Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Maine Coon Characteristics. This is the ultimate resource for learning all of the wonderful traits of a Maine Coon cat. This page serves as the cornerstone of our in-depth series. It provides links to individual articles that explore each trait in detail.
There are so many topics to cover about our friend, the Maine Coon cat. In this guide, you’ll find information about each trait of this breed. These traits make them a wonderful choice as a pet. Starting with their temperament and size, to their glorious coats and tails. Enjoy the read as you dive head-first into a new learning experience.
Physical Characteristics
Maine Coons aren’t just big—they’re giant. 🐾 These gentle giants can tip the scales up to 20 pounds, sometimes even more! Compared to your average house cat, they’re like the super-sized version, both in size and personality.
It’s no wonder people often joke they accidentally brought home a small dog instead.
So, just how large can a Maine Coon get? On average, girls weigh 13 to 18 pounds. Males will get up in the 20 to 28 pound range. I even have one thats 32 pounds!
If you think that’s impressive, you should meet Stewie. He is tabby Maine Coon who holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest cat. He stretched an unbelievable 48.5 inches from nose to tail! Now that’s a big kitty. 🐈⬛✨
There’s so much to know about this amazing breed of cat! Learn all about Maine Coons in our magical guide.
Curious how big your Maine Coon might grow? Check out our full Maine Coon Size Chart to see how they measure up!
Polydactyl Paws: More Toes, More to Love!
About 40% of Maine Coons carry the gene for polydactylism—extra toes! Learn why it happens and why it’s totally normal (and adorable) in this article: Polydactyl Maine Coon.
Another fun fact, did you know that Maine Coons have a higher percentage of having extra toes than other cats? Polydactylism (when they have extra toes) can be found in all cat breeds. About 40% of Maine Coons have extra toes. This is due to a genetic mutation. It is passed down from a polydactyl cat to its offspring.
This gene is dominant, which means it will override the normal genes. However, this unusual trait does not have any imminent danger. In fact, extra toes help these gentle giants gain better balance and agility. Especially in colder climates, some people claim that cats with 6 toes move more easily on snow. The larger surface area of their paws provides this advantage. Plus, extra toes mean more of a cat to love!
Maine Coon Breed Standard Guidelines
Maine Coons are nature’s masterpiece—rugged, elegant, and perfectly adapted for both the great outdoors and a cozy home.
GENERAL: originally a working cat, the Maine Coon is solid, rugged, and can endure a harsh climate. A distinctive characteristic is its smooth, shaggy coat. A well proportioned and balanced appearance with no part of the cat being exaggerated. Quality should never be sacrificed for size. With an essentially amiable disposition, it has adapted to varied environments.he Head
HEAD SHAPE: medium in width and slightly longer in length than width with a squareness to the muzzle. Allowance should be made for broadening in older studs. Cheekbones are high.
MUZZLE/CHIN: is visibly square, medium in length and blunt ended when viewed in profile. It may give the appearance of being a rectangle but should not be tapering or pointed. The length and width of the muzzle should be proportionate to the rest of the head. It should present a pleasant, balanced appearance. The chin should be strong, firm and in line with the upper lip and nose. When viewed in profile the chin depth should be observable and give the impression of a square, 90-degree angle. A chin lacking in depth, i.e. one that tapers from the jaw line to the lip, is not considered strong, firm or desirable.
PROFILE: It should be proportionate to the overall length of the head. There should be a slight concavity when viewed in profile. The profile should be relatively smooth and free of pronounced bumps and/or humps. A profile that is straight from the brow line to the tip of the nose is not acceptable. The profile must not show signs of having a “break” or “stop.”
EARS: Shape: large, well-tufted, wide at base, tapering to appear pointed. Set: approximately one ear’s width apart at the base; not flared.
EYES: large, expressive, wide set with an opened oval shape. Slightly oblique setting with slant toward outer base of ear.
BODY SHAPE: muscular, broad-chested. Size medium to large. Females generally are smaller than males. The body should be long. All parts should be in proportion to create a well-balanced rectangular appearance. No part of the anatomy should be so exaggerated as to foster weakness. Allowance should be made for slow maturation.
LEGS and FEET: legs substantial, wide set, of medium length, and in proportion to the body. Forelegs are straight. Back legs are straight when viewed from behind. Paws large, round, well-tufted. Five toes in front; four in back.
