Care For A Maine Coon: Daily Needs, Costs, Grooming & Health (Owner Guide)
To care for a Maine Coon cat correctly, you need to understand their dietary, grooming, health, social, mental, and exercise needs.
In this beginner’s guide to keeping a Maine Coon cat, we show you the best ways to entertain a Maine Coon, how to keep their fur in tip-top condition, and more!
Maine Coon cats are obligate carnivores. Feed them high-quality food that has a high protein content of 50% or more, 2-4 times a day. Groom Maine Coons 2-3 times a week to avoid fur matting. Play with your Maine Coon for 30 minutes a day to prevent obesity. Spend ample time with your cat. Give a Maine Coon safe access to the outside world.
This guide explains how to take care of a Maine Coon in practical, day-to-day terms, covering feeding, grooming, exercise, health care, and common mistakes new owners make.
Quick-Start Care Essentials (So You Don’t Miss The Basics)
If you are new to Maine Coons, start with these essentials first:
- Routine: Feed at consistent times, keep water fresh, and scoop the litter tray daily.
- Grooming: Brush 2-4x weekly (daily during shedding) and check for mats behind the legs and under the belly.
- Nails & Paws: Trim every 2-4 weeks and keep scratching posts in every “main room” to prevent furniture damage.
- Weight & Growth: Maine Coons grow slowly; track weight monthly in kittens and every 2-4 weeks if your cat is a senior or has health issues.
- Enrichment: Aim for two short play sessions daily (5-10 minutes), rotating toys to prevent boredom.
- Vet Prevention: Annual checks (twice-yearly for seniors), parasite control, and a plan for dental care at home.
- Home set-up: Large litter tray, sturdy cat tree with wide platforms, and multiple resting spots at floor level and mid-height.
This page includes the most useful tips previously shared on our “how to take care of a Maine Coon” guide, so nothing important is lost if you land here via a redirect.
How To Take Care Of A Maine Coon (Daily & Long-Term Care)
Caring for a Maine Coon involves more than basic feeding and litter box upkeep – delve into the details below to find out more about this fascinating cat breed.
Because this breed is larger, slower-maturing, and more people-oriented than most cats, their daily care needs are slightly different – especially as they grow from kittens into full-sized adults.
Daily Care Basics For Maine Coons
On a day-to-day level, Maine Coons thrive when their routine includes:
- Regular interaction and mental stimulation
Maine Coons are highly social cats that bond closely with their owners. Daily play sessions, conversation, and involvement in household activities help prevent boredom-related behaviours. - Appropriate portion-controlled feeding
Their size does not mean unlimited food. Meals should be measured and matched to age, activity level, and body condition rather than free-fed. - Clean water access at all times
Many Maine Coons prefer wide bowls or running water fountains, which can encourage better hydration.
Grooming And Coat Care
Maine Coons have a semi-long, shaggy coat designed to protect them from harsh weather, but it still requires consistent care:
- Brush 2-3 times per week to prevent matting, especially around the chest, belly, armpits, and behind the ears
- Increase brushing during seasonal shedding periods
- Check for knots early – once mats tighten, they become difficult to remove without discomfort
Regular grooming also gives you the chance to spot skin issues, parasites, or changes in coat condition early.
Nail, Ear, And Dental Care
Basic hygiene tasks are often overlooked but are an important part of proper Maine Coon care:
- Trim nails every 2-3 weeks, especially for indoor cats
- Check ears weekly for excess wax, redness, or odour
- Support dental health with brushing, dental treats, or vet-recommended dental diets
Because Maine Coons are prone to certain dental and joint issues as they age, early preventative care makes a noticeable difference long term.
Exercise And Enrichment
Despite their laid-back reputation, Maine Coons need regular physical activity:
- Provide large, sturdy cat trees that support their weight
- Encourage climbing, chasing, and interactive play
- Rotate toys to keep interest high
Daily exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and supports joint health in this large breed.
Health Monitoring And Vet Care
Caring for a Maine Coon also means staying alert to subtle changes:
- Monitor weight and body condition, not just the number on the scale
- Watch for changes in appetite, mobility, breathing, or behaviour
- Schedule annual vet check-ups, even for indoor-only cats
Early detection is especially important for breed-associated conditions, which are easier to manage when caught early.
Common Care Mistakes New Owners Make
New Maine Coon owners often underestimate:
- How long does the breed take to fully mature
- How much grooming does their coat actually needs
- The importance of enrichment for such an intelligent cat
- How quickly weight can creep up if portions aren’t controlled
Understanding these points early helps prevent many avoidable problems.
Dietary Needs
Maine Coon cats are obligate carnivores that need meat in their diet to enable them to thrive. Protein should therefore make up a key part of their dietary requirements.
