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When you look at a Maine Coon cat, several distinctive features probably stand out to you. You’ll surely notice their beautiful, thick fur, striking eyes, fluffy tail, and larger size compared to a normal-sized cat. It’s these features that make Maine Coons so appealing to own.
But how much bigger are Maine Coons than normal cats? Besides their size, are there other differences in temperament and care? If you’ve never owned a Maine Coon before (even if you’ve owned other cat breeds), these are important questions that need to be answered. We’ll get you those answers in this article so that you know what to expect.
Visual Differences
At a Glance
- Origin: Maine, USA
- Height: 10-16 in.
- Weight: 13-25 lbs
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
- Domesticated?: Yes
- Origin: Middle East, Egypt
- Height: 9-10 in.
- Weight: 8-10 lbs
- Lifespan: 13-17 years
- Domesticated?: Yes
Maine Coon Overview
Maine Coons are the official state cat of Maine since that’s where they hail from. They were bred to be farm cats or “mousers” that would help keep rats under control in homes and barns (and even on ships, too). Although no one knows exactly how these cats came to be, they aren’t due to breeding a cat and a raccoon, as some people suspect. However, the “Coon” in their name does stem from their raccoon-like appearance.
Although the exact origins of these cats are somewhat of a mystery, what isn’t a mystery is their characteristic appearance and temperament. Here’s everything you need to know about Maine Coons.
Characteristics & Appearance
One of the first things you’ll notice about adult Maine Coons is that they are not small by any means. These cats can weigh up to 20 pounds, although they don’t typically reach their full size until they are a few years old. Why is this worth mentioning? The unsuspecting new cat owner may be unaware of how big they can get, considering Maine Coon kittens are no bigger than a normal kittens.
Although baby Maine Coons are of normal kitten size, even they have the characteristic fluffy appearance of an adult. Sometimes fluffy fur can make cats seem bigger than they are, but this is not the case with Maine Coons. They are that big and are one of the biggest domesticated cat breeds.
Maine Coons can be found in a variety of colors, including black, white, cream, and blue, in addition to patterns such as tabby, tortoiseshell, and calico. Although all Maine Coon kittens are born with blue eyes, most change color as the cat gets older. Most Maine Coons’ eyes end up turning a beautiful gold or green color, which is one of their most noticeable (and most striking) features.
Temperament
Even though these cats can have a very serious and somewhat intimidating appearance, they are actually very friendly and sweet. Unlike some cats, Maine Coons don’t typically prefer to jump up in your lap. But they do like occasional attention from pets. However, they are also content just to watch you do what you need to do without interference.
Maine Coons are great cats to have if you have other pets and even children because they are very sociable and can get along with anyone or anything. They can be vocal and use a variety of sounds to communicate, although they mostly chirp instead of meowing. They are highly intelligent and enjoy playing and even going for walks. They are very effective hunters and will help keep mice away from your home and property. The phrase “gentle giant” has never more perfectly described anything.
Normal Cat Overview
Like the Maine Coon, the typical domesticated cat’s origins aren’t well-known. It was originally thought that they were first domesticated around 4,000 years ago in Ancient Egypt, but evidence suggests that it was likely more than 10,000 years ago in the Middle East.
Although there are many different breeds of domesticated cats, they are all part of the same species, Felis catus (yes, even Maine Coons are part of this species). This species is thought to have originated from a wild cat of the species Felis lybica. Let’s find out more about some of the features of normal domestic cats.
Characteristics & Appearance
With the exception of Maine Coons and other large breeds, most normal cats only weigh up to 10 pounds in adulthood. The exact weight and size of the cat will vary depending on the breed. Normal cats can have a wide variety of coat types, ranging from short to long hair with some having thick fluffy fur while others have thin, wiry fur.
Normal cats can be found in a variety of colors and patterns depending on the breed. The most common solid colors for cats include black, white, and red. Patterns for normal cats include tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, bi-color, and colorpoint. Most cats have green or cold eyes, while breeds such as Siamese and Persian (among others) typically have blue eyes.
Temperament
Again, the exact temperament of a normal cat just depends on the breed. But in most cases, cats are very adept hunters who will catch prey in and around your home including insects, rats, and even lizards. Domesticated cats are an intelligent species, and unlike most other cat species except for lions, they can be territorial around other cats.
Some cats can be super needy while others prefer that you just let them fend for themselves (other than feeding them; they will let you know when they need to be fed). Some cats can be attention-seeking and love to lay in your lap while others wish you would just leave them alone. It truly just depends on the individual personality of the cat that you get. Although some breeds have certain behavioral tendencies, great variation can happen with each cat’s past experience.
What Are the Differences Between Maine Coons & Normal-Sized Cats?
Other than the size of Maine Coons, there is very little difference between Maine Coons and normal size cats. Again, any temperamental differences will just depend on a specific normal-sized cat breed that you’re comparing the Maine Coon to. But in general, you’ll get a consistent temperament no matter which Maine Coon cat you get.
- Care: Caring for Maine Coon cats isn’t much different than caring for normal cats. All cats benefit from high-quality cat food that is high in protein. But even though Maine Coons are bigger than normal cats, they will need proportionally more food.
- Grooming: One key difference between Maine Coons and other cats is that Maine Coons need to be groomed. While short-haired cats can get by with grooming themselves, the long hair of a Maine Coon can become easily matted. They benefit from daily, or at the very least weekly, brushing to keep their fur looking its best.
- Health Issues: Finally, Maine Coons are purebred cats so they may be susceptible to more health issues mixed-breed normal size cats are. However, purebred normally-sized cats might present the same or additional health problems, depending on the breed and parental lines. Most of the conditions that you need to watch out for with Maine Coons are hereditary and include things such as hip dysplasia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and spinal muscular atrophy. Buying from a reputable breeder and having regular veterinary checkups can ensure that your Maine Coon stays healthy. But, that’s a good rule to follow even with cats other than Maine Coons.
Which Cat Is Right For You?
There’s no denying that Maine Coons are beautiful, but are they the right breed for you over another normal-sized cat? Since Maine Coons are so agreeable, they might be a good choice if you have other pets. But if you prefer a cat that doesn’t take up much room and that you don’t want to have to groom yourself, you may prefer a normal-sized shorthair cat over a Maine Coon. No matter which type of cat you choose, providing it with affection and proper care can ensure that your cat lives a long and happy life.
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Featured Image Credit: Top – Michsa, Shutterstock | Bottom – MULTI ILHAM ANUGRIYA, Shutterstock
