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Bruce W. Bedford November 22, 2009 5:54 PM

Thank you for both the photos, and your helpful (and confirming) comments on the Maine Coon Cat. I've had by way of adoption a Female Coon Cat for several years now and am still being "taught" the proper way of attending her needs, (and she mine); I'm of the belief mine truly believes she's an Empress at the very least as I watch her very dignified ways, which though as a Coon Cat can very suddenly become the absolutely undignified and full of energetic fun, and utterly ridiculus frolic. If ever there was a woodland elf desererving the terms such as fascinating, myths, legends, and lore it is surely the Maine Coon Cat. One thing I might add is because of their empathetic nature, intelligence, and the little known fact that they spend hours in front of mirrors developing the art of being positively cute to a very high art (kidding about the mirrors of course) (in my opinion) that the bond of both love, and mutual respect is (at least in my case) not terrible far from what feels about the people in our lives. BB

Linda November 22, 2009 6:46 PM

Our adoption of this breed was an accident and what a happy accident it was. Our Maine Coon is a such a "fun" cat. Whether she's meowing up a storm always trying to get us to play with her, or lounging around, as only she can do, we never tire of her. Unknowingly we named her Eleanor of Aquataine and she has totally lived up to her name. She has been training us to let her sit on the table, eat out of our hands and other various bad habits we thought we could break. But, it's almost impossible to get mad at her and we have succumbed to her charm and beauty. We would highly recommend this breed, especially for anyone who has reservations about owning a cat. Even people who don't think they like cats are eventually won over.

Karen November 30, 2009 10:13 PM

How are they w/ shedding and allergies. I actually just found a baby kitten in a window well, and took him to the vet immediately as he had alot of outdoor physical problems. He is now ours and I believe he is a cream tabby maine coon. Adorable as they come. I have always suffered with allergies to cars, but have yet to be bothered. Any input anyone?

Andy December 4, 2009 12:08 PM

...and they fetch thrown objects

NR December 4, 2009 9:19 PM

Karen,

With a little research I have determined that my beauty is most likely a maine coon - but they are very similar to a Siberian, which is rumored to be almost hypoallergenic - perhaps this is your cat instead?

Rose Marie Waugh December 11, 2009 5:57 PM

Is the Maine Coon hypoallergenic? We have just rescued a very sweet female. Her fur sheds water and she loves fresh water. Thanks, RoseMarie

sandy December 11, 2009 8:25 PM

my 2 maine coons are not hypoallerginic and they shed a lot, but they do like to be brushed and will come sit on my lap whenever I pull out the brush

Ladycholla December 24, 2009 3:43 PM

We rescued a kitten, and after researching his likeness, behaviour and attitude along with the "M" on the forehead, we are sure he is mostly Maine Coon. He has all the characteristics. He is getting more brown as time goes on, he's full of fun, loves water, measures equal length body and tail. He is loving, has taken to the family like crazy, seems to adore all of us. Sometimes he is like a sack of potatoes, when you pick him up to smooze with him. He really knows how to relax. He likes nose rubs. He is getting the tufts on the top of the ears, has lots of fur between the toes, and has a small voice, which he uses to talk to us when he wants attention. He is a great hunter at aonly 6 months, picks up items such as pencils and pens with his feet to carry all over the house in his mouth and is beginning to fetch for my son. We thought it was to get us to throw the toy again and he loves to do it. He dumps his toys in the water bowl and then chases them around the floor. My poor hardwood floors will never be the same. We have to keep drying them out, just so he can do it again. His name is Zipper and he is a real love and a great cat.
Ladycholla

Richie December 26, 2009 9:19 PM

A little over a year ago I had the opportunity to adopt a brother and sister Maine Coon. I was going to only adopt one but when I put the male into the travel case the female came over and sat right on top of the case and refused to get off. It was the best thing I've done, they bring hours of enjoyment and love to my wife and I. Very dedicated and smart. 1 year old and each weighs about 13lbs each.

Jan January 10, 2010 2:22 PM

Something not mentioned on here about Maine Coons is they don't "talk" much at all. Rarely meow & when they do, it is almost a whisper. They also make a clicking noise when after a bug or bird.

jan January 10, 2010 2:27 PM

Oh, and of course, they are THE most lovable breed (I think!) of all the cat breeds. I thought I was not a cat person, until my son was given one as a rescue. The vet didn't know what breed he was, but as he got bigger & bigger, and with some research we found out he is a Maine Coon. He is strawberry blonde with white markings. Buddy won us all over very quickly, was very grateful to have a safe, loving home & immediately showed our 3 min-pins who was boss. Can't imagine life without him now!

donna January 10, 2010 5:51 PM

Hi am going to rescue a maine coon from a shelter this week, he is only 3 months old and all black, no one has mentioned they could be all black I hope is really a maine coon, I really wanted one, thanks for any input to this.

Mary Ann January 19, 2010 6:56 AM

We just rescued a 4 month old silver maine coon named "Money" two days before Christmas. He is was the best gift ever. He rules the house and we and everyone who sees him falls in love. Smart, loyal, playful and king of the house. He is training us. He was at home the moment I opened the door on the carrier. He just strutted in to the house and our hearts!

