Maine Coon Mix

"Is My Cat A Maine Coon Mix?"


Are you wondering if your cat is a Maine Coon, or a Maine Coon mix?

cute fluffy gray and white maine coon mix kitten

Maybe you've been reading through articles about their characteristics, or maybe your cat has a personality quite different than any other you've known.

Are you wondering if your cat is a Maine Coon, or a Maine Coon mix?

Maybe you've been reading through articles about their characteristics, or maybe your cat has a personality quite different than any other you've known.

This kind of conversation harks back to the old days, generations ago, when big fluffy barn cats roamed free. They interbred, and then became beloved house cats.

And while devoted people were refining the breed, some of these cats still mingled with the general cat population to create random litters of Maine Coon mix kittens.



The Care & Keeping Of Your Maine Coon Cat: Have you noticed that your Coonie is no ordinary cat? It's true! Your stunning, amazing, large, loving Coonie is very special, both physically and in purrsonality - These quirky, unique cats have unique needs!



Or, Maine Coon cats might have roamed free, reproducing at will. What we all need to realize is that this was many generations ago. Today, a mixed Maine Coon cat is not more likely than a mix of another breed. It's not a label given to all fluffy cats.


four different maine coon mix photos

So, how do you know? And, what are the chances that your cat is a Maine Coon mix? First, research the Maine Coon characteristics. They are pretty specific.

Second, learn about the Maine Coon personality. Then, visit our Maine Coon Cat Traits page for more discussion about Maine Coon mixes, and to see other cats who may be mixed.

Lastly, think about where mixed-breed cats come from. And, how could a "purebred" cat wind up without a pedigree or a family tree?

This is a popular, and very unique subject to this breed. How often do you hear someone wondering if their cat might be a Himalayan, or part Siamese, or maybe he's a Persian mix? Rarely!

Why is this? Because Maine Coons are a natural breed, and they did develop in the "wild," there is still a commonly held belief that the Maine Coon breed is still more, oh, how shall we say .... uncontrolled? They are perceived as still roaming around, spreading their genes to the general cat population now and again.

Of course, this is no longer the case! Back in the "old days," the very beginning, they did live in barns and reproduce at will, creating the breed that started it all.

For many, many generations now, this has been a fully recognized show cat, being bred to a standard by experienced breeders.

A Maine Coon mix will happen sometimes, just as a Golden Retriever mix will happen sometimes. That's why we have our sections on figuring if your cat is a Maine Coon mix, or if your rescue cat is a Maine Coon. It surely can happen!

But understand that they are not as prevalent as some think! There aren't "more" mixed Maine Coon out there than, say, Persian-mixes.

It's just easier to think a cat has some Coon in him because Coons don't look strikingly "different." A long haired domestic house cat can more easily be mistaken for a Maine Coon mix.


"So is my kitten a full Maine Coon? S/he seems to fit the bill."

fluffy brown and white maine coon kitten

The situation with kittens is different than with adults. If you get a kitten from a shelter, rescue group, or someone is just giving them away, how could he be a Maine Coon? Would a Persian kitten be given away for free? Not usually.

The kitten would need two purebred parents. Presumably, they would have pedigrees. If an experienced breeder produced the litter, they'd be for sale. The traditional route.

The only other way it would happen is if two full Maine Coon cats were not spayed/neutered, (unlikely I hope!) and got together either by accident or on purpose. The inexperienced owners then have a litter of Maine Coon kittens on their hands.

This scenario, as you can imagine, is unlikely. All owners of Maine Coon cats agree with their breeder to spay/neuter their kitten. They're able to afford their purebred kitten, so these owners are likely to follow through with the vet visits.

If someone who's not a breeder winds up with Maine Coons, would they then send these kittens off to the local shelter?


Why do breeders always sell with a spay/neuter agreement? They've spent years developing the genealogical lines of their kittens. They know which kittens are "show quality," "pet quality," and which ones have the potential to be bred. 

These may sometimes be sold with "breeding rights" to a trusted person. Someone who understands the breed standard, breed conformation, and how to breed to the standard.


