Maine Coon cats are some of the largest domesticated cats in the world. Their fluffy fur and calm but playful demeanor make them among the most popular cat breeds. Read more about the Maine Coon, its size, and how it compares to a dog below!
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What Is a Maine Coon?
The Maine Coon cat is a feline breed that originated in Maine, United States. Their history is unknown, but some say they could be descendants of the Siberian forest cat or the Norwegian forest cat brought to America by settlers.
Since the 19th century, the Maine Coon has been a predominant breed in America and the world! They were show cats on display at yearly cat shows, which bolstered their popularity.
They were overtaken as the most popular by other breeds after the beginning of the 20th century, but now they are in the top three most popular domesticated cat breeds.
How Large Are Maine Coon Cats?
Adult Maine Coons are the largest non-hybrid cat breed. Males grow to be 13-18 pounds, and females reach 8-12 pounds. Adult height varies from 10-16 inches, and their length can reach up to 38 inches, including the tail. The tail can be up to 14 inches long!
Maine Coons are slightly slower to mature than the average cat. The average cat matures within a year, while Maine Coons can take 3-5 years to mature.
Characteristics of a Maine Coon Cat
These cats are large, are long-haired, and are good hunters. They are larger than most domesticated cat breeds but smaller than medium-sized dog breeds.
A purebred Maine Coon cat has a brown tabby coloring. Chocolate, lavender, and Siamese-colored cats are considered to be crossbred. Any eye color, including two eyes of different colors, is accepted as a breed standard.
Beyond their physical characteristics, their emotional characteristics and mannerisms are often what draw people to them.
Like dogs, they are trainable and intelligent. They are investigative and want to be involved with the daily affairs of the house, so you might have to shut a door to receive any privacy from your furry feline!
The Maine Coon’s hair is long, but they are clean cats considering this fact. Their coats are self-maintained but will require occasional grooming, similar to a long-haired dog!
Size Comparison to Dogs
Compared to dogs, Maine Coons are not as small as your aunt’s Chihuahua or your grandma’s Yorkie. In terms of size, they are more similar to medium-sized dogs like a Beagle, King Charles Cavalier, or Boston Terriers once they have reached adulthood. They are smaller than retrievers or collies.
The World’s longest domesticated cat, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is a Maine Coon cat named Stewie. Stewie lived in the United States, and he was 3 feet long!
So, Are Maine Coon Cats the Largest Cats?
In short, Maine Coon cats are the biggest domesticated cats, and their size is comparable to medium-sized dogs. They are not the largest of the cat family, since Lions and Tigers also belong to the cat family.
