Maine Coons are becoming an increasingly popular cat breed, but Kefir the giant Maine Coon cat from Russia has proved that these cats can become stars all on their own!
Kefir is a giant Maine Coon that weighs 26.5 pounds. At less than 2 years old, Kefir is expected to grow even larger, since Maine Coons do not reach their full size until they are between 3 and 5 years old! Kefir is not just famous for being huge, though; he is also popular for his plush white coat and his sweet, loving personality.
Kefir first became a star on Instagram, but he has since become even more popular on the social media platform TikTok.
Read on to find out more about this huge, handsome cat, as well as how you can find a giant Maine Coon for yourself.
Kefir The Giant Maine Coon Cat From Russia
The Maine Coon is a natural cat breed that developed in the cold state of Maine.
Today, they are revered for their:
- Long, beautiful coats
- Enormous Size
- Gentle Personality
Unfortunately, these cats do not exactly come cheap, ranging between $1,000 and $2,000 on average.
Learn more about the realistic Maine Coon kitten purchase cost here.
Still, Maine Coons have only grown more popular over the last decade, and most owners agree that this breed is well worth the cost.
One famous Maine Coon Instagram star, known as Kefir, has become so popular that he has now repaid his initial cost a dozen times over!
His owner, Yuliya, chose him as a kitten for his soft, white fur.
However, she had no way of knowing that in just a short time, this kitten would become known all over the world as Kefir the giant Maine Coon cat from Russia!
Yuliya Minina, who lives in the small Russian town of Staryy Oskol, purchased Kefir from a cattery. She fell in love with his white fur, and named him Kefir after a dairy beverage.
Almost immediately, Kefir showed a strong preference for wet food and natural food over dry food, and Yuliya rose up to the challenge.
His natural, high-protein diet helped keep him properly nourished as he grew. By the time he reached a year old, he had already tripled in size!
Today, Kefir weighs about 26.5 pounds, and he is still not done growing!
Maine Coons have an incredibly slow growth rate, and don’t reach their full size until they are between 3 and 5 years old.
Is Kefir The Cat Real?
Kefir looks so beautiful and enormous in his photos that some people question whether he exists at all.
While many Maine Coon owners can use forced perspective and other camera angle tricks to make their cats look larger, Kefir is 100% real.
He’s become so popular that his owner, Yuliya Minina, has had countless interviews, which have helped confirm he is real.
Furthermore, Kefir has so many photos and videos all over Instagram and TikTok that even skeptics have finally started to admit that this larger than life cat surely is real.
Here is a short Youtube video of Kefir the Maine Coon cat in person. Credit for the video goes to the Daily Mail Youtube channel:
Kefir Cat Maine Coon Instagram
Kefir was launched into popularity when his owner, Yuliya, posted a photo of him on her Instagram, @yuliyamnn.
She posted the photo on February 16th, 2021, and people all over the world were shocked at his massive size.
After that, Yuliya began posting more photos and videos of her beloved pet, and he only grew more and more popular.
Now, Yuliya and Kefir have nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram.
She shares all sorts of adorable photos of her cat, sometimes cuddling, sometimes playing, and sometimes she even dresses him up in cute outfits (source 1).
Maine Coon Kefir TikTok
Cats have always been the stars of social media platforms like:
- YouTube
- Vine
Now, the more recent social media platform, TikTok, has allowed cat owners to share even more videos of their beloved pets.
Kefir has his very own TikTok account, @mainecoonkefir.
While he does not have quite as many followers there as his Instagram account, his devoted fans are delighted to have another way to keep up with his life.
With every new video that is posted, people can watch this gentle giant grow even bigger over the months.
TikTok has become a popular platform for cat owners to share cute, silly, and educational videos of their cats.
Kefir is just one of hundreds of popular cats on TikTok, but he should not worry about sharing the spotlight; it seems nobody can get enough of cute cat videos!
Maine Coons are especially popular, and nowadays, it seems that more and more cat owners are realizing they can use TikTok as a way to earn money, as well (source 1).
How Much Is A Giant Maine Coon Cat?
As gorgeous as Maine Coons are, not everybody can afford to get one.
Known for being one of the most expensive cat breeds, USA, UK, European, and Russian breeders adore raising these kittens to send them off to loving homes.
Of course, raising Maine Coons in a healthy, safe environment is incredibly expensive, and breeders barely make any profit, even though Maine Coons cost a hefty price.
So, how much does a giant Maine Coon cat cost?
Most Maine Coons range between 8 and 25 pounds, but there is no way to guarantee that the kitten you get will grow up to be huge.
Still, there are a lot of different options when it comes to finding a Maine Coon.
