Maine Coon cat breed: facts, temperament and care

About the Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is one of the largest domestic cat breeds and the oldest natural breed in North America. It developed in the state of Maine, where long-haired cats on farms and ships survived hard winters, and stories about its origin are many and mostly untestable. A big cat shows in the broad chest, the long rectangular body and a bushy tail that can be as long as the body. The head is squarish with high cheekbones, and the ears are large, set high and often tipped with lynx-like tufts.

Maine Coons grow slowly and reach full size at three to five years. Males commonly weigh 13 to 18 pounds and females 8 to 12, and some are heavier.

Temperament and living with one

The breed is gentle, sociable and curious. Maine Coons follow their people from room to room, but they are rarely clingy and usually prefer sitting beside you to sitting on you. Many drag a paw through water, drop toys in the bowl or learn to fetch. They talk in trills and chirps more than in loud meows.

They get on well with children, dogs and other cats, which is one reason the breed is so popular with families. They stay playful into old age and enjoy puzzle feeders and tall perches. A bored Maine Coon is not destructive so much as persistent, and will find a way to join whatever you are doing.

Care: coat, food and play

The coat is silky and does not mat as easily as a Persian's, but it still needs combing two or three times a week, and more often when it sheds in spring. Pay attention to the belly and the back of the legs, where tangles form. Trim nails every few weeks and look at the ears, where hair grows thick.

Food should suit a large, slow-growing cat. A kitten food for large breeds, fed until the cat is about a year old, then a complete adult diet in measured meals. Because of their size, Maine Coons need sturdy scratching posts and a tall, stable cat tree.

Health

The Maine Coon is generally robust, with a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years. It is prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart muscle that is common in cats generally, and a gene linked to it has been identified in the breed. Hip dysplasia and spinal muscular atrophy also occur, and a genetic test exists for the last. Responsible breeders screen their breeding cats. A vet can advise on heart screening and on what suits an individual cat. Keep a Maine Coon lean, since extra weight strains joints.

Is it right for you?

Choose a Maine Coon if you want a large, friendly companion that is happy in a busy house and will accept regular grooming. Expect a bigger litter box, a bigger food bill and a cat that takes up room. If you live in a very small space, or want a cat that is quiet and aloof, look at a breed such as the British Shorthair instead. For a similar look with a different coat, compare the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Siberian.