Maine Coon

Coat and looks how to spot one

semi-long, heavy, water-resistant double coat

A big, muscular, rectangular cat with a long body, large tufted ears, wide paws with tufts of fur between the toes, and a long, bushy tail. The glossy coat is short over the head and shoulders and grows longer down the back, with a shaggy belly, full 'britches' on the back legs and a frill around the chest. It sheds water well and thickens up for winter, all traits suited to snowy New England life.1523

Personality what they are like

Friendly, relaxed and good-humoured, the Maine Coon likes being part of whatever the family is doing without demanding constant attention. Many drift from lap to lap rather than choosing one favourite person. They are bright, often playful well into adulthood, and famous for a soft voice full of chirps and trills rather than loud meows. Several owners describe them as almost dog-like.52341

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Moderate to high. Give them room to move, sturdy cat trees and high perches, and daily interactive play; many enjoy fetch, and some learn to walk on a harness and follow simple cues.42

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Comb the coat about once a week, or 2-3 short sessions a week, to keep it tangle-free and reduce loose hair; some coats and the spring moult need more frequent attention. Baths are rarely needed. Check and clean ears regularly, trim nails weekly for kittens and every 2-3 weeks for adults, and brush teeth regularly.5234

Home where they are happiest

Needs space to suit its size: large, stable cat trees, roomy litter boxes and scratching posts, plus a window perch or two. Adapts to most homes with an active, involved family.42

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A high-quality, high-protein complete cat food in measured portions, adjusted as the cat grows over its first few years; keep an eye on weight as adults can get soft if overfed. Fresh water daily, placed away from the food bowl. Many Maine Coons enjoy playing with water.2345

Company who they like around

Very social and family-oriented, bonds with everyone in the household, and usually gets on well with children, dogs and other cats. Likes company but is not clingy.523

The story where it all began

The Maine Coon grew up naturally on the farms and harbours of Maine as a hardy working mouser. Colourful tales tried to explain its looks, from a cat-raccoon cross (impossible) to Viking ship cats or longhairs sent ahead by Marie Antoinette, but genetic studies point to ordinary cats brought over from Britain by colonists in the 1600s and 1700s, which then adapted to the harsh winters. The breed is mentioned in cat literature from 1861, and in the 1860s farmers held 'Maine State Champion Coon Cat' contests at the Skowhegan Fair. At the first major American cat show, at Madison Square Garden in May 1895, a brown tabby female called Cosey was named Best Cat. The arrival of the Persian pushed the breed out of fashion after about 1911, and by the 1950s some people even declared it gone. Local fans formed the Central Maine Cat Club in the early 1950s, wrote the first breed standard and kept holding shows. The Maine Coon Cat Club followed in 1973, CFA granted championship status in 1976, Maine made it the state cat in 1985, and the GCCF in Britain granted full recognition in 1993. Today it is one of the most registered breeds in the world.1523

Recognised by the official bits

CFA

Provisional status May 1975, championship status May 19761

CFA

Championship status confirmed as 19765

GCCF

Preliminary recognition 1988, championship status 19933

TICA

Recognised; TICA also registers a Maine Coon Polydactyl variety2

FIFe

Recognised breed with a standard1

ACF, ACFA/CAA, CCA-AFC

Recognised breed with a standard1

State of Maine

Named the official state cat of Maine in 19852

Popularity Most registered breed in FIFe in 2024 with 24.7% of registered kittens (23,775 cats); overtook the Ragdoll as CFA's most registered breed in 20251