Maine Coon: size, weight, personality, price and care of the largest domestic cat

The Maine Coon is the largest of all domestic cats and, by a wide margin, the most popular pedigree cat in France: the LOOF, the French pedigree cat registry, recorded nearly 24,200 Maine Coon pedigrees in 2025, almost five times as many as for the Ragdoll, which comes second. How big does this giant cat get, and how much does it weigh? What is its personality like? How much does a kitten cost, and how do you groom it and equip it for its size? Here are the answers, with figures and sources.

The Maine Coon cat in brief

Sources: Royal Canin (size, weight, growth), LOOF (popularity), Santévet (life expectancy, price). Details at the end of the article.

Contents

Maine Coon size and weight

How big is an adult Maine Coon?

An adult Maine Coon usually measures 100 to 120 cm long (39 to 47 in) for a male and 95 to 110 cm for a female, from the nose to the tip of the tail, and stands 25 to 41 cm at the shoulder, according to Royal Canin. That is about one and a half times the length of a European Shorthair, which measures 70 to 80 cm.

Source: Royal Canin. The SPA, France's main animal protection society, gives similar weights: 6 to 8 kg for a male, 4 to 6 kg for a female.

These figures are averages. A healthy Maine Coon can be a little smaller or a little larger: size depends mostly on that of its parents.

Male or female Maine Coon: what is the difference?

Mostly size. Males are noticeably larger than females, notes the LOOF: expect 6 to 10 kg for a male Maine Coon, 4 to 7 kg for a female. As for price, the two French breeders quoted below sell their males for €100 to €400 more than their females.

How much does a Maine Coon weigh at 2, 3, 4 or 6 months?

At birth, a baby Maine Coon weighs 90 to 170 g. A Maine Coon kitten already weighs close to 2 kg at 3 months, about twice as much as a kitten of another breed, according to Royal Canin. Here are the weight-by-age guidelines published by the brand:

Source: Royal Canin, Maine Coon weight (in French). Indicative guidelines.

Two kittens of the same age can weigh very different amounts. If yours is far from these guidelines, or if its appetite changes, talk to your vet.

At what age is a Maine Coon fully grown?

Between 3 and 5 years. Most cats finish growing between 12 and 18 months; the Maine Coon keeps filling out for several more years: bone structure, muscle, body width. At one year old, it is still a big teenager.

Giant, XL, XXL Maine Coons: how big can they get?

“Giant”, “XL” and “XXL” are not official categories: the LOOF recognizes a single Maine Coon, with no size class. In ads, these words refer to the largest cats or to lines bred for size. A few individuals exceed 120 cm in length and 41 cm at the shoulder, but they remain exceptions.

The record belongs to Stewie, a Maine Coon measured at 123 cm (48.5 in) in 2010: the longest domestic cat ever certified by Guinness World Records.

Maine Coon personality: a cuddly, talkative giant

The Maine Coon is an affectionate, calm, intelligent and very sociable cat. The LOOF describes it as a perfect companion cat that gets on very well with children. Very attached to its owners, it happily follows them from room to room. It is patient, yet it dislikes shouting and commotion.

Do Maine Coons meow a lot?

They “talk” a lot but meow little. The Maine Coon mostly expresses itself with trills, chirps and chirrups, notes the SPA. If your cat suddenly starts meowing much more than usual, talk to your vet. The possible causes are covered in our guide cat meowing: what to do.

Can a Maine Coon be left alone?

Yes, for a working day: it is a cat that can wait for its owners to come home, says the SPA. However, it suffers from long absences and much prefers company to solitude. If you are often away, provide toys, a lookout spot by the window, or even a second pet: it gets along well with other cats and with dogs.

Apartment or outdoors?

Both suit it. Despite its size, the Maine Coon adapts very well to apartment life if it got used to it young, according to the LOOF. Outdoors, it shows a hunter's temperament, but its curiosity and trust put it at risk: it readily approaches strangers and can be stolen, warns Santévet, a French pet insurer, which advises accompanying it, under supervision or on a long leash. Hence the value of a harness in its size.

