Thread: Advice needed

It is very difficult to comment, as different people have different standards and how they consider their cats to be well cared for.

My cats all live in my house, with access to safe runs, have food and water available at all times and are very much part of the family. I know other people who don't have all their cats in the house, but they are still well loved and cared for, receiving plenty of attention, food, water and clean facilities. Maybe its worth striking up a conversation with your neighbour, and asking if you can visit the cats occasionally, pass no judgemental comments, but make friends with them all and go from there.

Hi, It is very touching that you are showing concern for the neighbors cats. I find that people are much more attentive to dogs than cats. All animals need food water and shelter from the weather. I do not know what the climate is there, but I agree with musicalife that getting to know the neighbor and learning more about the breed is a good idea. My Maine Coon Ginger is not a people cat, she loves her family but is shy around strangers, I live in a busy urban area that has varying climate -20f in the winter to 100 f in the summers. I do not leave my cat roam the streets it is not safe. If you are really concerned maybe animal welfare is the way to go, they can check on them to make sure they are fed and safe. What ever you decide to do, should be in the best interest of the animals.

I have no experience but I just wanted to add that it could be possible that the cat kept on it's own could be a stud boy so would have to be kept separate from the others??

Originally Posted by DonnaMD

I have no experience but I just wanted to add that it could be possible that the cat kept on it's own could be a stud boy so would have to be kept separate from the others??

I would think that maybe during a heat cycle but not as a general rule, cats are very social animals. And then they would be kept further away from the females, it would get awful noisy if they were next to each other yikes!

Originally Posted by Queen Ingrid of Burma

Hi guys, I'm new on here and I don't actually own a maine coone, but as a lover of cats I decided to join as I'm concerned about my neighbours' maine coons.

My neighbour is keeping maine coons in an enclosure in his garden and they live permanently in there. I know he is breeding them and has more in the house (don't know how many) but there are 3 in the enclosure - 2 in one section and 1 separated off at the end. I would like to know peoples views on keeping maine coons (or any cats!) permanently in an outdoor enclosure. Are maine coons sociable? I'm guessing 'yes' as they always meow at me when I open my front door. I've peered over into the enclosure and the two cats have two bowls - both of which look almost empty of food and water. Perhaps they eat/down it quickly, I've no idea! The 3rd cat which is separated off is difficult to see but I noticed just one bowl with a bit of water in it. The litter tray is always very soiled - but I can tell its being changed (maybe not always every day). The owner works long hours and maybe I just dont see when he feeds them - and they are probably that hungry they gobble it all down at once? Or am I just making excuses?

They look healthy enough but it worries me they're not getting enough human attention, love and companionship - and also their basic requirements are 'skimped on' by the looks of it. There are things for them to climb on but nothing to snuggle into, from what I can see. I know they originate from a cold climate, but what when winter comes? Won't they want warmth and home comforts?

This is torture for me as they meow every time I open or close my front door as the enclosure is right next door. It's really playing on my mind. Hope someone can help.

Here in Cumbria nearly all breeders have the adult cats outside. Sif's breeder had nine outside (mind you, in covered enclosures and maximum two cats for each one) and they were all perfectly healthy and well fed. Not necessarily 'outside' is bad, as long as you give them cuddles and food. Kittens are always born and brought up inside.
As a cat's owner, I would have been negatively impressed if cats were all inside, because I dare to say that hygienic conditions wouldn't be that great with 12 kittens and 9 adult cats inside.... I can't keep everything spotless clean with just one cat (at some point I had to let it go lol), let alone more...

When the snow starts falling here in Ohio my Mandy Coon howls at the door to be let out to play! It's the same situation with dogs, my parents bred English Springer Spaniels when I was a kid and the breeder dogs had their own covered kennel in the back yard. I agree with the previous post about hygiene too. I have four cats and three of them spend lots of time outside. It dramatically reduces litter box waste and people are always amazed that four cats live here, but they go outside to do their business most of the time so I don't have a house that reeks!
If the cats were unsocial, scared, or aggressive, and appeared dirty then I would be concerned. Otherwise it sounds pretty normal to me. As for the food and water, they should have water at all times but unless the cats look emaciated I wouldn't worry about not seeing food in the dish. My pigs scarf everything down in a few minutes!

Firstly I am so sorry about the delay in replying to you all. Been having trouble with my password (basically I forgot it and it took me ages to figure out how to reset it!) Anyway thanks so much for all your advice and opinions. You really have put my mind at rest and Im feeling better about the situation now. Unfortunately I am unable to see into the enclosure now as a fence has now been put up and is blocking my view. I can still vaguely see the cats if I peer through a hedge! And they look healthy and groomed. I have been in touch with the owner recently and offered my help which he appreciated and he said they are a handful at times. I haven't been round there to see/feed them as of yet but hopefully we will get to that stage! He did say he had wondered what to do when he goes away, so hopefully he will ask me now! I will read up about the breed as they are probably very different to my Burmese indoor cat (who I spoil rotten as she's my baby!) Perhaps these Maine Coone's are less of a 'people' cat but I have to admit they seem to like me! I just have a way with cats I think. Thanks again guys for all your help!

How wonderful that you offered your help! I've read so much about Maines being people cats but in my experience this is half true. Mine are intensely attached to me and less so to the other people that live with them. They are devoted cats for sure, but they can be very shy with strangers. If Mandy saw you and had never seen you before you'd think she was feral, because she'd bolt away in a flash lol! Merlin doesn't hide from strangers but doesn't seek out their attention either. I've slowly been gaining the trust of a stray around here that I was sure was feral until she let me pet her last week. I'm sure once these cats get to know you they will be quite friendly, especially if you feed them!

Completely agree with you MandyCoonie! Sif is still quite young but she is attached to me and my husband, quite shy with strangers