Maine Coon Cat Breed Guide

Here comes Max, the catnip expert, to tell you what it takes to keep a Maine Coon happy:

Hello, I’m Max! I’m the gentle giant that absolutely loves to play! Feather toys are just my thing! Meowww!

I’m sooo sociable, you can even talk to me and I might just answer back. Meowww! Come groom my back, I absolutely adore it! Purrrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr!!!

🐈 Max

Keep his advice in mind, and own a happy kitty!

Temperament & Personality

Known as the gentle giant of the cat world, the Maine Coon is the perfect blend of intelligence, social skills and calm. Its native curiosity completes its intelligence, making the Coon a very good observer of its surroundings and capable of learning new commands and tricks.

Recognized for its kind nature, this cat is highly sociable and enjoys being around its human companions. This cat isn’t shy at all and really likes it when guests arrive at its house, so it’s a big plus to its social behavior.

Its playful attitude makes this cat a great companion, wrapped in a large, furry package.

Our Maine is always near one of us in the house. She’s always never on her own and really cries out loud if she doesn’t have access to one of us. You don’t even have to play with her. She just has to be in one of the rooms where one of us is present.

Physical Characteristics

Sometimes considered one of the largest domestic cats, the Maine Coon weighs between 12 to 22 pounds (5.4 to 10 kg). Males are generally bigger and heavier than females.

Its head is large, with big, tufted ears that end with pointed tips, which makes the Coon resemble a Lynx. The muzzle is heavy and long.

The show/expo variant of Maine Coon has a slightly heavier and squarer muzzle than normal. Some breeders exaggerate this look, because the guidelines encourage them to do so with their selective breeding. This is for the sole purpose of pleasing their customers.

The Maine Coon’s eyes are large, and expressive and come in shades of gold, copper or green.

Its long, shaggy coat comes in a range wide of colors and patterns, to match any preferences. It has a bushy tail, approximately as long as its body and round paws, also tufted with fur.

Compatibility with Kids & Other Pets

This gentle giant is kind-hearted towards children. It loves engaging in kid’s games, is always in search of company and will enjoy a good play session.

Around babies, the Maine Coon will exhibit a cautious curiosity. It usually is attracted by the baby’s crying, but it will maintain a safe distance. It may exhibit watchful and vigilant behavior around infants, suggesting that the cat’s protective instinct towards the infant is activated. 

When it comes to kids misbehaving with this cat, it will avoid conflicts, rather than become aggressive. Heisha, our Maine Coon either sits with our toddler or runs from it. Even though he’s a gentle baby, a toddler’s idea of petting the cat is very “intense” and our cat just simply doesn’t care for it.

However, any interactions between the cat and young children must be supervised, to ensure no one will get hurt.

The Maine Coon tends to ignore other animals, cats or dogs, if these don’t exhibit aggressivity towards it. Its tolerant nature helps it get along well in households with more than one pet.

The only thing you have to care for is that the Maine Coon needs a space to consider safe and where to retreat to, when it doesn’t want to be around other pets anymore.

Be sure to take care when it comes to small animals, like hamsters, birds or snakes, that might activate the Coon’s hunting instinct. 

Maine Coon Kittens

Very much resembling their parents, these little fluff balls are bigger at birth than the average kittens. They weigh approximately 4-4.25 ounces (115-120 grams), while an average kitten weighs between 2.8 and 3.8 ounces (80-100 grams).

They have a quick growth and will gain about 1lb (~450 grams) per month, during their first year of life. However, they mature slowly and their development will extend longer than many other cat breeds.

By the time they’re 12 months old, they’ll be bigger than an average adult cat. Their growth also extends much longer within their lifespan. While an average cat reaches full body maturity (as far as size is concerned) at around the age of 2-3 years, a Maine Coon grows until the 5th or even 6th year (especially in males).

These kittens show their playfulness right from the beginning. They are always in the quest for games and playing with anything they can get their paws on. They love and search for human companionship.

It’s important to introduce them from the beginning to various stimuli, like noise from vacuum cleaners, or water running, or set limits like spaces where they’re not supposed to be, to ensure you get a well-behaved adult.

