Maine Coon Lifespan – How Long Do Maine Coons Live?

Maine Coon Lifespan: The Journey of a Maine Coon cat

When we hear ‘Winter is Coming,’ one of the cat breeds that would never have been bothered about that one bit is the Maine Coon. A single look at these cats and you would know that they came dressed for the occasion already.

It is the subtle things like this that make them one of the cat species with an impressive lifespan – especially when they are being taken good care of.

Today, we look at the detailed lifespan of the average Maine Coon cat, exploring how they go from the kitten stage to their adulthood.

• Kitten (up to 6 months)
• Junior (6 months to 2 years)
• Prime (3-6 years)
• Mature (7-10 years)
• Senior (11+ Years)

How Long Do Maine Coons Live?

We all want our Maine Coons to live a long, healthy life. There are certain things we can do for them to make sure that they have the best care. Just like with humans, a healthy diet, daily exercise, and minimal stress are the key elements to longevity.

While not all cats will live the average lifespan because of unfortunate health problems, the average life expectancy of a Maine Coon is 12.5 years old. This article will explore each phase of the Maine Coon’s life, from birth to Senior years.

Maine Coon Kittens (Ages Birth – 6 Months)

Maine Coon Breeders will agree with the fact that the coon cat starts its life just like any other cat. At birth, you might not even be able to tell that they will grow into the massive balls of fur. OH! What’s in store is sure to delight you.

A newborn Maine Coon kitten weighs between 3.5 – 5.0 ounces on average. They will typically double their birth weight within the first week. By the time the kitten is ready to move to its new home (between the age of 10-12 weeks old) he will weigh between 3 to 5 pounds. Most owners expect a huge kitten, but your kitten will be about the size of a can of corn! Give him time, though, and he will certainly be big.

The average Maine Coon baby is blessed with a generous amount of fur on its body at birth, but nothing out of the ordinary. When the cat starts attaining the first four months, there is a noticeable addition of fur. This can quickly give them the impression of having left the kittenhood to cross into the maturing stage, but that could not be more wrong.

Maine Coon Kittens are full of energy and personality! You can expect them to play hard and sleep hard. Inquisitive and daring, don’t be surprised if you see one doing a balancing act across the upstairs banister. Their curiosity and rambunctiousness is enough to keep us adults entertained for hours. It’s one of the best parts of adopting a Maine Coon Kitten.

Maine Coons as Juniors (6 months to 2 Years)

The Maine Coon Lifespan is such a beautiful thing to witness. At the end of the first year, the cat starts growing fur extensions to give it a fuller appearance. This usually takes them from having a one-inch fur to growing this coat as long as four inches. By the end of year two, most Maine coon cats will have already stopped growing most of their adult hair, entering the next stage of maturity. You may also notice a “lion mane” developing, which is a signature Maine Coon characteristic.

As with all kittens, the energy level of a Maine Coon kitten is very high. They tend to remain playful and inquisitive for the first two years of life. Full of energy, your Maine Coon may even seem “too busy” to be bothered with your ridiculous requests for snuggle time. 😀

Maine Coon As Young Adults (3 Years to 6 years)

The Maine Coon starts growing more mature in personality after the age of 2 years old. It is not uncommon to see that the cat has lost a lot of its exuberance and now prefers to spend quality time with you/ alone rather than hopping from one tall cabinet to the other.

You’ll find your big snuggle of love hopping up on the sofa to relax next to you. Always nice while you read your favorite book or watch your TV show.

Of course, there will be moments of energy bursts. They will not be as frequent as in the first few years of the cat’s life. Likewise, their appetites are likely to keep going up till they reach the 4 to 5-year-old mark. This is when they reach full maturity, which is much older than the average cat,

The biggest majority of growth and weight gain will occur in the first 12 months of life. From the end of year 1 until your Coonie reaches the age of 5 years old, you’ll see a gradual increase in size, weight, stature, and maturity.

At full-scale maturity, the Maine Coon will be a very large cat. Female Maine coon cats can tip the scales at between 9 to 16 pounds. That is nothing compared to their male counterparts. They can attain weights as high as 30 pounds with a lower boundary of 13 pounds, on average.

Mature Maine Coons (7 years old – 10 years old)

From full maturity, you will start seeing your Maine coon become less curious, gentler, and with a generally keen perception of wisdom. Taking each year after the attainment of maturity as four human years, is just to be expected.

Be sure to take your Mature Maine Coon to see your veterinarian at least once per year. Routine checkups and blood work can help you identify any potential health issues. Now that he is getting older, you’ll want to stay ahead and of any potential health issues that may arise.

Your Senior Maine Coon (11 Years and Older)

Your old but very wise Maine Coon will be distinct in his character. Embrace all of the years that you are able to have with your COonie and treasure each day that you’re able to share with him. Our Maine Coons are very unique and special to us in every way.

Average Maine Coon Lifespan

A lot of factors go into the determination of how long your Maine coon cat will live. However, the average lifespan of a Maine Coon is between 10 to 15 years. Some Maine coon cats have been recorded to live up to 20 years, so the average can be shattered.

This Cat Shattered the Expected Lifespan of Maine Coon

The Guinness World Record holder for the world’s oldest cat is named “Corduroy” a Maine Coon, and he is 26 years old.

Helping Your Maine Coon Cat Live Longer

You can improve your Maine coon lifespan gauge with proper care and management of the cat. Knowing how to care for a Maine Coon cat will improve the quality of life for your furry friend.

For one, they should be properly exercised and engaged in activities since they tend to get on the bigger side. This will be easier in their formative years. They’re very active as kittens but will have to be stimulated as they grow older.

Diet plays a very big role here too. Now that you have a naturally big cat on your hand, it makes sense to feed them a high protein, low carbohydrate diet. Try to avoid overweight or obesity in your cat. It’s a hard decision for alot of people when they think “What Should I feed my Maine Coon“. Take the time to do some research and talk to your vet. With the right information, you will do what you feel is best for your cat.

With proper healthcare and general well-being tips to match, your cat will get to spend a longer time with you and you with your cat. If you’re in the research phase of choosing a breeder that’s right for you, here’s how to tell if you’re getting a healthy Maine Coon kitten.

For More tips on Raising a Healthy Cat, Be sure to read the article “Raising a Healthy Cat“.