FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MAINE COON

Where did the Maine Coon come from?

The Maine Coon originated in New England. Settlers from Europe brought their domestic cats with them. Over the years, those cats' descendants became better and better adapted for survival in New England's harsh climate. The resulting sturdy, practical, and beautiful cat is the Maine Coon.

How big do Maine Coons get?

Males typically weigh from 12 to 20 pounds when full grown; the average weight for an adult male is 15 to 16 pounds. Females are smaller than males and typically weigh from 8 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Maine Coons grow slowly and do not reach their full size until they are four or five years old.

What colors do Maine Coons come in?

The most common Maine Coon color is brown tabby. Maine Coons also come in other tabby (striped) colors, including red tabby, blue tabby, cream tabby, silver tabby, blue-silver tabby, and cameo tabby. Maine Coon females may be tortoiseshells or tortoiseshell tabbies (torbies). Maine Coons also come in solid colors such as black, blue or white, though solid colors are less common. Many Maine Coons have white feet and a white bib and belly.

What are their personalities like?

Maine Coons are gentle, easygoing, people-oriented cats, and make excellent indoor pets. They are loving and intelligent, and form strong attachments to their people. Many Maines love water (to play with, not to swim in). They generally get along well with children, other cats, and dogs.

Most Maine Coons have soft voices. The typical Maine Coon Cat trills ("prrrt") or squeaks softly rather than meowing.

Copyright © Betsy Tinney 1990-2013. This article is original, copyrighted material and may not be reproduced, in print or in electronic form, without the written permission of the author.