Maine Coons reign supreme among the world’s largest domestic cats. But it’s not just their bodies that are large. Oh no, everything about these cats is supersized! And that’s a fact.
1. Maine Coons Are Big Cats
Maine Coons are large, sturdy cats known for their gentle personalities. This breed is amongst the top six largest domestic cat breeds in the world along with Ragdolls, Ragamuffins, Norwegian Forest Cats, Siberian Cats, and American Bobtails.
Our Maine Coon Fred (below) is 26 pounds!
The weight of an adult Maine Coon varies widely and can be anything from 8 to 30 pounds (3.6 to 13.5 kg.) Luckily, these cats have sturdy, muscular bodies to support their hefty weight.
A Maine Coon’s height varies from 25 to 40cm, and their total length from nose to tail can reach 1 meter or more.
2. Maine Coons Are Gentle Giants
Maine Coons are often referred to as “gentle giants” because of their large size and friendly, gentle personalities. There are a few reasons why this term is commonly used to describe them:
1. Size
Maine Coon cats are one of the largest domesticated cat breeds. Their substantial size contributes to the “giant” part of the nickname.
2. Temperament
Despite their giant size, Maine Coons are known for their gentle and affectionate nature. They are generally friendly, and sociable, and enjoy interacting with humans and other pets. Their friendly disposition makes them great companions and suitable for families with children.
3. Intelligence
Maine Coons are widely considered one of the most intelligent cat breeds. They are fast learners and adapt well to various environments. Their intelligence often comes with a playful and curious nature, making them fun and engaging pets to be around.
4. Laid-Back Attitude
Maine Coons tend to have a laid-back demeanor. They are not overly demanding or high-strung, which reinforces their “gentle” reputation. They are often content to hang out with their human companions and enjoy their company without being overly demanding of attention.
5. Affection
Maine Coons are known for their affectionate behavior. They often form strong bonds with their owners and enjoy cuddling and being close to them. This affectionate nature is another reason they are considered gentle giants.
Our Maine Coon Rosie (below) loves a cuddle when she’s in the mood.
3. Maine Coons Have Enormous Personalities
Maine Coons are known for their distinctive personalities and traits. Whilst individual personalities can vary, here are the top traits commonly associated with Maine Coons.
1. Friendly and Sociable
Maine Coons are generally friendly and sociable cats. They usually get along well with other pets and are good with children and strangers.
2. Playful
Maine Coon cats retain their playful nature well into adulthood. They enjoy interactive playtime and games with their humans, which helps strengthen the bond between the cat and its owner.
If you make time to play with a Maine Coon every day, it will form a strong bond with you and remain playful into old age.
3. Adaptable
Maine Coons tend to adapt well to different living environments. They can thrive in both indoor and outdoor settings but should live indoors with access to a secure outside space
Vocal: While not excessively chatty, Maine Coons are known for their unique vocalizations. They might “talk” to their owners with trills, chirps, and other melodic sounds.
Independent: Despite their affectionate nature, Maine Coons also have an independent streak. They may appreciate some alone time and are generally more self-sufficient than some other cat breeds.
Loyal: Maine Coons can form strong bonds with their owners and can be quite loyal companions. They often show their loyalty through their affectionate behavior and by sticking close to their human family members.
Curious
Maine Coons have a natural curiosity that drives them to explore their surroundings. This curiosity can lead to some playful and mischievous behavior.
Our Maine Coons Oscar and Fred as kittens (below), were interested in this puzzle.
4. Maine Coons Are As Big As Small Dogs
In terms of size, many Maine Coons are larger than certain dog breeds.
Some examples of smaller dog breeds when compared to Maine Coons are Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus, Pugs, Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, and Pomeranians.
Of course, dog sizes can vary within breeds, so there might be some overlap in size between larger small dog breeds and smaller Maine Coons.
If you choose to walk a Maine Coon on a lead, there’s a chance you’ll bump into a few dogs it will tower above and definitely outweigh.
5. Maine Coons Have A Large Vocabulary
Maine Coons are famous for being vocal cats and can make a variety of sounds to communicate with their owners and express themselves.
Some of the sounds Maine Coons commonly make include:
- Meowing
- Mowing
- Merowing
- Trilling
- Chirping
- Mrrps
- Purring
We caught Rosie meowing in the photo below.
6. Maine Coons Have Long Legs
Maine Coons have long legs compared to many other cat breeds. This is one of the many distinctive physical features of the breed.
It can be difficult to view the full length of a Maine Coons legs because the tops disappear into their long fluffy fur. A
7. Maine Coons Have Large Price Tags!
Maine Coons seem relatively expensive to buy but once you take into account the costs associated with breeding healthy kittens involves it’s easier to understand why:
1. Following Breeding Standards
Reputable breeders adhere to strict breeding standards to maintain the health, appearance, and temperament of Maine Coons. This involves genetic testing, regular veterinary care, and specialized breeding practices, all of which add to the cost of producing each kitten.
2. Health Screening
Ethical breeders invest in health screening for their breeding cats to minimize the risk of passing on genetic health conditions. These screenings include tests for conditions such as hip dysplasia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a heart condition), and more. Ensuring the health of the kittens and their parents does contribute significantly to higher price tags.
