Friendly, relaxed and good-humoured, the Maine Coon likes being part of whatever the family is doing without demanding constant attention. Many drift from lap to lap rather than choosing one favourite person. They are bright, often playful well into adulthood, and famous for a soft voice full of chirps and trills rather than loud meows. Several owners describe them as almost dog-like.51342
how to spot oneMaine Coon coat and colours
semi-long, heavy, water-resistant double coat
A big, muscular, rectangular cat with a long body, large tufted ears, wide paws with tufts of fur between the toes, and a long, bushy tail. The glossy coat is short over the head and shoulders and grows longer down the back, with a shaggy belly, full 'britches' on the back legs and a frill around the chest. It sheds water well and thickens up for winter, all traits suited to snowy New England life.2513
Coloursbrown tabby (the classic look)red tabbysilver tabbyother tabby patternsblackwhitebluecreamtortoiseshellblue-creamshadedsmokebi-colourparti-colour15342
a typical week and yearThe care rhythm
A typical home-care rhythm for a Maine Coon. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Brushingevery 2 days
Deshedding springBrush more while sheddingevery day
Nail trimevery 3 weeks
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
Litter scoopevery day
Litter changeevery week
PlayAbout 30 minutes of play a dayevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
how busy a day looksMaine Coon exercise needs
Moderate to high. Give them room to move, sturdy cat trees and high perches, and daily interactive play; many enjoy fetch, and some learn to walk on a harness and follow simple cues.41
where they are happiestMaine Coon at home
Needs space to suit its size: large, stable cat trees, roomy litter boxes and scratching posts, plus a window perch or two. Adapts to most homes with an active, involved family.41
who they like aroundMaine Coon with people and other pets
Very social and family-oriented, bonds with everyone in the household, and usually gets on well with children, dogs and other cats. Likes company but is not clingy.513
the hands-on bitsMaine Coon grooming and care
Comb the coat about once a week, or 2-3 short sessions a week, to keep it tangle-free and reduce loose hair; some coats and the spring moult need more frequent attention. Baths are rarely needed. Check and clean ears regularly, trim nails weekly for kittens and every 2-3 weeks for adults, and brush teeth regularly.5134
what goes in the bowlMaine Coon food and feeding
A high-quality, high-protein complete cat food in measured portions, adjusted as the cat grows over its first few years; keep an eye on weight as adults can get soft if overfed. Fresh water daily, placed away from the food bowl. Many Maine Coons enjoy playing with water.1345
the things everyone asksOwner questions
How often should I feed my Maine Coon, and at what times?
Feed measured portions of a high-quality, high-protein complete cat food, adjusting as your cat grows over its first few years. Keep an eye on weight because adults can get soft if overfed. For exact amounts and timing, check the food label and ask your vet.1345
What should a Maine Coon eat, and which foods are dangerous?
A high-quality, high-protein complete cat food in measured portions, with fresh water daily placed away from the food bowl. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, chives, xylitol, and raw meat or eggs, ask your vet for a full list.13456
Does a Maine Coon need baths?
Baths are rarely needed for a Maine Coon. Only bathe if they get very dirty or sticky, as the coat is naturally water-resistant. For most cats, regular brushing keeps them clean.51347
How often does a Maine Coon need brushing?
Comb the coat about once a week, or 2-3 short sessions a week, to keep it tangle-free and reduce loose hair. During spring moult or for some coats, more frequent brushing helps. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests brushing every 2 days and deshedding daily while shedding.5134Pet Wiki plan
How do I trim a Maine Coon's claws, and how often?
Trim nails weekly for kittens and every 2-3 weeks for adults, using proper cat nail clippers. Start with no more than two claws per session to help your cat get used to it. If unsure, ask your vet or a groomer for a demonstration.51347
How much play does a Maine Coon need?
Maine Coons have moderate to high activity needs and enjoy daily interactive play, often playing fetch or even walking on a harness. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests about 30 minutes of play a day to keep them happy and healthy.41Pet Wiki plan
How do I look after a Maine Coon's teeth and ears?
Brush your Maine Coon's teeth regularly, daily is ideal, and Pet Wiki's plan suggests every 2 days. Check and clean ears regularly to keep them healthy. For specific techniques, ask your vet.5134Pet Wiki plan
How long does a Maine Coon live?
Maine Coons typically live between 9 and 15 years, with good care and regular vet check-ups. Senior years usually start around age 11, so schedule annual vet visits as recommended.3412Pet Wiki plan
Is a Maine Coon good with children and other pets?
Yes, Maine Coons are very social and family-oriented, usually getting on well with children, dogs, and other cats. They bond with everyone in the household and are friendly and relaxed without being clingy.513
Can a Maine Coon be left alone?
