Cat Breed Guide: Maine Coon

Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee

Although there is some debate about the origin of the Maine Coon cat breed, one thing is certain: These gentle giants have outgoing, docile natures and fun personalities that make them popular pets.¹

The Maine Coon is hailed as the largest and furriest of all the domesticated cat breeds.² Pet parents must be prepared for the care and attention required to maintain a Maine Coon's long hair and muscular frame³ and satisfy their need for exercise and enrichment.⁴

Thinking of adding a Maine Coon to your family? Learn more about the unique traits of the breed and their care requirements.

Origins and History of the Maine Coon

There are several theories about the origin of the breed. Some believe that the Maine Coon's moniker came from crossbreeding that resulted in its distinctive large striped tail resembling a raccoon. Others think the breed descended from cats that traveled aboard ships from Europe to the United States.²

The Maine Coon got its name for the Northeastern state where sailors and seafaring families settled. It's hailed as the hardiest and largest of all the domestic cat breeds and is one of the most famous cat breeds in New England. It's also the official state cat of Maine.²

The first documented mention of the Maine Coon as a distinct breed dates back to around 1861. Although the American fascination with raising and showing domestic cats exploded, the number of Maine Coon cats declined. In 1959, the Cat Fanciers' Association declared the breed extinct. But breed fanciers didn't want to see the Maine Coon disappear and began efforts to restore the breed.⁵

Physical Characteristics

The Maine Coon has several unique traits and characteristics that distinguish it from other breeds. For starters, it's a large, muscular breed, with males tipping the scales at 13 to 18 pounds and females weighing between nine and 12 pounds. It's not just their size that makes Maine Coons unique: The breed has a long, water-resistant coat that's longer on their ruff, stomach and britches, which protects against the snow during Maine's harsh winters.⁶

The breed is also known for its long, bushy tails. The breed standard requires that Maine Coon cats have tails that are at least as long as their bodies, leading the breed to be referred to as “the tail with the cat on the end."¹ It's a trait that allows Maine Coons to wrap their tails around their bodies to provide extra warmth during long winters.⁶ A silver Maine Coon holds the world record for the longest tail on a domestic cat: It measures 17.58 inches.⁷

Maine Coons can have green, gold or copper-colored eyes, and their coats come in 64 recognized colors and patterns, including:¹

• Solid: A single color from the hair tip to the base⁸
• Shaded: A solid-colored coat with a visible pale undercoat⁸
• Tabby: Patterned coats in several colors, including brown, blue, red, cream and silver, with or without white markings⁸
• Tortoiseshell: A mixture of red and black markings⁸
• Bicolor: One color with white markings⁸
• Parti-color: Two colors with white markings⁸

Temperament and Personality

It's no surprise that Maine Coons are known as gentle giants. Their temperament is best described as sweet-natured. Maine Coons are equal parts independent and affectionate. Their outgoing nature and penchant for companionship mean that these cats prefer not to be solo pets, doing best in homes where there are other cats (and even dogs) as well as a human companion who is home more often than not.¹

While all Maine Coons are friendly and playful, males tend to be more “clownish" in their behavior and females are more dignified. The breed is known for being vocal and often makes a series of yowling, chirping and chattering noises.¹

Care and Maintenance

It takes effort to maintain the breed's long, silky coats. Maine Coons require weekly—and sometimes daily—brushing to keep their hair looking good and prevent ugly, painful mats.³

The Maine Coon has the same exercise and mental stimulation needs as other cats. In between long naps, the cats should have opportunities to run, climb and explore. It's important to provide cat trees and toys that offer exercise and enrichment.⁴

Maine Coons have an average lifespan of nine to 15 years.¹ It's important to know that the breed is prone to two common health conditions:

• Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): HCM is a hereditary heart defect that causes the muscles in the heart walls to thicken, making the heart less efficient. It can cause symptoms like rapid or labored breathing, open-mouthed breathing and lethargy.⁹ About 34% of Maine Coon cats have a genetic mutation that predisposes them to HCM.¹⁰ Although it's rare, cats with the condition are at risk of sudden death. An early diagnosis (through echocardiography) can help with the development of a treatment plan to reduce the symptoms.⁹
• Hip dysplasia: The genetic malformation of the ball and socket can cause the joint to grind, and the constant wear and tear is painful and can lead to osteoarthritis or lameness. Maine Coons with hip dysplasia may limp or have other troubles walking, avoid exercise, feel pain when the hip is touched or exhibit persistent licking and chewing at the joint. ¹¹ Maine Coon cats have a high prevalence of hip dysplasia, with 32% of the breed affected.¹²

Feeding and Nutrition

Due to their size, Maine Coons have specific dietary needs. A high-protein diet with chicken or salmon as the first ingredient helps maintain lean muscle mass, while ingredients like fish oil that are high in omega-3 fatty acids promote skin and coat health.¹³

