Maintaining the Health and Size of Your Maine Coon Cat

Largest Maine Coon Cat
iStock.com/Sergei Ginak

Written by Emmanuel Kingsley

Published: January 16, 2025

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Maine Coon cats are one of the most loved breeds in the United States. They have a long, silky coat that will make you fall in love. Maine Coons come in a variety of colors such as solid white, cream, and black. They also come in various patterns, including tabby, tortoiseshell, shaded, bi-color, and calico.

Maine Coons are quite playful, maintaining kitten-like qualities throughout their lives. They are the largest domestic cat breed, and their size is one of their distinguishing physical characteristics. Now, you’re wondering: How big can Maine Coon cats get?

How Big Do Maine Coon Cats Get?

Longest Cats - Maine Coon

Maine Coons weigh 8-18 pounds and grow as tall as 16 inches.

Maine Coon cats are sturdily built felines weighing anywhere from 8-18 pounds depending on age and sex. They are up to 16 inches tall and a commendable 40 inches in length. Additionally, Maine Coons have muscular body structures with solid legs and broad chests.

The size of a full-grown male Maine coon cat is typically 15-25 pounds, while females average between 10-15 pounds. The height of the male cat is 10-16 inches and about 40 inches long. The female can stand about 8-14 inches tall and about the same length as the male. It is important to note that Maine Coon cats are naturally big due to their slow growth rate, which allows their muscles and bone structure to develop very well. Maine Coons grow at the staggering rate of two pounds per month from 3 months to 7 months of age. 

If your Maine Coon cat is relatively small, it may just be because it is not genetically inclined to grow large. However, certain factors such as health issues, small parents (parents being on the lower side of the growth spectrum), mixed breed, and diet deficiency also affect the overall growth of Maine Coons.

How to Maintain the Size of a Maine Coon Cat

Scariest cat - Maine Coon

Feeding your Maine Coon properly is important for its growth.

  • Feed your Maine Coon cats top-notch cat food to ensure their healthiness. You should strictly monitor their diet to prevent them from overeating.
  • There is no need for any special exercise for Maine Coon cats – they maintain the same schedule of activities as other cats. This includes playful bouts of running and jumping through the house, as well as extended hours of sleep.

What is The Biggest Breed of a Maine Coon Cat?

The largest Maine Coon cat ever is Mymains Stewart Gilligan. Stewie measured an appealing 48.5 inches in length. Stewie was a gray tabby Maine Coon that resided in Reno, Nevada. Sadly, Stewie died of cancer in 2013. The title has since been bestowed upon Barivel, who was born in September 2016, and by of May 2018, Barivel was 47.2 inches long. The name Barivel means “joker” or “clown” in Italian, and he lives in Vigevano, Italy. According to the owners of these cats, no special diet was followed and no specific breeding method was carried out to influence the extent of the cats’ growth.

How Can You Make a Maine Coon Cat Grow Big?

Friendliest Cats - Maine Coon

The size of a Maine Coon cat is determined by its genetics.

Genetics determine how big your Maine Coon cat will be. So aside from growing naturally, there is no other way to enhance or hasten your cat’s growth. However, providing a premium quantity food with a lot of protein will help allow your Maine Coon cat to reach its full potential.

Fun Facts About Maine Coon Cats

  • Maine Coon cats are soft and gentle giants who enjoy the company of humans. Therefore, do not allow their size to deceive you.
  • Though they are social and affectionate, they are not usually lap cats. That is, the breed would rather hang out beside you than on top of you. Taking their size into consideration, this is a good thing.
  • Shockingly, these big cats are quiet. They love to vocalize and communicate with humans with their soft voices.
  • The majority of Maine Coon cats enjoy playing in the water. This means they may get involved whenever you do the dishes or follow you into the shower.


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