Maine Coon
USA · 1800sGentle giant: friendly, playful and dog-like
Maine Coons are one of the largest domestic breeds, with tufted ears, a shaggy water-resistant coat and a huge bushy tail. They are sociable and playful but usually prefer to be next to you rather than on you.
At a glance
Life with a Maine Coon
Expect a big, chatty shadow that follows you from room to room and talks in chirps and trills rather than loud meows. Many love water and fetch games. They grow slowly and reach full size at 3–5 years, so budget for big gear: an extra-large litter box and a sturdy cat tree.
- Families with kids, dogs or other cats
- People who want a sociable cat that isn’t clingy
- Homes with room for large cat furniture
- You want a cat that sits on your lap for hours
- Bigger food, litter and vet bills would be a stretch
- You hate cat hair — they shed heavily in spring
- Brush 2–3 times a week; comb the belly, armpits and back legs, where mats form.
- Use an extra-large litter box and a tall, heavy cat tree.
- Keep them lean — extra weight is hard on their hips.
Health
HCM (a heart disease), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and hip dysplasia are the known breed issues. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) shows up in some lines.
- HCM DNA test (Maine Coon gene) for both parents
- SMA DNA test
- Hip X-ray results (OFA or PennHIP)
- Heart scan (echocardiogram) of the parents
Prices are rough ranges from registered breeders and vary by line, color and region. A much cheaper “purebred” kitten is a common scam sign.
See Maine Coon kittensSimilar breeds
Sources: breed standards and profiles from CFA and TICA, DNA tests listed by the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, and veterinary breed profiles.