9 Signs Your Cat Is A Maine Coon Mix
Spotting a Maine Coon mix can be hard, but with the right know-how and tools, it is possible to tell if your cat has some Maine Coon DNA in it.
For starters, Maine Coon mixes can be recognized by looking for physical characteristics like a large size, muscular build, long bushy tail, and ear tufts.
You should also assess the cat’s personality and reference their pedigree papers, or request DNA testing for more accurate results.
Signs Your Cat Is A Maine Coon Mix
Maine Coon mixes are cats with some Maine Coon ancestry mixed with another cat breed.
Whilst the Maine Coon mix’s personality and physical traits may match that of a purebred Maine Coon’s, identifying a Maine Coon mix can still be tough.
Below are 10 signs that your cat is a Maine Coon mix:
1. Physical Characteristics
Physical traits are a simple way to start the process of spotting a Maine Coon mix.
However, using physical characteristics demands some detailed knowledge relating to the Maine Coon cat purebred typical features. So, let’s take a closer look!
There are several physical traits common to the Maine Coon cat breed, including their:
- Larger-than-average size
- Long bushy tails
- Lynx-like ear tufts
- Mane of fur around their necks
While Maine Coon mix characteristics may not fully include all of these traits, some of their physical features may resemble those of a Maine Coon.
The coat of a purebred Maine Coon cat is thick, and long in places, with a semi-water-repellent topcoat and a soft dense undercoat for warmth.
One especially striking feature is that the coat looks shaggy and is longer on the belly and behind the legs, while it is shorter on the shoulders.
Additionally, Maine Coons have large paws with tufts of fur used for navigating through snow and rugged terrain. Therefore, if you notice these features on your cat too, they might be a Maine Coon mix.
While these physical traits are commonly associated with Maine Coons, it is important to note that mixed breeds can vary widely in appearance.
Other cat breeds or mixed breeds may also have similar physical characteristics. Therefore, it is not an entirely accurate identification method, but if used with other methods, it can help.
2. Coat Color And Pattern
Maine Coons come in a variety of colors and patterns. Different Maine Coon colors include tabby, tortoiseshell, black, white, and gray, to name a few.
Here’s the latest Maine Coon color list for you to peruse at your leisure.
Maine Coon mixes may have similar coat colors and patterns, but mixed breeds can have unique colorations that purebred Maine Coons do not have.
A Maine Coon Tabby mix, for instance, may only be distinguishable as a mixed breed because of their height and fur length. The tabby coat pattern would not be a dead giveaway.
Any half-Maine Coon, half-domestic cat, can present a beautifully unique coat and pattern. An example of this is the Maine Coon Ragdoll mix or Ragcoon.
Ragcoons might show the classic colors of the Ragdoll: seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, flame, and cream. They might also have one of the three main Ragdoll coat patterns:
- Bicolor
- Colorpoint
- Mitted
In another example, when a Persian mixes with a Maine Coon, the fur coat could be even longer than a purebred Maine Coon’s.
Potential coat colors for this crossbreed include:
- White
- Silver
- Gold
- Cream
- Black
- Blue
- Gray
- Reddish-Orange
3. Temperament
One key way to identify a Maine Coon mix vs. purebred is by assessing the cat’s temperament.
The Maine Coon personality is well known for being friendly and sociable, even to strangers. Many call them “gentle giants” for their large size and loving nature.
Maine Coons tend to be intelligent and playful, which makes them great companions for families.
They have a positive reputation for being “dog-like.”, enjoying playing fetch, and following their owners around the house.
If you’ve been wondering why your cat follows you everywhere, read this article I wrote!
So, when trying to identify a Maine Coon mix, assessing the cat’s temperament can help.
A cat with a friendly, social personality who enjoys interacting with people, children, and other animals may have Maine Coon DNA.
That said, temperament may depend on many factors. For instance, it could be affected by the cats:
- Individual Personality
- Upbringing
- Environment
So, not all Maine Coon mixes will exhibit the same personality traits.
4. Pedigree Papers
These documents provide valuable information about a cat’s lineage and breed ancestry. Usually, breeders or cat registries issue them.
They are a valuable tool to help verify a cat’s purebred status.
Information about the cat’s parents, such as their names, registration numbers, and breed, may be included.
The papers may also state the cat’s siblings and previous litters the parents produced.
Cat breeders use these papers to help guarantee the quality and purity of the breed.
Unfortunately, though, not all cats come with pedigree papers. Furthermore, having papers does not guarantee that a cat is purebred, either.