Maine Coon kittens are also bright and love games that’ll put their intelligence to the test. 

Traits, Training & Social Skills

The Maine Coon displays a remarkable level of intelligence, exhibiting a wide range of cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities.

When comparing this breed’s intelligence to other species, it is noteworthy that, while dogs possess social intelligence, the Maine Coon possesses a more practical intelligence. Thus, the Maine Coon is a very trainable cat, and some say it might compete with dogs.

Based on positive reinforcement techniques, rewards and praise, it can learn to obey basic commands such as “sit”, “stay”, and “come”.  Showing your cat you appreciate its attitude will be rewarded with the cat’s desire to please you.

Treats and praises will be strong motivators for these felines to repeat the desired behavior. You can teach a Maine Coon to high-five, by rewarding it every time its paw touches your hand.

Here is a brief outline of training steps for Maine Coons:

Step
Introduction	Show the new activity to the cat, in a calm environment.
Engagement	Use toys or treats to get the attention of the Coon.
Command	Start introducing verbal cues and gestures, tied to the action you want.
Reward	If successful, give it treats or affection, immediately.
Repetition	Practice often to make learning faster.

The Maine Coon’s social skills are fostered by its intelligence and playful and tolerant personality. It can adapt well and fast to various places, situations, other animals and even strangers. This big giant is calm and patient, thus facilitating the adaptation and training process. 

Playtime & Activities

Some might say the Maine Coon’s playful nature can be described as dog-like. It often exhibits intelligent, friendly, and gentle behavior. As being a very playful cat, the Maine Coon needs various activities to balance its energy and intelligence.

This cat requires at least 30 minutes of daily exercise, so it can consume its “spark”. You are always free to incorporate a few fun activities into its daily routine, like laser pointers, which it loves chasing, as well as feather wands, that stimulate its hunting instincts.

There are some more toys it will surely love, like interactive hanging toys, cat puzzles or toys with batteries that move on their own and stimulate chasing. To prevent boredom and to jumpstart its curiosity, you may hide treats around the house. 

The Maine Coon differs from many other cat breeds in that they are less likely to hoard or hide toys and are more willing to share and engage in group play. So, it’ll enjoy a play session with kids or other pets. 

The Maine Coon loves to climb and hide and it appreciates tall cat trees and cat tunnels. A regular exercise routine also aids weight management and prevents obesity.

Grooming Needs

Gifted with such a magnificent, silky coat, the Coon needs to be groomed regularly, to prevent excessive shedding and tangling. 

Its fur is prone to tangling especially behind its ears, under its head, underarms and buttocks, so the cat requires combing at least 3-4 times a week. Use a brush with wire bristles, a detangler or a Furminator.

Make sure you pay attention when using the detanglers, as they may cut through the cat’s skin.

During spring, when shedding becomes more intense, or if the cat spends a lot of time outdoors, it needs combing more often. Don’t forget about parasite control; matted fur can hide fleas or even ticks. If you are unable to care for the Maine Coon’s coat, you may give the cat a full haircut. We advise you to seek professional help with this, since it’s not an easy job, and you require good equipment (professional trimmers).

Bathing your Maine Coon isn’t necessary, except if the cat went outside and is very dirty. If you still want to bathe the cat, make sure to use a shampoo formulated for cats with long coats. These types of shampoos contain conditioner and help the fur not tangle. 

The Coon’s claws must be trimmed 1-2 times a month (we clip our own cat’s nails once a week to be honest), to prevent overgrowth and if you want your furniture in one piece. You can buy a cat scratcher separately but don’t forget that regular trimming is a must.

The scratcher, may it be “on” the cat tree, or as a separate product, no matter the model, doesn’t effectively trim down the nails. It’s just for the cat’s instinctual needs.

Some owners wash their cat’s teeth, but for this to happen, the cat must be trained starting from kittenhood. Oral hygiene can indeed avert dental issues, so it’s beneficial.

Besides being a bonding method, grooming is also a way to detect your fluffy companion’s health problems.

Lifespan, Health Issues & Nutrition

The Maine Coon has a medium lifespan of 12 to 15 years, but some cats can live longer. 