Feed Maine Coons high-quality protein-rich dry food 2-4 times a day. Please do not feed them wet food more than twice a week. Avoid overfeeding your Maine Coon
Seek veterinary advice if considering a Maine Coon raw food diet.
Below are the key food types Maine Coons need to eat (source 1):
1. Protein
Feed your Maine Coon with a diet high in protein. Protein has been proven to play a key role in Maine Coons reaching their full growth potential.
- Daily Intake Needs: >50%
- Food Source: Chicken, Fish, Rabbit, Mice
2. Carbohydrates
It provides cats with the energy needed to play and exercise.
- Daily Intake: 0-3%
- Food Source: Dry Cat Food
3. Fats And Fatty Acids
To keep your Maine Coons fur looking shiny and in top-notch condition, ensure their diet contains a small level of healthy fatty acids, i.e., amino acids.
They also need arachidonic acids, e.g., taurine and arginine
- Daily Intake: <20%
- Food Source: High-Quality Dry Food
4. Fresh Water
Maine Coons love water and need a constant supply of fresh water to keep hydrated.
- Daily Intake: Frequent Water
- Food Source: Water Bowl, Cat Water Fountain
5. Vitamins
Vitamins A, B, K, and Niacin are essential to your Maine Coon cat, enabling them to grow healthily.
- Daily Intake: As per veterinary advice
- Food Source: Dry and Wet Food
Best Dry Food
Feed your Maine Coon high-quality dry food containing high levels of protein to enable their body to grow to its full potential, and remain fit and healthy.
Feed Your Maine Coon 2-4 portions of dry food daily.
Always check that ‘cheaper’ cat food contains ingredients that adequately meet this pedigree cat’s dietary requirements. If in doubt, check with your local veterinarian.
These are the 5 Best Maine Coon Dry Cat Foods.
Homemade Cat Food
According to this cat nutritionist, you can keep your large muscular cat fit and healthy by feeding them 4 grams of animal protein per kilogram of their body weight.
This equates to a daily intake of roughly 36-45 grams of protein.
Use a Maine Coon food calculator to determine how much food to give your Maine Coon cat.
The table below shows how much protein is found in various meat sources, per 100g:
| Meat Source | Protein Level |
|---|---|
| Turkey | 27g |
| Beef | 26g |
| Chicken | 27g |
| Tuna | 26g |
| Mackerel | 19g |
If you are considering feeding your Maine Coon cat a homemade raw food diet, make sure you read Raw Food For Maine Coons.
When To Switch To Adult Food
Feed your Maine Coon specially formulated kitten food during the first 4-5 months of their lives. This is important for ensuring your kitten is fueled with:
- Protein
- Vitamins
- Carbohydrates
- Fats
- Fatty Acids
Do not transition your Maine Coon kitten onto an adult Maine Coon food diet before they are 9 – 10 months of age.
This cat specialist advises large cat breed owners to wait until their cat reaches 2 years before switching them to adult Maine Coon food.
Water Supply
Maine Coons need a continual source of water to stay hydrated. They will drink roughly 3.5 – 4.5 ounces of water for every five pounds of body weight.
The amount of water consumed by a Maine Coon varies, and depends on a cat’s:
- Size
- Diet
- Health
- Activity Levels
They have a preference for drinking fresh running water, so cat lovers should buy their beautiful feline a pet water fountain.
They love drinking water and enjoy playing with fresh moving water.
Grooming
Maine Coon cats are famous for their shaggy, long fur, and should be brushed 2-3 times a week, and more during the shedding season or if the cat goes outdoors.
Compared to other cat breeds, the Maine Coon grooming requirements are considerably higher, especially if your cat is prone to knots and tangles.
It is essential to brush a Maine Coon regularly to ensure its dead loose fur does not become caught within this cat’s thick, three-layer, dense fur.
The best brushes for Maine Coon cats include:
1. Dematting Comb
Dematting combs are excellent cat brushes for removing excess, loose hair from your Maine Coon.
2. Slicker Brush
The Hertzko slicker cat brush is great for grooming long-haired cat breeds, like the Maine Coon.
This is one of my 5 Favorite Cat Brushes because it does not yank or pull on the cat’s fur, and can be quickly cleaned by the push of one button.
Slicker brushes have angled bristles to remove dirt, debris, and shedding hairs from the cat’s fur.
3. Silicone Cat Grooming Brush
Silicone grooming brushes are excellent cat grooming brushes since they are ultra-soft on the cat’s sensitive skin, and do not scratch your furry friend.
This type of Maine Coon cat brush is effective at removing up to 90% of loose cat hairs.
