How Big Will My Maine Coon Get?
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Maine Coon Size | How Big Will My Maine Coon Get?
As one of the largest domestic cat breeds in the world, you might be wondering how big will my Maine Coon size get once fully grown.
Giant Maine Coon Kittens For Sale
How Big Will My Maine Coon Get?
Maine Coons are one of the oldest natural cat breeds in the United States, thought to have originated in the state of Maine.
Weighing up to 22 lbs in weight and a body length of 40 inches, this cat breed quickly became famous for its massive size!
Unlike normal cat breeds, the Maine Coon grows very slowly, not reaching full-size adult proportions until 3-5 years of age.
Despite their slow growth rate, these big-boned, muscular cats still reach a Maine Coon cats size that dwarfs a regular house cat! Look at the infographic below to see why!
According to TICA, an adult purebred Maine Coon male has a healthy weight range of 18 – 22 lbs.
By comparison, the fully grown female Maine Coon cats size is slightly smaller, between 12 – 15 lbs.
Maine Coon Size
The table below compares the average Maine Coon size of an adult male and female from this cat breed and indicates how big a full-grown black Maine Coon cats size grows.
| Average Maine Coon Size | Male | Female |
| Length (inches) | 19-40 | 19-40 |
| Height (inches) | 10-16 | 8-14 |
| Weight (lbs) | 18-22 | 12-15 |
As you can see both male and female Maine Coons range between 19 – 40 inches in length. Their gender size differences only become apparent when comparing their height and weight.
According to TICA, the average Maine Coon weight range of a healthy full-grown male is 18-22 lbs, whereas a female Maine Coon’s weight sits around 12-15lbs.
A slight size difference is also apparent between the genders when we consider the black Maine Coon cats size height. However, there is a notable cross-over in adult cat heights.
Despite their impressive size a female Maine Coon will grow to between 8-14 inches, whereas the male Maine Coon height is 10-16 inches.
Whilst these figures can vary substantially, a cat’s adult weight varies depending upon the following factors:
Longest Maine Coon Cat
A Maine Coon cat named Stewie is listed in the 2010 Guinness Book Of Records after winning the title of ‘Longest Domestic Cat In The World’ and ‘Longest Cat Of His Breed’.
A cat’s length is calculated by measuring from the tip of the cat’s nose to the tip of its tail.
Stewie reached 48.5 inches (123.19 cm) long and is officially the biggest Maine Coon cat on record. According to the records, his tail alone measured a gigantic 16 inches!
Stewie also weighed a massive 33 lbs (15 kg)!
According to his owners, no special diet was followed, and no unusual breeding methods were taken to influence the size of his growth. He just didn’t stop growing!
Why Do Maine Coons Grow So Big?
There is no single conclusive reason why black Maine Coon cats size tend to grow bigger than the average house cat, and this is partly a result of their mysterious heritage.
Known as the dog of the cat world, these majestic felines’ large size is likely the result of the following factors:
- Genetics
- Evolution
- Selective Breeding
- Health
- Diet
- Slow Growth Rate
1. Genetics Black Maine Coon Cats Size
A Maine Coon cat’s genetics help explain why the Maine Coon size is far larger than regular cats.
If the tales of a long-haired cat having mated with a Norwegian Forest Cat are true, then the Maine Coon is a direct descendant of the Norwegian Forest Cat breed!
Since Norwegian Forest Cats are one of the largest breeds of domestic cats, this means their offspring would also be genetically predisposed to growing bigger than a normal cat.
2. Evolution
Early generations of the Maine Coon cat breed survived in the wildness and cold winters of Maine in the United States, without any human intervention.
Natural selection would have ensured that only the fittest, and strongest Maine Coons were able to survive living in the state’s cold climate.
The hardy healthy Maine Coon cat breed that we know today would have been forced to physically evolve in the following ways, to survive:
- Wider Paws
- Fluffy tufts on their ears
- Tufts of fur on their paws
- Thicker fur
- Bushy Tails
They would also have had to become adept at hunting live prey.
The stronger and more evolved Maine Coons would have bred and passed their more resilient genetics and DNA onto their kittens.
3. Selective Breeding
Although the Maine Coone size is one of the oldest natural American cat breeds, this does not mean they’ve not been selectively bred at some point.
Breeders will have selected the most desirable traits from their Maine Coons, and actively bred certain features in or out of the gene pool.
4. Health
Natural breeding led to a more hardy cat breed where the genetic gene pool was not diluted by the health issues of other cat breeds.
This is an important factor in why Maine Coon cats grow bigger than normal cats since healthy strong cats are able to grow bigger.
The health problems Maine Coons face today are as follows:
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy
- Hip Dysplasia
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
5. Diet
Maine Coons are obligate carnivores, so require high levels of protein in their diet.
Consuming lots of protein helps the Maine Coon cat’s muscular body frame develop, and gives Maine Coons the energy they need to hunt and play.
A malnourished Maine Coon will not develop to its full Maine Coon size potential. These cats are often labeled the runt of the cat litter.
6. Slow Growth Rate
Although a Maine Coon kitten will usually be slightly larger than a normal kitten size, they will ultimately physically grow at a far slower pace than the average house cat.
This is because Maine Coon growth stages are far slower than normal cats, despite the fact they grow rapidly for the first 10 months of their lives!
After 10 months of age, a Maine Coons growth spurt stages slow down and your Maine Coon will grow slowly until they reach full-size between 3-5 years of age.
The slow rate of growth of this cat breed is a key reason why they grow so big since it enables the cat’s skeleton and muscles to grow bigger and stronger than normal cats.
Maine Coon Size Myths
This popular breed is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America and is much-loved for its mysterious heritage. It is even the official State Cat Of Maine!
