View source for Maine Coon

{{Short description|Breed of cat}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox cat breed
| name          = Maine Coon
| image         = Maine Coon cat by Tomitheos.JPG
| imagecaption  = A Maine Coon cat
| altname       = Coon Cat<br />Maine Cat<br />Maine Shag<br />American Longhair<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/catbreedsofworld00morr |url-access=registration |title=Cat breeds of the world: A complete illustrated encyclopedia |page=[https://archive.org/details/catbreedsofworld00morr/page/90 90] |first=Desmond |last=Morris |publisher=Viking |date=10 May 1999 |isbn=978-0-670-88639-5 |access-date=28 June 2012}}</ref><br />American Coon Cat<br />American Forest Cat<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cats.animal-world.com/Natural-Breeds/MaineCoonCat.php |website=Animal-World |title=Maine Coon Cats |access-date=24 December 2016 |archive-date=17 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117062756/http://cats.animal-world.com/Natural-Breeds/MaineCoonCat.php }}</ref>
| nickname      = Gentle giants
| country       = {{USA}}
| cfastd        = https://cfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/maine-coon-standard.pdf
| fifestd       = https://fifeweb.org/app/uploads/2023/10/MCO.pdf
| ticastd       = https://tica.org/phocadownload/mc.pdf
| gccfstd       = https://www.gccfcats.org/Portals/0/MaineCoon.SOP.pdf
| acfastd       = https://www.acfacat.com/Breed%20Standards/Maine%20Coon%20Cat.pdf
| acfstd        = https://www.acf.asn.au/notices/notices/standards/Group%20One/Maine%20Coon-2023.pdf
| ccastd        = https://www.cca-afc.com/documents/BreedStandards/MAINE_COON_20200203_010601.pdf
| otherstd      =
| note          =
|}}
The '''Maine Coon''' is a large [[Domestication|domesticated]] [[breeds of cats|cat breed]]. One of the oldest [[natural breed]]s in North America, the breed originated in the U.S. state of [[Maine]],<ref name="MCBFA">{{cite web |title=Breed information |publisher=Maine Coon Breeders & Fanciers Association |url=http://www.mcbfa.org/breedinfo.html |access-date=26 October 2008 |archive-date=10 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910101755/http://www.mcbfa.org/breedinfo.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{r|FANCIERS}} where it is the official [[List of U.S. state mammals|state cat]].

The Maine Coon is a large and social cat, commonly referred to as "the gentle giant." The Maine Coon is predominantly known for its size and dense coat of fur which helps it survive in the harsh climate of Maine. The Maine Coon is often cited as having "[[Dog-like cat|dog-like]]" characteristics.<ref name="Training">{{cite journal |last=Robins |first=Sandy |title=Training Day |journal=Popular Cats Series |volume=2 |pages=118–125 |publisher=Bow Tie Magazines}}</ref><ref name="ACFA">{{cite web|title=Maine Coon|publisher=[[American Cat Fanciers Association]]|url=https://acfacat.com/maine_coon.htm|access-date=November 18, 2024|archive-date=June 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613112054/https://acfacat.com/maine_coon.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

== History ==
The Maine Coon is one of the largest domesticated cats.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-05-10 |title=Domestic cat |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/domestic-cat |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=National Geographic |language=en}}</ref> It has a distinctive physical appearance and valuable hunting skills. The breed was popular in cat shows in the late 19th century, but its existence became threatened when long-haired breeds from overseas were introduced in the early 20th century. The Maine Coon has since made a comeback, and in 2025 the Maine Coon overtook the Ragdoll, becoming the most registered cat breed with the [[Cat Fanciers' Association]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 10 pedigreed cat breeds this year unveiled: Ragdoll, Persian, Sphynx, more|url=https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/life/animalkind/2025/03/27/top-10-popular-cat-breeds-photos/82690522007/|publisher=USA Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427181008/https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/life/animalkind/2025/03/27/top-10-popular-cat-breeds-photos/82690522007/|url-status=live|archive-date=April 27, 2025|date=March 28, 2025|access-date=June 15, 2025}}</ref>

