Characteristics – Page 3 – Maine Coon Central

Have you ever wondered why your Maine Coon cat talks so much? Is it because they are just happy to see you, or are they trying to tell you they're feeling hungry? Before you start desperately scanning your felines facial expressions for an answer, keep in mind that Maine Coon talking really is a normal occurrence, and not usually something to worry about. This is because Maine Coon cats are well known for being a talkative cat breed, often making an array of varying vocal sounds, such as trills and chirps at their owners. Maine Coon cats are well known for being an extremely vocal cat breed. Their range of Maine Coon sounds is vast, including varying forms of chirps and trills, but never meows. Maine Coon talking is completely normal, and not usually something for an owner to be concerned about, unless you hear your cat howling or growling. Maine Coon Talking Maine Coon cats are well known for being a very vocal cat breed that enjoy conversing with their owners on a regular basis. They are often considered somewhat unique, since they do not meow like other cats, but instead chirp and trill. Why Do Maine Coons Talk? There are a variety of reasons why Maine Coons talk to their owners, whether it be because they are excited, happy, hungry or just fancy being sociable. Whatever the reason, a Maine Coon talking is a beautiful sound, and it's hard not to love sharing a conversation with your favourite feline friend at the end of a long day at work. The table below identifies 12 reasons why Maine Coons talk: ReasonDescriptionHungryCheck your cats feeding station, to ensure they have enough foodThirstyMake sure your cat has plenty of water, to prevent them becoming dehydratedExcitedWhen a Maine Coon is excited, they often make chirp and trill sounds to show their pleasureHappyA contented Maine Coon will make a varying selection of sounds. They particularly love purring when their owner is cuddling themAttentionThese sociable creatures have highly intelligent minds. They have learnt that chirps and trills will quickly get their owners attentionPlayMaine Coons enjoy playing games, like 'catch the string', with their family. They are also known for staying 'kitten-like' long into their adult lives, so might just want someone to play with themTreatsYour cat might be after treats!PainIf your Maine Coon has injured themselves, they will likely be more vocal than normal, so owners are aware there is a problemSickCats in pain are often more vocal, since they are trying to make an owner aware they are sickAngry or AnnoyedMaine Coons rarely hiss or spit at humans, though will do so if they are under threat, or not happy with what you are doingTerritorialMaine Coon cats are far less territorial than other cat breeds, instead preferring to make friends with other animals, than fight. You may however hear hissing and spitting from them, if they feel threatened by an unknown animal nearbyFightingIf your cat gets into a fight with another cat, you will likely hear your Maine Coon howling, hissing and spitting In cases where your Maine Coon cat just won't stop communicating with you, it is likely that they are trying to tell you something. In scenarios like this, make sure you have catered to all their unique physical, social and mental needs: Food and Water: Check they have enough food and water. Love and Affection: Ensure your cats emotional wellbeing is catered to, by showing them love, affection and 1-2-1 attention. Play with your Maine Coon: Playtime is beneficial for both owner and cat, since cats are known to reduce a humans feelings of stress. Groom your cat: Make sure that your cats fur has not become matted. If a cat is unable to detangle their knotted fur, they will become very stressed. Injury: Check your Maine Coon isn't injured. Look for signs of limping, scratches, or pain when they move. If none of the issues above seem relevant, it may simply be that you have forgotten one of the usual daily rituals that you share with your cat, such as feeding them cat treats before you retire to bed! Learning A Maine Coons Language Overtime, owners will learn to translate the varying Maine Coon sounds that their pet makes. This is possible because Maine Coons are extremely intelligent cats, often finding different ways of showing their owners what they want. If you don't believe me, take a look at my own personal experience below: My Maine Coon will walk up to me, make a selection of chirps, and then turn around and walk towards his food bowl. He always stops on route, turning around to check that I am following him. If I'm not doing his bidding, he looks at me and repeats the same Maine Coon talking sounds that he did previously. It literally feels like he is telling me off if I haven't done as he has requested! I've always translated his chirps as "come on them mum, follow me!"Written by Katrina, owner of Maine coon central Ultimately, Maine Coons are creatures of habit. Thus, if you spend plenty of time with them it won't take long before you spot their individual behavioural patterns. For instance, most cats tend to eat at certain times, and quickly learn when their owners are more willing to feed them treats! Learning their behaviour helps you interpret their language far more easily. Maine Coon Talking Video Are you interested in buying a Maine Coon kitten, but have heard that Maine Coon cats never stop talking? If this sounds familiar, don't panic because Maine Coon sounds are nothing to worry about, at all. They certainly aren't really loud creatures as some people claim, and they definitely do stop talking! Realistically, you can expect a Maine Coon cat to chatter away to you, from time to time. If you opt to engage with your Maine Coon, it is likely that they will respond back. In some cases, it can feel like you are having a full blow conversation with your Maine Coon! For those of you that are keen to understand what a Maine Coon cat sounds like in real life, take a look at this short Youtube video of our Maine Coon talking to his owner (my husband). For reference, our Maine Coon has always been chatty. We actively encourage Maine Coon talking, because we often talk back to him! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XfDkeeui48 Maine Coon Talking To Owner If you are interested in watching more Maine Coon cat videos, click here to be redirected to the Maine Coon Central Youtube channel. Don't forget to click on the big red 'SUBSCRIBE' button, so that you get updated whenever I release a new video. Maine Coon Lost Voice If your Maine Coon has stopped talking, or is unable to make their usual sounds then owners should take them to see the vet. Although there might be no issue, it is important that a veterinary professional rules out any underlying illnesses. One common cause of voice loss occurs when a cat's voice box or larynx have been affected by laryngitis. Are Maine Coon Cats Loud? In most cases, Maine Coon cats are not loud, but their random bursts of constant talking might become irritating for individuals not used to hearing a Maine Coon chattering! In general though, this friendly large cat is happy to only engage with you when they need something, or when they want to show affection, or receive affection. The rest of the time, they are more than happy to follow you quietly from room to room, and rest at your feet when you sit down. If your Maine Coon does speak, you will notice that their voice consists of chirps and trills that are very soft and gentle, which corresponds with their laidback, calm and non-aggressive nature. Maine Coon Howling It is very rare to hear a Maine Coon howl. This scenario tends to only occur when they are under threat from another animal e.g. a cat or dog has entered their territory. Maine Coon Excessive Meowing Maine Coons are well known for their laid back, gentle demeanor. They love to talk to their owners, but in general their level of talking is not considered excessive. There will always be exceptions to the rule though, and in these situations it is understandable why owners may become a touch irritated! The table below identifies the main reasons causing a Maine Coon cat to meow excessively: ReasonExplanationGreeting YouMaine Coons adore human company, and love to greet their owners when they arrive home. It is likely your cat is simply showing their appreciation for you, and saying 'hello'!HungerCheck cat has enough foodDislike their foodCats can be fussy eaters, so swap their food and see if your Maine Coons excessive meowing stops ThirstyMake sure your cats water bowl is full of fresh water, since they do not like drinking dirty water.Purchase a water fountain, like this one off Amazon, to ensure your cat has a continual supply of fresh waterStressedStress is one of the key reasons a Maine Coon will excessively meow at their owners. Consider if any changes within your home may have caused your cat to become stressed i.e. house move, death of another household pet etc. PainDoes your Maine Coon look to be in pain? Seek veterinary advice to rule this issue outSickA sick Maine Coon will be more vocal than a healthy cat, since they need to get the attention of their own. Ask a vet to check your cats overall health, because medical conditions such as kidney disease and overactive thyroids are thought to increase the amount of noise a Maine Coon makesAttentionBored cats can become destructive, and the Maine Coon cat breed is no different. If your Maine Coon meows excessively, ensure they have plenty of toys and playtime, to stimulate their minds and prevent them becoming boredLonelyMaine Coon cats can suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety, just like humans. Make sure your cat is getting enough human interaction, to cater to their social needsOwner ResponseOwners should not respond to every single noise that their Maine Coon makes, since they are effectively teaching their cat that excessive meowing will always get them attentionBreedingIf you haven't neutered or spayed your cat yet, expect them to make considerably more noise than a cat that has been. Females are more vocal when on heat, and males are more vocal when they smell a female on heat! Maine Coon Separation Anxiety Maine Coon cats are well known for being extremely sociable. In fact, they are unlike most other cat breeds since they absolutely adore spending as much time with their human family as possible, rather than hiding away in a quiet corner, like normal cats would. It is important that an owner spends quality time with their Maine Coon everyday, since this breed has high social needs. If left on their own for long periods of time, it is possible that your Maine Coon may develop separation anxiety, which could be identifiable by your Maine Coon talking to you more often. Conclusion Maine Coon talking is extremely common, and not often something for owners to worry about. As your Maine Coon grows, you will notice a pattern as to when they like to talk, and when they don't. As owner, you are best placed to notice when your cat isn't acting their normal selves. In cases such as this, keep a close eye on your cat and take them to a veterinary professional if the unusual behaviour continues.