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Maine Coon

Maine Coon Cat Breed Profile

Weight 8.8-20 lbs (4-9 kg)
Origin USA
Color White, black, red, cream, brown, silver; multi-colored
Fur Long, heavy, soft
Lifespan 9-15 years
Personality Calm, adaptable, loyal, shy with strangers
Energy
Playful
Independent
Meowing
Shedding

Maine Coon Photo: DenisNata/Shutterstock

Breed Characteristics

The Maine Coon is the largest and heaviest cat breed in the world. They are often described as “gentle giants”.

Personality and Temperament

Their characters are very easygoing, well-balanced and friendly. They love attention and affection but don’t get mad if their humans don’t always have the time. They’re completely satisfied with watching their humans, following them around and curiously observing everything going on. They’re not especially water-shy. Actually, water fascinates them!

Maine Coon Photo: AVRORACOON/Shutterstock


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Keeping Them Happy

Maine Coons - like almost all large cats - don’t particularly like sitting on your lap but like to stay close to their humans.

As the Maine Coon is very intelligent and used to be a passionate mouse hunter, it’s happy with toys that challenge its brains as well as its dexterity. Toys that they have to hunt or catch with their big paws are ideal.

Maine Coons love being out in nature, so they don’t particularly like being house cats.

From humans to other cats and even dogs - the Maine Coon is one of those cats that gets on well with everyone. But they can be a little reserved with new people.


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Maine Coon Photo: nikkytok/stock.adobe.com

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Loving
  • Docile
  • Easy going
  • Independent
  • Intelligent
  • Gets along well with other pets

Cons

  • Lots of grooming required
  • Not suitable for an indoor-only life
  • Likes to hunts small animals

Maine Coon Photo: Nils Jacobi/Shutterstock

Records

Maine Coons already have several Guinness World Records titles in two categories:

Longest Cat Living (Ever)

Male Maine Coon Stewie (USA) was the longest cat to ever live. He was 48.42 inches (123 cm) long from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail. Female Maine Coon Ludo (UK) held the previous record of 46.58 inches (118.33 cm) up until 2016. As of 2019, female Maine Coon Barveil (Italy) is the current record holder at 47.24 inches (120 cm) (as of November 2023; no more recent data avaiable).

Longest Whiskers

The cat with the longest whiskers comes from Finland - Maine Coon Missi. Her whiskers are 7.48 inches (19 cm) long. This record was made official in 2005.

Appearance

The Maine Coon is a large to very large cat with soft, silky fur. Although it’s long, its coat only needs brushing twice a week to prevent matting. Everything about this cat is big: they have big ears, big round paws and big eyes. Their eyes can be green, gold, green-gold or copper-colored. Their fur is white, black, blue, red or cream and can be flecked.

Maine Coon Photo: Nikol/stock.adobe.com

History

The Maine Coon’s origin isn’t completely clear. Maybe they’re related to the Norwegian Forest Cat and made their way to America on Viking ships? Or maybe they arrived with the merchant captain Coon? Maybe it was French queen Marie Antoinette that brought these long-haired cats to America, where the breed mixed with native cats.

“Maine” comes from the American state of Maine, where it was first discovered. And “Coon” probably comes from the word raccoon. Whatever the legends might say, the Maine Coon definitely does not come from a cat crossed with a raccoon. It’s not biologically possible.

Fun Facts

Maine Coon cats use their paws to eat.

Comparable Breeds

Maine Coon Photo: DenisNata/Shutterstock