The Maine Coon body shape is one of the most elegant in the cat world.
If you are a cat fanatic and want to learn more about the Maine Coon breed and its physical characteristics, you have come to the right place!
Maine Coon cats have rectangular bodies with stronger muscles than most normal cats. Their strong muscular build enhances their large frame, along with their broad chest, and well-developed bones. Maine Coons are large, strong cats with long, furry tails, and big tufted paws. Originally Maine Coon were considered “working cats”.
If you are a Maine Coon enthusiast and want to learn more about the breed or buy one as a pet, this article includes everything you need to know before making your decision, so read on.
Maine Coon Body Shape
The Maine Coon is one of the smartest and most popular cats around, particularly in the USA.
They are not grumpy. Instead, they crave human attention and like spending time with their owners, but they are not overly dependent.
These cats are curious about what you are doing and will follow you around the house. Here’s why!
These cats like to engage in play activities with their owners, due to their joyful nature.
Maine Coons have high energy levels, so rarely get tired, since these cats are very powerful and agile.
Maine Coons are the world’s largest domesticated cat breed.
Maine Coons can weigh up to 25 pounds, making them one of the heaviest domesticated cats as well.
Maine Coon Body
In general, the Maine Coon cat body shape is rectangular.
The body should be long, with all parts proportioned to provide a well-balanced rectangular appearance, with no part of the anatomy exaggerated to promote weakness.
Maine Coons have broad chests and a rather flat back.
The width of the cat’s body is also equal from shoulder to hip.
The Maine Coon is medium to large in size, with females slightly smaller than males.
Maine Coons have significant boning and a dense muscular structure overall.
Maine Coons are long cats, measuring between 19 and 40 inches in length.
The average Maine Coon will range between 10-16 inches in height. But, how tall can a Maine Coon get? Read my article to find out!
Maine Coons with delicate bone structures are at risk of being disqualified from cat shows. (source 1,2).
Maine Coon Face Shape
Overall, the Maine Coon face should be medium in width and slightly longer in length.
The cheekbones should be prominent, and the forehead should have a slight curvature.
A gentle concave curve should be present at the bridge of the nose, leading to a straight nose line.
The Maine Coon kitten face shape is similar to that of an adult, with broad faces and large prominent eyes. The kittens’ cheekbones are also high, and they have a smooth and straight nose line.
When compared to an adult Maine Coon, the kittens’ facial curves may be less apparent (source 1,2).
Maine Coon Nose Shape
When viewed in profile, the nose of a Maine Coon is square in shape and should not be tapering or pointed at the tip.
The overall shape of the nose should be balanced and rectangular with the overall shape of the head.
Some Maine Coons may have a nose bump, which is not regarded as appropriate for the breed because it gives the face a disproportionate appearance and is caused by health issues, such as nasal polyps.
However, it is acceptable for Maine Coon kittens to have a tiny nose bump (sources 1,2,3).
Maine Coon Ear Shape
The Maine Coon’s ears are broad at the base and pointed at the tips.
Their ears are big and well-tufted.
At the base, the ears are spaced about one ear width apart. Both ears have a slightly slanted outer edge that is not parallel to the inner edge.
Maine Coon ears appear lengthy because they have lynx tips that add to their length (source 1,2). Do all Maine Coons have lynx tips though? Click here, to find out!
Maine Coon Chin
The chin of a Maine Coon should be deep and wide enough to form a square with the muzzle and be in line with the upper lip.
Tapering or a pointy chin is not desirable in Maine Coons. (source 1)
Maine Coon Eye Shape
The eyes of a Maine Coon cat are slightly oval, yet when the cat completely opens its eyes, it may appear round.
When it comes to Maine Coon eyes vs normal cats, the eyes of Maine Coons are somewhat oblique compared to normal cats because the outer edge of the eyes points toward the base of the ears.
The eyes of a Maine Coon can be any shade of green or gold.
Blue and odd eyes, on the other hand, are acceptable in particolors or white Maine Coons (source 1).
Maine Coon Head Shape
The Maine Coon cat head shape is broad and has a wedge look, with a slightly curved forehead.
The head is normally proportionate to the body and somewhat elongated rather than wide.
Maine Coons also have a noticeable muzzle break beneath their high cheekbones (source 1).
Maine Coon Tail
The tail of a Maine coon is almost as long as its body!
Just like its ears the tail of a Maine Coon is wider at the base and tapering towards the tip.
The fur on the tail is long, bushy, smooth, and flowing, adding to the cat’s charm.
The Maine Coon kitten tail is similar to that of an adult, with the exception that it has less fur and is slightly shorter since tail growth is gradual.
It can take up to 3 to 5 years for the tail to reach its maximum length in Maine Coons (source 1,2).
For more information, read my article, why do Maine Coons have long tails?
Maine Coon Legs
The legs of a Maine Coon are medium in length and are spaced wide apart.
The legs of the Maine Coon appear to be rectangular in shape.
Front limbs are straight, but hind limbs appear straight only when viewed from behind (source 1,2).
Can a Maine Coon have short legs? Read this article, to find out!
Maine Coon Whiskers
Maine Coons have the longest whiskers of any domesticated cat.
On average a Maine Coon has 8 to 12 whiskers on either side of its face.
It is not advised to trim the whiskers of a Maine Coon since it gives the cat an undesirable appearance and can be painful for the cat (source 1)
Learn more about the Maine Coon whiskers, here.
Maine Coon Fur
What does a Maine Coon cat look like?
Maine Coon fur has three layers of insulation to keep it warm during the cold winter months.
Aside from that, the fur of a Maine Coon is uneven in length, usually shorter on the shoulders and progressively lengthening along the back and sides of the body.
Long, dense, shaggy fur covers the belly.
