Hi All

As some of you know I have a beautiful, sweet natured, gentle one year old Russian Blue boy called Mika who is perfect in every way and I consider myself a very lucky girl, but….

I can't help myself, I really want a red Maine Coon and am completely torn about whether I am being selfish by considering bringing another cat into the home

So here are some questions for you

Maine Coon personality and size: I am worried that because they are quite big cats that they would completely dominate Mika (He is 9.8 lb slender and lean) and I have read that MCs can be quite boisterous, but is that an issue do you think? Does size play a part in cat hierarchy?

Male or female? I really like boys but again MC boys can be huge!! Again in your experience which tends to be the most laid back?

Mika is such a soppy boy, I have never had a scratch or hiss from him so I just have no idea how he would react to some new cat on the block, Is it likely that he might resent me? Will our relationship change?

£400-500 for a pedigree MC kitten, is that correct?

HCM testing? Can anyone give me an idiots explanation please

Does anyone have any personal breeder recommendations within an hour or so from London?

I know there are no black and white answers here, depends on individual personalities etc but your own experiences would be very welcome in helping me come to a decision

missye should be along soon to advise on breeders....she has just taken on 2 MC boys so has done lots of research I know.
I did want to add this
Welcome To Misa Coonz Breeders of maine coon cats
as I believe she has got a new litter with some reds.....

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Nellie Paddy Mitzy Milo Peggy Murphy

Millie and Monty, the White Devils!

- Personality and size: Maine coons are big, amles are bigger than females. They can eb quite boisterous but bear in mind if you get them when they are kittens your boy will probably tell him off. They might become the more dominant one gradually, but rarely with a fight as they are such sweet natured cats. Out of the many breeds MC's and raggies are probably the easiest to introduce to existing cats as they are laid back and friendly!
We have Storm, who clocks in at 6.5 kilos and Benji at 1.6 and they play and chase each other, I think most cats tend to play a bit rough when play-fighting as all of our mogs etc in the past have! By the sound of your boy's personality I'd say you'd have it relatively easy in terms of them gettng along as MC's are very soppy and loving too!

- Male/female: I've also always found that males tend to get on better than a mix of males and females but most of the time it makes no difference. Our two are boys and already love each other dearly and have only known each other for two weeks!

- Your relationship will probably not change at all, you will always have that bond, but you might find that they compete for your attention, however not in a vicous way, more in the sense that one cat is lying on your lap so the other decides to lie on top or on your head/chest/feet!

- Price: Yep, you got it! I paid £400 for Benji who comes from a good breeder and who has Grand Champions in his heritage *brags* He is sweet and loving and absolutely gorgeous

- HCM testing: This link will give you a good idea, the parents should be tested for it before breeding Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats Ignore the register though nobody asks to be put on the register

I'll also send you some names of breeders. Where are you, actually in London or outside?

Ems x

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Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011

Thanks Ems, that really is fantastic advice, I live in North London but am willing to travel an hour or so if necessary, I have found a breeder who possibly has a red girl still available, I ideally wanted a boy but I don't think it's a deal breaker

Both male and female MC's are sweet so will get on with most cats! If you don't mind PM'ing me the name of the breeder so I can have a look? Love looking at breeders websites! xx

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Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011

I realy would'nt worry about size our 17yr old Simba thinks he's a Russian Blue & weighs just over 3kg he was 2.5kgish before his thyroid op & he can kick our MC's in to touch any day of the week they think they are hard well one of them does but they love company & a well socialised kitten will not bat an eyelid

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All my children have paws!