=== Origin ===

==== Myths ====
Maine Coon cats are known to have originated in Maine. However, their lineage is surrounded by mystery, [[Folklore|folk tales]], and myths. One myth claims the Maine Coon cat is a [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] with another animal species, such as the [[raccoon]] or [[bobcat]]. The second myth states the cats are descendants of [[Vikings|Viking]] [[ship's cat]]s, known today as the [[Norwegian Forest cat]]s. A third story involves [[Marie Antoinette]], the [[List of Queens and Empresses of France|Queen of France]] who was executed in 1793. The story goes that before her death, Antoinette attempted to escape from France with the help of Captain Samuel Clough. She loaded Clough's ship with her most prized possessions, including six of her favorite [[Turkish Angora]] or possibly [[Siberian cat|Siberian]] cats. Although she did not make it to the United States, all of her pets managed to reach the shore of [[Wiscasset, Maine|Wiscasset]], Maine, safely, where they bred with other short-haired breeds and developed into the modern breed of the Maine Coon.<ref name="MCR">{{cite web |title=History, Legends and Myths of the Maine Coon |url=http://www.mainecoonrescue.net/history.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205134158/http://www.mainecoonrescue.net/history.html |archive-date=5 December 2008 |access-date=26 October 2008 |publisher=Maine Coon Rescue}}</ref><ref name="MAINE?">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-27 |title=Are Maine coon cats really from Maine? |url=https://www.bangordailynews.com/2016/05/19/news/are-maine-coon-cats-really-from-maine/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |archive-date=27 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127085908/https://www.bangordailynews.com/2016/05/19/news/are-maine-coon-cats-really-from-maine/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Science ====
These myths and theories have long speculated that the long-haired Maine Coon cat has to be related to other long-haired breeds, due to their similarities in [[phenotype]]. This is true for the Maine Coon in particular, that it is descended from the [[Norwegian Forest cat|Norwegian]] or [[Siberian cat|Siberian Forest cat]], brought to New England by settlers or Vikings.<ref name="MCR" />{{r|MAINE?}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Pam |date=2022-05-15 |title=What is the Difference Between a Maine Coon, A Norwegian Forest Cat, and a Siberian? |url=https://www.catwiki.com/faqs/what-is-the-difference-between-a-maine-coon-a-norwegian-forest-cat-and-a-siberian/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702210815/https://www.catwiki.com/faqs/what-is-the-difference-between-a-maine-coon-a-norwegian-forest-cat-and-a-siberian/ |archive-date=2 July 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=www.catwiki.com |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Phylogenetics|Phylogenetic]] studies showed that the Maine Coon belongs to the Western European [[Monophyly|monophyletic]] cat branch, but forms the closest relationship with the [[panmixia|random-bred]] cat population in the [[Northeastern United States|Northeastern US]] (New York region).<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last1=Lipinski |first1=Monika J. |last2=Froenicke |first2=Lutz |last3=Baysac |first3=Kathleen C. |last4=Billings |first4=Nicholas C. |last5=Leutenegger |first5=Christian M. |last6=Levy |first6=Alon M. |last7=Longeri |first7=Maria |last8=Niini |first8=Tirri |last9=Ozpinar |first9=Haydar |last10=Slater |first10=Margaret R. |last11=Pedersen |first11=Niels C. |last12=Lyons |first12=Leslie A. |date=January 2008 |title=The Ascent of Cat Breeds: Genetic Evaluations of Breeds and Worldwide Random Bred Populations |journal=Genomics |volume=91 |issue=1 |pages=12–21 |doi=10.1016/j.ygeno.2007.10.009 |pmc=2267438 |pmid=18060738}}</ref> This Western European branch contains the [[Norwegian Forest cat|Norwegian]] and [[Siberian cat|Siberian Forest cat]], but they fall under a different sub-branch.{{r|MAINE?}}

Maine Coons are descendants of cats brought to [[New England]] by [[Puritans|Puritan]] settlers in the 1600–1700s, and out of the European cats they are genetically closest to cats found in the [[United Kingdom]].{{r|MAINE?}} It is not relatedness that makes them look similar to the Norwegian and Siberian Forest cats, but [[convergent evolution]]. These breeds all formed in harsh climates, in which [[natural selection]] pressures for similar qualities.{{r|MAINE?}} Thick, long coats, toe and ear tufts, big bodies, and snowshoe-like big feet, are useful traits in all the harsh climates where these breeds originate.

