The lovable Maine Coon cat is generally considered a healthy and hardy cat breed, which prompts many first-time owners to ask, how long do Maine Coon cats usually live?
Maine Coons cats have an average lifespan of 12.5 years, though some Maine Coons have been known to reach 15+ years. The life expectancy of an individual Maine Coon depends on its genetics, lifestyle, general health, exercise levels, and diet. Maine Coon cats are prone to genetic diseases that may shorten their lifespan.
This is a very critical question considering that Maine Coon cats are prone to a number of hereditary health problems which we will discuss later in this article.
If you have just welcomed a Maine Coon cat into your life, and are thinking that your feline friend will be your companion forevermore, the bad news is that Maine Coons do not live as long as humans.
In this post, you will discover everything you need to know regarding the Maine Coon lifespan, including the factors that directly affect your Maine Coons life expectancy.
How Long Do Maine Coon Cats Usually Live?
Maine Coon cats are the largest domesticated cat breed in the world. Surprisingly though, their origin is steeped in mystery and intrigued.
This cat breed is thought to be native to Maine, US, but who their progenitors were and how they first arrived in Maine is still shrouded in mystery.
Despite their mysterious origins, this large cat breed has seen its popularity spike within the last few decades and now takes third place in the list of most popular cat breeds to own in America.
Their popularity is likely the result of the Maine Coon cats well known friendly and laid-back temperament and loving personality.
Especially since these characteristics make them ideal family pets, even in homes where other pets and kids already live.
While their sturdy physique was meant for outdoor activity, as a domesticated cat, the Maine Coon also loves to play and hang out with their humans.
They will even follow their owners from room to room, here’s why!
The Maine Coon cat has a dog-like disposition and above-average intelligence, which means they will quickly learn tricks like playing fetch.
If you are hoping to buy or adopt a Maine Coon, however, there are a lot of things you need to learn beforehand, to ensure you give this coveted cat breed the care and attention they need to live long and happy lives.
1. Health
Maine Coon cats are considered to be a healthy and hardy cat breed that adapted to survive in New England’s harsh winter conditions many decades ago.
Thankfully they only have a few genetic health issues to watch out for.
With this in mind, it’s not surprising that so many people ask me what is the average life expectancy of a Maine Coon cat? or, do Maine Coons live long?
As with other creatures, certain factors can affect the life expectancy of your Maine Coon cat. These factors include:
- Diet
- Genetics
- Exercise Levels
- Health
- Lifestyle
2. Lifespan Research
According to research by a pet insurance company in Sweden, the average lifespan of Maine Coon cats is 12.5 years.
During the study, the pet insurance company discovered that 74% of Maine Coons lived to 10 years or more, whilst 54% lived to 12.5 years or more.
Please be aware that the study did not compare male Maine Coon life expectancy vs female Maine Coon life expectancy.
We, therefore, have no definitive evidence to conclude whether the male Maine Coon lives longer than the female Maine Coon, or vice versa.
Even so, considering that male and female Maine Coon cats are comparable in many ways, it is safe to assume that both male and female Maine Coons have an average life expectancy of 12.5 years.
As with all average figures though, there will always be cats that live far less or far longer than the average figure stated.
This is evident by the fact that a few Maine Coon owners have reported that their Maine Coon lived for almost 20 years!
In fact, the oldest Maine Coon cat in history was called Rubble. He died at the age of 31 years, which proves that your Maine Coon might live far longer than you ever thought possible.
Just make sure you commit to your responsibility of giving your Maine Coon quality care and love.
3. Lengthening Your Cats Lifespan
As a Maine Coon owner there are several things you can do to make sure your Maine Coon cat has a longer life expectancy.
For example, ensure you feed your Maine Coon a diet high in protein, low in carbs, and low levels of fat. Your cat should also have roughly 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
You will also need to take your cat for regular health checks.
How Long Do Maine Coon Mix Cats Live?
