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How To Tell if Your Cat is a Maine Coon Mix
Are you wondering if your cat is 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 feline DNA test. Modern sequencing methods analyze thousands of genetic markers to compare your cat’s DNA against known breeds, providing insights into ancestry and even health traits. [1]
But even without genetic testing, you can research and make an educated guess as to your kitty's lineage!
Where Did These Big, Beautiful Kitties 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 lineage of this breed is really interesting.
Later as time went on, while devoted people were refining the breed, some of these cats still mingled with the general feline population, both longhaired cats and short hairs, to create random litters of Maine Coon mix - looking kittens.
Today, a mixed Coonie is no more likely than a mix of other recognized cat breeds.
In other words, 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 kitty is a Maine Coon cross?
Start with the physical characteristics - things like head shape, ear placement, and coat texture can be surprisingly specific once you know what to look for.
Then, take a look at the Coonie personality, that set this breed apart. Even if your kitty doesn't look the part, their behavior might tell another story.
Fun Fact: currently, 95% of all pet cats are non-pedigreed Companion Cats. They are just as special as a purebred, of course!
This includes the domestic long hair cats and domestic medium haired cats.
They have interbred for generations, and like a good gumbo, they are a variety of mixed ingredients!
"How Could a Purebred Kitty End Up Available - 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 feline companion might be a Himalayan, or part Siamese, or maybe he's a Persian mix? Rarely!
Why is this? Because this is a natural breed, and since they did originally develop in the "wild," there is still a commonly held belief that this breed is still more, oh, how shall we say .... uncontrolled?
They are perceived as still roaming around, spreading their genes to the general feline population now and again.
Or perhaps due to our cold weather and rugged climate, any feline 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 breeders. Every year, this is consistently one of the top most popular breeds!
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 kitty is a mix, or if your rescue is a Coonie. It surely can happen!
But they are not as prevalent as some think! There aren't "more" mixes out there than, for example, mixed breed Persians.
It's easy to think a fluffy kitty has some Coon in him because Coons don't look strikingly "different."
Since this breed is 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 assumed to be a cross.
In this case, it's totally ok to call your feline friend a Coonie lookalike, or your honorary Coonie!
That's what I did with my first medium haired kitty, a sweet, friendly ginger named Clyde who inspired me to learn about the breed and eventually get in touch with a breeder.
Jackson, a gorgeous Maine Coon mix- "Is my rescue kitten a pure Maine Coon? S/he seems to fit the bill."
- "Someone on Craigslist sold me a kitten calling it a Coon, but now I'm not sure. How can I tell?"
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, or "full Coonie" kitten be given away for free?
If someone who's not a breeder winds up with Coonie kittens, having come from a beloved purebred kitty who they paid thousands of dollars for, 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 way this would happen is if two purebreds were not spayed/neutered, 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 one or two cats who someone said was a Coonie, but is actually a domestic long hair, medium hair, or mix.
All new owners of registered, purebred kittens from breeders agree (via contract) to spay or 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.
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.
Additionally, they regularly test and screen for inherited health issues like hip dysplasia, spinal muscular atrophy, and feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
These may sometimes be sold with "breeding rights" to a trusted person, another breeder.
Someone who understands the breed standard, breed conformation, and how to breed to the standard.
A possibility, if you think your kitten resembles this breed, is that he is a mix.
Just one parent (or grandparent) was a purebred kitty 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 purebreds. His pedigree may be lost, but that doesn't make him less of a Coonie.
These cat do have a very distinctive look. If he's a "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 - but it’s not a requirement.
Some, especially females and mixes, can stay quite petite and still be healthy. Here's what to know if your Coonie seems to be on the small side.
They are well proportioned, with a long torso and large bodies. A full size Coonie is well above average in size.
If your cat is still a kitten, it can be hard to use size as a clue - they're growing so fast, and not all Maine Coons follow the same timeline.
Some readers write in with unusually large kittens, while others worry theirs are too small. Our Maine Coon growth chart can help you get a better sense of what's typical.
Your vet can help you determine whether your furry friend is overweight or just large.
Most people are familiar with their ear tufts! The tufts of fur on their ears are very distinctive, 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.
Coonies that are white or part white may have blue eyes or odd colored eyes.
Is a cat a Coonie if it has an 'M' on its forehead? This common belief has circulated widely, and it's time to clarify!
This continues to come up regularly in the comments sections. It seems like many, many folks have heard it!
"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.
About Maine Coon Mix Cats and Kittens
If your kitty is "different" enough from other kitties you've owned to make you wonder, but doesn't look strikingly like a Coonie, he certainly could be a Maine Coon cat mix.
Of course, without a pedigree or a family history, you can never be absolutely sure whether he's a half Maine Coon.
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?"
This is our most commonly asked question, both in email and here on the site!
We have many photo galleries of "Maybes and Mixes" you can visit.
We add them to our monthly photo albums, so the community can take a look and give input!
Go ahead and send in your photo below, 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 kitties?