This big cat is predisposed to some genetic health issues, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which means the walls of the heart get thicker with age; hip dysplasia, an abnormal development of the hip joint, that causes pain and mobility problems, and spinal muscle atrophy, which means the muscle control is affected, and can lead to muscle wastage.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for these conditions. When you buy a Maine Coon kitten, make sure the cattery has responsible breeding practices, to minimize the risk of the appearance of these genetic disorders. 

The Maine Coon needs at least a bi-annual vet check-up, for early detection of health problems. 

This giant is prone to obesity, that will exacerbate the hip dysplasia and may also cause diabetes. So, these are a few aspects to look after. The Coon needs high-quality protein, with a low level of fats and carbohydrates. However, fats are important for vitamin absorption and healthy skin and coat. 

Standardized cat food is rich in amino acids like taurine (which the cat can’t synthesize on its own), important for the eyes and heart muscle, and methionine, for the health of the liver and bladder. 

Make sure to offer your cat both wet and dry food, to variate texture and aid hydration. 

Standardized cat food will ensure all the nutrients your cat needs. Be sure to check the package and look for products that clearly list a named protein source as the first ingredient and avoid those with fillers or by-products. Meals provided for both adult cats and kittens have to be measured, in quantity per pound/kg.

Although your cat is big and requires more food than an average cat, avoid free-feeding for as much as possible, because this usually leads to obesity, especially in house-bound cats (which most Main Coons are).

Vocalizations & Body Language

The Maine Coon is a rather vocal individual. Besides the meowing, it makes a unique trill or chirp-like sound. It loves to trill back to you when it hears your voice.

It’s not shy about getting your attention. If it wants to eat or to play, it’ll surely make you aware of this with many adorable sounds. Some owners say about their Coons that “they’re so vocal, that often their frequent noise equals human talking”. Heisha, our cat, usually also guides us to food, by “herding” us towards the kitchen.

As in body language, the best weapon the Coon’s got is its tremendous tail. It’s an effective way of communicating its state of mind:

• When it keeps the tail straight up, it means your cat is happy and content.
• If the tail is up and it vibrates, your cat is happy to see you, especially when you’ve been away for some time.
• When the tail is down or tucked between its legs, the cat is scared, anxious or nervous. 
• The slow tail wags mean the cat assesses its surroundings and needs to be left alone. 

Apart from its tail, there are four more different zones it uses: its ears, eyes, mouth and body. 

When the ears are turned forward, this means a happy cat. An anxious or nervous cat will put its ears sideways. 

The Maine Coon cat uses physical contact as a form of communication, like head bunting or paw gestures to indicate what it desires. 

Cost of Ownership

So, if you decided you want to adopt a Maine Coon, prepare for the initial purchase price. Other costs are the ones associated with care, including veterinary assistance and nutrition.

The initial price ranges between $400 to $2000, depending on the cattery. Show or expo cats will always cost more. Next, you may want to add the veterinary expenses, which include one-time costs like neutering and microchipping, as well as the annual costs of vaccines and parasite control products. 

Monthly costs include flea and tick control products, especially for cats that have outdoor access, around $60-$80, litter and quality food, around $40-$60. Accessories are optional, depending on your budget, and the prices may vary between $50-$200. 

All the above costs are highly subjective, based on what you are willing to spend.

You may find pet insurance attractive, as it can exempt you from higher costs. For $25 a month, most of the veterinary costs are covered.

Care must never be compromised by cost, as adopting a Maine Coon is a long-term commitment. 

Adoption & Rescue Options

Adopting an adult Maine Coon cat is a heartwarming opportunity to provide a loving home to a cat in need. Many rescue organizations specialize in rehoming this particular breed:

• https://www.omcrescue.org/ (DC, DE, MD, NJ, portions of NY, VA, and PA)
• https://www.mainecoonrescue.net/ (Nationwide; they might charge $80 for air pet travel)
• https://www.eastcoastmainecoonrescue.org/ (New Jersey)
• https://mainecoon.rescueme.org/ (Always a choice to go through Rescueme)
• https://azmccr.org/ (Arizona)

If you decide you want to go through with it, these groups will provide a detailed history of the cat you want to rescue. Plus, they usually deworm, vaccinate, microchip, and neuter the cats they put up for adoption.

