18 Maine Coon Characteristics And Behaviors

The Maine Coon cat’s popularity has soared over the last few decades due to their dog-like Maine Coon characteristics and personalities, gentle nature, and playful attitude to life.

The Maine Coons physical characteristics distinguish them from other cat breeds. Maine Coons have a physically large body frame, reaching between 19-40 inches in length. They have large paws, long thick luscious hair, big expressive eyes, and playful nature. Many Maine Coon cats have large tufts of hair around their neck and ‘lynx-like ear tufts.

Unfortunately, a rise in their popularity and the high market price has resulted in a rise of backyard breeders (BYB) trying to make a quick buck out of less savvy buyers, keen to own a Maine Coon.

Luckily for us, there are a number of Maine Coon characteristics that buyers can look out for when trying to identify if the kitten they love is really a purebred Maine Coon, or not.

12 Maine Coon Characteristics

Are you wondering how to identify a Maine Coon cat?

It is not always easy to determine if the Maine Coon you are viewing is a purebred Maine Coon, or not.

Sadly, as the Maine Coons popularity has increased, so has the rise in backyard breeders out to make a fast buck.

Thus, many mixed Maine Coons are sold to unsuspecting buyers under the pretense that they are purebred Maine Coons. 

If you are set on owning a purebred Maine Coon cat, how can you make sure that the Maine Coon you are viewing is definitely purebred?

The simple truth of the matter is that you cannot, without having documentation that proves the parents of the Maine Coon in question are certified purebred Maine Coon cats.

Purchasing a Maine Coon from a registered breeder should ensure that the cat in question is a purebred Maine Coon.

Cats from registered breeders are expensive though, and not everyone can afford to buy a Maine Coon cat via this channel.

Thankfully, there are some clear Maine Coon characteristics, both physical and behavioral that will help you identify whether you are viewing a Maine Coon, or not.

Below are 12 Maine Coon physical characteristics, which set this cat breed apart from normal cats:

No.1Physical
Characteristics
Description
1Large CatIf the cat looks unusually large,
they may be a Maine Coon
2Mane Of
Hair
Does the cat have a mass of
hair around its neck, like a lion?
3Long Thick
Fur
Maine Coons are recognized for
their long, thick, shaggy fur
4Muscular
Frame
If the cat has a large muscular,
rectangular shape frame, this
maybe an indication that they
are a Maine Coon cat
5Big EyesCaptivating large eyes, full of
emotion. Slightly slanted eyes.
6Ear TuftsCheck the cat’s ears for
‘lynx-like’ ear tufts
7Rough
Tongue
Their tongues are extremely
rough
8Large PawsMaine Coons have large paws,
often with tufts of hair covering
their paws
9Long Bushy
Tail
Their tails are thick and bushy
10VoiceDo not ‘meow’, but ‘chirp’ and
‘trill’ instead
11Growing
Cycle
Reach full size between 3-4 years
12Maine Coon
Colors
From black to orange. There are
over 74 different Maine Coon
colorings
to choose from
Key Maine Coon Characteristics

The Maine Coon Characteristics table above does not prove a Maine Coon’s purebred status (you will need certification for this).

However, it will narrow your search and help you determine if you are viewing a purebred Maine Coon, or not.

Let’s look at the 12 Maine Coon physical characteristics in greater detail, below:

1. Large Cat

This fabulous cat breed is one of the largest domesticated cats in the world.

They are so big and gentle that they have even been nicknamed ‘gentle giants’, and ‘dog of the cat world’, due to their large size.

They look sturdy and strong and have often been linked to bobcats, due to their large physical frame.

If you are keen to own a Maine Coon cat, look for the Maine Coon sizes stated below:

Male Maine Coon Size

One of the key Maine Coon characteristics is their large muscular frame.

Their size sets them apart from many other cats because it would not be uncommon for your male Maine Coon to reach anywhere:

  • Up to 40 inches (101cm) in length
  • 10-16 inches (25-40 cm) in height
  • 15-25 lbs (6.8 – 11.3 kg) in weight!

Female Maine Coon Size

The female Maine Coons are smaller,  only reaching 8-14 inches in height (20-35 cm) and 8 – 12 lbs (3.6 – 5.4 kg) in weight.

They do however match their male counterparts, reaching up to 40 inches in length.

Guinness World Records

The largest Maine Coon cat on record was a cat named “Stewie”, who reached a massive 48.5 inches when stretched out. Sadly though, Stewie died in 2013, after fighting cancer.

Here is another famous Maine Coon cat that has won awards for his size.

Learn about Barivel the Maine Coon.

2. Mane Of Hair

If you are keen to buy a purebred Maine Coon, look for a mane of shaggy hair around the cat’s neck.

Many people nickname Coons ‘the little lion’ because the mane of hair around their neck resembles that of a lion.

3. Long Thick Fur

Maine Coons are known for their long luscious coats of fur.

This hair is often described as ‘shaggy hair’ and is made up of two thick dense undercoats of hair, with a third longer coat of hair over the top.

Their thick dense fur helps to make them a very hardy cat breed, able to survive the harsh winter chills of New England. If you touch it, you will notice that it feels oily and fluffy.

Maine Coon Long Thick Fur
Maine Coon Long Thick Fur

4. Muscular Frame

Maine Coon cats grow very slowly, not reaching their full physical size until 3-4 years. This is particularly unique to the breed because ‘normal cats’ reach full size around the two-year mark.

Maine Coons are very large and have a very long rectangular body frame.

Their muscular legs are considered medium length and should be proportional to their body.

5. Big Eyes

Maine Coon cats have large beautiful eyes, full of emotion.

Their eyes are slightly slanted, and usually green or gold in color, though you may also come across Maine Coon cats with blue eyes.

Here are some more facts about the Maine Coon’s eyes.

6. Ear Tufts

Ear tufts are one of the key Maine Coon characteristics to look out for. Check the cat’s ears for tufts or wisps of hair on the end of their ears, which resemble that of a ‘lynx’.

A Maine Coons ears will also be covered in thick fur, which helps keep them warm.

Is it possible that some Maine Coons do not grow ear tufts though? Read this article to find out!

7. Rough Tongue

Maine Coons have extremely rough tongues. When they lick you it can feel like they are exfoliating your skin!

Male Maine Coons are known for being particularly sociable around strangers, so allow the cat to lick your hand.

If the tongue feels far rougher than you would have expected, it may be a Maine Coon.

8. Large Paws

Maine Coons have extremely large paws, even whilst they are kittens. This physically sets the Maine Coon apart from other cat breeds, which have small paws.

A Maine Coons paws are unique because they are quite furry, with tufts of hair over the paws.

These are often referred to as being their “snow boots”, and help them be prepared for the harsh winter climates in North America. 

Historically, some Maine Coons had an extra digit on their paw, though this Maine Coon characteristic is no longer common.

9. Long Bushy Tail

Maine Coons have very long bushy tails that are wide at the base, then gradually narrow as they get to the tip.

Their tails are often thought to resemble that of a raccoon, and are one of the key reasons why so many people still believe in the old folk tale claiming that Maine Coons are related to raccoons!

For more information on this theory, read my article Are Maine Coons part raccoon?

I’ve heard many people describe the Maine Coon as, “a tail, with a cat attached“.

This may sound comical, but their tails are massive when compared to other cat breeds, and the rest of their body size!

To help identify if the cat you are viewing is a Maine Coon, see if you can get the tip of its tail to reach its shoulder. If the tail reaches, it is possible that the cat may be a Maine Coon.

Maine Coons use their big bushy tails to help keep them warm during the harsh Winters of New England. They do this by wrapping their big tails around their body.

10. Voice

One easy way to spot a Maine Coon cat is by its voice.

Maine Coons do not make a ‘meow’ sound, but instead, tend to ‘chirp’ and ‘trill’ at their owners. They do not tend to hiss at people unless provoked.

However, they will make their feelings known to their owners via a selection of annoying chirps, if you try to move them when they are comfortable and do not want to be moved!

This is why Maine Coons chirp, rather than meow.

11. Growing Cycle

Maine Coon cats are known for growing very slowly, not reaching full size until 3-4 years old. This is different from other cat breeds, which reach full size in roughly 2 years.

If your cat seems to be growing at an incredibly slow rate, you may have a Maine Coon cat.

Monitor your Maine Coons growth rate, by keeping a Maine Coon growth chart.

12. Maine Coon Colouring

The Maine Coon cat comes in a wide range of colors, from black to white, or tabby to orange.

In total, there are over 74 different Maine Coon colorings, the black Maine Coon is one of the most popular.

6 Maine Coon Behaviours

Owning a Maine Coon is not like owning any cat. This is what to expect from a Maine Coon kitten.

Just as their physical characteristics differ from other cat breeds, so do their behavioral characteristics.

It is these differences that you should take note of however since they make a Maine Coon cat easier to spot.

