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    Maine coon cats, can they be trained as housepets?

    I have a large orange and white tabby, long fur and very bushy tail like a raccoon, been told he is part maine coon? he is friendly at times, but will turn on a dime and bite when least expected? is that normal? he is 9 months old, or will be January 1st,,,,, we have had him since he was 6 months old, got him from local shelter, he weighed 10 lbs then, but must wt, closer to 13lbs now,,, loves to play, play and play some more, but at 70. my energy level is low. amd skin is thin so have had a few nasty bites which I would love to tame him from doing. any suggestions? Thanks Marie

    +2  Views: 1393 Answers: 6 Posted: 12 years ago
    Tags: pets
    melandrupert

    Mareille I am so sorry I didnt see your write up underneath your question he sounds to me he is a Norweigen forrest cat and a full male can wiegh up to 22lb and they more playful than a mainecoon if you are sure you want to keep him the first thing you should do is castraight this might calm him down and get the vet to keep his claws short if you dont want him i susjest you get intouch with the maincoon society or look on the web and have a look at the Norwiegen forest cat and look to see what you have if he has a large main he is a forrest cat and then get intouch with norwiegen cat society ...get a cat sratch post lots of toys keep music on if you go out good luck
    Mireille

    He was spayed and up to date on all shots, microchipped, and the works. He was in the shelter for several months, (every body wants small kittens) but once I held him, and he licked my face..... he owned me!!!!! He is an indoor cat, I live in Florida, and he has lots of room to run and play "tag" with me. he's a keeper, but the biting can be a little scary. I have had his claws trimmed, but am afraid to do it myself! plan on a monthly trip just to have that taken care of,,, de clawing him is out of the question, he's been very good about keeping his claws to the scratching post...
    This i the first "kitten" I've had in 9 years, I love him to pieces but sure wish he was more of a lap kitten then he is. maybe as he grows oder?
    I will look at the Norweigen forest cat site and see if there is a resemblance to my dear little playful ball of fur! can't help but love him.... thanks for your input.... I merely want him to not be so ready to turn his head to nip (bite) me....if I touch him and he wants to be let alone!!! brat!!!
    mycatsmom

    You can get a vet to remove his 4 fangs.Then, his bites won't hurt so much or be so dangerous. Some vets won't remove healthy teeth.
    melandrupert

    Mireille thanks for the comment I am glad you are keeping him is it possilble that you could get a cat pen for out side in your garden so he would get fresh air this would also stimulate him if you can ask the vet or the nurse to show you how to cut the claws it is quite easy they have pinkish vein that runs up to the claw as long as you dont go anywhere near the vein you can cut with cat claws sissors I do wish you the best of luck with your furball!! hee I wish you the best of luck xxx

    6 Answers

    As long as you get them from kittens if you were rehoming a full grown main coon and say it had lived out side and came in food ect then I would say no but if the the main coon was old then you could as kittens you have no problems what so ever

    Maine Coon Cats are one of lhe larges and oldest breed of cats. Biting and scratching can be a learned behavior, or miscommunication and will correct itself over time.Sudden unprovoct attacks with biting and scratching could also be a nervous system disorder or physical discomfort. Maine Coon Cats are very intelligent and can weigh up to 20 lbs. If these attacks dont stop, call your Vet and see if there is something physicially wrong with your cat. Cats know there is something wrong with them and cant put it into words.  Good luck .

    Shootah

    If it is a Maine Coon Cat, they can be trained just as any cat.

    If you google Maine coon cats, you will find helpful information.

    I think that perhaps whomever had the cat before rough housed the cat too much or perhaps was a bit mean to it and ingrained in the cats behavior before you got the cat.  I have a full Maine Coon cat and he is huge and gentle they call them the "Gentle Giants".  I am of the belief it is all in how an animal is raised from a kitten to how they turn out but I still think this one is young enough that when it bites you hard or scratches you hard say NO biting or NO scratching and and kind of small spat on the nose or paw and eventually you will make that stop.  

    Some cats will only allow you so much petting. When I was a kid growing up, I had a Maine Coon Cat who was confronted by a viscious dog. The dog tried to attack the cat, and the cat clawed that dog's face up, and then rode this yelping dog across the yard like it was in some sort of wild west show. It was probably one of the funniest sights I ever saw, because the dog was a big German Shepherd.

    My male orange and white tabby, Tigger, is 16 lbs. He used to bite everyone in site. My friend, Ron had a very sweet Maine Coon cat for 19 yrs.Maine Coons aren't usually known for biting and clawing.



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