Advice Needed (Bringing Home a Cat)

I have always wanted a Maine Coon.  I can't bring in a cat...sorry.  But, these types of cats have been on my bucket list.

7 or 8 is not old for a cat.  Cats can live up to 18 to even 20 years of age.  Having said this....I do not know specifics to this breed.

A cat scratcher is a good idea.  When you are spending time with her...show it to her...pretend to sharpen your own claws on it...she might try to mimic you.  I've witnessed this with my own cats.  Works especially well if she is scratching on something and you catch her in the act.  Softly say No...then remove her from the spot and take her to the scratcher and show her that its ok to scratch there.

Cats are creatures of independence.  And, if she prefers to be solo....I'm sure she will be fine.  Better than the alternative, right. 

My experience has been that cats enjoy grooming.  Get a comb or a brush and show it to her.  Let her rub up against it...then slowly start lightly brushing.  You might be pleasantly surprised.

If you aren't going to keep her...no reason for Ari to meet her.  Although Ari will know that cat is there.  You might still need to train her away from the door.

If you are going to buy food from the grocery store....maybe a Purina One brand.  You know the drill..omething with protein as the first and main ingredient.

Good luck and thank you for rescuing her.

Thanks Barbara! My Dad had cats who loved to be groomed (one would bring the brush to you!!!), so hopefully she'll at least tolerate it. I groomed cats as a brusher/bather in a former job, so there's that at least! My concern is, she's likely badly matted. In which case, it might be more humane to have a vet or a groomer take care of her depending upon the extent of the matting. The last thing I want to do is further traumitize her.

The grocery store will have to do for now for cat supplies and food. I'll check out Purina One. My Dad's cats were always fed Science Diet, due to one of them having issues with most other foods (and developing crystals). From what little I know of her, this isn't the case for her.

It looks strongly like my friend can take her permanently. She just needs to get the ok from her landlord. She has one cat already, so hopefully the landlord won't be opposed to two. Fingers crossed this works out, since I'll be able to transport her to my friends house at the end of this month.

Honestly, I would love to keep her myself but the significant other isn't on board and I don't think her personality is a good match for Ari (for a long term placement at any rate). If the personality were more of a match, I might work on the significant other a bit more Right now, I'm just surprised he said yes to a temporary situation.

Double sided tape on the edges of where she might scratch is apparently not pleasant, and might work for the bed - as for the carpet I'm not sure.

And chance you could put a child lock or a baby gate on the door? I know you said it's "always" closed but I know both cats and dogs who can open doors.

Is there a window in there? Most of the cats I know LOVE to look out the windows on those little perchy things.

That's an AWESOME idea about a perch for the window (there is one there). I am more than happy to buy her a cat thingy that can boost her up to the window. From the bed, she might be able to see out the window (sadly there's no window sill she could sit or lay down on).

I can change the bed linens over to the ratty ones that are stained. I also have a blanket that I've been meaning to throw out because Ari chewed a few holes in it in her younger days. She can destroy the linens/blanket and I would be fine with that. Maybe I'll try double sided tape along the bottom part of the mattress. Hopefully, she'll just leave the carpet alone. If not, no biggie. It's just carpet after all!

I don't have a gate to use by the door. Ari generally stays by one of us when we're home and she's always crated when we're not. The door is solid and she's never learned to open one up (thank goodness and knock on wood - she's rambunctious but not the sharpest tool in the shed lol).

http://www.maine-coon-cat-nation.com/maine-coon-personality.html

Sharon, I am fostering an older cat who has front claws.  I bought one of those curvy scratchers, part is sisal, part is carpet and is it shaped like an "S", but sits on the floor.  To get Buddy to use it, I took fresh catnip daily and put it all over the sisal part.  He loves catnip, so I hoped it would draw him to it, which it did, and he exclusively uses it for his claws now.

The perch is an excellent idea.

We had a cat that was part Maine coon and he loved to drink from and play in running water.

