Maine Coon Cat: Breed Profile, Personality, Care, Price & Breeders

Impressive size, a stern, piercing gaze, alert ears with lynx-like tufts, and a huge fox-like tail: that’s the Maine Coon, a mysterious cat with a one-of-a-kind personality. People choose these big, striking cats for their good nature, exceptional affection, and endless playfulness. If you want a lot of pounds of kindness and love, this is your breed.

In this article, we’ve gathered everything you need to know about the breed: its history, its distinctive traits, the characteristics that will help you decide whether it’s right for you, and how to care for and feed it. You’ll find a description of the breed’s appearance, photos, owner reviews, where to find breeders, kitten prices, first-year costs, and how much it costs to keep a Maine Coon each month.

Maine Coon Personality and Traits at a Glance

Tolerance for being alone: 3

Maine Coons shouldn’t be left home alone for long. If you’re going on vacation, you’ll need to find someone who can stay with your cat.

Cats of this breed hate being alone. They miss their owners while they’re at work, and a separation of a day or two is hard on them. They need constant, real interaction with people. Maine Coons are full members of the family who love watching everything that goes on in the house.

Shedding: 4

You’ll have to put in the work and brush your cat regularly, or your whole home and wardrobe will be covered in fur.

This is a long-haired breed with prominent guard hairs and an undercoat. Kittens go through their first shed at 7 to 10 months, when the kitten coat changes to the adult coat. Seasonal shedding happens in spring and fall, and it’s heavy.

Activity and playfulness: 4

If you aren’t ready to share a home with a large, active animal, don’t get a Maine Coon!

These cats take a long time to grow up. Males keep their kitten habits until they’re 3 or 4 years old.

The funny habits of these big cats delight and amuse their owners, because their size makes their games look hilarious. These cats are always ready to “help” with whatever you’re doing. Curious and sweet, they don’t act their size at all.

Maine Coons love high places, so try to give them that comfort at home with a cat tree (store-bought or DIY). When choosing or building one, keep the cat’s weight in mind: it has to be sturdy and functional, with a spot to rest, places to climb, and surfaces for scratching.

Adult Maine Coons can be lazy. They’re observers with boundless curiosity. Sometimes it seems they know far more about what’s going on in the house than you do.

Purring: 4

Maine Coons love to purr affectionately.

Another interesting trait of this cat is its unusual way of “talking.” That’s right: these cats don’t really meow. They make sounds that are almost human-like. Their melodic “speech” has plenty of expressive intonation. The Maine Coon’s voice is soft and high-pitched, and instead of “meow” it says something like “mah” or “mrrah.”

Good with kids: 5

Members of this breed stay “kids” at heart for a long time, so they find it easy to connect with children.

The Maine Coon is a companion cat with no trace of aggression. It’s curious and playful and happily joins in all of the kids’ games and mischief. The Maine Coon is considered one of the most patient cats around, forgiving its young friends just about anything. If children push its patience too far, the cat won’t turn aggressive; it’ll simply hide somewhere quiet. Adults should explain to little ones from the start that a cat is not a toy and show them how to behave with a pet.

Attitude toward guests: 2

This breed is very selective about who it socializes with.

Maine Coons are devoted to their family but can be completely indifferent to guests. A cat may start paying attention to a stranger, but only after getting used to them. When guests try to squeeze or cuddle them, these cats dodge with dignity.

Gets along with other animals and dogs: 5

The breed is naturally inclined to live in groups, so it easily gets along with other pets.

Coons are patient and non-aggressive toward other cats and small pets. Their solid size and impressive look also let them hold their own with dogs. But they won’t fight or compete; these cats are far too friendly and even-tempered for that.

Ease of care: 4

When you bring home a big, long-haired cat, don’t expect easy care.

You’ll have to keep the coat under control with regular brushing. You’ll also need to trim the claws, which are large and sharp in this breed. Maine Coons aren’t the neatest eaters or litter box users. They love to dip their paws in the water bowl, eat with their paws, and dig vigorously in the litter box. Be ready to clean these areas every day.

Intelligence: 5

The breed stands out for its remarkable intelligence and memory. These cats can learn tricks and understand commands.

They love playing with puzzle toys. With some effort, an owner can teach a Maine Coon the kind of tricks and commands dogs usually perform. They quickly learn to understand human speech, read your tone, and figure out what you want from them. They’re smart enough to know right away what’s allowed and what will get them scolded. But while exploring the world, they may knock a glass off the table more than once, just to see what happens.

