think he has it in him. Its a great breed, have fun!

Originally Posted by dangermouse

Hi All

Could someone who has Maine Coons give me a bit of info..

I have read & read over the past months & have made the decision to buy a kitten. From what I have read they are more than happy to be kept indoors & walked on a lead.. is this true ?

Obviously I dont want to keep a cat indoors if it will be unhappy .. If anyone can tell me a bit more about the breed I would be gratful. I have read some horror stories that they can get up to allot of mischief !!! Tell me all, good & bad ! Also post all your piccies so I can decide on what type to get !

Thanks allot

[ShelbyGirl1]

My Maine Coon mix Simon is one of the most lovable cats we have ever had. He is a purely indoor cat and never even makes an attempt to escape. After all, he's no dummy! Which would you choose...98 degrees and 50% humidity or the nice cool air-conditioning of inside?
My 4 other cats all go to him when they want to snuggle or be groomed. I'm not sure he would survive being an only cat....He loves the feline companionship...Always someone to play with! He is always the first to welcome a new furkid into the household. And he is a BIG boy....15 lbs! His coat is always in need of being brushed...but he loves it, so no problem there.