Exercise
Maine Coon cats are prone to obesity, so owners need to ensure their cat is exercising for roughly 30 minutes each day to keep them fit, healthy, and happy.
Divide the 30 minutes into 3 shorter 10-minute sessions.
Outdoor Maine Coons generally exercise more than indoor Maine Coons because nature offers them a variety of natural ways to exercise, including:
- Chasing small live prey
- Climbing trees
- Chasing leaves
Owners of indoor Maine Coons, however, will need to exercise their cats by:
- Playing with them every day
- Purchasing an extra-large cat tower for them to climb and jump on
- Buying them Maine Coon proof cat toys
Here are some ways to encourage your Maine Coon to exercise:
1. Playing Games With Your Cat
Maine Coons adore human company. Playing with your cat strengthens the bond between you and your cat, whilst also keeping your cat fit and healthy.
2. Purchase A Cat Tower
Buy one of these Extra-Large Maine Coon Cat Trees, so they can scratch, jump, and climb up the cat tree.
Pick a tree with multiple levels that your cat can jump around on, and look for cat trees made using natural sisal rope, which they will enjoy scratching on.
This is our multi-level cat tree, by RHRquality, in the UK. It is specifically designed for large cat breeds like the Maine Coon:
3. Take Your Maine Coon For A Walk
Walking a Maine Coon on a leash or harness is a great way to exercise your cat, particularly if they are prone to laziness.
This is how you Train Your Maine Coon To Walk On A Leash. These are my Favorite Escape-Proof Large Cat Harnesses.
4. Cat Proofing Your Garden
Catproofing is a great way to encourage indoor Maine Coons to exercise outdoors and will enable them to roam freely within the safety of their garden.
Vaccinations And Medications
To ensure your big cat has a long, healthy, and happy life, make sure they are up to date with all their vaccinations. If you are unsure what medication your cat requires, speak to a veterinary professional.
Additionally, apply regular flea drops to prevent their thick, dense fur from becoming infested with unwanted itchy fleas.
You should also give your cat deworming medication regularly to ensure optimum health.
All preventative medications should be given to both indoor cats and outdoor cats, as per product guidelines.
Health
The Maine Coon cat is a hardy cat breed capable of withstanding the harsh Winter elements of New England.
Regular veterinary health checks are essential to ensure early detection of the following Maine Coon health problems:
1. Hip Dysplasia
Large cat breeds are prone to developing hip dysplasia, which can cause Maine Coon arthritis. It can also cause paralysis (source 1).
Symptoms of Maine Coon hip dysplasia include:
- Reduced levels of activity
- Joint looseness or laxity (an early sign of disease)
- Joint degeneration and osteoarthritis (a later sign of disease)
- The cat avoids jumping, climbing, and running
- Thigh muscles lose muscle mass
- Shoulder muscles may become enlarged
- Hind-limb lameness
These are the best ways to treat Maine Coon Hip Dysplasia.
2. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is also known as HCM. This genetic illness is uncommon in Maine Coons but should never be ignored:
- Thickens the heart walls
- Deteriorates the heart function
- Causes a very poor blood flow
The key symptoms of Maine Coon hypertrophic cardiomyopathy include:
- Breathing Problems
- Limb Paralysis
- Pulmonary Edema
Read our complete guide to Maine Coon Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
3. Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Maine Coon spinal muscular atrophy is a hereditary genetic disease that causes the cat’s spinal muscles to gradually degenerate.
This health issue may shorten the lifespan of your Maine Coon kitten and is usually visible when your kitten reaches 3-4 months old.
Veterinary Genetics Library claims SMA is not painful or fatal, but will cause progressive instability with unsteady gait and abnormalities in the kitten’s posture.
Common symptoms of Maine Coon spinal muscular atrophy:
- Swaying Gait
- Odd Posture
- Weakness In Hind Legs
- Loss Of Muscle Mass
- Back Sensitivity
- Tremors In Hind Legs
- Exercise Intolerance
- Unable To Perform Ordinary Tasks
Read the complete guide to Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
4. Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
This is an inherited feline condition that results in multiple cysts in a Maine Coon kitten’s kidneys when they are born.
As the cat ages, these fluid pockets gradually increase in size, leading to kidney failure if the function of the kidney has been disrupted.
The following symptoms of PKD do not become apparent until the cat reaches 7 years old:
- Lethargy
- Loss Of Appetite
- Vomiting
- Weight Loss
- Poor Quality Coat
- Increased Thirst
- Frequent Urination
Read the Complete Guide To Polycystic Kidney Disease.
5. Obesity
Maine Coon’s do not reach full size until 3-5 years, which often results in many Maine Coon owners mistakenly overfeeding their cats, assuming their feline is underweight.