Health concerns: 3

The Maine Coon is a healthy breed adapted to harsh living conditions. But its health isn’t perfect because of several genetic conditions.

Hip dysplasia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, spinal muscular atrophy, and polycystic kidney disease are the conditions you should rule out when buying a Maine Coon kitten.

History of the Breed

The breed’s homeland is the state of Maine, in New England in the northeastern United States. The breed’s name, Maine Coon, comes from its home state.

The Maine Coon’s unusual looks have inspired many legends about its origins. But these powerful cats are the product of natural evolution. Their coat is an adaptation to harsh, snowy winters, and so are their big fluffy tails, which they wrapped around themselves on especially cold winter nights.

The breed’s ancestors were excellent hunters, and nature gave them sharp eyesight and big, strong, agile paws for the job. Maine farmers put these traits to work protecting their farms from rodents. The breed is recognized by the World Cat Federation (WCF), The International Cat Association (TICA), the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe), and a number of other international organizations. The first official breed standard was adopted in 1967.

Appearance

The descriptions of the Maine Coon’s appearance and temperament don’t differ much from one breed standard to another. We’ll use the WCF standard as our basis, since it’s one of the most widely used.

WCF Breed Standard

• Body. Muscular, long, and broad. Rectangular.
• Chest. Broad.
• Head. Medium-sized. Nearly square, with high cheekbones.
• Skull. Massive.
• Muzzle. With a curved profile.
• Nose. Medium length.
• Chin. Massive. In line with the upper jaw and nose.
• Ears. Large and triangular. Set high and upright. With or without tufts at the tips; tufts are preferred.
• Eyes. Slanted, oval, and wide-set. Eye color should harmonize with coat color.
• Neck. Medium length.
• Legs. Large and muscular, not in proportion to the body.
• Paws. Large and round, with tufts of fur between the toes.
• Tail. Big and bushy. Wide at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail should reach at least to the cat’s shoulders.
• Coat. Fluffy and very dense. Water-resistant. Medium length on the head and neck. A “mane” around the neck is preferred. The “britches” and belly are covered with a long, thick undercoat.
• Colors. Allowed: solid colors (black, white, red), marble, tortoiseshell, tabby, and tricolor. Not allowed: chocolate, lilac, fawn, cinnamon, and colorpoint.
• Weight. Adult cats can reach 20–26 lb.
• Height at the shoulder. 10–18 in.
• Average lifespan. Females: 14–16 years. Males: 12–15 years.

Maine Coon Photos and Colors

Besides the standard solid colors shown in the photos above (white, red, black), Maine Coons can also come in these colors:

Marble, which comes in various two-color combinations.

Tortoiseshell, which, like marble, comes in different color combinations (tricolor).

Tabby kittens look incredibly beautiful. The main feature of this pattern is the stripes on the cat’s body.

Blue is a fairly rare and very unusual color, and a blue cat is truly beautiful. However, this color isn’t recognized by the breed standard.

Living With and Caring for a Maine Coon

Inexperienced owners may think a big “house lynx” is very hard to keep. It isn’t. The key is to learn the Maine Coon’s habits and follow a few simple care rules.

What a Maine Coon Needs

First, large, active cats aren’t a good fit for small apartments. They need living space that matches their size, plus room for active play.

Second, the owner of a big cat needs free time to spend with their pet. Maine Coons are companion cats. They love to follow you around, closely watching everything that happens in the house.

Third, be ready to budget for your Maine Coon’s care, and that budget won’t be small.

If none of these three conditions scares you, here’s the good news: Maine Coons are fairly low-maintenance. They’re also very easygoing cats, which makes caring for them much easier.

What Care Involves

A shaggy mane, a big fluffy tail, and charming “britches” don’t just draw admiring looks; they also need care. Nature gave the breed a luxurious coat so these cats could survive harsh conditions in northeastern America. To keep a Maine Coon’s thick coat looking good, you’ll have to put in some effort.

Brush your Maine Coon once or twice a week. During seasonal shedding (spring and fall), brush daily, clean your home thoroughly, and remove fur from the cat’s bedding. Check the cat before brushing and work out any tangles so they don’t turn into mats. Pay special attention to the “britches,” the “ruff,” and the sides. Mats are harder to deal with: you’ll need to gently work them out or carefully cut them away.

