As legends have it, the Maine Coon is crossbred with a wild creature, like a mountain lion, a raccoon, or a lynx. But despite its wild features, this cat is a couch-loving companion known to follow their favorite human around with a clownlike charm and chirpy cadence.

Whether you’re the loyal human of a lovely Maine Coon or a fancier of all felines, learn all about the gentle giant of the cat world.
 

How The Maine Coon Came To Be

As their name suggests, the Maine Coon originated from the US state of Maine. The breed’s predecessors were believed to have been brought to its rocky shores by cargo ships over 300 years ago.

Onboard European cargo ships, the cats held the crucial role of protecting food and grains from stowaway vermin. These prolific mousers traveled with seafaring families, and some settled around coastal villages.

By the late 1800s, the breed caught the attention of cat fanciers, competing in cat shows across the country. The breed’s popularity sharply declined in the early 1900s with the introduction of other long-haired breeds, particularly the Persian. Since then, the breed went from nearly extinct to, yet again, one of the most popular cat breeds. Now, the Maine Coon is one of the most internationally adored breeds, holding its place in the top three most popular purebred cats in the United States.

It wasn’t until 1985 that the Maine Coon was recognized as the state cat of Maine. These days, community cats of Maine Coon lineage are seen in the New England region, though the majority of purebred coon cats are raised in companion and breeder homes.
 

Maine Coon Breed Traits

The Maine Coon is built to thrive through harsh New England winters, with a thick, scruffy coat that’s uneven in appearance. Shorter and smoother about the shoulders, the cat can trawl through rugged terrain without getting stuck in underbrush.

The thick top layer of the Maine Coon’s coat is silky and smooth and essentially waterproof, ideal for traveling through snow and slush and even for swimming. The top coat is lined with a downy, insulating undercoat.

Though their name is a nod to a ringed tail similar to that of a raccoon’s, the Maine Coon is seen in more than 60 coat colors, from solid white with blue eyes to a rainbow of black, grey, smoke, tortoiseshell, bicolor, and all colors of tabbies from mackerel to ginger, with eyes that may be gold or green.

According to the Cat Fanciers Association breed standards, the purebred Maine Coon has a boxy body shape and squarish facial features with striking, oval-shaped eyes. Their paws are wide with tufts between the toes, acting as snowshoes that keep them from sinking into soft snowdrifts.

Fur grows inside their ears and at the tips, with lynx-like tufts. The Maine Coon’s ear tufts do not have a clear purpose but may help protect their delicate ears from the cold, enhance nonverbal communication between cats, or help funnel sounds to their eardrum.

As the largest cat breed, the Maine Coon can reach up to 38 inches in length, including their tail, and weighs on average around 12 to 15 pounds for females, with larger males weighing in at 18 to 22 pounds. A Maine Coon named Barivel holds the Guinness World Record for the World's Biggest Living House Cat, at a total length of 47 inches.
 

Common Health Issues in the Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is a relatively healthy breed, but they are susceptible to certain health issues, some of which can be attributed to their large structure.

Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a congenital condition that causes the muscular walls of the heart to become thick and inflexible, leading to arrhythmias, clotting, and, rarely, sudden death. It’s caused by a genetic mutation carried by around 1 in 3 Maine Coons, though not all carriers will be affected. Many cats with HCM show no signs. Others may experience lethargy, hind limb weakness, or trouble breathing, which may show up between 3 and 6 years of age.

Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the ball and socket joint of the hip is not properly formed, causing the joint to slip out of place. Hip dysplasia can lead to pain and immobility and may eventually require surgery. Around 1 in 5 Maine Coons will eventually develop mild to severe hip dysplasia during their lifetime.

Polydactylsm, a genetic mutation that causes cats to have extra toes, is more common in the Maine Coon than any other breed. Usually, this mutation does not cause complications.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a degenerative disorder that affects the muscles and nerves along the spine. Cats with SMA experience hind limb weakness, wobbliness, and loss of mobility that begins at just 3-4 months of age.
 

How To Care for Your Maine Coon

While it’s not uncommon to hear of Maine Coon cats reaching or exceeding 30 pounds in weight, it’s important to keep your cat in a healthy body condition. Bigger is not better when it comes to your Maine Coon. Keeping your cat at their ideal weight can help prevent orthopedic issues like hip dysplasia, as well as diabetes, which is seen in above-average rates in this breed.

Feed your Maine Coon a complete and balanced diet that’s suitable for their life stage. This breed matures more slowly than other breeds and is considered fully grown by their 4th or 5th birthday. Your veterinarian may recommend feeding kitten food until your cat is two years old.

Royal Canin Breed Nutrition Maine Coon Adult Dry Cat Food is specially formulated for the adult Coon cat, with EPA and DHA fatty acids to promote heart health. It features a cube-shaped kibble designed for a Maine Coon’s large, square jaw.

Like other long-haired breeds, the Maine Coon is susceptible to hairballs. Brush their coat 1-2 times weekly to prevent tangles, control shedding, and manage hairballs.
 

Why We Love the Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is often described as dog-like, with a laid-back personality that melds well with other members of the household. They love to play and cuddle with their human family members, though they’re not overly clingy. They’re described as highly intelligent, sometimes goofy, and always regal.

The Maine Coon can be talkative, but it’s said that the bigger the cat, the softer the voice. Rather than a meow, this cat makes their needs known with a sing-songy range of trills and chirps.

Hoping to adopt your very own Maine Coon? There are occasionally Maine Coon cats, and Coon mixes available in rescues and shelters, though the cats are not always accurately identified as such.

Long fur, tufted ears, and large size do not define a Maine Coon, and not all Coon mixes have outwardly defining characteristics. A loyal temperament, trilling vocalizations, and a love of playing with water are other traits seen in cats that carry MC genes.

If your heart’s set on finding a genuine Maine Coon, consider finding a registered breeder that screens their breeding stock for genetic diseases to help ensure that your kitten will be healthy.