Debbie February 7, 2010 6:48 PM

I have what I think is a Maine Coon. He talks all the time, has the distinctive "M" on his forehead, has the long "racoon" tail that is as long as his body. He has tufts in his ears and an almost "football" shaped head. He is Orange and White. I rescued him when he ran into the loading dock at my brothers store. He took a picture of him and showed it to me and I just fell in love. He is sweet, and loving and loves to play..sometimes, he loves to be lazy. He's very helpful at his chores of "keeping the bed warm", keeping the laundry flat(while he sits on it), eating, and typing my emails by walking on my keyboard(although he is not a good speller)...He truly has made my life complete....

jackie February 9, 2010 4:17 PM

we were lucky to be owned by a blue maine Coon for 17 yrs. Hoffman was the master of the house. he was smarter than us and a pure joy every minute. after his passing, we found a tortshell and an orange & white in the past several years. they are truly king & queen of the roost.

phyllis henshaw February 11, 2010 5:41 PM

Our Maine Coon came from the Grocery store posing as a female. His close friends included several squirrels who taught him to go around a tree trunk as they did, and an opossum who taught him nothing. He was quite wonderful - black & white, round yellow eyes, looking a little like an owl.

Jeannie February 13, 2010 8:09 AM

Our first Maine Coon, Jazz, came from a rescue organization 2 years ago. She fetches and drinks water from the bathroom faucet. We got Rocky, this past year, from an classified ad in Petfinders. We drove 3 hours to get him. He is affectionate and talks alot. Since we got Rocky, Jazz is happier having a brother she can fuss and play with. They are, absolutely, the best cats in the world for us. They are gentile, intelligent and fun to watch when they play. Jazz is more reserve than Rocky, but he is helping her come out of her shell. Jackie was right when she said "we were lucky to be owned by a ...Maine Coon".

jeni d February 22, 2010 9:58 AM

our mainecoon found us just sfew months ago.Just showed up at the back door.Tho i could tell he was friendly i didnt want to let him in u c we have three female cats and a dog already.being winter i couldnt bear to leave him outside well he struted himself inside and gave everyone a nuzzle including the dog!i just couldnt believe my eyes!no one ever claimed him so he is now a happy addition to the family.hes a large brown tabby.We named him sampson.

Jewels February 22, 2010 7:31 PM

I adopted a kitty and didn't know he was maine coon until I watched cats 101. I wondered what the heck was up with the tail, then all the physical traits fit, including the M he has. He is a brown tiger striped - like many pics u see of the maine coon. He does not speak much but is very observant and smart. Before we named him, when he was a baby, he would sit in the kitchen and attentively watch me cook. I said to him, Look at my "Itty-Bitty Kitty" - and the name stuck. Boy was I in for a surprize when I found out he was maine coon and kept growing. He is 18-lbs and people laugh when I tell them his name is Itty Bitty. More like Itty Bitty Lion - and I tell him that. There is something special about him and how he understands what I am saying to him - he responds to calls and has a pretty good vocabulary understanding. He is being raised with two dogs and rules the roost but softly. He is sweet on the girls and sometimes I call him "Sultan Man". He is a romantic! Gets his way with this look in his eyes - that u can't say no to! FYI - he is only 2yrs old and I know he has another year to grow! We love him very much!

Jewels February 22, 2010 7:39 PM

In addition - he almost lost that tail when he decided to "run outside" and the next day stumbled home with his tail ripped open by what we think could have been a racoon. Maine coon attacked by Ra coon. He is so sweet I think he thought he could "play" with a racoon and got the shock of his life. He almost died! They had to cut off all his fur on his tail, some of his skin and stitch him back up. I had to hot compress him 3x's a day for a week and follow up to get the drain plugs out from the infection. It was horrible. I think he knows we saved his life and truly loves us for it. He never wanted to go outside after that. He is attentive sitting at the window and make weird noises at the birds - tickey - click - sometimes rumbley sound. My Boston Terrier is still terrified of him (Itty Bitty was here b 4 the Boston) But he tries to love her. I am sure she will fall for him soon, that little lover boy kitty.

Jewels February 22, 2010 7:48 PM

Finlly - (really) we had anothe cat that got out and never came home :( but since Itty Bitty has become the only cat in the house, his personality has changed and he has come out of his shell more and more lovie. IDK why he felt reserved before but he is a much better cat alone with the dogs and his vices over them. LOL.

Jenette February 27, 2010 6:55 PM

im going to the shelter to adopt a cat, and there is a litter of main coon and birman kittens. i have a golden retriever, live in md but go to florida and like to bring my pets, and would love an affectionate cat good for a first time owner. Help!

Maureen Teresa Stroup March 4, 2010 9:03 AM

I am the step-mom to 2 cats and one Cockatoo. The Cockatoo taught the Maine-Coon-Tabby to talk! Yes, the Maine-Coon part of this fellow is very sweet & loving. He watches over and teaches his young partner - a black cat. Our Maine-Coon-Tabby will be 3 yrs old this summer. I never had cats before and my 2 Norwich Terriers just pasted away. So this cat is helping me to heal. What a sweet guy! I would get another in a heart beat - allergies or not. (Which mine are getting better. The Dr. says I am adjusting. LOL)

lisa olson March 4, 2010 12:11 PM

My gentle giant (27lbs) Abby, is a nanny cat to all the fosters that come through our house (kitten or Puppy). She will take charge of the babies and make sure everyone is clean whether they like it or not! She is truly a gentle soul, but she is a great hunter! She moves pretty fast for a big gal! She has a tiny voice that she rarely uses, but she has enormous gold eyes and a majestic plume of a tail. Her triple coat is completely unsuited for Southern California summers, and I have to make her come inside to cool off. But in winter she will spend hours outside in the pouring rain, it doesnt seem to bother her a bit! Abby is a joy and a comfort to us. Long live Queen Abbigail!