=== Cat shows and popularity ===
[[File:Cosey the Maine Coon cat, 1895.jpg|thumb|upright|Cosey, winner of the first cat show in the United States, 1895]]
[[File:Фото кунов.jpg|thumb|Three adult cats]]
The first mention of Maine Coon cats in a literary work was in 1861, in [[Frances Simpson]]'s ''The Book of the Cat'' (1903). F.R. Pierce, who owned several Maine Coons, wrote a chapter about the breed.<ref name="The Book of the Cat">{{cite book |last=Simpson |first=Frances |title=Chapter 28: Maine Cats |publisher=Cassell & Company, Limited |year=1903 |pages=325–331 |url=http://www.russianblue.us/Book_of_the_Cat/TBOC_Ch28_Maine_Cats.pdf |access-date=27 October 2008 |archive-date=4 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104172932/http://russianblue.us/Book_of_the_Cat/TBOC_Ch28_Maine_Cats.pdf |url-status=live }} ''The Book of the Cat''</ref> During the late 1860s, farmers located in Maine told stories about their cats and held the "Maine State Champion Coon Cat" contest at the local [[Skowhegan, Maine|Skowhegan]] Fair.<ref name=CFA>{{cite web |last=Frew |first=Gail |title=Breed Article: America's First Show Cat – The Maine Coon Cat |publisher=[[Cat Fanciers' Association]] |url=https://cfa.org/maine-coon-cat-article/|access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212234210/https://cfa.org/maine-coon-cat-article/ |archive-date=12 February 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1895, a dozen Maine Coons were entered into a show in [[Boston]]. On 8 May 1895, the first North American cat show was hosted at [[Madison Square Garden (1890)|Madison Square Garden]] in [[New York City]]. A female Maine Coon brown tabby, named Cosey, was entered into the show. Owned by Mrs. Fred Brown, Cosey won the silver collar and medal and was named Best in Show.{{r|CFA}} The silver collar was purchased by the [[Cat Fanciers' Association]] (CFA) Foundation with the help of a donation from the National Capital Cat Show. The collar is housed at the CFA Central Office in the Jean Baker Rose Memorial Library.{{r|CFA}}

In the early 20th century, the Maine Coon's popularity began to decline with the introduction of other long-haired breeds, such as the [[Persian (cat)|Persian]], which originated in the [[Middle East]]. The last recorded win by a Maine Coon in a national cat show for over 40 years was in 1911 at a show in [[Portland, Oregon]]. The breed was rarely seen after that. The decline was so severe that the breed was declared extinct in the 1950s, although this declaration was considered to be exaggerated and reported prematurely at the time.{{by whom|date=January 2022}} The Central Maine Cat Club (CMCC) was created in the early 1950s by Ethylin Whittemore, Alta Smith, and Ruby Dyer in an attempt to increase the popularity of the Maine Coon. For 11 years, the CMCC held cat shows and hosted exhibitions of photographs of the breed and is noted for creating the first written [[breed standard]]s for the Maine Coon.{{r|CFA}}

The Maine Coon was denied provisional breed status—one of the three steps required for a breed not yet recognized by the CFA to be able to compete in championship competitions<ref name="AP">{{cite web |title=Cat Breed Directory: New or Experimental Breeds |work=[[Animal Planet]] |publisher=[[Discovery Communications]] |url=http://animal.discovery.com/guides/cats/selector/newbreeds.html |access-date=15 January 2009 |archive-date=13 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613084027/http://animal.discovery.com/guides/cats/selector/newbreeds.html }}</ref>—by the CFA three times, which led to the formation of the Maine Coon Cat Club in 1973. The breed was accepted by the CFA under provisional status in May 1975, and was approved for championship status in May 1976. The next couple of decades saw a rise in the popularity of the Maine Coon, with championship victories and an increase in national rankings. In 1985, the state of Maine announced that the breed would be named the official state cat.<ref name="State">{{cite web |title=Title&nbsp;1, §&nbsp;217: State Cat |publisher=Maine State Legislature |url=http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/1/title1sec217.html |access-date=7 December 2008 |quote=The state cat shall be the Maine Coon cat. |archive-date=17 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117121128/http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/1/title1sec217.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Description ==
[[File:MaineCoonSansFond.png|thumb|A brown blotched tabby and white]]
[[File:MCO Nicolas Real Hero Backwoods (8637954832).jpg|thumb|A red tabby, showing the typical head shape]]

