34 Facts About Maine Coons
There are tons of interesting, funny, and unique facts about the Maine Coon that all contribute to them being amazingly unique cats. So keep reading to discover the best facts about Maine Coon cats!
The best Maine Coon cat facts include their love of water, ability to swim; obsession with human companionship, and film star role in ‘Harry Potter’. Maine Coons are famous for being the State cat of Maine, and the biggest and longest cat breed in the world. Their mysterious origins have left owners, vets, and historical scholars alike intrigued.
Best Facts About Maine Coon Cats
The Maine Coon is one of the most famously misunderstood domestic cat breeds in the world. As well as one of the largest!
While we have some general ideas about the Maine Coon cat origins, we are not 100% certain where the Maine Coon may have come from. But, there are some things we do know!
1. The State Cat Of Maine
Did you know that the Maine Coon is the state cat of Maine?
These iconic kitties cemented themselves in the local community and helped put Maine on the map worldwide.
While Maine might be well known in the United States, it is a different story outside of it because not many people are even aware it exists. However, given how wildly popular the Maine Coon cat is, people have started to take notice!
2. A Maine Coon Cat Has Been Cloned!
Julie from Texas owned a 17-year-old Maine Coon called Nicky who she loved ever so dearly. Unfortunately, Nicky passed away. But not before Julie managed to make a genetic clone of Nicky!
The clone was named Little Nicky and cost $50,000 to create. Little Nicky is the first commercially cloned cat (source 1).
3. They Have A Very Mysterious Origin In Folklore
The Maine Coon is one of the most mysterious cat breeds. Simply because we don’t know very much about them.
Have you heard the bizarre Maine Coon folktale that Maine Coon cats originate from a pairing of wild cats and raccoons? If not, read this guide.
You might wonder where this myth came from…The truth is that Maine Coons and Raccoons share these physical features.
Thus, people assumed such similar physical traits resulted from mating between raccoons and long-haired domestic cats.
Let’s put the record straight, this myth is nonsense and has been scientifically disproved.
4. Some Maine Coons Have Human-like Faces!
Maine Coons have unique faces, as cats go, which is part of the reason people love the breed so much. However, someone who has taken this a step further is a lady by the name of Tatyana Rastorgueva.
Tatyana has been selectively breeding Maine Coons for over 20 years in an attempt to make them look as human-like in the face as possible. And, to be quite honest, she has done a surprisingly good job of it!
Her Maine Coons have such unique faces that they almost look like their own species. Some people find it cool! Others find it unsettling!
It’s up to you whether or not you’d have one of Tatyana’s cats for yourself (source 1).
5. Largest Non-Hybrid Domestic Cat Breed
Maine Coons are not just one of the largest domestic cat breeds in the world. They are the largest non-hybrid cat breed to ever have existed!
These large cats evolved naturally without the help of human intervention.
6. They Came From Royalty
There is a rumor that Maine Coons may have originated from the last queen of France, Marie Antoinette.
Marie attempted to flee France after they abolished the monarchy, intending to head to America for sanctuary. However, she was captured before they could set sail.
The ship she intended to flee on reportedly fled without her, and on it, carrying her prized Angora cats. It is these cats that some people claim are the forefathers of the Maine Coon.
7. Oldest Maine Coon Reached 26 Years
The oldest pet Maine Coon (at least that we have a record of) was a 26-year-old cat who lived in Portland, Oregon. Given that Maine Coons are only expected to live to an average of 12-15 years old, this is quite an impressive feat.
To put this into perspective, a 26-year-old Maine Coon is double its life expectancy. It’s like a person living to be over 160!
8. Maine Coons Are Water Addicts
Maine Coons can, inarguably, be considered true water addicts! They are huge water lovers and are unique in their desire to play in the water and have a bath.
The stereotype of a cat that is terrified to touch water does NOT apply to Maine Coons. Some Maine Coon cats can even swim!
9. Mrs. Norris From Harry Potter Was A Maine Coon
Did you know that Mrs. Norris from Harry Potter was played by three different cats over the years? All of them Maine Coons!
