Just in case you decide you need to get a Maine Coon, let me tell you a little about them. DO NOT MAKE A HASTY DECISION! These are just not like your ordinary old house cat, or Siamese, or whatever you've had before.
First of all, don't even consider you can use a regular litter box for a coon. These cute little guys become big cats in a short period of time. Walmart carries a good selection of plastic storage boxes. Get one of those.
Most of them love water. They have 3 different layers of fur/hair. Water will roll off of them like water on a duck's back.
Another difference is the ruff they develop around their necks. Rather like a lion and gives them a regal look. Ears are bigger and farther apart, and lots of hair in the ears. Sometimes they have the tufts on top of the ears like a lynx.
They have claws that need to be trimmed periodically. I haven't had any experience with the female of the species, but the males can be a handful. My theory is never play rough with a cat or you can make him mean. That theory worked so well on Oscar.
Hasn't worked well at all on Pepper the tiny terror. More about that later.
They need to be house cats. Good theory, but Oscar and Pepper could both rush a door before you knew what had happened.
Maine coons are clowns. Everything is a toy, even your leg if they decide to tackle you. The females usually calm down as they get older. If you've got a male, you've got a clown for life.
And if you DARE to make one mad at you, you will not have to wonder if he's gonna get you. He is. I carry a squirt bottle for such occasions.
Also if you think they're going to eat a little 3 times a day…..forget it. You leave a big bowl of food out all the time and the same with water.
When they exercise in the house, they run from one end to the other as fast as they can, and will hit whatever they jump on at top speed. It better be sturdy.
But if you've got plenty of space and a sense of humor, this could be the cat for you.
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