Maine Coon Cat Information

Top 10 Questions and Answers

by: Carrie Profenno: Author, Mainer, Maine Coon Mama, editor of The Maine Coon Magazine

by: Carrie Profenno - Author, Mainer, Maine Coon Mama, editor of The Maine Coon Magazine

This Maine Coon cat information covers some of the most commonly asked questions. Everyone loves Maine Coons!

These questions keep coming up, so they make it to our Top 10 Most Asked Maine Coon Questions:

#10: How Big Do Maine Coon Cats Get?

Maine Coons are the biggest house cat. But, they are not all enormous! A female Maine Coon is usually between 9-12 pounds, and a male will fall between 13-18 pounds.

Otis relaxing

Yes, they can be more, but don't forget they can be less, too. These are just averages. It's most likely your cat will fall within these ranges.

Everyone loves a big Maine Coon cat! We all hear about a 25-30 pound Coon sometimes! This is neat, but not usual.

To be healthy, the cat would have to be very long to weigh that much!

An average house cat is about 9-11 pounds, so Maine Coons are definitely larger in general.

#9: What Is The Maine Coon Cat Personality Like?

This was the first thing I wanted to know, and it's what made me into an instant Maine Coon cat fan. They are affectionate, loyal, and friendly to everyone, including children and other pets.

They are rarely shy, very vocal, and almost dog-like in their behavior! To sum it up, Maine Coons are a very well-rounded cat. The Maine Coon Cat Personality is one-in-a-million!

#8: What Are The Maine Coon Cat Colors?

Most people are familiar with the classic brown tabby. Maine Coon cat colors are extremely varied. They can be almost any color! There are so many options, with only a few which are not recognized within the breed.

Check out our page of Maine Coon Cat Colors for more Maine Coon cat information on the subject.

#7: Aren't They All Polydactyl Cats?

Many of the early Coons were. Then when they became registered and recognized show cats it was largely bred out.

You'll be happy to know that nowadays there are Maine Coon polydactyl cats out there, being preserved as a celebration of their natural heritage. They are not prevalent, but they're around, and they're irresistible!

#6: How Much Grooming do Maine Coons Require?

Not that much, actually. These cats developed as self-sufficient outdoor animals, with no one to maintain their coats for them.

As a result, they evolved into a cat with long fur that keeps them warm, repels water, and doesn't mat very easily.

That said, they can develop mats. So, a nice brushing at least once a week should keep them in top condition.

For more Maine Coon cat information about this, visit the section on How To Groom A Cat. They can be trained young to enjoy grooming time, and even tolerate Bath Time when needed.

Handsome Leo in the sun

#5: What Maine Coon Cat Health Problems Should I Be Aware Of?

There are a couple of things to know about, as in any purebred cat. The first is a potentially serious heart condition known as HCM. Another is feline hip dysplasia, which can affect any large cat.

Your breeder will tell you about the screening they have done to their breeding cats.

They strive to produce only the healthiest kittens. Take a look at our section on Maine Coon Cat Health Problems for more Maine Coon Cat information about these and a few other health considerations.

#4: What Is The Maine Coon Life Expectancy?

These are hardy, robust cats! They are said to live twelve to fifteen years, and often more. This is partly due to the care their owners take to keep them indoors. Having your cat indoors significantly increases their lifespan.

#3: How Can I Tell If My Cat Is A Maine Coon Cat?

This is one of the more popular reasons folks come here for Maine Coon Cat information. The only way to know for sure that a stray, gifted or rescued kitty is a Coonie is to look at their pedigree (paperwork provided by the breeder).

With that said, there are definitely circumstances where a Maine Coon might be surrendered or find himself in a shelter or rescue. Many home situations such as divorce, allergies, illness, and even death of an owner can result in a suddenly homeless Maine Coon.

In general, owners of Maines are very, very bonded and responsible. So in most of these cases I would expect them to find a new loving home with a trusted friend or family member, or even contact the original breeder.

#2: How Can I Find A Maine Coon Without The High Cost Associated With Purebred Kittens?

New litters of pedigreed kittens are going to be for sale. But if you're willing to be patient and get a little creative, you may be able to find a free or low-cost Maine Coon for your family.

One suggestion is to consider a Maine Coon cat breeders specialize in breeding and showing their cats. The kittens will be for sale, but they sometimes have retired show or breeding cats that are ready for a forever home.

Also, consider adoption. You might end up with a lookalike or mix, but that shouldn't matter! It should be a fairy-tail ending for both of you!

#1: Where Can I Find A Maine Coon?

As you may have guessed, not from a pet store! Kittens in a pet store are no different than puppies in a pet store. Yes, they are cute. All kittens are cute. But where did it come from?

This is a loaded topic, so we have a separate article, Maine Coon Cats For Sale with all the details on why you should never buy a kitten (or puppy) from a pet store!

Your first action step as a responsible new pet owner is to find your kitten from a reputable Maine Coon Cat Breeder.

He or she will also be a great source of Maine Coon cat information for you.

Alternatively, you could find a cat through Maine Coon Cat Rescue. This is a great alternative, especially if the cost of a kitten is too much for you.

And some breeders have retired show cats, or older kittens no longer being shown. These are great options!

Hopefully this page of Maine Coon information has given you a good start. For more details on these and other subjects, keep browsing!

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