A Maine Coon cat smirking

Maine Coon Cat Insurance, Care and Health Advice

If you’re looking for a big cat with an even bigger personality, the Maine Coon could be pretty much the purr-fect pet for you. Those pointy ears and long bushy tails are guaranteed to turn heads, and their affectionate and sociable nature means makes them a fantastic family pet; they really are gentle giants.

If you want to know more about the Maine Coon cat breed, and what it would take to own one, you’re in the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about caring for this big kitty.

Maine Coon Cat Facts

Cat breed type icon
Type
Domestic
Cat breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
12 - 15 years
Cat breed size icon
Size
Large
Cat breed weight icon
Weight
3.5 kg - 11 kg
Cat breed height icon
Height
25 - 40 cm
Cat breed temperament icon
Temperament
Rugged, placid, friendly
Cat breed exercise icon
Exercise
20 - 30 mins per day
Cat breed grooming icon
Grooming
Low maintenance

Is a Maine Coon Right for Me?

These guys are super affectionate; they’re smart and are genuinely interested in everything you’re doing. They also have a strong independent streak - so while they’re happy to come over for an occasional cuddle, a Maine Coon isn’t really a lap cat.

That being said, they usually get on really well with kids - which makes them great family pets. With the right socialisation and intros, they can also settle in with other dogs and cats. Bear in mind that your buddy will get lonely (and take it out on the furniture) if left alone for long periods, so other pets might be a good idea if you’re away at work all day.

A Maine Coon Cat staring

What Are Maine Coon Kittens Like?

Like any other kittens, Maine Coon kittens are energetic and playful. They’re really friendly and good natured. They’re also really smart so keeping them entertained with toys and lots of play time will keep them out of mischief.

An inquisitive Maine Coon leans in

Life with a Maine Coon

The earliest Maine Coons were mostly farm cats, where they earned their stay catching rats and keeping birds away from the crops. To do this they needed to be smart, alert and super keen to explore: all traits that form the modern Maine Coon’s character.

While today’s Maine Coon would still love to spend all their time outdoors hunting and playing, it might be best to keep your buddy inside (depending on where you live) to keep the risk of traffic, theft and disease to a minimum.
One of the most loveable things about a Maine Coon is that ‘special’ vocabulary. Instead of “Miaows” you’ll probably get a sweet chirping sound, and unmistakeable yowling when it’s time for dinner!

Caring for Your Maine Coon

These big, muscular cats can burn up a lot of energy. They’re not known for being greedy and are not usually fussy eaters - but that’s not to say that you shouldn’t be fussy when it comes to what to feed them. Consult with your vet on the most appropriate feeding regime, bearing in mind that this will alter gradually as your Maine gets older.

To avoid matting, irritation and fur balls, that bushy, semi-long coat should be combed and brushed around twice a week. Shedding tends to increase in Autumn and Spring, so it’s probably worth brushing daily during these months to keep on top of it.

Your kitty’s ears should be cleaned once a week - but be really careful not to probe into the ear canals, as this can cause a lot of problems. Use a damp cloth rather than a cotton bud and check for any redness or discharge (i.e. signs of infection) while you’re there.

When they’re not napping, Maine Coons like to stay busy. It doesn’t matter what game you go for - puzzles, cuddly toys, or even just taking the time to teach “high five”, sit and fetch. When it’s time for litter training, a Maine Coon kitten will generally understand the assignment, so there’s not much work needed.

Maine Coon Cat Insurance

This is one big kitty whose paws you should think about covering with cat insurance. And you happen to be in the right place. Here at Everypaw, we have a range of Lifetime Cat Cover levels to help protect your fluffy bundle of fur.

Plus vet fees are not the only thing wrapped up by your kitty cover, every policy is full of extras. You’ll have 24/7 access to a team of vets and vet nurses with Petcall. Help finding your cat if they go missing. And if they don’t manage to find their way home, we can help out with our theft and straying benefit.

Start a quote

Common Maine Coon Health Problems by Vetstream

Maine Coons are strong, muscular, robust cats but there are some health problems to keep alert to. We have teamed up with Vetstream, experts in this area, to give you an idea of what to keep an eye out for in your Maine Coon.

Hip Dysplasia is where the hip joint doesn’t develop properly which causes pain and lameness. Signs are usually seen at about a year old. Drugs to reduce inflammation or a special veterinary diet can help manage the condition. Surgery may be needed if the condition is severe.

Maine Coons can be affected by Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a serious heart condition. The heart muscle becomes thick, which stops the heart from working properly. If it’s diagnosed early, medication can slow the disease down, but won’t cure it. 

HCM can be caused by a genetic mutation in some breeds. The gene that mutates has been identified in the Maine Coon breed which means they can have a DNA test to find out if they carry the gene. If they do, those cats with the gene shouldn’t be used for breeding to prevent passing it on to the next generation.
 

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neurological condition in this breed. A DNA test is available to find out if a cat carries the mutated gene. Signs of the condition are muscle weakness and wasting. Affected cats also become wobbly on their legs. 

Unfortunately there isn’t any treatment for SMA but affected cats do seem to stabilise and can happily live full lives as indoor cats.
 

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), also known as autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease AD-PKD, can be inherited in some breeds, including the Maine Coon. It’s a dominant gene that causes this condition, so cats only need to inherit one copy of it to end up suffering from PKD.

Kittens are born with kidney cysts which grow as the cat ages. The cysts can be seen on ultrasound scans. Signs don’t often appear until the cat is older and can include increased thirst, peeing more, weight loss and a poor appetite. The disease will eventually lead to kidney failure, but there are treatments that can help improve that cat’s quality of life.

Quick Maine Coon Q&A

Maine Coons are large domestic cats that have lots of love to give! They’re known as gentle giants because of their loving sociable nature. They were originally called the Maine cat, but it was thought the cat was a result of a crossing between domestic breeds and raccoons (because of their long, bushy tails), so they then became known as the Maine Coon. You might also hear them referred to as the Maine Shag, American Longhair, American Coon cat and American Forest cat.

Maine Coons are one of the biggest breeds of cat. Males can reach up to 40 cm in height and can weigh over 11kg. Females are slightly smaller but are still large compared to other common breeds. Expect a female to weigh between 3.5 - 5.5 kg while a male can weigh between 6.5 - 11 kg.

They also mature much later than other breeds, they can continue growing until they’re around 4 years old, whereas other breeds mature and are fully grown at around 18 months.

Maine Coons originally came from the American state of Maine, hence the name. It’s also one of the oldest breeds in North America. The breed first arrived in the UK in the 80s and became a recognised breed of The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in the early 90s.

Maine Coons make great family pets! They’re good natured, gentle, fun-loving and playful. Because of their gentle nature they’re good with kids and other pets too. They’re also very affectionate and love nothing more than having a cuddle on the sofa.

That’s All You Need to Know About Maine Coons

Laid-back and affectionate, Maine Coons make great family pets. They can be talkative but aren’t too needy. Their coats don’t need a lot of maintenance – just a brush once or twice a week to keep them in good condition. These gentle giants enjoy exploring and hunting outdoors but are also happy staying indoors. Make sure they have lots of interactive playtime and somewhere to climb and sit to watch the world go by.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis.

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

;