=== Fur coat ===
The Maine Coon is a long- or medium-haired cat. The coat is soft and silky, although texture may vary with coat color. The length is shorter on the head and shoulders and longer on the stomach and flanks, with some cats having a leonine ruff around their neck. Minimal grooming is required for the breed compared to other long-haired breeds, as their double coat is mostly self-maintaining owing to a light-density [[Down hair|undercoat]]. The coat is subject to seasonal variation,<ref name="ACFAStandard">{{cite web|title=The ACFA Maine Coon Standard|publisher=American Cat Fanciers Association|url=https://acfacat.com/Breed%20Standards/Maine%20Coon%20Cat.pdf|access-date=20 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705130903/https://acfacat.com/Breed%20Standards/Maine%20Coon%20Cat.pdf|archive-date=5 July 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> with the fur being thicker in the winter and thinner during the summer.
[[File:Maine coon profile.jpg|thumb|Face profile with typical lynx ear tips]]
Maine Coons have several physical adaptations for survival in harsh winter climates. Their dense water-resistant fur is longer and shaggier on their underside and rear for extra protection when they are walking or sitting on top of wet surfaces of snow or ice.<ref name=FANCIERS>{{cite web |title=The Maine Coon: Cat Breed FAQ |year=2003 |work=Cat Fanciers |url=https://fanciers.com/cat-breeds-m-z/maine-coon-faq/ |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214232145/https://fanciers.com/cat-breeds-m-z/maine-coon-faq/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Their long and bushy raccoon-like tail is resistant to sinking in snow, and can be curled around their face and shoulders for warmth and protection from wind and blowing snow. It can even be curled around their backside like an insulated seat cushion when sitting down on a frozen surface.<ref name="DonShaw">{{cite web|title=The origin of the Maine Coon|work=PawPeds.com|publisher=The Scratch Sheet|year=1976|url=https://www.pawpeds.com/cms/index.php/en/breed-specific/breed-articles/the-origin-of-the-maine-coon|access-date=20 November 2024|archive-date=29 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240629223701/https://www.pawpeds.com/cms/index.php/en/breed-specific/breed-articles/the-origin-of-the-maine-coon|url-status=live}}</ref>

Large paws facilitate walking on snow and are often compared to snowshoes.{{r|FANCIERS}} Long tufts of fur growing between their toes help keep the toes warm and further aid walking on snow by giving the paws additional structure without significant extra weight.<ref name="DonShaw" /> Heavily furred ears with extra long tufts of fur growing from inside can keep warm more easily.{{r|FANCIERS}}

=== Coat colors ===
Maine Coons can have any [[Cat coat genetics|colors]] that other cats have. Colors indicating [[crossbreed]]ing, such as chocolate, lavender, the [[Siamese (cat)|Siamese]] pointed patterns or the "[[Tabby cat#Ticked tabby|ticked]]" patterns, are not accepted by some breed standards. This is not universal; the ticked pattern, for example, is accepted by TICA and CFA.{{r|CFA}} The most common pattern seen in the breed is brown tabby.<ref name="PetPlace">{{cite web |title=Choosing a Maine Coon |url=http://www.petplace.com/cats/choosing-a-Maine-coon/page1.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222003230/http://www.petplace.com/Cats/choosing-a-maine-coon/page1.aspx |archive-date=22 February 2015 |access-date=2 November 2008 |website=PetPlace.com |publisher=Intelligent Content Corp}}</ref> All eye colors are accepted under breed standards, with the exception of blue or [[Odd-eyed cat|odd-eyes]], i.e. heterochromia iridium (two eyes of different colors), in cats possessing coat colors other than white.<ref name="ACFAStandard" />

=== Size ===
[[File:MCO Nicolas Real Hero Backwoods (8636797293).jpg|thumb|11-month-old cream tabby male kitten being held at cat show]]
The Maine Coon was considered the largest breed of domestic cat until the introduction of the [[Savannah cat]] in the mid-1980s, yet it is still the largest non-hybrid breed.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} On average, males weigh from {{Convert|18|to|22|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, with females weighing from {{Convert|12|to|15|lb|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Weight">{{cite web|url=https://tica.org/breed/maine-coon/|title=Maine Coon - TICA|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref> The height of adults can vary between {{convert|10|and|16|in|cm|abbr=on}} and they can reach a length of up to {{Convert|38|in|cm|abbr=on}}, including the tail, which can reach a length of {{Convert|14|in|cm|abbr=on}}<ref name="RoyalCanin">{{cite web |url=http://www.royalcanin.us/brochures/maine_coon_31_brochure.pdf |title=Maine Coon: A gentle giant |publisher=[[Royal Canin]] |access-date=31 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723080912/http://www.royalcanin.us/brochures/maine_coon_31_brochure.pdf |archive-date=23 July 2011 }}</ref> and is long, tapering, and heavily furred, almost resembling a raccoon's tail. The body is solid and muscular, which is necessary for supporting their weight, and the chest is broad. Maine Coons possess a rectangular body shape and are slow to physically mature; their full size is normally not reached until they are three to five years old, while other cats take about one year.{{r|FANCIERS}}{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=Academic source preferable for claim they continue growing up to five years given the average moggy stops at a year}}