A stronger possibility, if you think your kitten resembles a Maine Coon, is that he is a Maine Coon mix. Just one parent (or grandparent) was a purebred Maine Coon who didn't get spayed/neutered in time.

"What about my shelter cat? He looks just like a Maine Coon!"
He could be. This is more likely than with kittens. Unfortunately, many pets are abandoned, given away, or dropped off at the shelter every year.

This does include purebred cats.His pedigree may be lost, but that doesn't make him less of a Maine Coon. These cat do have a very distinctive look. If he's a Maine Coon cat, you probably won't need to ask.


Maine Coon Mix Cats and Kittens

If your cat or kitten is "different" enough from other cats you've owned to make you wonder, but doesn't look strikingly like a Maine Coon, he could be a Maine Coon mix.

Of course, without a pedigree or a family history, you can never be absolutely sure whether he's a Maine Coon or a Maine Coon mix. He'll always be a bit of a mystery. Just learn what you can, and then it's up to you as to how to introduce him to your guests!


brown tabby possible maine coon mix

This is Kush. His owner was asking if he may have some Coon in him. I can see why, can you?

Kush has his own page below, with more pictures and lots of info about him. Do you think he's part Coon?

Do you have a cat you've been wondering about? Go ahead and send in your photo, we'd be happy to check it out! This is the place to do it.




Note: "Where does a Maine Coon come from? What about kittens, feral cats, and shelter cats?"

One thing to understand is that all full Maine Coon cats are bred in a cattery by a breeder and then sold to their new owner. That's the only way a full Maine Coon is born.

That said, Maine Coons do occasionally end up in need of a new home. Their owners may become elderly, may move, or may just abandon them (as hard as that is for us to understand.)

That's how a full Maine Coon can end up in a shelter. But they still originated from a breeder. And they had a pedigree when they were born.

Please check out our sister article, Maine Coon Cat Traits if you suspect your cat is a Maine Coon.


Still not sure? There's only one more thing to do. Send in a photo, and share your cat with the world! Tell us about his or her personality, how he or she came to you, and what makes you think you may have a Coon.

And due to overwhelming response, we have an exciting announcement to make! Since so many folks want to find out if their cat is a Maine Coon Cat or Maine Coon mix, there is now an official E-Book in the works! It will give you the background, information, and knowledge to figure out for yourself if your cat is indeed a Maine Coon!

So before you go, make sure to sign up for Tattle Tails, our free newsletter. You will be one of the very first to know when our E-Book launches. And I promise your email address is completely secure. Our visitors are valued, we would never give out your email address!

So leave a photo for other Maine Coon lovers to check out, and while you are here, make sure to comment on the photos of others!


maine coon cat care guide


Wondering If You Have a Maine Coon?

Have you been wondering if your cat or kitten "has some Coon in him?" Tell us about your cat, share a picture, and see what others think. What makes you think he might be a Maine Coon or Maine Coon Mix?

See More Maybe-Maines and Maybe-Mixes

Click below to see cat pages sent in by other visitors...

Doris 
Doris, my Covid cat Doris came to live with me a year ago. She was 8 years old and had been given up to the SPCA. Her fur was very matted so it …

Hank, Nora, Roscoe & Friends 
We got Hank from the local Humane Society, his mom and siblings were already adopted out. Thinking he has either Maine Coon or Norwegian Forrest cat in …

Ladybug 
We got ladybug at the shelter in October 2016. She was found as a newborn with siblings and the mom under a porch at an abandoned house. Birthdate …

Not A Maine Coon 
Deputy Dawg The title is the name of a deceased kitty. The owners claimed he was a "Bobcat mix". Genetically speaking, no! Different genus Lynx Rufus, …

Hoss 
My little buddy Hoss (2005 - 2014 R.I.P. little boy...Gone too soon) I adopted Hoss from the local Humane Society in August of 2005. I entered …

Presley 
Presley the Maine Coon mix: overcoming illness and doing it with spunk This is my Maine Coon mix cat, Presley. We adopted him from a shelter in November …

