Maine Coon Lifespan

After losing Pippin, my Maine Coon cat when he was just 10 years old, I developed an unhealthy interest in understanding more about the Maine Coon’s health and lifespan. I was determined my younger Maine Coons, Mika, and Bali, would LIVE FOREVER!
While researching the subject to death, I stumbled upon a few unexpected finds, so make sure you keep reading to discover how to extend your cat’s life.
Average Lifespan Of Maine Coons
According to The International Cat Association (TICA), the official life expectancy of Maine Coon cats is 12+ years.
A Swedish pet insurance company’s research revealed similar findings in their study between 2003 – 2006, where they concluded that the median lifespan of Maine Coons was over 12.5 years.
Interestingly, their findings also highlighted that 74% of their Maine Coon cat sample lived to 10 years or more, whereas only 54% reached 12.5 years +. This highlights a marked drop in a Maine Coon’s lifespan between 10-12.5 years.
The Maine Coon breed is considered relatively hardy and healthy, having developed naturally in the State of Maine, United States. Like other purebred cat breeds though they are susceptible to a few genetic health problems.
The key causes of death for this large cat breed, include:
- Urinary Disease
- Trauma
- Neoplastic Disorders
- Infectious Diseases
Factors Affecting Lifespan
A Maine Coon’s lifespan is influenced by a mix of factors, including genetics, diet, exercise, preventive healthcare, and whether they live indoors or outdoors.
1. Genetic Predispositions
Maine Coons are generally hardy cats, but they do come with some genetic risks, which I’ve seen firsthand. Pippin, my first Maine Coon, had mild hip dysplasia, a condition more common in large animals but not unheard of in this breed.
Hip dysplasia can lead to discomfort as they age, impacting their mobility and activity levels. There’s research from the Winn Feline Foundation that highlights how conditions like hip dysplasia and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) are inherited in Maine Coons.
HCM, for instance, is a common hereditary heart disease in Maine Coons and can affect lifespan. Genetic testing is available, and breeders who test for HCM can help reduce its prevalence in the breed, promoting healthier cats and, ideally, longer lives.
2. Diet And Nutrition
Diet has been crucial in caring for my Maine Coons, especially when it comes to managing their urinary tract issues. All three of my cats, Pippin, Mika, and Bali have needed a urinary dry food diet due to health issues after eating ‘normal’ cat food.
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) emphasizes that high-quality, protein-rich diets are essential for cats, who are obligate carnivores since it supports heart health and reduces the chance of obesity.
Maine Coons, with their larger frames, benefit from a balanced diet with plenty of protein, moderate fat, and limited carbohydrates to support muscle tone and keep their weight in check.
3. Exercise And Enrichment
Maine Coons are active cats that need both mental and physical stimulation, and studies have shown that exercise is a huge factor in pet longevity.
My two Maine Coons, Mika, and, Bali, thrive with interactive toys, tall cat trees, and even leash walks (Mika’s favorite!).
According to research on pet behavior, active cats tend to have lower stress levels and reduced risks of obesity, both of which contribute to a healthier heart and muscles.
I also found a few studies on feline enrichment, like those summarized by the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, which suggest that physical and mental engagement can extend a cat’s lifespan by supporting emotional and physical health.
4. Veterinary Care
Regular veterinary care is essential, and Maine Coons benefit from routine health screenings that can catch issues early.
Pet insurance reports from companies like Embrace show that routine check-ups, vaccinations, and preventive screenings contribute significantly to feline lifespan.
Maine Coons are susceptible to conditions like HCM and kidney disease, which can be managed more effectively if detected early. Vaccinations are also key, as they protect cats from viruses that can severely impact health.
I’ve learned that staying proactive with vet visits is a huge help in keeping Mika and Bali in their best health.
5. Indoor Vs. Outdoor Living
One of the biggest factors influencing a Maine Coon’s lifespan is whether they live indoors or have access to the outdoors.
Research from the ASPCA and American Humane Society shows that indoor cats live significantly longer than those allowed to roam freely outdoors.
Outdoor cats face many hazards, from cars to predators, and they’re at higher risk of contracting diseases like feline leukemia and FIV.
How To Increase Cats Lifespan
If you are wondering how to keep your cat living longer then take note of the following six factors that play a huge role in increasing a Maine Coons lifespan:
1. Diet
Maine Coon cats are obligate carnivores that require a high level of protein in their daily diet.
Feeding a Maine Coon high-quality cat food only is one of the most important ways to increase the average lifespan of Maine Coon cats.
A healthy diet ensures your Maine Coon is getting the nutritionally balanced diet, with the correct nutrients, minerals, and protein.
