Maine Coons and kids: best pals for life?

Is a Maine Coon a good pet for children?

This is a great and important question! Typically, yes they are great pets for the whole family. However, they are no different than any other animal in terms of interactions with children. Young children must always be supervised when they're with animals! My son is only two, but he is strong! He grabbed my face with his tiny nails, and I thought he would rip it off! Imagine if a kid did that to the wrong animal... so it's essential to teach children how to interact with our pets properly.

Temperament is key: Grumpy cats aren't the best pets for kids.

Sorry to all you grumpy cat lovers, but as a former child these kinds of cats are not the best companions for children. I was scratched way too many times as a kid, and I was afraid of cats until I met my first Maine Coon. But don't worry although they are fierce-looking, Maine Coons are known for being gentle giants. They love to be petted even on their ticklish bellies, and none of my cats ever scratch unless it's completely on accident. When buying a Maine Coon for your children it's important to know the temperament of the parents, this is a good indicator of how your kitten will act as an adult. If the kitten has grumpy parents, move along and find a new breeder as a good temperament is part of the breed standard!

Respect for animals: Kids need to learn how to interact with animals

This is true for all animals, and Maine Coons are no different. They have a high tolerance for being handled roughly by children but if an animal is being hurt its natural reaction is to defend itself. Although I will admit there have been times when my toddler grabbed the ears of my Maine Coon stud cat very hard before I could stop him, the cat did not react. This is the temperament I look for when selecting Maine Coons for our breeding program.