Are Maine Coon Cats Shy? What You Should Know

The Maine Coon is known for its dog-like personality, but people often wonder how that exhibits when new people are in your home.

Are Maine Coon cats shy? A Maine Coon will be timid around new people. They tend to need to get a feeling for the people who come in contact with them that aren’t a part of their family unit. After a time, however, their dog-like ways will bring them out of their hidey hole to check out the situation.

While the Maine Coon is typically thought of as a social kitty, who loves to be around people. Owners have varied stories about their fur babies sociability.

While we as owners can train our cats, easier from an early age, there is also an acceptance for our kitties temperament as we would like to be accepted for our own.

Read further to understand the breed description of the Maine Coon and tricks that you can use to get your shy kitty to come around more.

Maine Coon’s personality

As a breed, this kitty is known for it’s playful and mischievous personality. They are recommended for people who are more prone to dogs or those who wish that their cat stayed a kitten.

That is based on character alone, your Maine Coon will get huge, up to 20 lbs. At least.

They are actively intelligent so as an owner that means lots and lots of play time with your massive kitty to keep them entertained. Don’t be surprised to come back home to see your rugs out of order, plants knocked over, or all of your cabinets open.

Part of that is their playful nature, the other part is because due to their size when they get playful, then they can get destructive.

The silly Maine Coon is a social cat that might get timid at intruders in their new environment, but will eventually come out to check out the situation and get extra pets.

They are not traditionally known as lap cats. This kitty might sit next to you but rarely demanded to sit in your lab like other breeds might.

Differences in temperament

If you are searching for a reason why your Maine Coon seems to be shyer than what you previously thought that the breed might be, keep in mind that every cat has a personality of their own.

Your fur baby’s breed definition might be defined as friendly and dog-like. However, they hide underneath the couch or doesn’t want a lot to do with you.

There are some things that you need to ask your self about why your cat acts the way that it does.

• Are you their first owner?
• Have you introduced another person or animal into the home?
• Has there been a change in the environment?
• Are you sure that your Maine Coon isn’t a mixed breed?

If you have adopted a cat from another owner keep in mind that your kitty is going through a change. They are not used to your way of doing things and might take time to get accustomed to the new environment and the new human.

The same goes for a new person or animal introduced to their predictable environment. Being dog-like doesn’t equate to being a dog. Your Maine Coon will still feel stressed by new situations.

If you have adopted what you think is a Maine Coon, but they are exhibiting behaviors that are vastly different from breed information they might be a mix of different breeds instead of a purebred.

How to prevent your cat from being shy around new people

If your kitty leans to the shy side with your or people that come into the home, don’t fear. There are ways to get your cat more outgoing and eventually come out from underneath the couch or bed.

If you have adopted a kitten then make sure people besides the family are around them as soon as possible. The sooner they are used to people coming around your home the more they will view this as an everyday occurrence, and it will be seen as a part of their environment.

For older cats, it will take a lot of patience. First dragging them out from underneath whatever they are hiding from will not fix the problem. This is taking them out of a comfortable place with force, and they will view it with fear.

Instead, give them the space to come out on their own. Let them do their thing and slowly, but surely they will start to peep out more often for voices that become familiar for them.

For my shy cat, it took a year or so to become used to my close friends, now he lays all 20 lbs. next to them expecting pets.

And then there is acceptance

Your kitty coo is who they are. Forcing behavior to satisfy your needs or the people who are visitors in your home will not encourage them to be any more social. Some cats are more social towards others, while others the best you will get is them staring at the intruders while at a safe distance.

Your cat is not an object for entertainment, it is a separate living being that has likes and dislikes of their own. Acceptance of their inherent personality will make them shine.

Instead of forcing them to behave in a way that you want to try meeting them on their level. If they are hiding in a room away from you, make sure to go to that room and give them pets. Don’t force them out of place, just meet them part way.

Slowly as they make their way out of their comfort zone seeking company pays attention to the signs that they want your attention. For people who are not used to cats it is as simple as your kitty coo walking up near you to indicate that they want you to pay attention to them.

Kindness, acceptance, and attention are all the tools that you need to bring your shy kitty around.

Related questions

Are Maine Coons cuddly? Yes and no. They do love attention by way of play and pets; they are not the sit on your lap or entirely by your side type of kitty. They are more of an I’ll happen to be in the same room with you, and you will pet me when I want it to type of cat. Expect more headbutting than lap laying.

Do Maine Coons cats make good indoor cats? Maine Coons do well both indoors and outdoors. As an indoor cat make sure to provide them with toys and even a cat tree so that they can get their energy out. If you would like them to see the sunshine, then there is no one better to walk on a lease than this breed of kitty.

Are Maine Coon cats good family pets? Yes, they are fantastic family pets due to their high energy and social personality. Maine Coons are slow to really mature so their kitten phase can last for years a perfect match for kids who are ready to play at any time instead of a tired adult just getting back home from work.