The table below summarises the 6 Maine Coon behaviors that you should expect to see:

Behavioral
Characteristics
Description
Love Of WaterUnlike most cat breeds,
the Maine Coon is
known for loving water
Friendly NatureMaine Coons are known
for their friendly nature.
They adore human
company and are not
aloof
IntelligentIf the cat can perform
tricks or seems more
intelligent whilst playing,
it may be a Maine Coon
cat
Dog Like BehaviorDoes the cat seem to
act more like a dog?
If it does, you may
have a Maine Coon
Playful NatureMaine Coons are
very playful and enjoy
playing with their
human family
TalkativeThis cat breed loves
to communicate with
their human family, via
chirps and trills
Maine Coon Behavioral Characteristics

Let’s look at these six Maine Coon behaviors in greater detail, below:

1. Love Of Water

Maine Coon cats and kittens are very unique because they love playing in the water.

The more they can splash and spill water everywhere, the better!

They are also great swimmers, and have been known to go for a cheeky swim in the lake! Some Maine Coons also enjoy having a bath!

It is not uncommon to see a Maine Coon patting the water in their bowl, with their large fluffy paws.

Whilst they are known for enjoying playing with water, this particular Maine Coon characteristic occurs because the Maine Coon wants to ensure that their drinking water is ‘fresh’.

Does your cat seem a little too obsessed and fascinated with water? If they do, you may have a Maine Coon.

This is why Maine Coon cats love water so much.

2. Friendly Nature

Maine Coon cats are well known for their friendly, outgoing, and relaxed personalities. Often described as ‘gentle giants’, these large impressive cats make great family pets.

They are also extremely gentle and calm around young children, even if the kids are being really loud and noisy.

If your cat loves spending time with its human family and gets on well with the other household pets, you may have a Maine Coon. 

3. Intelligent

Another amazing Maine Coon characteristic to look out for is their high level of intelligence. They are clever little beings, and can even be taught basic tricks, such as fetching the ball!

Our cat also follows simple commands, like a dog e.g. “no”, “down” or “come”.

This is how you train a Maine Coon cat:

4. Dog Like Behaviour

The Maine Coon is nicknamed “the dog of the cat world’, due to its large size, and dog-like behavior.

For instance, they love spending time with their human family, and can even be taught simple commands, as a dog can.

There are further similarities between Maine Coons and dogs, for instance, they are both extremely sociable in nature.

It is also not uncommon to see your Maine Coon cat come to greet you when you return home from work!

5. Playful Nature

Maine Coons are one of the few cat breeds that remain playful, well into their adult lives.

They adore playing with their human family and are often described as being the life and soul of the party.

These are my favorite Maine Coon cat toys.

6. Talkative

This particular cat breed loves to talk!

If you feel like your cat is constantly communicating with you, and maybe even trying to hold an actual conversation with you, it is possible that you own a Maine Coon cat.

Watch this amusing video of a Maine Coon talking to its owner:

Maine Coon Holding A Conversation!

Genetic Testing

Another way to identify if your cat is a Maine Coon, or not, is via genetic testing.

You can request your locally trained Veterinary professional (or medical professional) to take a DNA sample from your cat, whereby they will swab the inside of your cat’s cheeks to obtain a sample of the cat’s skin cells.

An additional blood check will also be required, for the genetic testing process. Please note that genetic testing is only 90% accurate.

If you aren’t too keen on genetic testing, vets can compare your cat’s genome, with the DNA of a purebred Maine Coon, by simply taking a sample of your cat’s fur.

The vet will determine if there is a match between the two samples.

Read more about Maine Coon genetics in this article.

Maine Coon Characteristics Video

If you’re in a rush, watch this video on Maine Coon characteristics. Discover more about the Maine Coon breed, from a child’s perspective.

One comment towards the end of this video will definitely surprise you!! … It took me by surprise, anyhow!

Kids Describing Maine Coon Characteristics

Conclusion

There are many Maine Coon characteristics that distinguish this particular cat breed from others, including their long shaggy hair, beautiful ‘lynx-like‘ ears, and impressive physical build.

If you are not too sure whether you own a Maine Coon, or not, take a look at the various Maine Coon characteristics that I have mentioned throughout this article, to identify similarities.

Should your cat display all (or most) of these common characteristics, personality traits, or behaviors, then you may have a Maine Coon cat.

Maine Coon Central

Hello! My name is Katrina Stewardson, and I’m a CRAZY CAT LADY! I've been in love with the Maine Coon cat breed ever since we welcomed an adorable male Maine Coon kitten into our home 10 years ago. We called him 'Pippin', but he also goes by the name ‘Pipsteroo’! Our enormous, kind-hearted cat genuinely thinks he's a dog and has convinced me that cats are Man's True Best Friend! UPDATE: We recently adopted two 4-year-old male Maine Coon cats. They are named Mika and Bali.

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