A Maine Coon cat adopted from a rescue organization can be just as affectionate and loyal as one bought directly from a breeder, if not even more.

The steps to adopt a Maine Coon straight from a shelter are easy: you fill out an application, but you must provide assurances about the cat’s future living conditions. Some organizations or shelters will require a home visit to ensure it’s a safe environment.

There will be some fees you will have to pay, but this money helps the rescue centers cover medical expenses and care.

Preparing Your Home

Before you bring your furry Coon friend home, you must ensure it’s a safe and cat-friendly environment. 

Make sure you remove all the potentially dangerous objects that the cat could knock down, electrical wires it might chew, and all the chemical substances and toxic plants that the cat might be attracted to. 

The Coon loves it chilly. Its thick coat is prone to overheating, so maintaining a temperature of 68-69 °F (~20°C) is important. Don’t forget about fresh water all the time. 

If you have a backyard, it’s important to slowly familiarize the cat with the surroundings. Start indoors first, then outdoors. When the cat starts to go outside, never leave it alone and always keep the house door open, so the cat will have where to hide in case it feels scared.

Interesting Facts & Quirks

The Maine Coon is the official state cat of Maine. 

Unlike other feline counterparts, the Coon loves playing with water. You may see your cat even exhibiting swimming behavior. I wouldn’t say our Maine Coon loves water, but she certainly doesn’t hate it. She’s more indifferent than anything else.

Some Maine Coon cats are born with extra toes, and they’re called polydactyl cats. Many of them have in fact 6 toes, instead of 5.

A Maine Coon male held the record for the longest domestic cat in 2010. Stewie was his name and measured 123 cm from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. Sadly, Stevie died in 2013, aged 8. The current living record holder is named Barivel and measures 120 cm in length. 

Coons are entertainers, too: Mrs Norris is a beautiful Maine Coon cat that starred in the Harry Potter series. Argus Filch, the Hogwarts caretaker, was her owner and together, they would go on patrol at night, looking for misbehaving students. 

Maine Coon Cat Names

When you choose a name for your Maine Coon, you must consider this ball of fur as your companion and friend for life. Its name should have a special meaning to you.

Some like names inspired by nature, like Aspen, for both male or female, Luna, or Comet for a girl.

Names such as Samson, Odin or Thor, inspired by the Norse god of thunder reflect its majestic features. If you like more common names, some good choices are Leo, reminding of royalty, Oscar, inspired by nobility, or Charlie, the charming fellow.

If you have a female cat, feel free to name your cat Athens, Aphrodite or Olympia, reminding of ancient Greece.

Any name you might choose for your cat, make sure you mind the cat’s personality and aspect and how it’ll grow into it.

We named our beautiful Maine, Heisha. It’s after a good friend of ours who has past, and who owned a local cat sanctuary and rescue. We thought it was a very beautiful tribute to the dedication that she offered, in making sure cats are being cared for and loved.

Breed History & Origin

The Maine Coon is one of North America‘s oldest natural breeds. Cat breeders believe that the Coon is a result of matings of the local short-haired domestic cats and long-haired cats that were introduced here. But there are two versions of this cat’s history: a mythical and a scientific one. 

The mythical one says this cat originated in Maine, with its lineage being surrounded by mystery. A theory says the Coon is a hybrid between a cat and a raccoon. This is genetically impossible, as these two breeds have a different number of chromosomes.

Another theory involves Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France. Supposedly, she tried to escape France with the help of Captain Samuel Clough. She loaded his ship with her most prized possessions, including six of her favorite cats, Turkish Angoras, or possibly Siberian cats.

The third and closest to the truth is that the Maine Coon was brought here by the Vikings, thus being a descendant of the Norwegian cats.  

Research and genetic testing though, have shown that the Maine Coon cat is a direct descendant of the Norwegian Forest cat. Isn’t that nice?

The breed was officially recognized in 1976.