Mobility Aids for Giants: Helping a Senior Maine Coon Get Around#

There is a specific look of hesitation that breaks my heart. Your Maine Coon walks up to the sofa—his favorite spot for the last 12 years. He crouches, wiggles his butt to prep for the jump, and then… stops. He looks up, measures the distance, sighs, and lays down on the floor instead.

Arthritis in Maine Coons is almost inevitable due to their size. But arthritis shouldn’t mean their world shrinks to the floor level.

Adapting your home for a senior giant isn’t difficult, but it requires seeing your house through the eyes of a cat whose hips hurt. Here is the ultimate “Accessibility Guide” for the geriatric Maine Coon.

The “Elevator” System: Ramps and Steps#

A Maine Coon’s life is vertical. When they lose access to high spaces, they lose confidence. They feel vulnerable on the floor.

Pet Stairs vs. Ramps:
- Stairs: Good for small dogs, often bad for senior Maine Coons. The steps are usually too narrow for their large bodies, and the impact of hopping step-to-step can still hurt.
- Ramps: Much better. A carpeted ramp allows them to “power walk” up to the bed or sofa without joint impact.

DIY Hack: You don’t need expensive “pet ramps.” A simple wooden plank covered in cheap carpet remnant, leaned securely against a window sill, works perfectly.

The Bathroom Struggle: Litter Box Modifications#

If you find poop right next to the litter box, your cat isn’t being naughty. He is telling you: “I tried, but it hurt too much to step over the wall.”

Standard XL Litter Boxes often have high sides to keep litter in. For a senior with hip dysplasia, stepping over a 6-inch rim is like a human with a bad back climbing a fence to go to the toilet.

The Solution: Buy a large plastic storage bin (underbed storage style) and cut a “U” shape into one side. Make the entrance only 2-3 inches off the ground.
Sandpaper Trick: If the plastic is slippery, rough up the bottom with sandpaper so their paws can grip. Slipping scares them.

Heat is Medicine#

Old joints ache in the cold. Heat increases blood flow and reduces stiffness.

Heated Beds: A low-wattage heated pet mat (like the K&H brand) is the best gift you can give a senior. Place it in a low, accessible spot. You will find them glued to it all winter.
Draft Dodgers: Move their beds away from drafty doors or windows.

Grooming Assistance#

Arthritis makes the spine stiff. A senior Maine Coon physically cannot twist around to groom their lower back or the base of their tail. This is why seniors get matted so easily (see Removing Mats).

** The “Butt Cut”:** Ask your groomer for a “Sanitary Shave” that extends slightly further down the back legs. It keeps them clean when they can’t squat properly.
Daily Wipes: Use pet-safe grooming wipes to clean the fur they can’t reach. It mimics the feeling of being groomed and bonds you to them.

Conclusion#

Your Maine Coon spent his life being the “King of the Jungle,” patrolling the high shelves. Don’t let arthritis dethrone him. With a few ramps and a heated bed, you can keep him comfortable, confident, and right there on the sofa next to you where he belongs.

References#

Lascelles, B.D. (2010). “Feline degenerative joint disease.” Veterinary Surgery.
American Association of Feline Practitioners. Nursing Care for the Senior Cat.
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. “Clinical signs of joint pain in cats.”
Clarke, S.P. & Bennett, D. (2006). “Feline osteoarthritis: a prospective study.”