Characteristics – Page 6 – Maine Coon Central

The Maine Coon Cat is one of the most loved breeds in the United States. These gentle giants are thought to have originated from the state of Maine, in North America. Maine Coon size can vary, but one thing's for sure, you're loveable long-haired cat will definitely grow far bigger than an average cat! Male Maine Coon's will grow bigger than their female counterpart, reaching a massive 15-25 lbs in weight! These loveable beasts can reach a length of 40 inches, though this possibility will be dependent upon your own cat's genetics, and diet plan. Male cats grow between 10-16 inches in height, whereas the females remain slightly smaller at 8-14 inches. Maine Coon Size Chart Below is a table showing the average Maine Coon size. Please note that these figures can vary substantially, and are very much dependent upon your cat's genetics, and their specific diet plan. Average SizesMale Maine CoonFemale Maine CoonLength (inches)19-4019-40Length (cm)48-10148-101Height (inches)10-168-14Height (cm)25-4020-35Weight (lbs)15-258-12Weight (kg)6.8-11.33.6-5.4Maine Coon Size Chart How Big Will My Maine Cat Grow? These big-boned, muscular cats grow bigger than most other breeds, however tend to be roughly the same size as the Norwegian Forest Cat or Ragdoll. Maine Coons will continue to grow for 4-5 years, before being fully grown. Other cats by comparison tend to physically mature around the 2-year mark. This may account for their larger than average sizing. The table above gives a good indication of the average Maine Coon size you can expect for both males and females. However, whilst these averages give a good reference point to the likely size of your currently small Maine Coon kitten, they shouldn't be fully relied upon as being fact. This is because sizing can vary wildly, and as with all animals, there will always be exceptions to the rule. Some people claim to have owned male Maine Coon cats that have weighed as much as 35 lb (15.9 kg), which is significantly larger than the breed's average of 15-25 lbs (6.8-11.3 kg). So be prepared for the unexpected!! Largest Domesticated Breed Biggest Maine Coon Record One Maine Coon cat named Stewie made it into the 2010 Guinness World Records, achieving the title for 'the longest cat of his breed'. He measured an incredible 48.5 inches (123.19 cm), which is calculated by measuring from the tip of a cat's nose to the tip of its tail. According to the records, his tail alone measured a gigantic 16 inches. Stewie also weighed a massive 33 lbs (15 kg)! According to his owners, no special diet was followed, and no unusual breeding methods were taken to influence the size of his growth. He literally just didn't stop growing! Why Do Maine Coons Grow So Big? These gentle giants often referred to as the 'dogs of the cat world' have a history shrouded in mystery. Despite many myths doing the rounds over the years, the Maine Coons heritage still remains unclear. This lack of clarity makes it somewhat difficult to conclude exactly why this particular breed grows to be so big. It is however agreed that the genetics of the breed plays an important role in why the Maine Coon size tends to be large. Some argue that the Maine Coon breed evolved over time, to cope with the colder climate in Maine, United States. Whether this is true or not, we do not know. However, if you look at the paws of this pedigree breed you will immediately notice that they are massive and fluffy. Their large paws are ideal for walking over the snow in Maine. Maine Coon Size Myths The Maine Coon is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America, and the official state cat of Maine. This loved cat's heritage however remains a mystery. Some question whether its origins could hold the clue as to why this breed of cat is so large? Myth 1 - Domestic Cat and Raccoon For many years folk have claimed that the Maine Coon cat originates from the mating between a raccoon, and a semi-wild domestic cat. This myth has been both widespread and popular, though is now deemed biologically impossible. It originally gained momentum due to the similarity between the Maine Coon and the raccoon's brown tabby coloring. The coon's bushy tail was also considered evidence of this unusual mating myth (source 1). Maine Coon's come in a range of over 84 colors, though historically only brown tabbies were given the title 'Maine Coon Cats', whereas the other colorings were classified as 'Maine Shags' (sources 1,2). To this day, lilac and chocolate colorings are not permitted to be considered for Pedigree status. Myth 2 - Marie Antoinette The second myth to gain in popularity over time relates to Marie Antoinette, the former Queen of France. History tells of her desperate attempt to flee France during the French Revolution, on a ship headed to the United States led by Captain Samuel Clough. Despite the captain's help, she did not make it safely to the United States and was executed in 1793. Before her death, however, it is thought that Marie Antoinette had loaded six of her treasured pet Turkish Angora cats onto Captain Samuel Clough's ship. Despite Marie's poor fate, her precious cats arrived safely in Wiscasset, Maine. It is thought that these six cats then bread with the short-haired domestic cats resident in Maine, resulting in the Maine Coon breed we know and love today. Myth 3 - Ship Cats Historically, cats were often kept on ships, to help control the number of mice. The most likely myth, therefore, is that these overseas long-haired ship cats mated with pre-existing shorthaired domestic cats. The long-haired cats are thought to possibly be Angora types, introduced by New England seamen, or longhairs brought to American by the Vikings (source 1). Do Male Maine Coons Grow Larger Than Females? The males of the Maine Coon breed are far more likely to be larger than their female counterparts, because they often weigh more, and grow taller. However, both the male and female have an average maximum length that totals 40 inches, so it is possible that the female may grow as long as the male. It is important to note that there is a level of crossover between the average sizing figures (see average sizing table above) of fully grown male and female Maine Coons. The range in Maine Coon size therefore may see a female growing larger than a male. If you are concerned about the eventual size of your furry friend, in general terms it is safe to assume that a male Maine Coon kitten will grow larger than the female. Can You Predict The Size Of Your Maine Coon? It is not possible to predict how big a Maine Coon kitten will grow. The cat's genetics will obviously play a huge part in their final Maine Coon size, however, the cat's genetics could include recessive genes that cause them to be far smaller (or bigger) than their parents are. When you purchase a Maine Coon kitten, the only thing you can be sure of is that your new family member will almost certainly grow to be far larger than a standard cat. To put this into perspective, an average normal cat grows to between 9-10 inches in height, whereas the Maine Coon breed is more commonly 10-16 inches! How Much Space Do Maine Coons Need? Every Maine Coon cat grows differently and varies in physical proportions. Consequently, there is no one set amount of space that you will require in your home should you wish to own a cat from this breed. The space required will ultimately depend upon your Maine Coons size. The larger your cat, the larger the space required to house them. It would be wise to consider the amount of space you have available in your home, before purchasing a Maine Coon cat. These kittens may look tiny right now, but will quickly grow bigger than the average cat you see walking down the street. Standard-sized cat trees and scratch posts simply will not suffice in the long run. From personal experience, we discovered that even the largest standard cat tree barely stood the test of time. Our cat 'Pippin' quickly outgrew the platforms and hammocks within the first year! We ended up buying this immense cat tower from Amazon (link here) because the platforms are large enough for our Maine Coon to curl up in. I love how the pillars of this tower are designed as scratch posts, allowing large breed cats to stretch up fully whilst scratching. Conclusion Despite the history of the Maine Coon cat being so unknown, these large cats have been massively adored and loved by so many. Originally from Maine, United States, they are often referred to as being 'gentle giants' because of their extremely laid-back temperament, sociable nature, and unconditional love they give you. Their large physical presence makes them look majestic and bold (some even might even say scary!). Yet, in reality, this large cat breed is one of the softest, kindest breeds that you could ever invite into your home. The Maine Coon is loyal and extremely sociable. They are great around young kids, and in our own personal experience, our Coon seems to not be frightened by the excitable screeching, and fast-paced movements of our young children!