Do Maine Coons Purr? Breed Facts & Other Vocalizations
By Ashley Bates
Updated on
If you are curious about the Maine Coon breed, you might wonder what you can expect when you own one. One of the most common cat vocalizations is purring. It’s a magical power that they seem to have, and it actually does more than you might think.
Maine Coons, in addition to all cats, can purr. But that’s not the only vocalization that Maine Coons possess. What is interesting about the Maine Coon is that they make tons of other very significant sounds that are specific to the breed. Let’s learn more!
Maine Coon Behavior
Maine Coons are much more like canines than felines if you ask many cat owners. They tend to be incredibly loyal and enjoy being around human companions. They are typically more laid back than other cats, too, being able to relax with their humans.
In addition to their award-winning personalities and friendly demeanor, these cats are massive creatures, sometimes weighing around 20 pounds as adults. These big lovable teddy bears will keep you cozy with fluffy cuddles.
Maine Coons Can Purr—and That’s Not All!
A cat purr is a compelling thing that science is still learning about daily. Maine Coons absolutely purr, and it’s one of the ways that they show affection, pleasure, and healing. Maine Coons are particularly very affectionate cats, so your particular kitty might purr more than some others.
Maine Coons might purr if they are happy, content, hungry, needy, and a laundry list of other wants and desires. It is a way that they communicate affection between their species and those in their household.
Every cat will be slightly different about purr triggers, but it’s generally pretty easy to decipher the underlying message. You might notice that your Maine Coon only purrs at specific times. But let’s go over some other vocalizations in addition to purring.
Other Vocalizations
In addition to this very common cat vocalization, Maine Coons are notorious for other forms of chatter and communication. They are very interactive and responsive with their human families and other fur companions in the home.
Maine Coons have two other main vocalizations. They can both trill and chirp. Trilling is a chattery sound, usually high-pitched and repetitive.
Chirping, as you can imagine, sounds like a bird or a small chatter. Trilling is more of a rolling noise that they make. It’s a combination of a meow and a purr almost. If you hear this vocalization, you’ll know what we mean.
When your cat communicates with you, it’s essential to listen to their tone as well as observe their body language. If you genuinely try to connect with your cat, it’s much easier to decipher what they’re probably telling you.
They are telling you different things about their wants, needs, and desires by purring, trilling, and chirping. The two of you can actually learn to communicate quite well.
Do Maine Coons Purr Often?
Maine Coons can purr quite often, especially if they are happy campers. But that’s not to say that they will purr any more or less than an average cat.
Some Maine Coons might be very vocal, while others are relatively quiet. Also, some cats can be naturally more affectionate than others and purr as a consequence. If you have a cat that is more aloof, you might hear less purring coming from them.
An interesting thing to consider is that feral or wild Maine Coon cats tend to purr less often than domesticated cats. While science doesn’t have a definitive answer for why this might be, it could come from less of a need to communicate with people.
Healing Power of the Purr
Something really cool about the purr of your Maine Coon and other cats is that they are deep or have healing powers. A purr is a vibration that sounds between 20 and 140 Hz.
It cannot only heal your cat from illness and pain, but it also has benefits for humans. It can reduce levels of anxiety in people. So, our cats, indeed, are our emotional support animals!
It is even speculated that your cat’s purr can reduce the symptoms of PMS. So, tell your significant others that having a cat is your cure for all you ladies who have trouble – all the more reason to invite one of these fabulous felines to live in your home.
Conclusion
Majestic, elegant, and loyal, Maine Coons do, in fact, purr. These cats are full of personality. In addition to purring, they let loose a few different vocalizations to keep you laughing and your heart melting. Learning about all of the Maine Coon quirks and eccentricities will make you fall in love with the breed that much more.
Featured Image Credit: Meriluxa, Shutterstock