It is pretty hard to get a cat to do what you want when you are filming. Especially when there is a tight schedule.
Even something as simple as walking down a corridor can be a troublesome task. With Maine Coons, their trainability makes the task a lot easier!
Most of the scenes with Mrs. Norris are played by a Maine Coon called Pebbles.
10. One Of The Easiest Cat Breeds To Train
Their above-average intelligence makes them quicker at picking up what we are trying to convey. It also allows them to have better mental recall when trying to replicate the trick down the line.
Combined with their strong affection for us, Maine Coons can be considered people pleasers and genuinely want to make you happy. Even if that means performing silly little tricks for our entertainment.
Here’s how to train a Maine Coon cat to play fetch.
11. They Can Be Service Animals
The Maine Coons exceptionally friendly and gentle nature makes them ideally suited to being a service animal for people in need.
One famous service animal was Stewie, who has now sadly died. He was also famous for being the longest domesticated cat in the world!
Learn more about how Maine Coon cats can be service animals, in this article.
12. 75+ Color Combinations
Maine Coons come in as many as 75 different color combinations from tabbie to blue.
13. Guinness World Record Breakers!
These cats have won various awards. The record that stands out the most is their Guinness World Record for being the biggest cat and longest cat in the world.
14. Longest Cat In The World!
Two Maine Coon cats own the record for being the ‘longest domestic cat in the world’, according to the Guinness World Record books.
Barvivel is currently the longest-living domestic cat in the world, which makes him the world’s biggest house cat! He measures a huge 120 centimeters in length and lives in Italy!
Prior to Barivel was Stewie who held the title for being the longest cat in the world at 48.5 inches.
15. Bushy Tail
Their thick bushy tails are often as long as their bodies and used to keep them warm during the cold winter months.
The Maine Coon tail is similar to that of raccoons, and both species can have a black ring around their tails too.
16. Semi-water-repellent Fur
The Maine Coon cat breed has semi-water-repellent fur, so don’t believe all those incorrect websites telling you that this large cat breed is waterproof!! They’re not!
Your Maine Coon will be soaked if allowed to sit outside in the rain for too long.
17. Close Bonds With Their Humans
These cats form very close bonds with their owners, making them one of the most loyal cat breeds. Their high social needs mean they want to spend as much time with their owners as possible.
They are not needy by nature, they simply like to know what you are doing and be nearby you, even if only on the other side of the room.
18. Labeled the ‘Dog Of The Cat World’
These large cats share many personality traits with dogs, making them one of the most dog-like cat breeds in existence. They love to play with their owners, fetch a piece of string, or chase the laser light.
Given their immense size and stature, plus higher than average levels of intelligence, the Maine Coon has been given the nickname ‘dog of the cat world’ because they act like dogs i.e. come when called, play ball, and go for walks on a lead.
19. The Book Of The Cat
Maine Coon cats have been around for many decades, and grow increasingly popular as the years roll on.
Looking back into their history I found this large cat breed was first mentioned in a book written in 1861, named ‘The Book Of The Cat’. According to the website Feliway, ‘Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines was a black and white Maine Coon (source 1).
20. Best Cat Winner
In the first big cat show held in Madison Square Garden in 1986, United States, a brown tabby Maine Coon cat named Cosey (or Cosie) was awarded the ‘Best Cat’ winner (source 1).
21. Gentle Giants
Another cat nickname that Maine Coons have been honored with is that of ‘gentle giant’ because they weigh up to 22 lbs, yet have the kindest, most gentle personalities.
They are not aggressive at all unless something like this has happened to them.
22. Slow Growth Rate
One less commonly known fact is that they have an exceptionally slow growth rate. Unlike normal cats that reach full-size by 2 years of age, a Maine Coon will not be fully grown until 3-5 years of age.
This lack of knowledge has resulted in many obese Maine Coon cats since owners overfeed their cats, worried they are not as big as they expected them to grow.
23. Better In Pairs
It is better to purchase or adopt Maine Coon cats in pairs, as this cat breed is prone to loneliness and has high social needs.
