The Maine Coon cat, officially known as the Maine Coon, is recognized as the largest cat breed. Just how big can they get? In the 2010 Guinness World Records, the largest Maine Coon weighed 15.9 kg (35 lbs) and measured 123 cm (48.5 inches) from the tip of its nose to the tip of its tail. When standing on its hind legs, its front paws could easily reach the shoulders of a petite woman.
The Maine Coon is not a man-made breed but one of North America's oldest natural cat breeds. Originating from the cold climate of Maine, these cats developed thick, long fur to stay warm and survive the harsh conditions.
Many people are drawn to the Maine Coon because of its beautiful fur, but I must warn you: if you plan to own a Maine Coon, you need to have enough space for it to play. Maine Coons don’t like staying indoors—they still have a wild streak and need to roam outside. If you don’t have a fenced yard, you should at least make sure you have time to take your cat outdoors when it wants to explore. Some cats may only need to go out once or twice a week, while others might want to play outside every day. Consider your time and energy before committing to a Maine Coon.
I also need to warn you about a significant risk: like many large cat breeds, Maine Coons have a higher likelihood of developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Cats with this condition are at risk of sudden death at any time. In the early stages, managing stress is usually enough, but once heart failure occurs, long-term medication is required. Monthly medication costs can range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars. Make sure you're prepared for this before deciding to own a Maine Coon.
Before bringing home a kitten, it's best to have genetic screening done on both the kitten and its parents to reduce the risk of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Reputable breeders will provide detailed information about the parents, making screening easier, but this might be more challenging when adopting or purchasing from a pet store.
Maine Coon cats naturally love to sleep in odd, out-of-the-way places, especially on uneven surfaces. You’ll need to accept that your cat might prefer perching on shelves or various items around the house rather than using the bed or cat nest you’ve prepared for them.
If you want to raise a Maine Coon, you must also be able to accept their natural hunting instincts. For example, they may chatter and twitch their whiskers when they see birds. It’s important to provide them with toys like feather wands or moving toys to help satisfy their hunting drive.
Maine Coons are long-haired cats, and their fur can easily get tangled and shed a lot. If you decide to raise one, you’ll need to commit to daily grooming sessions to keep their coat in good condition.
After adopting a Maine Coon, it's important to regularly supplement their diet with calcium. This is due to their large size and longer growth period compared to other cats. When choosing cat food, opt for high-protein options with ingredients that promote a healthy coat. This ensures they get all the necessary nutrients and keeps their fur shiny and vibrant.
There’s an interesting legend about the origin of the Maine Coon: it’s said to be the offspring of a domestic cat and a raccoon, which is why it has dark tabby markings and a bushy tail, resembling a raccoon. However, according to biological science, cats and raccoons cannot produce offspring together.
The Maine Coon is likely a mixed breed cat. In the 1850s, Maine was a trading hub in North America, with merchant ships from around the world docking there. Consequently, various exotic cat breeds were brought to Maine, and different cat breeds naturally interbred, leading to the creation of this mixed breed.
If your Maine Coon friend passes away, you can consult us to customize a special urn for it.