A Maine Coon mix is a cat that has one Maine Coon cat parent, and the other parent is a different cat breed entirely.
Ultimately though, the Maine Coon mix has mainly Maine Coon features.
If you are in the market for a pet and considering a Maine Coon mix cat, you may want to know how long do half Maine Coon cats live?
The breed of a cat and whether or not it is purebred is vital in determining the lifespan of your cat.
A study in the United Kingdom found that crossbreed cats have an average life expectancy of 14 years.
This is fascinating considering that purebred Maine Coon cats are more sought after and tend to cost far more compared to mixed Maine Coons.
These are the most current prices you can expect to pay for a Maine Coon.
If you are in the market for a large cat, but cannot choose between a purebred Maine Coon or half Maine Coon cat.
Then keep in mind that Maine Coon mix cats may live longer than their purebred Maine Coon counterparts.
How Long Do Indoor Maine Coon Cats Live?
There are many things owners can do to increase Maine Coon life expectancy, and ensure their feline gets the best chance to live a longer, happier, and healthier life.
Did you know that indoor Maine Coon cats can live up to a decade more than outdoor Maine Coons?
One of the key ways to increase your cat’s lifespan, therefore, is to keep your Maine Coon as an indoor cat.
Keeping your Maine Coon as an indoor cat is a great way to keep the feline safe from the many external risks that threaten them, including:
- Predators
- Car Accidents
- Poison
- Theft
There will also be much less chance of your Maine Coon contracting unwanted illnesses or ingesting contaminated prey if they live indoors.
All in all, it is important to make you aware that both indoor and outdoor Maine Coons can live as long as each other if the outdoor cat is lucky enough not to meet with any of the hazards listed above.
It is therefore up to each individual owner to access the risks within their locality before allowing their treasured feline to roam freely.
As for life expectancy, Maine Coons kept as indoor cats typically reach 10-15 years but can reach the ripe old age of 20 years or more, depending on the quality of care they receive.
How long your Maine Coon cat lives will ultimately depend on its:
- Genetics
- Lifestyle
- Diet
- General Health
- Exercise
- Care
Importantly, there is no guarantee that keeping your Maine Coon indoors will increase its life expectancy.
All Maine Coons are prone to these genetic health conditions and other illnesses, so please make sure you learn the signs and symptoms to watch out for.
Do Outdoor Maine Coons Live Longer?
Whether you should keep your Maine Coon cat indoors or outdoors is a highly emotive subject often debated by cat enthusiasts across the world.
While the decision to keep your Maine Coon as an indoor or outdoor cat will always come down to each individual (and breeder contract), many aspiring owners usually raise a lot of questions about the Maine Coon lifespan outdoors.
What we can tell you, however, is that relative to indoor cats, Maine Coon cats that live exclusively outdoors often have a shorter lifespan of just 2 – 5 years, unless they are lucky and do not encounter these hazards.
In the outside world, Maine Coons are prone to a lot of external risks.
Here are some of the potential dangers that every outdoor Maine Coon cat is at risk of encountering:
1. Predators
Outdoor Maine Coons are at risk of becoming prey to larger animals.
In America, coyotes are known to pose a serious threat to the life of outdoor Maine Coon cats.
2. Poison
Maine Coon cats are obligate carnivores with impressive hunting skills. As such, an outdoor Maine Coon may prey on sick animals or potentially encounter poisoned dead meat.
Eating contaminated meat can drastically shorten their lifespan.
3. Diseases
Maine Coon cats that go outside unsupervised are at a higher risk of contracting diseases from other animals.
They may also contract parasites that jeopardize their health.
4. Traffic
Another big safety risk that outdoor Maine Coon cats face is that of traffic.
Since there has been a massive increase in the amount of traffic on today’s roads.
Furthermore, because Maine Coons are unable to navigate their way around fast cars, they can sadly become the victims of traffic accidents.