The front fur ruff develops as the cat ages. If your Maine Coon hasn’t developed a mane ‘ruff’, read this article.
The fur of the Maine Coon can be a variety of colors and patterns. However, particolors must have white fur on all four limbs (source 1).
Maine Coon Paw Vs Normal Cat
Maine Coon cats have one of the most unique paws in the cat world.
When comparing a Maine Coon paw Vs normal cat, you will find that Maine Coons have extra toes on their paws!
Whereas normal cats have 18 toes, a Maine Coon cat has up to 7 toes on each paw!
A Maine Coon’s paws are rather large compared to other cats, and they are also heavily tufted to help them move better in the snow.
The Maine Coon’s paws should be symmetrical in appearance (source 1).
Maine Coons with extra toes are known as polydactyl Maine Coon cats. Read about them here.
Why Do Maine Coons Have Big Chins?
Maine Coons are large cats and all of their body parts are also large to give them a more proportionate look.
The scientific explanation for having huge chins is that Maine Coon’s ancestors were working cats who hunted prey to survive.
Their mouths and chins grew larger over time, allowing them to swallow huge prey such as large rats and other wild creatures, and this characteristic is still present in current Maine Coons.
Do Maine Coons Have Larger Mouths?
Maine Coons have large mouths in comparison to other cats.
This is because Maine Coons are huge and heavily built, and require more food than other cats to meet their nutritional needs.
They have enormous mouths, as well as the ability to swallow large prey.
Do Maine Coons Have Long Tails?
The tails of Maine Coons are the longest of any domesticated cat.
A Maine Coon tail is around 11 inches long, on average.
The length of the tail can be nearly equal to the length of the cat’s body!
The longest tail ever reported on a Maine Coon was roughly 16.3 inches on a cat named Stewie.
Because of their large body size, Maine Coons have such long tails that provide them with extra stability, and warmth, and help them attain exceptional balance.
The fur on the Maine Coon’s tail helps keep the cat warm during the cold winter months (source 1).
How To Tell If Your Cat Is Part Maine Coon
Part Maine Coons vary in shape, size, and color based on their bloodlines.
However, the following factors should be considered when determining whether or not your cat is a part Maine Coon:
1. Size
Pure Maine Coons are the world’s largest domesticated cat breed, weighing up to 25 pounds.
Part Maine Coons do not tend to achieve such a huge size and are relatively smaller.
However, it is still possible to encounter a large part Maine Coon. Ultimately, it depends on the Maine Coon cat’s genetics.
2. Tail
The longest tail of any domesticated cat breed belongs to the Maine Coon.
Their tail, which can be as long as their body, is covered with smooth, long, and dense fur.
A Maine Coon’s tail is roughly 11 inches long on average, thus if your cat is part Maine Coon, its tail might be shorter and have less fur.
3. Body Dimensions
Maine Coons have a massive body structure and a normal height of 10 to 16 inches, which is significantly larger than the ordinary domestic cat.
So, if your cat’s body proportions are small, it could be a part Maine Coon.
4. Mane
The mane or fur around the neck of the Maine Coon is one of its distinguishing features, which has led to them being called “mini loins”.
Some part Maine Coons will not have this characteristic.
5. Ears
The ears of purebred Maine Coons’ are wider at the base and taper towards the tips. They are also densely tufted.
Most Maine Coons have lynx tips on the ends of their ears.
Part Maine Coons may not have all of these ear characteristics.
6. Paws
In comparison to other domestic cats, a Maine Coon’s paws are relatively big.
Maine Coons have big paws even as kittens. Cats with small paws are usually part Maine Coons, or a Maine Coon mix breed.
7. Eyes
Purebred Maine Coons have large eyes that are somewhat oblique, with the outer border of the eye inclined towards the base of the ear.
Whereas part Maine Coons’ eyes are normally round and horizontal.
Pure Maine Coon kittens are born with blue eyes that change color as they grow older.
8. Growth Rate
Part Maine Coon cats grow quickly when compared to purebred Maine Coon cats.
Pure Maine Coons need 3 to 5 years to achieve full adult size (source 1).
If you want to find out if your cat is a Maine Coon, I recommend Googling the phrase ‘is my cat a Maine Coon quiz’, and taking the quiz!
What Cats Look Like Maine Coon
Many long-haired cat breeds with similar colors and patterns to a Maine Coon may resemble one.
Among these cat breeds are the following (source 1):
- Norwegian Forest Cat
- Siberian
- Somali
- Bengal
- Savannah
Do Maine Coon Cats Have Long Whiskers?
Overall, Maine Coons have the longest whiskers of any domestic cat, making them one of the most sensitive.
Maine Coons have 8 to 12 whiskers on each side of their face, and one whisker can be as long as the cat’s body width.
Trimming the whiskers of a Maine Coon is not recommended because it can be painful for the cat and also makes the cat’s appearance unappealing (source 1).
Conclusion
The Maine Coon body shape is one-of-a-kind in the cat world.
Their body shape is overall rectangular, with a strong muscular build and developed bones.
The Maine Coon is the largest domesticated cat breed in the world, weighing up to 25 pounds and standing between 10 and 16 inches tall.
Maine Coons are one of the most intelligent cat breeds and have very submissive personalities.
They enjoy following their owners around and engaging in recreational activities with them.
Related Questions
How To Tell If Your Cat Is Full Maine Coon
Full Maine Coons are large cats that range in length from 19 to 40 inches and can weigh up to 25 pounds. Maine Coons have big eyes, long fluffy tails, and long whiskers.
How To Show A Maine Coon Cat
Grooming is essential when showing a Maine Coon cat. You must properly brush your cat’s fur before bringing it to a show. Ensure that the tail’s fur is straight and well-brushed.