How Many Maine Coons Are There?
There’s no way to know for sure how many Maine Coon cats there are. However, there are 600 million – 1 billion cats in the world, less than 5% of which are purebred, meaning there are fewer than 30 million Maine Coons.
While breeding associations like the CFA do keep track of all registered Maine Coons, they have not released any numbers to the public.
How Many Maine Coons Are There?
There are about 30 million purebred cats in the world, but since there are dozens of different cat breeds, it is impossible to say just how many of them are Maine Coons.
The CFA recognizes 45 different cat breeds, so at the very least there are about 600,000 Maine Coons in the world, but that number is probably much higher.
While official cat fancier organizations like TICA and CFA do keep registries of all the Maine Coons their breeders have adopted out, they have not released these numbers to the public.
Thanks to the CFA’s yearly top breeds list, though, we do know that the Maine Coon is the second most popular cat breed in America as of 2022! (source 1,2).
Are Maine Coons Rare?
Finding a Maine Coon through a breeder can be a long and difficult process, but they are one of the most common cat breeds due to their popularity.
Are Maine Coons Endangered?
Maine Coons are far from endangered. With hundreds of catteries worldwide dedicated solely to breeding this breed, Maine Coons are thriving. They are also the second most popular cat breed in America, and their popularity continues to grow!
However, one fascinating Maine Coon fact is that their future wasn’t always so secure. After World Wars I and II, the Maine Coon faced near extinction.
During the wars, many cat fanciers lacked the time and resources to continue breeding, putting several cat breeds, including the Maine Coon, at risk.
What dealt the biggest blow to the Maine Coon’s popularity, though, was the rise of the Persian cat. If you’re curious about how these two breeds compare, check out this article on Persian vs. Maine Coon.
Persian cats, first developed in 1875 and officially registered by the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 1906, became incredibly fashionable thanks to their long hair and docile nature. By the 1950s, they had nearly replaced Maine Coons altogether.
Thankfully, dedicated Maine Coon breeders refused to let the breed fade into obscurity. Their efforts paid off when, in 1985, the Maine Coon was named the official state cat of Maine, its place of origin.
This recognition marked a turning point, leading to a resurgence in the breed’s popularity. Sources: (1),(2).
Maine Coon Origin
The origins of the Maine Coon are shrouded in mystery, and we do not know exactly how this unique breed came to be.
What we do know is that Maine Coons first emerged in the 1800s in the U.S. state of Maine.
There are various theories about how they arrived in America, with some enthusiasts suggesting that Maine Coons descended from Viking cats or even the cats of Marie Antoinette!
While these theories are more fanciful than factual, longhaired cats were likely brought to America aboard ships, either deliberately or accidentally.
These cats likely bred with local feral cats, and over time, they developed unique adaptations to survive the harsh, snowy climate of Maine.
For example, Maine Coons evolved wide paws—often with extra toes—to help them walk on snow without sinking.
Their thick, triple-layered fur provided insulation, keeping them warm and dry in icy conditions. You can learn more about the fascinating polydactyl Maine Coon cat here.
Local farmers and sailors soon took notice of these remarkable cats. Their large paws, intelligence, and excellent hunting skills made them far better at catching mice and rats than other cats.
Farmers and sailors began keeping Maine Coons as pets, and their popularity soared—not just for their hunting abilities but also for their affectionate and loving nature.
Today, the Maine Coon remains one of the most cherished and iconic cat breeds in the world.
Maine Coon Lifespan
As beautiful as they are, many cat breeds suffer from shortened lifespans. This is because genetic mutations often result in unique coloration, patterns, or proportions that are so rare that breeders can only preserve them through inbreeding.
While inbreeding does help retain rare features, it also makes offspring more likely to inherit dangerous genetic conditions.
Since the Maine Coon first originated naturally, it is one of the healthiest cat breeds in the world!
Still, there are some genetic conditions they can be prone to, such as these most commonly inherited conditions:
Thankfully, responsible Maine Coon breeders perform genetic testing on all parents before allowing them to breed, thus reducing the chances of any inherited conditions.
As a result, the Maine Coon is a hardy, long-lived breed. The average Maine Coon cat can be expected to live between 12 and 15 years!
How Many Breeds Of Maine Coon Are There?
All domestic cats have the same genus and species, Felis sylvestris.
The Maine Coon is just one breed, but there are two different “styles” of Maine Coon that can be found. The classic American style of Maine Coon has an overall “softer” look than the European style.
European Maine Coons have powerful muzzles and very serious expressions, while American Maine Coons have softer muzzles and bigger eyes.
Overall, European Maine Coons look more like wild cats, while American Maine Coons look closer to regular domestic cats.
Read more about these two Maine Coon types.
Useful Maine Coon Cat Information
If you’ve loved reading our article, take a look at the following useful Maine Coon cat breed information.
This is the best Maine Coon cat gear, for your precious gentle giant:
