Well, we adopted a Maine Coon today.... this is ONE BIG CAT!

[lexx21]

So far he is totally freaked out by the other two cats and our rat terrier. Hopefully he will warm up. I did get the cats stoned though with cat nip. He REALLY enjoyed that.

He is 1 year old, about 14 pounds and twice as big as any of our other cats. He has about another year to keep growing. While he was stoned on the cat nip, he started playing with one of the other cats tails. A very big kitten.

[Xyzse]

1. I want one, one day

As well as a Caucasian Shepherd.

I'd wear a duster, and carry a staff.

[Withywindle]

52. I do believe I caught your reference!

But IIRC, your great big cat shouldn't have a tail.

[Xyzse]

56. True...

I am not mean enough to be too much of a stickler that I would opt for docking, which to me is somewhat barbaric.

Though that is cool that someone got the reference.

[Withywindle]

68. Fuego!

Don't worry - once you get the zombie T. Rex, no one will pay much attention to your relatively normal pets.

[catrose]

2. Name him Barack?

Bo? DemoCAT?

[rustysgurl]

3. They Are Big ... and Cuddly

My sister had a Maine Coon once - absolutely gorgeous cat. They are huge, with those hair tufts at the ears and on the paws. They are great cats - never met a Maine Coon I didn't like.

[Tree-Hugger]

4. I have one

She is a girly and only weighs 14 lbs....but she looks so much bigger with all the fur. Maine Coons are mentally kittens for pretty much their entire lives. Love them - they are such great cats.

[madrchsod]

5. i`ve always wanted one but they cost a lot...

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Yes, they can get very large. We had half-coons. I loved having chirpy conversations w/ them.

[lexx21]

9. He has been trilling when he hasn't been hissing at us.

I think he is just freaked out right now. New place, new fuzzy quadrupeds, cat overloaded.

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. Have you tried chirping back?

[lexx21]

11. Not yet. Does that work to soothe them? n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. It might. I usually purr to my new babies, to help them feel more at home. Of course, they were all

wee itty bitty kittehs, so they probably appreciated snuggling with a purring mom.

[Rhiannon12866]

23. Have you thought of trying Feliway?

It's often used to stop inappropriate urination, but what it does is calm them. It's a synthetic pheromone like the one in cats' cheeks that they find calming. I got it for the very anxious kitty that I rescued outside and it's supposed to be helpful when something changes, like a move or a strange house guest. I got it in a spray, but now it comes in a diffuser...

http://www.feliway.com/us/

[Up2Late]

26. When you say your Maine Coon chirps, is it a closed mouth chirp?

...like a trill, where it comes from the throat? Because my Mom has a small (14 pound) Maine Coon, but he trills more than he meows (My big former Tom cat does too). In fact, sometimes he "talks" so much that her other cat, a female who is VERY quiet, gets mad at him and goes over and whacks him to tell him to shut up.

I have a 7 month old Somali/bi-color something mix kitten who is VERY quiet most of the time, but he does have these sort of sudden chirpy outbursts, sort of like kitty Tourette syndrome. I say he's a Somali/bi-color something mix, because he has all the breed traits of a Blue Somali except that he has white paws and a white chin that makes a white stripe all the way down his belly and I found him living outdoors, so he's probably not pure bred. I posted a link to pictures of him down thread.

[GreenPartyVoter]

28. Yeah, the closed mouth "Prrroooow" as opposed to the open mouth thing they do when they see

birds outside the window. LOL

What a cute kitteh you have!

My Trixie is chirpier than my Gizmo. She's from a stray's litter. No telling what she is other than a domestic short-hair. Gizmo is looking more and more like he is part Ragdoll. He and his sisters were surrendered by their owner, but usually "half" kittehs can still sell for pretty good money if that was their goal. Perhaps it was not and selling kittens seemed like too much work?

Here are their baby pics and video: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1018&pid=195030

Here they are last week: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018224573

[Up2Late]

30. Oh they are very cute!

But I think I like Gizmo best, love the short little legs on him. Those two are going to be a handful.

[GreenPartyVoter]

31. They are definitely a handful. Trixie is a jumper and climber, so all my pretty breakables are

at risk. And they both are pulling the stuffing out of the brand new sofa and love seat set. Crazy kittehs!

[Up2Late]

33. Oh, I know that game!

My Bobby is going through the "lets knock things off of a high place and see what happens..." phase now. My Mom calls it AGB (attention getting behavior), but I think a lot of it is just curiosity, which is pretty normal for a kitten.

[GreenPartyVoter]

36. Yeah, they do love to check stuff out! LOL

[Liberal_in_LA]

44. my cats do that "open mouth thing" when they see a bird or squirrel. It makes me want to say "calm

down!"