3. Kitten Care
Good breeders invest a significant amount of time and resources into raising and caring for Maine Coon kittens. This includes proper nutrition, socialization, vaccinations, and veterinary care, all of which can increase the overall cost.
4. Number of litters and litter sizes
A good breeder will only breed a Queen once per year and can never know how many kittens will result. This can mean a higher average price per kitten to cover a cattery’s expenses throughout the year.
Our Maine Coon Charlie hanging out with our son.
8. Maine Coons Are Great With Children
Maine Coons are often known for their gentle and playful nature, which does make them good companions for children. Early socialization with people and children is key to ensuring a Maine Coon is well-adjusted for family life.
Being a sturdy cat means they are robust enough to cope with boisterous kids but children must still be taught to be gentle and kind and avoid rough play.
It’s essential to supervise very young children around a Maine Coon to make sure there’s no rough behavior such as tail pulling.
Like any cat, a Maine Coon can have an off day where they are less tolerant, but these are very far and few between with well-raised cats.
9. Maine Coons Are Big On Hunting
Early Maine Coons were kept on farms for their hunting skills and today’s Maine Coons have not lost their ability to successfully prey on small creatures.
Indoor and catio Maine Coons will enjoy play that invokes their hunting skills so engaging them in games with toys to stalk and pounce on will prevent boredom and keep their minds sharp.
Catching a “mouse” exhausted Fred!
10. Maine Coons Have Fantastically Long, Fluffy Tails
It’s hard to miss a Maine Coons oversized tail. These vary in length and fluffiness from cat to cat but all are a striking feature.
Look out for potential tail traps! Ensure doors that self-close or might slam in the wind are pinned open to prevent any unthinkable accidents.
11. Maine Coons Have Gorgeous Chunky Paws
Maine Coons have large paws and some even refer to these as snowshoes. There are several theories as to why a Maine Coon has such chunky feet.
One that seems quite sensible is that a Maine Coon’s paws adapted to enable them to walk over snow without sinking. As the breed developed in New England USA, they certainly encountered harsh winter weather.
It is also believed that large paws provide Maine Coons with better grip and balance. These cats are skilled hunters and climbers, often navigating various terrains. Larger paws provide them with an advantage in gripping surfaces and maintaining stability while climbing or pouncing.
One thing’s for certain: genetics play a significant role in determining a cat’s physical characteristics, including paw size. Breeders may have selectively bred Maine Coons to enhance their distinctive size, inadvertently developing their paws in the process.
I love Maine Coons paws. Look at Fred’s below.
12. Maine Coons Have Large Almond-shaped Eyes
Maine Coon cats are known for having relatively large eyes compared to other cat breeds. Their eyes are typically almond-shaped and set at an oblique angle. They are extremely expressive, which adds to their distinctive appearance.
The size and shape of a Maine Coon’s eyes can vary somewhat among individual cats, but the overall impression of large, striking eyes is a characteristic feature of the breed.
13. Maine Coons Can Have Extra Toes
Maine Coon cats can have extra toes due to a genetic trait called polydactylism. This condition results in them having more than the usual number of toes on their paws.
A Maine Coons usually has 18 toes, 5 on each front paw and 4 on each back paw. A polydactyl Maine Coon can have a varying number of extra toes which can make its feet look extra large.
The trait is not problematic, does not have any ill effects, and simply adds a unique angle to a Maine Coon’s appearance.
14. Maine Coons Have Super Long Whiskers
Maine Coon cats have long whiskers to complement their large size. Whiskers, also known as vibrissae, serve as highly sensitive tactile organs, helping cats navigate their surroundings and detect changes in the environment.
Longer whiskers provide Maine Coons with enhanced sensory perception, aiding in hunting and exploring. Long whiskers enhance the breed’s distinctive physical features and contribute to their unique and majestic appearance.
Look at the size of Harry’s whiskers! Superlong.
15. Maine Coons Are Big Climbers
Despite their hefty size, Maine Coons are great climbers. Although their preferred jumping height is usually to a surface of no higher than 5 feet, they can leap onto vertical surfaces where they can get a grip and then climb to the top.
I’ve seen our Maine Coons scale to the top of 6-foot high walls with no problems and heard of Maine Coons climbing over higher fences with ease.
16. Maine Coons Have a Huge Intelligence
Maine Coon cats are generally considered to be intelligent. They exhibit a curious and adaptive nature, which often leads to them figuring out puzzles, learning tricks, and even opening doors or cabinets.
Their intelligence is often reflected in their problem-solving skills and ability to interact with their environment in creative ways. This trait can make them engaging companions and contribute to their popularity as pets.
However, it’s important to note that intelligence can vary among individual cats, and factors such as socialization, training, and genetics also play a role in determining a cat’s overall cognitive abilities.
Mona (below) is our very clever tortoiseshell Maine Coon.
17. Maine Coons are mini big cats!
When you own a Maine Coon it can feel like living with a mini lion! Maine Coon’s do have a tendency to strike big cat poses. They also sport a mane worthy of the king of the jungle.
As much as Maine Coon’s act like lions, their fur shouldn’t be shaved to look like one!
Fred (below) does a great impression of a lion.
