Maine Coon

The gentle giant

Also known as: Coon · Maine Coon cat · Maine cat · Gentle giant · Giant cat

Maine Coon, an extra large cat from United States (photo 2)

Maine Coon, an extra large cat from United States (photo 3)

Maine Coon, an extra large cat from United States (photo 4)

Maine Coon, an extra large cat from United States (photo 5)

Maine Coon, an extra large cat from United States (photo 6)

Photos: Takashi Hososhima (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Cobaltxstrike (CC0) · Alonakel (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Nickolas Titkov from Moscow, Russian Federation (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons.

Breed profile

25–41 cm(10–16 in)Height at the shoulder

5–10 kg(11–22 lb)Adult weight

12–15 yearsLife expectancy

30 min of play a dayDaily play

GroupForest

OriginUnited States

SizeExtra large

CoatSemi-long, dense and waterproof, with a ruff and britches

ColoursAlmost all; the classic is brown tabby. No colourpoint in most registries

HypoallergenicNo

Breed dates from1860

Estimated cost in Spain*€1,020–1,420 a year

* An estimate for Spain in 2026 (food, litter, vet and insurance), based on the size, grooming and health needs of the breed, not on measured costs of individual cats.

What it is like

It was born on the farms and in the ports of Maine, where long winters selected a large cat with a waterproof coat, tufted feet that work like snowshoes and a bushy tail to wrap itself in while it sleeps. The legend of a cross with raccoons is impossible, but it gave the breed its name. It is a family cat: it follows its people from room to room, lives happily with children and dogs and communicates more with trills and chirps than with meows. It matures slowly, up to 3–5 years, and keeps its playful nature for almost its whole life. Its size is impressive, but its temperament is one of the easiest in the cat world.

Coat colours and patterns

Colours and patterns that are common or accepted in this breed. Each page explains where the colour comes from, the myths around it and other breeds that have it.

Tabby Pattern · Tabby, Striped cat

Mackerel tabby Pattern · Mackerel tabby, Striped tabby

Classic tabby Pattern · Classic tabby, Blotched tabby

Silver tabby Colour and pattern · Silver tabby, Silver cat

Ginger Colour · Orange cat, Red cat

Black Colour · Solid black cat, Black

Tortoiseshell Colour · Tortie, Tortoiseshell

Calico or tricolour Colour with white · Tricolour cat, Calico

And also:

Torbie Bicolour Tuxedo Smoke

All cat coat colours and patterns →

Temperament

SociableCalmPlayfulPatient

Activity

3/5

With children

5/5

With dogs

5/5

With other cats

4/5

Ease of learning

4/5

How vocalless is better

2/5

Sheddingless is better

4/5

Brushing needsless is better

3/5

Health robustness

3/5

Indoor and flat life

4/5

Copes with being alone

3/5

For first-time owners

5/5

the more, the better the less, the better

Care

Brushing two or three times a week with a metal comb, paying attention to the belly, the britches and behind the ears, which is where knots form. During the spring moult, every day. It needs a genuinely large litter tray (one meant for a small dog or an open storage box) and tall, stable scratching posts, because it topples standard-sized ones. Watch its portions: an overweight Maine Coon puts a lot of strain on its hips. Many love water; cover fountain bowls if you do not want puddles.

Health

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): there is a DNA test for the MYBPC3 A31P mutation, but it does not cover every case, so echocardiograms of breeding cats are advisable. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), with a DNA test. Hip dysplasia, very common for a cat. Gingivitis and periodontitis. Insist that the breeder shows the HCM and SMA tests of both parents.

General information about tendencies in the breed, not a diagnosis. Any symptom should be checked by your vet.

Health problems to watch for

These are described more often in this breed. It does not mean a Maine Coon will have them, nor that a moggy is free of them: they are worth knowing about and discussing with your vet.

Heart and circulation Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Thickening of the heart wall and the most common heart disease in cats. Inherited Heart and circulation Feline arterial thromboembolism A clot formed in a diseased heart breaks loose and blocks the artery that carries blood to the back legs. Emergency Hormones and metabolism Diabetes mellitus Similar to type 2 diabetes in people and closely linked to obesity. Bones and joints Osteoarthritis Wear and tear of the joints, very common in older cats and greatly underdiagnosed because the cat does not limp: it simply stops jumping. Inherited breed conditions Pyruvate kinase deficiency An inherited defect of the red blood cells, which have a shorter life and break down. Inherited Inherited breed conditions Spinal muscular atrophy in Maine Coons An inherited disease of the Maine Coon in which the nerve cells that move the back leg muscles die. Inherited

The A to Z of cat diseases →

Fun facts

A tabby Maine Coon called Cosey won the first major cat show in the United States, at Madison Square Garden in New York, in 1895.

It has been the official state cat of Maine since 1985.

Stewie, a Maine Coon from Nevada, held the Guinness record for the longest domestic cat: 123 cm from nose to tail tip.

Polydactyly (extra toes) was very common in farm Maine Coons; today most show standards do not accept it, although some registries have a polydactyl variety.

Frequently asked questions

How big does a Maine Coon get?

An adult Maine Coon usually weighs 5–10 kg (11–22 lb) and stands about 25–41 cm (10–16 in) at the shoulder, which makes it an extra large cat.

How long does a Maine Coon live?

Its usual life expectancy is 12–15 years. Living indoors, being neutered and having regular vet check-ups make the biggest difference.

Is the Maine Coon hypoallergenic?

No. It produces the usual cat allergens. If someone at home is allergic, spend time with the breed before deciding and talk to an allergist.

Is the Maine Coon good with children?

Usually yes: it tends to be patient and sociable with children. As with any cat, teach children to let it walk away when it has had enough.

How much play does a Maine Coon need?

As a guide, 30 min of play a day. Its activity score is 3 out of 5: short daily play sessions with a wand toy work better than one long one.