Maine Coons are the largest domesticated cat breed in the entire world. So, it is no surprise that the Maine Coon size compared to human beings is very different from that of a normal cat!
These gentle giants can grow so large, that they might even surpass the size of your child!
The average Maine Coon weighs between 8 and 25 pounds when fully grown. Since the average human weighs between 19 and 21 pounds at a year old, a Maine Coon cat can easily surpass the size of an infant. However, because Maine Coons do not reach their full size until between 3 and 5 years old, a baby Maine Coon will be much smaller than a baby human.
Cat lovers all over the world are in love with the Maine Coon’s enormous size.
However, their slow growth rate means that most Maine Coons will not reach full weight until they are much older.
Read on to find out how a Maine Coon’s growth rate compares to that of a human, as well as how much bigger Maine Coons are than normal cats (source 1).
Maine Coon Size Compared To Human
The Maine Coon is a unique cat breed prized for its enormous size.
These cats developed naturally in the northern United States, specifically the state of Maine, where these cats developed long, thick fur to protect themselves from the elements.
Today, they are becoming increasingly popular not only for their size but also for their friendly, gentle personalities.
Humans, meanwhile, are much larger than Maine Coons.
While we humans may be much smaller in comparison to giant cat breeds such as lions and tigers, even the largest of Maine Coons is no match for a fully grown human.
Still, as the Maine Coon grows in popularity, it is becoming increasingly evident that we humans enjoy having large cats by our sides!
A Maine Coon size comparison to human beings shows that humans are significantly larger.
However, an adult Maine Coon vs human baby is a different story; since a fully grown Maine Coon is often much larger than an infant.
As a baby, though, the Maine Coon kitten’s average weight is only a fraction of a pound, usually just between .19 and .37 pounds at birth.
The table below was created by Maine Coon Central and shows you just how big a Maine Coon is at each stage of its life in comparison to a human:
| Age | Maine Coon Male | Maine Coon Female | Human Male | Human Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | ||||
| Weight | .19 – .37 lb | .19 – .33 lb | 7 lb 8 oz | 7 lb 1 oz |
| Length | Data Unknown | D/U | 19.7” | 19.4” |
| Baby (1 year) | ||||
| Weight | 12.8 – 19.9lb | 9.9 – 14.3 lb | 17 – 21 lb | 15 – 20 lb |
| Height | D/U | D/U | 28 – 32” | 27 – 31” |
| Toddler (2-5) | ||||
| Weight | D/U | D/U | 24 – 44 lb | 22 – 44 lb |
| Height | D/U | D/U | 32 – 43” | 31.5 – 42.5” |
| Child (5-12) | ||||
| Weight | 12 – 25 lb | 8 – 12 lb | 36 – 130 lb | 36 – 136 lb |
| Height | 10 – 16” | 8 – 14” | 42 – 63.5” | 42 – 64” |
| Teenager (13-18) | ||||
| Weight | 12 – 25 lb | 8 – 12 lb | 66 – 202 lb | 68 – 178 lb |
| Height | 10 – 16” | 8 – 14” | 54 – 74” | 55 – 68.5” |
| Adult (18+) | ||||
| Weight | 12 – 25 lb | 8 – 12 lb | 116 – 275 lb | 100 – 250 lb |
| Height | 10 – 16” | 8 – 14” | 65 – 76” | 60 – 70” |
Of course, while this table is helpful as a rough guide, it only includes average estimates and does not include the extremes.
Read our full guide on Maine Coon size here.
While the average Maine Coon weighs between 8 and 25 pounds as an adult, the largest Maine Coon weight was an incredible 34 pounds!
The title for biggest Maine Coon in the world goes to Stewie, a gentle Maine Coon who measured a total of 48.5 inches long! When you compare that to the biggest human in the world, though, Stewie seems quite tiny in comparison.
The tallest human ever recorded was Robert Wadlow, who measured 8 feet and 11.09 inches!
