The Maine Coon guide · Kats Kits
Maine Coon Behavior: What to Expect
Maine Coons are known as the gentle giants of the cat world, and much of that reputation comes from how they behave: friendly, chatty in their own quiet way, fond of water and clever enough to learn tricks. They are also big, playful cats that stay kitten-like for years, and they need an outlet for all that energy.
This guide covers the behaviors owners ask about most, why Maine Coons do them, whether they should go outside, how to keep an indoor Maine Coon busy, and the changes that mean a trip to the vet. For temperament and how they suit families, see Maine Coon personality.
Do Maine Coon Cats Like Water?
Many do, at least more than the average cat. Common Maine Coon habits include:
- Dipping a paw in the water bowl and drinking from the paw, or tipping the bowl over.
- Playing with a dripping faucet or batting at the stream.
- Following you into the bathroom and sitting on the edge of the tub.
- Dropping toys into the water bowl.
Nobody knows exactly why. Possible reasons include curiosity about moving water, which catches the eye and invites a paw; a coat that is fairly water-resistant, so a splash bothers them less than it would a cat with a fine coat; and their history as working cats on farms and, by tradition, on ships. Playing with water is not the same as liking a bath, though, and plenty of Maine Coons object to being soaked.
A wide, heavy bowl or a pet fountain gives a water-loving cat a better outlet than the toilet. Keep toilet lids down, and never leave a cat alone near a full bathtub. See what Maine Coons eat for more on bowls and fountains.
Are Maine Coons Vocal?
They are talkative but rarely loud. Instead of a big meow, most Maine Coons use a range of softer sounds:
- Chirps. A short, bird-like sound, often used as a greeting or to get your attention.
- Trills. A rolling, rising sound somewhere between a purr and a meow, often heard when a cat wants you to follow it.
- Chattering. A rapid clicking at birds or squirrels through the window, which many cats do when they spot prey they cannot reach.
- Meows. Often small and surprisingly high for such a big cat.
Not every Maine Coon chirps. It is common in the breed but varies from cat to cat, and plenty of ordinary house cats chirp too. Some Maine Coons hold a running conversation with you all day; others are quiet. A sudden increase in loud yowling, especially at night in an older cat, can be a sign of a health problem and is worth a vet check.
Are Maine Coons Smart and Trainable?
Yes. Maine Coons are often described as one of the more intelligent and trainable breeds, though there is no reliable way to rank cat breeds by intelligence. What owners notice is curiosity, a good memory for routines and a willingness to learn, especially when food is involved. Some work out how to open cabinets or let themselves through doors with lever handles.
That brain needs using, or a bored Maine Coon finds its own entertainment. Short, positive training sessions with treats are a good outlet:
- Clicker training. Click and give a treat a few times so the click comes to mean "treat coming". Then click the instant your cat does what you want, such as sitting or touching a target stick with its nose, and reward it. Keep sessions to a few minutes.
- Fetch. Many Maine Coons learn to bring a toy back on their own. Reward the return and throw again.
- Harness and leash. Put the harness on indoors for a minute or two at a time, with treats, until your cat ignores it. Then clip on a light leash and let it lead you around the house before trying a quiet yard. Always stay with your cat.
- Coming when called. Pair a word or sound with dinner and it soon comes running.
- Puzzle feeders. Feeders that make a cat work for its food give a clever cat a job and slow down a fast eater.
Never punish a cat. Shouting or spraying water tends to make a cat fearful or sneaky rather than better behaved, so reward what you want instead.
Can Maine Coons Go Outside?
They can, and their heavy coat copes with cold weather, but a Maine Coon does not need to roam to be happy, and indoors is the safest place to keep one. Kats Kits kittens go to indoor homes. A cat that roams freely faces risks an indoor cat never meets:
- Traffic. Cars are one of the biggest dangers to cats that go outside, especially young ones.
- Predators. Coyotes and other wildlife attack cats in many parts of the US, and size is no protection.
- Disease and parasites. Fights and close contact with other cats can spread FIV and FeLV, and roaming cats pick up fleas, ticks and worms.
- Theft. A friendly, valuable purebred that walks up to strangers is easy to pick up and keep.
- Getting lost. A cat that wanders off, or gets shut in a neighbor's garage or shed, may not find its way home.
The safe way to give a Maine Coon fresh air is a catio, an enclosed outdoor run or screened porch where it can sit in the sun and watch birds without roaming. Harness walks suit many Maine Coons too: train as above, start in a quiet yard and always stay with your cat. A microchip, with your contact details kept up to date, is worth having in case it ever slips out. More on setting up a home in how to care for a Maine Coon.
How Do You Keep an Indoor Maine Coon Happy?
With the right setup, a Maine Coon is perfectly content as an indoor cat. It does need more than a sofa:
- A big, sturdy cat tree with wide platforms and a heavy base. Many trees built for average cats wobble or tip under an adult Maine Coon.
- Tall scratching posts, tall enough for a full stretch and heavy enough not to move.
- Window perches for hours of bird watching.
