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Maine Coon vs Siamese
A large, quiet-voiced, shaggy family cat against a medium, very talkative, short-coated cat that cannot bear to be left alone.
Verdict
Voice, coat and time alone decide this pair. The Maine Coon is big, shaggy and soft-voiced, and it copes with part of a day alone. The Siamese is slender, short-coated and talks constantly, and it wants company nearly all the time. Choose the Maine Coon if you want a large sociable cat that keeps a little independence and you can brush it. Choose the Siamese if someone is home most days and you enjoy a cat that follows you and answers back.
Choose the Maine Coon if
- You want a large cat of 8-18 lb with a chirping voice rather than a loud one.
- You are away for part of the day; it scores 3 for independence against 1.
- You have children and dogs or other cats; it scores 5 for both.
- You will brush a thick coat a few times a week.
Choose the Siamese if
- You want almost no grooming; the short, fine coat needs very little.
- You are home much of the day and want a cat that talks, scoring 5 for voice.
- You want the most affectionate and clever of the two, scoring 5 for both.
- You want a medium-sized cat of 6-12 lb.
Where they are alike
Both are intelligent, social cats that bond with their households and enjoy daily play. Each has a long-established place in cat shows, and both have a watch-list your vet can explain.
Side by side
| Maine Coon | Siamese | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Longhair and semi-longhair | Shorthair |
| Origin | Maine, United States | Thailand (formerly Siam) |
| Size | Large | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-18 lb (3.6-8.2 kg); males are larger | 6-12 lb (2.7-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Long | Short |
| Coat | Shaggy, water-shedding double coat, longer on the ruff, belly and britches | Short, fine, glossy coat that lies close to the body, with no undercoat |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1976 | Championship breed since 1906 |
| How common | Very common | Common |
| Affection | 4 | 5 |
| Energy | 3 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 4 |
| 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 | 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. | — |
| 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 or family at home often who enjoys a cat that talks, follows them about and wants to be involved in everything. |
| Less suited to | A small flat with little room to climb, or anyone who wants a lap cat that stays small. | Anyone out all day, anyone who wants a quiet cat, or a household that cannot give a lot of attention. |
| 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