While Stewie and Wadlow never got to meet in real life, the two probably would have gotten along quite well, as they were both remembered for their gentle personalities (sources 1,2,3,4,5).
Here are some other famous and extra-large Maine Coon cats:
Maine Coon Size Chart
As adults, Maine Coons are incredibly enormous. In fact, some normal cats are only about half Maine Coon cat size!
However, Maine Coon size by age looks very different from the average cat, as Maine Coons take much longer to reach their full size.
If you are wondering about the growth stages of a Maine Coon cat, here is a handy guide to Maine Coon size based on age:
- Newborn: .19 to .37 pounds, or about 3 to 6 ounces
- 1 Month: 1.2 to 1.8 pounds
- 2 Months: 2.2 to 3.5 pounds
- 3 Months: When they reach three months old, you can expect a Maine Coon to weigh between 3.3 and 5.3 pounds. At this point, the kitten will begin gaining about two pounds every month until they are roughly 7 months old.
- 4 Months: 5.5 – 8.4 lb
- 5 Months: 6 – 12 lb
- 6 Months: 6.8 – 13.2 lb
- 7 Months: 7.3 – 14.3 lb
- 8 Months: At around 8 months old, Maine Coons experience a major growth spurt. Kittens this age typically weigh between 8.1 and 15.2 lb.
- 9 Months: 9 – 15.3 lb
- 10 Months: 8.8 – 17.2 lb
- 11 Months: 9.5 – 17.6 lb
- 1 Year: Maine Coons typically have their final growth spurt when they are about a year old, or around 50 weeks old.
- Over 1 Year: Grow at a slow, steady rate until they reach their full size, when they are between 3 and 5 years old.
- 3 – 5 years: Most Maine Coons weigh between 9.9 to 19.9 pounds.
Most of a Maine Coon’s growth takes place during their first year of life, but they will not stop growing until they are about three to five years old.
So, how big is a fully grown Maine Coon?
Once they reach full weight, these cats can weigh between 8 and 25 pounds. In addition, they typically measure between 8 and 16 inches tall, and about 40 inches long.
If you plan on getting a Maine Coon as a kitten, it is a good idea to keep track of its size over time.
This is a helpful way to track your kitten’s growth spurts, of which there will typically be three in their lifetime.
Tracking their weight is also beneficial since they are larger than the average cat, and some Maine Coon owners have difficulty ensuring their cat is a healthy weight.
1st Maine Coon Growth Spurt
Their first growth spurt occurs at about 3 months old and lasts until they are about 7 months.
2nd Maine Coon Growth Spurt
They have a second growth spurt soon after, usually around 8 months old.
3rd and 4th Maine Coon Growth Spurt
Finally, Maine Coons have their third and final growth spurt when they are about a year old, or around 50 weeks old.
After their final growth spurt, they will grow much more slowly, and finally stop growing altogether once they reach their full size between 3 and 5 years old.
Once a month, until your Maine Coon is about a year old, you should measure and track your cat’s measurements on a chart:
- Height
- Weight
- Length
This way, you can see if your Maine Coon is growing steadily, and you will have in-depth information to show your vet if you suspect something is wrong.
Keep in mind, though, that your Maine Coon’s growth probably will not look exactly like the guide above, so do not panic if it differs slightly!
Every Maine Coon is different, and they may experience growth spurts a little sooner or later than average.
What is most important is that your Maine Coon is growing steadily, without losing weight, and has enough energy to run, play, and hunt every day.
How Big Is The Average Maine Coon Cat?
If you have fallen in love with the Maine Coon breed due to its enormous size, you may be wondering, are Maine Coons always big?
The most popular Maine Coon stars typically weigh anywhere from 25 to 34 pounds, but the average Maine Coon weight can be very different.
So, how big does the average Maine Coon get?
When fully grown, most cats of this breed weigh between 8 and 25 pounds. In addition, they usually measure a length of about 40 inches and a height between 8 and 16 inches.
