Bobcat Vs Maine Coon

When it comes to getting a new cat, many first-time owners wanting a large cat breed may want to compare the Bobcat vs Maine Coon cat breeds.

While both breeds are among the well-known giants of the feline family, it is important to be aware that these two cat breeds differ significantly.

Bobcats are slightly bigger than Maine Coons with long legs, large paws, tufted ears, and a short, black-tipped tail. Maine Coons have short and stocky legs, large, pointed ears, oval-shaped eyes, and long, bushy tails. Maine Coons are affectionate, loyal, and sociable, while domesticated bobcats are curious and tend to exhibit wild instincts.

Ever heard speculations that domestic Maine Coons are descendants of the Bobcat breed?

This post will compare the Bobcat Vs. Maine Coon, discussing their similarities and differences to help you determine which breed is best for you.

Bobcat Vs Maine Coon

Many speculate that domestic Maine Coons are descendants of the Bobcat.

This rumor alone raises many questions, making it extremely important to compare the Maine Coon cat vs. Bobcat more closely.

To put an end to this ongoing rumor, I can confirm that contrary to popular rumors, the Maine Coon is not a descendant of the Bobcat!

In fact, did you know that Maine Coons are a completely different species, therefore breeding would be genetically impossible?

I can only assume, therefore, that this is not a well-known fact, since many people still mistake these two large cat breeds for each other. This is most likely because they have similar looks.

Maine Coons are among the popular domesticated cat breeds and, through centuries, they have been bred due to their cuddliness, intelligence, and tolerance of cold climates.

They are also good-natured felines and have an ever-loving personality that lets them integrate well into a household and get along with their humans plus other pets.

Maine Coons are:

• Affectionate
• Loyal
• Sociable
• Playful Cats

As the largest domesticated cat, with such a friendly nature, Maine Coons have earned the nickname of “gentle giants”.

The Maine Coon has a long, fluffy coat that hides their rectangular-shaped bodies.

Many owners love their luscious, shaggy fur because it gives these felines a wild look.

You will also notice that the Maine Coon cat has a tuff around their necks, which makes it relatively easy to identify them as they resemble “little” lions.

Some owners like to give their Maine Coon a lion cut, which many owners consider to be extremely cruel and controversial. Click here to find out why.

Purebred Maine Coon cats have:

• Pointed, and tufted ears
• Expressive, oblique-shaped eyes
• Long, bushy tails
• Their coats come in an overwhelming range of colors and patterns

The tabby Maine Coons coloring is the most popular.

Common solid colors include:

• White
• Black
• Red
• Blue

In comparison, Bobcats are visually large, exotic felines, considered one of the least domesticated cat breeds.

They are also known as bay lynx or wildcats.

Cats from this breed are generally territorial, nocturnal, and solitary, but domesticated Bobcats tend to be friendly and quite affectionate.

However, the Bobcat may still exhibit wild instincts, which can be toned down through training and plenty of mental stimulation.

Whilst they are known to be territorial and solitary cats, they can become excellent family pets for the right owners, particularly when hand-raised from kittenhood.

Before adopting a Bobcat, it is worth noting that, while tame Bobcats can demand human attention.

There is also the risk that they may become aggressive and even attack humans, particularly when they have rabies.

Relative to Maine Coons, Bobcats are much more aggressive hunters.

In the wild, the Bobcat will hunt to get food, hunting smaller prey. These felines have been known to take down some large prey once in a while.

Bobcat Vs Maine Coon Origins

There is no denying that Bobcats and Maine Coons cats have the same adaptability to the natural climate and terrain, which makes it quite possible to mistake them for each other and confuse their origin.

That said, both Maine Coons and Bobcats have interesting and vibrant histories.

To learn the full story about the Maine Coon cat’s origins, make sure you read my article Where Do Maine Coon Cats Originate?

The Bobcat first appeared during the Irvingtonian stage around 1.8 million years ago.

They are thought to have evolved from the Eurasian lynx, which crossed into North America by way of the Bering Land Bridge during the Pleistocene.

The first wave of Bobcats occupied the southern part of North America, which was cut off from the north by glaciers.

Later, around 20,000 years ago, this population would evolve into the modern Bobcats (source 1).

In comparison, the Maine Coon is thought to be native to Maine, US, just as the name suggests.

However, despite the various folktale stories, the true lineage of this beautiful cat breed is still not known.

Maine Coons enjoy a rich history surrounded by a lot of theories, some more plausible than others.

Among the many legends, the widely accepted myth claims that Maine Coons descended from Viking ship’s cats, which were used to keep the mice population at bay.

Notably, while the vast majority of the world’s population of Bobcats reside in the continental United States, Maine Coons are prevalent across the globe.

