Maine Coon Vs Siamese

If you are still on the fence about adopting a cat breed, you may be wondering about the differences between Maine Coon vs Siamese cats.

Both are highly popular breeds, but they are very different from each other!

Maine Coon cats are sociable and loving, but they are also laid back and independent. Siamese cats are highly social and require constant care and attention. Maine Coons may talk occasionally, while Siamese cats are one of the most vocal breeds in the world. Both breeds are exceptionally playful.

Are you still wondering whether or not a Siamese or a Maine Coon is a good fit for your home?

Read on to learn all about these breeds’ temperaments, care requirements, and more!

Maine Coon Vs Siamese

The Maine Coon cat was discovered in the 1800s in the cold, harsh climate of Maine.

This is the largest cat breed in the world.

Their large size and thick coat make them hardy and well suited to cold temperatures.

During the 1800s, Maine Coons were very popular for their ability to hunt mice, rats, and other vermin.

Today, however, they are most sought after for their playful yet gentle demeanor, as well as their intelligence.

While Maine Coons have a rather rustic background, the Siamese has a rich and aristocratic history.

This breed originated in Thailand, formerly known as Siam. Poetry and artistic depictions of Siamese cats date back as far as the 14th century!

These cats were considered highly rare and lucky, and as a result, only royalty was allowed to own them.

It wasn’t until the 1800s that the Siamese cat made its way to Europe via trade, and today, people all over the world can keep these beautiful cats in their homes!

Maine Coons and Siamese cats are very different from each other.

The Maine Coon is a laid-back breed that, while affectionate, can get along just fine on its own. Siamese cats, however, love to spend nearly every waking moment near their people.

However, both Maine Coon cats and Siamese cats are playful and affectionate breeds (source 1).

For more information on the origins of the Maine Coon cat, click here.

Differences Between Maine Coon and Siamese Cat Breeds

When it comes to physical differences, Maine Coon vs Siamese cats are about as different as it gets!

Size

Maine Coons are famous for being the largest domesticated cat breed in the world.

On average, they weigh between 8 and 25 pounds, measure a length of 19 to 40 inches, and stand at a height between 8 and 16 inches.

Siamese cats, on the other hand, are significantly smaller.

They typically weigh between 8 and 14 pounds, measure a length of 11.5 to 14 inches, and stand at a height of 8 to 12 inches (sources 1,2).

Head Shape

Maine Coons have high cheekbones, and medium, wedge-shaped heads.

The Siamese cat has a distinctively long, wedge-shaped head with a fine muzzle.

Nose

The Maine Coon nose is medium and slightly concave, while Siamese cats have long, straight noses.

Ears

Maine Coon ears have wide bases that taper to a fine, tufted point.

Siamese cats have very large ears in relation to the rest of their head, with a wide base that continues along the same line as their head.

Tail

Maine Coon cats have long, bushy tails with a thick base that tapers to a point.

It is also common for Maine Coon tails to have rings near the base.

Siamese cats have very long and thin tails. Historically, their tails had a distinctive kink, which was said to be used to hold princess’s rings.

However, the features have since been bred out.

Eyes

Maine Coons have large, expressive eyes which come in many colors, including green, gold, copper, and sometimes blue or odd-eyed.

Read more about this in my article ‘Maine Coon Eye Facts‘.

Siamese cats have almond-shaped eyes that are always startlingly blue.

Muzzle/Chin

Maine Coons distinctive square muzzles, making them appear wild and powerful.

Siamese cats have long, straight muzzles.

Neck

Maine Coons have medium-length necks of a moderate thickness, while a Siamese cat has a long, slender neck.

Fur

Maine Coon cats have medium to long fur, which is longer on their paws and around their chest. Their fur is very thick, to help insulate them against cold weather.

If you purchase or adopt a Maine Coon cat, you will need to like grooming cats!

The Maine Coon has relatively high maintenance fur since they require regular brushing 2-3 times a week.

I have found these cat grooming brushes to really quicken the process since they are high quality and help to remove the knots that our Maine Coon sometimes suffers from.

Siamese cats have fine, short fur, and they do not have an undercoat.

Body Shape

Maine Coons have sturdy, rectangular bodies with broad chests.

Siamese cats, however, are sleek and elegant in appearance. Their bodies are long, slim, and tubular.

