Maine Coon Size & Growth Chart – How Big Do These Cats Get?
We all love cats, don’t we? All cat owners will tell you that. Personally, I love cats myself. Actually, I may even find them more attractive than dogs. I don’t have a favorite, in particular, though.
Small cats, big cats, medium cats, come what may, I will pet and cuddle with them. But there is one species out there that invokes a sense of wonder and awe in me, as does in you, I’m sure. The Maine Coon cat!
Maine Coons are some of the largest cats in the world, reaching the size of a lynx in adulthood. That’s about 18-66 lbs (8-30 kg) and 3.3 ft (1 meter) in length.
I was just as shocked as you probably are when I first read about it. A bit more and we’re already reaching tiger proportions. Tigers are bigger cats, either way.
Imagine seeing a never-ending cat coming around the corner. The cat just keeps coming until there’s a 3.3 feet long cat in your living room.
When did this happen? What went wrong with your decisions in life?
All jokes aside, Maine Coons are big, long, yet extremely soft-hearted and a pleasure to be around. Their gentleness is legendary among pet owners, in fact.
Maine Coon Cat Growth Chart
Now, let’s take a look at the male and female main coon cate growth chart listed in the table below. Please note that the weight and size ranges for each age are approximate and may vary depending on various factors such as genetics, diet, and exercise.
Additionally, it’s important to monitor your cat’s growth and consult with a veterinarian if you have any concerns about its health or development.
| Age (months) | Male | Female | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (lbs) | Size (in) | Weight (lbs) | Size (in) | |
| Newborn | 0.15-0.35 | 3-4 | 0.15-0.35 | 3-4 |
| 1 | 1.5-2.5 | 6-8 | 1.5-2.5 | 6-8 |
| 2 | 2.5-4.5 | 8-10 | 2-3.5 | 8-10 |
| 3 | 3.5-6.5 | 10-12 | 3-5 | 10-12 |
| 4 | 5-8 | 12-14 | 4-6.5 | 12-14 |
| 5 | 6-10 | 14-16 | 5-8 | 14-16 |
| 6 | 7-12 | 16-18 | 6-9 | 16-18 |
| 7 | 8-14 | 18-20 | 7-10 | 18-20 |
| 8 | 9-16 | 20-22 | 8-11 | 20-22 |
| 9 | 10-18 | 22-24 | 9-12 | 22-24 |
| 10 | 11-20 | 24-26 | 10-13 | 24-26 |
| 11 | 12-22 | 26-28 | 11-14 | 26-28 |
| 12 | 13-24 | 28-30 | 12-15 | 28-30 |
How do Maine Coons Grow so Large?
From the very start, Maine Coon kittens are larger than regular kittens, by about 0.04 lbs (20g). Everything about them grows in time, including the tail, paws, ears, etc. It’s like taking your average cat, putting it through Photoshop, and enlarging it.
That’s what a Maine Coon cat is, in a nutshell. The hair of Maine Coons is somewhat unique, though. As the cats grow, so does the hair grow evenly across their bodies.
Maine Coons have thicker and larger bones, with more hair, and more of everything compared to regular cats. Their tails are long and bushy, they have a two-layered coat, a rectangular body shape, and a solid IQ.
These cats are really sensitive to changes. So, it is always a good practice to acclimate your kitty to the carrier if you plan to travel with them. How big a cat carrier should be, depends on the breed and size of your cat.
Cats are smart as they are but Maine Coons are a bit more intelligent. And you’re going to not believe this but Maine Coons love water.
Try imagining a cat that isn’t afraid or engrossed by water. What, you can’t imagine it because no such cat exists? Well, I thought the same until I read about the Maine Coon. Apparently, this cat loves taking showers, playing in the rain, and letting you bathe it.
Most of its ancestors lived aboard ships, sailing the open seas, and this trait was transmitted through genetics.
Male vs Female Size & Weight
Male specimens grow to their full size in 3-5 years, reaching weights between 13-26 lbs (6-12 kg). In terms of length, 3 feet (about 1 meter) is a safe approximation, with their height reaching 16 inches (40 cm).
That’s a bloody giant cat for you! Males are just as playful and affectionate as their female counterparts, as there’s no difference here. Males tend to be bulkier and bigger, as is only natural.
Female Maine Coons can get up to 4-8kg and may reach 35cm in height. They’re also slender and leaner than males, though their length tends to remain the same across sexes.
Females are sociable, calm, pet-friendly, and quite independent. Most cats are independent but some species are “lap cats”. Well, Maine Coons are not lap cats, no matter how you put it.
What do you feed this monster?
Judging by how big they get in adulthood, Maine Coon cats must eat you out of your home, right? Sure, and I’ve read about cases where Maine Coons ate their owners when hungry.
There’s also been an international crisis with the NSA, KGB, Interpol, and other global antiterrorism groups teaming together to fight off a gigantic Maine Coon that was so heavy the tectonic plates shifted when it moved.
No, that didn’t really happen. But speaking of feeding Maine Coons, you shouldn’t overfeed them. Obesity is a real problem with these cats. You need to establish a proper diet or the cat may develop arthritis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or hip dysplasia. Big words that mean big trouble.
Put your Maine Coon cat on a strict diet that contains:
- Niacin
- Vitamin A
- Amino acids
- Carbohydrates
- Protein
For Maine Coon kittens, a protein intake of 30-45% is minimally enough for a healthy growth spurt. Adults need a minimum of 26-40% of protein, which means they generally eat 10 small meals per day. Each meal should contain about 25-35 calories. And generally, a piece of dry cat kibble has 3 calories. So, about 10-11 pieces of kibbles are enough for a meal.
Feed your Maine Coon meat, as well, but don’t overdo it. Moderation is the name of the game with these chunky slabs of fur and affection. Speaking of food and chunkiness, Maine Coons need to get exercise.
So, let them out regularly so they don’t become fat and lazy. Laziness and fatness are a deadly combination for this cat breed. Being so smart and intelligent, these cats will even learn to behave in a leash or harness.
Loveable and Affectionate
As physically big as Maine Coons are, their affection is just as big. All Maine Coon owners say that these are some of the most loveable and friendliest cats out there. Apparently, size comes in the same package as gentleness in this case.
The more you pet and love a Maine Coon, the more responsive it will be. It quickly becomes your best friend in need. When you want some cuddling, the Maine Coon is right there, ready to bearhug you.
They’re especially going to love you when bathing them. I can’t overstate the sheer love Maine Coons have for water. It’s like they’re a hybrid between fish and felines. A feline fish, if that makes sense. To exaggerate a bit, you can even try sitting on a Maine Coon’s back while it carries you through a river, causing tsunamis as it moves.
Wrap Up
Despite being so heavy and tall, Maine Coons are shockingly agile and nimble. They are cats, after all. But you wouldn’t expect a 3 foot long and 35 lbs heavy cat to climb trees and leap over obstacles so nimbly. But Maine Coons do just that with excessive ease.
They’re quite impressive to behold, to be honest. I genuinely recommend getting a Maine Coon if you have the space for it.
