Do Maine Coons like to be picked up?

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There are several topics you can discuss when answering the question. They are as follows:
  1. In general, Maine Coons are no different from any other domestic cat in this respect.
  2. It depends how you pick up your Maine Coon cat.
  3. If your Maine Coon is feeling ill or has been injured than they probably won't like to be picked up.
  4. Delivering tender loving care (TLC).
Caveat: I am presuming that the cat is fully socialised as is highly likely for a cat that has been created by a breeder whose duty is to socialise their cats. 

I've seen many photographs of Maine Coons which have been picked up by their owner and photographed and they have always looked very comfortable and placid just like the monster MC below 👍✔️.

Chastity Hobbs with her nine-month-old kitten Kusa
Chastity Hobbs with her nine-month-old kitten Kusa. Photo: Instagram account of the lady in the photo (Chastity Hobbs).

No different from other cats

Although we look at Maine Coons as if they are very special and in one respect they are because they are so popular and so impressive, in terms of their mentality and their attitude to being picked up, in general, they are no different to any other domestic cat, even the humblest of moggies.

Some Maine Coon cats might object to it but I have the distinct impression that most of them are perfectly okay with it. It will be an individual cat 'thing'. I would expect 90% of Maine Coons to be fine with being picked up but...

It depends how you pick her up!

I've seen many people especially children pick up domestic cats in the wrong way. They grab hold of the cat around their shoulders and the whole body is left hanging down without any support. This is not going to work very well. And sometimes I've seen slightly abusive, normally men, pick up cats by the scruff of their neck. This is entirely incorrect especially if the cat is an adult as it places to much pressure on the neck and skin.

The obvious way to pick up a Maine Coon cat is to support the cat fully in both hands/arms. Common sense dictates that you support the cat just behind their forelegs and just in front of their hind legs with both your hands. When you lift them up you can then adjust the position while still supporting them. The key element as mentioned as support in the right places.

I happen to have a page on the topic (in fact I have more than one page!) but you can read one by clicking on this link if you wish.

Feeling ill

This is about the observational powers of the cat's caregiver. It is wrong to pick up a cat when they feel out of sorts or in pain. Obvious, I know. It is quite easy to overlook the fact that your Maine Coon cat might be in discomfort for whatever reason and under these circumstances picking them up might result in a hiss and/or growl. A clear sign of feeling pain and complaining about being picked up.

I would suspect that most observant and decent cat caregivers will know when their cat has been injured or is feeling uncomfortable perhaps because they have just returned from the vet. They will leave their cat alone under these circumstances.

Maine Coon is placid

As I have stated before, I've seen perhaps hundreds if not thousands of photographs of Maine Coon cats being shown off to the camera. Their owner supports their cat as mentioned above, just behind the forelegs and just in front of the hind legs. 

They hold their cat up high and every time I see this the Maine Coon cat's expression is completely calm as seen in the photo on this page. These big Maine Coon cats have very affable characters. They don't mind being picked up. I suspect they don't mind a lot of things because of their character.

Also, Maine Coon show cats will be used to being handled more than normal and therefore well able to cope with being picked up.

But one caveat: all cats have their own character. It is somewhat dangerous to brand all cats of one breed the same in terms of personality and attitude.

Tender loving care

When a cat owner picks up their cat it is normally to deliver tender loving care with a kiss and a cuddle. Provided the cat is picked up properly and supported adequately, he or she will normally like it. 

If they are a little bit nervous or timid, they might not like it because it means the cat owner's face is very near to the face of their cat. Normally domestic as don't like that kind of proximity between their face and the human face. It is a little bit intimidating.

Sometimes you see domestic cats putting their forepaws onto the face of their owner to ensure that their head stays at arm's length. I read this to mean that they don't like their owner's head getting too close to theirs.

This observation is reinforced by the fact that if you put your face near to your cat's face - and this potentially applies to all cats depending on their character - the cat will often react by moving their head backwards. They just like that comfortable distance.

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