Why shouldn't you buy a Maine Coon cat?

The question in the title looks a bit strange; very negative and perhaps unhelpful but there is some value in answering it. When you answer the question in respect of Maine Coon cats you have to answer the question in respect of all domestic cats of any kind. That's obvious but it needs to be stated. So, the question could be rephrased: "Why shouldn't you adopt a domestic cat?"

Why shouldn't you buy a Maine Coon cat? There are pros and cons. Image: MikeB.

You can see the slight difference in the question. You have to buy a Maine Coon cat because they are created by cat breeders and they are hobby breeders making some money on the side normally. They won't give you a Maine Coon for free normally.

And that is the first issue to discuss: one reason why you shouldn't buy a Maine Coon cat is because you should adopt a rescue cat. The upfront costs will be much less when you pay an adoption fee at a rescue center than when you purchase a Maine Coon cat for about £1,200 in the UK and perhaps a similar amount in dollars or more in the USA.

And you'll be doing a good deed in giving a home to an unwanted cat rather than supporting a breeder who is creating more cats when there are too many already.

The bigger issue is whether you are in a position to adopt a domestic cat of any kind. A little while ago I prepared an Infographic about being sensible before you adopt a cat which you can see below. That ticks a lot of boxes. They are all reasons why you should or shouldn't buy or adopt any domestic cat, any purebred cat including a Maine Coon cat.

But what about Maine Coon cat specifically? Are there any particular reasons regarding this breed which might put doubts into your head about adopting one of them.

Well, what immediately comes to mind is the fact that like many other purebred cats Maine Coons have their fair share of inherited illnesses. These are illnesses handed down from parent to offspring genetically which results in the offspring being predisposed to certain illnesses such as hip dyspepsia or HCM and other illnesses for this breed, nearly all of them serious and some with the ability to shorten their lifespan (HCM).

And for example, HCM, a heart condition, can start very young in some individual Maine Coon cats (4 months of age). You might be looking after a Maine Coon cat from the age of six months with a heart condition! You don't want that. You don't want the worry and the veterinary bills. So, you might take out a health insurance plan but bearing in mind that the insurance companies know about Maine Coon inherited illnesses, it's not going to be cheap.

Some pros and cons of pet health insurance

And if you sign up to an insurance policy for your cat you have to disclose pre-existing conditions which might include HCM which in turn would result in a hefty premium on your insurance policy.

I'm painting a very negative picture, perhaps unfairly. But then again, I am looking at reasons why you shouldn't adopt a Maine Coon cat.

There are some fine points about looking after Maine Coon cat. They have a medium-long haired coat which is shaggy. There's going to be quite a bit of hair around your home. Are you super houseproud? Do you mind cat hair on your beautiful furnishings?

Cat hair goes with the business of being a domestic cat caretaker but some people just won't like it. And there are no non-shedding cat breeds.

And, of course, if you are allergic to cats, you might struggle because Maine Coon cats are not hypoallergenic. In fact, no cat breed is hypoallergenic.

Stella Gaylor: An Interview with an Exemplary Breeder of Maine Coon Cats

The other points are in the Infographic so I won't go over them. You could summarise by saying that you have to be committed to a lifetime of feline caregiving before you adopt a Maine Coon cat. And they're going to be full-time indoor cats which means that you have to commit to entertaining your cat on a regular basis. This means assigning a certain amount of time in each day to that purpose.

Domestic cats need stimulation and full-time indoor cats don't get enough of it. They are dependent upon their human caregiver to substitute what they would normally achieve by roaming around the undergrowth outside the home hunting.

Maine Coon cats are too valuable and too handsome to allow them unsupervised access to the outdoors through a cat door.

The responsibility is high and there will be budgetary requirements as mentioned. Of course, the rewards are also very high as there are many mutual benefits to the cat and person.