Yes, Our Dexter will catch mice, but he's very gentle, and plays pat-a-cake with them for a while then lets them go. Honey, however, likes to shred them into little pieces and eats them with gusto

Funny animals these coonies.

Ian F.

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"Always turn and look when your cat gazes behind you with that intent look in her eyes. Some day there might actually be something there." - T.S. Eliot

Apart from her psycho traits our Maine Coon loves being outside in the back garden(s) - ours and our neighbours on either side. She plays with our neighbours cats and chases birds - as yet failing to catch any. It's cruel to keep them indoors all the time. When we first got her we kept her inside until she got used to her surroundings then had her tied on a long leash in the garden which was fixed so it reached the boundary fences and no further and now when she's out she pretty much adheres to those boundaries.

She doesn't like "strangers" - thats a whole other thread - and her sheer size is intimidating, so I've no fear of her being kidnapped. Her coat, general health and even her smell has greatly improved since she started going outdoors.

Not everyone can afford secure back yards or gardens with caged areas for there cats. Maybe those that can shouldn't be so smug or quick to judge those who let their cats "roam free".

This is A Lovely picture, It reminds me of our late Ollie (main coon) only smaller, as he was only 6 monts old when he got run over.

Does anyone know why main coons are attracted to water. ours was fascinated with water, in the shower, a dripping tap, outside in the rain. It was so funny watching him trying to figure out what this is.
We are going to get another kitten in the near future when our new house is ready and we,re not going to keep him in. We have a big garden with trees ans bushes and I'm going to fence it off so he cant escape. hopefully this will be enough to deter him from roaming elsewhere. Any advice on this will be greatly welcomed.

You could look at Fencing in the garden I managed to sort of do it at my last house but dont have a garden anymore

My old MC arrived home with the end of someones knitting one day I saw him trotting down the path all triumphant with this lime green line following him from the fence, it was round the garden that backed on to mine & over their fence & then god knows where, I rolled it up quickly & threw it back & then hid everytime someone knocked at the door expecting an irate knitter demanding compensation for prized jumper or something

Milo also loved water - pond ok - sink ok - loo ARG! & there is something not quite right turning round in the shower to find your big cat sat purring away getting drenched

We have kept our MC indoors for the first three weeks before we let him go into the gardens (he jumps from one to another). In the beginning he was trying to figure out what his territory was and sometimes roamed very far. Now that he know the neighborhood he only goes to a few other gardens.

Ok here's how i keep my maine coon cross.
He is a house cat but has a large run which is connected to my patio doors.
I do not let him roam freely outside,as he is so friendly someone would take him for sure.
I really think its a personal choice if you keep your cat indoors or outdoors.
But for me i keep him in with a run into the garden.
Please can we try to keep this thread friendly thank you.

I have just joined and read this whole topic and am shocked at how much of a jerk you are being! So WHAT if they let their cat's out, Maine Coons are big enough to take care of themselves and are just the same as domestics (though it's the owner that has the choice to risk their cat being stolen)

It's cruel to suddenly shut your cat indoors after a few months or years being outside and can send them into massive depression.

You need to take other people's feelings into consideration before you blurt out any snide remarks. Your attitude is shameful

I am now going to lock this thread.
Its starting to become personal...which is a no no.