How can I tell if my kitten is Maine Coon?

Maine Coon Cats have grown great popularity in recent years but sadly with along with most things that become popular and valuable you have to watch out for certain side effects of this popularity and demand such as BYB’s (Backyard Breeders) who may wish to deceive you by claiming they have pure breed ‘Maine Coon Kittens’ for sale when in reality they are far from pure breed.

When looking at Kittens there are things you can look for the help you ensure what you are looking at is a Maine Coon kitten and the real deal. You have to remember at one stage these cats were running wild in Maine as feral cats or kittens so certain traits and looks have been left behind which have become the key to their popularity.

Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure 100% that a cat or kitten is a ‘Maine Coon’ unless its parents are both certified Main Coon cats.

However below are listed some looks and traits to look for in your Kittens to give you a good chance of getting the real deal:

Fur Thickness

One of the sure give always to tell if the Kitten you are looking at is indeed a Maine Coon is the fur thickness and length. This should be rather thick and medium to long in length. They also have pronounced tufts on their paws along with warming undercoat.

Body Size

Even as a Maine Coon Kitten they will be quite large in size compared to most other kittens at this stage. The body itself should be quite rectangular and have an obvious ‘ruff’ around the whole neck with large paws. The kitten will take around 4 years to reach full body size.

Eye Shape

They should have large and alert eyes that are somewhat rounded at the edge.

Ears

The ears should be mostly covered in thick fur that ends in a wisp at the tip. They will resemble the ears of a wild cat such as a ‘bobcat’ or ‘lynx’ that have ears made to keep them warm in the harsh winter.

Personality & Traits

When you take into account all the features above and have found a kitten that has a great personality then you’ve got the real deal. Nearly all Maine Coon Kittens are really friendly and playful and most of all love to be in a loving relationship with their owners and enjoy cuddling up and keeping warm.

The size and looks of the kitten will help you decide but of course, the most important feature will be how happy and social the kitten can be.

My name is Ann and I have been looking after and breeding cats since 2013. I am currently the proud ownder of Alita, a female Maine Coon to whom I've dedicated this site. She has had 2 litters and is around 3 years old. We share adventures and stories together.

There are plenty of cat breeds that tend to be big and fluffy, but one of the best-known breeds fitting this description is the Maine Coon. These cats are not only impressive in size, but they tend to have fantastic personalities that make them beloved family pets, too. While purebred Maine Coons are a little more uncommon in rescues and shelters, it’s possible that you adopted a Maine Coon mix that still has some of the breed’s distinctive characteristics. While telling exactly which breeds your cat is can be a little tricky, it’s worth doing some investigative work to better understand your cat’s background and what that might mean for the care he needs during his life.

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Orange Maine Coon cat playing outside

How can I tell if my cat is a Maine Coon mix?

According to Schertz Animal Hospital, the only way to tell if your cat is part Maine Coon is to have your cat genetically tested. Genetic tests for cats use saliva or blood to provide an estimate of your cat’s breed. You can order the test and have a kit shipped to you, or our veterinarian might have tests at their office and could perform the testing for you. It typically takes about six to eight weeks before you’ll receive your results, so you’ll need to be patient.

Your vet might also be able to help you identify common Maine Coon characteristics in your cat. You can look for features like a long coat that sheds often, a large size up to 16 inches tall, and a highly social nature. While these features can’t confirm that your cat is a Maine Coon mix, they can help to narrow down some options and might suggest that it’s worth having some genetic testing done to confirm your suspicions.

If you adopted your cat from a shelter, read the documents that you received during the adoption process. Some shelters that take in litters may know what the mother’s breed was, and if the mother was a Maine Coon, that will confirm your suspicions. Other times, shelters have very limited information on a cat’s background, so you may or may not be able to confirm your cat’s breed through that paperwork.

How big do Maine Coon mix cats get?

According to , Maine Coons are some large cats. They can weigh between nine and 18 pounds, though the occasional Main Coon can grow to be much larger.

While these cats are large, your Maine Coon mix’s size will partially depend on the breed of cat that he’s been crossed with.

What is a Maine Coon mixed with?

ASPCA Pet Insurance notes that there’s a long-lived rumor that the Maine Coon is the result of a cat that bred with a raccoon. It’s a legend, and that sort of hybrid pairing is impossible.

The origins of this breed are unknown, so no one knows exactly which cat breeds contributed to the Maine Coon’s development.

Closeup of a Maine Coon's face

Why it matters if you have a Maine Coon mix

Knowing that your cat is a Maine Coon mix can be helpful because it can help you to better care for your cat. Maine Coons are predisposed to some health issues. According to ASPCA Pet Insurance, Maine Coons can inherit a form of heart disease and a genetic disorder called spinal muscular atrophy. Hip dysplasia can also be a concern.

When you know that your cat is part Maine Coon, you and your vet can monitor and test your cat for these health issues. When you spot the health issues early, you can better manage and treat them, helping to keep your cat healthy.

Maine Coons can be fantastic pets, thanks to their social and gentle nature. If you have a cat who’s a Maine Coon cross, chances are he’ll have some of these same qualities. While you’ll need to genetically test your cat to confirm exactly which breeds he is, this genetic testing can be a good idea. It can provide you with valuable information about your cat’s breeds, and that, in turn, alerts you to any corresponding health issues that you might need to watch for. With this extra information, you can better understand not only some of your cat’s tendencies but also why he behaves the way he does and the specific care he may need to be able to thrive and live a long, happy life.

How can I tell if my kitten is a Maine Coon mix?

One simple way of confirming if you own a part Maine Coon, is by looking at their eyes. This is because purebred Maine Coons have large, and wide-set eyes that are always slightly oblique shaped. All Maine Coon kittens are born with blue eyes, but these eye colors will change as they age.

How can you tell if your cat is Maine Coon?

Check the length of the cat's fur. Maine Coons have a long, shaggy coat. The fur is not thick, but it is plentiful. Its paws, tails, and ears are covered in fluffy tufts of fur. The fur on the cat's back should be shorter toward the front of the cat and longer toward its rear.

How can I tell what breed my kitten is?

There are several physical traits and indicators of your cat's breed, but you'll need to look at their size, coloring, ears, hair type—and possibly face and tail—to help narrow it down. Eyes and certain personality traits may be clues, but are less reliable sources of identification.