To brush a Maine Coon, you’ll need a wide-toothed comb, a fine-toothed comb, and a brush. All of them should be metal, to keep the coat from getting static, with rounded tips. Start with the wide-toothed comb, continue with the fine-toothed comb, and finish with the brush. Use a slicker brush only during shedding season, and not every cat tolerates it well.

Maine Coons love playing with water, and some even enjoy swimming, but not all of them like baths. Bathe your cat when it’s very dirty, before shows, and otherwise once every 3 to 4 months as routine care.

Check the teeth regularly for tartar. Cats on a raw or homemade diet should have their teeth brushed monthly; cats on dry food, about once every 2 months.

Clean the eyes weekly with a cotton pad moistened with warm water or sterile saline. Don’t use chamomile tea, which can make the fur around a Maine Coon’s eyes fall out. If you notice any eye discharge, take your cat to the vet. Use eye drops only when prescribed by a veterinarian.

Clean your cat’s big ears twice a year. Gently wipe them with a cotton pad moistened with warm water. Then apply a vet-approved ear cleaner, 5–7 drops in each ear, and massage the base of the ear for 1–2 minutes. Remove any loosened wax with a cotton ball or pad. Don’t use cotton swabs, which can injure your pet’s ear.

Get a scratching post so your cat can keep its claws in shape. If the claws grow too long, trim them with special clippers. Do it when the cat is calm, ideally with a helper. Be especially careful with dark claws, where you can’t see the blood vessels.

How Much Does It Cost to Keep a Maine Coon?

As we mentioned, caring for a Maine Coon will take a certain amount of money.

What to Buy for Your Kitten

Essentials:

1. Two bowls (for food and water) on a stand, ceramic or stainless steel, holding 1–2 quarts. These cost about $15–$40.
2. A large litter box: $25–$80, depending on the model.
3. Combs and a brush for grooming: $15–$35.
4. A scratching post for large cats: $40–$120.
5. Toys (to keep your cat busy while you’re away): $20–$50.

Extras:

1. A large, sturdy cat tree with a hideaway and a high perch where your cat can watch everything going on. It should have weighted, sisal-wrapped posts. A tree like this costs $150–$400.
2. A sturdy plastic carrier with a metal door and metal latches. Models made for medium-size dogs work best. Expect to pay $40–$100.
3. Nail clippers: $8–$15.
4. A harness and leash (if you plan to take your cat outside): $15–$35.
5. Cat-proof window screens (if you open your windows): $30–$80.
6. A bed. Dog beds work well for Maine Coons: $25–$60.
7. A play tunnel (you can also make one yourself): $15–$40.

Not counting the initial setup, caring for a Maine Coon costs an average of $900 to $1,800 a year.

The total depends on the brand of litter, the grooming products you use (shampoo, conditioner), the type and brand of food, any vitamins prescribed, and the number of vet visits.

Health and Common Diseases

The breed is known for being hardy and low-maintenance. Overall, Maine Coons are healthy, but like other purebred cats, they’re prone to several genetic conditions.

That’s why it’s important to choose your kitten carefully. Buy from reputable breeders with a good track record. Before buying, ask for all of the kitten’s paperwork and genetic test results, and be sure to ask about the health of its parents.

Inherited conditions:

1. Hip dysplasia. It can be passed down through several generations. Maine Coons with hip dysplasia avoid jumping and walk slowly. In severe cases it can cause lameness. The condition can also be mild and cause the cat no pain or discomfort. To keep it from progressing, watch your cat’s diet and don’t let it become obese or develop rickets. It’s important to minimize the risk of leg injuries and avoid spaying or neutering too early. Low physical activity and a lack of calcium in the diet contribute to the condition.
2. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A heart condition caused by a gene mutation and detected with DNA tests. This dangerous disease can cause heart attacks and death. Factors that make it progress include high blood pressure, endocrine disorders, cancer, toxicity, and a lack of taurine in the diet. In some cats, it develops after anesthesia.
3. Spinal muscular atrophy. It causes muscle weakness that develops as nerve cells in the spinal cord die. The disease isn’t fatal, but cats with it have trouble walking and jumping. It’s detected with DNA tests. To make life easier for an affected cat, keep it in a safe indoor space and don’t take it outside. Watch its diet closely to prevent obesity, since overweight cats have a harder time moving.
4. Polycystic kidney disease. An inherited condition that progresses slowly. Cysts grow in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure. Cats with this condition should be spayed or neutered. Affected cats need ongoing veterinary care and a diet with reduced protein and phosphorus.

