Whether you’re on the hunt for a gentle giant that adores napping on the floor, nibbling on treats, and meowing the day away or a fun and friendly fluffer that can’t get enough of human attention and affection, a Maine Coon cat is the way to go. But how big are Maine Coon cats – actually?
Whenever pet parents consider getting a Coon, there’s a sudden moment of doubt that makes them wonder whether they’re ready for a four-legged friend that’s bigger than an average sack of potatoes or a bag of flour. Who’s going to take care of the wild kitty? Who’s going to feed the beast?
Worry not, though, because Maine Coon cats are the opposite of high-maintenance. Maine Coons might be big cats with even bigger purrsonalities, but they’re the cutest, cuddliest creatures you’re ever going to take care of. Coons are soft, sweet, and simple, and they’re more than happy to be patient with you.
With rugged, scruffy coats, big-boned bodies, and perked-up, tufted ears, Maine Coon cats can appear threatening, but deep down, they’re real sweethearts. Coons are one of the most popular, prominent breeds out there, and we’re pretty sure that their grand proportions added to their appeal.
With that out of the way, though, you’re probably wondering what proportions we’re actually talking about. Are Coons bigger than an average cat? Are Coons more mature than Burmese or Siamese cats because they’re bigger? Are Coons the biggest breed out there? Read more down below!
How big are Maine Coon cats?
Whether you’re thinking about adding a Maine Coon cat to your feline family or scouring the World Wide Web for deets on Maine Coon cats, you might want to consider a Coon’s physical characteristics and personality.
Measurements might not matter to you right now, but we suggest you prepare for how big these beauties actually are. Maine Coon cats are one of the most enormous breeds out there, and according to the Guinness World Records, the biggest cat ever was a Maine Coon by the name of Stewie.
Average height
Maine Coon cats are typically taller than regular cats, but there are times when Maine Coons remain on the shorter side. An average adult Maine Coon cat can reach a height of anywhere between 10 to 16 inches. And even the shortest Maine Coon cats are around the same height as a regular cat.
We do need to mention that the main reasons why Maine Coons appear monstrous are height and length combined. Even when a Maine Coon cat doesn’t grow taller than an average cat, the length measured from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail makes up for the missing inches.
Average length
While we’re on the topic of length, Maine Coon cats are longer than you might think. We’d go as far as to argue that Maine Coon cats beat out other breeds when competing for the World Record for the biggest cat because they’re 3 to 4 feet long.
An average adult Maine Coon cat, when measured from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail, is typically anywhere between 20 to 40 inches long. Depending on the genetics, Maine Coons can grow even longer with the longest Maine Coon ever reaching a whopping 48 inches.
Average weight
Despite being lengthy, Maine Coons aren’t always a hefty breed. Maine Coon cats are meant to be slender because that’s when they’re the healthiest. Moreover, sudden weight gain and weight fluctuation can affect the overall health of a Maine Coon cat and cause a myriad of health niggles.
Because of that, Maine Coons are better off when they weigh anywhere between 15 and 25 pounds, depending on whether they’re male or female. Male Maine Coon cats are heftier than females, with female Maine Coons weighing anywhere between 10 to 15 pounds.
Average tail length
Maine Coon cats are embellished with lengthy, shaggy tails that attract attention and turn heads. Pet parents can’t stop bragging about Coons’ tails, but we’d argue they’re onto something. So, whenever you wonder “How big are Maine Coon cats?” take a peep at their tail.
Maine Coon cats are longer than average cats even when you omit the tail, but the length of the tail can make a world of difference. An average Maine Coon tail ranges anywhere between 12 to 18 inches in length, and an average tail of a regular cat ranges between 8 to 10 inches.
How do male Maine Coon cats compare to female Maine Coon cats?
We’ve mentioned beforehand that male and female Coons come with different measurements. Now that we’ve established that Maine Coons are enormous, you might want to differentiate between the two. Regardless of whether you’re planning on getting your hands on one or satisfying your curiosity.
Male Maine Coon measurements
More often than not, male Coons are bigger than female Coons. Whether that’s due to genetics, quality of life, or something we’re not aware of, you can count on a male Coon to weigh between 15 and 25 pounds and measure about 20 to 40 inches long and 10 to 16 inches tall.
Male Coons have a stubby, sturdy body, shorter limbs, and a bigger head. When compared to female Coons, male Coons have broader heads that come down to a more structured, narrow muzzle. Male Coons are different from female Coons and that might be something you’re keeping an eye on.
Female Maine Coon measurements
Female Coons are smaller, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not worth your attention. Furthermore, you might be on the market for a smaller, fluffier, and rounder Maine Coon that won’t scare your friends and family away.
Female Coons weigh between 10 to 15 pounds and measure about 20 to 40 inches long and 8 to 14 inches tall. When you compare them to male Coons, they’re slimmer, longer-legged, and appear longer even though they’re typically the same length.
Moreover, female Coons have rounder heads with fuller cheeks and an angular contour – they’re much softer and sweeter than male Coons, too.
How big are Maine Coon kittens?
Without a surprise, Maine Coon kittens are bigger than regular kittens. When they’re three months old, they’re already the measurement of a small cat at roughly 3 to 5 pounds.
Maine Coon cats are known to grow quicker than average cats, and that’s why you might think they’re out of the kitten stage sooner than they are.
Male kittens are bigger than female kittens, but we do need to mention that they’re known to stop growing when you spay or neuter them before reaching maturity (around 1 year old).
Because of the lack of growth hormones, your Maine Coon cat might not reach its full potential. But that’s not something you need to worry about right now.
How do Maine Coon cats compare to regular cats?
We gotta talk numbers, right? When you throw a glance at the statistics, Maine Coon cats are much, much bigger than regular cats. Whether you’re measuring weight, height, or length, you’re going to come to the conclusion that Maine Coon cats are gentle giants when compared to regular cats.
We know that an average Maine Coon cat weighs anywhere between 15 to 25 pounds and measures about 20 to 40 inches long and 10 to 16 inches tall. While that’s big, we must wonder how big are Maine Coon cats when compared to regular cats? Really, really big.
An average regular cat weighs between 5 and 10 pounds and measures about 20 to 28 inches long and 9 to 10 inches tall. Sure, the measurement can change depending on the breed, genetics, and quality of life, but most regular cats fit somewhere in between these measurements.
3 biggest Maine Coon cats ever
1. Stewie
According to the Guinness World Records, the biggest cat ever was a Maine Coon named Mymains Stewart Gilligan, a.k.a. Stewie. Stewie was from Reno, Nevada, and was a certified therapy animal who frequently visited a local senior center near his home.
Stewie was 48.5 inches long from nose to tail, and he was a record holder for the world’s longest tail, too. We were saddened by the news that Stewie passed away from cancer a few years back, but he still holds the record for the longest domestic cat of all time.
2. Barivel
Barivel, a Maine Coon cat from Vigevano, Italy, holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest house cat alive. Barivel lives with his parents, Chinzia and Edgar, and spends most of his time napping, nibbling on treats, and chilling – according to Chizia and Edgar, Barivel’s a little shy.
Barivel’s measurements state that he’s 47.2 inches long. In Barivel’s local Italian dialect, Barivel means clown or joker. Although he’s the longest house cat alive, his parents agree that Barivel doesn’t have a larger-than-life personality.
3. Ludo
Ludo was the longest house cat alive before Barivel appeared on the scene. Ludo’s a Maine Coon cat who belongs to Kelsey and Matthew Gill from Ryhill, West Yorkshire. When he was the record holder, he weighed 34 pounds and measured 46.6 inches from nose to tail.
