Learning how to tell if your cat is a Maine Coon is harder than you might think because there is a lot more to a cat breed than a few distinctive physical traits.
A lot of cat owners wonder do I have a Maine Coon?
To determine whether your cat is a Maine Coon, check for distinctive physical and behavioral traits. Maine Coons are large, have a rectangular body, and medium-length shaggy fur. Their temperament is playful and affectionate.
To determine whether or not your cat is a Maine Coon, you will have to consider a variety of traits, including size, fur length, temperament, and much more.
Even though it’s very unlikely to accidentally happen across a Maine Coon cat, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible!
So, do I have a Maine Coon? Read on to learn how you can find out whether or not your cat is a Maine Coon.
Do I Have A Maine Coon?
The Maine Coon is a large and sturdy cat breed that originated in the cold state of Maine.
These thick-furred cats were prized for their hunting instinct, and they were kept by farmers and sailors to keep away mice and rats.
This is a cat breed that is swathed in mystery. While we do know that the breed originated in Maine in the early 1800s, nobody knows exactly how it came to be.
There are many myths surrounding the Maine Coon, and one legend even suggests that Maine Coon cats are a descendant of Marie Antoinette’s pet cats!
Discover more about the Maine Coon cat’s origins, by clicking here.
This breed is highly sought after for its large size and gentle demeanor.
The Maine Coon’s popularity means it is not as rare as it once was, but they are still harder to find than the average domestic cat.
Only a few people are lucky enough to happen across a Maine Coon at a shelter. Could you be one of those lucky few?
If you think your cat might be a Maine Coon, read on to find out more!
How To Tell If Your Cat Is A Maine Coon
If you are still wondering ‘do I have a Maine Coon?’, DNA testing is the surest way to learn your cat’s breed and heritage, but beware as tests are not 100% accurate.
Alternatively, there are a lot of specific traits you can look for, which can strongly indicate whether or not your cat is a Maine Coon.
Keep reading to find out more!
What Does A Maine Coon Look Like?
The first step in figuring out whether your cat is a Maine Coon is to look at its physical characteristics.
Size
One of the most recognizable traits of a Maine Coon is its size.
Whilst most Maine Coons are substantially larger than the average domestic cat, a small percentage of the breed can be average in size.
A Maine Coons size is dependent on the cat’s sex; female Maine Coons are typically smaller than males.
Weight
Male Maine Coons weigh between 15 and 25 pounds once they are fully grown, while females usually weigh between 8 and 12 pounds.
Height
Male Maine Coons stand at a height between 10 and 16 inches, and females measure between 8 and 14 inches tall.
Length
Both male and female Maine Coons measure a length between 19 and 40 inches from the nose to the base of the tail.
How does the Maine Coon size compare to the standard moggy you see walking down the street? Click here to find out!
Build
How to tell if your cat is a Maine Coon …. Maine Coons are usually much larger than the average housecat and have a solid and muscular build.
Maine Coon are also strong and rugged cats, so they are much more solidly built than the sleek Siamese or Abyssinian.
Their overall body shape resembles a rectangle. Their limbs are strong, and their paws are characteristically large and wide.
Ears
Another distinctive physical trait of Maine Coons is their tufted ears. While not every Maine Coon has “lynx tips” located at the points of their ears, this characteristic is present in most cats of the breed.
The inside of their ears is also covered in thick fur, designed to keep them warm in the harsh winters of Maine.
Colors and Patterns
While some breeds, such as the Siamese, have trademark fur colors or patterns, Maine Coons can come in virtually every color and pattern known to cats.
Unfortunately, this means you cannot tell if your cat is a Maine Coon based on the color or pattern of their fur.
There are 74 Maine Coon colors and patterns.
For a full guide to Maine Coon colors, pop over and view my article ‘Maine Coon Color Guide‘.
Fur
Maine Coons have medium-long, shaggy fur that usually forms a “mane” or “ruff” around their neck and shoulders. Hence the nickname ‘mini lion’.
Even though you can’t identify a Maine Coon based on its fur colors or patterns, the length of your cat’s fur can still help you determine your cat’s origins.
Maine Coons have a thick undercoat. They usually have longer fur around their paws.
Tail
Maine Coons have an easily identifiable tail. Their tails are bushy and also thick at the base.
Some Maine Coons have distinctive black rings around the base of their tails. This similarity with the raccoon lead many people to question whether the two are related.
Learn more about this query by reading my article: ”Is A Maine Coon Part Raccoon?‘
Voice
One surprising characteristic of Maine Coons is their unusual voice. In fact, did you know that most Maine Coons do not meow? Instead, Maine Coons will chirp and trill at their owners.
Maine Coons are a very vocal cat breed. They love letting you know what they want!
Here’s a short video of our adorable Maine Coon cat talking!