Gilda 
Gilda, The Femme Fatale This cat was a gift from the universe. My fourth year of University, living on my own, I had an unquenchable urge to nurture …

Blue 
Dogs best friend! Introducing Prince Blue Blue, our MC/Persian/ginger Tom mix, came to us at 8-weeks on 1.10.13. I was looking for a MC for our …

Meet Joshua! 
Joshua Jonah Jones born on Mother's Day 2010 Joshua's Mother, Momma Kitty, a black & sun-bleached brown Maine Coon, was the runt of the litter. …

Introducing Thor...Cat-God of Thunder! 
I found Thor on Craigslist last year. After my Maine Coon mixed breed passed away, I was left feeling empty and alone and due to his traits, decided to …

My Sweet Girl 
Penelope is my first cat. My mother's neighbor, a good friend of ours, had found a stray momma cat under her back porch. I remember Momma cat having …

Charlie Bear 
I became the proud owner of my Charlie Bear back in last November. Next door to my work is a locally owned pet shop that gladly takes in any and all animals. …

Bullwinkle (maybe a Coon cat?) 
Bullwinkle is a beautiful boy that I got from my friend and co-worker Peter. About 15 years ago I got a short-haired tabby kitten also from Peter named …

Minkx & Lucy 
Minkx (or Minky) is a 5-year-old grey/cream/white female medium-long haired cat. She has small ear tufts (not the long ones that purebred Maine Coons have …

Mr. Whiskers 
Mr. Whiskers, a Black and White....one person said he looked like a tuxedo, maybe in color. He has always been a unique cat in my area and in my 68 years …

I Think I Am A Dog? 
My cat came to me while I was on the road, truck driving in New Mexico. Another truck driver had a cat that had kittens and they were just giving them …

Capone The Coon? 
I got Capone from a flier at a local gas station. My boyfriend and I wanted to get a kitten for Christmas, and we chose the name ahead of time. When …

Just By Chance, My Pookie 
I work at a local university and on a rainy cold January as I was pulling out onto the main street leaving for lunch I see this kitten dart into the street …

Is Fluffy A Maine Coon Or A Mix? 
I got Fluffy from a rescuing shelter when she was 4 months old and she just turned 2 years old now in April 2011. I've always been wondering if she's …

Are My Cats Maine Coon Mixes? 
We don't know who their father is, but their mother does not have any Maine Coon characteristics... she has very short hair and is a very small framed …

Maine Coons Rule!
(But Ragdolls are pretty cool too...) 
I just LOVE my scrappy smart little Coonie. He's just bursting with personality, charm and SO full of himself. He's a cuddler, when it suits him and …

Maddie, Mininu & Friends 
Maddie is a 4 month old rescue kitty. I don't know if she is a Maine Coon mix or not??? She is a real sweetie! She loves to play and she already …

Will he ever let us pet him? Maine Coon mix? 
Not sure if this little guy is a Maine Coon mix or not. We adopted him from a cat rescue in late May. He is finally comfortable enough to come out …

Introducing Our Barn Cat Rescue Who Has Many Coon Traits  
Hi Everyone, What a great site! After much research and observation of our cat Nala, I think our cat is a Maine Coon Mix and just wanted your opinions. …

Click here to write your own.

Mystery Kittens 
This little guy my daughter brought home ln February, and after reading all the traits of a Maine Coon, I'm thinking I could have 2 in the house! Love …

Is Stella a Maine Coon (mix)? 
We adopted Stella just under a year ago, they guessed her to be around 2 years old at the time. We were told she is a Domestic Med. hair kitty. It …

Tigger, Huey Lewis, Finn & Friends 
We adopted Tigger from our local animal shelter when he was 3 months old. We initially thought he was a girl because the vets couldn't find boy parts …

Maine Coon Or Siberian Mix? 
I just adopted my third kitten "Bonnie"(the more the merrier)! And well she is about almost 6 weeks old and is simply irresistible, she is such a fur …