[Up2Late]

53. The other day my 5 year old girl cat jumped from the top of my cat tree and tried to...

...grab and hold onto the wood window pane frames when a baby chipmunk crawled up the screen, she hung on for several seconds before she realized the little thing was out of reach.

Before that she pushed out and escaped through my window screens, on two different occasions while trying to get to chipmunks or birds, so now I can only open the windows about 2 inches when it's nice out, they really get into a zone when they see the little creatures.

[Liberal_in_LA]

57. my cat pushed through a screen when she was in a state of excitement - after another cat

the incident was harrowing.

[LiberalLoner]

7. I have a Maine Coon - best kitty ever! So

Cuddly and devoted and loving. Scares easy though. Skittish and jumpy. Likes to play "fetch" like a dog. Prepare to have your heart completely stolen!

[lexx21]

8. Right now his name is "Simon".

We went with music themed names for our other pets.... The two original cats are Sid and Nancy, and the dog is named Moby.

The spca had already named him Simon, so I guess that's ok. Paul Simon. He doesn't respond to that name so I can only assume that it's not what he was named as a kitten.

If I were to go with a movie theme, I would have to go with Lady Chablis... from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. One of my favorite movies.

[Maine-ah]

82. one of my coons is named Simon :)

[Up2Late]

12. Nice! I'd love to have one, but I already have a 15-1/2 pound former Tomcat and...

...a 7 month old Somali/domestic short-hair mix who's already about 9 pounds with giant paws.

Maine Coons average about 18 pounds when full grown, and I hear they take about 3 years to reach full size, so you have a lot of cat there.



My Somali, Bobby, is already bigger than both my fully grown (small) female cats.

[lexx21]

14. We saw this 20 pound tabby at the spca today.

It was like seeing Garfield laying there. All he was missing was his lasagna. Turns out he was 12 years old, so hopefully if they can get his weight down he will have a few more years on him. I had never seen a cat so fat before (not in person that is).

[Up2Late]

15. Oh, my big guy, Chucky, is no fatty. At 15 pounds he's solid muscle

but he does start to get a little chubby at 16 pounds, so I have to watch what he eats at 14 years old.

I found him in my garden when I moved to this house and who I think is his gran-daughter or great-gran-daughter (not sure how many cat generations is 8 years) and she's little, but still 9 pounds of solid muscle.

I'm betting Bobby will be 14 easy, but probably closer to 16 when full grown.

Here are some pictures of him, he had a really bad cut on his face when I finally trapped him, so view the early pictures carefully if you get sick easy.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150966241316174.404868.593816173&type=3

[lexx21]

16. The link to the pictures didn't work....

OMG! You weren't posting..... <GASP!>.... cat porn were you?

Maybe Facebook is just doing some maintenance or something. Although, the magazine title "Cat Fancier" does sound a bit disturbing when you think about it........

[Up2Late]

17. Sorry, try this one

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150966241316174.404868.593816173&type=1&l=df6d2b13ca

[Liberal_in_LA]

62. There is not one pic of the cat standing. lol

[Up2Late]

65. He's so active if he's on his feet that the camera can't focus fast enough...

...so I have to get him when he's stopped for a sec or sleeping, sorry.

[Up2Late]

19. Did the new link work?

It's a facebook album.

[LoveMyCali]

21. The new link works

and he's gorgeous!

[Up2Late]

25. Thanks, he's a great kitten, but very quiet most the time and when he does talk...

...it's sort of like kitty Tourette syndrome, sort of sudden out bursts, but I think his voice is getting better. I guess you could call it a chirp most of the time.

I had never even heard of the Somali breed, but as is typical of his breed, he has a weird love of water and he love washing the other cats, when they will let him.

When you say your Maine Coon chirps, is is a closed mouth chirp, like a trill, where it comes from the throat? Because my Mom has a small (14 pound) Maine Coon, but he trills more than he meows (My big former Tom cat does too). In fact, sometimes he "talks" so much that her other cat, a female who is VERY quiet, gets mad at him and goes over and whacks him to tell him to shut up.

[Liberalynn]

37. He is a beauty.

One of the ferrals born in my barn was I think part Maine Coon. We ended up bringing him in and keeping him on our enclosed side porch because he was born with a neurological defect. He would tip to one side when he tried to run and then fell over and his head bobbed a lot when he ate. It never stopped him though, he ate with gusto, and would get right back up on his feet and try again when he fell.

The vet said he couldn't be cured but was not in not pain and he saw no reason he would have to be put down as long as he was kept in a protective enviroment where no predators could get at him.

He would make a little trill like your describing whenever I entered his space to play with or feed him. He would also rub his chin against my shoulder whenever I held him.

Sadly he only lived until he was four because of the neurological problems. But he had such a big heart. I still miss him everyday.

If I am ever able to get another indoor cat, right now I have a German Shepard, who wouldn't approve, its going to be a Maine Coon Cat.

