Is a maine coon right for my family?

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I would like to know if a maine coon is right for my family. I have a four year old daughter, and I am sure she will want a kitten one day. We have two dogs, but they are not aggressive. The thing I am mostly concerned with is, I have three birds. Are maines very prey-oriented? I am very attracted to this breed of cat, but I have to wonder about my birds.

-- Anonymous, September 27, 1999

Answers

Heather, I'd be a little concerned about the birds. My experience with my two Maine Coons is that they are expert hunters, and will go after anything that moves. My Beau even chases dust particles! They have a reputation as expert mousers.

-- Anonymous, September 29, 1999

I don't know of any species of cat that wouldn't love a fat little bird for lunch. Maine Coon's are very agressive and clever. If he wants that birdie, he'll have him.

-- Anonymous, September 29, 1999

I would definitely be concerned about a Maine Coon going after your birds. They are hunters by nature, and do go after anything that moves. My cat goes after and kills bugs all time. I'm sure if I had a bird, she'd be after it too. Maybe you could keep the birds in another room, like a bedroom, where there is a door that you can close? I think if they were in the kitchen or living room, they would really drive the cat crazy and cause her to hunt them.

-- Anonymous, September 30, 1999

I think a maine coons are great for a family pet. we just got a new dog though and she still has to used to her. My maine coon dose not get along whith other cats to well. I think maine coons are the best animals and there all I'll ever need and personally I think maine coons want all of your love and they don't to share you whith anyone!

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2000

Yes Maine Coons are very good hunters, but after a while, the cat will get use to the birds. My cat did. I have 2 birds, Fish, a gunnea pig, 2 dalmations, a short haired black cat, and a maine coon. Maggie, which is my maine coon use to get on the bird cage and look at the birds like he was going to attack them. When he would do that, I would punnish him with love. I would grab him and hug him and give him really loud kisses. Now all he ever does is sit under the cage and sleep. every now and then he will look at them, but he dosen't do anything. If your cat tries to get them, then try this. They are very smart animals. And very loveable. I never even thought about getting rid of him when he did this. Any cat would go after birds. I don't matter what breed. Maggie bings home squirls, mice, rabbits, and birds. But he knows better than to get the birds in the house. When they bring you animals home, there trying to show you that they love you. That is there way of giving you presents. That's really the only way they can give you presents. (It's not like they can run down to the store and pick out and outfit that you have been wanting for a long time) I don't get mad or yell when he brings stuff home, because that shows them that you don't like what they have done for you. Therefore, I beleve you should keep the maine coon. You will not regret it, I promise.

-- Anonymous, August 07, 2000


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