7 Things You Should Know About Maine Coons Before You Adopt One (2024)

7 Things You Should Know About Maine Coons Before You Adopt One (3)

Three years ago, I had the difficult task of persuading my now-husband to get a cat. He was adamantly a dog person — he liked cats, but he was convinced they were inferior to dogs as house pets.

Now, he loves both our cats with his whole heart, but when I was trying to convince him, I found the best method was to find a cat that met his needs.

He said cats weren’t loyal? I found a breed that was. He said he wanted to walk a dog? I found a cat breed that loves walks. He said dogs are just bigger and therefore easier to snuggle and love? I found the biggest cat breed there is.

My research pointed me to one breed that met all his requirements: the Maine Coon.

I want to point out that all cats are amazing, wonderful, charming, and interesting in their own unique ways! We’ve had moggies (mixed-breed cats) all my life, and I’ve loved them all dearly. However, when we wanted to adopt cats of our own in the UK, we found that shelters required us to provide indoor-outdoor access for cats, and I knew I wanted to keep my cats safely indoors.

Here are the seven things you should know about Maine Coons before you adopt one.

7 Things You Should Know About Maine Coons Before You Adopt One (2024)

FAQs

7 Things You Should Know About Maine Coons Before You Adopt One? ›

Maine Coons are one of the largest domestic cat breeds. At full size, males can weigh between 15 and 25 lbs. while females can weigh between 11 and 20 lbs. Typically, Maine Coons don't reach their maximum weight until they are around 4 or 5 years old.

What are important facts about Maine Coons? ›

Maine Coons are one of the largest domestic cat breeds. At full size, males can weigh between 15 and 25 lbs. while females can weigh between 11 and 20 lbs. Typically, Maine Coons don't reach their maximum weight until they are around 4 or 5 years old.

What 2 breeds make a Maine Coon? ›

Some suggest that these cats were brought into existence when six Turkish Angora cats reached Maine aboard the ship of Marie Antoinette, who was attempting to flee France during the Revolution. Once on land, these Angora cats went on to breed with local short-haired cats and created the Maine Coon of today.

How do you pick a Maine Coon kitten? ›

The coat should be clean and soft, and when parted behind the ears and at the base of the tail, must be free from tiny black specks which indicate fleas. Check that the teeth and gums are healthy, and there should be no discharge from the nostrils.

What special care do Maine Coon cats need? ›

Generally, Maine Coons need the same level of care as all cats. A little extra grooming might be required, a larger cat carrier and bigger litter box are important considerations, and perhaps a little more (good quality) food. Overall, they are fabulous cats to live with, especially if you like big and beautiful.

Is taking care of a Maine Coon hard? ›

A clever, athletic cat who loves - in fact craves - human company, the Maine Coon is rather high maintenance as they need plenty of enrichment in the form of games with their owner that simulate hunting, plus opportunities to climb, jump and survey their territory from a variety of different heights and vantage points.

What makes a Maine Coon so special? ›

Nicknamed “the gentle giant” of the cat world, they're known for having a gentle disposition and being very vocal. They're also known to be relatively easy to train, which makes them easily one of the most popular breeds.

What are the pros and cons of owning a Maine Coon? ›

The Pros and Cons of Maine Coon Cats.
PROSCONS
Loyal & emotionally sensitiveHigh risk of theft
PlayfulToys are expensive
ChattyMaybe too chatty
Adapts well to urban livingNeeds loads of exercise
4 more rows
Oct 3, 2022

What is the lifespan of a Maine Coon cat? ›

On average, Maine Coon cats live between 10 to 13 years, although it's not uncommon for them to reach their late teens with proper care and attention. Their lifespan is relatively short compared to other cat breeds.

Which Maine Coon gets bigger? ›

Male vs Female Maine Coon Size
Maine Coon SizeWeight (pounds)Height (inches)
Male15-2510-16
Female10-158-14
Jun 27, 2022

What is the rarest Maine Coon? ›

Typical Maine Coon colours are brown tabby, black, white, blue, and cream. The two rarest Maine Coon colours are gold and silver. They're brought about by a rare inhibitor gene that causes the loss of pigmentation in the undercoat.

What does a full breed Maine Coon look like? ›

Maine Coons have extremely thick shaggy fur all over their bodies. They have even more fur around their necks and tails. The Maine Coon looks like a stoic lion, as the fur on their neck and chest is prominent with a magnificent frontal ruff. The coat is somewhat heavy yet also silky.

How can I tell how big my Maine Coon will get? ›

What influences a Maine Coon's size?
  1. Genetic makeup—The weight and size of the parents could influence how big your kitty gets.
  2. Gender—Male Maine Coons are generally larger, heavier, and more muscular than females.
  3. Whether your feline is mixed or purebred—Mixed Maine Coons are typically smaller than purebred felines.
May 26, 2022

Are Maine Coons beginner friendly? ›

Maine Coon

They are great with children and other pets and are generally easy to train. They are also low maintenance when it comes to grooming, as their thick, shaggy coats only require occasional brushing.

Do Maine Coon cats like to be picked up? ›

The cuddly Maine Coon will also tolerate being picked up and carried around very well.

Do you let Maine Coon cats out? ›

Are Maine Coons good house cats? Due to the Maine Coons fairly laid back personality, they can be kept as either indoor or outdoor cats. Many Maine Coon owners prefer to keep them indoors however, as they are a very coveted breed and they have been known to get stolen when left to go outside alone.

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