Weird Maine Coon Behaviors: Vibrating, Chirping & Head Butting#
New Maine Coon owners often panic. “Why is his tail vibrating?” “Why does he sound like a pigeon?” “Why did he just head-butt me in the nose?”
Maine Coons have a distinct “language” that is different from the average domestic cat. They aren’t broken; they are just communicating with the intensity of a giant.
1. The “Vibrating” Tail (The Happy Shake)#
You walk in the door. Your cat stands up, tail straight up in the air, and the tail starts shivering or vibrating rapidly.
- What it means: Pure, unadulterated joy. It is sometimes called “Happy Tail.”
- Don’t Panic: It looks like they are spraying (marking territory), but if no liquid comes out, it is just a hug in tail form.
2. Head Butting (Bunting)#
Atticus has almost broken my nose with this. He walks up to my face and slams his forehead into mine.
- What it means: “You are mine.”
- The Science: They have scent glands on their forehead. By bunting you, they are marking you with their scent. It is the ultimate sign of trust and ownership.
3. Chirping and Trilling#
Rarely do Maine Coons “Meow.”
- The Sound: It sounds like a “Brrrrup?” or a bird chirp.
- The Usage: It is a greeting. Mother cats use it to call kittens. Your Maine Coon uses it to say “Follow me” or “Look at this.” (Check out our Vocalization Guide for more).
4. Pawing at Water#
If you find water all over the floor, it’s not a leak. It’s your cat.
- The Instinct: They paw at the water surface to break the tension (and maybe to clear imaginary ice, an ancestral memory).
- The Fix: Get a heavy ceramic bowl or a fountain. They will tip over light plastic bowls.
Conclusion#
These quirks are what make the breed so endearing. They are communicative, tactile, and expressive. Learn their language, and you will realize they are talking to you all day long.
Resources & Further Reading#
- The Spruce Pets: Cat Body Language Decoded.
- Jackson Galaxy: Why Cats Bunt.