- Rotating toys. Swap toys every week or so to keep them interesting.
If you are planning for a new kitten, see the available Maine Coon kittens.
How Much Play Does a Maine Coon Need?
Maine Coons mature slowly and often stay playful well into adulthood. A rough guide by age:
| Age | Play needs |
|---|---|
| Kitten, up to 1 year | Bursts of high energy. Several short sessions a day, plus plenty of naps. |
| Young adult, 1 to 3 years | Still very playful while growing into its full size. Two sessions of 10 to 15 minutes a day with a wand toy, plus climbing and puzzle toys. |
| Adult | Calmer, but still needs daily play to stay fit and avoid weight gain. |
| Senior, about 10 years and up | Gentler games, lower perches and ramps or steps to favorite spots. Short, regular play helps keep joints moving. |
The best play copies hunting: make the toy hide, dart and escape, let your cat catch it at the end, then offer a meal. A laser pointer can start a game, but finish with a toy your cat can actually catch.
Why Does My Maine Coon Follow Me Everywhere?
Maine Coons are sociable and like to be part of whatever is going on. Many follow their people from room to room, supervise the cooking and wait outside the bathroom door. Often they would rather sit beside you than on your lap, though some are devoted lap cats. This dog-like habit is one of the breed's best-known traits.
Like all cats, they also sleep a lot, often 12 to 16 hours a day, with kittens and seniors at the top of that range. They tend to be most active around dawn and dusk, so a Maine Coon that sleeps through the afternoon and wants to play before sunrise is behaving like a normal cat.
Do Maine Coons Get Along with Other Pets?
Usually well. Their easygoing nature makes many Maine Coons good companions for other cats and cat-friendly dogs, especially with a slow introduction: separate rooms at first, swapping bedding so they learn each other's scent, then short, supervised meetings. They still have a strong hunting instinct, so keep birds, hamsters, rabbits and fish safely out of reach. See are Maine Coons good with dogs for a step-by-step introduction, and Maine Coon personality for children and other cats.
How Do You Fix Common Maine Coon Behavior Problems?
- Scratching furniture. Scratching is normal and keeps claws healthy. Put a tall, heavy sisal post right next to the furniture being scratched, reward your cat for using it, cover the target spot with double-sided tape for a while, and keep nails trimmed (see grooming a Maine Coon). Kats Kits kittens are not to be declawed without the breeder's approval; nail caps are another humane option.
- Counter surfing. A tall cat with a long reach finds counters easily. Leave nothing worth stealing on them, give your cat an approved high spot nearby, such as a cat tree by the kitchen, and lift it down calmly rather than scolding.
- Night zoomies. Play hard for 10 to 15 minutes in the evening, then feed a meal, which matches a cat's natural cycle of hunt, eat, groom and sleep. Do not get up to feed or play when woken early, or you teach your cat that it works. A timed feeder can serve an early breakfast instead.
- Biting during play. Use wand toys rather than hands, and stop the game if teeth meet skin.
Which Behavior Changes Mean a Vet Visit?
A change in behavior is often the first sign that a cat feels unwell, because cats are good at hiding pain. Call your vet if your Maine Coon:
- Hides more than usual, stops greeting you or becomes suddenly grumpy or aggressive.
- Eats or drinks noticeably more or less, or loses weight.
- Starts going outside the litter box.
- Is reluctant to jump, climb or play, or walks stiffly. Hip dysplasia and arthritis are known concerns in the breed.
- Grooms one area until it is bald, or stops grooming altogether.
- Yowls more, especially at night, or seems confused.
Some signs are emergencies. Go straight to a vet if your cat strains in the litter box producing little or no urine (especially a male), breathes fast or with its mouth open while resting, or suddenly cannot use its back legs. These can be signs of a urinary blockage or heart disease, including HCM, a known concern in Maine Coons. More on breed health is on the health tests page, and on keeping a cat well into old age in Maine Coon lifespan.
Quick Answers
Do all Maine Coon cats chirp?
Not all, but many do. Chirping and trilling are common in the breed, and individual cats range from nearly silent to very chatty.
Do Maine Coon cats like baths?
Some tolerate them better than most cats, but playing with water is not the same as enjoying a soak. Most Maine Coons rarely need a bath.
Are Maine Coons lap cats?
Some are. Many prefer to sit close beside you rather than on you, and follow you from room to room.
When do Maine Coons calm down?
Gradually. Many stay playful and kitten-like for the first few years while they finish growing, and keep a playful streak for life.
Can you walk a Maine Coon on a leash?
Many learn to accept a harness and leash with patient training. Always supervise, and never tie a cat up outside.
Do Maine Coon cats use a litter box?
Yes, as reliably as any cat, and kittens usually learn from their mother in their first weeks. A grown Maine Coon needs an extra-large, high-sided box, scooped every day; a small one is a common reason a big cat stops using it.
Can Maine Coons be left alone during the day?
A healthy adult usually copes with a working day if it has toys, climbing space and company when you are home. Kittens need more attention.