Do Maine Coons like water?

Often, yes. This is a cat that particularly enjoys water: you will find it playing with the kitchen or bathroom faucet, Santévet points out. A water fountain gives it that trickle of water all day long.

Maine Coon colors and distinctive features

Where does the Maine Coon come from?

From the United States, and more precisely the state of Maine. Its ancestors are thought to be cats that arrived with European settlers, some of them long-haired; left to fend for themselves, they adapted to Maine winters by developing an almost waterproof coat and powerful muscles, the LOOF recounts. From the 1860s, farmers were showing their finest cats at agricultural fairs. The breed was recognized in 1976 by the Cat Fanciers' Association, the major American cat federation. As for the legend of a cross between a cat and a raccoon, it is false, but it left the breed its name.

Black, red, white, gray, black smoke: which Maine Coon colors exist?

Almost all of them. The breed standard accepts every color except chocolate, lilac, cinnamon and fawn, and rejects the colorpoint pattern, the one seen on the Siamese. The best-known coat is brown tabby, brown with black markings. You will also come across the black, red (ginger), white, blue (the gray Maine Coon) and cream Maine Coon, as well as the tortoiseshell, which is almost always a female.

Two names come up often in ads. A black smoke Maine Coon is a black cat whose hair is silver at the base: the pale undercoat shows when it moves. A black silver Maine Coon is a tabby with black markings on a silver background.

Polydactyl Maine Coons: why do some have 6 toes?

Polydactyly, meaning extra toes, comes from a genetic mutation carried by some of the first Maine Coons. It has no effect on health, says Santévet. In France, the LOOF does not recognize it: at shows, a Maine Coon must have five toes on each front paw and four on each back paw. In North America, it is accepted.

How can you recognize a Maine Coon?

By its long, rectangular body, its square muzzle, its large, high-set ears ending in lynx-like tufts, its ruff and its long, plumed tail. But looks are not enough: in France, only a cat with a LOOF pedigree may be described as a pedigree cat. Without one, even if both parents are Maine Coons, it is only a “Maine Coon-type” cat, the LOOF points out. That is the case for “non-LOOF Maine Coons” and for Maine Coon crosses.

Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Siberian or Ragdoll: the differences

These four large semi-longhaired cats look alike. The Maine Coon is the longest, and by far the most common in France:

Sources: LOOF (build, pedigrees), Royal Canin (length).

Compared with the Norwegian Forest Cat, the Maine Coon has a less dense undercoat and a squarer head and outline, Santévet explains.

Maine Coon price

How much does a Maine Coon kitten cost?

In France, expect to pay €1,000 to €2,500 for a Maine Coon kitten with a LOOF pedigree. Santévet puts most pet kittens between €1,000 and €1,800. The two breeders whose prices we checked on October 3, 2026 list €1,600 to €1,700 for one and €1,800 to €2,200 for the other. A kitten intended for breeding or showing often costs more than €2,000.

To find a Maine Coon breeder in France, the LOOF publishes the contact details of affiliated breeders and breed clubs on its website. The price varies with the bloodline, the breeder's reputation, the sex and the color. Beware of ads for “Maine Coons” without a pedigree: these are not pedigree cats, whatever the seller says.

Another route is adoption. Maine Coons and Maine Coon crosses are waiting in shelters; adoption there costs €150 to €300 on average, according to Santévet. The SPA lists the animals in its care on its website.

How much does a Maine Coon cost per month?

Estimates vary fourfold depending on what is counted: €300 to €700 a year according to Woopets, a French pet website, and €1,225 to €2,790 a year according to Santévet, which includes preventive veterinary care, food, litter and boarding during vacations. In the second case, that comes to €100 to €230 a month, illness aside.

Maine Coon health and life expectancy

What is the life expectancy of a Maine Coon?