Maine Coon Miracle Update April 2011 
Little Maui the Maine Coon who walked into my life on January 21st this year...hiding under my deck calling to me at 8pm at night when for some reason …

KC & Frapple 
I always thought my cats were Maine Coon cats (or at least the mother, the son is half) until today. The vet said she couldn't be a Maine Coon just …

Was He A Maine Coon? 
I just lost my 11 year old cat Flame 2 weeks ago. I'm looking to adopt another cat with the same characteristics. He was broad chested, fur under the …

Sammie - Maine Coon Mix or Not 
Sammie is 6 month old female we adopted at a shelter when she was 3 months old. She now weighs between 8 & 9 pounds and measures approximately 30-31 …

Jackson 
So many of the characteristics mentioned describe Jackson. He's an outside cat and loves when we're out there with him. Always right there following …

Thomas - part Maine Coon? 
We got Thomas from a rescue shelter five years ago, when he was 18 months old. We didn't receive any information about his background, but a few people, …

Lily has Maine Coon character traits  
Lily is approximately ten months old and weighs ten pounds! Her parentage is unknown as she was handed into our vet as unwanted at three months old. …

Harley, Hammingway, Fluffy & Friends 
We just adopted two adorable kittens, who happened to end up at Meow Rescue (actually they were raised in foster care). Their mom was run over by …

Sweet Audrey 
Hello Carrie, I'm enclosing several pictures of my Sweet Audrey. I adopted her from a shelter - she's 4 or 5 years old & not very large. She has silky …

Maybe She's A Maine Coon Mix? 
Magrat is around eight months old - we got her from a shelter in August 2010 when she was about three months old. She had been left in a box on the …

Chi 
I adopt my cat, Chi, when she is still 2 months. Now, she is 10 month. The cattery said that she is a Maine Coon, but I'm not pretty sure to that since …

Chico 
Hello all, My Chico is a 5 month old Maine Coon, a friend of mine gave him to me, she owns his mom and dad. He is a pure-bred and has all of the …

Chicken...Maine coon mix? =]8 
My cat, Chicken was picked up as a stray in front of my house a week before Thanksgiving this year~ She stopped in front of the house and began circling/rubbing …

Does my kitty have some "coon" in her? 
I adopted Olive from a shelter in September. They said she was 2yrs old. She was close to 7lbs then. I noticed excessive fur between her toes and her thick, …

I think my cat is a Maine Coon 
My cat's name is Ash. She's loud,loving and sociable. She's about 7 months old. I got her because my friend's cat had 4 kittens and she gave her to …

Dahloan 
I received my cat, Cleopatria from a friend, when she was a kitty. She is brown tabbied, and looks like a Maine Coon. She is long haired, with a bushy …

jai trouver un chat l'hiver dernier et je suis presque sur que c'est un maine coon  
Il a tout les caracteristique pour etre un maine coon en me fian au standard du tica et du loof cote temperament aussi il a tout les element mais jaimerais …

Take a look at my "Little Kitty" and see what you think.... 
My cat named "little kitty" was born from a strange brown colored tabby with blue eyes named Abby. We got her from the pound and she had kittens. We …

Would you say this cat has some Maine Coon in him? 
"Rooney" came to me as a month-old kitten from a close friend's pet's litter. The mother is a small pink-colored short-haired tabby, but the father is …

My Cat TJ 
TJ is seven months old and was dumped in a ballpark at six weeks. He has fur between his toes, ears, and a long fluffy tail like a duster. He has a thick …

Rita Mamacita (3 extra toes) 
Rita Mamacita was found, as a very tiny kitten, in an apartment complex. In spite of several unsuccessful attempts to find her owner, Julie and Eric took …

Click here to write your own.