Keep reading to discover how the cost of a giant Maine Coon cat or kitten can vary:
1. Kittens From Registered Breeders
If you want a Maine Coon kitten, your best bet is through a breeder that has been registered with a governing cat body such as:
- CFA
- TICA
- ACFA
Maine Coon kittens from registered breeders usually cost between $1,000 and $2,500, although they can be as expensive as $4,000 in some cases!
2. Adults From Registered Breeders
Some registered breeders will sell retired show cats or breeders.
Adult and senior cats from registered breeders typically cost between $1,200 and $1,600.
Not only is this option cheaper, but you will also know your cat’s size and personality.
Getting a kitten may be fun, but there is simply no way to know what their size and personality will be as an adult.
3. Animal Shelters
You can also find Maine Coons at animal shelters.
Occasionally, Maine Coon owners are unable to care for their cat, and relinquish them to a shelter.
Animal shelters usually only charge between $100 and $250 per animal, which is significantly cheaper than buying from a breeder.
You can find both purebred and mixed Maine Coons at shelters, as well as kittens and adults.
However, since they are so popular, Maine Coons are usually among the first to be adopted, and it might take some patience to find the cat of your dreams.
4. Maine Coon Rescue Centers
There are also a few rescue centers entirely dedicated to rehoming purebred and mixed Maine Coons.
These rescue centers usually charge between $150 and $400, but as there are only a few in the United States, it might take some time before you are able to adopt one.
5. Online Groups
In some cases, you can find people who ended up with a surprise litter of Maine Coon kittens.
In these scenarios, people are most likely to post on Facebook or Craigslist, and they typically ask for a small rehoming fee.
However, keep an eye out for steep rehoming fees; since many people online will pretend to be rehoming kittens, when they are actually irresponsible breeders in disguise.
6. Strays
Although highly unlikely, some people have managed to find stray Maine Coons.
This route might seem completely free, but while you do not need to purchase a stray, you will still end up with a lot of costs.
Stray cats need to be (or have):
- Dewormed
- Fixed
- Vaccinated
- Microchipped
- Vet Visits
- Toys
- Other Supplies
It is also incredibly difficult to happen upon a purebred Maine Coon in the wild, and most stray Maine Coons are only Maine Coon mixes.
7. Where Not To Buy
Whilst it is possible to find well-intentioned people trying to rehome Maine Coon kittens on Facebook or Craigslist, never purchase a Maine Coon from a breeder on these sites without first doing some research.
Any breeder you purchase from should be registered with a governing cat body such as:
- CFA
- TICA
- ACFA
Unregistered breeders have not been vetted to ensure they raise purebred Maine Coons in safe, clean environments with access to proper medical care.
You should also avoid purchasing Maine Coons from pet shops, as they are usually sourced from irresponsible breeders or even kitten mills (source 1).
Where Can I Get A Giant Maine Coon Cat?
If you want a giant Maine Coon cat, your best bet is to find a breeder who already has large cats.
Of course, there is no way to guarantee that the kitten you purchase will grow to be a giant Maine Coon.
However, giant parents certainly increase your chances of you kitten growing to be a giant Maine Coon!
In the United States, here are a few different catteries known for their huge cats:
1. Megacoon Cattery
Breeder: Megacoon Cattery Registration Body: TICA Contact Name: Johnnie Hardee and Elizabeth Marshburn Location: Sanford, North Carolina Email: johnnie@megacoon.com Website: www.megacoon.com Telephone: (919) 210-5409
Megacoon Cattery was established in 1995. This is a huge cattery known for their enormous Maine Coons.
Located on a 13-acre plot, the owners built an entire 1300 square foot home just for their cats!
If you live near this cattery, consider checking out Megacoon.
2. Graro
Breeder: Graro Registration Body: CFA Location: West Islip, Long Island, New York Website: www.graro.com/contact-us Email: graromckittensquestionnaire@gmail.com
The owners of Graro are proud to say that they have produced many huge Maine Coons over the years.
Their largest Maine Coon reached 33 pounds, which is well above the expected maximum size of 25lb!
Graro have even had female cats reach 18 pounds before they were even a year old, which is immensely big for a female Maine Coon cat.
Russian Maine Coon Kittens For Sale Near Me
Even though Maine Coons originated in North America, this popular breed’s popularity has spread across the entire world.
While European and American Maine Coons are both the same breed, they are still known for having a few differences.
Namely, European Maine Coons have a more “wild” look, with square muzzles and a serious expression.
As a result, a lot of people search for Russian Maine Coon kittens for sale near me.
Since European Maine Coons are so popular, and because many of these cats bred in Russia are famous for their appearance, many American Maine Coon breeders will actually import their studs and queens from this country.