[Lucy Goosey]

18. I've got a half-Coon

She's the biggest, cuddliest love. She plays fetch, too, and is a great conversationalist.

Congrats!

[rDigital]

20. Your orders are as follows:

1. Enjoy the presence of your new cat friend. In no time it all he will invade your heart and stage a coup d'etat over the current power structure of your home.

2. Please provide photographic evidence of your new cat friend in the following thread.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10367881

3. Happy Wednesday.

[REP]

46. Here's a Coon with a lion clip

[rDigital]

47. That is unbelievably cute. The tail makes it all worth it. : ) nt

[REP]

49. Then you'll love Stewie with his lion clip!

Stewie is 23 lbs.

[rDigital]

50. LOL, that's awesome. Nice boots, kitty boo... A great summer look.

I'd recommend adding these gems to the "I Love Cats" thread.

[REP]

51. Well ... Tommy will pose for photos, but I never can get a clean shot of Stewie

Stewart is a big, sweet, lovable kitty ... he's also very weird. I have nice photos of the other three, but haphazard ones of Stew with crap in the background!

[Up2Late]

54. Why are you doing that to your cats?

No offense, but that's not normal for cats, did their hair get all matted or something?

If so, just get a good Slicker brush, cats need their fur to regulate their body temp, and Stewie looks like he needs to lose about 5 pounds.

[liberaltrucker]

66. Yep

I'd be surprised if the cat sat still without sedation.

[REP]

78. Hilarious!

Seriously.

Stewart loves being groomed by anyone, no matter what. Hell, he'd probably even let you groom him.

[REP]

77. I'm sure you meant well, bless your heart

I will continue to leave their health care to their vet, though. Thanks!

[Sanity Claws]

71. Poor baby

How did the cat feel about his haircut? I feel like putting a coat on him.

[REP]

76. Actually, he likes it

[Rhiannon12866]

22. Awwwww! He sounds adorable!

You'll have to post pix! He was so very lucky to have found you...

[Arugula Latte]

24. Yay, Kitty Helpers!

[HopeHoops]

27. My big boy's about 16 lbs (regular domestic short-hair). That's heavy.

Upload a picture when you get a chance.

[Taverner]

29. "((trill))"....THUD!

[NV Whino]

32. I just adopted a cat who weighs in at 17 pounds

He could stand to lose a couple of pounds, but he is basically just a BIG cat. I'll post pics when I get on my regular computer.

He's a product of a divorce where neither partner could keep him. He's 6 and grey just like my other two. Step 3 on my way to 50, I guess.

[Liberalynn]

34. Congratulations and Thank You

for adopting the Kitteh! I love kitties.

[hifiguy]

35. And old friend of mine and his wife rescued a Maine Coon

about 12 years ago. He was maybe a year old and kept growing for three years. He weighs 26 pounds now. You expect him to roar like a bobcat and this little "mee-ow" comes out. He's a big, mellow guy. Really big.

My cat - a Turkish Van rescue kitteh - is a big boy at almost 18 pounds, but Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats can get huge.

[Ikonoklast]

38. Just think, he may get to be as big as Rupert!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2157167/fat-cat-Rupert-weighs-20lb--set-growing.html

What an awesome, handsome boy!

[Up2Late]

39. Wow! What beauty! And the cats pretty nice too!

Just kidding, that is one BIG and magnificent cat! I bet he's at least 20 pounds. That looks just like the one that was at the animal shelter when I went looking for a my first cat in 1997, but I picked a 6 year old Siamese cat instead, who was great, but I always wished I could have taken both.

[siligut]

45. Thank you

I clicked on the thread hoping for a cat picture and I was starting to fret.

[Panasonic]

40. My sister has two of these.

The kids adore them - but they are HUGE beasts.

[distantearlywarning]

41. I have 2 Maine Coon mixes

Great big babies, and I do mean BIG!

One of them clocks in at about 16 pounds right now, with about 4 lbs or so of extra hair on top of that.

The really big one is one of the sweetest, most loving cats I've ever owned. He thinks the world exists just so that he can get food and love. Huge paws with tufts of fur between the toes, gentle, easy-going, a funny sense of humor, and as mentioned up-thread, has never once meowed. He doesn't know how. He chirps and trills at me all day long.

I have loved having Maine Coons in my life so much that I will probably never own another non-Coon cat. They're just the greatest, like the best roommates you ever had + a daily dose of sweetness and light.

[lexx21]

42. Well, thus far I have not been able to hold him since we brought him home.

He is still trying to figure things out around here, especially with our other pets. Our tabby named Sid, which is the alpha male, was trying to make friends and Simon just hisses at him. Sid seems to be unconcerned about that.

I did make a toy for him tonight and got him to play for a bit. He alternates from walking up and bumping into you and then hissing when you walk by. I am guessing that is just his being weirded out in a new environment. But, I sit near him and talk with him. He has already stitched me a few times when I reach to let him smell my hand. I don't think it was anything malicious because he didn't really go after me. More like "back off you hairless biped".

