13 Things You NEED To Know About Maine Coons

Maine Coons are one of the most beautiful and affectionate felines in the world, weighing up to a staggering 22 lbs. They are an increasingly popular cat breed to own, especially in the U.S. and the U.K.

Before You Get A Maine Coon…

Maine Coon cats are the life and soul of the party. They are highly sociable felines that love spending time with their human owners. A hardy cat breed not prone to many health problems, this regal-looking cat displays dog-like traits e.g. following owners around and playing fetch.

What surprises a lot of people about Maine Coons is not just their gigantic size or mysterious origins, but just how dog-like their personality is. If you are wondering what dog-like traits Maine Coon cats have, read this!

Maine Coons are like any other feline in the cat kingdom – they play, chase, purr, and cuddle. But, somewhat surprisingly, many owners have also been able to teach their Maine Coon cat how to fetch, like a dog!

1. Purchase Cost

The purchase cost of a Maine Coon kitten or cat varies significantly across different countries, influenced by factors such as breeder reputation, lineage, and regional demand.

Below is a table summarizing the approximate price ranges in various countries:

Factors Influencing Price:

• Breeder Reputation: Established breeders with a history of healthy, well-socialized kittens may charge higher prices.
• Pedigree: Cats with champion bloodlines or rare colorations can command premium prices.
• Location: Availability and demand in a specific region can significantly impact cost.

Additional Considerations

• Adoption: Adopting a Maine Coon from a rescue organization can be a more affordable option, though purebred Maine Coons are less commonly found in shelters.
• Ongoing Costs: Beyond the initial purchase price, consider expenses for food, grooming, healthcare, and other essentials, which can add up over the cat’s lifetime.

When considering adding a Maine Coon to your family, it’s essential to research and connect with reputable breeders or adoption agencies to ensure the health and well-being of your future feline companion.

2. Cost Of Owning A Maine Coon

Whilst the purchase price of a Maine Coon kitten is high, you must never forget that the cost of owning a Maine Coon is also important to factor into your long-term budget.

The average cost per month of owning a Maine Coon is roughly $50 to $475, depending upon the items you purchase, or the vet you visit.

Whether you need to buy more food, new toys, annual vaccinations, a larger cat tower, or unexpectedly costly veterinary bills, all these costs must be paid.

These are my favorite extra-large cat trees, which are perfectly designed for Maine Coon cat owners.

Please keep in mind, however, that this monthly cost does not include paying for:

• Potential accidents
• Vet checkups ($40 to $250 per annum)
• Unwanted/wanted pregnancies
• Viruses such as immunodeficiency viruses
• Respiratory diseases
• Yearly tick and flea treatment

In addition, should the following Maine Coon ongoing costs also not phase you, a beautiful Maine Coon might be a good fit for your family (sources 1,2,3):

3. Size

Maine Coons are one of the largest and oldest purebred cats, growing up to 40 inches in length,

This cat breed grows slowly, reaching full size within 3-5 years of age. Their slow growth is vital for enabling these majestic felines’ frames to develop the bone and muscle needed for their large muscular build.

A “giant among giants,” Maine Coons are often crowned with Guinness World Records for the longest or largest domesticated cat in the world.

Below are the top 3 Guinness World record-holders:

Stewie

Stewie or Mymains Stewart Gilligan holds the title in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest cat of all time.

He measured 48.5 inches long from his nose to his tail, which was verified in 2020.

Stewie age eight died on February 4, 2008, of cancer.

If you are interested in learning more about the biggest Maine Coon cats in the world, read this cat guide.

Barivel

Barivel currently holds the title of the longest cat in the world, 47.2 inches long, or 3 ft. 11 inches.

The Guinness Book of World Records awarded Barivel the title on May 22, 2018. Learn more about Barivel in this article:

Ludo

Ludo is a 46.6-inch long Maine Coon from the U.K. He weighs around 34 pounds.

He previously held the title of longest Maine Coon in 2007. Read more about how big a Maine Coon cat grows in this article.

4. Personality And Temperament

Maine Coon cats are not just your typical domesticated cat. Whilst they are independent like most felines, the Maine Coon temperament and personality are also:

• Extremely loving
• Understanding
• Patient

You can rest assured that they will be incredibly loyal and protective of you, as long as you treat them well.

