Maine Coon Cat Guide: Size, Personality, Care and Price

The Maine Coon is one of the most popular cat breeds in the United States, and it is easy to see why. These gentle giants combine an impressive size with a friendly, easygoing personality. If you are thinking about bringing one home, this guide covers what you need to know: where the breed comes from, how big Maine Coon cats get, what they are like to live with, how to care for them and what a Maine Coon kitten costs. When you are ready, you can browse our Maine Coon kittens for sale.

Where the Maine Coon Comes From

The Maine Coon is one of the oldest natural cat breeds in North America. It developed on the farms and in the port towns of Maine, where cats had to survive long, snowy winters. That history explains the breed's look: a thick, water-resistant coat, large tufted paws that work like snowshoes and a long, bushy tail that a Maine Coon can wrap around itself for warmth. In 1985 the Maine Coon was named the official state cat of Maine.

Many early Maine Coons in New England also had extra toes. This trait, called polydactyly, still appears in some Maine Coon lines today, and polydactyl kittens are much loved by owners of the breed.

How Big Do Maine Coon Cats Get?

The Maine Coon is the largest domestic cat breed. Adult Maine Coons typically weigh between 10 and 25 pounds, and males are noticeably larger than females. With their long body and full tail, a grown Maine Coon can look even bigger than the scale suggests.

Maine Coons are also slow to mature. While most cats reach adult size at about one year, a Maine Coon keeps growing and filling out until it is about 3 to 5 years old. A Maine Coon kitten that goes home at four months still has a lot of growing to do, so plan for a large carrier, a sturdy cat tree and a roomy litter box from the start.

Coat and Colors

The Maine Coon's coat is long and shaggy, but it is not uniform. It is shorter on the shoulders and longer on the belly, the hind legs and around the neck, where many cats grow a lion-like ruff. Tufted ears with lynx-like tips complete the look.

The breed comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. The classic brown tabby is the best known, but you will also see black, silver, red, blue and cream Maine Coons, as well as smoke, shaded and bicolour cats with white. If you want to understand the color names used in kitten listings, read our guide to cat colors and international designations.

Personality: The Gentle Giant

Despite their size, Maine Coons are known for a calm, friendly temperament. They are affectionate without being demanding and sociable without being overwhelming. Many owners describe them as "dog-like" because they follow their people from room to room and like to be part of whatever is going on.

• Playful for life. Maine Coons stay playful well into adulthood and enjoy chasing toys, fetching and puzzle feeders.
• Smart and trainable. Many learn tricks, come when called and can be trained to walk on a harness.
• Chatty, but quiet. Instead of loud meowing, Maine Coons often "talk" with soft chirps and trills.
• Family friendly. They usually get along well with children, other cats and cat-friendly dogs.

For a closer look at their character, read What's the Hidden Personality of Maine Coon Cats?

Caring for a Maine Coon

Grooming. Thanks to its silky texture, the Maine Coon coat is easier to look after than it looks. Brushing once or twice a week is usually enough, with extra sessions during seasonal shedding. Pay attention to the belly, the back legs and the ruff, where tangles form first. Trim the nails regularly and check the ears during grooming.

Space and activity. Maine Coons adapt to apartments as well as larger homes, but they need room to climb and play. Choose a tall, stable cat tree that can hold a big cat, scratching posts and a large litter box. Daily play sessions keep them fit and prevent boredom.

Diet. A growing Maine Coon needs high-quality, protein-rich kitten food. Follow portion guidelines for the kitten's age and weight, introduce any new food gradually over several days and keep fresh water available at all times. As an adult, a Maine Coon should stay lean and muscular rather than heavy.

Health and Lifespan

Maine Coons are generally healthy cats with a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years or more. Like many purebred cats, the breed has a few known inherited conditions, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart condition, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and hip dysplasia. This is why genetic screening of the parents matters when you choose a kitten.

At Happy Paws US every kitten receives a veterinary exam, age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming, an FIV/FeLV test and a microchip before going home, and the parents of our kittens undergo genetic testing. Each kitten also comes with 1-Year Genetic Health Support and a 3-Month FIP guarantee. After adoption, schedule a check-up with your own veterinarian and keep up with annual visits.

Is a Maine Coon Right for You?

A Maine Coon may be a great fit if you:

• want an affectionate, sociable cat that likes being around people;
• have children or other pets and need an easygoing companion;
• have space for a large cat tree and can offer daily play;
• are happy to brush a long coat once or twice a week.

If you prefer a very independent cat or a breed with almost no grooming, take a look at our article on how to choose the right cat breed for your lifestyle.

How Much Does a Maine Coon Kitten Cost?

At Happy Paws US, Maine Coon kittens start at about $2,600, and most are priced between $2,850 and $3,900. A few kittens, for example polydactyl or bicolour Maine Coons, cost more. The price depends on the coat color and pattern, the pedigree and the individual kitten, and the exact price is listed on each kitten's page.

The price includes vaccinations, deworming and flea prevention, an FIV/FeLV test, a microchip, a veterinary health certificate and pedigree documents (breeding rights are not included). You can pay in full, reserve your kitten with a non-refundable deposit of $500, $800 or $1,000, or choose an Adopt Now, Pay Later plan for 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on eligibility.

Also budget for the first supplies: a large carrier, a sturdy cat tree, a big litter box, food and bowls, grooming tools and your first visit to your own veterinarian.

How to Choose a Maine Coon Kitten

• Meet the kitten. Visit our store at 158 N University Dr, Pembroke Pines, FL (open daily 11 AM - 7 PM), or ask for current videos if you live out of state.
• Check the documents. Ask for the vaccination record, the veterinary health certificate and the pedigree information.
• Ask about the parents. Find out about their health screening and temperament.
• Wait for the right age. Our kittens go home at about 4 months (16 weeks), once vaccinations and the final veterinary exam are complete.

Our guide to buying a purebred kitten covers these steps in more detail.

Bringing Your Maine Coon Home

You can pick up your kitten at our store in Pembroke Pines for free or choose delivery: local delivery within 75 miles, airline cargo anywhere in the USA for $700 or an in-cabin flight nanny for $1,000. See all travel options. We also have Maine Coon kittens for families in Florida, Texas, California, New York and Illinois.

Ready to meet your gentle giant? Browse all available Maine Coon kittens or talk to a kitten specialist.