🕰️ Maine Coon Lifespan: What’s the Average?
Most Maine Coons live between 10 to 15 years.
Some, like the legendary Corduroy (who lived to be 26!), smash those averages!
Several factors affect how long your Maine Coon lives:
- Indoor lifestyle (outdoor dangers are risky!)
- Quality diet 🍗
- Regular vet visits 🩺
- Low-stress environment
- Plenty of playtime 🧸
Curious about the debate on indoor vs. outdoor cats? Check out Should I Let My Cat Outside?
🐾 Maine Coon Life Stages Breakdown
Here’s how a typical Maine Coon grows and matures over time:
- Kitten (Birth – 6 months)
- Junior (6 months – 2 years)
- Prime Adult (3 – 6 years)
- Mature (7 – 10 years)
- Senior (11+ years)
Let’s dive into each phase!
🍼 Maine Coon Kittens (Birth – 6 Months)
In the beginning, Maine Coon kittens look like any other kitten—but don’t be fooled! 😻
At birth, they weigh about 3.5 – 5 ounces. By 12 weeks (when they’re ready for new homes), they typically weigh 3 – 5 pounds.
The average Maine Coon baby has a generous amount of fur on its body at birth. It is not 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 leaving the kittenhood. They think they are crossing into the maturing stage. However, that impression could not be more wrong.
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.
A few fun kitten facts:
- They’re FULL of energy and mischief.
- Expect daredevil acts like balancing on the banister. 😅
- Their luxurious coat and signature lion mane won’t fully develop yet, but the fluff is coming!
Interested in adopting one? Check out available Maine Coon kittens for sale.
🐈 Junior Maine Coons (6 Months – 2 Years)
This stage is wild. Your Coonie is still growing—both in size and personality!
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. They are entering the next stage of maturity.
As with all kittens, the energy level of a Maine Coon kitten is very high. They remain playful and inquisitive for the first two years of life. Your Maine Coon is full of energy. It may even seem “too busy” to be bothered with your ridiculous requests for snuggle time.
Things you’ll notice:
- Their fur thickens, especially around the chest (hello, lion mane 🦁).
- High energy continues, with bursts of zoomies and climbing adventures.
- They’re a little “too busy” to cuddle just yet!
Also, their famous coat becomes more noticeable. Learn more in Do Maine Coons Shed?.
🧑🦱 Prime Adults (3 – 6 Years)
The Maine Coon starts growing more mature in personality after the age of 2 years old. It is common to observe that the cat becomes less exuberant. It now prefers to spend quality time with you or alone. It no longer enjoys hopping from one tall cabinet to the other.
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
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.
By now, your Maine Coon is settling into their adult personality:
- Calmer, more relaxed
- Loves lounging with you on the couch
- Still playful, but less destructive!
Physically, they’ll continue to grow until about 4-5 years old—much later than typical cats.
Want to see how big your Maine Coon will get? Check out our detailed Maine Coon Size Chart.
🎓 Mature Adults (7 – 10 Years)
Welcome to the “wise and chill” years. 🧘♂From full maturity, you will start seeing your Maine coon become less curious. They will become gentler. Your Maine coon will have a generally keen perception of wisdom. Taking each year after the attainment of maturity as four human years, is just to be expected.
Your Maine Coon may:
- Become less curious and more content
- Prefer peaceful naps over zoomies
- Develop an even stronger bond with you
👵 Senior Maine Coons (11+ Years)
Your old but very wise Maine Coon will be distinct in his character. Enjoy all the years you can have with your Maine Coon. Treasure each day you share with him. Our Maine Coons are very unique and special to us in every way.
Your senior Coonie may slow down, but their heart is bigger than ever. 💕
Support your older cat by:
- Offering gentle play to keep joints moving
- Scheduling twice-yearly vet visits
- Keeping life low-stress (Check out Raising a Healthy Cat)
✅ Tips for Extending Your Maine Coon’s Lifespan
Want your Maine Coon to thrive well into their golden years? Here’s a checklist:
- Indoor cat = safer, longer life → Should I Let My Cat Outside?
- Balanced, species-appropriate diet → What Should I Feed My Maine Coon?
- Daily play and enrichment
- Routine vet care, especially after age 7
- Minimize stress → Signs of Stress in Cats
This Cat Shattered the Expected Lifespan of Maine Coon
The Guinness World Record holder for the world’s oldest cat is named “Corduroy.” He is a Maine Coon. Corduroy is 26 years old.
💬 Final Thoughts
Maine Coons are built to last. When given the right care, they’ll be your loyal companion for over a decade (or two!).
Want to learn more fun facts? Explore their fascinating characteristics.
I have. Never seen such huge cats!
We usually post pictures with our Maine Coons to make them seem as large as possible, so there is some distortion if photography involved in most internet pictures of Maine Coon Cats
I know! This article really helped me find out when my Maine Coon Kitten will mature. I am playing with her as I write this.