A Maine Coon cat is a large, longhaired domestic breed known for its muscular build, tufted ears, shaggy coat, and famously friendly “gentle giant” personality. It is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America and is considered the official state cat of Maine.

Quick Scoop

  • Origin & history
    • Originated in the U.S. state of Maine, developing as a hardy farm and barn cat in a cold, harsh climate.
* Recognized as America’s native longhaired cat and celebrated today in cat registries and pet communities worldwide.
  • Size & appearance
    • One of the largest cat breeds, with males commonly reaching 13–18 lbs and females around 9–13 lbs, with long, rectangular bodies and big, tufted paws.
* Features include a long, bushy tail, large pointed ears with lynx-like tips, and a thick semi‑long coat with a water‑resistant top layer suited to cold weather.
  • Personality & behavior
    • Known for a sweet‑tempered, social, and often dog‑like temperament; many enjoy following their humans, playing fetch, and being involved in household activity.
* Typically friendly with children and other pets, playful yet gentle, and often described as intelligent and moderately talkative with soft chirps and trills instead of loud meows.
  • Care needs
    • Requires regular grooming because of the long, dense coat, especially around the ruff, belly, and tail to reduce tangles and shedding.
* Benefits from interactive play and mental stimulation, since this breed is active, curious, and enjoys games and problem‑solving toys.
  • Health & lifespan
    • Generally robust but predisposed to issues such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and hip dysplasia, so reputable breeders often screen for these conditions.
* With good veterinary care and a balanced diet, many Maine Coons live well into their early to mid‑teens.
  • Community & trending context
    • Maine Coons are a frequent topic in online forums, where people share photos, ask if their mixed‑breed cats might have Maine Coon traits, and trade care tips and stories.
* Dedicated subforums and social pages highlight their impressive size, fluffy coats, and humorous antics, keeping the Maine Coon cat a consistently popular “trending” pet breed.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.