Maine Coon Cats? Cat advise as well please :)

[CC1892]

Honestly, I'm not here to rain on anyone's parade, but it pains me to see these magnificent cats are get such a bad rap.

I own a registered Maine Coon, from a quality breeder. The breeder had all of her animals take part in a Tufts University Study for
Cardio problems. Well documented study and her cats passed with flying colors. This breeder carefully bred out as many problems associated
with Main Coons as possible-an ongoing breeding program for 26 years. Chicken breeders do the same to preserve the best qualities and reduce the negative traits as much as possible.

My Maine Coon is the best cat we have ever owned. My husband and I have owned countless foundlings- some were great pets others were not.
We kept all of these homeless cats until their lives ended, regardless of their short comings-they couldn't help how they were bred.....

Today we have George, and agree he is the most loving cat we have ever owned. He is loaded with personality and affection, and has NO conflict with our 2 Brittany bird dogs.
George with make a running leap at our male Brit, and give him a nip on the ear, then stop and groom his ear. The dogs and George have always had a good relationship.
I can only guess that, perhaps, good breeding is the common denominator with good temperament.

This is not just an odd happening, since others who have bought from this same breeder have made similar claims.
George is also extremely intelligent, and was very easy to train. He has huge claws that need to be trimmed weekly.
He has never clawed furniture or for that matter, not use his litter box improperly, or shown bad behavior.

Registered Maine Coons have always been known as "Gentle Giants." Quality breeding, and strong bloodlines makes all the difference.

 

[Orchid]

I can't chime in on the Maine Coon thing since I've never owned one, but I will second that vote for Swheat Scoop cat litter. Love it, love it, love it! Clumps great, doesn't have that nasty chemical odor, and is flushable or in our case burnable in our outdoor wood boiler.

 

[LittleChickenLady]

Even though ours hates dogs and other non-fixed male cats (even though he's fixed), he absolutely LOVES people.
If you come in the house he's always the first one to come see you.
He'll meow at you (basically screams) and will stretch and grab your clothes/legs until you pick him up.
Then he'll wrap his front legs around your neck, just like he's hugging you, and purr super loud while rubbing all over your face.


I'd definitely get another one.

And he's only had a few minor health problems.
Nothing that was ridiculously expensive to get treated.

 

[CC1892]

Quote:
He sounds like a great cat with typical Maine Coon affection... they are wonderful pets!
thanks for sharing.

 

[the Precious Ladies]

thanks you guys for all the comments

I honestly don't know much about the cats or their pedigree at all. The parents of the litter that I met were so nice and very calm and didn't have any aggresion towards me and my friend, though im not sure about their temperment with dogs. The health problems concern me though, I can ask Rhianoen about her cats health issues and see if there any major thing with the parents. the 5 adult main coons (they are probably mixes, which dosn't bother me at all) all live together and seem okay with each other. the kittens just recently opened their eyes since their only two weeks old right now.

thanks for all the imput and know now what I should ask Rhianoen

Anyone have exerience with the Fresh Step litter?

 

[Bec]

Quote:
100% agree here! My mom and I bred, raised and showed Maine Coons for about 10 years. A lot of people like to call domestic long hair tabby cats, Maine Coons.

ETA: As far as the dog hating cats..that's that particular cat's personality. Ours actually took to our dogs wonderfully. They are laid back, gentle giants and I would recommend them to anyone as a great family pet. I agree that they should not catch such a bad rep. They are wonderful cats.

 

[AinaWGSD]

I never meant to give them a bad rap, and I'm sorry if it came out that way. Mostly I wanted to put forth the fact that if this is a breed that one is considering then you really need to research the breeder before getting a kitten or you could be in for some unpleasant surprises. This is definitely one of those breeds where if I were to get I would spend the time and do the research to find a really good breeder and buy from a breeder rather than going with whatever breeder was closest or a rescue. Unfortunately they have fallen victim to greedy backyard and irreputable breeders with their popularity. I don't know how the Maine Coons we see at work are with dogs as we don't really let the animals interact at the clinic and I don't think any of the families that have them have dogs. And I will say that the Maine Coons that I am certain are actually Maine Coons and the very few mixes that I actually believe could really be part Maine Coon have had good temperaments at the vet. I have met plenty of longhaired cats that were claimed to be a Maine Coon mix (which I seriously doubt) that were aggressive, but the purebreds and mixes that I am confident really were Maine Coon (or mixed) have always been very well mannered at the vet.

 

[dldolan]

Hello All,
I could use some advice! I just adopted an abandoned cat, purportedly a Maine Coon. He is just a year old, about 16 lbs, and seems to have the characteristics I read about in the Maine Coon magazine I bought to tell me about this breed, that is, keeps me company but is not a lap cat. Follows me around the yard and garden, sitting by me when I am working, calls at me to play, fetching a feather stick and NEEDS high-level play about twice a day, 20 min/time, plus he is outside during the day. I have attached three photos...I am curious about his color pattern that is stripes AND spots...what would this be called? And I am aware he doesn't have ear tufts, although I see not all do, and that he may (probably) be a mix.