10 to 15 years on average, according to Santévet and Woopets. It is not unusual for some to reach around twenty, and the SPA even mentions 15 to 20 years. To convert your cat's age, see our chart of cat age in human years.

Are Maine Coons fragile? The diseases to know about

It is a robust cat, but the breed is predisposed to a few hereditary diseases. The LOOF lists three genetic tests for the Maine Coon:

• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a thickening of the heart muscle. The breed-specific mutation can be detected with a DNA test: the laboratory Antagene estimates that 11% of Maine Coons carry it;
• spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which causes muscle degeneration;
• pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK deficiency), which destroys red blood cells and causes anemia.

Add to these hip dysplasia, a malformation of the joint that can develop into osteoarthritis. Before adopting, ask the breeder for both parents' test results. For any health question, your vet remains the right person to ask.

Are Maine Coons hypoallergenic?

No. No cat is completely hypoallergenic: all of them produce the Fel d 1 protein, responsible for most allergies, and coat length makes no difference, explain the vets at Sevetys, a French veterinary group. If you are allergic, see an allergist before adopting.

How much does a Maine Coon eat per day?

Less than you might think: the SPA recommends 60 to 120 g of quality dry food a day, depending on sex and activity, plus wet food two or three times a week. The Maine Coon is no great athlete and gains weight easily: your vet will adjust the ration.

Maine Coon grooming: brushing, shedding and bathing

How do you brush a Maine Coon?

Its semi-long coat is less work than it looks: the undercoat is not very dense and tangles form fairly rarely. One brushing a week is enough in most cases, according to the LOOF; the SPA and Santévet advise one or two a week, and daily brushing during shedding seasons. Get your kitten used to it early, so that it accepts being brushed as an adult, and never let a knot settle in: it becomes painful.

Which brush for a Maine Coon?

The SPA recommends a metal comb. In our store, four tools suit a semi-long coat:

• the wooden and steel comb, in the wide-tooth model, to detangle and air the coat;
• the dematting rake, in size S, to remove dead undercoat during shedding;
• the self-cleaning brush, to pick up loose hair day to day;
• the steam brush, which releases a very fine water mist so that loose hair does not fly around.

• Wooden and steel combView product
• Dematting rakeView product
• Self-cleaning brushView product
• Steam brushView product

Do Maine Coons shed a lot?

Moderately for most of the year, more during their two yearly molts. Brushing removes most of the hair before it falls. For the rest, a pet hair remover roller cleans sofas and clothes, and pet hair catcher balls trap hair in the washing machine.

Should you bathe a Maine Coon?

Rarely. A shower three or four times a year at most, with a mild shampoo and only if it needs one, advises Santévet. Since it often likes water, the exercise is easier than with another cat.

The drawbacks of a Maine Coon

No cat suits everyone. Before adopting a Maine Coon, weigh up these six points:

• The budget: €1,000 to €2,500 to buy, then up to €2,790 a year according to Santévet.
• Space and equipment: litter box, bed, scratcher, carrier, everything has to be bigger and sturdier.
• The hair: two molts a year and regular brushing.
• The need for company: it copes poorly with long absences.
• Health to keep an eye on: hereditary diseases to screen for and a tendency to put on weight.
• A very long growth period: it grows until 3 to 5 years old, and its equipment has to keep up.

In return, you get a gentle cat that is patient with children, sociable with other animals and easy to live with.

Equipping a Maine Coon: the right sizes

An accessory designed for a 4 kg cat will not fit an 8 kg cat. Royal Canin recommends sturdy cat trees, wide litter boxes and roomy beds. Before buying, take three measurements: neck girth, chest girth and back length.

What size harness for a Maine Coon?

Measure the chest girth, just behind the front legs, then the neck girth. Our cat harness with leash comes in four sizes; the two largest are designed for big cats:

Between two sizes, take the larger one: the straps tighten. For a Maine Coon kitten, choose according to its current measurements and check the fit every week: it grows fast.