In some cases, mixed-breed cats may have papers if their parents were both purebred cats of different breeds.
So, if you adopted your cat from a reputable breeder, see about these pedigree papers. They might just answer the question of whether you have a Maine Coon mix.
5. Genetic Testing
Genetic testing involves collecting a DNA sample from the cat.
This type of testing can provide a more accurate determination of the cat’s breed ancestry than simply checking physical traits or assessing personality.
Usually, the process starts by swabbing the inside of the cat’s mouth and sending it to a laboratory for analysis.
The lab will use the DNA sample to pinpoint specific genetic markers associated with different cat breeds.
Test results will then be compared to a database of known breed profiles, including Maine Coon, to determine the cat’s ancestry.
The whole process could take several weeks.
Ancestry testing can be expensive, and it may not be necessary if the cat exhibits clear physical characteristics of a Maine Coon mix.
Additionally, ancestry testing does not guarantee that a cat is purebred or even a Maine Coon mix. Instead, it provides a probability of breed ancestry based on the cat’s genetic markers.
Further, cat DNA testing is not regulated, so there is no way to ensure that the probability claim or DNA results are accurate.
6. Breeder Or Shelter Information
If you are adopting a cat from a breeder or shelter, ask about the cat’s lineage.
Using any resources surrounding the cat in question is a great way to move along the identification process.
The breeder or shelter may even know about the cat’s parents and breed ancestry. If that is the case, they can help you determine if the cat is a Maine Coon mix.
7. Grooming Habits
As mentioned, Maine Coon coats are famously thick and long.
They require regular grooming 2-3 times a week to prevent:
- Matting
- Tangles
- Sanitation Issues
Some Maine Coon cats enjoy being groomed and massaged, though this isn’t the norm for the purebred breed, as we’ve owned two Maine Coon cats that disliked being brushed, compared to one Maine Coon that loved it!
Maine Coon mixes may have that same thick coat that a purebred Maine Coon cat has and may enjoy grooming.
Therefore, carefully assessing a cat’s grooming habits can be used in conjunction with other methods to determine their mixed breed status.
8. Energy Level
Maine Coons are noticeably playful and energetic.
Owners may find them running around the house, and they require frequent exercise to stay fit and healthy.
Maine Coon mixes may share this high activity level.
Of course, energy levels vary depending on each cat’s personality and environment.
9. Health Issues
Like any breed, Maine Coons are prone to certain health issues.
These are the 7 most likely Maine Coon health problems to watch out for.
Common health concerns include:
While Maine Coon mixed breeds may not have the same health risks, they may still be more likely to inherit some Maine Coon genetic conditions.
Therefore, if you adopt a Maine Coon mix, research any health concerns associated with their breed or ancestry.
Identifying Maine Coon Mixed Kittens
Maine Coon mix kittens are a whole other ball game, when it comes to identification because they are not fully grown, so size and fur coat length cannot properly be assessed. Their coat color or eye color is also likely to change as they grow.
When Maine Coon kittens are born, they have blue eyes that change over time. They also have not grown out their signature long, fluffy tail yet, so there is no way to use that as an identification method.
However, within a few years, their appearance will begin to reveal their ancestry.
Additionally, most buyers do not get the chance to spend a great deal of time with a kitten before taking them home. This would have helped them to determine whether the cat’s personality seems to match that of a Maine Coon, or a Maine Coon mix.
Observing Other Maine Coons
If you are familiar with the behavior and appearance of Maine Coons, observing the cat in question next to other Maine Coons can help indicate whether it is a mix, or not.
This method is not foolproof though, but if a cat seems to mirror Maine Coons due to its size, physical features, or behavior, it may have some Maine Coon ancestry in it!
Consult A Vet
If you have tried all of the identification methods above but still have trouble, it may help to seek advice from a veterinarian or cat expert.
These professionals may offer insights based on their experience with various cat breeds and genetics.
Veterinarians may be able to perform physical exams and assess the cat’s:
- Health
- Weight
- Physical Traits
Also, they can help guide pet owners on subjects such as pedigree papers, ancestry testing, and other methods for determining cat ancestry.
Cat experts, like breeders or cat rescue organizations, may also offer insights.
They may be able to help identify specific physical characteristics or behaviors that reveal Maine Coon ancestry.
Take as much information as possible to a vet or feline expert if you go to them for advice, including the cat’s history or any possible cat relationships.
This will help the vet provide more accurate guidance on whether the cat is a Maine Coon mix or another breed (source 1,2,3,4).