Bobcat Vs. Maine Coon Size

Maine Coons are the world’s largest known domesticated cats. However, they can actually overlap in size with Bobcats.

Maine Coon are visually large due to the fur on their bodies.

Weight

Typically, this breed will grow between 8 to 25 lbs, with Maine Coons weighing:

• Males: 15 to 25 lbs
• Females 8 to 12 lbs

In comparison, Bobcats are quite large felines weighing up to 40lbs!

Height

In terms of height, Maine Coons are 10 to 16 inches tall, while adult Bobcats stand about 12 to 24 inches tall at the shoulders.

Length

Length-wise, Bobcats are at 19- to 50-inch marks, while Maine Coons grow between 19 and 40 inches long.

In the real world, although Maine Coons can grow larger than the average Bobcat size, they tend to be, on average, about 10 to 15% smaller than Bobcats.

The North American climate is allegedly favorable for Bobcats as Bobcats in the US are larger compared to those around the borders of Mexico, which are smaller.

Bobcat Vs Maine Coon Build And Shape

It is pretty easy for first-time owners to mistake a Bobcat for a Maine Coon.

While these felines are from two separate cat breeds, both species have rectangular-shaped, muscled bodies and are visually large.

As for the differences, Bobcats have:

• Long Legs
• Considerably Large Paws
• Pointed Ears
• Black Tufts At Ear Tips
• White Underbelly Hair
• Short Tail With A Black Tip
• Ears Are Usually Black On The Backside
• Distinctive White Spot On Each Ear
• Ruff Of Long Hair Beneath The Ears
• Their Faces Have A Wider Appearance

Like most nocturnal creatures, Bobcats have large, yellow eyes with round, black pupils that are well adapted to see in the dark.

However, in bright light, the pupils will appear to be slit-shaped or elliptically shaped and remain wide during nocturnal activity to maximize light reception.

Bobcats have a pinkish-red nose with a gray, yellowish-red, or brownish-red base on their face, sides, and back.

Relative to Bobcats, Maine Coons appear smaller.

Maine Coons have:

• Pointed Ears
• Wedge-Shaped Heads
• Medium-long, gently curving noses
• Large, square-ish chin.
• Large ears are triangular in shape and well-tufted

Despite being a large breed, Maine Coons have short legs (here’s why).

However, their legs are thick and stronger by appearance.

Unlike Bobcats with bobbed tails, Maine Coons have long, bushy tails (source 1)

Bobcat Vs Maine Coon Growth Rate

Maine Coons and Bobcats have varied growth rates, with Maine Coons taking twice as much time as Bobcats to grow fully.

Typically, Maine Coons take 3 to 4 years to reach maturity.

In comparison, Bobcats take up to 2 years to grow fully, with male Bobcats maturing at 2 years.

Maine Coon Vs Bobcat Fur

Another key difference between Bobcats and Maine Coons lies in their fur.

While Bobcats have soft, short, reddish-brown coats, Maine Coons have luscious, silky, long, shaggy fur, which makes them appear larger.

These grooming brushes work great on Maine Coon fur.

Maine Coons have thicker, semi-water-resistant fur, which makes it easy for them to travel over snow and wet areas.

What is more, their coat has two layers – an inner short and silky layer and an outer longer layer – enabling them to endure harsh climatic conditions.

While they generally have long fur, it is uneven across their bodies, with the fur being shorter over shoulders and longer on their stomach and britches.

Other than their short fur, Bobcats are distinguishable thanks to their short ear tufts and the fur that flares their cheeks and necks.

Both Bobcats and Maine Coons have extra thick fur on their pads that help protect their paws from injury.

Bobcat Vs Maine Coon Coloring

When it comes to coat colors, Maine Coons differ significantly from Bobcats, despite their faces being not too dissimilar.

Here is a full list of all the Maine Coon fur colors.

Most Bobcat’s colorings are brown to brownish-red with a white underbelly.

In comparison, Maine Coons coats come in a variety of colors, including:

• Solid
• White
• Black
• Blue
• Red

Maine Coons can also be tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, bi-color, parti-color, or shaded. Indeed, the most common Maine Coons are tabby (source 1).

Bobcat Vs. Maine Coon Personality

Maine Coons are among the popular family pets, while Bobcats are considered one of the least domesticated felines, all for a good reason.

Both breeds can make excellent family pets, but only for an owner who is prepared to handle their needs.

Maine Coons are known for being:

• Friendly
• Affectionate
• Goofy Creatures

They have a gentle temperament and rarely use their claws, making them safe around their owners, kids, and other pets.

Many people love their Maine Coons because the felines are incredibly intelligent and trainable.

The Maine Coon makes an ideal companion and will be loyal to their humans. Much like dogs, Maine Coons love following their owners and playing with them. Oddly enough, they can be leashed and walked.

