Same as the unique and large Maine Coon size, the Maine Coon personality is distinctive among all cat breeds, making it a popular choice among cat owners. It’s not always easy to make generalizations because every cat has its own idiosyncrasies, too, so I’ve jotted down my observations about the dominant Maine Coon characteristics I’ve seen in our house over the years. Here are the 15 Maine Coon personality traits you need to know:
Unique Maine Coon Temperament Makes them ‘Gentle Giants’
Known as the ‘gentle giants’ and the “dogs of the cat world”, the Maine Coon is known for its sweet, kitten-like disposition. Unlike the other cats, these fellows are not that much lap seekers. Only few of them are lap cats. They are a bit dog natured, more than cat natured.
Maine Coons are also known for being sociable and affectionate with their owners, which can make them great pets for families and individuals alike. They will love you a lot, admire you, and seek admiration for you. This is what their specialty actually is.
However, they love kids and attention, too, as all other pets do. They can even entertain your other pets, especially small dogs like puppies. Female Maine Coons will be caring for them as if they are her own kids, and the same is the case with your baby too. This lovely temperament influences the Maine Coon price.
Maine Coon are very adaptable
Maine Coon cats are very adaptable. They are known to do well in various environments and situations, such as living with other animals, adjusting to a new home, and getting along with children. They are known for their easy-going temperament and ability to adjust to different living environments, including urban and rural settings.
However, it’s important to note that each individual cat is unique and may have their own personality traits and preferences. It’s always a good idea to spend time with a Maine Coon before bringing one into your home to ensure that their personality and needs align with your own. If you’re bringing home a Maine coon kitten as a family pet, be sure to let the various members of the household gently handle it daily.
Maine Coons are Tolerant of Dogs and Other Animals
Despite the common stereotype that dogs dislike cats, the animals can become very friendly together. Maine Coon Cats have a very relaxed personality and make for surprisingly good companion pets. If the Maine Coons are friendly, you have to keep an eye on your pets.
If we take out a puppy without a proper introduction, they could overwhelm the coo or even be jealous. List a few reasons for the Maine Coons’ jealousy. When you get a dog, you should initially keep it in one room.
They can get along well with other cat breeds and may even form strong bonds. They are also known to be good with other small animals, such as rabbits and ferrets.
Maine Coons are very Friendly and Affectionate
The Maine Coon is a friendly, affectionate and healthy breed. They are known for their love of people and are often very social with strangers. Maine Coons are also very loyal to their owners, and they will often follow them around or seek out their attention.
It will follow you throughout your home and give you a catwalk just behind your legs. They will sit at a short distance and follow your every move but will not respond to you unless you seek one.
Maine Coon cats are Attention seekers
There is not a single pet who doesn’t love to seek attention from its owners. These cats are someone who doesn’t believe in one friend only. Rather, they will make friends with more than 2 or all the other family pets and members, and in each case, they will be intimate. However, like all other pets, these fellows are also kid lovers. They will not touch you or seek your lap, but attention is essential.
Maine Coons are Playful and Intelligent
Maine Coons are very playful and intelligent cats. They are known for their curiosity and often find ways to entertain themselves with Maine Coon toys and go for a fetching game. It loves the garden, and playing in the open air is preferred by her.
Maine Coons will happily sit with children and may join in some games – especially if they involve balls rolling around the floor! Our cats will tolerate most things, and if they are pulled about too much, they will warn the kids by pushing them away with a padded paw.
They are also quite intelligent cats, and they can learn to do tricks and follow commands with proper training. In fact, it knows that its size is not normal, making it very sensitive to all these.
Cautious and Quiet Nature of Maine Coon Cat
They are silent in nature and very much sensitive. If you don’t give her attention, it will not ask that from you, but it will feel the sorrow inside and gradually finish itself in pain – this is what they are. If you close the door in front of it, it will never protest you but sit there before the entrance.
As you open the door, you will find the big fellow waiting for your sight. If you still ignore her, she will just go and sit in the corner, but it will be really tough to feed her at night. So, you need a kid-like affection to own this poor little creature.
Loyal and Protective Behavior of Maine Coon
In terms of behavior, they are very caring and will always notify you. What you are doing and how you are doing all will be recorded by the superb intelligent guys within a month after she meets you.
They are known for their loyalty and protectiveness. Maine Coons are devoted to their owners and often follow them around the house or sleep by their side. They are also protective of their owners, and they may become territorial or defensive if they feel their family is being threatened.
Maine Coons are Great Hunters
Maine Coons are known for being excellent hunters and can take down small animals like mice and shrews. With their long fur and sharp claws, they can easily corner and capture their prey.
They are fans and masters of hunting rodents and mice. If you had any mice at your home, you could remain certain that you would not find them anymore within a week or so. If they were none, then the rodents would surely see their nightmare.
Maine Coons also have a keen sense of smell that helps them to track and hunt their prey. They are also very independent and can hunt on their own without much assistance from their owners.
Maine coons love water
The Maine Coon cat breed is better known for its unique love of water. Many attribute it to its ancestral roots in Maine, where Maine Coon developed naturally to hunt in harsh, snowy conditions. They have a thick, waterproof coat that allows them to enjoy the water without getting cold or uncomfortable. Maine Coons also have a playful nature and enjoy splashing around in the water as a form of play and exercise.
Additionally, water can help them regulate their body temperature and bond with their human family members. I found Henry, my own Maine coon loves to take baths and play in the water. He loves to sit at the edge of the bathtub and dip his paws in the water. He also loves to play with his water fountain and drink from it.
They’re Very Vocal Cats But Don’t Meow A Lot
Maine Coon cats are known for being vocal, but they don’t meow a lot. They are more likely to trill, chirp, chortle, and even “talk” with their owners. Maine Coons may also make various other sounds like purring, chirping, or growling. They meow occasionally, but not as much as other cat breeds. They meow to get attention, greet their owners, or express emotions.
Maine Coons love food
Maine Coons do love food! They are known to be very food motivated and can often be found begging for treats. Few even say Maine Coons are “grazers,” meaning they prefer to eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of one large one.
They also enjoy playing with their food, so it is important to provide them with a variety of healthy Maine Coon food to keep them entertained. But be careful not to overfeed them, as they can easily become overweight. A few Maine Coons got over 20 kg weight and became the biggest cats in the world.
Maine Coon, the Healer
When I’ve been struck down by the flu or a sickness bug, Henry is always close by – and willing to provide some comfort. I don’t think this is a specific trait of just Henry, but it’s a good example of the Maine Coon personality in my experience.
The Florida Sun-Sentinel reported on the story of two Maine Coons, Diesel, and Charlie Girl, two trained and registered therapy cats. Dogs aren’t the only registered “helping animals” out there. Diesel and Charlie Girl practice a special breed of medicine at a Fort Lauderdale hospital and a veteran’s nursing home. Dr. Lisa Radosa says, “Cats raised more like dogs and breeds that have an easygoing temperament, such as the Maine Coon breed, can make fine therapy animals. For them, being petted or being next to someone is rewarding. And their owners are giving them little treats, training them to enjoy the visits,” she said. “Of course, the cats want to go back.”
Anyway, back to the protective Maine Coon personality, I would describe Henry as my emotional crutch at times. I wouldn’t call him the most affectionate cat in the world, but he accepts that a cuddle from his owner is part of his job role. He also shows other ways of lifting my mood, e.g., he will blink back when I blink at him.
Sometimes, even when the house is chaotic with toys all over the floor, the kids are fighting, and I’m feeling exhausted, he will quietly sit next to me on the arm of the sofa and rub his head against mine.
Maine Coon, the Babysitter
I doubt this is really a Maine Coon personality trait or characteristic, but he is such a brilliant baby monitor that I never really needed to use an electronic one when the children were babies.
For most of the evening, he will sit in the hallway between both children’s rooms, and if either one needs attention, he simply has to pop his head around the lounge door and chirp and let us know we need to go upstairs to deal with a waking child. He always follows us up the stairs and returns to duty once they are settled. This doesn’t just happen ‘once in a blue moon’ but every night. We’ve recently started calling him ‘The Godfather’!
Maine Coon, the Supervisor
This was the original role I first saw Henry adopt, and other Maine Coon lovers agree this is a dominant characteristic that makes the Maine Coon personality unique.
However, there are many occasions when he feels the need to interfere – especially if we have visitors or workers in the house. He thinks inspecting visitors’ handbags and luggage and sniffing clothing is his role. I’m not sure what exactly he is looking for, but he seems to carry out a more thorough job of people who dislike cats – maybe he senses their suspicion of him.
He takes an interest in anyone who interferes with the contents of his house, e.g., during one visit, the man who fixes the computer nervously deleted the computer virus with the supervisor looking over his shoulder. Whenever he wrote any notes on his pad, he had to accept Henry would lend a helping hand (or big brown furry paw).
FAQS
Do Maine Coon cats like to be held?
The Maine Coon cats generally do not like to be confined. They are an active breed and enjoy access to a large area to explore and exercise. If a Maine Coon is confined to a small area, it may become anxious and stressed, so it is important to provide them plenty of space to roam.
Are Maine Coons good house pets?
Maine Coons can make wonderful house pets. They are friendly, intelligent, playful, and can get along well with other animals and humans. They tend to be very affectionate and loyal, making them great companions.
Do Maine Coons have aggression?
The cat breed has no natural aggression, so its behavior is likely influenced by environmental factors. Tell us the possible explanations for Maine Coons aggression.