Why Is My Maine Coon Not Affectionate – Things To Know

Maine Coon cats are a stunning work of feline art. It’s hard not to want to snuggle and cuddle this ball of fluffiness 24/7. But Maine Coons don’t always enjoy this smothering the same way other breeds do. 

So why are Maine Coons less affectionate than some of their feline counterparts? This is not entirely accurate. Maine Coons are quite affectionate but show that affection differently than other cats do. This breed is known to be entirely independent. Maine Coons want to trust their humans before they show the full extent of their love. Once a Maine Coon is comfortable with you, they will seek out attention and be quite vocal.

So if Maine Coons are more affectionate than they get credit for, how do they show that love to their humans? Let’s take a look at how these gentle giants show their humans how much they care.

How Do Maine Coons Show Affection? 

Once a Maine Coon trusts you, you can expect lots of affection from them headed your way. Be ready for quite a few headbutts from your Maine Coon when you arrive home from a day at work—or if you’ve returned home from running errands. Anytime a cat headbutts you or rubs their head on your legs, it’s a sign of true affection. It means they think of you as one of the family. It is also a form of scent marking.’

Trust is a major part of the relationship-building process with this breed. So let them explore you, leaving their scent and acting silly. This is all a part of the process. 

Another sign of love from your Maine Coon is if they show you their belly, and this goes for all cats really.

It is up for debate if this means they want a belly rub, or if it’s a giant trap and they are going to end up biting the heck out of your hand. Regardless, when a cat exposes their stomach to you, that is the ultimate sign of vulnerability. That means they trust you, unconditionally. If your cat does this, this means they fully trust you. It’s up to you if you want to take the chance to pet their belly.

 The eyes of your Maine Coon could prove to be another indicator of affection. If your Maine Coon does what is called a “slow blink” in your presence, that means you have their full trust. A slow blink implies that they feel comfortable enough around you to relax. The same applies if they squeeze their eyes tightly shut while they are sleeping in your presence. This indicates that they are so comfortable around you; they feel they can get into a deep sleep.

Maine Coons like to show affection by bringing their humans gifts. Sometimes, this could be a toy from their toy box. Other times it could be a dead animal carcass. While the urge may be to scream or vomit, remember this is a sign of deep love from your Maine Coon. Their first jobs were as vermin hunters. They are doing what they were bred to do. Simply praise them and divert them away so you can dispose of the dead animal.

Be careful getting into a staring contest with your Maine Coon. No cat likes direct eye contact. They see that as a direct threat. If you are a person that makes prolonged eye contact with your Maine Coon, this could be why they aren’t affectionate with you. He or she could see you as some type of threat because of that direct eye contact.

Other gestures you might find your Maine Coon showing to you include:

• Slow blinking
• Headbutting
• Tail curling (either around your leg or toes)
• Laying the ears backward
• Yawning
• Prancing around the room
• Purring (the classic way to know a cat loves you!)
• Curling their feet
• Observing you around the house

Do Maine Coons Like To Be Held?

Like with anything else with a Maine Coon, once they trust you, the answer to this question is yes! Maine Coons love to be held. They want to be where their people are. Whatever room you are in, they want to be there too. They can cuddle on your lap or demand that you pick them up and carry them around.

If a Maine Coon is held as a kitten, they learn to adapt and enjoy it. Some of the giant Maine Coons may not be a fan since this can be uncomfortable due to their size. But generally speaking, Maine Coons love to be held and enjoy cuddling with their humans. Some even become the quintessential lap cat.

 What Is The Maine Coon Voice And Does It Indicate Affection?

A lot of people erroneously believe that Maine Coons don’t talk. This is not accurate. Maine Coons verbalize to describe their moods and to communicate with their humans. There are a few ways Maine Coons show their spirits through their voice.

Chattering– when a Maine Coon sees something that has caught their attention, expect some chattering. Cat owners will see this quite a bit when their Maine Coon is excited by watching nature outside! If birds and squirrels get too close, the chattering can take off. This is also a great opportunity to build trust and bond with your cat. Give them plenty of opportunities to love you by playing with them, showing them unique things, and exploring nature.

Chirping– once their human is home, this is a way for a Maine Coon to converse with their human. These delightful chirps serve as your Maine Coon’s way of telling you about their day and asking you how your day has been. Or they may be telling you about something they saw outside that made them happy. When a Maine Coon chirps, that indicates happiness.

The classic meow– this can mean a variety of things. This is your Maine Coon’s way of telling you anything from “I’m hungry” to “Human, open this closed-door”. As you get to know your cat, you will recognize any nuances to their meows, and you will know what those subtle differences mean. As an interesting note, cats don’t meow to other cats.

This is how they communicate with humans. The only time cats meow to communicate with another cat is when a kitten is signaling its mother cat. This habit stops with cats in the wild after a certain age. However, since we usually adopt kittens before that age, they continue to meow at us in the same manner they did their mothers.

 What Is The Demeanor Of A Maine Coon?

Maine Coons are referred to as “gentle giants.” Their size and stature can grow to be quite large. However, that size only means there is more to love. Maine Coons are gentle cats that are known to be quite friendly, especially with children. Young children are notoriously grabby, but Maine Coons don’t seem to mind this a bit. 

Maine Coons are also the goofballs and comedians of the feline world. They have been known to entertain their families with their antics. Whether that’s rolling on their bellies or sprinting across the room, this cat is sure to entertain. They are also a highly sociable breed. They love to interact with humans and even other animals. 

While Maine Coons have the reputation of being aloof, that isn’t the best description. This breed is entirely independent and can entertain themselves when need be. For some pet owners that can be disappointing, but it does not mean they are not affectionate cats! Maine Coons do need and want to spend time with their humans. Once they are comfortable with you, they will actively seek you out for cuddle time or a play session. 

Are Female Maine Coon Cats More Affectionate?

If you’re looking into owning a Maine Coon, you may be wondering if the orientation of the cat matters. In reality, it doesn’t. Female Maine Coon cats are not more affectionate than males. In fact, the levels of affection are generally even. 

Things that actually affect the way your cat interacts with others include their age, size, what kind of social situations they’ve been exposed to, and how much bonding time they typically get.

For example, if you want a cat that is not afraid to occupy areas among other large pets, then you would want a male Maine Coon cat. They tend to be bigger and assert more authority. If you’re looking for a more independent type of cat, then you may want to go with a female. 

If playtime is important to you as a pet owner, then the male counterparts would be better. They tend to be less calm and always active. 

 In Conclusion

To answer the original question, yes, Maine Coons are affectionate. It may take them a few moments to warm up to you, but once they do, you have a friend for life. These gentle giants enjoy entertaining their families and love spending time with the children in the household. Maine Coons live for 15-20 years on average, so prepare for many years of fun with your feline overlord. You won’t regret making room in your home for this furry.