If you have noticed the many similarities between these two cat breeds, you are probably wondering, are Maine Coons and Siberians related? After all, both breeds are large, athletic, and share many personality quirks.
Maine Coons and Siberian cats are not related to one another, as they developed in completely different countries. Maine Coons come from the state of Maine in America, while the Siberian is from Russia. Since both cats developed in harsh, snowy climates, however, they are very similar in both appearance and personality.
There are a lot of similarities between Maine Coons and Siberian cats, which can make it difficult to choose between them.
Read on to find out whether a Maine Coon or a Siberian cat is the right pet for you!
Are Maine Coons And Siberians Related?
At first glance, Maine Coons and Siberians can seem quite similar. With a bit of research, however, you’ll soon learn that they are still very distinct from one another.
Maine Coons and Siberians both have thick, semi-water-repellent coats, and excellent hunting skills.
These two breeds may not be related, but they are surprisingly similar, both in appearance and temperament (source 1,2).
If you’re wondering where do Siberian vs Maine Coon originate from, you’ll soon learn why these cats are surprisingly similar, despite their differences.
Maine Coon Cats
The Maine Coon is the largest domesticated cat breed in the entire world, and it’s also among the most popular.
These cats have long, luxurious coats and powerfully muscled bodies.
Their temperament also makes them stand out from many other cat breeds. They are famous for being:
- Intelligent
- Playful
- Very Affectionate
Maine Coons originated in the freezing cold state of Maine, located in the most northeastern part of America.
While the exact ancestry of these cats is unknown, we do know that the breed developed naturally in this frigid state, and became popular during the 1800s.
Siberian Cats
The Siberian is a medium to a medium-large-sized cat with a dense, triple coat and a sweet face.
They love being around people and are incredibly affectionate towards their owners.
They are incredibly playful, and will hunt, chase, and bat around just about anything they can get their paws on!
Siberians also have a murky history, dating as far back as hundreds of years. Some believe they might even be 1,000 years old!
True to their name, Siberian cats originated in Russia, specifically in the region of Siberia. The state of Maine, like Siberia, is also notoriously cold and snowy.
So, even though Maine Coons and Siberian cats originated on opposite sides of the globe, these similar climates led them to develop similar physical and personality traits.
Maine Coon Vs Siberian Size
The Maine Coon and Siberian are very similar in physicality and appearance, but which is bigger, the Maine Coon or Siberian cat?
When it comes to the Siberian cat size, this breed is typical:
- Weight: 8 – 20 pounds
- Length: 15 – 18 inches
- Height: 9 – 12 Inches
By comparison, the average Maine Coon size is impressive, with most cats of this breed following these averages:
- Weight: 8 – 25 lbs
- Length: 19 – 40 Inches
- Height: 8 – 16 Inches
Overall, if you’re wondering, are Siberian cats bigger than Maine Coons, the answer is no.
While a larger than average Siberian could be bigger than a smaller than average Maine Coon, the Maine Coon breed is significantly larger most of the time (source 1).
What Is The Difference Between A Maine Coon And A Siberian Cat?
At first glance, you’ll notice many similarities between a Maine Coon vs Siberian cat.
If you want to learn how to tell them apart, however, here are some of the key physical differences between a Maine Coon vs Siberian cat, to look out for (source 1):
Size
Maine Coon cats are larger, on average than Siberian cats.
The Maine Coon is the largest domesticated cat breed in the world, while Siberians are only considered medium to medium-large in size.
Coat
Maine Coons have double coats, with a dense, soft undercoat and a semi-water-repellent outer coat.
Their coat also varies in length across their body and is longer on the neck, chest, belly, and rump.
Siberian cats, meanwhile, have a triple coat, which is a more even length throughout the body.
However, their fur is still longer around the neck, and they often have tufts of fur on their toes and ear tips, like the Maine Coon.
Coat Pattern
Maine Coons and Siberians both come in virtually every color and pattern imaginable, with one key difference.
While Siberians can have colorpoint patterns in a variety of colors, Maine Coons cannot be colorpoint.
Learn more about the Maine Coon coat colors and patterns, in my article.
Shape
Overall, Maine Coons and Siberians have distinctly different body shapes.
While both are powerful, well-muscled cats, Maine Coons are more “square,” while the Siberian is more “round.”
Siberians have many curves throughout their body, and even their face, eyes, ears, and chin are all rounded.
Leg Length
One final physical difference between Maine Coons and Siberians is the length of their hind legs.
Maine Coon legs are about the same length, while Siberians have slightly longer hind legs than forelegs.
Siberian Cat Vs Maine Coon Personality
When it comes to appearance, you can easily learn the many differences between Siberians and Maine Coons, but it can be harder to distinguish these two breeds based on personality.