TAIL: One of the most striking features of the Maine Coon is its long tail. It is luxurious and bushy. It is truly a masterpiece of nature! It should be long, wide at base, and tapering. Fur long and flowing.
COAT: The Maine Coon coat is heavy and shaggy; shorter on the shoulders and longer on the stomach and britches. It’s also water proof and silky to the touch. Frontal ruff desirable. Texture silky with coat falling smoothly. Did you know that the Maine Coon cat variety is available in 84 colors? Yep! You heard right. You can find the Maine Coons sporting, bi-color, shaded, solid, and tabby patterned.
MANE: The Maine Coon’s signature mane is long and full of fluff. It encompasses their massive heads and resembles the look of a lion. It doesn’t appear overnight. Learn when it develops and what influences it in When Do Maine Coon Kittens Get Their Mane?
PENALIZE: a coat that is short or overall even.
DISQUALIFY: delicate bone structure. Undershot chin, i.e. the front teeth (incisors) of the lower jaw overlap the front teeth of the upper jaw. They also project beyond the front teeth of the upper jaw when the mouth is closed. Crossed eyes. Kinked tail. Incorrect number of toes. White buttons, white lockets, or white spots. Cats showing evidence of hybridization resulting in the colors chocolate, lavender, or the Himalayan pattern.
EYE COLOR: Eye color can be shades of green, gold, green-gold or copper.White cats and all cats with white may have blue or odd eyes
POLYDACTYL: Polydactyl Maine Coons are allowed in TICA, but not in CFA.
WHISKERS: These remarkable feelers aren’t just for looks—they’re powerful tools that help your cat explore, balance, and communicate. But what if they suddenly look trimmed or chewed off? Don’t panic—there’s usually a simple (and adorable) reason behind it, and the good news is whiskers always grow back! Let’s explore the purpose of Maine Coon whiskers. Learn how to keep them protected. Discover what to do if you notice them looking shorter than usual.
NOTE: European Maine Coons may carry some features that are bit more exotic or wild looking. Regardless of type, the Maine Coon should be well balance with no one feature overpowering the next.
How to Tell If Your Cat is a Maine Coon
Even if your cat has many Maine Coon traits, looks alone won’t confirm pedigree status. The only way to 100% verify a cat as a purebred Maine Coon is through official pedigree documentation.
Without a pedigree, your cat may have Maine Coon ancestry, but there’s no way to prove it. If you’re looking for a verified Maine Coon, always work with a trusted, ethical breeder who provides proper documentation!
The Only Surefire Way to Verify Pedigree:
A 4+ generation pedigree listing only Maine Coon cats in the lineage.
Registration with a recognized cat association (TICA, CFA, FIFe, etc.).
Official registration papers from a reputable breeder.
The “M” on the forehead Myth
One of the biggest misconceptions about Maine Coons is that they must have an “M” on their forehead. Some even believe it stands for “Maine Coon.” This is simply not true!
The “M” marking is a characteristic of the tabby pattern, not a breed trait. Tabby patterns are found in many cat breeds. This includes mixed-breed (moggie) cats. The marking can vary in visibility from cat to cat.The “M” is part of a tabby coat pattern, not a breed identifier. Any tabby-patterned cat—regardless of breed—can have it.If you’re determining if a cat is a true Pedigree Maine Coon, don’t rely on an “M” on the forehead. Look for verified lineage and breed standards instead!
Comparison to Other Breeds
Before I decided to have Maine Coon cats as pets, I did research on other breeds. Comparing other contenders was eye-opening. This led me down a one-way road to Maine Coons.
You may have a few other pedigree cats under consideration, like the Ragdoll or the Norweigan Forest Cat. Along with the Maine Coon, these cats also grow to be large, friendly pets. Here’s some breakdown comparisons of both breeds so you can see for yourself.
More Fascinating Maine Coon Facts
These are just a few traits that make Maine Coons one of the most lovable cat breeds on Earth. Be sure to check out each link above for an in-depth look at each characteristic. You might already be a proud owner. You might also be dreaming of one day bringing home a gentle giant. We hope this series helps you understand the Maine Coon better than ever!
Frequently Asked Questions About Maine Coon Characteristics
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