The best diet for these gentle giants is:
- Fat-Free
- High Quality
- High Protein Levels
- Nutritionally Balanced
- Low Carbohydrates
High-quality dry food diets are beneficial for this large cat breed because they help limit the buildup of tartar on your cat’s teeth.
2. Overfeeding
NEVER overfeed a Maine Coon cat.
Overfeeding will reduce your Maine Coon’s life expectancy because it often leads to cat obesity which can be fatal for this big cat breed.
Physical activity is important for healthy cats, whereas overweight cats tend not to exercise.
If you notice your cat is gaining weight, seek professional veterinary advice to determine if your Maine Coon needs a low-calorie diet plan.
3. Weight
As one of the largest domestic cat breeds in the world, not all pet parents know how much a healthy Maine Coon should weigh during their various life stages.
This is because a Maine Coon’s growth rate is surprisingly slow, reaching full size between 3 – 5 years compared to other cat breeds that reach full size by 2 years of age.
To give your Maine Coon a long life, make sure you swat up on this Maine Coon size chart, so you know how big a Maine Coon cat should be.
The table below shows the average weight range of male and female Maine Coon cats, according to The International Cat Association (TICA):
Gender | Adult Weight (lbs) |
Male | 18 – 22 |
Female | 12 – 15 |
4. Genetic Diseases
Despite being known as a hardy, healthy cat breed, the Maine Coon cat has the following genetic predispositions:
- Obesity
- Hip Dysplasia
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
To prevent these genetic disorders and increase a Maine Coon cat’s lifespan, only buy pedigree Maine Coons from reputable breeders that test their breeding cats for these genetic conditions:
- HCM1
- SMA
- PK-Def
- PKD
- FIV
- FeLV
- F11
Cat obesity is one of the common diseases that Maine Coon cats are prone to, and is usually the result of overfeeding and lack of physical exercise. Learn more about Maine Coon obesity.
If you look at a Maine Coon growth chart you will notice that these large cats do not reach full size until between 3-5 years of age.
Some Maine Coon owners do not realize this and consequently overfeed their cats because they are worried they have underfed their Maine Coon. After all, the cat is smaller than they expected.
It is vital that owners do not overfeed their Maine Coon cats because obesity increases this cat breed’s risk of developing other diseases.
The Maine Coon cat’s large physical muscular frame makes them susceptible to developing hip dysplasia, causing arthritis and pain. These are the symptoms of hip dysplasia to look for.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is not common in Maine Coon cats but it is serious. Never ignore these symptoms.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a hereditary genetic disease that affects Maine Coon kittens between 3-4 months old. Learn more about it here.
This disease is “characterized by progressive instability with unsteady gait and posture abnormalities due to loss of motor neurons in the lower spinal cord, and atrophy of muscles in the hind limbs” (source 1).
5. Exercise
If you want to help your furry friend live a long and healthy life, encourage them to exercise for 20-30 minutes each day to keep their bodies fit and healthy.
Playtime is physically and socially beneficial for your cat and will help build a greater bond between owner and cat.
Maine Coons kept indoors are more prone to lack of exercise than cats permitted to explore the world outside.
If your situation does not permit your cat to venture outside, it is recommended that you purchase a cat tree, and suitable cat toys that enable your indoor cat to get regular exercise.
Another way to exercise an indoor Maine Coon is by taking them for a walk! Learn which are the best cat harnesses, in this article.
6. Registered Maine Coon Breeders
Maine Coon cats are genetically prone to developing certain health concerns that shorten the lifespan of a Maine Coon cat.
The best option to extend a Maine Coons life is to only buy from Maine Coon breeders that tested their breeding cats for diseases to prevent kittens being born with genetic defects.
Avoid backyard breeders offering to sell you a ‘cheap’ Maine Coon kitten. They keep their profit margins high by not testing their breeding kings and queens for genetic defects.
Unethical breeders are not interested in selling the best quality kittens they can like legitimate Maine Coon breeders are. They are also not Maine Coon fanatics!
7. Vet Health Checks
Maximize a Maine Coons lifespan by taking your cat for regular visits to an approved veterinary practice that will perform the necessary health checks on your cat’s health.
You should also keep up to date with your cat’s vaccinations and health requirements e.g. deworming.
Conclusion
As the largest domesticated cat breed, you might be wondering how to increase a cat’s lifespan so your tiny Maine Coon kitten has a chance of being the oldest Maine Coon cat to ever live!
But, how long do Maine Coon cats live on average? As you will have seen various studies purport that the average Maine Coon lifespan is 12.5+ years.
Whilst no Maine Coon cat lives forever, there are many ways a pet parent can increase their cat’s lifespan, including feeding these big cats the best diet, and ensuring they get daily exercise.
Regular veterinary checkups will also help you identify potential health issues sooner, rather than later.