Maine Coon personality: life with a gentle giant

There's a reason the Maine Coon is called the gentle giant. The first thing that strikes you is the size: big paws, a plumed tail, tufted ears. But people who live with these cats usually talk about something else: their calm friendliness, their intelligence and their wish to be close to you. As always, this is a typical portrait of the breed, not a guarantee, because every kitten has its own temperament.

Sociable and even-tempered

The American association CFA describes Maine Coons as gentle and easy-going yet active cats: friendly, sweet-tempered and easy to train. A Maine Coon usually wants to be involved in everything that happens at home: it greets you at the door, follows you from room to room, sits beside you while you work and keeps a close eye on dinner being made. At the same time, quite a few cats of this breed aren't keen on sitting in your arms for long: they prefer being next to you rather than on you.

Another recognisable trait is the voice. Instead of loud meowing, Maine Coons often “talk” in soft trills and chirps, especially when greeting you or asking for attention. Some owners joke that you can hold whole conversations with a Maine Coon.

Energy, play and brains

Maine Coons are playful and stay that way for a long time: the UK's GCCF notes that many remain playful throughout their lives. They learn quickly, so plenty of Maine Coons fetch toys, open cupboard doors or understand simple cues in exchange for treats. That kind of intelligence needs something to do, or the cat will invent its own entertainment. Good options include:

• wand toys and toys to chase all around the flat;
• puzzle toys and find-the-treat games;
• fetch: some Maine Coons really do bring the ball back;
• sturdy cat trees and shelves for climbing and watching from above.

Several short sessions of 10–15 minutes a day usually work better than one long one.

Many Maine Coons are fascinated by water: they may play with drips from the tap or fish for something in the water bowl. Bowls sometimes get tipped over in the process, so put a mat underneath.

Children and other pets

A calm, patient nature makes the Maine Coon a good companion for families with children, and for homes that already have cats or friendly dogs. Its strength and size, however, mean the kitten should learn gentle contact from an early age, and children should learn a few rules:

• stroke with an open hand, don't pull the tail and never lift the cat by its legs;
• pick the cat up only with an adult present: a heavy cat needs good support under the chest and hind legs;
• introduce the cat to other pets gradually and give it a place where nobody will bother it.

It's best not to rush introductions to new animals: a few days apart, swapping scents, and then short supervised meetings.

A slow developer

The Maine Coon matures slowly: according to the CFA it can take up to three years to reach full size, and the GCCF even mentions four. So the teenage energy and kittenish mischief can last longer than in many other cats. Don't be surprised if a one-year-old Maine Coon still looks like a slightly gangly teenager with legs that seem too long: the final build comes with time. Early socialisation at home is especially important: a kitten that was gently handled and gradually introduced to new people, sounds and situations usually grows into a confident, relaxed adult.

Time alone and the daily rhythm

The Maine Coon bonds with its family and is poorly suited to a life in which nobody notices it for hours. Like most cats, it is most active in the morning and evening and happily sleeps during the day. Most adults cope calmly with an ordinary working day if there is something to do at home and play and company waiting in the evening. If you often travel for long periods, consider a second cat or someone who will come round not just to feed but also to play.

Who the Maine Coon suits

A Maine Coon is a good choice for a family that wants a large, sociable and clever cat, is ready to play with it every day and has room for sturdy scratching posts and cat trees. Bear grooming in mind too: the long coat needs regular brushing. If you want a small cat that sleeps most of the time and barely needs attention, or your space is very limited, it's worth looking at other breeds. Practical tips on setting up your home are in “A big cat in a flat”.

There's more about the breed on the breed page. Look for available Maine Coon kittens, and if there are none right now, join the waiting list.