Maine Coon Cat

They are famous for their impressive size, reaching 40 inches long. People who have Maine coons as pets value them for their affectionate nature and their ability to be part of the family.

Interestingly, despite nearly disappearing at one point, Maine coon cats have become quite popular. In 2019, the Cat Fanciers' Association ranked them the fifth most favored cat breed. If you're considering getting a Maine coon kitten, expect to pay from $400 to $1,500, depending on their pedigree.

Get a Pet Insurance Quote

Maine Coon Appearance

These breeds' extensive size is one of their significant physical characteristics and is the largest among domestic cat breeds. They are 10 to 16 inches tall and can reach a remarkable length of 40 inches. These vigorous cats weigh 8 to 18 lbs. with well-developed bodies, expansive chests, and sturdy legs.

To add to these breeds' grand appearance is their abundant fur, with smooth, silky, long coats that become shorter on their shoulders. You can see them in different colors and patterns: red, tabby, solid white, bi-color, tortoiseshell, blue, shaded, calico varieties, cream, black, and parti-color. Their big, pointed ears, frequently crowned with threads of hair, communicative oval-shaped eyes, and long, bushy tails are also their outlining physical appearance.

Maine Coon Personality

Maine coon cats make lovely family pets. Their relaxed and easy-going nature does not demand attention. It makes them suitable to socialize with other animals, pets, and kids. They enjoy being around with their owners. They can be independent while also enjoying socializing.

These cats are devoted to their owners and will gladly follow their human family members around the house and sit next to them on the couch, especially during a cozy TV session. While they're not super active, they remain agile and playful well into their senior years, keeping their youthful spirit alive.

Maine Coon Living Needs

Maine coon cats thrive in a loving, affectionate family environment where they can be part of daily life and playtime. They are patient and get along well with kids, dogs, and cats.

While they can tolerate some alone time, it's not their preference. Being left alone too often can make them sad and anxious. So, it's best to have at least one or two people around during the day for companionship.

Many Maine coons enjoy water play, which can be fun during bath time but might also lead them to join you in the shower or be curious while doing dishes.

Surprisingly, these big cats are not very loud. They like to communicate with their humans, but their soft-spoken nature might catch you off guard.

Maine Coon Care 

The Maine Coon cat has a medium to long double-layered coat. It has a soft, fluffy undercoat that helps keep them warm and repels water. The overall texture of their fur is silky.

Compared to some other long-haired cat breeds, Maine Coon fur is less prone to tangling, but it still needs regular brushing. Brushing helps keep the coat clean and evenly spreads the natural oils in their fur.

Just like any other cat, Maine Coons also require routine care. This includes trimming their nails to prevent overgrowth and brushing their teeth to maintain good oral health. If your Maine Coon has extra toes (polydactyl), nail trims are essential to avoid ingrown nails.

Maine Coon Health 

Maine Coon cats usually live for 10 to 13 years and are generally healthy pets. However, like all cat breeds, there are specific health concerns you should be aware of, such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, dental and heart problems.

Reputable breeders should check for these health issues in your kitten. Still, continuing regular health checkups is crucial as your cat ages. Some health problems may only appear later in your cat's life, so monitoring their health throughout their years is essential.

Maine Coon Exercise Requirements

Maine Coon cats are not super energetic, but they still require physical activity to keep them healthy. Playing with wand toys daily is a great way to keep them in shape, as they can gain weight as they age.

For Maine Coons, it's essential to pay attention to their diet, ensure they get enough exercise, and schedule regular vet checkups. This breed is more susceptible to a severe heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), which cats can often hide or adapt to without showing obvious symptoms. So, these precautions are essential to maintain their well-being.

Maine Coon Training

Maine Coon cats have a history of being outdoor cats, often working as skilled mousers in barns and other buildings. Because of this background, they naturally are inclined to chase ground-based prey. So, providing them with toys that look like mice, rats, snakes, lizards, or beetles can be engaging.

Maine Coons also have a fascination with water. They enjoy playing with running faucets and may dip their paws in bathwater.

These cats are intelligent, so you can train them to do tricks, walk on a harness and leash, or even navigate an agility course. It's essential to keep them mentally and physically active. Using a wand toy with prey-like lures such as mice, rats, snakes, or bugs is a great way to exercise their hunting instincts.

Food puzzles can also be a mental challenge for Maine Coons. Look for puzzles that they can manipulate with their giant paws. Surprisingly, puzzles designed for dogs might work well for them.

While Maine Coons love snuggling with their human companions on the couch, they also appreciate having space. Consider getting them a window bed to watch birds and squirrels outside, providing them with entertainment and relaxation.

Get a Pet Insurance Quote

Maine Coon History

Experts believe that Maine Coon cats originated from long-haired cats that early American explorers brought to Maine. These foreign cats mated with the local short-haired breeds, creating the only native long-haired cat breed in the United States. There are different theories about how they got their name—one suggests it might be linked to a sailor named Charles Coon. At the same time, another connects it to their bushy tails, which resemble those of raccoons.

In the 19th century, this New England breed gained popularity in cat shows but was later overshadowed by more exotic breeds. However, it experienced a resurgence in the 1950s. Since Maine Coons were allowed to develop naturally from the 1800s to the mid-20th century, they tend to be robust and healthy.

Modern Maine Coons still possess many traits from their early days, such as their coats that can handle cold weather and their strong hunting instincts, which make them excellent mousers despite their sweet and affectionate nature.

The first cat show in North America occurred at Madison Square Garden in New York City on May 8, 1895. A female Maine Coon named Cosey was crowned Best in Show at that historic event. The silver collar awarded to Cosey is now an essential piece of cat history. It is displayed at the headquarters of the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) Foundation.

Maine Coon Fun Facts

The Maine Coon is the only long-haired cat breed native to the United States. It's not surprising that it's also the official state cat of Maine.

In the Harry Potter film series, a female Maine Coon named Pebbles played the role of Mrs. Norris.

An interesting fact is that a woman from Texas had her Maine Coon cat, Little Nicky, commercially cloned for a hefty $50,000.

Due to their large size, Maine Coons have held records for being the longest domestic cats for over a decade. In 2018, a Maine Coon in Italy earned the title of the world's giant domestic cat according to the Guinness Book of World Records, surpassing the previous record holder, a Maine Coon. The current record holder, Barivel, measures an impressive 3 feet and 11.2 inches long, longer than a baseball bat! The longest cat ever recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records was Stewie, another Maine Coon, who measured a remarkable 48.5 inches in length when documented in 2010. Sadly, Stewie passed away in January 2013.