The Maine Coon cat is somewhat of a legend in the feline world. And no wonder! After all, these kitties have the title of being the largest domesticated cat breed in the world. Alas, size is not the only redeeming quality of this wonderful breed - that’s why we have created this article that talks about Maine Coon cats, answering all your burning questions about these regal felines.
Anxious to learn more about Maine Coons? In this article, we’ll be talking about:
- The interesting and curious history of the breed;
- Breed information and characteristics;
- We’ll answer your question about whether Maine Coons make good pets;
- Why are they so different from all the other cats;
- Whether or not Maine Coon cats are a rare breed;
- And most importantly - why on Earth are they so big?
But what are talks without any visual aids, especially when we are discussing adorably cute cats? So, besides the breed dossier, you’ll also find a photo gallery of Maine Coons, showing them in various real-life situations, helpfully disclosing their real size and unmatchable beauty.
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Giant Kitty
Maine Coon Cat Looking Magnificent
Maine Coon Cat History
The origins of the Maine Coon are shrouded in mystery. Although genetically impossible, one myth holds that this is the result of breeding between cats and raccoons! Another states that Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France, tried to flee execution with her favorite Turkish Angora cats. While she didn't make it to the US, the cats supposedly landed on the shores of Wiscasset, Maine, where they began to breed. This might also explain why this breed is called Maine.
Maine Coon In Winter
Mine is a bit smaller with same colors, only a year or two old (we got him off the street) and he is already just about bigger that my friends full grown tabby
Girl With A Beautiful Maine Coon Cat
Are Maine Coons Hard To Find?
While the Maine Coons were a very popular cat show breed in the 19th century, its existence became threatened with the introduction of long-haired cats from overseas in the 20th century. Currently, however, Maine Coon cats are the third most-popular cat breed in the world, so it is by no means a rare breed! In fact, according to The International Cat Breeding Association, there are hundreds of certified breeds in the US alone.
If you’re wondering what the usual Main Coon price is, it varies a lot, depending on where you are from, the breeder, and the kitten’s color. A ballpark figure for a purebred, 10-week-old Maine Coon kitten could be anywhere around 1000$ to 2000$.
Our Maine Coon Is A Part Of Our Family
I think I would be afraid of them... ^^ if they are as quick and agile and moody as regular sized cats.. yikes! :D
Maine Coon Cat
Not a Persian, note the elongated snout and the prominent "M" coloring on his forehead. Clearly a Maine C**n.
Maine Coon Cat Breed Information and Characteristics
Maine Coon’s size isn’t the only trait it possesses! These cats are also known for their sociable and dog-like temperament, their fluffy fur with silky undercoat, strong jawline so similar to that of a lion’s, and a bushy tail to top it all.
Fur Coat
Their long-haired coat is an excellent adaptation for harsh winter weather, as are their large paws, allowing these cats to move through snow easily. All in all, Maine Coons are well-adapted to cold climates, and that’s where they feel their best.
Fur Colors
Maine Coons don’t have any breed limitations to their coat coloring, and you can find black Maine Coons, lavender ones, tabbies, blotched or ticked patterns. Really, any color you like, there’s an adorable Maine Coon kitten in it!
Maine Coon Size
Now, about the size - On average, males weigh from 13 to 18 lb (5.9 to 8.2 kg), with females weighing from 8 to 12 lb (3.6 to 5.4 kg). The height of adults can vary between 10 and 16 in (25 and 41 cm), and they can reach a length of up to 38 in (97 cm), including the tail, which can reach a length of 14 in (36 cm). Here’s a fun fact, too - the title for the longest cat in the 2010 Guinness World Records was held by a cat of this breed. His name is Stewie, who measured 48.5 in (123 cm) from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. That’s a whole lot of a cat!
Huge Maine Coon At The Vet
Maine Coon Cat
Are Maine Coon Cats Good Pets?
Absolutely! Although they are pretty large and look like majestical forest dwellers, they adapt to living indoors quite well. Their above-average intellect, trainability, and gentle character does help a lot, too.
While they aren’t known to be your regular lap cats who enjoy spending time curled next to their owners, they are pretty relaxed around dogs, other cats, and kids, nonetheless. You might be surprised to learn that Maine Coons love water!