Legs and Feet

Maine Coons have thick, widely set legs with very large, tufted paws.

Like the rest of their body, Siamese cats have long, slender legs, their paws small and quite dainty.

Growth Rate

Maine Coons are known for having a slower growth rate than most cat breeds. Most Maine Coons take between 3 and 5 years to reach their full size.

I found the growth rate of the Maine Coon cat fascinating, so wrote this article on how to keep a Maine Coon Growth Chart.

I feel this is a really useful thing to learn as it puts an owner’s mind at ease that since you can quickly determine if your Maine Coon is growing at a normal rate for the breed.

Siamese cats have a much faster growth rate, typically reaching full maturity between 10 and 12 months old.

Color

Maine Coons come in virtually every color known to cats, as well as most possible fur patterns.

Siamese cats, on the other hand, have very specific coloration and markings.

All Siamese cats are pointed, which means that their face, ears, paws, and tail are darker than the rest of their body.

Siamese cats can come in only four colors: Chocolate point, lilac point, seal point, and blue point.

(Source 1): ‘The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Cats’ by Lee Harper and Joyce L. White

Discover the full list of colors that the fabulous Maine Coon cat breed can have, by clicking on this link.

Maine Coon Vs Siamese Personality

Physical characteristics aren’t the only differences when it comes to Maine Coon and Siamese cats.

They also have a wide range of behavioral and personality differences.

Temperament

Maine Coons are gentle yet playful.

They are highly intelligent creatures who need plenty of enrichment, but also enjoy simply cuddling or hanging around near their owners.

Siamese cats are also highly intelligent and affectionate, but with much higher levels of energy.

These chaotic bundles of energy are known for being vocal, mischievous, and quite clingy.

Sociability

Maine Coons are warm, sociable cats who enjoy spending time near their owners, but they are not usually demanding attention.

They enjoy “chatting” with chirrups and other odd vocalizations, but are soft-spoken overall.

They get along well with all sorts of people, as well as other animals.

Siamese cats have much higher social needs than Maine Coons. In fact, their sociable nature can sometimes make them a little too clingy.

They tend to bond strongly with their owners and need plenty of attention throughout the day to keep from feeling left out.

Get On With Other Pets

Maine Coons are laid-back creatures that are typically well suited to life with other pets, particularly dogs or other cats.

Siamese cats are incredibly social cats.

While they should still receive plenty of attention from humans, they tend to be a bit less clingy if they have another cat around for companionship.

They can also live well with dogs.

However, all cats should be kept away from birds, rodents, or other small animals that they might see as prey.

Loyalty/Companionship

Maine Coons are loyal cats who are dearly affectionate to their owners.

They enjoy being cared for but can be independent at times.

They enjoy existing in the same space as their people but don’t need to be constantly held or adored.

Maine Coon cats are loyal and sociable without being demanding.

Siamese cats, on the other hand, are notoriously clingy.

While many owners find this trait endearing, you’ll have to be honest with yourself about whether or not this breed is for you.

Not everyone enjoys how clingy Siamese cats are.

The Siamese cat loves to be pampered and adored and simply cannot stand to be away from its owners for too long.

These cats are ideal for people who work from home and have plenty of energy to spend on their beloved cats.

Intelligence/Trainability

Both Siamese cats and Maine Coons are wickedly smart. They can be trained to do tricks and even go on walks!

However, due to their laidback nature, Maine Coons are typically expected to be easier to train.

Siamese cats tend to use their intellect to get into all sorts of trouble.

Both breeds, however, require plenty of enrichment and mental stimulation through toys and play to keep from getting bored.

Playful

Maine Coons are known for retaining a kitten-like personality well into their adult years. Many Maine Coons are even known for playing fetch!

Male Maine Coons are especially known for their clownish nature, and they’re sure to entertain you with their adorable antics.

Siamese cats are also known for having a dog-like capacity for play.

They are even more active than Maine Coons, and need a lot of toys and enriching activities to keep their minds and bodies properly stimulated.

Having owned a Maine Coon cat for almost 9 years now, I feel that my male Maine Coon has tested most of the cat toys available in the marketplace!

These are my ‘Top 5 Maine Coon Cat Toys‘.

Exercise

Maine Coons need approximately 20-30 minutes of exercise each day.

