Maine Coon Guide

What Is a Maine Coon Cat?

The Maine Coon is a large, long-haired domestic cat breed from the northeastern United States, known for its size, its shaggy ruff, tufted ears and a bushy tail. So what is a Maine Coon cat in everyday terms? A big, sociable, working-farm cat that turned into one of the most popular pedigree breeds in the country.

Below we cover where the breed came from, the legends that surround it, why it was named after Maine, why Maine Coons grow so large, and what living with one is like. If you came here wondering how large they really get, there is a whole page on how big Maine Coons get.

What is a Maine Coon cat, exactly?

A Maine Coon is a natural breed, meaning it developed from ordinary barn and ship cats rather than being designed by a breeder. It is built for cold weather: a dense, water-shedding coat that is shorter on the shoulders and longer on the belly and britches, large tufted paws that work like snowshoes, a thick tail it can curl around itself, and ears with lynx-like tufts.

Body: long, rectangular and muscular, with a deep chest.
Head: a broad muzzle and high cheekbones, with big, wide-set ears.
Coat: silky, uneven in length, in a wide range of colors and patterns.
Temperament: friendly, curious and people-oriented, covered in the Maine Coon personality guide.

It is a recognized pedigree breed with a breed standard, but a pet Maine Coon is simply a family cat that happens to be large and fluffy. The breed is often called slow to mature, playful well into adulthood and unusually chatty, though the chatter is more of a soft trill than a demand.

You will see the breed written as "Maine Coon cat", "Maine Coons" or sometimes misspelled in searches. The spelling is Maine, for the state, and Coon, for the old brown tabby look.

Where did Maine Coon cats come from?

The breed developed in Maine and the rest of New England, where long-haired cats adapted to harsh winters. Nobody has a documented first Maine Coon, and the breed's earliest history is partly guesswork. The most plausible account is that shorthaired farm cats mixed over generations with longer-haired cats that arrived on trading ships, and that the cold climate favored the biggest, thickest-coated survivors.

Some people suggest Viking ship cats from Scandinavia had a hand in it, and the Norwegian Forest Cat looks similar, but this is a theory, not a proven line. DNA studies of cat populations give some support to a mix of European and local roots, though they cannot name a single founder.

Did Maine Coons really come from raccoons?

No. A cat cannot breed with a raccoon, and the story is a biological impossibility. It survives because the tabby coat with a ringed, bushy tail looks a lot like a raccoon's, and the name stuck: "Maine" for where the cats lived, and "Coon" from the brown tabby look.

Another favorite legend says Marie Antoinette sent her cats to Maine when she planned to flee France, and a captain named Charles Coon is said to have brought long-haired cats on his voyages. These are folklore. They are fun to repeat, but there is no evidence for either, so treat them as stories and not history.

When did the breed become official?

Maine Coons were popular as working cats in the 1800s, and they were among the winners at early American cat shows. A brown tabby Maine Coon named Cosey won at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1895. Then fashion turned to imported long-haired breeds such as the Persian, and by the early 1900s the Maine Coon was far less common in the show hall, although farmers kept them.

Interest returned in the 1950s and 1960s, when breeders in Maine formed clubs to rebuild the breed. The Cat Fanciers' Association gave it championship status in 1976, and today it ranks among the most popular pedigree cats in the United States.

Why is the Maine Coon the state cat of Maine?

Because the breed is tied to the state in name and in history. Maine named the Maine Coon its official state cat in 1985, a recognition of how closely the breed is associated with the state's farms, ports and cold winters.

It also helps that Maine Coons are a symbol of the place in a practical way: tough, weather-ready and friendly. Many residents have a story about one in a barn or a house.

Not every state cat designation means a breed is native only to that state, of course. Maine Coons now live across the country and around the world, and breeders in places as far from Maine as Southern California keep the type going. The honest summary is that the breed was born in the Northeast, and it has long since gone everywhere that people like big, friendly cats.

Why are Maine Coons so big?

The most likely reason is the environment where they developed. In a cold climate, a larger body keeps heat better, and bigger cats can hunt and cope on a working farm or a ship. Over many generations, those traits were passed on, and breeders who selected for size and substance have kept them. Nobody has pinned the size on one gene, so it is best understood as a mix of ancestry, climate and selection rather than a single cause.

It is worth adding that bigger is not the same as healthier. Heavier cats strain their joints, and breeders who chase record size can overlook soundness. We would sooner see a well-built, active cat of ordinary breed size than a heavy one. The Maine Coon health guide explains why.

Maine Coons also grow slowly, over three to five years, which adds to the impression of a very big cat. Males can reach about 13 to 18 pounds, and females about 8 to 12, with longer, taller frames than most house cats. The full numbers, a growth chart and the biggest cat on record are all in the guide to Maine Coon size, and our giant Maine Coon kittens page covers what "giant" does and does not mean.

What are Maine Coons like to live with?

Most owners describe them as affectionate without being clingy. They like to follow you from room to room, chirp and trill rather than meow, and keep a watchful eye on whatever you are doing. They are generally good with respectful children and dogs, and many enjoy learning tricks or games of fetch.

They do need more space and sturdier furniture than a small cat, a regular brushing routine, and a decent diet. Read about what Maine Coons eat and how to groom them before you bring one home. Their lifespan is on the Maine Coon lifespan page.

Are there different types of Maine Coon?

Registries recognize one breed, but you will hear about American and European types. European Maine Coons are bred from lines that developed in Europe, and tend to have a longer, more angular head and tall, high-set ears with prominent tufts. Cass Coon Cats is a family cattery in Jamul, California that raises European Maine Coons, and our kittens are raised in the house with Cassie's family, children and a dog.

For the differences in detail, read European and American Maine Coons. When you are ready to see kittens, the available Maine Coon kittens page is updated with who is looking for a home.

Quick Answers

Is a Maine Coon a good family pet?

Yes, in most homes. They are social, patient and playful, and they usually do well with children and dogs that treat them kindly. They are not a cat that wants to be left alone all day.

What does a Maine Coon look like?

A large, long-bodied cat with a shaggy ruff, tufted ears, big paws and a bushy tail. The coat can be many colors, and the brown tabby is the classic look.

Are Maine Coons rare?

No. They are one of the most popular pedigree breeds in the United States. Good breeders, though, often have waiting lists, so finding the right kitten can take patience.

Can Maine Coons live in apartments?

They can if they have room to climb, scratch and play, and a person to spend time with. They are big cats, so give them vertical space and a sturdy tree.