No doubt about it, Maine Coon kittens are cute. When they are young, they are nothing more than tiny, fluffy little balls of love. This cuteness has caused many a person to get one, only to be shocked by the size of these large cats as they reach adulthood.
Are Maine Coon cats big? Maine Coon cats are one of the largest cat breeds, with the average male cat weighing in at a hefty 15 to 25 lbs (7 to 11 kg). They are also tall, reaching up to 16 inches (40 cm). With big, bushy tails and large paws, these long-haired cats are truly something to behold.
The Maine Coon cat is like the superstar of the feline world, known for being one of the largest cats you can find. Imagine a cat that’s like a friendly giant in your home! It’s often called the biggest domestic cat because of its impressive size. What makes it even more special is its long fur, which is like a super cool coat that flows and looks really fancy. They also have friendly personalities, which help make them very popular.
So, if you’re into big, fluffy, and amazing cats, the Maine Coon is the one to check out! In this post, we look at Maine Coon size and how big they can really get. We also answer some of the common questions you may have about the size of these gentle giants.
Are Maine Coon Cats Big? How Big Do Maine Coon Cats Get
Maine Coon cats can get big, muscular, and strong when fully grown. In fact, they are one of the largest domesticated cat breeds you can get today – much bigger than your average cat! Even the kittens are bigger than those of most other domestic cat breeds.
Full-Grown Maine Coon Cat Size
Male Maine Coons can grow up to 16 inches (about 41 cm) tall and 40 inches (about 101 cm) long. They get heavy, too, with healthy ones reaching up to 25 pounds (about 11 kg). That’s about the size of your average Cocker Spaniel dog! Add in their long hair, and these cats look very impressive indeed.
Female Maine Coons can also reach a pretty large size. They can reach up to 14 inches (about 36 cm) in height, 40 inches (about 101 cm) in length, and 15 pounds (about 7 kg) in weight.
The longest domestic cat ever recorded by the Guinness world records is Stewie, a Maine Coon that lived in Reno, Nevada. He was 48.5 inches long from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail – the world’s longest cat! He weighed 33 pounds (about 15 kg) before he passed away from cancer, aged 8, in 2013.
Why Do Maine Coons Get So Big?
Maine Coons grow big due to several reasons. Factors that contribute to Maine Coon cat size include:
- Natural selection: Maine Coons are believed to have developed in the harsh climate of the northeastern United States, particularly in the state of Maine where the breed originated. In such environments, larger cats had a better chance of survival due to their increased ability to hunt and defend themselves. Over generations, the larger cats were more likely to pass on their genes, leading to the development of a naturally larger breed.
- Adaptation to the environment: The Maine Coon’s large size is thought to be an adaptation to the cold weather in Maine. Their thick, water-resistant fur and substantial body mass help them withstand the cold temperatures.
- Genetic factors: Genetics play a significant role in determining a cat’s size. Breeding practices that favored larger individuals in the Maine Coon’s lineage contributed to the breed’s size over time. They are descended from Norwegian Forest cats, which are also very large.
- Longer development period: Maine Coons have a longer development period as kittens, which allows their bodies to grow more before they reach adulthood at around three to five years old. This extended period of development likely contributes to their larger size.
It’s essential to remember that while Maine Coons are generally larger sizes than other domestic cat breeds, individual variations can still exist and not every Maine Coon will be exceptionally large.
How Big Are Maine Coons Compared To Regular Cats?
If you compare Maine Coon’s sizes against other popular cat breeds, you will notice the difference in size. Maine Coons get really big!
An adult Persian cat, for example, would look like a kitten beside the Maine Coon. A Persian may grow up to 10 inches in height, 18 inches in length, and 12 pounds in weight.
Compare that to an adult Maine Coon, which can get up to 16 inches in height, 40 inches in length (including their bushy tail), and 25 pounds in weight. That’s easily twice the size!
There are other breeds of cats that are also larger than normal cats. Some of the largest breeds that can rival Maine Coons in size include the Ragdoll, Siberian, and Norwegian Forest Cats. Many wild cats are larger than Maine Coons, although they rival the wild Savannah cat in size.
Do All Maine Coons Get Big?
You may be thinking about getting a Maine Coon, but are unsure if you can handle the cat once it reaches adulthood. Maybe you are wondering, do all Maine Coons get big?
Your Maine Coon may or may not grow really big. A Maine Coon’s adult size is determined by many factors, such as diet, health, activity, and gender.
Diet And Nutrition
If you feed your Maine Coon a healthy diet, they are able to grow to their full potential. You have two areas to look at – calories and protein.
Maine Coons are active cats, which means you need to supply them with enough calories. Aim for about 30 calories per pound of body weight. If your Maine Coon is very active, it may need even more.
For proteins, ensure you shop for high-quality cat food that is dense and not full of fillers. Maine Coons need a lot of protein to grow big and strong, especially during their days as kittens and adolescents.
Health
A healthy Maine Coon that is well cared for will grow to be bigger than one that is not healthy. Your job is to ensure the Maine Coon kitten is healthy to start with, and then keep it that way.
Kittens that are taken away from their mother too early can suffer from a lack of nutrition, which impairs growth. Some kittens may start at a disadvantage from birth if they are born much smaller than their littermates (“runt” of the litter).
Internal and external parasites can also stunt the growth of a kitten, resulting in small adult cats. Other health issues or diseases also impair the kitten’s growth.
Sometimes a genetic mutation occurs in some individuals that results in dwarfism, which means these cats can never grow very big. However, these are rare; a simple genetic check should help you weed this out.
Gender
Maine Coons display sexual dimorphism, a phenomenon where different genders grow to different sizes in adulthood. Some species may have larger males, while others may have larger females.
In the case of the Maine Coon cat, males grow to become larger than females. In most cases, you can assume that male Maine Coons may grow to about 25% larger than female ones.
You can use this to your advantage. If you want the largest Maine Coon you can get, get a male kitten. If you are worried about size, a female kitten may keep things under control.
How Can You Tell How Big Your Maine Coon Cat Will Get?
It can be hard to tell for sure how big your Maine Coon kitten can get. However, you may be able to make educated guesses based on the kitten’s lineage. The idea here is simple – if the kitten’s parents are big, the kitten will likely grow big too.
Take note of the word ‘likely,’ as this may not always work.
If you want a large Maine Coon, it may help to talk to your breeder and see if you can get measurements of the direct parents, siblings, or other related cats. This can help indicate what the kitten may look like once it reaches its full size. You can use the information to make your decision.
Conclusion: Big Cats, More Love?
Maine Coon cats are undeniably adorable as kittens, captivating many with their tiny, fluffy charm. However, as they grow into adulthood, they can become remarkably large and muscular, distinguishing them as one of the largest breeds of domestic cats.
Predicting precisely how big a Maine Coon will grow can be challenging, but looking at the size of their parents and lineage can provide valuable clues. Communication with reputable breeders, who can provide information about the sizes of related cats, can help potential owners make informed decisions.
If you are worried about the size, do know that Maine Coons usually retain their gentle, loyal demeanor even as they grow big. They may be big, but they are just a bigger bundle of love!
If you are keen to research more about Maine Coons, check out our detailed guide on Maine Coons.
Or, if you want something more manageable, why not check out the next cutest larger cat around, the Ragdoll?