A Maine Coon’s health depends on age-appropriate vaccinations, regular flea, tick, and deworming treatments, a balanced diet, and vitamin and mineral supplements. Regular preventive checkups with your vet are a must.

On average, preventive care for your cat’s health will cost $300 to $600 a year.

Important!

In your cat’s first year, add the cost of spay or neuter surgery: about $150–$500, depending on the clinic. Low-cost clinics often charge less.

Feeding

You can feed a Maine Coon the same way as other purebred cats. The only caveat is that Maine Coons are large, active animals that need a high-calorie diet, and their daily portions will be bigger than those of small and medium breeds.

Maine Coons do well on both a homemade raw diet and commercial food. What to feed is up to you, but don’t forget the basics: the diet should be balanced and include vitamins and essential minerals.

Raw and Homemade Diet

If you choose to feed natural foods, you’ll need to put together a balanced diet of meat, fish, organ meats, vegetables, fermented dairy, and vegetable oil.

Meat products should make up the bulk of the diet (80%):

• beef (flank, head trimmings);
• rabbit;
• turkey;
• chicken drumsticks and thighs;
• heart;
• chicken liver;
• chicken heads (beak removed);
• chicken necks (skinless);
• gizzards;
• beef tripe;
• lung;
• rooster combs;
• pig snouts;
• fish (salmon, trout, mackerel);
• seafood (squid, shrimp).

The other 20% is made up of add-ins:

• vegetables: cauliflower, zucchini, carrots, pumpkin;
• quail eggs;
• hard cheese;
• fermented dairy products such as kefir or plain yogurt;
• low-fat cottage cheese;
• bran;
• olive oil;
• dried kelp.

Experienced Maine Coon owners make a meat-and-vegetable mix from these ingredients, portion it into bags, and freeze it, one bag per day. The daily portion is 9–10.5 oz.

Important!

Feeding this way will cost about $60–$110 a month.

How to Prepare a Raw Diet

• Pound chicken necks with a mallet.
• Grind organ meats in a meat grinder.
• Cut meat into thin strips or run it through the grinder.
• Finely grate vegetables and serve them raw or steamed.
• Grate the cheese.
• Cut fish into thin strips.
• Mix all the meat and fish, then add the cheese, vegetables, a little kelp, bran, and cottage cheese. Freeze the mix in portions.
• Thaw the meat-and-vegetable mix before serving and add olive oil.
• Fermented dairy can be added to the food or served in a separate dish.
• Give fish and seafood once every 5 days.
• Give eggs once every 3 days.

Commercial Cat Food

The right brand of commercial food is an individual choice. The one requirement is that it should be made for large cats. Choose premium, super-premium, or holistic foods.

Calculate the daily portion based on the feeding guide on the package; it depends on your cat’s age, weight, and activity level. On average, an adult Maine Coon weighing 15–22 lb needs 2.3–3.5 oz of dry food a day.

Pet food companies make special formulas for large cats, and these work best for Maine Coons.

Top brands available in the US:

1. ORIJEN Six Fish Grain-Free Cat Food;
2. ACANA Grasslands Grain-Free Cat Food;
3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original;
4. Instinct Original Grain-Free;
5. Royal Canin Maine Coon Adult.

Important!

Feeding this way will cost about $35–$75 a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve gathered answers to the questions that Maine Coon owners, and people considering the breed, ask most often.

How long do Maine Coons live as house cats?

With proper care, males can live to 13–16 years and females to 16–19 years. A balanced diet, vaccinations on schedule, regular parasite treatments, and an active lifestyle will all help your cat live longer.

How much do adult cats and kittens weigh?

Maine Coons are a large breed. A 3-month-old kitten weighs 3–5.5 lb. By 7 months, they weigh 9–13 lb, and by one year, 11–20 lb. Adult males reach 20–26 lb, and females 15–18 lb.

Do they like being held?

Maine Coons prefer to be near you and aren’t keen on being picked up. But they’ll happily stretch out next to you on the couch.

Can they live outdoors?

You can walk a Maine Coon on a harness, like a dog. In warm weather, it’s fine to let them spend time in an outdoor enclosure (a catio) in your yard. Living outside full-time is not acceptable.

How aggressive is the breed?

Many people assume Maine Coons can be dangerous, but that’s not true. Their impressive size, strong, muscular build, and serious look can intimidate people meeting one for the first time. But these big cats never put out their claws without a reason. They’re friendly, affectionate, and very gentle.

