Maine Coon

At a glance

Weight

10–25 lb

Height

10–16 in

Lifespan

12–15 years

Exercise / day

30–60 min

Energy

moderate

Shedding

high

Temperament

sociable, vocal, trainable, people-oriented

With kids

yes

Common health predispositions

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The Maine Coon is the breed in which the MYBPC3 (A31P) mutation was first identified. Buy only from breeders who screen breeding cats with annual echocardiograms AND the A31P DNA test, both, not one.
• Hip dysplasia. Among the few cat breeds with documented hip dysplasia prevalence (OFA cat database). Breeders should provide PennHIP or OFA hip evaluations on both parents.
• Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Autosomal recessive; a DNA test is widely available and ethical breeders screen.
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Less common than in Persians but reported. Ultrasound screening or DNA test on parents.
• Dental disease. Common in adult cats. Daily brushing where the cat tolerates it and annual professional cleanings under anaesthesia are baseline care.

Gear and diet implications

• Best grooming for a Maine Coon. Dense, semi-long double coat. Weekly thorough brushing (a stainless-steel comb to the skin, not just a slicker over the top) prevents matting at the trousers, belly, and behind the ears.
• Best litter box for a Maine Coon. Size up, an XL or jumbo litter box is needed for an adult Maine Coon. Standard hooded boxes are too cramped.
• Best scratcher for a Maine Coon. A tall, very stable vertical scratching post (a Maine Coon stretches 80+ cm vertical) and ideally a multi-level cat tree rated for 10+ kg.
• Best food for a Maine Coon. Larger frame demands a larger absolute calorie intake, but obesity risk is real, measure portions and target a 4-5/9 body condition score.
• Best carrier for a Maine Coon. Most standard cat carriers are too small. Choose a carrier rated for medium-sized dogs, with floor space the cat can stand and turn in.

What the breed was built for

The Maine Coon is one of the oldest natural North American cat breeds, developed on farms in the northeastern United States as a working barn cat, a large, weather-tolerant mouser with a dense water-resistant coat, tufted toes for snow, and a famously sociable temperament with humans and other animals.

That working heritage explains the modern temperament. Maine Coons are often described as 'dog-like', they follow their people room to room, learn names and simple tricks, tolerate harnesses and leash walking, and tend to be relaxed with children and other pets.

HCM screening, the non-negotiable

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common heart disease in cats and is well-documented in the Maine Coon. The MYBPC3 A31P mutation was first identified in this breed and is the most common known cause of HCM in cats, but not the only one, cats negative for A31P can still develop HCM.

Ask the breeder for two things: an A31P DNA result on both parents AND an annual echocardiogram on the breeding cats performed by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist. Either alone is insufficient. Breeders who refuse echo screening are not breeding to the welfare standard of the breed.

What to look for in a breeder or rescue

• Annual echocardiogram on both parents by a board-certified cardiologist.
• MYBPC3 (A31P) DNA test on both parents.
• Hip evaluation (PennHIP or OFA) on both parents.
• SMA and PKD DNA tests on both parents.
• Kittens leave breeder at 12-14 weeks, fully vaccinated and socialized.
• Rescue alternative: Maine Coon-specific rescues exist in most U.S. regions; adult cats with confirmed temperament are often a better fit than the kitten lottery.