5. Humans
Outdoor Maine Coons are almost never safe from external risks.
They can potentially encounter ill-intentioned humans and be reduced to a carcass in minutes.
Do Maine Coons Live Longer Than Other Cats?
Maine Coon cats are generally healthier and hardier than other cat breeds.
Their average life expectancy is 12 – 15 years.
The average lifespan of Maine Coon cats does not differ significantly from the average lifespan of other cat breeds.
In fact, some large cat breeds are thought to live longer than Maine Coons.
How Old Is The Oldest Maine Coon Cat?
The world’s oldest Maine Coon cat is known as Rubble, who died at the grand old age of 31 years.
According to Rubble’s owner, Rubble had no specific health issues and died from old age.
Notably, while many people speculate that Rubble is the oldest cat ever, the truth is that the oldest cat ever in history is Creme Puff.
Creme Puff lived for a whopping 38 years and three days!
What Do Maine Coons Die From?
Whilst the Maine Coon is generally a healthy cat breed, this does not mean that they never get ill.
These regal big cats are prone to a number of genetic defects, which are known to reduce the lifespan of Maine Coons.
Here are the Maine Coon health problems every owner should be aware of:
1. Hip Dysplasia
This is a common joint disease that results in abnormal hip joint development. It is associated with pain and can cause loss of mobility or lameness in extreme cases.
Learn how to help a Maine Coon cat suffering from hip dysplasia.
2. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
HCM is a very common form of heart disease in Maine Coons.
It occurs when the left ventricle wall becomes abnormally large and thick.
These signs and symptoms may help you spot a cat suffering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
3. Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
This hereditary condition is specific to Maine Coons and occurs when the motor neurons in the lower spinal cord have degenerated.
Make sure you follow this advice if your Maine Coon cat is suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
4. Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
This is a genetic condition that occurs when multiple cysts affect a Maine Coon’s kidney.
The condition is irreversible and can be fatal.
Protect your Maine Coon cat from this disease by doing this.
Why Do Maine Coons Die Young?
The Maine Coon is a hardy cat that can live up to 12 years.
When you use the human years to cat years calculator, you might be surprised to see just how old your young cat is in human years.
Both Maine Coon cross breeds and purebred Maine Coons can develop complications due to underlying health issues.
For this reason, you may wish to know some of the common causes of early death in Maine Coons.
Most cats die young due to:
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Predators
- Poor Kitten Care
- Hip Dysplasia
- Internal Bleeding
- Heart Diseases
How To Increase A Maine Coon Cats Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of Maine Coon cats varies and is often dependent upon how the cat is cared for throughout its entire lifetime, including the very start of the breeding process.
Keep reading to learn how to extend your cat’s life, and help your cat live for longer:
1. Feed Your Maine Coon A Balanced Diet
Maine Coon cats can tolerate being fed on many types of foods, so you need not strain your pockets by buying costly cat feeds.
These dry foods are still the best for your special feline though.
A fat-free diet is mainly preferred for Maine Coons cats because they can quickly become obese if continuously fed fatty food.
Additionally, you need to mix both dry and wet food into their diet so that they do not experience stomach problems. Learn more about the Maine Coons sensitive stomach here.
You should ensure all food provided is animal-based that is rich in protein.
2. A Lot Of Exercise
Exercise is beneficial not only to a human being’s lifespan but also to animals.
Maine Coons need to be kept active through play activities for roughly 30 minutes each day. This is important in ensuring they stay fit, healthy, and mentally stimulated.
Keep in mind that Maine Coon cats retain their kitten energy and lively spirit late into adulthood.
If not engaged in play, a Maine Coon might develop health complications, or even worse, become obese and die.
3. Regular Veterinary Checkups
In an attempt to increase a Maine Coons lifetime, you must keep your cats’ vaccination history up to date.
Ensure your cat is appropriately vaccinated and is ready to fight any disease that may arise.
You should also organize regular veterinary checkups to ensure an optimum health range for your feline.
