What Is The Average Weight Of A Maine Coon Cat?
If you are keen to own one of the largest domestic cat breeds in the world, consider buying a Maine Coon cat which can reach up to 22 lbs in weight, sometimes even more!
Keep reading to find out, what is the average weight of a Maine Coon cat, and many more Maine Coon size facts and figures.
TICA states the average weight of a Maine Coon cat is 12-22 lbs. Larger Maine Coons tend to be males, with a weight ranging from 18-22 lbs (8.2 – 10.0 kg), whereas average female Maine Coon weigh between 12-15 lbs (5.4-6.8 kg). A Maine Coon cat’s weight is dependent upon their gender, genetics, diet, health, and purebred vs mixed lineage DNA.
The Maine Coon cat’s reputation for being a gentle giant reflects its friendly, loving, and docile nature, making them one of the best pets to own for beginners.
Read on to find out what factors affect the average Maine Coon size, and just how large a Maine Coon cat can grow if the conditions are right.
Average Weight Of A Maine Coon Cat
The Maine Coon cat breed is thought to have originated in the State of Maine, United States, and is famous for being the biggest domestic cat.
Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, this large breed is well known for its impressive size, after Stewie the Maine Coon won the title for ‘longest domestic cat’.
This large cat effectively catapulted the Maine Coon cat breed into the limelight at cat shows, after being named the world’s longest cat!
However, this is not the only thing that has caught cat lovers’ attention though, as many new Maine Coon owners have been in awe of this large cat breed for the following reasons:
- Rugged Wild Looks
- Large Size
- Long Bushy Tail
- Long Coat
- Thick Coat
There is a considerable level of debate across the official international cat association bodies, as to what the average Maine Coon mass or weight range is.
We have compared the Maine Coon size chart ranges for the following cat bodies:
- TICA – The International Cat Association
- CFA – The Cat Fanciers Association
- GCCF: The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy
Take a look at the table below, to see the Maine Coon size charts from the following official cat breed bodies, divided into lbs and kgs, and male vs female Maine Coon sizes (source 1,2,3):
| Cat Bodies | Male Maine Coon Size in lbs | Male Maine Coon Size in kgs | Female Maine Coon Size in lbs | Female Maine Coon Size in kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TICA | 18 – 22 lbs | 8.2 – 10.0 kgs | 12 – 15 lbs | 5.4 – 6.8 kg |
| CFA | 12 – 15 lbs | 5.44 – 6.80 kgs | 9 – 12 lbs | 4.08 – 5.44 kg |
| GCCF | 10 – 18 lbs | 4.54 – 8.65 kgs | 7 – 12 lbs | 3.17 – 5.44 |
As you can see, there is a considerable difference between the known average Maine Coon weight, if we compare the TICA vs CFA, and even more so if we look at TICA vs GCCF!
These Maine Coon size differences can be somewhat confusing for individuals less familiar with the breed.
From my own personal experience, I can confirm that one of our three male Maine Coon cats weighs 17 lbs, whereas the other two males weigh 20 lbs each.
My three male Maine Coon cats, therefore, more accurately fit within TICA’s Maine Coon average size range, than CFA or GCCF’s.
Average Male Vs. Female Maine Coon Weight
The average male Maine Coon cat weighs between 18 – 22 lbs (8.2 – 10.0 kgs). The average female Maine Coon cat weighs 12 – 15 lbs (5.4 – 6.8 kgs).
It is worth remembering, however, that an average figure is only a number expressing the central or typical value set of data, thus many Maine Coons will fall below or above these size ranges.
Additionally, Maine Coon cats grow very slowly, so do not reach full size until between 3-5 years of age, or 4 years if you follow TICA’s Maine Coon cat breed guidance.
The table below shows the average full-size Maine Coon weight range for male and female Maine Coons, according to the TICA Maine Coon cat breed standards:
| Male | Female |
|---|---|
| 18 – 22 lbs | 12 – 15 lbs |
| 8.2 – 10.0 kgs | 5.4 – 6.8 kgs |
If you look at the table above, you can see that the average weight of a Maine Coon cat varies, though generally speaking male Maine Coons grow larger than their female counterparts.
The table also highlights how Maine Coon cats are bigger than the Norwegian Forest cat that grows to between 8 – 18 lbs, according to these TICA cat breed standards.
TICA Breed Standards
As one of the largest and quickest-growing international cat association bodies, I have selected to follow TICA’s Maine Coon size chart ranges in this guide, for the Maine Coon cat breed.
This is because when analyzing my own three male Maine Coon cats, the average weight for a male Maine Coon cat more closely aligns with what TICA has recorded.
TICA also represents a great number of cat breeds, catering to an impressive 71 different cat breeds, compared to CFA’s 45, and GCCF’s 40 cat breeds (source 1,2,3)
Below is a picture of our full-size male Maine Coon cat, Pippin. He weighs 20 lbs, so definitely has not grown as big as these 11 GIANT MAINE COON CATS!
Follow Pippin’s journey on Maine Coon Central’s YouTube channel, where he displays his overly affectionate, loyal, and quirky personality.