Some free-fed Maine Coon cats also like to overeat, resulting in feline obesity.
Here are 5 Signs Your Maine Coon’s Overweight.
Lifespan
According to The International Cat Association (TICA), Maine Coon cats have a life expectancy of 12+ years (source 1).
A pet insurance company researched the lifespan of various cat breeds living in Sweden between 2003 and 2006 and found the median lifespan of the Maine Coon was > 12.5 years.
According to the research, 74% of Maine Coon cats lived to 10 years or more, whereas 54% of the sample lived to 12.5+ years (source 1,2).
Cat Claws
Maine Coon cats will keep their claws in a groomed condition, provided their owners give them access to a Large Cat Scratching Post or Cat Tower.
Cat scratching posts are beneficial for your cat’s claws and encourage positive scratching behavior.
Pet parents should buy a strong and sturdy cat scratching post that cannot be toppled over. Avoid buying small posts that a Maine Coon kitten will quickly outgrow.
Read our Full Guide On Maine Coon Claws.
Litter Tray
Cat owners who live with an indoor Maine Coon cat will need to purchase an extra-large litter tray, so their cat can do their business.
Make sure the litter tray is within easy access of your cat and cleaned regularly, ideally after your cat has used the litter tray.
Felines are notoriously clean creatures that become stressed and upset if they’re unable to do their business in a clean litter tray.
Make sure you read my litter tray guide before making a purchase.
If you’re like me and hate cleaning cat litter trays, buy a self-cleaning litter tray.
Pet parents with outdoor Maine Coon cats that have free access to the outdoor world are unlikely to need a litter tray.
Bathing
Maine Coons are fastidious self-cleaners, so they do not need bathing unless dirty or unable to clean themselves due to health issues.
Bathing is optional, but effective at:
- Keeping Long, Thick Fur Clean
- Removing Dead Hairs
- Removes Excess Dander
- Removes Dead Hair
Maine Coons should not be bathed more than once per month.
Only use these Shampoos Specifically Designed For Use On Cats since human shampoos contain chemicals that are harmful and toxic to Maine Coons.
Bathing a Maine Coon can help reduce allergy sufferers’ symptoms. This is because the washing process removes a cat’s dander and detaches excess cat hair covered in dander.
Hypoallergenic
Maine Coon cats are not 100% hypoallergenic, though some cat specialists claim this large cat breed produces less Fel d1 protein, a common cause of cat allergies.
Individuals who experience cat allergies are allergic to a cat’s dander i.e., dead skin cells.
Cats shed dander regularly. It often becomes caught within the cat’s fur, which is why people claim they are allergic to cat fur.
Cat allergy sufferers should read this guide: Should People With Cat Allergies Avoid Maine Coon Cats?
Sociable
Known as the dog of the cat world, Maine Coons have high social needs like dogs do.
These sociable cats love nothing more than being able to spend time with their humans.
It is important that cat owners spend plenty of time with their Maine Coon to help prevent the cat from suffering from depression or Maine Coon Separation Anxiety.
Don’t be surprised if your curious cat follows you around the house. This is Why Maine Coons Follow Their Owners.
Spaying Or Neutering
Unless you’re planning on breeding a Maine Coon, spay or neuter your cat between 4 and 6 months old. This will prevent your cat from ‘marking’ your home or breeding.
The best age to neuter or spay a Maine Coon cat is between 4 and 6 months old before the cat reaches puberty.
Spaying is the “surgical removal of a female cat’s ovaries and uterus”. Neutering “is the removal of a male cat’s testicles” (source 1).
These medical procedures are considered routine and should only be completed by trained licensed veterinary professionals.
Benefits of spaying or neutering include:
- Prevention of unwanted cat births
- Reduces the number of unwanted animals being euthanized to control the cat population
- Some male Maine Coons become more docile after neutering.
- Eliminates or reduces sexual behaviors in cats
- Catsare less prone to fighting with cats in your neighborhood
- Avoids urine spraying from female cats.
Learn more about Maine Coon Neutering.
Aggressive Behavior
Maine Coons are not naturally aggressive felines; therefore, if your large Maine Coon is growling at you, look at your behavior to determine why!
Immediately STOP what you are doing as it is frustrating your Maine Coon cat, and making them angry, whether you intend to or not.
When Maine Coons Stop Growing
Maine Coon cats are different from normal cat breeds since they do not reach full size at 2 years of age.
Instead, the Maine Coon cat breed grows exceptionally slowly and will not be full-size until 3-5 years of age.
Learn more about what impacts the Maine Coon growth rate, and how big you can expect your 1-year-old Maine Coon to be, in this article about Maine Coon Growth.
