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Can A Maine Coon Kill a Dog? (3 Vulnerable Dog Breeds)

If you have. Maine Coon and are thinking of getting a dog, or just curious, you may be wondering if it could attack, or even kill a dog…

Can a Maine Coon kill a dog?

A Maine Coon can kill a dog. But, it would be more likely to kill a smaller breed of dog, for example, a Shih Tzu. An average-sized dog, like a labrador, or larger would be too much for a Maine Coon to handle.

So, now you know it is possible. But, why would this happen? is there anything you can do to prevent this from happeing? Can Maine Coon’s ever live with a dog? Keep reading for these answers, and so much more…

Why would a Maine Coon Kill a dog?

A Maine Coon is not likely to just attack a dog and kill it. If it happens it would be more a case of self-defense. Some dogs underestimate their enemy and assume they can win.

But, if a Maine Coon is backed into a corner from a small dog that it feels it may be able to handle naturally it will defend itself.

This is similar to us…

This is the same as us humans, if a small guy picked on you the chances are you would defend yourself because you feel confident, if push comes to shove, you could take him.

But, if a massive, 6 foot plus guy, over 200 pounds picked on a smaller guy then the smaller guy is likely to run off to see another day.

3 Dog Breeds that are vulnerable to Maine Coons:

As discussed earlier, smaller dog breeds are more likely to become a victim of a Maine Coon. So, with that being said, I will share with you a few that could be vulnerable:

01. Shih Tzu

A Shih Tzu is known as a toy dog breed, according to Wikipedia. They can weigh from 6 to 9 lbs. They are popular for their cute looks and small carryable size. They have been known to be own by celebrities such as Nicole Ritchie, Mariah Carey, etc.

As you can understand a 9-pound dog, at the higher end, is vulnerable to a 20 in Maine Coon in a defensive mood.

02. Maltese

The Maltese dog is also in the toy group and from south-east Europe. They are well known for being popular show dogs due to their petite size, great fur, and elegant looks. And, they are typically from 4 to 8 lbs in weight.

03. A Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a small dog breed and is in the Bichon type, according to Wikipedia. They are small energetic dogs that are very popular including celebrities such as Daisy Lowe and even a supermodel.

How can you prevent your Maine Coon from Killing a dog?

Now that you know it’s possible for a Maine Coon to kill a dog you may be wondering some proactive ways to keep this from happening.

Therefore, I will provide some tips in case you have a dog, planning to get one or know of one nearby:

01. Keep it away from the dog

The most obvious and guaranteed way to avoid this is simply to keep your cat away from these dogs. However, This is simple if you keep your cat indoors but not so easy if it is an outdoor cat.

So, if it is possible, then try and avoid any contact with these small dogs to keep them safe. If you have a dog or plan to get one keep reading for a better solution…

02. Introduce the dog to the cat under supervision.

If you are planning to get a dog and already have a Maine Coon you must introduce the dog under supervision. Never just leave them alone to “work it out”.

The idea is to get feel for how they will react initially and build on it, slowly, from there.

03. Don’t leave them alone until they bond

Following on from earlier, don’t leave them alone until you see that they have bonded well. If there is any pushing, shoving, or hissing they are not ready yet.

04. Keep the cat indoors

Another sure-fire way to avoid this catastrophe (excuse the pun!) is to keep your cat indoors. Whether this is good is subjective, some cat owners swear by it, others say all cats should go outside.

But, for this purpose, it is a possibility to keep it from attacking a small dog.

Are Maine Coons scared of dogs?

Maine Coons are scared of dogs, in general. In fact, this is the case for most cats. Although a Maine Coon is a large cat it still sees dogs as a predator and will avoid them instinctively.

In the next section, I will explain why this is not necessarily a problem if you wish to mix them.

Can you have a Maine Coon and a Dog together as pets?

You can have a dog with a Maine Coon. It has been done successfully. But, not all dogs will get on in harmony with a cat. Some dogs have a natural hunting instinct and will inevitably chase a cat.

Some cats and dogs will need some time (could the cat headbutt it? click here) to adjust before they are safe together. This differs and should be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Why are Maine Coons like dogs?

Maine Coons are often compared to dogs because of their intelligence, how trainable they are, and how they respond to their owner when they come through the door.

Another trait that is very similar to dogs is the way that they are known to accept being walked with a harness and leash and even reports of them playing fetch like a dog.

Will a Maine Coon get on with a large dog?

A Maine Coon can get along with a large dog, for example, an Alsation. The size of the dog is not the issue it is how well trained it is and how you introduce them. A well-trained dog can get on with a Maine Coon no problem.

It is easy to assume that big dogs will be a problem but this is more to do with perception, rather than reality. There have been many reports of big dogs living well with cats for years.

Would a dog attack a Maine Coon on a walk?

A Maine Coon being taken for a walk in a public area, like a park, is vulnerable to a random dog attack. This is because most dogs will instinctively chase cats. Especially if they do not live with them and do not know them.

If you must walk your Maine Coon it is better to do it in your own back garden. This will reduce the risks of a dog attack substantially. It may not be ideal for you, but better for your cat.

Could you have a Jack Russell Terrier with a Maine Coon?

It is possible to have a Jack Russell dog with a Maine Coon cat. But, some caution is required. Jack Russells are natural hunters and were bred to chase rabbits and retrieve them from their burrows, so they are intensely wired to chase small animals.

As I said earlier, any dog can live in harmony with any cat. But, they need to be correctly introduced and monitored, especially in the beginning.

My experiences with Jack Russels and cats…

My parents-in-law have always had Jack Russel dogs. And, I remember them having a cat with it for many years. However, it wasn’t a Maine Coon. But, never the less, it was a fairly large adult cat.

My point is, they lived together fine for years. There was the occasional hiss or bark at each other. But, this was rare and may be caused by an accident such as bumping into each other.

Should I get a Maine Coon if I already have a puppy dog?

If you have a puppy it is better to wait until it’s older before getting a Maine Coon. This is because the puppy is still young and getting used to its home. Any cat, or other pet, at this stage, could cause friction in your home.