In 2010, the ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' accepted a male purebred Maine Coon named "[[Stewie (cat)|Stewie]]" as the "Longest Cat", measuring {{Convert|48.5|in|cm|abbr=on}} from the tip of his [[nose]] to the tip of his [[tail]]. Stewie died on February 4, 2013, from cancer at his home in [[Reno, Nevada]], at age&nbsp;8.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/worlds-longest-cat-dies-in-nevada/ |title=World's longest cat dies in Nevada |date=5 February 2013 |publisher=CBS News |access-date=6 February 2013 |archive-date=6 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206071850/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57567826/worlds-longest-cat-dies-in-nevada/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/worlds-longest-cat-revealed-and-other-notable-animal-world-records|title=World's longest cat revealed (and other notable animal world records) |first=Erin |last=Valois |date=20 October 2010 |newspaper=National Post}}</ref> As of 2015 the living record-holder for "Longest Cat" is "Ludo", measuring {{Convert|46.59|in|cm|abbr=on}}. He lives in [[Wakefield]], [[England]], in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-cat-(domestic) |title=Longest domestic cat (living) |publisher=Guinness World Records |access-date=21 June 2017 |archive-date=24 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624180413/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-cat-(domestic) |url-status=live }}</ref> 
Large Maine Coons can overlap in length with [[Eurasian lynx]]es, although with a much lighter build and lower height.<ref name="r10">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T37sFCl43E8C&pg=PA806 |title=Walker's Mammals of the World |last=Nowak |first=Ronald M. |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |year=1999 |isbn=0-8018-5789-9 |volume=2 |page=831 |access-date=19 April 2023 |archive-date=19 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419041111/https://books.google.com/books?id=T37sFCl43E8C&pg=PA806 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Polydactylism ===
[[File:8 Toed Red Maine Coon Polydactyl Kitten.png|thumb|A [[Polydactyl cat|polydactyl]] kitten|right]]

Many of the original Maine Coon cats that inhabited the New England area possessed a trait known as [[polydactylism]] (having one or more extra toes on a paw).{{r|FANCIERS}}  With the 1970s revival of the interest in the breed, Maine Coon cats were noted to show an increased incidence of polydactylism compared to other breeds. Subsequently, breeders of show-standard cats were advised to regard this variation as undesirable and to offer affected kittens as household pets. The trait later became separately certified by some organizations, like [[The International Cat Association]] (TICA).<ref>{{cite web |title=Maine Coon Polydactyl Breeders |url=https://tica.org/maine-coon-polydactyl-breeders |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804003320/https://tica.org/maine-coon-polydactyl-breeders |archive-date=4 August 2020 |access-date=16 February 2020 |website=tica.org|date=6 August 2018 }}</ref> Meanwhile, in increasing numbers of cat fancy competitions, the trait is no longer marked down.

