Thread: Thinking of getting a Maine Coon...

HI Ben,well of course any of us are going to say that you can't go wrong by getting a MC bestest cats ever......!!!! Living where you do why not try to get to a cat show so you can meet them in the fur....? What I would say is go for two,reasons being that one MC is never enough but main one is that they do love company & if you are at work during the week they will have each other to play & snuggle up with. Depending on size of your garden you can either make it all cat proof or just part of it so they can go & enjoy outside space while you are there,we have a pen on the side of the house with a flap from sitting room out onto it so ours can come & go into that as they please.... We got our first MC for £50 as she was an ex breeding queen but then spent hundreds doing all the extra bits that we wanted.....but........x

hi Ben - Welcome to the forum

Originally Posted by jckkerrison

What I would say is go for two

I second that - two always better than one - though I only have one, and she's very happy to be alone - I think she is one of those rare antisocial maine coons (there's always the exception to the rule) she gets very crabby at intruders - so I don't dare take another one on - plus I fear I might have to chose between a second one and a husband - anyway that's beside the point, 2 better than one is what I says. Or, like some people I will not name, you could have 5... (or is it 6 now, Jackie?)
also, living in London, personally I would be afraid as it could get catnapped/stolen... but I'm a rural gal so always weary of city folk - I would make my garden catproof....

I agree with Jackie and Alekto, one is good but two is better! My OH is not willing to let me adopt another MC. I love my girl Ginger, but she does a lot of her sleeping during the day. A single cat would most likely be just fine. Ginger is not real keen on having guests visit, she pretty much avoids them unless they stay for over a month. I am definitely her human, she seeks me out for cuddles throughout the day. So I am sure if you have a only, they will be your best friend. Love my Maine coon!

I second that - two Or, like some people I will not name, you could have 5... (or is it 6 now, Jackie?)
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Back to six Alekto five just doesn't seem a right number but I do know that the time for the numbers to decrease & stay that way is very close but even with one down there is one hell of a big personality gap that makes the whole family seem very incomplete......When people visit I think they are surprised to see just how friendly that amount can be plus how they all have their times for coming to have their special cuddles. I think Ben should pop down to the FiFE show at Swanley in December & come & have a Shimba cuddle I am sure he would be well & truly hooked on the MC then.....!!!!

I am probably going to be controversial here lol but what the hell ha!

Now I know you may not want to do this and it is only a suggestion as I was in the exact position you are in 2 years ago. I just got a house and hadn't had any cats before but had grown up with them and it had been 10 years since I had cats around me and desperately wanted some. But I knew I had no experience in actually caring for cats so I volunteered as a fosterer for the local Cats Protection League as I would then get the experience of caring for cats, but none of the costs involved as the Cats Protection pay for everything. This has given me so much experience in caring for all kinds of cats and I even had one die in my arms which was heart breaking but I have learned so much from doing this. It is hard when they get homed but it is also a happy time as you know they are going to a good forever home.

As I say its not for everyone and it is only a suggestion but you get the experience of caring for the cats, and you have the backup and experience of the other members of the Cat Protection people when you get into trouble or are not sure on something. I have been doing it for 2 years nearly and I am now going to be taking on my first 2 MC's and I can't wait and I know what I am now doing and have much more confidence in caring for cats.

But what ever you do good luck with it!!