4. Proper Grooming
Grooming plays a vital role in lengthening a Maine Coons lifespan, so make sure you brush your cat a minimum of 2-3 times a week with these brushes.
Owners should groom the Maine Coons entire body, including their:
- Claws
- Ears
- Anal Parts
- Fur
- Eyes
In addition, make sure to clean your cat’s bedding and extra-large litter box.
When the cat is in a clean environment, the chances of contracting unwanted parasites are lowered.
5. Keep Your Maine Coon Indoors
Despite being an emotive subject, one guaranteed way of increasing your Maine Coon cat’s life is to keep them indoors.
This is because indoor cats have a longer lifespan than their outdoor counterparts.
In reality, indoor cats have a long life because of the immediate care they get from their owners. This care protects them from diseases that may shorten their lifespan.
Indoor Maine Coon cats also have a higher chance of surviving longer than Maine Coons permitted to roam freely.
To enhance the lifespan of your Maine Coon cat, it is advisable that you give your cat sturdy mind-stimulating cat toys like these.
Are You Shortening Your Cat’s Life Accidentally?
In the process of caring for your Maine Coon cat, you may end up accidentally lowering its life expectancy. Therefore, be cautious not to under or over care for your cat.
Here are some things you might be doing to your cat that can accidentally lower its life expectancy:
1. Ignorance To Cat Behavior Change
Most diseases that affect cats can be treated in the early stages.
The symptoms of these diseases are hard to notice though, especially if you do not keep a close eye on your Maine Coon cat.
Thus, failure to notice simple changes in a cat’s character puts your cat at risk of suffering from a severe underlying illness.
Furthermore, if you ignore symptoms a disease can develop and lower your cat’s life expectancy.
2. Limited Mental Stimulation
A less active cat is more likely to develop cat diseases related to weight gain.
Such cats can die quickly if exposed to a harsh environment.
3. Poor Dental Care Activities
Most cat owners assume brushing their kittens’ teeth is not necessary.
Your cat will not be comfortable if you fail to clean its teeth though, and may develop dental infections that cause sudden death.
This article explains why brushing your cat’s teeth is actually an essential part of the Maine Coon cat grooming process.
4. Stressing A Cat
If you own more than one cat, make sure to give your cats equal levels of attention. Otherwise, the cat given less attention may become stressed and get ill.
Consistent stress can shorten a cat’s lifespan.
5. Not Neutering Your Cat
A male cat that is sexually active might roam in the nearby bushes looking for mates.
If you desex your cat, it will be comfortable without mates and will not run away to search for mates in the nearby bushes where other wild animals might attack it.
You might be surprised to learn that there is actually a best age to neuter a Maine Coon kitten.
Click here to learn more about this fascinating subject.
6. Overfeeding
If you tend to overfeed your cat, then you increase the likelihood that your cat will develop a diet-related illness that shortens its life on earth.
To avoid this happening, follow our essential guide on how much to feed a Maine Coon cat.
How Old Is My Maine Coon Cat In Human Years?
Scientifically, cat years are not the same nor equivalent to human years.
This might at first appear like a lame concept, but it has some reality in it.
While your Maine Coon cat may only be 7 years in human years, they are similar to a 44-year-old human in terms of physical and mental development.
The first two years of a cat’s life are approximately 25 years of human life, while for the next year’s, a single human year is translated to four years.
Conclusion
Many first-time owners are likely to ask how long do Maine Coon cats usually live?
While it is pretty hard to tell exactly at what age do Maine Coon die it is commonly thought that the average life expectancy of a Maine Coon cat is 12 to 15 years.
How long your Maine Coon cat will live depends on its genetics, diet, and lifestyle.
Related Questions
Where Do Maine Coon Cats Live?
Maine Coon cats are thought to have originated in the state of Maine, US. While the cat breed has a wild origin, a fair share of Maine Coon cats are domesticated.