Which carrier for a Maine Coon?

Look at two figures: the maximum load and the length. In our store:

• the soft-sided carrier in size L measures 52 × 25 × 34 cm; it is our largest model. Measure your cat lying down before ordering: it must be able to stretch out inside;
• the front carrier in size XL carries 7 to 9.5 kg;
• the bubble backpack carrier is limited to 6.8 kg: it is too small for most adult males.

What bowl height for a Maine Coon?

A tall cat has to bend further over a bowl placed on the floor. Our raised double bamboo bowl adjusts to several heights, up to 14.8 cm: you are looking for the one where your cat eats with a straight back. If it wolfs down its food, see also the slow feeder bowl.

Which water fountain for a Maine Coon?

This cat that plays with the faucet enjoys a running trickle of water. Our cat water fountains hold 2 to 2.2 liters: stainless steel with a faucet, silent with a night light or wireless with a motion sensor.

Which scratcher and cat tree for a Maine Coon?

A cat sharpens its claws while stretching out to its full length: for a Maine Coon, you need height and a support that will not tip over. Our wall-mounted sisal scratcher comes in 50 × 90 cm and fixes to the wall; the L-shaped vertical scratcher is 68 cm tall. To climb, our 170 cm cat tree was chosen for large cats: 52.5 × 42.5 cm base, anti-tip kit and a 50 × 30 cm top perch. If your ceiling is 2.50 m high, our large 210 cm cat tree gives an adult Maine Coon a 60 × 40 cm top perch and a 35 cm basket. Whatever tree you choose, check the stability of the base and the width of the platforms.

What size litter box for a Maine Coon?

A wide one: the cat must be able to turn around in it. We do not have an XXL litter box for the home. On the move, our travel litter box (40 × 30 cm) suits cats up to about 9 kg, and our litter mat goes up to 60 × 90 cm to catch the litter in front of a large box.

Which bed for a Maine Coon?

Go by the weight rating and the diameter, not the size letter:

• the calming donut bed in size L (60 cm) takes a pet up to 10 kg; size XL measures 70 cm;
• the oval plush bed in size L measures 70 × 60 cm, for a pet up to 16 kg;
• the window hammock holds 13 kg according to the manufacturer; take the 60 × 36 cm format.

Which cat flap for a Maine Coon?

Our 4-way cat flap is designed for large cats from size L, with a 19 × 18 cm opening; size XL offers 22 × 20 cm.

Which toys for a Maine Coon?

Royal Canin recommends around twenty minutes of play a day to keep it at a healthy weight. Prey to hunt, like our feather mice, a sisal pillow to grab with all four paws, or the whole cat toys aisle.

Our selection for a Maine Coon

• 170 cm cat treeView product
• Harness with leash, up to XLView product
• 2.2 L stainless steel fountainView product
• Wall-mounted sisal scratcherView product
• Adjustable bamboo bowl standView product
• Donut bed, 60 or 70 cmView product
• Oval bed, 70 × 60 cmView product
• Cat flap, L or XLView product
• Window hammock, 13 kgView product

Frequently asked questions about the Maine Coon

Sources

• LOOF (French pedigree cat registry), Maine Coon breed profile
• LOOF, pedigrees by breed in 2025
• LOOF, the pedigree and health tests
• Royal Canin, Maine Coon size, weight and personality
• La SPA, the Maine Coon
• Santévet, Maine Coon profile
• Woopets, Maine Coon profile
• Antagene, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the Maine Coon
• Sevetys, hypoallergenic cats
• Guinness World Records, longest domestic cat ever
• Wikipédia, Maine coon (standard, colors, polydactyly)
• Prices checked on October 3, 2026: Chatterie Ogador and Nikomacoon's

Article updated on October 4, 2026. Most of these sources are in French. Our product measurements are those shown on their product pages. The photos in this article were generated by AI. Read also: lost cat, what to do and how to find it.