Maine Coons (and other cat breeds)

TechAPhi · #1 03-12-2002, 01:20 AM

I recently lost my sweet cat who was 17 years-old. My husband has found another cat that he really thinks is adorable. She is a Maine Coon. I was wondering if any of you own or have ever owned a Maine Coon? What is their temperment like? Are they docile or active?

My sweet cat who recently passed was 1/2 Siamese and 1/2 Rag Doll and was just the sweetest, most beautiful cat ever. She was very docile and mostly a lap-cat. We are looking for a cat that will be similar in temperment. Any thoughts?

PenguinTrax · #2 03-12-2002, 09:28 AM

Maine Coon's are great cats - very friendly and loyal with wonderful personalities. They do, however, have long hair and would require daily grooming. They are also big - I've seen some males as large as 20 pounds, plus, that were not overweight.

If you visit the American Cat Fancier's Maine Coone web site, you can learn more about the breed.

I've ALWAYS wanted a Maine Coon.

carnation · #3 03-12-2002, 09:39 AM

The people we're buying a house from have this hysterical yellow-eyed Maine coon cat that skulks around the house and attacks us from behind doors, out of closets, you name it. (He doesn't want us to buy the house, it has a goldfish pond that he stalks for dinner.) The owners said his dad weighs 30 pounds!!!

G8Ralphaxi · #4 03-14-2002, 01:32 AM

Another cat that is often very sweet is Himalayan - 1/2 Siamese and 1/2 Persian. My family has always had Siamese or Himalayan cats. Siamese tend to be very oriented to their family but less cuddly around new people. The Himalayans I've seen seem to jsut be calmer, cuddlier versions of Siamese.

I'm so sorry to hear about your cat. I know it's really hard losing such a sweet loyal little friend. We had a GREAT Himalayan cat for a long time. We got her right before I started 2nd grade, and she died a few years ago when I was in college.

Very huggable cat, liked anyone that would pet her.

We got her at the pound. You should just try my Mom's strategy - when we want a new pet, she goes down to the pound and brings home whatever cat "fusses" over her the most. You know, rubs on you and cuddles and keeps wanting to come to you. That's the cat that will love you the most.

I'm just a big proponent of getting pets from shelters generally. I know that the shelters in many cities have websites that list what animals (ages, breeds, etc.) they have, so you can maybe check around your area and "rescue" a Maine Coon cat, or Himalayan or whatever. I know the one here in Gainesville even posts pictures of the pets - they are all so cute, I want to bring them all home!

KABillyMac · #5 03-14-2002, 01:55 AM

When I first started reading this thread, I said to myself, "holy hell, they have a coon running around their house and they think its a cat!!!!!" but then I read on a little bit and realized that its a breed.

Do they look like coons? I dont think my dad could have a Maine Coon in his house with the hounds out back. They would probably stand at the back door and howl all night at it.

G8Ralphaxi · #6 03-14-2002, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KABillyMac
When I first started reading this thread, I said to myself, "holy hell, they have a coon running around their house and they think its a cat!!!!!" but then I read on a little bit and realized that its a breed.

Do they look like coons? I dont think my dad could have a Maine Coon in his house with the hounds out back. They would probably stand at the back door and howl all night at it.

I think that they have striped markings on their tails like raccoons. Also their fur is dark and they are pretty big cats so they do look more like coons. From far away it would be pretty easy to mistake them for raccoons.

And the dogs would DEFINITELY go bonkers. "Awright! A cat AND a raccoon in one! Double the fun!"

ilovemyglo · #7 03-14-2002, 02:03 PM

Himalayans are half siamese, but if you get a female, you are not getting a lovable little friend. We have a female himalayan and she does not like to loved on or held at all. I got a male cat that is just a mix breed and he is so sweet and my vet said that is common, males are tempermentally so much sweeter and affectionate compared to females (once they are fixed!) so just keep that in mind!
Sarah

justamom · #8 03-14-2002, 02:13 PM

When I first started reading this thread, I said to myself, "holy hell, they have a coon running around their house and they think its a cat!!!!!"
KABillyMac-I get the biggest kick out of you!

Peaches-n-Cream · #9 03-14-2002, 03:42 PM

KABillyMac-You are so funny! lol!
We had raccoons running around our summer house all winter. Of course, we didn't know until May and by then the damage had been done. They entered through the chimney and left a mess everywhere including eating the sofa.