Well, now we understand is that all full Coonies are bred in a cattery by a breeder and then sold to their new owner. That's the only way a full Coonie is born.
With that said, purebreds 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 feline 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 if you suspect your kitty is a mix and still have questions.
It shares the physical characteristics and personality traits of these gentle giants.
Differences Between Maine Coons & Regular Cats:
Not sure what really sets a Coonie apart from the average house cat? We've laid out the differences in size, coat, face shape, and personality - with lots of visual cues to help you compare.
The Maine Coon Cat Tabby Mix: A Fascinating Blend
The Maine Coon Cat Tabby Mix combines the best of two worlds - size, fluff, and a personality as bold as its stripes!
If you're wondering what makes this combination so special, let's dive into some fun facts and key traits:
- Tabby isn’t a breed - it's a pattern! That signature 'M' on the forehead and striking swirls or stripes can appear in any feline, but when paired with the size and fluff of a certain well-loved giant, it creates a striking look.
- Nature’s camouflage. Those swirls and stripes aren’t just for show. In the wild, tabby markings help cats blend into their surroundings, making them expert hunters (or at least expert couch ninjas).
- Personality plus. The Maine Coon Cat Tabby Mix often inherits a playful, social nature. These cats love attention, and if they’re anything like their fluffy ancestors, they may follow you from room to room, chirping their opinions along the way.
- A coat of many colors. From classic brown to silver, orange, and even blue (gray), tabby-marked coats come in a wide variety of shades, sometimes with dramatic contrast or soft, blended hues.
- That luxurious tail! Whether striped like a raccoon’s or faintly patterned, the extra-long, bushy tail is a signature feature, often used for warmth, balance, and the occasional dramatic tail flick.
- Big, bright eyes. Gold, green, or copper - sometimes even a cool, icy blue - tabby-marked giants often have large, expressive eyes that give them a wise, almost knowing expression.
If you have a Maine Coon cat tabby mix, you’ve got a strikingly unique feline - one with bold patterns, a charming personality, and plenty of fluff to go around!
Real-Life Maine Coon Mixes
Wondering what a Maine Coon mix looks like in real life? Meet some of the amazing cats shared by our readers! These mixed-breed beauties may not have papers, but they’re full of Coonie charm.
From fluffy tails to quirky habits, their stories might just remind you of your own kitty - or help you spot some familiar traits.
Meet Bertie and Telulah! These fluffy Maine Coon mixes from the UK are full of charm. From quirky habits to gentle companionship, their bond makes every day feel special.
What is the personality of a Maine Coon mix like? Often, it can be just like that of a full Coonie!
Raven in Texas tells us about her 'sweet, loyal 13 year old Isak Michael: "He is talkative, loving, intuitive and completely spoiled. He follows us around and loves to give his opinion whether in meows or chatters."
Still not sure? There's only one more thing to do. Send in a photo, and share your furry friend 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.
And due to overwhelming interest in this topic, we have an exciting announcement to make!
Since so many folks want to find out if their feline is a Coonie or perhaps 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 Coonie, along with a fun grading system.
Even if you never know for sure, it will give you the power to decide for yourself how to label your beloved kitty.
So before you go, make sure to sign up for our free newsletter. Invitations are throughout our pages.
You will be one of the very first to know when our E-Book launches. And I promise your email address is completely secure.
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!
Wondering If You Have a Mix?
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 Mix?
See More Maybes and Mixes
'Mixes and Maybes' is our current album of Mixes and Maybes. New kitties are added to the top regularly! Hop on over to visit and comment on them.
2025 Maybe Coon Mixes
Possible Maine Coon Mix?
Morticia (Tish) is approximately 3 months old as of June 2025. She’s playful, loves humans, always wants to be around me, is …
Maine Coon Ancestry DNA Testing
Two obvious characteristics of Maine Coon cats are their larger size compared to the average domestic cat and the ear tufts on the tips of their ears. …
2024 Album of Mixes and Maybes
He is a rescue off the street.
He has the long tufts of hair in the ears and is voice-tresses. I believe is a tabby.
He is like a black color with …
Community Pages About Mixes and Maybes:
2025 Album of Maybes, Mixes and Crosses: Introducing our newest album of mixed Maine Coons and Maybes! These cat parents are asking the community for opinions. Do these fluffers have some Coonie in them?
2022-23 Photo Album of Mixes and Maybes: So many beauties to see here!
Identifying Mixes and Maybes: These reader submitted questions span just about every different way you can ask this question!
If you are researching your cat or kitten's breed, you may find commonality with some of these community conversations to help you figure it out.
Reference:
[1] DNA Sequencing. (n.d.). basepaws.com. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://help.basepaws.com/en-US/articles/dna-sequencing-9095
Hi, I'm Carrie! As a native Mainer, Coonie mom and author, I've spent over 14 years helping cat owners understand their Coonies and mixes. Real experience, research-backed insights - that's my approach. Happy, healthy cats - that's the result!
Curious about my experiences? Check out my About Page!
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