Living With The Mighty Maine Coone Cat / Characteristics And Behavior

My love for cats

At the age of ten me and my brothers found a cat that came in our back garden from time to time. This cat lived somewhere in the area and had a mustache. Our family never had pets before besides a little budgy or Canary to be accurate which my mom inherited from her grandmother who passed away. At some point we were playing outside and saw the cat entering a house. Since the cat had come frequently in our garden we believed it was our cat so as usual at the time, me and my brother nodded on my younger brother to get at the door and reclaim the cat.... a week later we got a kitten from the same people who owned the cat with the mustache. From that moment on I started to become a huge fanboy of cats and cats became fan of me too. I like to spoil them a little.

When the Journey Started

Over past 2 decades as I grew up I had several cats as pets, and best friends. My favourite buddy of all time passed away at age 14 in oktober last year when I was in Barcelona. It hurt me quit a bid and I secretly released a tear when nobody was watching. The bond I had with that cat was magical I cannot describe how but it was very strong. So since oktober 2016 I was catless up until earlier this year when I got a grown grown up Main Coone cat from a friend of mine. A Maine Coon cat is a very special breed, that belongs to the largest of all cats and as they can grow to the size of a small dog. The breed is well known for their characteristic behaviors that differs a lot from the ''random'' shorthaired cat breed that is most common. Despite that the breed costs about 500 euro in comparison to a free kitten which he initially costed, I concluded that it's not an average cat to deal with. So whenever you like this cat and are thinking of purchasing one, here are some my experiences that you should know about to find out if you can handle a mighty cat like this.

Cuteness overload

1

They are highly intelligent big and stubborn beings that are not quickly afraid of somebody or something. They are very curious about most noises or things an other cats are scared off. They just go on investigating whenever they suppose to get scared something.

2

It seems they use their sense of smell way more to explore than I have ever seen a cat do. It's like they have some instincts dogs have.. Not that they rely that much on their sense of smell but I noticed he uses it a very lot.

3

They attach very fast to one certain person, this may have something to do with him being a malecat but still, as friendly they are around people and comfortable to new faces, at the end they know who gives them the food and who is mighty in the house. whenever I am around with friends, he comes chilling on my side.

Chilling with the big boys

4

They have a very different way of saying miaauw.. He makes sometimes noises that sound like an alien language or something I can't describe it.. They have a miauw also and it can be very loud and repeatedly if he is not pleased. That brings us to the following differences, the level of verbal communication... I sometimes get terrorised in the middle of the night when he suddenly decides to go out side or is hungry. Whenever he needs something he is loud and clearly present to the point it's almost forcing. Next to that when he is chill he can be verbal to but then in the BRRRR BRRRRR way of course.

5

He totally knows his way around way more faster than an average cat that needs to stay in for 6 weeks or so to get attached and familiar with the surroundings and new living space. All though I had blocked all my sneaking holes in my garden for hime to be unable to escape, he sneaked out and I thought he would never come back after only 2 weeks but surprisingly he cam back a couple of hours later.

Me holding him displaying his size

6

Because their size they need way more food than any other breed. Buy in big but watch out he has an apetide that can differ from day to day. Sometimes he just likes to eat some different foods than what normally seems to be his favor meal. He then just simply doesn't eat it and verbally demands something else... If you don't give him some other meal he will go on until you admit to it anyways.

7

They like rain and outside in windy weather. Yes it's true he likes bad weather.. maybe because of his long hair he is better protected. But I never experienced this behavior before in other cats.

Protecting and defending the garden and area behind my house

8

He is highly social towards all other animals except unless other animals are friendly to him, he is friendly back. If not then he simply destroys you (like he did once with the neighbours male cat who tried to be dominant towards him claiming his territory and got totally destroyed because of the differences in size and strength).

9

Holy shit buy a decent cat grid / toiled that at least is closet because o-m-g the poop totally something different.

Being a little silly during playtime / exercise

10

They need and demand a lot of playtime. they play way more than an average cat in my opinion. It seems to be because of their size they consume more food and need their daily exercise to get rid of that energy. They also like to behave silly

All the described behavior may be just be his personality but the is super sweet and has become my bro for real now. It may be though some points of consideration to others who take it more easy and more relaxed when adopting a cat. A Maine Coone cat is not for everybody since you have to give and you have to demand from both sides. I am going to get a brother for him so he can annoy the other cat and play with it rather than me all the time which gives me a little space also. i have had problems in the beginning to handle with it and the reason I was awake this morning was also because he was hungry. But these cats are awesome and there is no doubt about it. If you are considering a Maine Coone and still have questions feel free to ask me about tips.

So in the end to sum it up:

Pro's

• Personality : Very friendly and curious yet stubborn and picky at times, but he's a great great partner and loves to
  be cuddled

• Social: Very social towards other animals and is willing to make friends with them. Dogs aswel other cats are
  his buddy's when they are friendly back

• Playfullness: It's a lot of fun and play time with these jokers.. you will smile

Cons

• Audio : When not pleased, expect a miauw concert until pleased. When he starts to make low deep and hard
  noises he needs either attention, food, or demands you to let him out (or in).

• Food: Very picky eater who cannot handle all kinds of food because of his breed. Also beware of a smell that
  comes afterwards that is very hard to handle (for me).. Buy a big big cat toilet that is not open.

Tip: To have some more space, it's better for you and him to have some friends in the house like an other cat or dog to chill with.

I hope the information will be usefull to you. Have a nice Day

Seveaux