With naturally inquisitive and playful natures, they often become even more playful than your typical dog as time goes on.

Maine Coons have very dog-like characteristics and can be taught to fetch small items, like:

• Rolled-up paper
• Hair bands
• Small balls

These “unusual” characteristics may come from their mysterious origin.

Maine Coons are naturally friendly with everyone. They are sociable creatures that want to be around you all the time.

Maine Coon cats love company and are quite good with strangers, especially the male of the species.

By comparison, female Maine Coons will be friendly to a stranger on their terms, but in general, tend to be more reserved and cautious than their male counterpart.

If you have always wanted a cat that has the following traits, the Maine Coon is a perfect pet choice for your family:

• Likes to cuddle
• Does not mind getting wet
• Tolerant of children
• Not distressed by busy and loud family life

Maine Coons are also fantastic around other pets and are often considered to be one of the most laid-back cat breeds in the world.

Click here to read more about Maine Coon characteristics.

5. Health

The average lifespan of a Maine Coon cat is 12 to 15 years.

It is important to note, however, that some reports indicate a Maine Coon can live up to 15 years or longer!

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest recorded Maine Coon cat was Corduroy.

Corduroy was a 26-year-old Maine Coon who lived in Sister, Oregon.

He was adopted in 1989 together with Batman, his brother, who lived to be a whopping 19 years of age!

With a reputation for being a hardy cat breed, it is important that cat owners are aware that the Maine Coon is predisposed to developing certain health issues common to larger cat breeds.

These 7 Maine Coon health problems include:

• Hip Dysplasia: This is an illness that causes arthritis. If not treated early, it can lead to paralysis. These are the signs to look out for.

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy: This is a hereditary genetic disease that induces posture and instability issues. More information here.

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A cardiac disease. Read more about it.

• Polycystic Kidney Disease: A hereditary genetic illness where ulcers are formed in the kidneys. These are the warning signs of PKD.

• Obesity: Overweight, too many fatty cells.

• Stomatitis: This is inflammation in the mouth and gums. More details.

• Periodontal Disease: Learn more about Maine Coon cat teeth, here.

Owners must therefore remain vigilant and treat all health conditions quickly since minor illnesses left untreated can lead to more serious illnesses.

Regular visits to your vet and early interventions will help prolong your Maine Coon cat’s life expectancy.

6. Family Friendly

Maine Coon cats are family-friendly since they are:

• Sweet
• Affectionate
• Gentle
• Calm

They thrive in families with children. Maine Coons also love having a good nap on your lap, or next to you, but rarely demands a lot of your time and attention.

The Maine Coon cat loves to be cuddled by its owner when held like a baby provided they are socialized correctly whilst kittens.

However, be aware that your body heat may become too much for your cat. At this point, the cat will move to a cooler place.

A Maine Coons gentle and calm temperament makes them ideal with babies and children since they are not naturally aggressive felines.

The calm and laid-back temperament of a Maine Coon means they are not ruffled by a screaming baby laying beside them.

Whilst other cat breeds may hide from loud noises and chaotic activity inside the house, a Maine Coon will actively seek the action in the house out!

So, expect to find them laying next to or playing with your children.

A Maine Coon forms strong social bonds with every member of the family. They are a very loyal cat breed.

7. Exercise

Outdoor cats naturally get exercise, chasing a leaf, climbing a tree, or playing with a random stick they have found.

By comparison, an indoor Maine Coon must have roughly 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise.

Without proper exercise, Maine Coons tend to become obese.

Whilst Maine Coons are known to be playful, they can also be quite lazy felines so make sure your indoor Maine Coon gets the exercise they need to stay fit and healthy.

Here are some ways to exercise your Maine Coon:

• Walking: Maine Coons are intelligent and can be trained to walk on a leash and harness. A 30-minute stroll outside is a great way to exercise.

• Get A Second Cat: Having two cats in the same household will stop your Maine Coon from feeling lonely. The two can wrestle and chase each other!

• Play: If taught whilst still a kitten, the Maine Coon will play fetch with you! Laser pointers and feather toys are two other ways to exercise your cat. These are my top 5 favorite Maine Coon cat toys.

