Maine Coon Paws

Maine Coon paws are one of the most distinct and fascinating features of this breed and yet another physical features that set them apart from other cat breeds.

Maine Coon Paws

Maine Coon paws are much larger than the average cat, both in size and proportion. Their paws are wide and flat, which allows them to walk on surfaces such as snow. Their large paws also make them better at climbing and gripping. Some Maine Coon cats are born with extra toes, a phenomenon known as polydactyly.

Maine Coons developed naturally in the state of Maine, which is known for its frigid winters and extreme temperatures. They developed thick, semi-water-resistant fur to protect themselves from the cold.

Their paws are an unusual size and shape so act like snowshoes because their weight is distributed over a larger surface area, making them less likely to sink through the snow.

A Maine Coons paws are larger than the average cat, and proportionally larger in comparison to their bodies. Polydactyl Maine Coons have even larger paws since they have an extra toe! These cats tend to “grow into” their large paws.

One common belief is that kittens with big paws will grow very large. While there’s no specific evidence for this to be true, many cat owners notice a correlation between paw size and adult size.

“Teenage” Maine Coons, between about six to twelve months, often appear very gangly, with long limbs and large, awkward paws.

The cat’s paw pads are protected by tufts of fur between their toes, so their vulnerable pads are more protected against frostbite.

Similarities With Normal Cat Paws

Below are the key similarities between the Maine Coon cats paws and that of a ‘normal’ cat:

1. Whiskers

You might be surprised to learn that cats do not just have whiskers on their face. Cats also have whiskers on their front paws.

These extra-sensitive hairs can detect movement and changes in airflow, which comes in handy while catching prey.

Cats have poor vision up close, so they rely more on their whiskers to locate prey.

2. Webbed Feet

Maine Coons, like all domestic cats, have webbed feet. Unlike frogs or ducks, cats only have partially webbed feet they inherited from their much larger ancestors.

While the webbing on a Maine Coon’s feet is often hidden by fur, these cats can still use their webbed feet to climb, catch prey, and even swim. Webbing is most apparent when cats flex or stretch their paws.

This partial webbing is simply a thin layer of skin stretched between each toe, which aids in climbing, gripping, catching prey, and swimming.

This layer of skin stretches between each of their toes and helps them to:

• Grip
• Climb
• Hunt
• Swim

3. Paw Pads

All cats have paw pads, which serve several important functions. Paw pads muffle a cat’s footsteps, allowing them to stalk silently without being detected by prey.

Paw pads also provide better traction, so cats can run quickly and with more agility.

Differences From Normal Cat Paws

Below are the key differences between a Maine Coon cat’s paws and that of a ‘normal’ cat:

1. Size And Shape

Maine Coon paws are proportionally larger in comparison to their bodies.

Their paws are much larger, wider, and flatter than the average cat. This unique adaptation increases the surface area of their paws, making it easier to walk on snow.

A Maine Coon’s large paws are also more useful for gripping and climbing.

2. Amount Of Fur

Maine Coon cats differ from short-haired cats because they have tufts of fur between their toes.

However, they are also unique from other long-haired cats because they have much longer fur around their paws.

Their long fur and toe tufts protect their paws from the cold.

3. Number Of Toes

Polydactyl Maine Coons have a harmless condition where a cat is born with one or more extra toes. Any cat can be polydactyl, but Maine Coons are more likely to have extra toes than other cat breeds.

While this trait has become increasingly rare in Maine Coons due to selective breeding, at one point, as many as 40% of all Maine Coons were polydactyl!

Here’s the full low-down on why polydactyl Maine Coon cats have been removed from breeding, by registered breeders.

4. Amount Of Fur

Many long-haired cats have extra tufts of fur on their toes, but Maine Coons are unique because all of the furs around their paws are longer.

This helps protect their paws from the cold, although some owners need to trim this long fur to prevent it from becoming matted and dirty.

Here are some other important grooming requirements of the Maine Coon cat.

Should I Trim The Fur On Their Toes?

While Maine Coon toe tufts served an important purpose in the cold wilderness of Maine, they are not beneficial for indoor Maine Coons. Therefore, if the fur between your cat’s toes is not causing any problems you should not trim it.

Cats are sensitive about their paws so it’s best to avoid them unnecessarily stress. However, should the toe tufts cover their paw pads the cat may struggle to get traction to run and play without crashing. In this case, trimming would be necessary.

Additionally, if you notice your Maine Coon doing the following it’s best to trim their toe tufts:

• Slipping
• Sliding
• Tripping Often

If you allow your Maine Coon outdoors, keep in mind that the extra-long fur on their toes and paws can become easily tangled and dirty. To prevent matting and bacteria, it’s a good idea to trim any extra-long fur that may get muddy.

One helpful tip is to touch your cat’s paws often as a kitten, especially while cuddling. This will socialize your cat to having its paws touched, and make it easier to trim your cat’s nails and paw fur in the future (source 1).

Here are a few other ways to keep your Maine Coon cat clean.

How Is Paw Color Determined?

The color of a cat’s paw pads is generally determined by the color of its fur. Thus, Maine Coons with black fur typically have black paw pads. However, since these cats have various fur colors and patterns, their paw pad colors also vary widely.

Bicolor, tortoiseshell, or calico Maine Coons are likely to have multi-colored paw pads.

Do Maine Coons Have Extra Toes?

Polydactyl is a harmless condition where cats are born with one or more extra toes. This condition can occur in any cat but is particularly common among Maine Coons.

In the 1800s, Maine Coons were a favorite among sailors, who kept these cats aboard for their ability to hunt mice, rats, and other vermin. Sailors thought polydactyl cats were lucky and preferred their better climbing and hunting abilities.

As a result, they selectively bred polydactyl Maine Coons and this trait became so common that at one point at least 40% of Maine Coons were polydactyl!

Today, breeders have largely bred the trait out, but Maine Coons are still more likely to be polydactyl than many other cat breeds (source 1).

Why Do Cats Have Webbed Feet?

Webbed paws help cats:

• Climb
• Hunt
• Swim

Domestic cats no longer need webbed paws like wild cats do, but still inherit this trait from their wild ancestors.

Below are the key ways webbed feet benefit your feline friend:

• Swimming: For many wild cats, swimming is necessary for survival. Webbed feet increase the surface area of a cat’s paws, making it significantly easier for them to swim.

• Balance: Webbed feet allow your cat’s paws to cover a greater surface area, aiding in balance over all kinds of terrain.

• Climbing: Cats rely on their webbed feet to grip the surface while climbing.

• Hunting: Cats in the wild do not always have the luxury of hunting in dry areas; instead, many hunt in muddy or wet areas to find food. The webbing on a cat’s toes prevents them from sinking into marshy ground, making them quieter while stalking prey in the water.