Adopting two Maine Coons means that the cats can play with each other, and always have a companion alongside them should you work away from home.
24. Need High Levels Of Protein
Maine Coon cats are obligate carnivores. They need to consume high levels of protein in their diet to maintain their strong muscular build and fuel their high energy levels.
25. Great Climbers
Maine Coons are great climbers, so make sure you have purchased an extra-large cat tree that they can climb up and down, like these.
Cat trees are particularly important for Maine Coons that live indoors since they need multiple ways to burn off excess energy.
A cat tower is the ideal way to exercise your Maine Coon cat, whilst also giving them a safe place to retreat to when they want to rest in a high place.
26. Hardy Cat Breed
Maine Coon cats are thought to have evolved naturally in the cold state of Maine, United States.
This breed has not been interbred with other cat breeds, which has enabled this strong muscular cat breed to evolve naturally and become one of the healthiest cat breeds.
27. Health Problems
Thankfully the Maine Coons history and natural evolution mean that they are not prone to suffering from a great deal of health issues.
The main Maine Coon health problems are as follows:
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy
- Hip Dysplasia
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Periodontitis
- Stomatitis
- Obesity
28. Some Maine Coons Are Banned!
Whilst Maine Coon cats are legal to own worldwide, certain Maine Coon colorings are not recognized within the breed.
If you look at the major cat associations, such as CFA, you will find that the following Maine Coon colors are not permitted:
- Chocolate
- Cinnamon
- Lilac
- Faun
These are the approved Maine Coon colors and patterns.
29. They Don’t Meow!
These are cats are known for being massively vocal nature, but rather than ‘meows’ they use the following weird Maine Coon sounds:
- Chirp
- Chatter
- Trill
Learn more about the unusual Maine Coon noises, in this cat guide.
30. They Look Like Mini Lynx Cats
A quick way to identify a Maine Coon cat is by its impressive ear tufts. They share the same fur tufts of hair on the top of their ears as those of Lynx cats! They are not part-lynx though, this is why.
It is possible to own a purebred grown lynx tips by the age of 2 years old, they will never grow them.
31. Popular Cat Breed
The popularity of this large domestic cat breed continues to rise.
Recognized for their giant proportions, internet fame (Kusa, Barivel, Bao Zi), and filmstar roles, these large domestic cats get a great deal of attention.
32. These Cats Are Famous!
Over the last few years, countless Maine Coon cats have risen to fame, seemingly overnight. For example, Kusa won the internets heart when his owner shared a photo of her holding him on her popular Instagram account. He looks HUGE!
Read more about Kusa the Maine Coon cat in my epic article!
Other famous Maine Coons include Barivel who won the Guinness World Record for being the ‘Longest Living Cat’ in the world. Meet him, here.
Gorgeous Bao Zi is another example of a Maine Coon that grabbed the attention of the internet. In 2023 he was a 6-year-old mixed Maine Coon cat. He enjoys traveling the world with his owners, and has visited more US States than I have!
Learn more about Bao Zi, in this article.
33. They Walk With Their Tail Held Up High
If your Maine Coon cat is walking towards you and they are excited to see you, they will walk towards you with their tail held up high!
When my blue Maine Coon becomes particularly excited he shakes his tail as he approaches me. This isn’t standard practice for the breed though, as for some owners this might result in your Maine Coon cat spraying!!!
When our eldest Maine Coon cat Pippin damaged his tail canal from an awkward jump, he was unable to hold his tail up and it was the saddest thing to see in the world.
The cat surgeon was not certain his tail would ever heal and talked about amputation. Thankfully, after three months his tail healed and his tail resumed looking like a flag pole!
You can follow Pippin’s story on Maine Coon Central’s Youtube Channel, here.
34. The ‘M’ On Your Cat’s Forehead Doesn’t Stand For Maine Coon!
Contrary to popular belief the ‘M’ marking on a cat’s face does not automatically mean that you own a Maine Coon cat! The marking is just a normal tabby marking.
Learn more about this fun Maine Coon cat fact, in this article about it.