8. Grooming

Maine Coons have a thick dense undercoat and an outer guard coat. Like other cat breeds they shed dead hair while natural oils are released into the skin.

Some Maine Coons have long hair prone to matting. This is genetically linked, so if you noticed your cat’s parents had fur that tangles, your cat will likely experience this too.

The amount a cat’s fur sheds depends on the condition of its coat and the time of year. Maine Coons with fluffy coats tend to shed faster than Maine Coons with silky-textured, soft hair.

Ultimately, the Maine Coon’s genetics determine the level of shedding.

Brush your Maine Coon a minimum of 2-3 times a week, and more if your cat’s fur is prone to matting.

9. Sociable

Maine Coon cats are sociable, outgoing, and love the company of people. While other cats usually prefer to look for a quiet corner to relax, a Maine Coon will go to their family, even if there is a lot of commotion!

They are comfortable with human company and are happy to interact with strangers.

The male of the breed is more sociable and will easily approach visitors, whereas female Maine Coons take longer to be at ease with strangers.

The Maine Coon is not just a one-person cat. They are very loyal to a particular person but friendly towards everyone.

10. Indoor / Outdoor Cat

Maine Coon cats were historically outdoor cats that roamed the forest hunting for food to eat. Their thick fur protected them from the harsh cold winters of Maine. Today, however, Maine Coons are mainly indoor cats if you live in the US.

The transition from outdoor to indoor cats has not been too challenging for these gentle giants, since Maine Coons have such a laid-back personality.

Owners often keep these cats indoors because of:

• Outside dangers
• Compliance with their breeder’s contract
• Risk of theft
• The danger of being prey to coyotes, etc.
• Danger of traffic
• Risk of poisoning
• Fleas / Ticks

Maine Coons can be ideal indoor cats if you keep them happy inside your home. They can climb cat trees and sit on overhanging window ledges to watch the outside scenario.

If you allow your cat outside, be aware of the smaller dangers such as mosquito bites, fleas, dirty water, or mud in the cat’s fur can lead to infections.

If you keep your cat inside, the following factors need to be addressed:

• Maine Coons need a lot of human interaction
• They are very sociable
• Cat toys provide mental stimulation to their brain
• Bored cats can become destructive

11. Fascinated By Water

Unlike most cat breeds, a Maine Coon will actively seek out the water! Their semi-water-resistant fur helps to keep them warm and enables them to play in water, swim, and take baths.

Signs your Maine Coon loves water:

• Maine Coon joins you in the shower.

• The cat plays with water in the shower tray.

• The cat drinks water from a running tap.

• Maine Coon turns on the faucet and then plays with the water.

• Maine Coon rubs itself against your wet legs when you leave the shower.

• You may find your cat in the sink, whilst there is water in it.

• Your cat does not resist being cleaned with a wet sponge, or cloth.

• The Maine Coon likes to tip over glasses of water, then play in the wet mess.

12. Voice

Maine Coon cats are very vocal felines that chirp, purr, or trill to express their emotions, desires, and feelings. Alternatively, they may be chirping to get your attention because they’re hungry, thirsty, or distressed.

Maine Coons have a higher-pitched, soft voice that you may find delightful. They make the following sounds:

Chirping

A chirp is the Maine Coons trademark sound and distinguishes them from other cat breeds.

A chirp is a short, high-pitched ”hello” sound that shows the cat is happy. It is bird-like.

Trilling

A sound between a meow and a purr. When your Maine Coon chirps and purrs at the same time, it ends like a question. It often shows contentment.

But, not every Maine Coon trill, so do not think that your Maine Coon is unhappy if it does not trill.

Howling

This is an upsetting and unwanted behavioral trait that some Maine Coons will make, mainly if they are unneutered and unspayed.

The female Maine Coon cat howls when in heat. Males howl when they scent a female that is in heat.

Crying

Only usually heard when your cat misses you.

Hissing And Spitting

A sign that your Maine Coon faces a threat. That it wants to fight back.

Be sure to check on this immediately, for your cat’s safety.

Chattering

The feline sees something it wants to prey on but cannot get to it.

It also shows excitement.

13. Trainable

The Maine Coon is a clever cat breed that can be trained to follow simple tricks or tasks, e.g. walking on a leash, or playing fetch.