Maine Coons are famous for being the largest domesticated cat breed in the world, but many owners still wonder, do Maine Coons have long legs?
While these cats are enormous, their well-rounded proportions and long fur might make them look shorter than they are.
In proportion to their bodies, Maine Coons legs are medium in size. Since they are typically much larger than most cats, however, their legs are longer than the average cat. However, Maine Coons have long, thick fur that drapes down from their chest and belly, which hides parts of their legs and make their legs appear shorter.
Maine Coons have medium-sized legs in proportion to their bodies, but these enormous cats are still much larger and taller than most cats. However, not all Maine Coons are the same size!
Read on if you are curious about why your Maine Coon’s legs seem short.
Do Maine Coons Have Long Legs?
The Maine Coon is one of the most popular cat breeds in the entire world.
These cats originated naturally in the cold state of Maine, where they developed thick fur and an enormous size to protect them from the elements.
Today, the Maine Coon is recognized as the largest cat breed in the entire world.
They weigh between 8 and 25 pounds on average, and males stand at a height of 10 to 16 inches, while females measure between 8 and 14 inches tall.
Maine Coon height is much higher than the average cat, but still, some owners wonder, do Maine Coon cats have short legs?
While it may seem silly at first, the Maine Coon’s long fur can have people wondering, are Maine Coons short?
Maine Coons have a thick, semi-longhair coat, which drapes elegantly from their chest and belly. However, all this extra fur can make it look as though their body is larger than it is, while making their legs look shorter.
These cats also have a thick, muscular build, with even body proportions.
They might look more stocky than lean and slender, but do not let their appearance fool you!
Most Maine Coons are well above the size of an average cat, and some have even reached lengths of several feet long!
Read our guide on Maine Coon vs Normal Cat size if you want to learn more.
While Maine Coons may appear a bit short at first, you will soon find out otherwise once you begin to wonder, how tall are Maine Coon cats on hind legs?
If you pick up a relaxed Maine Coon and hold it so that it “stands” on its hind legs, it can easily measure between two and four feet long!
Do Maine Coons Come In Different Sizes?
Maine Coons have a strong reputation for their enormous size.
If you got a Maine Coon whose size has not reached that of famously large cats on the Internet, it might leave you wondering, can a Maine Coon cat be small?
While many of the popular Maine Coons online are quite large, not every cat of this breed is destined to grow huge!
Here are some possible reasons why your Maine Coon might be smaller or shorter than you were expecting:
It Has Not Reached Full Size
If you are disappointed because you can only find small Maine Coon kittens for sale, or you are worried that your small Maine Coon will never grow big, do not fret!
Maine Coons usually end up weighing between 8 and 25 pounds, but it takes much longer for them to reach their full size than the average cat.
Maine Coons are not fully grown until they are between three and five years old.
Genetics
Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee the size of your Maine Coon, and even if your Maine Coon’s parents are larger than average, your cat’s unique genetic makeup might end up different.
If your cat looks like Maine Coon but small, that does not mean it is not a Maine Coon!
Some cats of this breed, particularly female cats, simply end up about the same size as an average cat.
Dwarfism
Dwarfism is an inherited genetic condition that leads to shortened legs, among other health problems.
A so-called Munchkin Maine Coon may look cute, but keep in mind that this genetic mutation affects more than a cat’s legs, and it can lead to joint pain and other health problems in the future.
Runt Of The Litter
A Maine Coon runt of the litter can occur in a few different ways.
Runts may occur when a female cat has kittens with more than one cat, and the kittens conceived at a later date are born prematurely.
Sometimes, a mother cat may have a y-shaped uterus, which can cause one kitten to develop in an awkward position, leading to fewer nutrients and smaller size.
It Is A Mix
A mixed Maine Coon cat shares some Maine Coon ancestry, but also has ancestors that are not Maine Coon or fully Maine Coon.
A small Maine Coon mix just means that your cat did not inherit the enormous size of its Maine Coon ancestor.