The funniest thing happened last night though. We were just about to go to bed and I was wondering why things were so quiet in the house. I walked into the kitchen and heard this faint hissing sound, but our tortie was sitting in front of the cabinet doors. As I got closer, the hissing was much louder. The tortie has this look on her face like "come on out.. I wanna pet ya" look on her face. I pushed her out of the way and opened the door and there was this huge cat cowering in the cabinet. I seriously tried my best not to laugh as I got things out of his way and let him come out. It just blew my mind how this big cat was so cowed by the little cat. He really doesn't seem to know how big he really is.

Supernova said we should start calling him Moose.... lol.

[REP]

48. My Stewie is 23 lbs; can pick up a gallon jug of water in his mouth; has no idea how huge he is

He's a very sweet cat, and has no idea that he's ENORMOUS. The next biggest one is 20 lbs and is just as sweet. All four are (rescue) Coons; Fannie is the little one at 12 lbs; she looks tiny next to the others (the other girl is 16 lbs) until I see a regular cat!

[Up2Late]

55. Don't rush him, best thing to do is isolate him in a bathroom for at least 2-3 days till he gets...

...to know you, then, in a cat carrier (some call it a create) so that the other cats and dog can not get to him, place him outside the bathroom for an hour or so or until it seems he wants to go back in. The next day, do the same thing for about an hour or so and see if the others are warming up to him.

3rd time, if their was a low level of tension between them, do the same thing, but you can open the door on the carrier and see where he goes. It could take months for the others to adjust to him, but he could adjust in less than a month. But some cats never warm up to dogs, especially yappy ones, so I would try to keep them apart unless they seem to like each other.

[Liberal_in_LA]

43. lol. pic please

[Seedersandleechers]

58. My Maine Coon now and when I adopted her.

[avebury]

60. OMG! She is so cute! nt

[trof]

59. 6 toes?

Many of them do.

[Liberal_in_LA]

61. I have a six toed tuxedo cat

[lexx21]

64. Ours is a tuxedo as well. n/t

[lexx21]

63. Had a big breakthrough today.

Simon the mutant moose cat was still sort of standoffish today, but I sat near him and just let him be. I would talk to him and he watched me work. I didn't try to pet him or anything, and he seemed to relax a bit as the day went on. So tonight I go to the living room and he is sitting in my place on the couch. I walk over and sit down next to him and start rubbing his back. He gets up and moves over a bit and I sit there with him right next to me. He started purring. COOL!

Now the big thing was our rat terrier, Moby, came in and laid down right next to him and they both napped right there next to each other.

I think the ice may be breaking. Still taking it slowly with him, but he does indeed seem to be warming up.

[Up2Late]

67. Wow, that sound great that he's not too scared of the dog, they freak out most cats.

Just expect some conflict from the other cats toward the new one, that's normal cat behavior. Whenever there are two or more cats living together, there is always an Alpha cat, and it's usually a female. The size of the cat doesn't matter, I have two 9 nine pound female cats, a 15-1/2 pound male cat and now a 10 pound 7 month old kitten and the little 5 year female, who is about as big as your average 6 month old kitten, is definitely the Alpha. It took her about 3 years of conflict with my 14 year old female to knock her down a peg, but she was the Alpha cat when I had her and 2 male cats. That's just how cats are when they live in a group.

[zen_bohemian]

69. I have one too, 18 lbs he is the sweetest kitteh

wouldn't hurt a fly, the most gentle cat I have seen.

[supernova]

74. Adorable

And the cat's kinda cute too!

[avebury]

75. He is so handsome - and big!

I am really partial to cats with black and white fur.

[Arugula Latte]

80. Magnificent boy!

I love him.

[graywarrior]

72. I have a Maine Coon/Tabby. He's a beast at 20 lbs.

Not a cuddler until I get a hold of him and he can't escape...hahahha

[supernova]

79. GW, what kind of cat

is that in your sig?

[graywarrior]

83. Pallas cat. Undomesticated from Mongolian area.

[tonekat]

73. Thank you for adopting him!

My friend has a (not purebreed) Maine Coon, a tortoiseshell, complete with lots of "tortitude". Gorgeous kitties. One way you can communicate with your cat is to catch his eyes, and slowly close your own eyes. He may mimic you, and it's a friendly gesture to them.

My friend's feline is on a no-grain diet, and she is in super shape. I couldn't believe it, but her coat went from being matted to sleek after a few months on the diet. Low-residue in the cat box too.

[NCarolinawoman]

81. I have a 20 pounder named Mathew-Pufftail.

He's a gray tabby with big white feet that remind me of a draft horse.

Gentle, cuddly guy. Wonderful to have such a creature around in the winter-time.