The only warning about keeping Maine Coons inside is that they are pretty vocal, and you’re bound to hear lots of yowling, howling, trilling, and chirping when keeping one. So, before you come to a decision to adopt a Maine Coon, talk to your family and neighbors first, and see if they don’t mind you having a vocal pet.
Fluffy Grey Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coons Are Super Long
And there you have it - a brief introduction to Maine Coons! However, if you’d like to look at more photos of these gorgeous cats, we have just an article - Maine Coons as seen by photographer Robert Sijka.
Maine Coon Cat
Giant Kitty
One Long And Fluffy Cat
Maine Coon In Winter
That's How Big Maine Coon Cats Are!
Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coon Cat With A Magnificent Tail
Snoozing Maine Coon Cat
Max, My 4 Month Old Poly Maine Coon
Maine Coon Cat And Kitten
Maine Coon
My Friend's Fabulous Maine Coon
Maine Coon Cat
Fluffy Maine Coon Cat
Huge Coon Cat
Maine Coon On The Bed
Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coon Cat
Feed Me Please!
Maine Coon Cat
Close Up Maine Coon Photo
Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coon Cat
Maxamus
Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coon
Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coon Cat
Sleepy Maine Coon
This one looks a lot like my Monster, except he is a short haired. I suspect he is only half Maine C**n because he's only about 38 pounds and doesn't have the long hair.
Rocky The Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coon Next To Another Cat
you never really appreciate the size until you see them with a normal moggy
Lord Tiron
Maine Coon Cat
I absolutely love that color. More cream like a palomino horse than an orange tabby stunning
Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coon Cat
Little Baby Maine Coon
My 22lb Love Bug
Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coon Cat
My Baby!
Maine Coon Cat
Happy & Proud
Maine Coon Cat
My Maine Coon Cat
Micha
..my Cat Stuck On My Lightpad
Maine Coon Cat
Xander
Our Son!
Badem The Giant Cat
2 Year Old Litter-mate Brothers. Maine Coon On Right.
Maine Coon Cat
Bloomberg, Our Maine Coon
Does This Look Like A Maine Coon?
Two Sisters
Harper @amandagphoto
Wish
Winnie,9months Old
Jay-zee Maine Coon Female 22 Month
Maine Coon Cat
My Coonie, Leia.
Maine Coon Cat
Mesmerising
Sammy From Richmond 'va.
Sammy was one of three kittens abandoned by the mother in our shed. All the animal shelters were full so we kept them all. Now I'm glad we did they are the most affectionate cats ever!!!
'stinkin' Blinkun
Soxy Walks
Moko
Maine Coon Cat
Bear.
Mauzer
My Mr. Man Man, Chase.
Sammy
Hesher The Baby Coon
Garfield, 1 1/2 Yrs...14 Lbs And Has A Mane. We Don't Know Dad, But He Has To Be Half???
Tippy
Max, Our Spoiled Mc Mix (& Yes, He Is A Brat! )
My Mom And Her Cat Rudolf
Cassie
Rhino
My Maine Coon Kitten Karamel
Supposedly A Maine Coon Mix
This is Mephisto. His mother is a European Shorthair, a stray that I have fed but was not able to catch. She left but her son stayed behind. No idea about the father.
My 22lb Love Bug
9 Months Old Ada
Panda In Repose
Frank Sinatra (mainecoon Colombia)
Likha And Me... Pure Love!
Miami
Big Brother Little Brother
My Maine Coon, Dillinger, Is Just A Little Guy.
Louie-austintx
Smooth As F**k
Fluffy Ari
Diva, Who's Name Totally Represents Her Attitude
Our 'maya'. More Fur Than Cat ;d Also Nicknamed; The Tank.
Oscar The Cat
Mr Jack With My 6y/o
Leonardo Di Cattrio. This Was Taken When He Was Around 3 Years Old And Not Fully Grown.
Tyson The Hunter- 15 Lbs And Growing!
My Angel Baby
My Tuffybear
Nova, My 13- Year Old Maine Coon Mix- 22 Lbs. And 3.5 Feet Long
Roj
Pluto (41 In, 22 Lbs)
"max" A Mere 20 Pounds! Only 4 Years Old And Still Growing!
Sophie, Small Maine Coon Meets A Friend.
One Of Our Maine Coon Cats, Gypsy
Smushie
Bootz Suczynski
Cezare Lounging In His Dog Bed :)
This Is Bandit When He Was A Baby, He Doesn't Fit In The Sink Anymore!