Do they like to scratch and climb?

A Maine Coon needs a multi-level cat tree. They love climbing up high, and they scratch a lot. To protect your furniture, train your kitten to use a scratching post from day one. It shouldn’t be too small; choose one sized for a large cat.

Is this breed hypoallergenic?

There’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic cat breed. If you have allergies, test your reaction to Maine Coons before bringing one home.

Does the coat need grooming?

The breed has a long, thick coat that needs regular care. Brush your Maine Coon several times a week and don’t let mats form.

What eye colors do they have?

Eye color ranges from yellow to green: yellow, amber, yellow-green, gray-green, green, and turquoise. White Maine Coons may have blue eyes.

Is the breed prone to heart disease?

These cats have a genetic predisposition to a serious heart condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Cats with this disease have a high risk of early death from heart failure or fluid in the lungs.

At what age do they stop growing?

A Maine Coon’s body is fully developed at around 3 to 5 years of age. Until then, the cat may act like a kitten.

Reviews From Owners and Vets

Elena Georgievna, veterinarian: “I tell every Maine Coon owner that this breed developed almost entirely naturally. It kept many of the habits of wild cats. Maine Coons can be active at night. Not every cat takes to the litter box quickly, so you’ll have to put in some work.

Most of them have dog-like habits. They may chew furniture, cords, and the corners of rooms. They love climbing on tables, windowsills, and cabinets; that’s another trait left over from wild animals. Make sure your home is safe so your cat doesn’t get hurt. A Maine Coon is best for people who are home often or all the time. These cats really love being around people.”

Anton, owner: “If you’re not ready to spend a lot of money and time on your cat, get a different breed. Maine Coons need contact with people. They get bored and miserable when they’re home alone. Because of that, they may ruin curtains, furniture, and walls, and chew toys, pens, and anything else they can get their teeth on.

These cats eat a lot, and you need to feed them high-quality, expensive food or real meat. That costs money! Yes, they’re beautiful. Yes, they’re easygoing and smart. But getting such a big cat is a responsibility.”

Tatiana: “Of course, like any breed, Maine Coons have pros and cons. Let me tell you about my handsome boy. His downsides: he doesn’t sleep much, wakes us up early, eats and drinks messily, is clumsy (he can knock things over by accident), sheds a lot, is too curious, and eats a ton. But I adore my Marquis because he never leaves me alone for a minute, follows me everywhere, never marks his territory, and is very kind and affectionate. My kitty is also very playful. He’s 5 years old already and still plays like a kitten.”

Maine Coon Kitten Price

In the US, a Maine Coon kitten from a registered breeder typically costs between $1,500 and $6,500.

What Affects the Price of a Kitten

The price of a kitten depends on its paperwork, pedigree, and class. Choose the class based on why you’re buying:

• SHOW: cats for breeding and showing. These start at about $4,000.
• BREED: healthy kittens with a good pedigree, sold for breeding. These cost about $3,000–$4,500.
• PET: companion cats, sold with a contract that requires spaying or neutering. A pet-quality Maine Coon costs about $1,500–$3,000.

Where to Buy a Maine Coon Kitten in the US

You can, of course, buy a Maine Coon through a classified ad or from a backyard breeder and save money that way. But if you want a 100% purebred cat with a pedigree and papers, contact a registered cattery.

Breeder Directories

• CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) Find a Breeder – https://find-a-breeder.cfa.org/
• TICA (The International Cat Association) breeder listings – https://tica.org/find-a-cat/find-a-cat-breeder-listings/

Maine Coon Catteries

In the Midwest:

• Indiana Giant Maine Coons (near Indianapolis, IN; TICA and CFA) – https://giantmainecoons.com/
• Giant Gems Cattery (Michigan; TICA and CFA) – https://giantgemscattery.com/

On the West Coast:

• Freedom Mountain Maine Coons (Sierra Nevada, Northern California; TICA and CFA) – https://freedommountainmainecoons.com/

Similar Breeds

If you’re still not sure about the Maine Coon, take a look at breeds like the Siberian cat and the Norwegian Forest Cat. Each breed has its own distinctive traits, but they share the same “wild forest cat” look. These breeds also developed in similar climates.

Sources:

https://cattime.com/cat-breeds/maine-coon-cats#/slide/1

http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/maine-coon#1_ugw20zmq

https://www.chewy.com/petcentral/behavior-breeds-maine-coon-cat-breed/