Could he be mix? 
Hi, We rescued this chap and called him Monty from the cat shelter in Cork Ireland. the couple that had him as a kitten were returning to the UK and could …

Yuri possible Maine Coon Mix 
I got Yuri free off of Craigslist exactly a year ago last July making him born sometime late May or early June. His previous owner said he is part Maine …

Kit Kat 
Tries to act more dignified than the boys but then can't resist playing - chasing other cats, or toys. Cuddle bug - vocal telling you what she wants - …

Freddie 
Hello, my cat's name is Freddie. My mother found him in the street about ten years ago; he probably is twelve or thirteen years old. He weighs 7 kg (around …

Darwin! 
We recently adopted Darwin from the SPCA, where I volunteer. I came in for my shift and he was the only cat roaming around the floor, greeting people by …

Meet Mozart! (Main Coon?) 
Hi! I am sending a few pics your way of our "kitten" Mozart. We adopted him from the humane society as a 3 month old kitten. He is now 6-7 months and …

Alice 
Hi, Alice recently turned 1 year old a week ago. She weighs about 8.8 pounds but her vet thinks she might grow bigger as she has bigger paws than other …

Trying to figure out if my cat is Maine Coon or not 
I found a stray that had been attacked by a dog when he was 4 weeks old. He would have been a feral cat, but I adopted him and cleared out his conjunctivitis, …

I think my cat is a Maine Coon mix? 
Hi I recently adopted a cat called Baggins he is 3 years old- he is a large cat, definitely bigger than average. The key things that made me think …

Annabelle (Annie for Short) Perhaps She is a Maine Coon Mix? 
We have wondered for quite awhile whether our beloved Cat Annie, is a Maine Coon mix. We knew she was different from all the other cats we have owned. …

My cat was born feral, but i think she may have some Maine Coon in her? 
She's about 2 years old, roughly 2 1/5 feet long, and approximately a foot and a half tall, she weighs 16.7 pounds. Is shy, but very lovable. loves …

My Cat Fire 
I've been reading about the traits of a Maine coon and my cat Fire fits some of the traits. Fire was a stray so i have no idea what he actually is. …

Fluffmodius: Maine Coon Mix? 
We adopted Fluffmodius and another kitty (Anastasia) from a kitty rescue. They told us the kittens were found stray at some nearby boat docks. We fell …

Do we have a maine coon? 
We found this kitten abandoned in a shoe box, we think he is about 3 to 4 weeks old. The closest pictures we have found are a Maine Coon but are still …

Marley Katt, Adria, Desmond & Friends 
Miss Marley

Mittens 
I found a 3 month old kitten in December 2009. She was never claimed and I was instantly attached so I kept her, her name is mittens although she has …

Rudy the Maine Coon 
Rudy is our handsome cat. He definately has Maine Coon in him, but probably 100%. He has an amazing gentle personality and is about 3-4 yrs old. He …

Is Mr. Bigglesworth a full or mix Maine Coon? 
We just adopted a wonderful 2 year old cat "Mr. Bigglesworth" from a shelter. Our previous cat Pumpkin that we had for 13 years had a tumor so we had …

Emmett And His Black Smoky Coat 
I adopted Emmett in May of 2010 as an 8 week old kitten at the local Human Society. I love black cats - especially long haired ones - and had recently …

Kush 
Hi, I have included a few pictures so you can get an idea of what he looks like. He has a very good personality towards my boyfriend and I but he often …

Is My Cat Part Maine Coon? 
I found my kitty through a friend who obtained him from a shelter--my friend couldn't keep him because his roommate's girlfriend was deathly allergic. …

My cat Basil seems a lot like a Coon! 
He was found hanging around my mother's house and I adopted him. He's very friendly, affectionate and loves his cuddles(likes to put his head on my chest …

Honey Not rated yet
I got Honey when she was 5 months old. She is almost 12 and still very healthy and active. She loves to chase balls when I throw them and bring them …

Freya, Lynx, Lexi & Friends Not rated yet
Thackery Binx was found underneath a house with a litter of his brothers and sisters. His pedigree is unknown, although his mother has gray short haired …

Charlie, Thor and More Cuties Not rated yet
Charlie is six months old. We adopted her in Berkeley, California, & ages unlike any other cat we've ever known. She's extremely smart & affectionate, …

Click here to write your own.

