Maine Coon Persian Mix

Maine Coons and Persians aren’t typically combined. However, a cross between these two cat breeds would likely have long, thick fur and a relaxed, family-friendly personality.
Both breeds are highly affectionate and easygoing, though the Maine Coon’s high energy is likely balanced out by the Persian’s couch potato lifestyle in this hybrid.
If you are having a hard time choosing between the majestic Maine Coon and the adorable Persian cat, a hybrid of the two might be of interest to you!
What Is A Maine Coon Persian Mix?
A Maine Coon Persian mix is any cat with Maine Coon and Persian ancestry.
While Maine Coons are known for their large size and powerful, rectangular muzzles, Persians are small with short legs and flattened faces.
A cross between these two cats would likely be average in size, but it’s hard to predict what its face shape would look like.
Both breeds are known for their long fur and affectionate behavior, however, the similarities stop there!
Breed History
Even though the Persian is a much older breed than the Maine Coon, the history of both cat breeds is intertwined.
The Maine Coon originated in North America in the 1800s, and slowly grew in popularity as farmers and sailors kept them for their incredible hunting skills.
When the Persian cat was introduced to North America, however, it soon became the most popular and fashionable cat breed, and the Maine Coon fell out of favor.
This, combined with the effects of World War I and II pushed Maine Coons to the brink of extinction.
Thankfully, some dedicated cat enthusiasts were able to bring the Maine Coon back into the public eye, and now both breeds can shine all over the world!
Personality And Temperament
The Maine Coon is known for being:
- Sweet
- Playful
- Highly Energetic
These cats love hard and play even harder! They tend to roughhouse and can be quite destructive to their toys.
They love:
- Running
- Jumping
- Climbing
And, need plenty of tall furniture to satisfy their urge to be up high.
Size
Persian cats, on the other hand, spend most of their time on the floor or the couch.
They are much easier to play with, as they are more easily entertained, and it does not take much to keep these cats occupied!
Both Maine Coons and Persians are highly affectionate pets. If they are left alone for a long time, they tend to become depressed and lonely. This is how you CURE cat depression.
Both breeds form strong bonds with their family members and they love to snuggle.
Maine Coons are the largest domesticated cat breed in the entire world.
The females weigh between 12 – 15 pounds on average while males weigh between 18 – 22 pounds. They measure about 8 – 16 inches tall and 19 – 40 inches long.
According to Dimensions.com, the Persian is a small cat that typically measures 14.5 to 17.5 inches long and 10 to 15 inches tall. They weigh, on average, between 7 and 12 pounds.
With these sizes in mind, Persian Maine Coon mixes are most likely to be medium-sized cats.
Colors And Patterns
The Maine Coon comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, but the Persian comes in even rarer colors such as:
- Chocolate
- Lilac
- Fawn
Since the Maine Coon does not come in these colors, however, and because they are recessive traits, a mix between a Persian and Maine Coon would not come in these colors unless they had more than one Persian relative.
Overall, a Maine Coon Persian mix could be:
- Cream
- Red
- White
- Black
- Blue
- Gold
- Silver
These colors will be in just about any pattern other than colorpoint.
Hypoallergenic
A mix between a Maine Coon and a Persian would not be considered hypoallergenic, as both cats have long, thick fur, and Maine Coons are known to be heavy shedders.
Both breeds produce normal amounts of the protein Fel d 1, which is the main cause of allergic reactions in cats in humans.
Food
Maine Coon Persian mixes, like other cats, need a healthy diet that is high in protein with a moderate amount of fat and a small amount of carbohydrates.
Since the Persian cat is prone to dental problems, it is important to provide dry food every day to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar.
It is also important to provide wet food either every day or every other day, as this provides extra hydration and reduces the likelihood of kidney disease in later years.
Maine Coons tend to eat a lot because they are so big and active, but do not let a Maine Coon Persian mix eat too much!
This is because Persians are prone to becoming overweight as they love to eat but do not love exercising nearly as much!
With proper nutrition, your cat is much more likely to live a long and healthy life.
Family Friendly
Due to the affection nature of both parent breeds, a Maine Coon Persian mix is almost certain to be family-friendly.
