Let us assume you add a new pet to your home with whom you begin spending quality time. Next, you notice your erstwhile cheerful and bubbly Maine Coon suddenly withdraws from you. What could be wrong? You wonder. And then it strikes you: ah, is my Maine Coon cat jealous?
Yes, Maine Coon cats are jealous pets. Such jealousy is not out of place as Maine Coons are highly emotionally intelligent. They can accurately tell when your interest in them is dwindling – or when a new addition in your house is robbing them of your attention. Your Maine Coon would sulk at this, with your previously lovely cat getting aggressive in some instances.
Maine Coons are jealous guys. But what are the common triggers or causes for such a rush of envy? What signs from your Maine Coon rightly suggest jealousy? What can you do to prevent (or suppress) such a jealous attitude?
Why Do Maine Coons Get Jealous?
Maine Coons are some of the most intelligent and emotionally sensitive cats around.
Your Maine Cat can decipher when your level of fascination with it (or attention to it) dwindles. And they would get resentful when they notice the “culprit” stealing the attention you give them.
The most typical trigger of jealousy in your Maine Coone is when a new entity appears to be coming between you and the cat – demonstrated in a disruption of the routine you and your Maine Cat previously shared.
The prevalent instances where such disruption occurs include when a new pet comes into the house, a new baby arrives, or your spouse comes to stay with you.
These are new engagements that will inevitably take some commitment (in time and energy) from you. Probably, some of the time you spend on your Maine Coon would be transferred to your new engagements.
Such slashes in attention levels to your Maine Coon will affect it, primarily if your Maine Coon has already been used to you spoiling it with all of your time and affection.
Consistently seeing you spending time – it cherishes – on your new pet, baby, or spouse will trigger envy in your Maine Coon as it would feel its position (as your first-choice heartthrob) being threatened.
Admittedly, the level of jealousy varies across Maine Coons. You can expect higher levels of envy if you have a significantly possessive Maine Coon cat.
This highly protective type will struggle more to accept a new addition to the family. How can you tell a possessive or protective Maine Coon?
A possessive Maine Coon is always escorting you everywhere you go in the house. This Maine Coon binges for your attention.
This can be seen in the Maine Coon’s high demand for your touch and cuddles and a propensity to invade your personal space at the slightest opportunity.
Signs of Jealousy in Maine Coons
A Maine Coon wears its feline heart on its sleeves. If it is jealous, you will know for sure from its abundant demonstration of such envy.
When your Maine Coon feels it is no longer the central protagonist of the show, it will withdraw. You will notice declines in the cheerfulness of your Maine Coon.
You will notice it suddenly preferring to spend time alone, less welcoming to your cuddles, and even hiding away.
Let us assume you just got a laptop that you are enthused with. If your Maine Coon notices you spending way more than time on your new acquisition and denying it of your attention, you will see your Maine Coon stubbornly sitting on your laptop, almost refusing to leave it.
When Does Jealousy Become an Issue?
While jealousy in your Maine Coon is commonly demonstrated through withdrawal, there are some instances where your Maine Coon gets aggressive.
Yes, when your Maine Coon has tried to win you back through more “diplomatic” channels hostilities (like withdrawing to its own space), and you don’t right your wrongs, your Maine Coon could escalate hostilities violently.
Here, you may see your cat resorting to destructive tendencies like growling, shredding house materials like furniture and curtains, and even in unpremeditated attacks.
There are also cases where Maine Coon may feel it needs to reassert its supremacy over its territory by spraying its urine around the house.
We have also heard instances where the Maine Coon transmits its grievances to its owner by refusing to use its litter box.
How to Stop Jealous Behavior?
Stopping or suppressing jealous behavior in your Maine Coon is no rocket science. The first step is repairing the rupture in its routine.
This could simply mean spending considerably equivalent time as you used to spend with it or showing it close-enough levels of attention as you used to before.
If your Maine Coon can see that the introduction of the new member of your house doesn’t significantly cut into its share of your time, it would feel less threatened and consequently less jealous.
Strive to keep close to its previous feeding time, exercise regimen, and amount of contact you previously had with your Maine Coon.
Let us assume your new engagements will not allow you to spend as much time as previously with your Maine Coon, don’t drastically reduce the time you give your Maine Coon at once.
It will inevitably struggle and get jealous. Strategically reduce the time in tiny lumps so that your Maine Coon adapts stage by stage to your relative unavailability.
While you withdraw, try to get your Maine Coon engaged in new distractions. This could be you getting your Maine Coon toys to play with or deliberately warming your Maine Coon up to a new lover in your family (who has more time to spare for the cat).
Are Maine Coon Good with Dogs?
Provided the dog will be respectful of the Maine Coon’s space, your Maine Coon would naturally flow with a dog.
The issue is most times, dominant dogs will lay feudal claims to the house, attempting to lord over your Maine Coon. Your Maine Coon will struggle to get along with dog breeds like Boerboel, Neapolitan Mastiff, and the Giant Schnauzer.
This is given the disposition of these dogs to impose themselves over your cat. However, your Maine Coon will easily blend with laid-back dog breeds like the Basset Hound, Cavalier King, and Spaniels.
Are Maine Coon Cats Good with Other Cats?
Maine Coons are open to mingling with cats. However, the Maine Coon’s introduction to other cats must not be hurried.
Allow them to get used to themselves at their own pace before forcing them to cohabit in tight spaces.
Also, ensure minimal reasons for competition between your Maine Coon and the other cats.
They should have enough food, water, toys, and fair slots of your time.
Do Maine Coon Cats Get Along with Other Animals?
Thanks to their inherent sociability, Maine Coons readily associate with other animals. You can further accelerate your Maine Coon’s intermingling with other animals by positive reinforcement.
Let us imagine you brought a new rabbit to the house. You can give your Maine Coon treats anytime it plays with the rabbit.
Your Maine Coon would then be more motivated to interact with the rabbit and build social bonds.
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