Naturally, Maine Coons are not aggressive but can act aggressively when threatened. All in all, they have good hunting skills and have been champion mousers.

If you have noticed your Maine Coon acting aggressively, it might be down to one of these ‘14 Causes Of Maine Coon Aggression‘.

In comparison, Bobcats are generally territorial and solitary.

While domesticated Bobcats are:

• Affectionate
• Friendly
• Curious

They tend to be shy and may have wild instincts.

Due to their wild instincts and shyness, they will obviously avoid humans. In fact, they will stay hidden if at all possible should humans be around.

Relative to Maine Coons, Bobcats are fierce and more aggressive hunters.

In the wild, they usually hunt rabbits, squirrels, fish, some birds, and small reptiles. They can hunt and kill larger prey, even those bigger than them.

However, this is not something they attempt often.

Family Friendly

There is no denying that Bobcats are accustomed to the wild.

Although attacks on humans are unlikely, Bobcats are timid and solitary animals that do not typically initiate contact with people.

In this regard, Bobcats can only be excellent pets for the right owners. Their distinct personalities and temperament should be taken into consideration before adoption.

In comparison, Maine Coons are known for being affectionate, sociable, and friendly. They bond well with their humans and other pets.

Thanks to their outgoing and dog-like dispositions, Maine Coons tend to connect with strangers but still save their quality companionship and loyalty for their owners.

Intelligence

Common knowledge has it that mammals are the most intelligent creatures in existence. However, this may hit differently when comparing the Bobcat vs. Maine Coon.

Maine Coons are highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train. In comparison, Bobcats exhibit a good degree of curiosity, which indicates that they are somewhat intelligent.

However, considering that they tend to be indifferent at times, it makes perfect sense to say that Bobcats respond actively when they are hungry (source 1).

Vocality

Bobcats are not so vocal, and, of course, they infrequently communicate vocally. However, during the mating season, they communicate by yowling, hissing, or spitting.

By comparison, Maine Coons love to talk.

Although Maine Coon cats do not meow like other felines, they love chattering with their owners. They use chirps and trills to communicate with their human companions.

Interestingly, even though Maine Coons love to talk, they are never loud unless they are hungry or crave the attention of their owners.

Not sure what a Maine Coon cat sounds like? Click here to listen to our YouTube video.

Click on the link below to listen to my extra-large male Maine Coon chatter away!

Health

Despite the fact that Bobcats are nicknamed wild cats, they can actually make excellent pets for the right owner.

However, they are still considered to be wild animals by many animal lovers. After all, they exhibit wild instincts and can easily turn wild.

As for health problems, the well-known parasite that affects Bobcats is the cytauxzoon felis, a blood parasite common in the Southeastern US.

In comparison, Maine Coon cats are considered relatively hardy in nature.

They are, however, prone to several genetic health problems, including:

• Hip dysplasia
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
• Stomatitis
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
• Obesity

All these illnesses can hurt the health of your Maine Coon severely and cause lameness.

Make sure you review my article ‘Top 7 Maine Coon Cat Health Problems‘, to know the signs and symptoms to watch out for.

Exercise Requirements

Both the Bobcat and Maine Coon are large breeds that need exercise to maintain healthy body weight and muscle strength.

These cats are proficient climbers and will love it when they climb trees outdoors. Many owners do not agree that the Maine Coon cat should be allowed outside though.

Do you agree with the reasons that they give to support their argument?

For Maine Coons, 30 minutes of physical activity every day should help minimize the risk of getting obese while helping your feline live a happy and healthy life.

If your Maine Coon cat stays indoors, you will need to buy a scratching post or cat tree and plenty of toys.

In comparison, while Bobcats in the wild exercise while hunting prey, domesticated Bobcats need plenty of mental stimulation and exercise to tone down their wild instincts.

As a general rule of thumb – ensuring your Bobcat gets 30 minutes of physical activity every day should help.

Cost

Both Bobcats and Maine Coons are in the same range as far as price is concerned.

In this regard, the average cost of a Maine Coon is $1,000, with Maine Coons from reputable breeders costing up to an excess of $2,000.

There are ways to find a cheaper Maine Coon cat though, so make sure you check out my article ‘Where To Find Free Maine Coon Kittens‘.

For a full guide to purchasing a Maine Coon cat, make sure you read my article ‘How To Buy A Maine Coon Cat‘.

In comparison, Bobcats cost anywhere from $900 to $2,500, depending on:

• The breeder
• Geographical Location
• Other Factors

Before bringing a Bobcat home, it is worth noting that domesticated Bobcats are considered exotic breeds, and some cities and counties have restrictions (source 1).

Lifespan

Maine Coon cats typically live for about 12 to 15 years.