Many Maine Coons will chirp and trill at their owners instead.
If you are concerned that your Maine Coon has become increasingly vocal, discover what factors might be causing this. Click here for more information.
Temperament
While Maine Coons have a lot of distinctive physical characteristics, their personality is just as legendary as their appearance.
Personality can vary from cat to cat, but in general, Maine Coons are famous for their gentle and easy-going personality.
They are great with kids and are loving and devoted to their family members.
Another hallmark of their personality is their playful nature. Most Maine Coons have the energetic and playful demeanor of a kitten, even when they are old!
Maine Coons are often referred to as having a dog-like personality, and some Maine Coons will even learn to play fetch.
Watch this funny Maine Coon cat fetching the ring of a plastic bottle!
Intelligence
Maine Coons are a very intelligent cat breed, and many will easily learn how to do tricks.
They are also emotionally attentive, and can usually pick up on the mood of their owners.
Some Maine Coons have even been known to comfort their owners when sensing they are upset! Our Maine Coon has acted in this way.
The following incident was kind of bizarre!
I was laid on the cold tiled floor in pain, unable to move. Pippin immediately came over and lay very very close to me, as if he sensed something was wrong.
Watch this funny Maine Coon cat performing tricks for it’s owner!
DNA Testing
If you’re having a hard time figuring out whether your cat is a Maine Coon, or if you simply want to know more, buy a cat DNA test.
By sending in a sample of your cat’s DNA (usually through a cheek swab) you can learn all about your cat’s ancestry (source 1).
Please note that DNA tests are not yet 100% accurate. If you are still interested in buying a cat DNA test, I recommend using this DNA test. It is available via Amazon, and the reviews rate it highly.
Do I Have A Maine Coon Kitten?
Here are some specific details to look out for if you are trying to figure out if your kitten is a Maine Coon.
a) Maine Coon Kitten Paws
Maine Coons have characteristically large paws, which will stand out on a young kitten.
If your kitten has disproportionately big paws, there’s a chance it might be a Maine Coon!
b) Maine Coon Kitten Size Chart
Maine Coons grow at a much slower rate than most cats, and do not reach full size until they are between three and five years old.
If you suspect your kitten may be a Maine Coon, track its size by weighing and measuring it monthly. A Maine Coon kitten will typically gain about a pound every month between the ages of three to seven months.
Measure your kitten sizes, against the weights I list in this table to ensure that your Maine Coon kitten is growing at the correct speed.
c) Maine Coon Kitten Ears
Maine Coon kittens have larger ears than most kittens.
While many adult Maine Coons have lynx ear tips, it usually takes about 12 weeks for this feature to grow on your kitten’s ears.
If your cat has not grown lynx tips by the time it is two years old, then they will not grow lynx tips at all.
d) How To Tell If Your Cat Is Half Maine Coon
If you are trying to figure out if your cat is half Maine Coon, compare your cat’s physical and behavioral traits to all of the characteristics listed earlier.
A cat that is half Maine Coon might exhibit some of the traits of a Maine Coon cat, while also exhibiting some traits of whatever other cat breed it is mixed with.
For more information, make sure to read my full guide: How To Tell If My Cat Is Part Maine Coon.
Did you know that some Maine Coon cats have been bred with Bengal cats? Discover more about this fascinating Maine Coon mix by clicking on the picture below.
Do I Have a Maine Coon Mix?
If you have a Maine Coon mix, that means it will have some Maine Coon ancestry, but it will not be purebred.
To determine if you have a Maine Coon mix, you can compare your cat’s traits to the traits of a Maine Coon, which we discussed earlier.
Where Can I Get a Maine Coon Cat?
It is possible to find Maine Coons at pet stores and shelters, as well as online groups such as Facebook.
There are also many rescue centers that focus solely on finding homes for mixed and purebred Maine Coons.
Otherwise, you can purchase a Maine Coon from a breeder that is certified by the CFA (if you live in the US) or TICA (if you live in the UK).
Conclusion
A lot of cat owners wonder “Do I have a Maine Coon?”.
While it is less common to find a Maine Coon as it is a regular domestic cat, it is possible to adopt a cat that just so happens to be a purebred or mixed Maine Coon.
You can learn how to tell if your cat is a Maine Coon by observing its temperament and physical traits.
If your cat matches most of the distinctive characteristics of a Maine Coon, there’s a chance it might be of that breed!
Related Questions
Maine Coon Cat Clicking Noise
Unlike most cats, Maine Coons do not typically meow. Instead, they vocalize with chirps or trills that can sometimes sound like a clicking noise.
Maine Coon Mix Lifespan
Maine Coons live, on average, between 12 and 15 years. If your cat is a Maine Coon mix, it may live to be older or younger than this estimated lifespan, depending on your cat’s other breed ancestries.