When Do Maine Coon Cats Stop Growing?
Maine Coons are well known for being infant-like and goofy well into their old age. But, when do Maine Coon cats stop growing?
Keep reading to find out more about the Maine Coons unusual growth pattern.
Maine Coons, unlike many other domesticated house cats, stop growing between 3-5 years of age. Their slow growth rate enables them to grow strong muscular bodies. From 9-12 months, their growth rate slows, but they continue to grow slowly, not reaching full size until 3-5 years.
Maine Coons, in part due to their size, are very different than other ‘normal’ kittens, which leaves owners a little confused about how big do Maine Coon cats grow?
Officially Maine Coon cats stop growing by 5 years of age, compared to most cat breeds that are fully grown by 2 years old.
Keep reading to find out why the Maine Coon cat breed grows so slowly.
When Do Maine Coon Cats Stop Growing?
If you are wondering how big Maine Coons grow, you might be surprised to learn that the muscular male and female Maine Coon cat will grow up to 40 inches long, once fully grown.
In terms of Maine Coon weight, this large domesticated cat breed usually maxes out at 25 lbs, but realistically speaking the male Maine Coon will range between 15 – 25 lbs.
By comparison, the smaller female Maine Coon cat grows to a weight range of 8 – 12 lbs.
Maine Coons are mysterious, long-haired cats that are thought to have originated in Maine, United States.
In recent years, these former wild cats have become one of the most popular cat breeds to own in the United States!
What Is The Biggest Maine Coon Cat On Record?
The biggest Maine Coon cat on record was Stewie, otherwise known as Mymains Stewart Gilligan.
According to the 2010 Guinness World Record Book, Stewie reached a staggering 48.5 inches in length.
He was awarded the record of “longest domestic cat of all time”.
This gray tabby Maine Coon is recognized as being the largest Maine Coon cat in the world but sadly died at 8 years old due to cancer, in 2013.
Despite not living to the average lifespan of a Maine Coon cat, Stewie was loved by many for his caring gentle nature.
His owner Robin Hendrickson frequently took Stewie to a local senior center, as he was a certified therapy animal for people in need!
Learn more about the longest domesticated cat in the world, and which cat has stolen Stewie’s record, in this article.
How Long Do Maine Coon Cats Continue To Grow?
Maine Coon cats are not fully-grown until 3 – 5 years of age, because they have a slower growth rate than normal cat breeds that reach full size at 2 years of age.
So, if you are wondering how long do Maine Coon cats keep growing, or what age is a Maine Coon cat fully grown, wait until your cat’s 5th birthday before determining whether they are small.
You can expect your Maine Coon kitten and cat to continue growing as follows:
0 – 9 Months
While you can expect a Maine Coon to grow quickly whilst a kitten, their growth rate will slow down considerably around their 9-month mark.
9 – 12 Months
From 9-12 months onwards the Maine Coon cat’s growth rate becomes visually less obvious.
12+ Months
Whilst you might not notice your Maine Coon continuing to grow from 9-12+ months because you see them every day, they are growing.
In fact, your Maine Coon is likely to keep growing for a further 4 years, since Maine Coons do not biologically reach full growth size and weight until between 3-5 years of age.
The infographic below shows you how much bigger the Maine Coon will grow, than a regular cat.
Maine Coon size compared to a normal cat’s size:
Do Maine Coons Grow Slowly?
Maine Coons reach full size between 3-5 years of age.
This is a stark contrast to most regular cats that finish growing between 18 – 24 months of age (occasionally even sooner).
If you think you have a ‘small Maine Coon’, you will need to wait until the Maine Coon reaches 5 years old, before determining that your cat will not be the biggest Maine Coon in the world!
Maine Coon Growth Chart
Maine Coons have a far slower growth rate than the majority of other cat breeds.
The tables below detail the male and female Maine Coon size and weight, according to their age. As you will see, the male of the species grows larger than the female.
The following Maine Coon growth chart by age covers the weights and dimensions from birth until full maturity.
