When Do Maine Coon Cats Stop Growing?
Maine Coons are well known for being infant-like and goofy well into their old age. But, did you know they have an unusual growth pattern?
When Do Maine Coons Stop Growing?
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 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.
The muscular Maine Coon cat will grow up to 40 inches long, once fully grown.
This large domesticated cat breed reaches up to 22 lbs, with male Maine Coons ranging between 18 – 22 lbs and females weighing 12 – 15 lbs.
Growth Timescales
You can expect your Maine Coon to grow 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
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+ 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.
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.
A Maine Coon will have done the majority of its growing by the time they reach a year old.
Do Maine Coons 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:
- Scraps With Competing Predators
- Bigger Jumps
- Further Falls
Weight Chart
The following Maine Coon growth chart by age covers the weights and dimensions from birth until full maturity.
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 |
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 |
Tracking 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.
Biggest Maine Coon 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.
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.