Maine Coons can eat wet food (canned) or dry food (kibble). Wet food provides additional hydration, while dry food can improve dental health. Any cat food you choose should be labeled “complete and balanced" to ensure it provides the right balance of nutrients to help your Maine Coon thrive. It's also important to choose food based on their life stage, which means Maine Coon kittens should eat kitten food, not adult cat food.¹³

Always monitor portion sizes to avoid overfeeding your Maine Coon. It might be a large breed, but these cats should never be overweight.¹³ Interactive feeders, sometimes called puzzle feeders, are a simple way to provide added enrichment during mealtimes and help prevent boredom.⁴

In addition to nutritious foods, Maine Coons should always have access to clean, fresh water.¹³

Training and Enrichment

Since Maine Coons are super smart and easy to train, consider teaching them to play games like fetch or to walk on a leash so they can tag along on outdoor adventures.⁴

It's important to provide early socialization to ensure that the Maine Coon gets used to other people and pets and can comfortably express its outgoing, affectionate nature. Without adequate socialization, cats can be shy and reserved.⁴

With patience and consistency, Maine Coons can be trained to perform tricks. Keep training sessions under 10 minutes, offer treats and praise and maintain a consistent training schedule.¹⁴ Training is a great form of enrichment and also provides quality bonding time.

An important part of responsible pet ownership is understanding the needs of the breed and ensuring you can provide a Maine Coon with the companionship, exercise, enrichment, nutrition and care they require. Providing routine vet care is also essential. Maine Coons need at least one vet visit a year for routine checkups and to stay current on vaccines and parasite prevention.¹⁵

Pets Best Is Here To Help Pet Parents

The Maine Coon went from a cat that was once declared extinct to a popular breed known for its size, unique appearance and sweet-natured temperament.⁵ In exchange for enrichment, regular grooming and good nutrition, Maine Coons are affectionate, playful pets that thrive on companionship.¹

Pets Best cat insurance can help you afford the best veterinary care available and reimburse you for eligible expenses for your Maine Coon (and all your furry family members). Plans can be customized for your cat's unique needs, and policyholders always have access to veterinary experts who can answer questions about cat health concerns through the 24/7 Pet Helpline.

Get a quote to start protecting your cat today!

Sources/Citations

1. “Maine Coon," Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, https://www.gccfcats.org/getting-a-cat/choosing/cat-breeds/maine-coon/, accessed March 12, 2024.
2. “The History of the Maine Coon," Marwood Maine Coons, https://www.marwoodmainecoons.com/copy-of-about-us, accessed March 12, 2024.
3. “The Care and Feeding of a Maine Coon," Marwood Maine Coons, https://www.marwoodmainecoons.com/services-1, accessed March 12, 2024.
4. “Maine Coon," Hilary Braaksma (8/2020), Daily Paws, https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/maine-coon, accessed March 12, 2024.
5. “The History of the Maine Coon," Daphne Butters, The Maine Coon Cat Club, https://www.maine-coon-cat-club.com/about/history/history.html, accessed March 12, 2024.
6. “State Cat—Maine Coon Cat," Maine.gov, https://www.maine.gov/sos/kids/about/symbols/cats, accessed March 12, 2024.
7. “Cygnus and Arcturus: How the tallest cat and the cat with the longest tail live together," Kristen Stephenson (9/2017), Guinness World Records, https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2017/9/cygnus-and-arcturus-how-the-tallest-cat-and-the-kitty-with-the-longest-tail-live-487535, accessed March 12, 2024.
8. “Gallery of Maine Coon Patterns and Colours," The Maine Coon Cat Club, https://www.maine-coon-cat-club.com/breed/gallery/index.html, accessed March 12, 2024.
9. “Hypertropic Cardiomyopathy," (1/2014), Cornell Feline Health Center, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy, accessed March 12, 2024.
10. "Prevalence of the Myosin-Binding Protein C Mutation in Maine Coon Cats," R. Fries, A.M. Heaney, K.M. Meurs (7/2008), Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0113.x, accessed March 29, 2024.
11. “Hip Dysplasia," (2022), Cornell Feline Health Center, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/hip-dysplasia, accessed March 12, 2024.
12. "Demography, heritability and genetic correlation of feline hip dysplasia and response to selection in a health screening programme," Matthew Low et al. (11/2019), Scientific Reports, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-53904-w, accessed March 29, 2024.
13. “What Cat Food Should Maine Coons Eat?" (8/2023), Tippaws, https://www.tippaws.com/blogs/news/what-cat-food-should-maine-coons-eat, accessed March 12, 2024.
14. “How to Train a Maine Coon: 5 Vet-Reviewed Tips and Tricks," Ashley Bates (1/2024), Catster, https://www.catster.com/guides/how-to-train-maine-coon/, accessed March 12, 2024.
15. “What to Know About a Maine Coon Cat," Sonia Findlay (7/2022), WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/pets/cats/what-to-know-about-maine-coon-cats, accessed March 12, 2024.