They get a great deal of exercise from simply playing or exploring around the house, and in the garden.

If there is a leaf flying around your garden, your Maine Coon cat is likely to be chasing it!

In general, though the Maine Coon cat breed tends to be laid back, a well-trained Maine Coon doesn’t mind the occasional walk outside!

Siamese cats are incredibly energetic, and they need plenty of places to climb and space to run around.

While you won’t need to take this cat out for exercise like you would a dog, they still need playtime so they can get out all of their energy.

Whichever cat breed you love most, they will both benefit from climbing and exercising on a cat tower. In the case of a Maine Coon cat though, bigger is definitely better!

In the beginning, I made the mistake of purchasing a normal-sized cat tree for my Maine Coon kitten and never considered just how big the cat tower would need to be.

Pippin just kept growing, so I had to buy a bigger cat tree!

Finding the right large cat tree for your Maine Coon is not always an easy task.

To save you time and hassle, take a look at my favorite Maine Coon sized cat towers.

Vocality

Maine Coons are soft-spoken creatures that rarely meow. Instead, they use charming chirps and trills to communicate. They can be very chatty, but not overly so.

For more information about the Maine Coon sounds, read my article ‘Why Maine Coon Talking Is A Thing‘.

Siamese cats, meanwhile, are likely the most vocal cat breed out there.

They have loud, deep yowls, and if they are feeling left out, can meow for hours on end until they are given the attention they want.

Their vocality certainly isn’t for everyone, but Siamese owners tend to love their cats for their outspoken nature.

Hunting Skills

Maine Coons were once prized for their ability to hunt rats and mice and were even used by sailors to keep vermin off of their boats.

Your Maine Coon’s intelligence and prey drive will likely make it an excellent hunter.

Siamese cats were not kept by royal families just to look pretty; they were also used to rid palaces of mice and rats.

Today, they’re still excellent hunters who are experts at keeping garages free from pests! (source 1)

Family Friendly

Maine Coons are famous for their patience and loving nature. They get along well with children and tend to bond with entire families rather than just one person.

The male of the species does prefer to have one ‘special’ human owner though, but this is not to say they will ignore other family members.

So long as young children learn not to play rough with the cat, a Maine Coon is sure to fit right into any family!

Here’s a video of our daughter sitting next to our Maine Coon cat. As you can see, these two have a strong bond with each other.

Siamese cats are well suited to a family.

These cats need so much attention though, so do best around a group of people with who they can spend time.

Siamese cats are happiest if there is at least one person around most of the time so they can receive the attention they need.

Climbers

Both Maine Coon and Siamese cats love to climb!

You will definitely need a cat tree in your home to satisfy these cats’ urge to be up high.

While both Maine Coons and Siamese cats enjoy high places, a Siamese is more likely to get into trouble for leaping on top of cupboards or other inconvenient places.

Click the link to view the best extra large cat trees available on the market.

Territorial

Neither Maine Coons nor Siamese cats are prone to territoriality.

These are highly sociable breeds who prefer to share space with others rather than fight over territory.

Maine Coon Vs Siamese Cost

Neither Maine Coons nor Siamese cats come cheap.

Thankfully, neither breed is especially rare or difficult to find, so they cost around the same amount of money.

The table below shows the relative cost difference between purchasing or adopting a Maine Coon vs Siamese cat (source 1):

Type	Maine Coon Price ($)	Siamese Price ($)
Kitten	400-2000	400-2000
Cat	600	1000
Senior Cat	600	500
Rescue Cat	250	250

For more information about the price of owning or adopting a Maine Coon kitten or cat, take a look at my article ‘How Much Do Maine Coons Cost?‘.

Lifespan

On average, Maine Coons live between 12 and 15 years old, while a Siamese cat can be expected to live between 11 and 15 years.

Health

Here are some common health problems that can be found in Siamese and Maine Coon cats:

Maine Coon Health Problems

• Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Also known as HCM, this condition occurs in many cat breeds and mostly affects older cats. It is a genetic heart condition that causes the walls of the heart to thicken over time, ultimately leading to death.

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy: This genetic disorder causes the muscles surrounding your cat’s spine to atrophy. It usually becomes apparent while the cat is young. While this disease is not fatal, it does cause an abnormal.