Therefore, if you are looking for Russian Maine Coon cats for sale, here are some catteries that specialize in Russian-imported Maine Coons:
1. King Klaudr Coons Cattery
Breeder: King Klaudr Coons Cattery Registration Body: TICA Contact Name: Katee Location: Northern Colorado and Lake Livingston, Texas Website: https://kingklaudrcoons.com/ Telephone: (303) 710-114 Email: kingklaudrcoons@gmail.com
King Klaudr Coons is another big cattery with even bigger cats!
Most of their studs and queens have been imported from Russia.
Not only are King Klaudr Coons big, they also come in a stunning array of colors and patterns, including:
- Silver
- Tortoiseshell
- Calico
- Ginger
2. Zeus Pride Cattery
Breeder: Zeus Pride Cattery Registration Body: TICA, ACFA Contact Name: Emily Jarrett Location: Lacrosse, Wisconsin Website: www.zeuspride.com Telephone: (608) 799-7904 Email: zeuspridecattery@gmail.com
Zeus Pride Cattery has kittens in many rare colors and patterns, including:
- Blue Smoke
- Black Smoke
- Cream Silver Shell
- Silver Shaded Tortoiseshell
Many of the cats from this cattery come from champion bloodlines in Russia and Ukraine, including the cattery’s pride and namesake, a blue and white Maine Coon named Zeus.
3. Maine Coon Goldens Farm
Breeder: Maine coon Goldens Farm Registration Body: TICA, CFA Contact Name: Amy Rowe Location: Boscawen, New Hampshire Website: https://mainecoongoldensfarm.com/ Telephone: (603) 573-5432 Email: ticamainecoons@gmail.com
Goldens Farm cattery has a wide variety of Maine Coon colors, including:
- Silver
- Tortoiseshell
- Black
They also have many different Maine Coon patterns, such as:
- Ticked
- Mackerel
- Classic Tabbies
One of their queens is a polydactyl Maine Coon cat.
Furthermore, this cattery carries queens and kings that have been imported from exquisite bloodlines in both Ukraine and Russia.
Where Does The Maine Coon Cat Originated From?
Maine Coons developed naturally in the state of Maine, and they eventually spread further throughout the United States due to their skills as hunters.
However, as this cat grew more popular, many were brought to Russia and places in Europe.
Over time, European Maine Coons diverged somewhat in physicality.
Even though both European and American Maine Coons are considered the same breed, European Maine Coons are known for having more square muzzles and wild expressions.
American Maine Coons appear softer and more refined.
As one of the most popular cat breeds, in today’s society, find out how many Maine Coon cats are now living in the WORLD, in this article.
Largest Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coons typically weigh between 8 and 25 pounds, but some have reached record-breaking sizes.
So, what is the biggest Maine Coon cat in the world?
Here is a list of the biggest Maine Coons in recorded history (source 1):
Stewie
Stewie is the world’s biggest Maine Coon cat ever recorded.
At one point, he measured 48.5 inches long, a record that has not yet been broken.
He also weighed an incredible 33 pounds!
Sadly, he passed away in 2013, but he is still remembered for his enormous size.
Barivel
Barivel is the longest living Maine Coon cat today.
He measures a total of 47.2 inches, and while he still has not broken Stewie’s record, it does not look like he will be giving up his crown for the current record-holder anytime soon!
Ludo
Before Stewie’s incredible length was recorded, Ludo held the record for longest cat alive at 46.6 inches long.
He is also one of the heaviest Maine Coons out there, weighing a total of 34 pounds.
How To Tell Maine Coon From Norwegian Forest Cat
The Norwegian Forest Cat is another large cat breed with long, fluffy fur.
At first glance, Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats may look similar, but there are a few ways you can tell them apart (sources 1,2):
- Size: Maine Coons are significantly larger than Norwegian Forest Cats on average. Maine Coons typically weigh between 8 and 25 pounds, while Norwegian Forest Cats usually weigh between 9 and 16 pounds.
- Leg Length: Norwegian Forest Cats may be smaller than most Maine Coons, but they actually have longer hind legs. Norwegian Forest Cats usually have a backside that is taller than their shoulders, while Maine Coon’s shoulders are taller than their backside.
- Eyes: Maine Coons have large, expressive eyes, while Norwegian Forest Cats have almond-shaped eyes that are set at an angle.
- Tail Length: While both Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats have thick, bushy tails, Maine Coons typically have longer tails.
Conclusion
Kefir the giant Maine Coon cat from Russia has fans all over the world.
Not only is his gorgeous white coat positively entrancing, but his incredible weight of 26.5 pounds has left countless viewers stunned.
In fact, at first, most people think this large Maine Coon cat from Russia is a dog!
Of course, his beautiful appearance and stunning size are not the only reasons his owner adores him; Kefir is also incredibly loving and sweet, just like most Maine Coons.
Related Questions
Are Maine Coon Cats Jealous?
Maine Coons are not typically known to be jealous, but they can become jealous and stressed if they feel they are being replaced by a baby, dog, or another cat.