He is assertive, though obeys when told "No, get down" and seems to learn quickly things like "let's brush', "outside", "Indy, come", "play time". (Tests me though on the "no cat on the bed" issue!) He is getting used to my brushing him, and although he has several areas that were off limits when he first came here, he is getting much better. I have had him four weeks.

Questions: He is mouthy like a puppy. Licks me, and sometimes "tastes". When I feel teeth, I say no firmly (not yelling), tap him on the nose like mamacat would, and walk away, which is what a vet told me to do ( i was just "NO!-ing and walking away). He follows me around almost every time I have to do this. Then we do something positive and I tell him "good boy" and give a pat. He has NOT tried to break skin, and I am going slowly with him not knowing how he was raised. Will he learn to trust and not try to...bite is the wrong word. Sometimes it is a warning, and sometimes just seems like he is "used" to that behavior.

Issues with feet..I think someone must have kicked him. The only time he hissed at me in the past four weeks was when I went to shoo him out the door with my foot and he freaked. Same with my hubby who tried to rub him on the tummy like he did with our previous cat--he is clearly not wanting feet to be used on him in any way, but will trot right next to our feet when walking to the chicken coop, etc.

Same with the claw--which he has NEVER clawed me with, but uses it to protect. I guess I am asking if, with time, patience, love and more maturity on his part, if we can overcome these issues/habits? I have already seen enormous progress, and understand that I have no way of knowing how he was treated as a young cat, or what trials he had to undergo while living on the streets of Cloverdale. He lays by me belly up (I don't touch, though!

so it seems we have some trust going on.

Thanks for listening and any help you can give would be much appreciated. The breed seems awesome...friendly but not clingy, loyal, fun, interactive. I have high hopes.
Here he is:

 

[CC1892]

He obviously is smitten with his new owners.
It takes time and patience and it looks like it's paying off- great job!
Your cat could be part Maine Coon but shows many characteristics of a pure breed. Not all pure breeds have the tufts on the tips of their ears. Check breeders on the internet,
there is allot of variation. (the research is fun too). Earlier Maine Coons didn't have tufted ears at all.

Maine Coons really do respond to the word "NO." I have not tapped on the nose, but have seen mother cats paw, kittens in the way. I think it's a great way to communicate.
Mine seems to get a little hurt by the command then comes back to me to bond- I will try the nose tap. The best part is that they retain the reasons for the command. The bed issue is typical of Maine Coons,
they like to "help" make beds, clean the house etc. They are a constant companion and enjoy getting into what your doing at the time.
They are world class greeters as well- The door opens and they are front and center ready to see the guest.

Mine also licks alot- I read somewhere that this is a sign of acceptance. Ours will also lick the dogs (both are Brittany bird dogs).

I think your color is call Mackerel, which I think is beautiful! http://mco.over-blog.com/article-26921289.html
Give your little guy time he will fill out nicely. He is beautiful (love your photos) and seems to be on track to being a big boy at 16 pounds already.
I obviously am biased to toward Maine Coons I really feel they are the best!



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[dldolan]

OH my gosh! Thank you so much--that seems to be the right color! (On a French Maine Coon!

) I really appreciate the positive comments. I feel like we have made some progress today! He was only neutered in August, so maybe he needs to work though some male and teenage hormones, but he is clearly wanting to be a "good" boy. I haven't been mouthed (can't think of how else to describe it!) in several days now, and we have progressed to my brushing his chest, and some of the back of his legs and tail! I even was able to sneak in a tummy pat after he pooped out chasing the fishing feather toy! He is a cat of routine, and has learned not to meow at our bedroom door when the rooster crows in the morning, that sleeping on the chairs or couch is fine, that I will play with him first thing in the morning and in the evening. He "fetches" the feather stick, and chases the feather (kitty fishing) pole until pooped out, so seems to sleep all night. He does breathe awfully hard after running around, so I go in 2-3 minutes spurts with 3-4 minutes in between so he can catch his breath. He is thin, though eats well and a lot. I am giving him Science Diet "Hairball" mixed with Royal Canine "Maine Coon" food.

One interesting behavior...today when a guy came to help put in olive trees, Indy seemed pretty protective of me and walked all the way back to the olive grove with us and kept himself between me and the "unknown" man, refusing to let him pet him and coming over and standing by me and staring at the guy (which kind of unnerved him!). Is it common to have this breed show such dog-like protectiveness? I am wondering if he is feeling protective as my hubby is away?

Indiana Jones aka "Indy" + mackerel coloring = Indy Mac!

LOOOOONNNNGGG boy...

Playing with the kitty fisher (feather on a string on a stick)