Maine Coons are famous for their large size, fluffy coats, and gentle personalities. They are often called “gentle giants” of the cat world and make wonderful companions for many families. However, this breed isn’t the right match for everyone.
Their size, care needs, and unique traits can be challenging if you aren’t prepared. Before bringing one home, it’s worth knowing what life with a Maine Coon really involves.
This article is based on information from reliable online sources and is intended for general knowledge only. Individual cats may vary in temperament and health.
1. Their Size Can Be Overwhelming
Imagine a cat the size of a small dog sprawling across your entire couch! Male Maine Coons can reach up to 11 kilograms, making them true giants in the feline world.
Their impressive stature means you’ll need larger cat furniture, oversized carriers, and more substantial scratching posts to accommodate them comfortably. Many first-time owners are genuinely shocked when their cute kitten grows into a massive adult cat that can stretch over a metre long from nose to tail.
2. High Grooming Needs
Those magnificent flowing coats come with significant maintenance requirements. Without regular brushing sessions at least 2-3 times weekly, their dense fur becomes a tangled nightmare.
Owners must invest in special grooming tools like slicker brushes, metal combs, and detangling sprays. Many Maine Coons resist grooming efforts, turning what should be a simple task into a wrestling match. The time commitment alone makes some owners question their decision, especially during seasonal coat changes.
3. They Shed A Lot
Fur tumbleweeds rolling across your floor will become a familiar sight with a Maine Coon in residence. Their double coat sheds continuously throughout the year, with dramatic increases during spring and fall.
Dark clothing becomes instantly decorated with light-colored fur, and vice versa. Even with daily vacuuming, fur finds its way onto every surface. For people with even mild allergies, this constant shedding can trigger uncomfortable symptoms and requires perpetual cleaning to manage.
4. Prone To Health Issues
Behind those expressive eyes and majestic appearance lurks the potential for serious genetic health concerns. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects Maine Coons at higher rates than many other breeds, sometimes causing sudden heart failure.
Hip dysplasia, typically associated with large dogs, frequently appears in these cats too, leading to pain and mobility issues. Spinal muscular atrophy and polycystic kidney disease also occur in the breed. These conditions mean more frequent vet visits and potentially thousands in treatment costs throughout their lives.
5. Large Appetite
Prepare for your grocery bill to increase substantially when feeding these gentle giants. A typical Maine Coon can consume nearly twice the amount of food as an average-sized cat.
Quality nutrition becomes especially important due to their predisposition to certain health conditions, meaning premium food is recommended. Some owners report spending over $100 monthly just on cat food. Larger portions also translate to more frequent litter box cleaning, another hidden cost in both time and supplies.
6. Space Requirements
Apartment dwellers beware! These cats need considerable room to roam, climb, and play. Their athletic nature and large size mean standard cat trees often wobble under their weight or simply don’t provide enough space.
Maine Coons love to run and require long corridors or open areas to burn energy. Many owners find themselves rearranging furniture to create “cat highways” through the home. Without adequate space, these naturally active cats can become destructive or develop behavior problems from pent-up energy.
7. Strong Personalities
Forget the myth that all cats are aloof. Maine Coons have opinions about everything and aren’t shy about expressing them! Their vocal nature means constant chirps, trills, and meows that can interrupt phone calls, work meetings, or sleep.
Fiercely independent, they’ll often ignore commands and training attempts. Their problem-solving intelligence leads them to figure out how to open doors, cabinets, and refrigerators. Many owners describe living with a Maine Coon as having a furry roommate who never pays rent but makes all the rules.
8. Attention Seekers
Working from home? Expect a 20-pound feline to plop directly onto your keyboard during important emails. Maine Coons demand interaction and become genuinely distressed when left alone for extended periods.
Their social nature means they follow owners from room to room, insist on bathroom companionship, and wake you at dawn when they decide it’s time for breakfast. For busy professionals who travel frequently or work long hours, this neediness can become problematic. Some owners even report their cats developing separation anxiety with destructive behaviors when left alone.
9. Slow Maturity
While most cats reach full maturity around age 2, Maine Coons take their sweet time, often not fully maturing until 4 or 5 years old. This extended kittenhood means years of energetic, sometimes destructive play.
Expect knocked-over plants, midnight zoomies, and countertop parkour well into what should be their adult years. Many owners, expecting a dignified adult cat after the first year, find themselves exhausted by year three with no end in sight. Their delayed maturity also means delayed behavior training success.
10. Higher Costs Overall
From initial purchase prices starting at $1,000 from reputable breeders to specialized equipment, Maine Coons strain the wallet. Standard cat carriers, beds, and litter boxes simply don’t fit these supersized felines.
Their potential health issues mean pet insurance premiums run higher than average. Boarding facilities often charge extra fees for their size and care requirements. When totaling food, grooming supplies, larger equipment, and medical care, Maine Coon ownership easily costs thousands more over their lifetime compared to standard-sized breeds.