Furthermore, it is important to note that the female Maine Coon size is slightly smaller than males.
In general, though, there is nothing you can do to make your Maine Coon grow bigger, but there are some factors that may inhibit growth:
Stunted Growth
For example, young kittens who do not receive enough protein can experience stunted growth, and may not reach their full potential.
Illness Or Injury
Illness or injury at a young age, or being born the runt of the litter can all cause a Maine Coon to be smaller.
Genetics
Overall, though, the biggest factor in a cat’s size is genetics, and there is no way to know how big your Maine Coon will be until it reaches its full size naturally.
Learn more about Maine Coon genetics.
Female Vs Male Maine Coon Size
Many people are surprised to learn that female vs male Maine Coon size varies, but in actuality, this is also true for humans.
Many species of animals differ in size based on gender, sometimes in extreme ways.
When it comes to mammals, males are typically slightly larger on average than their female counterparts.
Over the years, some have posited that evolution has resulted in larger males as a way to overcome rival mates.
However, newer research suggests the hormone estrogen plays an important role.
When human ovaries begin producing estrogen around age 11 or 12, they contribute to bone growth.
Testosterone also contributes to bone growth in males.
However, estrogen causes the bones to fuse earlier than testosterone, leading females to be shorter, on average, than males.
As babies, human boys are usually a bit larger than girls on average. After a few months, however, both boys and girls grow at about the same rate.
Surprisingly, though, young girls typically have a major growth spurt around age 11 or 12, usually about two years before boys do.
As a result, adolescent girls are usually taller than boys for a couple of years, before they are surpassed in size.
By the time they turn 18, the average girl stands about 64 inches tall, or 5 feet 4 inches, while the average 18-year-old boy measures about 69.3 inches tall, or 5 foot 9.3.
Men and women also typically vary in weight, with the average 18-year-old girl weighing 125 pounds and the average 18-year-old boy weighing about 147 pounds.
Meanwhile, male Maine Coons are also typically quite a bit larger than female Maine Coons.
On average, a male Maine Coon will reach between 15 and 25 pounds fully grown, and will stand between 10 and 16 inches tall.
Female Maine Coons, on the other hand, usually only weigh between 8 and 12 pounds, and measure a height of about 8 to 14 inches (sources 1,2).
Maine Coon Size Compared To Normal Cat
When you compare them to humans, it is no surprise that Maine Coons are significantly smaller. However, a Maine Coon compared to normal cat size has some dramatic differences, as well.
Maine Coons are the largest domesticated cat breed in the entire world, but how much bigger are they really than the average cat?
Some people are initially skeptical of the Maine Coon’s enormous size, but that disbelief is usually replaced by shock once they ask the question, how big is a Maine Coon compared to a normal cat?
Here is an image illustrating the differences in Maine Coon vs normal cat sizes:
If you prefer to analyze the Maine Coon size data, I’ve for that for you too:
| Age | Maine Coon Male | Maine Coon Female | Normal Cat Male | Normal Cat Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | ||||
| Weight | .19 – .37 lb | .19 – .33 lb | .11 – .33 lb | .11 – .33 lb |
| Length | Data unknown | D/U | 3” | 3” |
| 3 Months | ||||
| Weight | 3.7 – 5.3 lb | 3.3 – 5 lb | 2.2 – 4 lb | 2.2 – 4 lb |
| Height | D/U | D/U | D/U | D/U |
| 6 Months | ||||
| Weight | 7.5 – 13.2 lb | 6.8 – 9.5 lb | 6 lb | 6 lb |
| Height | D/U | D/U | D/U | D/U |
| 1 Year | ||||
| Weight | 12.8 – 19.9 lb | 9.9 – 14.3 lb | 9 – 10 lb | 5.9 – 9 lb |
| Height | D/U | D/U | 8 – 10” | 8 – 10” |
| 3 to 5 Years | ||||
| Weight | 12 – 25 lb | 8 – 12 lb | 9 – 10 lb | 6 – 10 lb |
| Height | 10 – 16” | 8 – 14” | 8 – 10” | 8 – 10” |
While data seems to show that male Maine Coon kittens are born slightly larger than females, there does not seem to be a significant difference in kitten size among most cats.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to know for sure what the average sizes are, especially since most cat owners do not even take a kitten’s height or length into consideration as it grows.
