Top Mainecoon Pros And Cons

Cat lovers who want to get a new cat Mainecoon always ask about Mainecoon pros and cons, to know what to expect while living with a Mainecoon cat.

Mainecoon cats are one of the most popular breeds in the US.

They are the 3rd most popular breed in the UK. These big, fluffy, and intelligent cats are everywhere.

In this blog post, I want to cover some pros and cons of Mainecoons to help you decide whether or not you should adopt one.

But before you jump in, it’s worth noting that they have a few drawbacks.

Before I made this post, I contacted about 57 Mainecoon owners to find out what they love and hate about their cats.

I made a little research, however, I wanted this post to be purely based on the owner’s opinions, not research.

So, about 85% of the Mainecoon pros and cons you see in this post are based on the real Mainecoon owners and not on research.

I also asked in Mainecoon groups to be sure am on the right track, so let’s get down to all the common Mainecoon pros and cons you should know before getting one.

Mainecoon Pros And Cons

Mainecoons are awesome! But they’re not for everyone.

Here are some pros and cons of Maine Coons to help you decide if this is the right cat for you:

1. Mainecoons mess with their poop

Mainecoons get messy with their poop, they always step on their poop, especially the male Mainecoons.

However, they get better as they grow older and older, most times you find poop on their tail and butts.

You can also come back and find poop on the floor, furniture, walls, and everywhere they go.

Cleaning up their poop is not fun, however, just like I pointed out, they will get better over time as they grow older.

Mainecoons poop smells a lot when you don’t feed them with the right food, so always look out for these smells.

At any point, if your Mainecoon poop starts to smell too bad, then you should check on the quality of food you are giving them.

2. Mainecoons are expensive

Mainecoons are an expensive breed of cat, and to get a purebred Mainecoons you will spend around $1200 to $3000 USD which is not funny.

Even though they are still expensive, they are also not easy and cheap to find around which means getting one is not funny as well.

3. Mainecoons are obsessed with food

Male Mainecoons eat a lot of food, and they tend to eat too fast as if they have not had any food for ages.

Most times they behave as if they are starving, even when they are not, if you keep adding food to their plate they will keep eating.

Mainecoon cats are known to act like they have nothing to eat for the last two days, and they beg for food a lot.

Even when you feed them, they will still try to beg you for food while you are eating your own food, they are too excited about food.

They will always be near you begging for food, and if you keep giving them food you are calling for obesity.

4. Mainecoons Shed A Lot

Mainecoons have lots of furs, and they are great at shedding their fur, they can mess up your home if you don’t invest time in grooming them.

So if anyone tells you that Mainecoons don’t shed a lot is a big lie, however, if you finally get a Mainecoon then get ready for grooming.

You will be doing lots of brushing, vacuuming, and cleaning just to keep their fur from flying around the house.

Mainecoons fur gets everywhere in your house, especially your food, furniture, clothes, walls, and floors.

Their poop can get stocked in the fur around their butts, so be sure to trim the fur around their butts to make life easier for you.

5. Mainecoons overgrow items fast

This is one of the major cons of Mainecoons, they grow too big and so fast, such that you have to change items all the time till they stop growing.

Changing items can be very expensive, just imagine getting a litter box, and a cat tree just to see that after 4 to 6 months of age, they are not used again.

Mainecoons overgrow cat carriers, litter boxes, cat beds, and cat trees, thereby increasing the cost of maintaining them by getting new ones.

6. Mainecoons make a mess of their food

Mainecoon cats are great messy eaters that can mess up the floor with what they eat, however, they tend to get better as they grow older.

These cats spill everything on the floor and you will always have something to clean, and this is not always funny.

Fun enough, after they are done with the food in their feeding cans they will focus on the spills, and to most owners, this is a big challenge.

For the record, you need to provide a good feeding can or plate that is wide and not some narrow and tiny feeding plate or water can.

Wait and sit it out as they grow older, they start to keep things cleaned up but make sure you provide good plates.

7. Mainecoons are great talkative

Mainecoons are talkative and love to express themselves at any given opportunity, which is not fun for some people.

They talk a lot when they want food or attention, more than the average cat, they can meow for nothing which is annoying.

Mainecoons can wake you up in the night unnecessarily and they love you to wake up early in the morning.

Again, it may not be funny for some people, on the flip side of things some owners do enjoy it a lot, but for me, I love my sleep.

8. Mainecoons are always begging for attention

Mainecoons need your attention a lot, and if you pay no attention, they are not happy with you, and they become too vocal.

They love to follow you around the house a lot, however, some owners enjoy it while others don’t enjoy it.

When you want to do some work they love to distract you and when you crate them or lock them out they will become too vocal that you can’t stand them.

9. Mainecoons have big claws

Because Mainecoons are big cats, their claws grow too big and if you don’t trim or clip them, their claws can hurt you.

You are expected to trim their big claws every 3 weeks, if you don’t then be ready to get scratches in your house and on you.

Mainecoon cats love to play with you, and they don’t know their claws hurt you while playing with you.

So, it’s your job to keep their claws short for your own safety or your kid’s safety. Mainecoons are very rough when they play so be careful.

10. Mainecoons are prone to boredom

Mainecoons are easily bored, and loneliness can push them to spoil things they won’t get close to if they’re around.

It is difficult to leave one Mainecoon cat at home alone for long, that is why most owners recommend you get two, not one.

