Maine Coons are sizeable cats and must appear quite intimidating to smaller animals. People often ask if Maine Coons get along with other cats. We did our research to see if a Maine Coon and another cat can live happily together or if all hell is let loose. Here’s what we discovered.
One of the best characteristics of a Maine Coon is how easily it can live with other cats. Maine Coons are sociable creatures and thrive far better with other cats in their lives than they do on their own. It is common to see a Maine Coon and another cat sharing a home in complete harmony.
Most people who have a Maine Coon and another cat report that both cats live happily together as long as the introduction is carefully executed.
You shouldn’t just put a Maine Coon and another cat in a room together and expect the pair of them to instantly get on like a house on fire.
The process can take time and patience and will vary depending on which cat you’ve owned the longest.
See a full Cat Introduction Plan below.
Are Maine Coons sociable with other cats?
A Maine Coon is generally friendly with other cats. Many people have multi-cat households where at least one cat is a Maine coon. However, older Maine Coons are not always accepting of other cats and there is no way of guaranteeing harmony.
Two Cats Under One Roof
Many people own more than one cat where at least one is a Maine Coon. There are several ways this scenario arises:
- They get two Maine Coons at the same time.
- They get a Maine Coon and another breed of cat at the same time.
- They already own a Maine Coon and then get a second Maine Coon.
- They already own a Maine Coon and then get
a second cat of a different breed. - They already own a different breed of cat and then get a Maine Coon.
How can you ensure any of the above combinations result in the cats living harmoniously?
First, bear the following points in mind:
Cats are Territorial
Cats are naturally more territorial than dogs, and some are happy in their solitude. Territorial behavior in cats can present itself in a number of ways and usually involves spraying urine, hissing, stalking, or attacking another cat.
Existing household cats often view a new cat as an invader or intruder. If you bring a strange cat home and try an immediate introduction you will very likely trigger a panic switch in your existing cat.
Cats can also be picky about different cats and may tolerate one but not another. Intact cats can be particularly territorial so if you want two to live in harmony, it is recommended to spay or neuter both.
Maine Coons Form a Strong Bond With Their Owner
Maine Coons develop strong bonds with their owners and display loyalty which is more typically associated with dogs rather than cats. It is possible for a Maine Coon to be jealous of any other cat that is introduced into its territory to compete for its owner’s attention.
Getting Two Maine Coons at The Same Time
Two Maine Coon Kittens
If you want a Maine Coon to live in perfect harmony with another cat the ideal solution is to get two kittens from the same litter. They will already have a strong bond and so will be perfectly comfortable with each other and will be ideal playmates.
If you go out to work they will provide good company for each other. It’s best to have them both spayed or neutered to ensure that as they mature they don’t become less tolerant of each other.
Two Adult Maine Coons
You may choose to adopt two adult Maine Coons at the same time, in which case you will have to follow a strict introduction plan unless they have been living together elsewhere. See the Cat Introduction Plan below.
Getting A Maine Coon and Another Breed at The Same Time
Two Kittens
A Maine Coon kitten and another breed of kitten should be perfectly fine together as long as they are still quite young and close in age. You should still follow the Cat Introduction Plan (below) but it shouldn’t take as long as for adult cats.
Over time they should form a strong bond that lasts throughout their lives. Again, neutering or spaying is recommended to ensure their personalities remain the same.
Two Cats
If you adopt an adult Maine Coon and another breed of cat that
Introducing a New Maine Coon to an Existing Maine Coon
When bringing an adult Maine Coon into a home with an existing Maine Coon, there are several things to consider:
- Your home is your current cat’s territory and will be smothered in its scent.
- It is very rare for a Maine Coon to welcome a new Maine Coon into its life immediately.
- Your Maine Coon might view the new Maine Coon as an unwelcome intruder and treat it with contempt
- The new cat might sense your cats smell and feel frightened and threatened.
Again, follow the Cat Introduction Plan below.
Introducing a Different Breed of Cat to an Existing Maine Coon
This is much the same as introducing another Maine Coon as cats don’t distinguish between different breeds.
The main difference is that as your Maine Coon is likely to be a lot bigger than your new cat so the new cat will feel more vulnerable and may act more aggressively out of fear.
The Cat Introduction Plan below should be followed to the letter.
Introducing a New Maine Coon to an Existing Cat of a Different Breed
A Maine Coon may make an existing cat of another breed feel intimidated due to its sheer size so your existing cat may go overboard with aggression.,
Again carefully follow the Cat Introduction Plan.