Still, the above chart is a helpful guide to show the difference in growth rate between Maine Coons and regular cats.
Most cats, including domestic shorthairs, domestic longhairs, and most cat breeds, reach their full size between 1 and 1.5 years old, while Maine Coons do not reach full size until they are between 3 and 5 years old.
Furthermore, the average cat is several pounds lighter than Maine Coons, particularly males. While Maine Coons range between 8 and 25 pounds, the average cat only weighs between 6 and 15 pounds.
Sadly, there is a great deal of varying information when it comes to cat sizes, so there is no way to know the average sizes for sure.
Still, it is generally agreed that male Maine Coons reach sizes of 12 to 25 pounds, while their female counterparts only weigh 8 to 12 pounds on average.
Male Maine Coons can measure from 10 to 16 inches tall, and females usually stand at a height of 8 to 14 inches tall.
Similarly, while anecdotal evidence varies greatly, the average male cat typically weighs about 2 to 5 pounds more than the average female cat and stands 1 or 2 inches taller (source 1).
Maine Coon Size Compared To A Dog
When you compare a Maine Coon to the average cat, you may be stunned at the difference. However, people are rarely as surprised when they examine the size differences among dog breeds.
The smallest cat breed weighs just 4 to 5 pounds when fully grown, while Maine Coons can reach sizes between 25 and 34 pounds.
In comparison, the smallest adult dog weighs just 1 pound, while the largest dog weighed an incredible 343 pounds! This means that Maine Coons, while incredibly large among cats, are only small to medium in size in comparison to dogs.
The Maine Coon breed can be compared to the Boston Terrier, a dog that typically weighs between 10 and 25 pounds and measures about 16 inches tall.
Many people are surprised to learn just how big Maine Coon cats are in comparison to normal cats, especially because most cats vary little in size or appearance. Most cats also appear very similar in shape and size, and mostly vary in color.
Dogs, on the other hand, vary wildly in size and shape.
So, why is it that the two most popular pets in the world are so different?
Dogs have been bred for centuries for a variety of reasons, and each breed reflects its unique purpose.
For example, the long, skinny dachshund’s shape allows it to hunt for otters and badgers in underground tunnels, while the corgi’s short legs make them better at dodging cattle while herding.
Cats, meanwhile, have only ever been bred for hunting vermin, luxury, and companionship.
Furthermore, while humans actively domesticated dogs, cats, in a sense, domesticated themselves. They chose to live alongside humans due to plentiful food and rats, and humans allowed them to stay nearby in exchange for hunting vermin.
Over time, cats have changed so little because humans never really saw the need to change their size or shape; since they were already perfectly suited to their job.
More recently, however, cat fanciers have been experimenting with genetic mutations and unique characteristics to develop new and exciting breeds.
The Maine Coon may have developed naturally, but as breeders continue to find the biggest, most beautiful cats to breed, it is likely these cats will only grow in size. With responsible breeding, who knows how big these cats could get someday (sources 1,2).
Conclusion
Maine Coons are famous for their enormous size compared to other cats.
When you examine Maine Coon size compared to human size, it is no surprise that fully grown humans are much larger.
Still, Maine Coons can reach the same size as a two or three-year-old child, making them the biggest domesticated cat species in the entire world!
Related Questions
American Maine Coon Vs European
American and European Maine Coons are both the same breed, but European Maine Coons have a more wild appearance, with a strong muzzle and broad nose.
Why Do Maine Coons Look Like Humans?
European Maine Coons can look oddly like humans due to their distinct chins and noses. Their almond-shaped eyes also appear intelligent and even human-like.