Meet The Oldest Maine Coon Cat
The Maine Coon is a hardy breed known for its long lifespan, but how old is the oldest Maine Coon cat?
The average Maine Coon lives between 12 and 15 years. The oldest Maine Coon was named Rubble and lived to be 31 years old. The oldest Maine Coon officiated by Guinness World Records was 26 years old. Indoor Maine Coons live much longer than outdoor Maine Coons, though conditions like Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy can shorten the Maine Coon’s life.
Maine Coons are known to be a healthy breed with few health problems. While they typically live between 12 and 15 years old, they can live much longer, making them a big commitment.
Read on to find out whether or not this long-lived cat breed is right for you.
How Old Is The Oldest Maine Coon Cat?
The average Maine Coon life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years. But, what is the oldest Maine Coon cat to ever live? This is a long-lived breed with minimal health problems.
The world’s oldest Maine Coon according to the Guinness Book of World Records was a Maine Coon mix named Corduroy. She lived to be 26 years old until, sadly, she passed away in 2016.
While the Guinness Book of World Records is a great place to start, people have to pay a lot of money to be submitted to the book so there might be Maine Coons that lived even longer!
One such cat was Rubble, a male Maine Coon who lived to be 31 years old until he died in 2020.
His owner, Michele, passed up the opportunity to submit him to the Guinness Book of World Records because she did not think he would like the attention, especially during his senior years (source 1).
Do Maine Coons Live Longer Than Other Cats?
The Maine Coon lifespan ranges between 12 and 15 years, but how does this compare to other cat breeds?
Overall, the Maine Coon’s lifespan is somewhat shorter than the average cat, which ranges between 13 and 17 years.
However, today, cats live much longer than they did decades ago, as research and pet care have improved greatly.
Compared to other cat breeds, the Maine Coon’s lifespan is average. However, their minimal health problems mean they’re less prone to fatal conditions than longer-lived breeds like the Siamese.
So, what is the average lifespan of a Maine Coon mix?
You can probably assume a Maine Coon mix will live between 12 and 17 years, but since mixes can have one parent of any breed, it is impossible to know for sure.
Here is a chart comparing the Maine Coon’s lifespan to other cat breeds (source 1,2):
| Cat Lifespan Chart By Maine Coon Central | Lifespan | Health Problems |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Coon | 12 – 15 years | Minimal |
| Regular Cat | 13 – 17 years | Unknown |
| Siamese | 12 – 20 years | Severe |
| Burmese | 16 – 18 years | Moderate |
| Savannah | 12 – 20 years | Minimal |
| Russian Blue | 15 – 20 years | Minimal |
How Old Is The Oldest Cat In The World?
The oldest cat who ever lived was named Creme Puff. He was born in 1967 and passed away in 2005, aged 38 years and 3 days.
The oldest cat alive today is a tortoiseshell named Flossie, who is a total of 27 years old (source 1,2).
Oldest Living Maine Coon Cat
Currently, none of the recognized oldest living cats today are Maine Coons.
The Maine Coon known for having the longest life was Rubble, who died just before his 32nd birthday.
The oldest living cat today is Flossie, a tortoiseshell cat who is 27 years old.
Indoor Maine Coon Lifespan Vs Outdoor Maine Coon Lifespan
If you want to know how long indoor Maine Coon cats live compared to outdoor cats, the answer is significantly longer.
While most Maine Coons live to be between 12 – 15 years old, the lifespan for an outdoor cat is only 2 to 5 years old.
Outdoor cats rarely die of natural causes, as there are countless threats to cats outside, including:
- Vehicles
- Wild Animals
- Other Cats
- Poisons and Pesticides
- Sick Prey
If you are worried your Maine Coon is not getting enough enrichment, you should get your cat fully vaccinated and take it outside on a leash and harness.
That way, your Maine Coon can experience the outdoors in a safe, supervised manner.
You might also want to consider building a catio or getting a dog kennel in your backyard so your Maine Coon does not feel cooped up inside.
How To Tell How Old A Maine Coon Cat Is
If you are wondering how old is my Maine Coon, you will get the best answer from your vet.
However, there are a few things you can look for on your own to get a better idea of your Maine Coon’s age:
1. Teeth
Kitten’s teeth do not grow until they are between two and four weeks old.
Once they are about six months old, all of their baby teeth are replaced with their permanent adult teeth.
The amount of tartar, plaque, and wear on your cat’s teeth can help you determine how old it is, too.
2. Eyes
At around three to eight weeks, a kitten’s eye changes from blue to its permanent eye color, a process that is usually complete around three months of age.
If your cat has cloudy or teary eyes it is likely ten years or older.
3. Fur
The color and condition of your cat’s coat can tell you a lot about its age. Young kittens have fine, soft fur, while adult cats have thick, coarser fur.
Cats that are a healthy weight but have matted or tangled fur are likely senior cats, as they tend to have joint problems that prevent them from caring for their coat as they get older.
Greying fur, particularly on a cat’s face, can also indicate aging.
Finally, some black cats “rust” from sunbathing as they get older (source 1).
What Do Maine Coons Die From?
Maine Coons are generally considered healthy cats, but some genetic conditions can reduce their lifespan.
Below are the main causes of death for Maine Coons:
Contagious Illness
The highest cause of death among cats is Feline Leukemia, which cats can contract after being scratched or bitten by another cat with the condition.
There are many other dangerous and deadly contagious illnesses such as rabies, so keeping your cat indoors is the best way to keep your cat safe.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
One of the most worrisome genetic conditions that Maine Coons are prone to is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
This chronic condition has no cure and ultimately ends in death.
It causes the walls of the affected cat’s heart to thicken over time until the heart is no longer able to perform its normal functions.
Learn more about this health problem, in my article: Maine Coon Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Kidney Disease
Cats are especially prone to kidney disease.
Maine Coons are prone to Polycystic Kidney Disease, which causes cysts to form in the kidneys over time.
This condition can be fatal, but some cats go their whole lives without complications from it.
To reduce the risk of other kidney diseases, make sure you provide plenty of water, preferably from a fountain, as well as wet food.
Learn more about Maine Coon Kidney Disease, in this article.
Maine Coon Cancer
While the average lifespan of cats has increased over the years, as cats live longer they are more likely to contract cancer.
Gastrointestinal cancer is the most common cancer found in cats.
Unfortunately, once a cat is diagnosed with cancer the prognosis is often bad. This is why it is important to bring your cat in for frequent checkups, so your vet can spot signs of illness sooner.
These are common signs and symptoms of Maine Coon Cancer.
Cardia Disease
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is the only genetic heart condition Maine Coons are prone to.
However, even if your cat does not have Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy it is still vulnerable to heart disease.
Make sure you take your cat in for frequent checkups with the vet so they can keep an eye out for heart murmurs and breathing problems (source 1,2).