Maine Coon Growth Chart Female
| Age | Weight | Height (Inch) | Length (Inch) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 0.2 – 0.3 lbs | 3 | 5.5 |
| 1 Week | 0.6 – 0.9 | 3.5 | 6.6 |
| 1 Month | 1.2 – 1.6 lbs | 4 | 7 |
| 6 Months | 6 – 10 lbs | 7 | 13 |
| 9 – 12 Months | 9 – 11 lbs | 8 | 16 |
| 4 – 5 Years | 8 – 12 lbs | 8 – 14 | 19 – 40 |
Maine Coon Growth Chart Male
| Age | Weight | Height (Inches) | Length (Inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 0.2 – 0.4 lbs | 3 | 5.5 |
| 1 Week | 0.6 – 0.9 lbs | 3.5 | 6.5 |
| 1 Month | 1.3 – 1.8 lbs | 4.5 | 8 |
| 6 Months | 8 – 11 lbs | 8.5 | 16 |
| 9 – 12 Months | 12 – 16 lbs | 14 | 26 |
| 4 – 5 Years | 15 – 25 lbs | 10 – 16 | 19 – 40 |
How Much Does A Maine Coon Grow After The First Year?
A Maine Coon will have done the majority of its growing by the time they reach a year old.
Below are the key Maine Coon growth stages to keep in mind:
9 – 12 Months
Their growth rate normally starts to slow down after about 9 months, and from 12 months onwards the visual changes in your cat’s size are far harder to spot.
12 – 60 Months
In the above Maine Coon growth chart breakdowns, you can see that between month 12 and month 60, the level of Maine Coon growth slows down considerably.
Maine Coons probably grow about 10% more between years one and five.
In male Maine Coons, you can expect them to put on a couple of pounds, whereas a female Maine Coon might only put on as little as one pound extra from 12 months of age.
Tracking Maine Coon Growth Rate
The best way to track the growth of a Maine Coon after its first anniversary is to use Maine Coon growth pictures.
Pictures of your Maine Coon taken every 3-4 months are a great way of seeing the difference for yourself. Especially when the differences are so small, as is the case post 12 months of age.
Alternatively, consider making a Maine Coon growth chart by reading this guide on where to start: Best Maine Coon Growth Chart.
Do Maine Coon Cats Grow Slowly?
Maine Coons do tend to grow more slowly than other domestic cats.
This is an evolutionary adaptation that they have developed from living in harsh environments.
It sounds almost counter-intuitive, but that is why animals such as elephants take so long to develop.
If you imagine the kind of tough upbringing a wild Maine Coon might have had many decades ago, the need to be bigger plays a big part in their future survival.
By taking its time to grow slowly the Maine Coon can develop strong muscles and tough bones that are capable of withstanding the following:
- Bigger Jumps
- Further Falls
- Scraps With Competing Predators
How Big Should A 1 Year Old Maine Coon Be?
A one-year-old Maine Coon will have completed most of its physical growth, which gives you a good indication of just how big your Maine Coon will be once fully grown.
Below is the expected size of a one-year-old Maine Coon cat:
Female Maine Coon (1-Year-Old):
- 9 – 11 Pounds
- 8 Inches Tall
- 16 Inches Long
Male Maine Coon (1-Year-Old):
- 15 – 25 Pounds
- 10 – 16 Inches Tall
- 26 Inches Long
These heights, lengths, and weights make good benchmarks but that does not mean you should be concerned unless your Maine Coon is way way off these figures!
As always, if you are concerned about your Maine Coons height or weight etc it’s best to speak to your vet. At the very least, they can put your mind at ease.
From one year onwards the Maine Coon will slowly add on a few pounds here and there until they reach their 5th birthday.
Do Maine Coon Cats Get Big?
Maine Coons are one of the biggest domesticated cat breeds in the continental United States of America, and the world as a whole.
Many people refer to Maine Coons as the canine of the feline world. This is partially due to their dog-like affection and loyalty but it applies to their size too.
Whilst there are plenty of dog breeds that are bigger than a Maine Coon, there are also plenty of dogs that grow to be far smaller in stature.
When Do Maine Coons Grow Their Mane?
The Maine Coon’s lovely and iconic furry coat tends to take 3 to 5 years to fully develop.
However, by the time they are 9 months old, roughly 90% of their growing is done, so most Maine Coons manes will be mostly, if not completely, developed.
If you are concerned about your cat’s lack of ‘fluffy fur’, read this article on what to expect.
Conclusion
When do Maine Coon cats stop growing?
When it comes to the question of when will my Maine Coon be fully grown you do have to wait until they reach their 3 – 5th year of age before they reach their full size.
By then, you are probably hoping they do not get much bigger or their food bill will become astronomical!
Related Questions
How To Tell If Your Cat Is Full Maine Coon
Full Maine Coons have very wide tufted paws, bushy tails, thick coats, and a luxurious mane. They are far furrier than most other cats and have quite distinctive shaped faces, especially the ears and eyes.
How Long Do Maine Coons Live?
The average lifespan of a Maine Coon is 12 to 15 years, but like any other breed of cat, they have the potential to massively overshoot that number.