How Much Do Maine Coon Kittens Weigh?
Maine Coon kittens with no health issues, that are fed a balanced diet with proper nutrition should weigh between 0.19 – 0.37 lbs (90g – 170g) at birth.
1st Year
During the first year of their lives, your Maine Coon kitten will grow considerably, reaching between 1.21 – 1.80 lbs (550 – 820g) after one month.
Their size at this point is dependent upon their gender.
6 Months
By 6 months, a male Maine Coon kitten will weigh between 7.49 – 13.22 lbs (3.4 – 6 kg), whereas a female Maine Coon kitten ranges between 6.83 – 9.47 lbs (3.1 – 4.3 kgs).
12 Months +
At the 12-month mark, you can expect your Maine Coon kitten to range between 4.5 – 9 kg.
If you are looking for a comprehensive guide to what a healthy weight for your Maine Coon kitten should be in the first year of their lives, by month, take a look at the table below (source 1):
| Maine Coon Age | Male Kitten | Female Kitten |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 90 – 170 g (0.19 – 0.37 lb) | 90 – 150 g (0.19 – 0.33 lb) |
| 1 Week | 190 – 290 g (0.41 – 0.63 lb) | 160 to 260 g (0.35 – 0.57 lb) |
| 2 Weeks | 290 – 430 g (0.63 – 0.94 lb) | 280 – 410 g (0.61 – 0.90 lb) |
| 3 Weeks | 430 – 600 g (0.94 – 1.32 lb) | 410 – 550 g (0.90 – 1.21 lb) |
| 1 Month | 620 – 820 g (1.36 – 1.80 lb) | 550 – 740 g (1.21 – 1.63 lb) |
| 2 Months | 1.1 – 1.6 kg (2.42 – 3.52 lb) | 1 – 1.4 kg (2.20 – 3.08 lb) |
| 3 Months | 1.7 – 2.4 kg (3.74 – 5.29 lb) | 1.5 – 2.3 kg (3.30 – 5.07 lb) |
| 4 Months | 2.9 – 3.8 kg (6.39 – 8.37 lb) | 2.5 – 3.5 kg (5.51 – 7.71 lb) |
| 5 Months | 3.3 – 5.5 kg (7.27 – 12.1 lb) | 2.7 – 4.2 kg (5.95 – 9.25 lb) |
| 6 Months | 3.4 – 6 kg (7.49 – 13.22 lb) | 3.1 – 4.3 kg (6.83 – 9.47 lb) |
| 7 Months | 4.1 – 6.5 kg (9.03 – 14.33 lb) | 3.3 – 4.6 kg (7.27 – 10.14 lb) |
| 8 Months | 4.4 – 6.9 kg (9.7 – 15.22 lb) | 3.7 – 5 kg (8.15 – 11.02 lb) |
| 9 Months | 5 – 7 kg (12.56 – 15.43 lb) | 4.1 – 5.2 kg (9.03 – 11.46 lb) |
| 10 Months | 5.1 – 7.8 kg (11.24 – 17.19 lb) | 4 – 5.5 kg (8.81 – 12.12 lb) |
| 11 Months | 5.5 – 8 kg (12.12 – 17.63 lb) | 4.3 – 6 kg (9.47 – 13.22 lb) |
| 12 Months | 5.8 – 9 kg (12.78 – 19.84 lb) | 4.5 – 6.5 kg (9.92 – 14.33 lb) |
The table shows that a Maine Coon kittens growth rate considerably slows down once they reach their first birthday.
After the 1 year mark, Maine Coon kittens continue growing slowly and steadily, not reaching their full-size dimensions until between the ages of 3 – 5 years, when they reach physical maturity.
Please note that the weights in the table above are average figures only, and a Maine Coon’s weight is dependent upon many different factors, e.g. health, diet, and genetics.
In general, a healthy Maine Coon kitten will put on roughly 1 pound a month (0.45 kg) between the ages of 3 – 7 months of ages, though this figure can fluctuate in response to a kitten’s growth spurts.
Keep track of your Maine Coon kitten’s weight gain, by keeping a Maine Coon Growth Chart like this.
What Do Maine Coon Cats Eat?
Maine Coons are obligate carnivores, so should only be fed a high protein, grain-free diet throughout their lifespan.
If you are a new Maine Coon owner, keep in mind that the diet of a Maine Coon kitten varies from that of a fully-grown Maine Coon cat.
Maine Coon kittens should only be fed foods specifically formulated with the Maine Coon kitten dietary requirements in mind, and most importantly only fed high-quality cat food.
A healthy cat will achieve the expected average Maine Coon’s size listed in the table above.
If your kitten is the smaller size, keep in mind that all cats grow at their own individual rate. Therefore, as long as they are increasing in weight, month by month, there shouldn’t be an issue.
However, Maine Coon kittens falling behind the average weight figures shown above must be assessed by a veterinary professional, to check for an underlying health issue.
The best way to ensure Maine Coon cat weigh the right amount is to feed a Maine Coon kitten the correct diet, so the kitten is not smaller in weight and size.
