A Maine Coon brings a long, shaggy coat and the possibility of a substantial adult cat. Plan regular coat care and equipment that fits the individual. Learn about that cat’s behaviour and history before deciding whether your household and routine are a good match.
Maine Coon Cat · How to choose the right cat
Start with the coat workload
Regular combing is an ownership commitment. CFA and TICA describe the breed’s coat and grooming needs, while Cats Protection advises adapting grooming to the individual cat. Coat texture, tangles and tolerance of handling affect the work involved. Ask the current caregiver to show you the routine before you take the cat home.
Begin with a comb suitable for long hair and short, calm sessions. Work through the areas where the coat is longer, including the underside, back legs and chest. Let the cat move away and try again later if handling becomes difficult. If you find a tight mat close to the skin, do not pull at it or cut it out with scissors; seek professional veterinary help.
Before taking one home, ask who currently combs the cat, what tool they use, which areas are difficult, and whether the cat accepts brief handling. A demonstration tells you more about the likely workload than a generic ‘low maintenance’ label.
Maine Coon Cat · Maine Coon · Grooming your cat · Tips for grooming long-haired cats
Check equipment against the cat, not the breed name
Choose a carrier using the actual cat’s dimensions. Check that the cat can lie down and reposition, the door closes securely, and you can lift it safely when loaded. Cats Protection recommends a strong, easy-to-clean carrier with ventilation on at least two sides and favours sturdy handheld models. Leave it open at home so the cat can explore it before a journey.
For a cat tree or resting shelf, compare the perch with the cat's full resting posture and check the base and fixings before use. For a scratching post, the practical test is whether it stays steady while the cat stretches and scratches. Offer a horizontal surface too if that is what the cat uses. The room does not need to be filled with oversized furniture; it needs usable, stable choices.
Also watch the cat use a litter tray before committing to an enclosed or compact model. Can the cat enter, turn and dig without crowding the sides? If you do not yet know the adult cat's size, keep the purchase flexible rather than relying on a breed average.
How to choose and use a cat carrier · Scratching
Choose the individual cat
Breed descriptions often call Maine Coons sociable and playful. Those descriptions are a conversation starter, not a promise that this cat will enjoy children, dogs, being picked up, or constant company. Cats Protection recommends matching a cat's observed personality and history to the household and meeting the cat before committing.
During a visit, ask the current caregiver what the cat does when unfamiliar people enter, what kind of play it chooses, where it rests, and how it reacts to combing and the carrier. Observe without forcing interaction. If you have children or other animals, ask about this cat's actual experience with them and how a gradual introduction would be handled. A quiet or hesitant first meeting is one observation, not a final temperament test.
Maine Coon · How to choose the right cat
A useful first-week plan
- Put the carrier, comb, resting place, scratching surfaces and roomy tray on your setup list. Check stability and fit when the cat arrives.
- Agree on who will offer play, clean the tray, and do brief coat checks. Record where tangles appear and which handling the cat accepts.
- Keep a simple note of the cat's preferred play, resting spots and response to new people. Adjust the home to what you observe, rather than trying to make the cat match a breed description.
Use the free Pet Life Checklist to keep the household plan visible, or browse cat guides for other everyday topics.
Plan your next step
Browse cat guides · Organize pet routines · Use the free Pet Life Checklist
Sources and further reading
- Maine Coon Cat (checked 13 October 2026)
- Maine Coon (checked 13 October 2026)
- Grooming your cat (checked 13 October 2026)
- Tips for grooming long-haired cats (checked 13 October 2026)
- How to choose and use a cat carrier (checked 13 October 2026)
- Scratching (checked 13 October 2026)
- How to choose the right cat (checked 13 October 2026)
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