Is Your Cat a Maine Coon Mix?

How To Tell

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

Maybe you've learned about these purebred cats, their characteristics, and now you're wondering about your unique kitty!

Or maybe your large cat has a personality and physical traits quite different than any other you've known.

Sometimes a friend or family member asks the owner of a big cat with a shaggy coat if he or she is part Maine Coon, and that question begins a quest!

Without a cat pedigree, the only way to know for sure is with a DNA test. But even without genetic testing, you can research and make an educated guess as to your cat's lineage!

Where did these beautiful cats come from?

This kind of conversation harks back to the old days, generations ago, when big shaggy barn cats with bushy tails roamed free. They interbred, and some became beloved house cats.

Of course, this was many generations ago. Back then, here in Maine, a big fluffy tabby barn cat was referred to a Maine Coon. The Maine Coon lineage is really interesting.

Later as time went on, while devoted people were refining the breed, some of these cats still mingled with the general cat population, both longhaired cats and short hairs, to create random litters of Maine Coon mix-looking kittens.

Today, a mixed Maine Coon cat is not more likely than a mix of other recognized cat breeds. Maine Coon mix is not a style of appearance, or term given to rugged-looking medium haired or longhaired cats.

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

Then, learn about the Maine Coon personality, and visit our fun traits page for our Top 10 Maine Coon Traits!

"How could a purebred cat end up available and 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 since they did originally 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.

Or perhaps due to our cold weather and rugged climate, any cat who thrived and developed here in Maine might be seen as being a tough breed.

Of course, this is no longer the case! Back in the "old days," the very beginning, they did live in barns and reproduce freely, creating the breed that started it all. But that was a long time ago.

For many, many generations now, this has been a fully recognized show cat, and there is a breed standard adhered to by experienced Maine Coon breeders. In 2021 they were the second most popular breed!

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

But they are not as prevalent as some think! There aren't "more" mixed Maine Coon out there than, for example, mixed breed Persians.

It's just easier to think a cat has some Coon in him because Coons don't look strikingly "different." Since Maine Coons are not bred to an extreme, but instead have a more balanced look, a long haired domestic house cat with a fluffy tail can more easily be mistaken for a Maine Coon mix.

In this case, it's totally ok to call your cat a Maine Coon lookalike, or your honorary Maine Coon!

That's what I did with my first medium haired cat, a sweet, friendly ginger named Clyde who inspired me to learn about the breed and eventually get in touch with a breeder.

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 full Maine Coon?

When would a purebred kitten be given away for free? If someone who's not a breeder winds up with Maine Coons, would they then send these kittens off to the local shelter?

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 have broken their breeder contract and have a litter of Maine Coon kittens on their hands.

This scenario, as you can imagine, is unlikely. If it did happen on purpose, these would be backyard breeders. They may be well intentioned, but they don't have the expertise to produce healthy kittens who represent the breed standard.

They may also be breeding a cat or cats who someone said was a Maine Coon, but is either a domestic long hair, medium hair, or mix.

All new owners of registered Maine Coon cats agree with their breeder to spay/neuter their new pet kitten. They're able to afford their purebred kitten, so these owners are likely to follow through with the vet visits.

A 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.

"What are the physical characteristics to look for?”

As I'm sure you know, they are one of the largest breeds of domestic cats. So, large size is a clue. They are well proportioned, with a long torso and large bodies. A full size Coonie is well above average in size. Your vet can help you determine whether your cat is overweight or just large.

Most people are familiar with their ear tufts! The tufts of fur on their ears are very distinitve, and can be really spectacular.

They may have large paws but do not necessarily have extra toes. Some do, but it's not actually a breed trait.

Long fur is a given, with a ruff of fur like a lion's mane, as the cold Maine winters helped originally develop their traits!

They can be a variety of colors. Some of the more common colors include brown, red and silver tabby, with or without white, or a solid color, calico, or black and white. There are a few colors not allowed, for example pointed (like the Siamese), lavender, and chocolate. Maine Coons that are white or part white may have blue eyes or odd colored eyes.

"If he's not a Maine Coon Mix, is he a Norwegian Forest Cat Mix?"

Perhaps! I'd recommend you do the same kind of research on that breed. They are different breeds, but can look similar to some people.

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 certainly 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 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 house guests!

"Can you look at my cat/kitten's photo and tell me if s/he is a Maine Coon mix?"

Go ahead and send in your photo, we'd be happy to add it to our gallery! This is the place to do it.

This is Moose. His owner, Sarah, was asking if he may have some Coon in him.

I can see why, can you? Do you think he's part Coon? He is posted in a recent photo gallery here.

Check it out and comment, and add your maybe-Maine Coon mix, too!

So, where does a Maine Coon mix come from? What about kittens, feral cats, and shelter cats?

Well, now we 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.

With that said, purebred Maine Coon cats do occasionally end up in need of a new home. Their owners may become elderly, may move, give them away (to someone who gives them away) or may just abandon them (as hard as that is for us to understand.)

That's how a purebred 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, 10 Maine Coon Cat Traits if you suspect your cat is a Maine Coon mix. It shares the physical characteristics and personality traits of these gentle giants.

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 Coonie.

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

2022 Photo Album of Mixes and Maybes: So many beauties to see here!

Top of Maine Coon Mix

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