Maine Coon Experiences!

[ciggggg]

Hi Everyone

I'm just looking for people to brag about thier Maine Coons pretty much haha!

I just want to know, what they are like as pets? would they get along with another cat ok?
what are they like to show? Because of thier coats, I'm assuming they would be a bit of work?

I've read alot about them, but hearing peoples experiences and stories generally gives me a better idea!

Thanks everyone

 

[p3 and the king]

Well, every cat is different so my experiences with my 2 Maine Coons may not be someone elses or yours... But, I adore them!!  They are just the most loving, intelligent, gentle, and funny cats I've ever known.  I came by King Arthur and Morgan La Fay's pregnant mother and took her in and gave her a place to have and raise her babies.  Later, I found out that my neighbor, who shows Maine Coons was actually her former owner and that their father is a show champion!!!  He is a frequent visitor and in very protective and looks after his offspring.  King Arthur looks just like him.  Morgan La Fay looks just like her mom. 

King Arthur was the runt and I had to bottlefeed him half the time because his siblings would push him out of the way and not let him nurse.  He is now 25lbs and HUGE @ almost 2 years old!!!!  I grew attached to him and couldn't give him up.  I got his mother spayed and his siblings and his mom new wonderful forever homes.  Arthur stayed with me and my 3 other cats. 

About 6 months ago, one of his sisters, Morgan La Fay, ended up coming back to me because her people are having a baby and decided to listen to myths about cats and babies.  I wouldn't let her go for anything in the world now!!!

King Arthur is very smart and very much mommas Little Man who's not so little anymore!!  He is a joy.  He is so funny!!  If I am at the computer and not paying attention to him, he'll attack my butt!!  He is also very smart.  He picked up on the tricks I taught my girls and has been doing them since he was 4 months old.  He knows how to turn on the radio to the cd player and the tv and he knows how to work the nobs to turn the volume up and down.  He watches me, soaking things in, you just know he is learning.  He has a fascination with water... He loves, loves, loves to watch me do the dishes... He loves to play in the running faucet.  Another favorite thing to do is hang out with me while I am doing my homework.  As I type right now, he is laying behind the laptop and watching me with interest.  He's a great hunter, too.  Naturally.  He loves to play with Da Bird and normally "catches" it more times than any of the girls. 

At night time, before I go to sleep, it's funny to watch him attack the phantom prey under the covers.  There's things I know he cannot resist... He's very spoiled.  But, very sweet.  He is the first to greet me with good morning cuddles.  He just loves to be hugged and kissed. 

Morgan La Fay is very sweet, as well.  She is smart but in a different way.  She is more vocal than her brother and will have whole conversations with me.  One on one time is important to her, as well.  And she is also an excellent little huntress.  She also has a fascination with water... I understand this is a Maine Coon characteristic?!   She is my sweet little princess.  Very beautiful. 

As far as the coat goes, it's pretty easy.  I groom them maybe once a week.  They don't get many tangles or mats.  Not like my Persians do.  I give them baths once a month and groom once a week but I could probably groom them every other week and still be OK? 

Mine are very good with other animals... But they have been around other animals all their lives.  So again, may not apply to all cats in the breed.   They very much just like to hang out with you.  Not overly demanding.  Very gentle and sweet.  They do get huge and eat a lot, though!!! 

Morgan La Fay and King Arthur... (Morgan is the black and white one, King Arthur is the HUGE grey tabby and white one)

 

[charless]

We have a three year-old neutered male that we got from a shelter when he was three months old. We were told that he is a pure-breed Maine Coon from a litter turn-in due to a family crisis, however we have no way to verify this. We call him Sam. We saw several of Sam's siblings, and they sure look like Maine Coons, but again that is no proof. Our vet says that if Sam is not a full blood, he is mostly Maine Coon. Again, no proof. Sam is a very sweet cat. He is tall, long, lanky, and has the longest fluffy tail I have ever seen. Sam has a good appetite, and seems to have no digestive issues. He began to play fetch the first day at home, and still does. Sam loves being around people, however is not a lap cat. He will cozy up in the chair next to us, and follow us around the house, but always keeps his distance. Sam always meets us at the door, and escorts us through the house. He sleeps next to my pillow, and will groom me if given a chance, however his tongue is like coarse sand paper. Sam will dive under the covers and go from one side of the bed to the other, dropping out on the floor at the other side. He is very playful, and gets along well with other cats, (we have five) but is afraid of our dogs. Sam will hide when visitors come inside of the house, but will come out to meet you if you stay long enough. He is an excellent watch cat, and will make a fuss it someone enters the yard. He also jumps on top of me if the smoke detector alarms or when the phone rings which is good because I have a serious hearing deficit. As for the coat, it is high maintenance. Lots of brushing and mats are common. Sam looks like a long haired cat in the winter months, but with his summer coat he takes on a medium hair appearence. In the winter he sports a Lion's Mane that is slightly lighter in color (almost gray) then the rest of his jet black coat. In the summer the Mane disappears. His tail stays fluffy and long all year. Having Sam as a part of our family caused us to consider buying a documented Maine Coon from a breeder, however we can't seem to get away from finding very nice deserving rescue cats to have as family members, so Sam is probably as close as we will ever get to owning a documented Maine Coon.