What You Need to Know About the Maine Coon Temperament

There's no more perfect pet for a growing family than a Maine Coon cat. Large enough to withstand the overzealous petting of a curious toddler, but small enough to fit in a tight space, Maine Coon cats are intelligent, curious, playful, affectionate, and even trainable. Unlike most cats, Maine Coons tend to build a unique relationship with each member of their family vs. becoming exclusively attached to one family member. The Maine Coon personality is something very special.

It's a cliche you'll hear a lot in reference to the Maine Coon cat, and for good reason. But what does it mean? Maine Coons are very confident, outgoing, people-oriented cats. We can best compare them to the Golden Retriever, who believes he or she has 3 billion best friends and just hasn't had the chance to meet them all yet. Maine Coons are not going to disappear for hours at a time, hide under the bed when company comes over, or pass up the chance to take a car ride on a Sunday afternoon. Maine Coons can be taught to sit, fetch, and even roll over, and offer many pet families the best of both worlds in a single furry package!

The only longhaired cat domestic to the United States, Maine Coons originated in New England.  Their strong, muscular bodies and dense coats are uniquely adapted to survive in a cold, wet climate. Believed to be important rodent control workers on fishermen's ships, Maine Coon cats have maintained many physical traits that give them an advantage in water. Some are known to be prolific swimmers, but almost all of them love to play in running water in the sink, toilet, or bathtub.

When our doorbell rings or visitors show up, our Maine Coon cats are the first ones to the door! And when we travel, meeting new people is the highlight of their trip!  Well socialized from birth, and given the opportunity to build their confidence with a wide variety of people early in life, our Maine Coon cats will eagerly approach people, even strangers, like they've known them forever. For this reason, Maine Coons are frequently picked up or stolen if let outside, yet another reason we have an indoor-only adoption policy! Are Maine Coons friendly? You betcha!

Just as Maine Coons love people of all backgrounds and demographics, they also love other friendly animals. Large enough to be bigger than a toy breed and many medium-sized dogs, they make great companions for all gentle-natured dogs and do great in houses with dogs that don't have an overactive prey drive. They are, of course, cats with natural hunting behaviors, but can and do live in homes with many other exotic pets including parrots, turtles, rabbits, and more!

While they may not fit in your lap for long, Maine Coons will be your cuddle buddy for life. They thoroughly enjoy spending time up close and personal with their people and companion animals. Whether they're making biscuits on your leg, grooming your hair, demanding chin scratches with a head butt, or nestled up close to you for a long afternoon nap, these big, glorious, majestic cats are always babies at heart. The amazing Maine Coon personality is something you just have to experience for yourself--it will change your life!