• Hip Dysplasia: This is a genetically inherited disorder that results in abnormal hip development and often leads to limping. It is not fatal, but it is relatively common in both Maine Coon cats and Siamese cats. Click here to learn more about Maine Coon hip dysplasia.

• Polycystic Kidney Disease: Also known as PKD, this genetic disorder leads cysts to form in the cat’s kidneys, which can cause kidney failure in some cases. Click here to learn more on PKD.

Siamese Health Problems

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Progressive Renal Atrophy, also known as PRA, is a condition that causes a cat’s vision to slowly worsen over time. While it can eventually lead to blindness, most cats suffering from PRA learn how to cope with their gradual loss of vision quite well.

• Asthma: Siamese cats are also prone to asthma, which leads to difficulty breathing. It can be treated with prescription drugs, and is not typically dangerous.

• Hip Dysplasia: This is a genetically inherited disorder that results in abnormal hip development and often leads to limping. It is not fatal, but it is relatively common in both Maine Coon cats and Siamese cats.

• Amyloidosis: This is a condition that causes the protein to build up in a cat’s organs over time. In Siamese cats, the liver is most commonly affected. This will lead to symptoms like excessive urination, weight loss, vomiting, and loss of appetite. It can be treated but is unfortunately incurable (sources 1).

Caring For A Maine Coon Vs Siamese

Here are the similarities and differences in maintenance requirements for Siamese Vs Maine Coon cats.

Grooming

Maine Coon cats have medium-long, thick coats which require regular brushing.

Their paws usually have longer fur, which can become matted and tangled, and can be trimmed to prevent tripping.

The occasional bath can be quite good for their coat, and usually isn’t a hassle as most Maine Coons love water.

Siamese cats have fine coats with no undercoat, so they typically do not require extensive grooming. Most Siamese cats do not require baths.

Food

Both Maine Coon and Siamese cats are very athletic, so they require high-quality food with plenty of protein to stay healthy.

Some Maine Coon owners swear by the raw food diet.

Take a look at my article ‘Maine Coon Raw Food Diet‘ to see if you agree!

Toys

Maine Coons are playful, kitten-like cats who need plenty of toys to keep from getting bored. What many owners do not realize is that Maine Coons often remain kitten-like, late into their adult lives!

Siamese cats have even more energy than Maine Coons, and need lots of toys to stay entertained. Many Siamese cats can benefit from puzzle-type toys that stimulate their mind.

Siamese cats are prone to boredom if not being properly enriched, so be sure to rotate your cat’s toys every so often.

These are my favorite cat toys, which are a great way of stimulating these clever cats’ minds.

Cost of Owning a Maine Coon vs Siamese Cat

Overall, you can expect Maine Coons and Siamese cats to cost about the same.

The table below shows some of the more common expenses you will incur whilst owning a cat (sources 1,2).

Please note that these are average costings only:

Expense	Cost ($)
Microchip	45
Insurance (Average Annual)	120 – 480
Neutering	200 – 500
Deworming	20
De-Fleeing	20
Veterinary Checkups	75 – 500
Cat Carrier	40 – 60
Litter Trays	10 – 50
Scratching Post	20 – 300
Grooming Brushes	10 – 30

Siamese Maine Coon Cat Mix

A Siamese Maine Coon mix is any breed that has both Siamese and Maine Coon parentage.

While there is no breed standard for this mix, Siamese Maine Coon mixes may have short to medium-long fur, and they may have the signature color point of a Siamese.

The Siamese Maine Coon cat mix might be larger than most cats due to its Maine Coon heritage.

You can likely expect a Siamese Maine Coon mix to be highly sociable and playful, with plenty of energy and a need for enrichment.

Due to its Siamese parentage, this mix might be more prone to being vocal than most Maine Coon cats.

Conclusion

It’s fascinating to learn just how different Maine Coon vs Siamese cats are.

While both breeds are playful and intelligent, Maine Coons are more laid back and independent.

Siamese cats tend to be highly vocal and clingy, so they aren’t always the best fit for every household. Both cat breeds are incredibly loving and sociable.

Related Questions

Maine Coon vs Ragdoll

Maine Coons and Ragdoll cats are both very loving and gentle breeds. Ragdolls, however, are both less active and less vocal than Maine Coons.

Maine Coon vs Regular Cat

Maine Coons are much larger than the average house cat, and they are also generally more intelligent and easy to train.