What's Up?
...humans...
Jd Von Mouser
Titi The French Cat
Maximus At 2 Years Old!
Djazzy....
Teddy Is A Shelter Rescue.
OMG!!! What a beauty! I'm totally smitten. Where can I get one like that?!
Battle Kat.
Oscar
Bemo
Our Kittens 9 Month Maine Coon And Half Mc
Fluffanutter!
Our Finnegan
A Cameo Main Coon
Floyd (r.i.p. 2012)
My Buddy
Dog
Nope! No photoshop!!! Those cats are that large, I own one myself. Not everything is photoshopped. :) Maine Coons are just the best!
You're right, but there is always a photoshop whore on every article... They don't even know how to use photoshop, what you can or can't do with it, but still, they see photoshop pictures everywhere.
Load More Replies...This is my (late) Maine C**n. His name was Tiny... He was a runt. : 3http://orig02.devian...g_by_kakayu.jpghttp://orig09.devian...n_by_kakayu.jpgI miss him... He was such a sweetheart... ;_;
So fluffy and cute!!! Sorry for your loss.... May he run free behind the Rainbow Bridge!!! 20375649_4...68b4a5.jpg
Load More Replies...Nice list, but it's several years old--nobody could've updated it before reposting it in this week's digest?!
Must be quite a nightmare during summer when they lose their hairs everywhere on your carpets, your furniture, your clothes, your bed, ... But they are beautiful cats that even come in ginger color, my favorite one!
No 'nightmare' if you're prepared for it with brushes, tape & vacuum cleaner! :-)
Load More Replies...My mom would freak if there was one in the house… but they’re sooooo adorable and soft!
I adopted two long haired kittens, male and female who were siblings. They seemed ordinary long haired tabbies. Then when they were 18 months old, it occurred to me that the boy kitty was still growing. They came into their Maine C**n magnificence around 2 years old and it was clear they had some Maine C**n because they were bigger than your average long haired domestic. They are now 8 years old and they chirp and "hum" to you rather than meow. The boy is a big ole fluffy sweet marshmallow. The girl is sassy and has an attitude but is also very sweet and loving. The boy is 16 lbs and his sister is 12 lbs.
These pictures made me a little sad. All those people holding their cats to show how long it is. The cats doesn't seem to like that at all. I wish there had been just one picture of a happy looking cat.
So what happen to mine, got left out of the gene pool, she look the same.
Yes I have a Maine C**n. He is big and weighs 21lbs. I love my Bubba so much and he is just like a kid..
Pawsome, but kitty # 3´s a Norwegian Forest Cat, like my Gizzy, only that he´s a pure indoor cat, so his fur´s not that long and fluffy by far, here´s Gizzy with his patchwork brofur Thori who´s a shorthaired MC mix: 10308434_1...441993.jpg
Many of these are not Maine coons. Some of these are not especially large. They are all beautiful!
Load More Replies...I love Maine C**n cats! Had never seen one til one appeared at my door injured needing care. I took him to the vet and he told me not to kick him to the curb cause he was a Maine C**n. I have spent big bucks on his care, but he is a very special cat! Yes, they are much bigger than a regular cat, very mellow personality, and have a very long tail! I named him Kuni! No one claimed him as I took him door to door trying to find his owner. Therefore he became family! He is older now, and has a tooth that needs pulled. Cannot believe how much they want to extract a tooth! Have to get him in soon as I can. I would recommend any C**n cat as a great pet!
Here is our guy Garfield in the foreground and his sister Fluff in the baby seat Fluff-and-...dd1377.jpg
They are beautiful, would love to have another, coyote got mine a few yrs ago. Love their personality.
Mine is 10 and kinda lazy now, he still hunts mice but sleeps most the rest of the day. Is that normal?
I have a Norwegian Forest cat that I took in as a stray,after a three week quarantine and vet visit and treatment for parasites he fit right in with my other cats.We have a lot of strays here,so please get your kitty fixed as we do not need more ferals and as cats will be cats, keep your kitty inside to save other wild life and protect them from rodent borne parasites.Larry had quite a few parasites when I got him,but he is free of them $580 later.