 Oh, I like the idea of that S shaped cat scratcher. I'll pick up one of those and some catnip. I doubt she's had her nails attended to in a long time. Thank you!! Thank you too for the link. That's very helpful. I love cats, but know very little about the different breeds. Any cats we've had as kids or that I've known have been mixes of indeterminate origin. From my understanding she is a very small Maine Coon. She's been through a lot lately, so her shyness has gotten worse (plus she lost her favorite human). I feel bad that my home can't be permanent but if she goes to my friend, it'll be an excellent match.

I've known a few cats that love running water! That never fails to crack me up!

FYI, I got the scratcher at Wally World for $19.99.  I think it was a good $20 spent.  Be sure that you get the one with sisal.  Some have corrugated cardboard instead and I don't think they work for the cat as well.

My cat Gretschen is a Maine Coon mix.   They are a wonderful breed.  They get big but are usually super gentle.  My G would not hurt a fly.  She isn't like the others in that shes not really into playing with stuff and wrestling.  Shes very vocal when shes hungry but other than that very quiet and calm.  She rarely gets into the windows.  So much so that when she is up high somewhere DH and I always call each other to come see. 

I'm not a super big cat fan myself but I really love her. 

PS-She did pick one spot to scratch so definately keep an eye out for that.  I think she picked it up at the shelter though.  I noticed scratches and claw marks in a similar area when I was visiting the other day.

I just spent the weekend with 3 Maine Coon cats, and I grew up with one.  The one thing you might not know as a non-cat owner is that Maine Coon's have such long hair that when they're grooming themselves they swallow a lot of hair.  So, don't be alarmed if you hear loud hacking/gagging noises coming from the room.  She's just hacking up hairballs and it's normal.  No need for "hairball remedy" unless your VET tells you to do it. 

Tina's recommendation about the catnip on the scratcher is what I was about to say. 

Cats can be finicky about their litterboxes... how often it's cleaned, the type of litter, etc, so you may end up having to experiment a little.  Or this kitty might be the easiest going little being that you're pleasantly surprised.  Most Coons are very sweet and easy-going... however they will protect themselves as needed.  The owner of the ones I was with this weekend got a nasty cut to her bottom eyelid from trying to scoop her cat up before the dog chased him.  The cat was prepared to defend himself against dog.  eek.

miranadobe

  Most Coons are very sweet and easy-going... however they will protect themselves as needed

Agree!  My cat bit the animal control officer when she was trying to give her some medication.  And, if we try to make her do something she doesn't want to do she will get nasty very quickly.  But, she does wonderful with my other cats and she normally wouldn't hurt anything-just when she feels she is like Paige said, trying to defend herself. 

Cats so best with wet food.  Try to get something grain free if possible.  The floor scratching contraptions are a big hit here too.  Even Old Man Neigi Cat (arthritis in hips) likes it.  6-7 is still pretty young for a cat.  Neigi is 17. Aside from his hips, he is in good shape.

Have fun with the kitty.  Hang out in her room, let her come to you in her own time.   Double sided tape has work for us to prevent scratching on furniture or pawing at the bedroom door incessantly.

I'm familiar with finicky cats about litter lol. If what I picked up yesterday doesn't suit her, I'm agreeable to finding something else. I'm prepared to clean the box daily if needed! Cleaning litter boxes has never bothered me.

I've never been around a cat that had hairball issues, but good point! I'll try not to panic if she does hack 'em up :) 

I'm hoping my home won't be too traumatic for her. It's a pretty quiet house, though Ari does bark on occasion.

I'm likely bringing the cat home tonight. I'm a tad anxious to see the condition of her coat. The lady I spoke to was honest that they really don't know how bad her coat is right now, just that they are sure she doesn't have fleas. I'm hoping her coat is brushable.

Sharon, if her coat is really matted, please do not hesitate to find a groomer experienced with cats to clip her.  Like with a dog, the mats can cause a lot of pain and cutting them will be even more difficult since many cats are quicker to bite and scratch when they are hurting and afraid.

For the hairballs (prevention), grow some wheat/oat grass.  Cats like to nibble on it and it helps the hair pass through and out like poop instead of vomited hairballs everywhere.  You can usually find the little kits in any pet store or grocery store pet section.  Once the grass sprouts, the cat will usually go right to it.  They last about 2 weeks (be sure to water, but not overdo it).  Well worth the $3 to $4.