Some Maine Coons have been known to live longer, with a few hitting the 15-20 years mark!

In comparison, Bobcats will rarely live past 7 years.

As you would expect, how long a Bobcat or Maine lives immensely depends on the feline’s lifestyle, diet, and genes.

No one wants their furry friend to ever die, so make sure you start following these key tips for increasing your Maine Coons cat’s lifespan.

Caring For A Bobcat Vs. Maine Coon

Feeding your feline with a nutritionally balanced diet is the first step to ensuring that your pet is happy and healthy.

In this regard, it is your responsibility to ensure that your cat gets enough food with all essential diets. These 5 dry foods are best for Maine Coon cats.

If you have a Maine Coon, you need to feed the feline with:

• Quality Dry Food
• Introduce Wet Foods Occasionally (maximum 2-3 times a week)

In comparison, feeding a Bobcat can be costly as it requires high-quality raw food. At home, both these cat breeds can hunt squirrels, birds, and mice.

When it comes to grooming, both Maine Coons and Bobcats have long coats that require grooming, so make sure you only purchase the best 5 brushes for your cat’s fur.

While grooming Maine Coons is pretty easy because they like bonding with their humans, grooming a Bobcat can be hard because they shy away from humans.

Thankfully, Bobcats can perfectly groom themselves!

Your Bobcat will use their tongue to lick itself, and for parts that it cannot reach with the tongue, it will lick its paw and groom those parts.

One interesting trait of Maine Coons and Bobcats is that they do not fear water.

This is why the Maine Coon cat loves water.

Washing your pet as necessary will help her stay healthy.

Here are a few other tricks to keeping a Maine Coon clean.

As part of maintenance, your feline will need some toys for mental stimulation and entertainment.

Notably, maintaining a Bobcat can be costly because they have unique needs (source 1).

Are Maine Coons Related To Bobcats?

With very visual and physical similarities between Maine Coons and Bobcats, it is not uncommon to hear animal lovers asking whether are Maine Coon part Bobcat.

Of course, there is also speculation that the Maine Coon is a descendant of the Bobcat breed.

Diving into the subject, a Maine Coon compared to Bobcat is not too different physically, especially when the comparison focuses on their heads.

However, a deeper study could help establish their differences genetically.

Whilst these two cat breeds have fascinating histories, it holds that Maine Coon cats are not related to Bobcats.

This is true despite the speculations that the Bobcat is part of the genetic breeding of the modern-day Maine Coon.

Of course, it is already confirmed that it is genetically impossible for Maine coons to be descendants of Bobcats as there is no genetic link between the two breeds.

It seems that the world is full of theories about the Maine Coon cat’s origins, as another popular question I get asked is ‘Are Maine Coon Cats Part Raccoon?‘. Read my article to find out the truth!

Bobcat Maine Coon Hybrid

A Bobcat Maine Coon Hybrid results from breeding between a domesticated Maine Coon and the rarely domesticated Bobcat.

While the hybrid is quite rare in the real world, you can expect to get a kitten in regions where breeding Bobcats is permitted and legal.

It is thought that the Bobcat Maine Coon hybrid would have the characteristics of both breeds. Even better, it might be more friendly towards humans, than Bobcats.

The Bobcat Maine Coon hybrid size should be anywhere between the size of a purebred Maine Coon and a Bobcat.

If you want to purchase a hybrid, it is best to do your due diligence and find out the risks of owning a Bobcat Maine Coon hybrid.

Overall, it should be a good pet with a winning personality.

Bobcat Vs Maine Coon Fight

Bobcats are used to hunting, fighting, and killing for food. This is unlike Maine Coons that infrequently hunt small prey.

In a scenario where a Maine Coon is fighting against a Bobcat, the Bobcat is likely to beat the Maine Coon.

A Bobcat is larger and has extremely sharp claws that they will use and possibly kill a Maine Coon.

Conclusion

Relative to Bobcats, Maine Coons are slightly smaller, more fluffy, and more domesticable.

On the other side, domesticated Bobcats are considered exotic cats, meaning there are some restrictions, depending on where you live.

If you are planning to bring a large breed home, hopefully, after reading this post, you can make a viable decision.

Related Question

Maine Coon Size Compared To Normal Cat

A normal domestic cat is small in stature and weighs up to 10 lbs, while Maine Coons are visually large, with adults weighing up to 25 lbs.

Maine Coon Vs. Lynx Size

In terms of size, fully grown lynx cats are likely to be physically larger and heavier than Maine Coon cats.

Maine Coon Lynx Hybrid

A Maine Coon can potentially breed with domesticated Lynx cats, and the result is a Maine Coon Lynx Hybrid, which can exhibit traits from both breeds.