I have a Norwegian Forest cat they are similar to Maine C**n cats,and supposedly are proof that vikings landed on N America.They have great personalities,i got Larry as a rescue and after a quarantine and vet care he melted right in with no trouble with my other cats.He's a great uncle to the kittens that another stray delivered in my basement and the mother has socialized well
Maine c**n's are absolutely gorgeous kitties I would have a hard time with all the grooming though
I think I'm in love with all these big kitties but my favorite is the fuzzball black and white tuxedo In the snow
I own 3 Maine Coons. They are gorgeous and my favourite breed of cat but, my Maine Coons don't come close to the size shown in these pictures. Also, I have researched different breeds of cats for years. It is my understanding that the largest breed is a Norwegian Forest Cat not a Maine C**n.
The originate from the Norwegian Forrestcat (Norsk Skogkatt), ande are quite common over here in Norway :)
No photo shop, we've been lucky enough to have two of these giants and both have been gentle as lambs, even with young kids and puppies. My dogs pile on the cast, chew on his ears and he just lays there and takes it.
Аз също имам няколко страхотни котки, които са любими на моите племенници, но моята е с цвят джинджифил и се казва Джинджи.
I've always wondered how they travel to the vet -- on a leash or an extra large carrier? Clearly none would fit inside a regular carrier.
I used to take mine on a leash and harness and she sat on my lap. She wore her harness on the boat too, in case she fell in, but the couple of times she did, she sam ashore happily. They like water!
Load More Replies...Lots of people talking about the immense hair loss, but I own 2 of these cats and the hair loss ain't that big. Most short haired cats I know are way, way worse on that field.
Good to know. I remember my ginger cat and his brother (all short haired), it was impressive how they left hairs everywhere and they still had so much left on the body... We then knew that the summer would be a long period for us, but when you love, you don't care!
Load More Replies...Is it just me, or these cats look pissed off !?! Other than that, beautiful creatures !
I had one. They are lovely cats with an incredible temperament but with so many health issues in this breed that shorten their life!
I had one. It is a lovely cat with an incredible temperament, but there is so many health issues in this breed that they have short lifes
Main Coons are closely related to Norwegian Forest cats - there is a theory that the Main Coons are partly the result of Ships Cats from Scandinavia that escaped in the 18th century. In North America the females grew as large as males, in Norway the females are smaller.
I heard that they were used on sailing ships to keep the rat population in check. The local luggage shop kept one in their store to keep the mice from eating their bags. Very sweet and friendly, 22 pounds but had to be kept on a diet due to a problem with diabetes.
Load More Replies...i love maine coons! this is nice:https://www.mainecoo...-maine-c**n.jpg
Nope! No photoshop!!! Those cats are that large, I own one myself. Not everything is photoshopped. :) Maine Coons are just the best!
You're right, but there is always a photoshop whore on every article... They don't even know how to use photoshop, what you can or can't do with it, but still, they see photoshop pictures everywhere.
Load More Replies...This is my (late) Maine C**n. His name was Tiny... He was a runt. : 3http://orig02.devian...g_by_kakayu.jpghttp://orig09.devian...n_by_kakayu.jpgI miss him... He was such a sweetheart... ;_;
So fluffy and cute!!! Sorry for your loss.... May he run free behind the Rainbow Bridge!!! 20375649_4...68b4a5.jpg
Load More Replies...Nice list, but it's several years old--nobody could've updated it before reposting it in this week's digest?!
Must be quite a nightmare during summer when they lose their hairs everywhere on your carpets, your furniture, your clothes, your bed, ... But they are beautiful cats that even come in ginger color, my favorite one!
No 'nightmare' if you're prepared for it with brushes, tape & vacuum cleaner! :-)
Load More Replies...My mom would freak if there was one in the house… but they’re sooooo adorable and soft!
I adopted two long haired kittens, male and female who were siblings. They seemed ordinary long haired tabbies. Then when they were 18 months old, it occurred to me that the boy kitty was still growing. They came into their Maine C**n magnificence around 2 years old and it was clear they had some Maine C**n because they were bigger than your average long haired domestic. They are now 8 years old and they chirp and "hum" to you rather than meow. The boy is a big ole fluffy sweet marshmallow. The girl is sassy and has an attitude but is also very sweet and loving. The boy is 16 lbs and his sister is 12 lbs.
These pictures made me a little sad. All those people holding their cats to show how long it is. The cats doesn't seem to like that at all. I wish there had been just one picture of a happy looking cat.
So what happen to mine, got left out of the gene pool, she look the same.
