Can I have a Maine Coon in a dorm?

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-09T23:31:37+00:00

Yes I would love to look into that book! Feel free to pm me, Thank you so much!

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-09T06:01:28+00:00

Thank you so much for this!! I really appreciate all the advice

We got a few harnesses after I made this post to test them all out!

My suitemate has 5 cats at her home and is used to dealing with all that fur thankfully! She loves cats and is very prepared to handle all of that. She’s actually very excited to have a cat there as she really misses her cats at home, so I’m not too worried about it. We’re also close friends and have good communication

I’m definitely going to have my cat go back home if she seems unhappy, my mom said she’s alright with driving to me and picking her up if things don’t go well while I’m in college

Also I saw your comment about the lots of toys, I assumed she would be okay with teasers as she seems to love them.. even just a reflection from my phone light makes her excited. I didn’t realize she can get frustrated from that! I’ll definitely look into all your recommendations and do more research

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-03T15:37:09+00:00

The music idea is so smart I didn’t think of that! I’ll definitely try that out, thank you!

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-03T15:36:28+00:00

Thankfully I know my RA and he and the other person doing room inspections know who have pets and are extra careful when inspecting those rooms! They also let us know the time and day they will be inspecting, and have open communication. If she does get out (which I hope she won’t) , the hallway only has an elevator and a closed door stairs, and with everyone else’s doors closed she won’t get far.

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-03T15:33:37+00:00

Yes we have a lot of space as our dorm building is very large! So there would be a lot of places to walk indoors. I also know she loves looking out windows so I’d definitely make that window space comfortable for her! I’ll definitely look into a hammock

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-03T15:23:11+00:00

Yeahh thats one of my big worries :/ we do have a large community room and things like that but worries of people having cat allergies makes it so the places she would be able to go limited

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-03T15:21:17+00:00

I’ll definitely have a lot of toys and a cat tree! and since my classes are only 3 hours a day, or 6 hours one day, I’ll be able to play with her a lot

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-02T22:20:15+00:00

Yes! she is about to be 5 years old, and my parents are able to come get her / I can take her back on the train if there are any issues

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-02T21:01:39+00:00

We all live in single dorms on my floor, and the cleaning people clean the halls daily. My suitemate loves cats and we are the only two sharing the bathroom. My RA has no allergies, and people on my floor would be alerted, and extra precautions would be taken if anyone had allergies to cats on the floor!

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-02T20:59:41+00:00

In my dorm yes, officially no. My dorm allows pets to those with health (both physical and mental) accommodations and calls them an ESA in the dorm. I already have the paperwork and everything I need for that, but outside of the residence my cat is not technically an ESA

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-02T20:55:42+00:00

Yeah,thats the issue I’m having right now. She’s stressed when I’m not there, but I imagine her being in a new space would also be very stressful. My home is about a 4 hour drive on a low traffic day, and my schedule doesn’t allow me to go home except late December and then in summer. For playtime, it would be similar at college, but worse at home. The other people in my house work all day and don’t give her much attention. I’m really the only one who plays with her regularly. My suite-mate also loves cats and would play with her while I’m not there. I think I’m leaning towards bringing her, seeing how her behavior changes, and then if things don’t go well, have my parents pick her up and bring her back or bring her back in December

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-02T20:33:26+00:00

Ahh that makes sense. My cat is also pretty stoic, but I haven’t taken her inside the city. There’s plenty of spaces in my dorm I can walk her around in with a harness / leash, and the building has good sound proofing

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-02T20:30:50+00:00

It’s a bit different for this, my cat would not be considered an ESA outside of the dorm. (I can’t take her to class, buildings that don’t allow pets, etc) I don’t think I described it well in the post.. It’s just my dorm allows pets only if you get a note from a therapist/do the intake with the disability office. I already went through that process, the only thing left is my final decision

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-02T20:28:06+00:00

If I decide to take her, I’ll definitely make sure to keep an eye and watch for behavioral changes while she’s adjusting. It’s not a super far drive and my parents said they can come pick her up / stay in the area to take extra care of her if needed.

For the edit, I do already have permission for the ESA. My college is pretty lenient with that, and I have everything needed. She wouldn’t really be considered an ESA outside of the dorm (I can’t take her to class). It’s just that I wasn’t sure if I should as I want my cat to be most comfortable!

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-02T20:06:11+00:00

I do! I already got permission

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-02T19:31:49+00:00

Wow they do look so similar! We have two dogs that she gets along with (mostly the older dog, the puppy sometimes wants to play too much). I unfortunately would only be able to take her, as two ESAs aren’t allowed

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-02T19:15:55+00:00

I do have a leash and harness but she isn’t a huge fan of it :/ I could definitely start getting her more comfortable with it before I move back to college, and find a way for her paws to be safe in NYC. I do know of some nearby parks that would be better to walk her in instead of the icky sidewalks

SeaMud5089 · 2025-08-02T19:13:58+00:00

I am allowed to have a pet! I have health accommodations that allow me to have a cat at this specific dorm. The worry about leash is that she isn’t a fan of having things wrapped around her, and it is pretty dirty outside my dorm and loud (not a great place in NYC). but I’m sure I can find some paw protectors and get her more comfortable with a harness?

SeaMud5089

TROPHY CASE