We’re first going to take a look at the many ways these cats are similar in temperament, and then take a closer look at how they are different.
Maine Coon And Siberian Cat Similarities
Here is a list of ways that Maine Coons and Siberians are similar to one another, in terms of their temperament.
1. Affection
Both Maine Coons and Siberians are extremely affectionate cat breeds.
They thrive on attention from their owners and do not do well if they are left alone for long periods of time.
They develop incredibly close bonds with all of their family members and are filled with plenty of love for any family, no matter how large or small.
2. Playfulness
Maine Coons and Siberians may be loving, but they certainly aren’t just cuddly lap cats that prefer to lounge around on the couch all day.
Both cat breeds love to play and will chase around just about anything.
3. Love Of Climbing
Maine Coons and Siberians are both quite active and need plenty of places to jump and climb.
Both of these breeds love large cat trees or any high place where they can look down on the rest of the household.
These are my favorite extra-large cat trees, ideal for your huge Maine Coon cat.
4. Prey Drive
Both of these breeds are excellent hunters, with strong prey drives.
They love to hunt and chase, which is apparent when they play.
If you keep either of these breeds as indoor/outdoor cats, you can be sure these competent hunters will bring you a few “gifts” every so often.
5. Temperament With Other Pets
Maine Coons and Siberians love their human family members, but they also get along amazingly well with other pets.
They often become great friends with other cats, or even with other dogs!
In fact, since these cat breeds are highly affectionate, they usually do best with at least one other companion to prevent them from getting lonely.
Due to their high prey drive, however, neither Maine Coons nor Siberians are suited to households with small pets like rodents or birds.
6. Temperament With Children
Both Maine Coons and Siberians get along well with children.
They can be very gentle and patient and aren’t skittish around children like some other cat breeds.
However, they won’t be afraid to establish boundaries by batting or hissing at a child who pulls their tail, or handles them roughly.
7. Love Of Water
Maine Coons and Siberians share an odd personality trait; they both love water!
Likely due to the fact that both breeds have semi-water-repellent coats, both of these cats love to play with water, and some even learn how to turn on the tap just so they can play with it!
Read more about the Maine Coons passion for water, in my article.
Maine Coon And Siberian Cat Differences
Now that you’ve learned about the many ways that Maine Coons and Siberians are similar in personality, here are the key ways they are different (source 1,2):
1. Independence
Maine Coons are slightly more independent than the Siberian.
While many Maine Coons are content to watch their owners from afar, Siberians prefer to be up close and personal.
They need a bit more attention than Maine Coons, and do best with owners who can provide all the love they need.
2. Vocality
Another odd similarity between Maine Coons and Siberians is their voice.
Rather than meowing, both breeds prefer to chirp or trill.
However, Maine Coons tend to be a bit chattier than Siberians, and they love to converse about their day with their owners.
3. Lap Cats
Maine Coons are highly affectionate and enjoy being petted, but they do not seem to enjoy being held as much as Siberians do.
Maine Coons show their affection by being near their humans, while Siberians prefer to show affection by being physically ON their humans.
4. Trust Towards Strangers
Maine Coons are extremely social, and while they are not as affectionate towards strangers as they are towards their owners, they are rarely fearful or skittish.
Siberian cats, on the other hand, tend to be warier around strangers and might hide if a lot of unfamiliar people come to visit.
5. Trainability
Siberians and Maine Coons are both considered intelligent breeds, but Maine Coons are usually a bit more clever, as well as trainable.
While you can train some Siberians to play fetch, walk on a harness, or do a few tricks, Maine Coons are typically much easier to train.
6. Activity Needs
Siberians and Maine Coons are both quite active and playful, but the highly intelligent Maine Coon requires more mental stimulation through toys such as these.
They require sturdy, interactive toys to prevent them from becoming bored; otherwise, they are prone to being destructive.
Are Maine Coons More Expensive Than Siberian Cats?
Purebred cats don’t come cheap but between Maine Coons and Siberian cats, which breed is more expensive?
Siberian cats are the most expensive of the two cat breeds, by quite a lot of money!
This is because Siberian cats are quite plentiful in Russia, but pretty rare in the US, making them difficult to come by.
The average Maine Coon costs about $400 to $2,500, while Siberians cost between $1,200 and $4,000!
What Health Problems Do Maine Coons And Siberian Cats Have?
Maine Coons and Siberian cats are both considered relatively hardy breeds, but unfortunately, any purebred cat is going to suffer from more health problems than a regular domestic cat.
So what health problems do Maine Coon cats have?
Here are some of the most common health problems found in this much-loved cat breed:
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, also known as HCM, is a genetic condition that causes the walls of the heart to thicken over time, eventually leading to death.