The Cat Introduction Plan
Many people seem to hold the opinion that if you want two strange cats to learn to live together you should just put them in the same room and let them work it out.
Yes, of course, sometimes you can be lucky and this has a happy ending but equally, it could all go horribly wrong and end with injured cats who will then never get along under the same roof.
If you want to be sure of giving two cats of any breed the best chance of living happily under the same roof it really is worth following this plan.
It may take several weeks to succeed but after that, you will benefit from two cats living in harmony rather than in misery for many years to come.
This plan should be followed whether you have a cat already and want to introduce a new cat or if you get two new cats at the same time who are strangers to each other.
1. If you have a cat already
If you have a cat already and don’t have a feeding routine, establish one (where you feed two or three times a day at the same time) for a week or so before you are due to
The reason for this will become apparent in a later step.
2. Prepare two separate areas in advance
Each cat will need a separate base camp with at least one room in between so they won’t be able to hear or smell each other – so prepare these first. In each area make sure there is:
- Food
- Water
- Litter box
- Scratching post
- Comfy sleeping space with fresh, scent-free blankets
- New clean toys
- Natural light with a window to look out of
- A place to hide such as a cave bed or a box that’s also a bed
3. Ensure neither cat sees each other at all
This is an important factor and if you choose to ignore it you may jeopardize the chance of this plan succeeding. The whole plan pivots on both cats being unaware of each other’s presence at first.
4. Place each cat in its own area
On the day you bring your new cat home, place it in its designated area. Your existing cat should be allowed in areas of the house it usually has access to but should be kept well away from the new cats base (at least one room apart).
If you have two new cats then they should be kept in the two separate pre-preprepared areas as described in point 2. Continue to follow the feeding routine established with your first cat with both cats, or establish one if both cats are new.
5. Help your new cat to settle in
Spend as much time as possible with your new cat, playing with it and making a fuss of it to ensure it settles into its base. Ensure there are plenty of things in the room to absorb its scent and encourage it to leave its scent on them by gently rubbing them around its face.
As your new cat becomes surrounded by the happy smells of its own scent it will begin to feel more and more at home. Don’t neglect your first cat during this time (if this applies).
6. Swap bases
Once your new cat seems at home, it’s time for both cats to swap bases. They still must not lay eyes on each other
Next, open the door to allow your existing cat (or the other new cat) to wander into the now empty base camp. Then close the door and let it explore.
Then, free your new cat from the temporary area and let it wander into the other cat’s area. Both cats will be taking in the scents of each other.
Remember much of a cat’s communication is based on scent so this is a good way for both to get used to and accept each other’s smell without actually facing each other.
After a short time swap each cat back to its original space (again without them seeing each other). This step can be repeated over several days until you sense that both cats are calm about each other’s scents.
7. Feeding with a door between
Once you have swapped their bases a few times, begin to introduce feeding with just a door between them. Place their food dishes on either side of a closed door, initially about 6 feet away from it, and let them eat in this position.
With each subsequent meal, move the bowls a foot closer to the door so that eventually they are eating with just the door width between them.
They will be able to sense each other’s presence because of the sounds and scents but will begin to associate these with being fed and so should develop a positive feeling towards each other even though they can’t see each other.
8. Visual Access
Once both cats are relaxed with the feeding each side of a door, it’s time to let them see each other. Ideally, invest in a pet gate to put in the doorway and drape a blanket or sheet over it.
This way you can gradually raise it so the cats can finally make eye contact as they are eating. Do this a few times until you are sure they are comfortable eating in view of each other.
Hopefully, they will begin to investigate each other in a friendly manner through the gate.
9. The first real meeting in the same room
For this step its a good idea to have someone helping, preferably someone your first cat trusts. Have some treats handy and get them to engage your cat in play whilst you bring in the new cat and begin playing with it.
Give both cats treats and keep the play going. Hopefully, both will enjoy this positive experience together. Allow them to sniff each other if both seem relaxed.
Before either cat gets bored or the mood takes a downturn, move them back to their separate areas. If it seems suitable, leave just the gate between them.
10. Allow both cats to live in the same space
Once you are certain they will tolerate each other without retaliation, leave the door between both cats open and remove the gate. Occasionally you may notice they get a little antsy with each other. This happens.
My cats are brothers from the same litter and even though they are 14 now, they still have a little spat now and then.
Can Maine Coon Cats Live With Other Cats? – Conclusion
Can Maine Coon cats live with other cats? Yes, they can as long as you are prepared to put in the required effort to give them both a proper introduction. It’s definitely worth your while.
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