Learn how to tell if your cat is part Maine Coon, or not here.
It Is Not A Maine Coon
While small size does not necessarily mean your cat is not a Maine Coon, if you do not have official documents proving your cat is a Maine Coon, you may have a different cat breed altogether.
Unfortunately, there are many scammers who try to sell Maine Coon mixes or even cats that are not Maine Coons at all, but advertise them as fully Maine Coon.
Make sure you ask the breeder these important 20 questions, before buying a Maine Coon kitten.
Maine Coon Size Compared To Normal Cat
If you feel like your Maine Coon is not as big as it should be, you might be wondering, do Maine Coons get big?
Overall, compared to normal cats, Maine Coons are much bigger on average.
While the average cat weighs between 6 and 10 pounds, Maine Coons average between 8 and 25 pounds.
Normal cats typically measure a height of 8 to 10 inches, and Maine Coons usually stand between 8 and 16 inches tall.
However, Maine Coons that are on the smaller size can end up being just as small as a normal house cat, so it is important not to set your expectations too high!
If you have a younger cat, you might also want to know, how big should my Maine Coon kitten be?
A lot of Maine Coon owners wait anxiously for their cat to reach full size, hoping it ends up as big as they dreamed.
If you are worried about your kitten’s growth rate, consider keeping a growth chart to know if your cat is gaining weight steadily.
If you are still worried, then it might be a good idea to take your kitten to the vet, to ensure it is at a healthy size.
How Can You Tell If A Cat Has Maine Coon In It?
Unless you have purchased a Maine Coon from a registered breeder, there is no way to know for certain if your cat is a Maine Coon, aside from expensive genetic testing.
However, if you have found yourself wondering how to identify a Maine Coon kitten, or you simply want to know if your cat is half Maine Coon cat, then here are some traits that may indicate your cat is part Maine Coon:
Large Size
Maine Coons are much larger than the average cat, typically weighing between 8 and 25 pounds and measuring 8 to 16 inches tall and about 40 inches long.
Wild Appearance
Some Maine Coons, particularly those bred in Europe, have a fierce-looking face, with a broad, chiseled muzzle and intelligent, almond-shaped eyes.
Personality
If you are trying to identify your cat’s ancestry by looking up things like, is my cat a Maine Coon quiz, then you will probably find a lot of emphasis on your cat’s appearance.
However, personality can also be an indicator.
Maine Coons are loyal, intelligent, and doglike, with great patience for young children and other pets.
Semi-Water Repellent Coat
Maine Coons have a semi-longhair coat that is longest around their paws, chest, and belly.
They have a dense triple coat that is semi-water repellent, and they tend to have longer tufts of fur on their ears and paws.
Love Of Water
Another unique Maine Coon trait is their love of water!
These cats tend to play in the water and often drop things in their water bowl.
Cat Breed With Really Long Legs
Maine Coons may be the largest cats out there, but their proportions are well-rounded, while other cat breed proportions can make their legs look even longer.
Here is a list of cat breeds with long legs and tails (source 1):
- Savannah
- Norwegian Forest Cat
- Egyptian Mau
- Oriental Shorthair
- Oriental Longhair
Cats Similar To Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is a unique breed, but while there is no single cat breed just like them, there are still some breeds that share similar traits.
If you like the Maine Coon but do not know if it is quite the perfect fit for you, then here are some other cats that look like Maine Coons:
- Norwegian Forest Cat
- Somali
- Siberian
Want to learn more, then read my article 15 Cat Breeds Similar To The Maine Coon.
Conclusion
Even though Maine Coons are known for being the largest cat breed, some owners still wonder, do Maine Coons have long legs?
Maine Coons have average legs in comparison to the rest of their body, but because they are so much larger than most cats, their legs are also longer than the average cat.
However, their stocky build and long fur can make their legs appear shorter than they truly are.
Related Questions
Do Norwegian Forest Cats Have Short Legs?
Norwegian Forest Cats have long legs; in fact, their hind legs are actually longer than a Maine Coon’s!