This condition is common in both Maine Coons and Siberian cats.
You can learn more here.
Polycystic Cardiomyopathy
Also known as PKD, Polycystic Kidney Disease is a genetic disorder that causes cysts to form in a cat’s kidneys.
While it is possible for this condition to go completely unnoticed, it can sometimes lead to kidney failure and death.
Both Maine Coons and Siberian cats are prone to this disorder.
These are the signs and symptoms to watch out for.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a painful condition caused by a malformed joint in a cat’s hip.
The femoral head of the affected cat’s leg is ill-fitting into the hip joint, resulting in constant painful grinding.
This eventually wears down the joint, resulting in looseness.
Cats with hip dysplasia will experience loss of mobility, and while it’s not fatal, it is painful and difficult to live with.
Here’s what you can do to help your cat.
Now that you know what health problems Maine Coons are most likely to suffer from, what health problems do Siberian cats have?
These are the most common health problems for Siberian cats:
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Like Maine Coons, Siberian cats are prone to suffering from HCM.
This genetic condition causes the walls of the heart to thicken over time and eventually causes death.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Both Siberians and Maine Coons are susceptible to PKD.
This inherited disorder causes cysts to form in the affected cat’s kidneys.
While it can sometimes go unnoticed throughout a cat’s entire life, it can also lead to kidney failure and death.
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency
Also known as PK Deficiency, this disorder is a kind of anemia that is inherited from a cat’s parents.
The symptoms of this disorder can vary from cat to cat, but some symptoms include (source 1):
- Jaundice
- Weight Loss
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Even seizures
Maine Coon Vs Siberian Lifespan
The average Maine Coon can be expected to live between 12 and 15 years old, while the average Siberian lifespan is between 10 and 18 years.
Is My Cat Siberian Vs Maine Coon?
Maine Coons and Siberians are both relatively similar in appearance, but if you’re having trouble distinguishing whether your cat might be Siberian or Maine Coon.
Here are some quick things to look for:
- Legs: Siberians have slightly longer hind legs than their forelegs, while Maine Coon legs are more even in length.
- Coat: Maine Coons have longer fur that varies more in length across the body, while Siberians have a dense, triple coat that is more even in length.
Overall, Siberians have a much “rounder” appearance than Maine Coons, who are more sturdy and square.
Siberians have round faces, eyes, chins, and ears, while Maine Coons have more hard angles.
Siberian And Maine Coon Mix
If you are wondering where to find Siberian Maine Coon kittens for sale, you’re not alone!
However, most certified breeders focus on breeding purebred cats, rather than mixes, so it can be tricky to find this combination.
If you are looking for Siberian Maine Coon mix kittens, you should search for reputable, responsible breeders who are registered with a governing cat body, such as CFA or TICA.
Should I Get A Maine Coon Or Siberian?
Maine Coons and Siberian cats are both incredible breeds, but if you’re deciding which one to bring home, it will depend a lot on your own desires and living situation.
Maine Coons are larger and higher maintenance because they require lots of stimulation to keep from getting bored and depressed.
These cats are slightly more independent, however, and don’t need quite as much attention as Siberians.
Maine Coons do best in a home with owners who can provide plenty of stimulation and attention.
Siberians are more cuddly and affectionate, but they also require more grooming due to their triple coats.
These cats are better suited to households where they can get plenty of attention.
Maine Coon Vs Siberian Vs Norwegian
Maine Coons, Siberians, and Norwegian Forest Cats are all quite similar.
They’re all large cats with medium to long fur and a playful, affectionate personality.
Maine Coons are the largest breed of the three, but also the most independent.
Siberians and Norwegian Forest Cats are the most affectionate and cuddly, while Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats are the most similar in appearance.
Conclusion
There are so many similarities between Maine Coons and Siberians that many people wonder, are Maine Coons and Siberians related?
While these cats are not related, because they developed in such similar cold, harsh climates, they are both quite similar in appearance.
They are also very similar in personality, although Maine Coons are more intelligent and playful, while Siberians are more cuddly.
Related Questions
Breeds Similar To Norwegian Forest Cat
Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats are quite similar. Abyssinians may look quite different from Norwegian Forest Cats, but they have similar active and intelligent personalities.
Himalayan Cat Vs Maine Coon
Himalayans and Maine Coons both have long fur, but Maine Coons are healthier and more active, while Himalayans are calmer but more prone to health problems.
Are Maine Coons Related To Lynx?
Maine Coons have a rather wild appearance, but they are not related to lynxes, even though they’re both known for having tufted ear tips.
Are Maine Coons Related To Raccoons?
Despite their similar names and their bushy tails, Maine Coons and raccoons aren’t related at all! In fact, it’s impossible for raccoons to breed with any kind of cat.