Compare
Maine Coon vs Oriental Shorthair
A large, shaggy, easy-going family cat against a slender, short-coated, very talkative cat that dislikes being alone.
Verdict
Size, coat and voice differ. The Maine Coon is Large at 8 to 18 lb, with a shaggy coat that needs brushing a few times a week, a quiet chirping voice and top marks with children and other pets. The Oriental Shorthair is a slender cat with a short, fine coat that needs almost no grooming, scores top marks for talkativeness and play, and scores lowest for independence. It wants someone home much of the day. Choose the Maine Coon for a big, steady family cat, and the Oriental for a chatty, athletic companion.
Choose the Maine Coon if
- You want a large, easy-going cat.
- You have children or other pets.
- You are away for part of the day and want a cat that copes.
- You will brush the coat and ask about heart disease, hip dysplasia and spinal muscular atrophy.
Choose the Oriental Shorthair if
- You want a cat that talks to you all day.
- You want almost no grooming.
- You want hundreds of colour combinations.
- You will ask about amyloidosis, eye disease and flat-chested kitten syndrome.
Where they are alike
Both are affectionate, intelligent cats recognised as CFA championship breeds. Both rate well with children and other pets, and both enjoy daily play.
Side by side
| Maine Coon | Oriental Shorthair | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Longhair and semi-longhair | Shorthair |
| Origin | Maine, United States | United States and Europe, from Siamese stock |
| Size | Large | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-18 lb (3.6-8.2 kg); males are larger | Males about 8-12 lb (3.6-5.4 kg); females under about 8 lb (3.6 kg) |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | Often reported as 12-15 years; few studies |
| Coat length | Long | Short |
| Coat | Shaggy, water-shedding double coat, longer on the ruff, belly and britches | Short, fine, close-lying coat on a long, tubular body |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1976 | Championship breed since 1977 |
| How common | Very common | Uncommon |
| Affection | 4 | 5 |
| Energy | 3 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 5 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 5 |
| Grooming needed | 4 | 1 |
| Shedding | 4 | 2 |
| Good with children | 5 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 5 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 1 |
| Trainability | 4 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 3 | 3 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Maine Coon's thick coat sheds seasonally, and people who react to cats usually react to this breed too. | — |
| Suits | A family or a household with other pets that wants a large, sociable cat and will brush it a few times a week. | A person who is home much of the day and wants a talkative, athletic, affectionate cat and will play with it daily. |
| Less suited to | A small flat with little room to climb, or anyone who wants a lap cat that stays small. | A quiet home, or anyone who is away for long hours, since this cat dislikes being alone. |
| Registries that recognise it |
|
|
| Health conditions to watch |
|
|
Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026