Male vs. Female Maine Coon Cats: 6 Key Differences

It’s easy to figure out why you want to adopt a Maine Coon. They’re gigantic, lovable fluffballs who will shower you with attention. 

What’s a little trickier is the gender you should get. Although they look similar, there are some big behavioral and physical differences between male and female Maine Coon cats. Male Maine Coons are sometimes described as dog-like; they’re so friendly and playful, while female Maine Coons tend to need a little alone time. Both genders will make sweet companions for your family. 

Keep reading to explore six major differences between male vs. female Maine Coon cats.

Male vs. Female Maine Coon Cats: Size

If you know anything about Maine Coons, you probably know that they’re giants. An adult male can weigh a whopping 18 pounds and still be considered average-sized. If your male Maine Coon hits the smaller end of the range, they’ll still be at least 12 pounds. Outlier males may grow to as much as 25 pounds. 

Female Maine Coons are smaller. Your gentle girl will typically weigh around 8 to 12 pounds. 

Can you tell the difference between a small male Maine Coon and a large female at a glance? Unless you’re a cat expert, probably not. 

Male vs. Female Maine Coon Cats: Personality

If you want to live with a confident kitty who loves nothing more than trotting at your side, look for male Maine Coon cats. They’re known for having bolder, more outgoing personalities than females.

Female Maine Coon cats are friendly too, but they’re a little more reserved. A female Maine Coon is less likely to follow you from room to room.

Don’t think that females don’t like to play, however. Maine Coons are incredibly popular cats in part because of their fun and zesty personalities.

Male vs. Female Maine Coon Cats: Need for Space

How much time do you think you’ll spend with your kitty? Female Maine Coons are more like typical cats, somewhat aloof and okay with bouts of alone time. 

By contrast, male Maine Coon cats are much more likely to exhibit needy qualities. They may need to spend a significant amount of time with you. That’s great if you work from home or have plenty of free time to play with your cat daily. 

If free time sounds like a dream, think about getting a female Maine Coon. They need plenty of cuddles and kisses but not your constant attention. 

Male vs. Female Maine Coon Cats: Energy Level

Whether you choose a male or female Maine Coon, you’re probably getting a joyful, romping cat. You might find them running around even when they’re seniors.

However, there is a difference you should be aware of. On average, male Maine Coons expend most of their energy during the day. They’re ready to wrestle with you at lunch. 

Female Maine Coons often prefer to save their energy until nighttime. This trait means you must deliberately tire them out before you go to sleep to avoid being woken up by a 12-pound cat on the hunt.

Male vs. Female Maine Coon Cats: Health 

Male and female Maine Coon cats enjoy good health overall. However, like all cat breeds, they’re susceptible to certain diseases, including obesity, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and hip dysplasia. 

Hip dysplasia afflicts males more often, as does hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Obesity rates depend on the environment rather than pure genetics. 

It’s not pleasant having a sick cat, but you can feel better knowing that you kept them healthy for as long as possible. 

Male vs. Female Maine Coon Cats: Lifespan

Despite the fact that male Maine Coon cats fall prey to certain diseases more often, both genders live the same amount of time. You should expect your Maine Coon to live about 12 to 15 years in most cases. That’s a lot of time, so getting a Maine Coon is a big decision regardless of which gender you end up with. 

What If You Want Two Cats?

If you’re thinking about living with two Maine Coon cats, even more questions pop up. Should you get two of the same gender? Do both cats need to be spayed or neutered? And so on.

The best bet is to adopt two kittens and get them spayed or neutered. They’ll grow up together, and their gender won’t matter. Male and female Maine Coons can absolutely be friends. 

Problems arise when you have multiple unneutered/unspayed cats next to each other. Males will struggle for power, and two females might snarl at each other when in heat. 

Cats meeting in old age may be slow to make friends, but it’s possible.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Andrew Will/Shutterstock.com