Yes I have a Maine C**n. He is big and weighs 21lbs. I love my Bubba so much and he is just like a kid..
Pawsome, but kitty # 3´s a Norwegian Forest Cat, like my Gizzy, only that he´s a pure indoor cat, so his fur´s not that long and fluffy by far, here´s Gizzy with his patchwork brofur Thori who´s a shorthaired MC mix: 10308434_1...441993.jpg
Many of these are not Maine coons. Some of these are not especially large. They are all beautiful!
Load More Replies...I love Maine C**n cats! Had never seen one til one appeared at my door injured needing care. I took him to the vet and he told me not to kick him to the curb cause he was a Maine C**n. I have spent big bucks on his care, but he is a very special cat! Yes, they are much bigger than a regular cat, very mellow personality, and have a very long tail! I named him Kuni! No one claimed him as I took him door to door trying to find his owner. Therefore he became family! He is older now, and has a tooth that needs pulled. Cannot believe how much they want to extract a tooth! Have to get him in soon as I can. I would recommend any C**n cat as a great pet!
Here is our guy Garfield in the foreground and his sister Fluff in the baby seat Fluff-and-...dd1377.jpg
They are beautiful, would love to have another, coyote got mine a few yrs ago. Love their personality.
Mine is 10 and kinda lazy now, he still hunts mice but sleeps most the rest of the day. Is that normal?
I have a Norwegian Forest cat that I took in as a stray,after a three week quarantine and vet visit and treatment for parasites he fit right in with my other cats.We have a lot of strays here,so please get your kitty fixed as we do not need more ferals and as cats will be cats, keep your kitty inside to save other wild life and protect them from rodent borne parasites.Larry had quite a few parasites when I got him,but he is free of them $580 later.
I have a Norwegian Forest cat they are similar to Maine C**n cats,and supposedly are proof that vikings landed on N America.They have great personalities,i got Larry as a rescue and after a quarantine and vet care he melted right in with no trouble with my other cats.He's a great uncle to the kittens that another stray delivered in my basement and the mother has socialized well
Maine c**n's are absolutely gorgeous kitties I would have a hard time with all the grooming though
I think I'm in love with all these big kitties but my favorite is the fuzzball black and white tuxedo In the snow
I own 3 Maine Coons. They are gorgeous and my favourite breed of cat but, my Maine Coons don't come close to the size shown in these pictures. Also, I have researched different breeds of cats for years. It is my understanding that the largest breed is a Norwegian Forest Cat not a Maine C**n.
The originate from the Norwegian Forrestcat (Norsk Skogkatt), ande are quite common over here in Norway :)
No photo shop, we've been lucky enough to have two of these giants and both have been gentle as lambs, even with young kids and puppies. My dogs pile on the cast, chew on his ears and he just lays there and takes it.
Аз също имам няколко страхотни котки, които са любими на моите племенници, но моята е с цвят джинджифил и се казва Джинджи.
I've always wondered how they travel to the vet -- on a leash or an extra large carrier? Clearly none would fit inside a regular carrier.
I used to take mine on a leash and harness and she sat on my lap. She wore her harness on the boat too, in case she fell in, but the couple of times she did, she sam ashore happily. They like water!
Load More Replies...Lots of people talking about the immense hair loss, but I own 2 of these cats and the hair loss ain't that big. Most short haired cats I know are way, way worse on that field.
Good to know. I remember my ginger cat and his brother (all short haired), it was impressive how they left hairs everywhere and they still had so much left on the body... We then knew that the summer would be a long period for us, but when you love, you don't care!
Load More Replies...Is it just me, or these cats look pissed off !?! Other than that, beautiful creatures !
I had one. They are lovely cats with an incredible temperament but with so many health issues in this breed that shorten their life!
I had one. It is a lovely cat with an incredible temperament, but there is so many health issues in this breed that they have short lifes
Main Coons are closely related to Norwegian Forest cats - there is a theory that the Main Coons are partly the result of Ships Cats from Scandinavia that escaped in the 18th century. In North America the females grew as large as males, in Norway the females are smaller.
I heard that they were used on sailing ships to keep the rat population in check. The local luggage shop kept one in their store to keep the mice from eating their bags. Very sweet and friendly, 22 pounds but had to be kept on a diet due to a problem with diabetes.
Load More Replies...i love maine coons! this is nice:https://www.mainecoo...-maine-c**n.jpg