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Maine Coon vs Ragdoll
Both are large, easygoing family cats; the Maine Coon plays more and sheds more, while the Ragdoll is calmer, quieter and clings to its people.
Verdict
The two are close in size and in how well they suit families and other pets. The thing that decides it is energy and attachment. The Maine Coon is more playful, more independent and needs more coat care. The Ragdoll is placid, very affectionate and happier in a smaller home, but it copes less well with a long day alone. Pick the Maine Coon for a sociable cat that keeps playing, and the Ragdoll for a quiet, soft lap companion.
Choose the Maine Coon if
- You want a cat that stays playful into old age and likes puzzle feeders and tall perches.
- You are away part of the day, since it scores a little higher for independence.
- You have time to brush a shaggy double coat several times a week.
- You want a breed that is easy to find; it is listed as very common.
Choose the Ragdoll if
- You want the most affectionate of the two, a cat that seeks laps and contact.
- You prefer a quiet, low-energy cat that rarely raises its voice.
- You live in a smaller home; the Ragdoll scores 4 for apartments against 3.
- You would rather comb a silky coat with little undercoat about twice a week.
Where they are alike
Both are large, long-coated cats that score 5 for children and for other pets, and both are very common. Each carries a heart-muscle risk, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, so ask your vet about screening for either.
Side by side
| Maine Coon | Ragdoll | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Longhair and semi-longhair | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | Maine, United States | Riverside, California, United States |
| Size | Large | Large |
| Typical weight | 8-18 lb (3.6-8.2 kg); males are larger | Females 8-15 lb (3.6-6.8 kg); males 12-20 lb (5.4-9.1 kg) or more |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | Recent UK data put the median near 12 to 13 years |
| Coat length | Long | Long |
| Coat | Shaggy, water-shedding double coat, longer on the ruff, belly and britches | Soft, silky, semi-long coat made mostly of guard hairs, with little undercoat |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1976 | Championship breed since 2000 |
| How common | Very common | Very common |
| Affection | 4 | 5 |
| Energy | 3 | 2 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 4 | 3 |
| Shedding | 4 | 3 |
| Good with children | 5 | 5 |
| Good with other pets | 5 | 5 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 2 |
| Trainability | 4 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 3 | 4 |
| 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. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Ragdoll's coat has little undercoat and sheds moderately, but 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 family or a household with other pets that wants a large, placid, affectionate indoor cat and will comb the coat twice a week. |
| Less suited to | A small flat with little room to climb, or anyone who wants a lap cat that stays small. | Anyone who wants an active, climbing cat, a cat that copes with long hours alone, or a breed with no known heart risk. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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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