Maine Coons like company but are not clingy, so they can handle being left alone for reasonable periods if they have space, sturdy cat trees, and perches. However, they thrive with an active, involved family and daily interactive play.41513
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
what to watchMaine Coon health problems
The conditions the breed clubs and health schemes name for the Maine Coon. Most animals of the breed never get them; this is what to ask a breeder or an insurer about.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
The heart muscle thickens and can lead to heart failure; a DNA test (MYBPC3) shows genetic risk and a heart ultrasound checks the heart itself, so ask the breeder for both. GCCF recommends the DNA test plus heart scan for breeding cats; Cornell lists the Maine Coon among breeds with higher prevalence ↗
Hip dysplasia
The hip joint does not fit together well, which can mean stiffness and reluctance to jump; breeders x-ray hips before breeding. GCCF and CFA: breeders x-ray hips; Cornell says it is rare in cats but seen more often in Maine Coons ↗
Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency
An inherited anaemia that comes and goes; a DNA test shows clear, carrier or affected. UC Davis VGL lists the Maine Coon as a higher-risk breed; no rate ↗
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
An inherited nerve condition where kittens develop weak, wobbly back legs; it is not painful and a DNA test identifies carriers. breed-specific DNA test exists; no published rate on registry pages ↗
Large-breed joint wear
As a big heavy cat, the Maine Coon puts more strain on its joints with age, so keep weight in check. generic for a large breed; no rate ↗
Tests a good breeder can show you
HCM DNA test (MYBPC3) GCCF breed page / CFA breeders ↗
Heart ultrasound (echocardiogram) for breeding cats GCCF breed page / CFA breeders ↗
Hip x-ray for breeding cats GCCF breed page / CFA breeders ↗
PK deficiency DNA test UC Davis VGL (breed listed as at risk) ↗
From the breed club or a health scheme. Not veterinary advice: for your own animal, ask your vet.
per year, in your countryWhat a Maine Coon costs
Running costs for a Maine Coon, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
homemade and simpleTreats they will love
Maine Coon tip
Maine Coons can develop gum disease from as young as six months, so start tooth brushing early rather than relying on treats for dental care. Keeping a big cat lean also helps with hip problems, so count treats in the daily portion.
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
for the dinner tableFun facts
1
A brown tabby Maine Coon named Cosey won Best Cat at the first big American cat show, held at Madison Square Garden in 1895.5
2
The Maine Coon has been the official state cat of Maine since 1985.1
3
Stewie, a Maine Coon from Reno, Nevada, held the Guinness World Record for the longest domestic cat, measuring 123 cm (48.5 in) from nose to tail tip.2
4
The 'coon' in the name comes from an old, impossible myth that the breed was part raccoon, inspired by its bushy, ringed tail.5
5
Their wide, tufted paws work like little snowshoes, and the long tail can be wrapped around the body for warmth.2
6
Many early Maine Coons had extra toes, and TICA now registers a Maine Coon Polydactyl variety.1
7
A Maine Coon can take 3 to 5 years to reach its full adult size.1
8
Instead of a typical meow, they often 'talk' in chirps and trills, and many are fascinated by running water.5
the story behind itWhere the name comes from
The breed's name is believed to come from its origins in the state of Maine, combined with a folk tale that it is a cross between a cat and a raccoon, though this is biologically impossible.1
stars of the breedFamous ones
Cosey A brown tabby Maine Coon female who won best in show at the first major American cat show, at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1895.8
Stewie A Maine Coon cat who held the Guinness World Record for the longest domestic cat (123 cm) until his death in 2013.9
I start my day by following my human to the kitchen, chirping a greeting. They laugh and say I sound like a bird. I help them make coffee by sitting on the mat. Then I patrol the house, checking every room. I leap onto my cat tree and survey my kingdom. I find a toy mouse and carry it to my human, dropping it at their feet. They throw it, and I fetch it back. Later, I sprawl on the couch, one paw hanging off. I trill when they come home. Life is good.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
where it all beganMaine Coon history
The Maine Coon grew up naturally on the farms and harbours of Maine as a hardy working mouser. Colourful tales tried to explain its looks, from a cat-raccoon cross (impossible) to Viking ship cats or longhairs sent ahead by Marie Antoinette, but genetic studies point to ordinary cats brought over from Britain by colonists in the 1600s and 1700s, which then adapted to the harsh winters. The breed is mentioned in cat literature from 1861, and in the 1860s farmers held 'Maine State Champion Coon Cat' contests at the Skowhegan Fair. At the first major American cat show, at Madison Square Garden in May 1895, a brown tabby female called Cosey was named Best Cat. The arrival of the Persian pushed the breed out of fashion after about 1911, and by the 1950s some people even declared it gone. Local fans formed the Central Maine Cat Club in the early 1950s, wrote the first breed standard and kept holding shows. The Maine Coon Cat Club followed in 1973, CFA granted championship status in 1976, Maine made it the state cat in 1985, and the GCCF in Britain granted full recognition in 1993. Today it is one of the most registered breeds in the world.2513
Popularity Most registered breed in FIFe in 2024 with 24.7% of registered kittens (23,775 cats); overtook the Ragdoll as CFA's most registered breed in 20252
Sources (5)
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
TICA - Maine Coon breed profiletica.orgused for weight, lifespan, maturity, coat, colours, temperament, activity, care, state cat
Maine Coon - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.orgused for history, recognition, size, length, lifespan, popularity, records, fun facts
GCCF - Maine Coon breedgccfcats.orgused for GCCF recognition, weight, lifespan, coat, colours, care
Hill's Pet - Maine Coonhillspet.comused for weight, lifespan, exercise, grooming, diet, history
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