Many cat specialists think the Maine Coon cat’s origins hold clues as to why this breed of cat is so large. So, here are three folktales that will help you to decide:
1. Domestic Cat and Raccoon
For many years folk have claimed that Maine Coon cats originate from the mating between a raccoon, and a semi-wild domestic cat.
This myth was widespread and popular but is now deemed biologically impossible by scientists.
The folktale originally gained momentum due to the many physical similarities between Maine Coons and raccoons, e.g.:
- Brown tabby coloring
- Great hunting skills
- Love of water
- Bushy Tail
2. Marie Antoinette
The second myth relates to Marie Antoinette, the former Queen of France.
History tells of her desperate attempt to flee France during the French Revolution with her six Turkish Angora cats, on a ship headed to the United States led by Captain Samuel Clough.
Despite the captain’s help, she did not make it safely to the United States and was executed in 1793. Her cats, however, arrived safely in Wiscasset, Maine.
It is thought that these six long-haired cats bred with the short-haired domestic cats resident in Maine, resulting in the Maine Coon cat breed.
This myth would explain where the Maine Coon got its thick fur from, but not why they grow to be so large, since Turkish Angora cats are smaller than Maine Coons.
3. Ship Cats
Historically, cats were often kept on ships to help control the mice population.
The most likely myth, therefore, is that these overseas long-haired ship cats were Angora types, or Norwegian Forest Cats, and mated with pre-existing short-haired domestic cats.
Do Male Maine Coons Grow Larger Than Females?
Male Maine Coone size tend to grow larger than their female counterparts, ranging between 18-22 lbs in weight, compared to a female Maine Coon’s 12-15 lbs.
Despite their weight difference, both male and female Maine Coons grow to between 19-40 inches.
There is a level of crossover between the average Maine Coon size of males and females, therefore it is possible for a female Maine Coon to be bigger than a male.
Can You Predict The Size Of Your Maine Coon?
It is not possible to predict how big a Maine Coone size will grow, however, you can make an educated guess by observing the size of the cat’s parents, plus your kitten’s paw and ear size.
A cat’s genetics may contain hidden factors that might impact the size the cat grows, for instance, some Maine Coon carry recessive genes that result in them growing into far smaller/bigger cats than their parents.
How Much Space Do Maine Coons Need?
According to Purina the minimum space needed to house a cat is 20 square meters. They do not specify, however, if more space is required for large cat breeds.
The space required will depend upon your Maine Coons size, energy levels, and how well pet owners utilize the higher-up spaces within their homes.
Standard-sized cat trees and scratch posts will not be suitable for a fully-grown Maine Coon cat. Instead, you will need to purchase large and sturdy cat trees.
How Tall Can A Maine Coon Get?
Maine Coone size typically stand taller than the average cat, reaching heights of 10-16 inches (25-40 cm) at the shoulder compared to 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) for regular cats.
Maine Coon kittens are also taller than average kittens, reflecting their eventual grand stature.
Below are the approximate Maine Coon cat heights, from kitten to fully grown:
| Age | Height (Inches) | Height (cms) |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten | 8-10 | 20-25 |
| Adolescent | 10-14 | 25-35 |
| Adult | 10-16 | 25-40 |
I’ll never forget the first time I laid eyes on my Maine Coone size kitten. His sheer size was already astonishing, like a small lion roaming the living room!
Since then, I’ve been fascinated by their majestic stature and have often wondered, just how tall my cat would grow!
If we look a little closer at the division between male and female Maine Coon heights, we find that male Maine Coons are generally larger than females.
As kittens, they may have similar sizes, but as adults, males typically reach heights of 10-16 inches while females average 8-14 inches.
| Age | Male Height (Inches) | Female Height (Inches) | Male Height (cm) | Female Height (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitten | 8-10 | 8-10 | 20-25 | 20-25 |
| Adolescent | 10-14 | 10-14 | 25-35 | 25-35 |
| Adult | 10-16 | 8-14 | 25-40 | 20-35 |
To put the Maine Coon size into perspective, below is a comparison of average adult heights for various cat breeds:
| Cat Breed | Male Height (inches) | Female Height (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Coon | 10-16 (25-41 cm) | 8-14 (20-36 cm) |
| Persian | 10-14 (25-36 cm) | 8-12 (20-30 cm) |
| Siamese | 8-10 (20-25 cm) | 6-8 (15-20 cm) |
Various Cat Breed Heights (Inches)
5 Factors Influencing Maine Coon Cats Size and Height
The main factors that affect and influence the height of a Maine Coone size, are as follows:
1. Genetics
Parentage plays a significant role, with larger parents likely producing bigger kittens.
2. Nutrition
Adequate nutrition is vital. Proper feeding supports bone development and overall growth.
3. Environmental Factors
Feline behaviorists emphasize the importance of a stress-free environment for optimal growth. A calm, nurturing atmosphere aids in achieving full potential.
4. Exercise
Regular play and physical activity play a significant part in muscle and bone health, contributing to a cat’s overall stature.
5. Health
Veterinary care monitors growth milestones and addresses underlying health issues promptly. Regular check-ups ensure cats reach their maximum height potential.
Growth Stages of Maine Coone Size
Maine Coon kittens typically experience rapid growth during their first year of life.
They can double or triple their birth weight within the first few weeks and continue to grow steadily until they reach their full adult size.
During adolescence, Maine Coon cats experience several growth spurts. These typically occur around:
- 4-6 months
- 8-10 months
- 12-18 months
Each growth spurt phase may last for several weeks to a few months, during which the cat’s body grows rapidly in height and size.
Maine Coone size typically reach their full height by the age of 3 to 5 years old. However, individual cats may vary, and some may continue to grow slightly beyond this age.