Maine Coons are famous for being good with children and other pets. So much so that they have earned themselves the nickname the gentle giant of the cat world!
Persians are also highly affectionate, though they’re a bit more delicate than Maine Coons and should be treated gently by children.
Overall, both Maine Coons and Persians are loving, gentle cats that make a great addition to just about any family.
Official Cat Breed
Maine Coon Persian mix cats are not an official feline breed.
While many existing breeds are the result of crossing cats with other breeds to add variety to the bloodline or bring in new traits, hybrid cats are unpredictable.
Hybrid cats often experience a lot of health problems or inconsistencies that need to be sorted out by breeders over several generations.
Rarity
Maine Coon Persians are quite rare because responsible breeders do not randomly cross breeds but rather prefer to refine the traits of existing breed standards.
Most Maine Coon Persian mixes are either the result of accidents or backyard breeders trying to make a quick buck.
Health Issues
Overall, Maine Coons are known to be a hardy and healthy breed, but Persians are much more prone to health problems.
Here are the health issues found most commonly in Maine Coons:
Here are the most common health problems in Persian cats:
- Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome: The unique look of the Persian is caused by brachycephaly, a condition that squashes the skull. This flattens the airways and typically results in major difficulties with breathing.
- Eye Problems: Persian cats are susceptible to a variety of eye problems including progressive retinal atrophy and cherry eye.
- Dental Problems: The Persian’s squashed face often causes dental malocclusions, which makes them more prone to tooth and gum disease.
Below is a list of health problems found in both Persians and Maine Coons:
While Maine Coons and Maine Coon mixes are often quite healthy, Persians and Persian mixes are prone to more health issues.
With regular veterinary check-ups, however, your cat is much more likely to live a long, healthy life (source 1).
Exercise Needs
While the Maine Coon is known for being an incredibly playful and energetic cat, Persians are much more relaxed and, according to some owners, lazy.
Persians prefer to lounge about, and when they play, they’re often satisfied with floor toys rather than climbing or running.
Their brachycephaly also causes breathing problems, which means you shouldn’t play with them for too long or too roughly.
A cross between a Maine Coon and a Persian will likely have about as much energy as the average cat.
However, you’ll need to be mindful of any breathing problems your Maine Coon Persian mix might have and take lots of breaks as necessary.
Grooming Needs
While the purebred Maine Coon and Persian are known to be beautiful cats, their long fur and long tails need a lot of grooming.
As a result, a Maine Coon Persian mix will be high maintenance when it comes to grooming.
Aside from the regular nail trimming and ear cleaning you’ll likely need to trim the long tufts of fur on your cat in the following places, to prevent matting:
- Paws
- Belly
- Backside
Since Maine Coons and Persians are both heavy shedders, you’ll need to brush them at least once or twice a week, with these Long-Haired Cat Brushes.
Trainability
While the Maine Coon is a famously intelligent breed, Persians are famous for being less intelligent!
The brachycephaly that results in their distinctive breed look also squashes their skull and makes their brains physically smaller than cats without brachycephaly.
As a result, don’t be surprised if your Maine Coon Persian mix struggles with basic training.
However, since they are also part Maine Coon, they might be smart enough to learn basic commands or even how to play fetch!
Cost
Unfortunately, since the Maine Coon Persian mix is not an official breed, you’ll probably have a hard time finding one for sale.
Furthermore, since responsible breeders focus more on refining existing breed traits, they would not intentionally cross these breeds.
As a result, it’s easiest to find these unusual crossbreeds on sites like Craigslist, where backyard breeders ask for steep adoption fees, usually over $500.
Backyard breeders rarely perform genetic tests on their cats before breeding them, and their kittens are often prone to a range of health problems.
Expected Lifespan
Most Maine Coons live between 12 and 15 years, while the average lifespan of a Persian cat is about 13.5 years.
You can expect this mixed cat breed lifespan to fall between 12-15 years.
Good With Other Pets
Most Maine Coon mix breeds get along incredibly well with other cats and dogs, so you should find the Maine Coon Persian Mix cat does too.
Since Maine Coons have such friendly personalities, they tend to make friends right away with other pets.
However, their high prey drive means they should be kept away from smaller pets like rodents or birds.