The Oldest Maine Coon Cat

Since the average Maine Coon lives between 12 and 15 years, you’re going to be amazed to learn that the oldest Maine Coon lived to a whopping 31 years! This cat’s name was Rubble. I know that sounds CRAZY, but it’s TRUE!!
However, the oldest Maine Coon to have been 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.
The Oldest Maine Coon Cat
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 example of this was a cat named 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).
The oldest cat (non-Maine Coon) was named Creme Puff. He was born in 1967 and passed away in 2005, aged 38 years and 3 days.
The oldest non-Maine Coon cat alive today is a tortoiseshell named Flossie, who is a total of 27 years old (source 1,2).
Do Maine Coons Live Longer?
The Maine Coon lifespan ranges between 12 and 15 years. Their lifespan is shorter than the average cat, which ranges between 13 and 17 years.
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.
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 their expected lifespan.
Here is a chart comparing the Maine Coon’s lifespan to other cat breeds (source 1,2):
MCC Cat Lifespan Chart | 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 |
Indoor Vs Outdoor Lifespan
Most Maine Coons live between 12 – 15 years old, whereas 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 Old Is My Maine Coon Cat?
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 look for heart murmurs and breathing problems (source 1, 2).