To be honest with you, if you are a 9 to 5 worker, or you are always away for more than 5 to 8 hours in a row, then Mainecoons are not for you.

However, if you must have a Mainecoon cat, you should consider getting two.

11. Mainecoons need regular exercises

A Mainecoon may not be the perfect cat for you if you don’t have a lot of time for a pet.

This kitty needs to get some exercise! It’s not that any other cat breed doesn’t, but Mainecoons require activity to be their best.

A Mainecoon cat will grow bored if there is no physical activity and will seek out methods to entertain and exercise itself.

This might involve improper scratching and damaging items in your house.

Mainecoons are prone to obesity if they do not engage in regular exercise.

Make time every day to play with and exercise your Mainecoon cat.

12. Mainecoons Are Intelligent And Can Learn Tricks

One of the pros of Mainecoon cats is that they are extremely sensitive and intelligent, and they love learning.

You want a cat that will perform tricks perfectly when you give commands, then get a Mainecoon.

The Mainecoons obey commands and instructions, but this is when you are around, the moment you leave home they will try to explore everywhere.

Due to how intelligent the Mainecoons are, they hardly get into trouble when their owners are away.

It is very much more accessible and easy to train a Mainecoon than most other breeds of cats, again this is how intelligent they are.

They know what is good and bad once you teach them.

13. Mainecoons are very loyal

Mainecoons are a very loyal breed but could bond and become more loyal to the one person that feeds and take care of them mostly.

Mainecoons never attack their owners no matter what, however, because their claws hurt, they can hurt you during play.

Just like most breeds of cats, Mainecoons don’t know it pains to scratch their owners while playing.

But you can correct this by trimming your Mainecoons claws.

Learn more about Mainecoon behavior concerns.

14. Mainecoons are great hunters

Mainecoons are great hunters, which means they will keep all rodents and creepy animals away from your home.

This might not sound good to some people, but some owners said their Mainecoons have sent away all rodents around their homes.

However, if you live in an area full of rodents or small animals, be sure to vaccinate your Mainecoon against all parasites or worms.

It’s very difficult to stop a Mainecoon from hunting, especially if you live in an area with lots of prey to hunt.

The bottom line is that no small animal will come around if you have a Mainecoon cat.

15. Mainecoons Are Very Affectionate

The friendly temperament of the Mainecoon cat is one of its most endearing characteristics.

A frequent misunderstanding about cats is that they are aloof and self-sufficient.

While this is generally incorrect for most cats, it is especially so for this breed.

The Mainecoon is known for being friendly and caring toward its family members, sometimes following them from room to room.

After a hard day at work, these cats are ideal for snuggling up on the couch, and they will always be there to provide you with love and company.

16. Mainecoons Are Always Emotionally Sensitive

A further outstanding trait of the Mainecoon cat is its sensitivity.

With just one look into those big, inquisitive eyes, you’ll know your Mainecoon understands your feelings.

Many Mainecoon owners have informed us about their cats soothing them when they are unhappy.

These cats are extremely sensitive to their surroundings and can detect when their family members are upset.

17. Mainecoons Are Great With Other Pets

Many pet owners are concerned about introducing a new animal into their house, particularly if they already have pets.

Mainecoon Cats are very flexible, and their sociable behavior isn’t limited to people they frequently extend their devotion to other animals!

The Mainecoon is a cat that seeks company and gets along well with other cats. They’re even known to get along with dogs!

The Mainecoon, on the other hand, has a strong predation drive and should not be kept near tiny rodents or birds.

Learn more about helping your Mainecoon cat get along with other cats.

18. Mainecoons Are A Non-aggressive Breed

Regular home cats are known to be violent on occasion. If the cat is aggressive, it is best not to touch it and to keep your distance.

Assume you touched your cat’s tummy and he or she disliked it. Your cat will most likely bite you.

However, the cats frequently seem to want to make sure you don’t do it again and bite or slap you after biting you.

That will never happen with a well-bred Mainecoon cat.

Your Mainecoon may indicate that it does not want to be touched in a certain way, but it will not harm you. Instead, it will just flee.

Learn more about Mainecoon aggression.

19. Mainecoons Are Highly Adaptable

Irrespective of their size, this breed is quite versatile. The Maincoon cat breed will adapt to any living conditions you provide.

They are overjoyed, and as long as their people adore them, they are unconcerned about location.

They always find a way to make the most of a bad situation. They fit into any lifestyle.

20. Mainecoons Are Not Too Territorial

Some cats can become extremely territorial, refusing to share their area with humans or other animals.

This can also result in behavioral issues such as spraying. Mainecoons, on the other hand, are not territorial.

They don’t mind sharing the house with the rest of their family as long as they have lots of space to run about in!

Learn more about ways to discipline a MaineCoon cat.

21. Mainecoons Are A Very Healthy Breed

According to other owners, I contacted, the Maineoons are generally a healthy breed of cat, which is one of their outstanding pros.

The Mainecoon, on the other hand, is a sturdy breed with minimal health issues.

This breed evolved spontaneously and without human interference, resulting in considerably healthier characteristics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, owning a MaineCoon cat comes with both advantages and drawbacks.

From their affectionate and sociable nature to their high-maintenance grooming needs, every cat owner must weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether a MaineCoon is right for them.

While they may not be the perfect fit for everyone, those who do choose to bring a MaineCoon into their home can enjoy the companionship and unique personality of one of the most beloved cat breeds in the world.