What Is a Maine Coon? A Complete Beginner’s Guide To The Breed

Maine Coon cat laying twisted on a bed

Maine Coons are one of the world’s most recognisable cat breeds, known for their size, intelligence, rugged outdoor origins, and affectionate personalities.

This hub page introduces everything new and prospective owners need to know, from appearance and behaviour to size, growth, coat types, colours, and care requirements – with links to detailed Maine Coon Central guides throughout.

Whether you’re researching the breed for the first time, preparing to adopt a kitten, or wanting a clearer understanding of what makes Maine Coons unique, this page provides a structured overview of the breed’s defining traits and characteristics.

Maine Coon Overview

The Maine Coon is a natural breed originating in North America, known for its:

  • Muscular body
  • Thick coat
  • Bushy tail
  • Large ears
  • Friendly temperament

They are often described as “dog-like” because of their loyalty, trainability, and tendency to follow their owners around the home.

Maine Coons are slow-maturing, reaching full size between 3-5 years. Their dense, semi-water-resistant coat is built for cold climates and comes in over 75 colours and pattern combinations.

Learn more:

Key Physical Characteristics

Maine Coons have a distinctive appearance: large bone structure, long bushy tail, tufted paws, prominent lynx-tipped ears, and a ruff of fur around the neck.

Their semi-longhaired double or triple coat varies in texture across the body, being shorter on the shoulders and longer on the belly and flanks.

Typical features:

  • Long, rectangular body shape
  • Heavy bone structure
  • Large, expressive eyes
  • Prominent ear tufts and furnishings
  • Thick, weather-resistant coat

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Size And Growth

Maine Coons are one of the largest domestic cat breeds. Adult males typically weigh 18-21 lbs (8.2-9.5 kg), while females average 12-15 lbs (5.4-6.8 kg). They grow slowly compared to other breeds, reaching full physical maturity around age 3-5 years.

Their long growth timeline can make kittens appear slender or unevenly proportioned during adolescence – this is normal for the breed.

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Coat, Colour & Pattern

The breed comes in almost every colour and pattern combination, from classic tabby to shaded, smoke, solid, and bi-colour.

Their coat requires regular grooming due to seasonal shedding and naturally thicker areas around the:

  • Neck
  • Belly
  • Hind legs

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Personality & Temperament

Maine Coons are sociable, gentle cats known for their intelligence and affectionate nature. They enjoy interacting with people, often follow their owners from room to room, and communicate using chirps, trills, and soft meows.

Typical traits include:

  • Friendly with children and pets
  • Highly intelligent and trainable
  • Loyal but not overly demanding
  • Curious and playful throughout adulthood

Detailed behaviour guides:

Health & Common Conditions

Maine Coons are generally robust but genetically predisposed to several heritable conditions, including HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) and hip dysplasia. Routine veterinary checks and early screening help reduce risks.

Maintaining a healthy weight is also important due to their large size.

Learn more:

Care & Ownership Essentials

Maine Coons require:

  • Regular brushing (2-3 times per week)
  • High-quality, high-protein diet
  • Enrichment, toys, and climbing opportunities
  • Nail trimming, dental care, and routine hygiene
  • Mental stimulation to prevent boredom

Explore care topics:

Adoption & Buying A Maine Coon

Finding a reputable breeder or rescue is essential. Ensure kittens are well-socialised, health-tested, and appropriately weaned.

Avoid online scams and “backyard breeders” who cannot provide pedigree documents or health screening.

Learn more:

Related Breed Basics Guides

These pages expand on the fundamentals introduced in this hub:

FAQ: What Is A Maine Coon?

1. What makes a Maine Coon different from other cat breeds?

Maine Coons stand out because of their large size, rectangular body, long bushy tail, lynx-style ear tufts, and semi-long waterproof coat. They also have a uniquely dog-like personality – following owners from room to room, greeting visitors, and learning commands more easily than most breeds.

2. Are Maine Coons a natural breed?

Yes. The Maine Coon is one of the few naturally occurring cat breeds, meaning their physical traits developed through natural selection in the cold climate of the northeastern United States. Unlike designer mixes, they were not created through artificial crossbreeding.

3. How big do Maine Coons get?

Most adult males weigh 18-21 lbs (8.2-9.5 kg) and females 12-15 lbs (5.4-6.8 kg).
They are slow maturing and continue growing until 3-5 years old, much longer than typical domestic cats.

4. What is the personality of a Maine Coon like?

Maine Coons are known for being gentle, affectionate, intelligent, and social. They form strong bonds with their families but are not overly demanding. Many enjoy learning tricks, walking on a harness, playing fetch, and “talking” using chirps and trills.

5. Do Maine Coons get along with children and other pets?

Yes. Maine Coons are widely considered one of the best breeds for families, dogs, and multi-cat households. Their calm, tolerant nature makes them excellent companions for children when properly introduced.

6. What coat patterns and colours do Maine Coons come in?

They appear in over 74 color and pattern combinations, including classic tabby, solid, smoke, shaded, tortie, and bi-color variations. The only excluded patterns are pointed (e.g., Siamese-style).

7. How can I tell if my cat is part Maine Coon?

Look for traits such as:

  • long rectangular body
  • thick ruff around the neck
  • large tufted paws
  • long, flowing tail
  • M-shaped forehead marking (common in many tabbies, not breed-specific)
    DNA tests can suggest ancestry, but only pedigree papers confirm a purebred Maine Coon.

8. Are Maine Coons hypoallergenic?

No. Maine Coons produce the same Fel d 1 allergen as other cats, although their coat type sometimes distributes allergens differently. Some allergy sufferers tolerate them better, but the breed is not hypoallergenic.

9. What health problems are Maine Coons prone to?

The breed has a higher risk for:

  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
  • Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

Reputable breeders health-test breeding cats to reduce disease risk.

10. How long do Maine Coons live?

Most live 12-15 years, though many reach their late teens with good veterinary care, high-quality nutrition, and an indoor lifestyle.

11. Do Maine Coons need special grooming?

Their semi-long coat requires brushing 2-3 times per week and more during shedding seasons. They tend to stay clean naturally, but regular ear cleaning, nail trimming, and occasional bathing help maintain coat and skin health.

12. Are Maine Coons expensive?

Yes. Pedigree Maine Coon kittens typically cost £900-£2,000 in the UK and $1,000-$3,000 in the US, depending on pedigree, breeder reputation, coat colour, and demand.

13. Why are they called Maine Coons?

They were named after the US state of Maine, where the breed developed, and the myth (incorrect but charming) that they were descended from raccoons – something genetically impossible, but the resemblance stuck.

14. Do Maine Coons meow?

They do, but Maine Coons are more known for their chirps, trills, and soft vocalisations. They rarely have the classic “meow” associated with other breeds.

15. Are Maine Coons indoor or outdoor cats?

They adapt well to both, but indoor or supervised outdoor time is recommended to reduce risks such as theft, traffic, disease, and injury due to their high value and friendly nature.

Author

  • A Maine Coon cat enthusiast with 13+ years of experience owning three Maine Coon cats. I have first-hand experience with many Maine Coon health issues, e.g., hip dysplasia, bent tail canal, and arthritis. I have experience in training Maine Coons, registered breeders, adopting Maine Coons, and caring for a Maine Coon. I currently own two male Maine Coon cats, named Mika and Bali.

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