How To Make A Maine Coon Grow Big
Whilst Maine Coon cat owners do play a role in enabling their Maine Coon kitten to grow to the upper limits of its size potential, it is not within their powers to make a Maine Coon grow big!
If you are dreaming of your own Maine Coon kitten growing to a massive size, often referred to as a giant Maine Coon cat, this is how to make your Maine Coon grow bigger:
- Only feed your cat a high-quality cat food
- Feed your cat a mixture of dry food, wet food, and raw food (following vet guidance only).
- Encourage your cat to have regular exercise
- Do not overfeed your cat as this results in overweight cats
- Only purchase a purebred Maine Coon kitten
- Ensure your cat has regular veterinary checkups
- Make sure your kitten or cat is always fully-vaccinated
How To Tell If Your Maine Coon Will Be Big
Whilst cat lovers might be able to influence the size of a Maine Coon cat, by feeding their cats the best diet, etc, they cannot alter the Maine Coons ultimate size.
Therefore, look closely at the following factors when buying a Maine Coon kitten, to best increase your chances of owning a giant Maine Coon cat:
- Kittens parent size
- Mixed or Purebred
If you are wondering how the items listed above impact the Maine Coon cat’s full-size dimensions, keep reading.
Kittens Parent Size
When buying a Maine Coon kitten make sure that you take a good look at the kitten’s parents.
Although this plan is far from foolproof, there is a chance that should the kitten’s parents be of extra-large proportions, the kitten you are viewing might also grow into a large Maine Coon cat.
Gender
Although some female Maine Coon cats do grow to be large felines, the average male Maine Coon cat tends to grow larger, between 18 – 22 lbs.
By comparison, the average size of a female Maine Coon ranges between 12 – 15 lbs. Learn why this is, in this fascinating cat article.
Genetics
The Maine Coon kitten’s size is dependent upon the unique genetics and DNA that they inherit from their parents.
Without genetic testing, there is no clear way to determine or guess whether the kitten you purchase will grow into a bigger Maine Coon cat, or not.
Learn more about Maine Coon cat genetics, in this information Maine Coon Genetics guide.
Type Of Maine Coon Cat: Mixed or Purebred
Not all Maine Coon cats were made equal, therefore the type of Maine Coon that you purchase will have a direct impact on how big your Maine Coon cat will get.
The types of Maine Coon available are as follows:
- Purebred Maine Coon
- Mixed Breed Maine Coon
Purebred cats are almost always more expensive and have a higher chance of displaying the following known features of the Maine Coon cat breed i.e:
- Large physical frame
- Friendly nature
- Lynx-like tips
- Gentle Disposition
By comparison, a mixed-breed Maine Coon does not just have Maine Coon cat DNA and genetics, but instead 2+ cat breed genetics inside them.
The diversity in cat breed genetics means that you just do not know what you are getting.
For instance, a Maine Coon mix might not possess the genetics that enable them to grow into a giant Maine Coon cat, since the weight genetics of a smaller cat breed are dominant genes.
If your Maine Coon is mixed with a normal cat breed, the weight and size range can vary considerably, as per the following infographic shows:
Biggest Maine Coon
The biggest Maine Coon cat in the world was Stewie, who won the title for ‘Longest Domestic Cat’.
Stewie was a staggering 48.5 inches long, and was recorded in the 2010 Guinness World Record Book as being the longest Maine Coon cat in history!
Whilst his staggering 48.5 inches in length does not automatically mean he weighed more than the average male Maine Coon cat, it does definitely make him a contender.
Records show that Stewie weighed in at a giant Maine Coon cat weight of 33lbs (15kg).
Surprisingly though, Stewie’s diet really wasn’t the magic touch behind his giant proportions, since his owners confirmed he did not eat a special diet!
In reality, the cat just grew heavier and heavier as the years went by!
Take a look at the famous Stewie Maine Coon in the Youtube video, shown on the YouTube channel, Guinness World Records.
He is the Biggest Cat In The World: Stewie The Maine Coon Cat
Sadly, Stewie died of cancer at 8, so a Maine Coon named Barivel has since taken Stewie’s title, as ‘longest living domestic cat’.
Note the difference in the title given at this point though, as Barivel is not as long as Stewie.
Other Maine Coons have also tried to compete for this title since Stewie’s passing, but have not been officially recognized as giant Maine Coon cats.
When Do Maine Coon Cats Stop Growing
Maine Coon cats reach full size between 3 – 5 years of age.
This large cat breed has a very slow growth rate, that enables it to grow a muscular body, with strong bones and a large frame.
Learn more about how big Maine Coons grow, in THIS GUIDE.
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering what is the average weight of a Maine Coon cat, you might have been surprised to learn that this large cat breed ranges from 9 – 22 lbs in weight.
As one of the largest domesticated cat breeds, this North America descended large cat is definitely an eye-turner with cat lovers around the world.
These large cats are kept as either indoor cats or outdoor cats, and their Maine Coon cat’s size is determined by the kitten’s parents, gender, genetics, DNA, diet, and pedigree status.