Ginger, Vincent, Emma & More Not rated yet
This is Vincent. He is my first cat. The mother is an American short hair tabby, but the father is unknown. He is the runt of a litter of 6 (4 girls and …

Cute Kittens & Adoption Stories Not rated yet
15 Month Old Ginger This is Mister Mooshoo. He’s a little over a year old. He’s very smart(opens doors), loves playing in water, vocal, and affectionate. …

Bonnie, Heidi & Chloe Not rated yet
My cat Scout, a grey and white tuxie, got out a few years ago. It was a week before her appt to be fixed (she was only six months old) and of course, she …

Figaro Not rated yet
A volunteer at the MSPCA shelter in Boston for 6-1/2 years, I had 2 beautiful DSH tabby girls for over 18 years, and when I lost my last one to lymphoma, …

Sushi and Friends Not rated yet
We got Sushi in August. My flatmate is a vet nurse and this super cute cat comes in unable to walk. Owners had not gotten a pet insurance yet since …

Sara Not rated yet
We rescued Sara when she was about 4-5 weeks old, walking on her own in a busy intersection, so we have no way of knowing her parentage. At that age, …

Otis, Eli, Maxie & Friends Not rated yet
Otis loves being around his family. He loves to bring home lizards, mice and birds. His best friend is a dog.

Nugget, Eddington, Milo & Friends Not rated yet
So Nugget is approx 5 months old. His body length is approx 19 in long (not including tail). He was given to us by a neighbor whose young kids just …

Miggy, Willow, Jose & Friends Not rated yet
8 week old girl possibly part Maine Coon??

Lukas, Max, Ruby & Friends Not rated yet
Lukas, a real Mama's boy :-) Lukas is now 6 1/2 and almost 16 pounds! He is mainly an indoor cat and extremely affectionate. He is as smart as …

Patti Not rated yet
Is my girl a Maine Coon mix? Hello, this is Patti. I got her from a Sanctuary at 6 months old. She'd been found wandering the streets and there didn't …

Pita, Meowgi, Angus & Friends Not rated yet
He appeared at the back door, about four months old, sick and hungry. I had no intention of keeping him since I had two older cats already. After he …

Theodore Not rated yet
November of 2016 I adopted a then 4 year old cat from our local shelter. I had seen him online 2 months before but wasn't sure I was ready. My mom …

Abigail Not rated yet
This is Abigail. She is now 17 years old. She was found at a construction site alone at about 2 weeks old. We bottle fed her and had no idea until …

Jet & Stripe Not rated yet
Strippers and Jet are almost a year old. We have had them since they were 13 weeks old, per the local shelter we rescued them from. Strippers is …

Our Fur Baby Rocky Not rated yet
I have grown up around cats all my life. I was the little girl who rescued every stray she ever found and begged mom and dad to let her keep it. I …

Maybe Maine Girl Not rated yet
I bought my darling off Sales website Gumtree thinking she was nothing more than a standard house cat. She was given to us at a very young age, I was …

SnuggleBunny Not rated yet
Possibly Half Maine Coon? My cat, SnuggleBunny is 11 years old. She'll be 12 this year. She's in wonderful health! You'd never guess she was 11. …

Can You Tell If My Cat Is Part Maine Coon  Not rated yet
OK, my cat is not common at all. She's a grey with a red-brown that you can only see in the light when she sits in a window; otherwise she's just a darkish …

Riley The Clown Not rated yet
Riley was adopted at the animal shelter, his siblings were all white and he had one all black brother. He is the only one with stripes. The mother was …

Tullie and Friends Not rated yet
Tullie came to us, or rather, we found her hiding under one of our windows. She appeared to be abandoned...we went door-to-door, posted fliers, contacted …

Is my cat Oprah a Maine Coon? Not rated yet
This is my cat Oprah. I adopted her from an animal shelter when she was 3 months old in July 2010. The volunteer told me she was a Maine Coon but then …

Diego Not rated yet
Diego came to me as a baby of a stray cat that had showed up at my sister-in-law. His litter mates all have the long hair, big tails, tufts coming out …

Click here to write your own.


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