Maine Coon Cats: Tips and Tricks

Being owned by Maine Coon Cats is a lot of fun. They are a loving, yet aloof breed with a high activity level. I have personal experience because I'm owned by two Maine coon cats, Shannon Kyla, three years old, and Connor Devlin, one year. I will give you the tips and tricks I learned to use in caring for your Maine coon cat.

Grooming

Grooming a Maine coon is important. They shed constantly, and their fur can become tangled if you don't brush them regularly. I love seeing how their fur gets a glossy sheen after brushing and how silky it feels under my hand. That is one of the pleasures of being owned by a Maine coon. I recommend a brush with wire type bristles. The soft tipped brushes don't get past the fur enough to remove the excess. Plus, Maine coons love the feel of the bristles as it gets down to the skin. Regular grooming also reduces the chance of them hocking up a hairball on the carpet.

Training

Maine coon cats are extremely intelligent. It doesn't take them long to figure out how something is done. I have trained every cat I had to "sit" and "up" before they get their snack. They are simple commands and they catch on quick. Shanni and Connor both know how to open doors, and the only thing that stops them from doing it is they can't grasp the knob.

To get a cat to sit, hold the snack in your fingers, or if you give them wet food, hold the plate in the air a little. The smell of delicious stinky goodness is a great motivator for a cat. Say, "Sit(insert the name of cat)." They might look at you funny, but wait a few seconds and as you tell him/her to sit again. Then take your hand and push their butt toward the floor. They will probably stand up again, just repeat the command until they sit for a few seconds on their own. Reward them with the treat.

Do not add the "up" command until they sit consistently or with no command at all. For "up", put the treat near their nose and pull your hand upward as you say, "Up!" Your cat will have both of these commands down in no time, making you smile and impressing your friends.

Activity Level

Maine coon cats are excellent hunters, and love to play. A Maine coon is also part dog because if your cat is like my Connor, he/she may love to play fetch. After catching prey, like a lizard, and it gets away, Connor shows his bloodhound side. He puts his nose to the ground and sniffs out the trail to figure out which way the escapee has gone.

Keep plenty of cat toys around for your Maine coon cat. These highly energetic fur balls will exhaust you. Whatever cat toys you get, make sure they can take a beating. Maine coon cats are very rough on whatever they maul, I mean play with. If you have the room, invest in a cat gym they can play and lounge on. I haven't met a cat yet who hates high places, and Maine coon cats love high places more than most. Having a gym will also give you time for yourself because you won't have to be the one to always entertain them. For a real cheap toy, give your Maine coon the tops from soda bottles. Connor has more fun playing and playing fetch with than any other toy we have lying around the house.

Sit back, relax and enjoy a life being owned by Maine coon cats. They are loyal, and won't leave your side once bonded with you.