Polydactylism is rarely, if ever, seen in Maine Coons in the show ring, since it is not allowed by competition standards.<ref name="Poly2">{{cite web |last=King |first=Lucinda |title=So what happened to the Maine coon polydactyl? |url=http://www.mcpi.org/n_whathappened.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119061843/http://www.mcpi.org/n_whathappened.html |archive-date=19 November 2008 |access-date=2 November 2008 |publisher=Maine Coon Polydactyl International}}</ref> The gene for polydactylism is a simple [[Autosome|autosomal]] dominant gene.<ref name="PolyGene">{{cite web |last=Grindell |first=Susan |title=Polydactyl summary |url=http://www.mcpi.org/polydactyl_summary.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206022123/http://www.mcpi.org/polydactyl_summary.htm |archive-date=6 December 2008 |access-date=2 November 2008 |publisher=Maine Coon Polydactyl International}}</ref> The genetic mutations which cause polydactylism in Maine Coons do not appear to cause other health problems.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hamelin |first=Alexia |last2=Conchou |first2=Fabrice |last3=Fusellier |first3=Marion |last4=Duchenij |first4=Bettina |last5=Vieira |first5=Isabelle |last6=Filhol |first6=Emilie |last7=Dufaure de Citres |first7=Caroline |last8=Tiret |first8=Laurent |last9=Gache |first9=Vincent |last10=Abitbol |first10=Marie |date=18 February 2020 |title=Genetic heterogeneity of polydactyly in Maine Coon cats |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X20905061 |journal=Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery |language=en |volume=22 |issue=12 |pages=1103–1113 |doi=10.1177/1098612X20905061 |issn=1098-612X|pmc=10814362 }}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name="GeneEffects">{{cite web |last=Grindell |first=Susan |title=The effects of polydactyly |url=http://www.mcpi.org/polydactyl_effects.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117091133/http://www.mcpi.org/polydactyl_effects.html |archive-date=17 January 2008 |access-date=2 November 2008 |publisher=Maine Coon Polydactyl International}}</ref> Polydactyly in Maine Coon cats is characterised by broad phenotypic diversity.<ref>Lange, Axel, Nemeschkal, Hans Leo,  Müller, Gerd B. (2014) Biased polyphenism in polydactylous cats carrying a single point mutation: the Hemingway model for of digit novelty. Evolutionary Biology, 41 (2), 262–275, 29, 2014</ref> Polydactyly not only affects digit number and conformation, but also carpus and tarsus conformation.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Hamelin |first1=Alexia |last2=Begon |first2=Dominique |last3=Conchou |first3=Fabrice |last4=Fusellier |first4=Marion |last5=Abitbol |first5=Marie |date=April 2017 |title=Clinical characterisation of polydactyly in Maine Coon cats |journal=Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery |volume=19 |issue=4 |pages=382–393 |doi=10.1177/1098612X16628920 |issn=1098-612X |pmid=26862149 |s2cid=34145481|pmc=11119636 }}</ref> The trait was almost eradicated from the breed due to the fact that it was an automatic disqualifier in show rings.<ref name="PolyIncidents">{{cite web |last=Grindell |first=Susan |title=Incidence [of polydactyly] in the original breed population and today |url=http://www.mcpi.org/polydactyl_incidence.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206022118/http://www.mcpi.org/polydactyl_incidence.htm |archive-date=6 December 2008 |access-date=2 November 2008 |publisher=Maine Coon Polydactyl International}}</ref> Some private organizations and breeders were created in order to preserve polydactylism in Maine Coon cats.

== Health ==
===Life expectancy===
Pet insurance data obtained from a study during years&nbsp;2003–2006 in Sweden puts the median lifespan of the Maine Coon at >&nbsp;12.5&nbsp;years. 74% lived to 10&nbsp;years or more and 54% lived to 12.5&nbsp;years or more.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Egenvall |first1=A. |last2=Nødtvedt |first2=A. |last3=Häggström |first3=J. |last4=Ström Holst |first4=B. |last5=Möller |first5=L. |last6=Bonnett |first6=B.&nbsp;N. |title=Mortality of life-insured Swedish cats during 1999–2006: Age, breed, sex, and diagnosis |journal=Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine |volume=23 |issue=6 |pages=1175–1183 |year=2009 |pmid=19780926 |doi=10.1111/j.1939-1676.2009.0396.x|pmc=7167180 }}</ref> A UK study found a life expectancy of 9.71 years for Maine Coons, compared to 11.74 years for all cats.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Teng | first1=Kendy Tzu-yun | last2=Brodbelt | first2=Dave C | last3=Church | first3=David B | last4=O'Neill | first4=Dan G | title=Life tables of annual life expectancy and risk factors for mortality in cats in the UK | journal=Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery | volume=26 | issue=5 | date=2024 | article-number=1098612X241234556 | issn=1098-612X | doi=10.1177/1098612X241234556 | pmid=38714312 | pmc=11156239 }}</ref>

=== Heart ===
[[File:Stunning White Maine Coon.JPG|thumb|A solid-white female with hazel eyes]]

[[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]] (HCM) has been observed in Maine Coon populations.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Kittleson | first1=Mark D. | last2=Meurs | first2=Kathryn M. | last3=Munro | first3=Marcia J. | last4=Kittleson | first4=Judith A. | last5=Liu | first5=Si-Kwang | last6=Pion | first6=Paul D. | last7=Towbin | first7=Jeffrey A. | title=Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Maine Coon Cats | journal=Circulation | publisher=Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) | volume=99 | issue=24 | date=1999-06-22 | issn=0009-7322 | doi=10.1161/01.cir.99.24.3172 | pages=3172–3180| pmid=10377082 }}</ref> A mutation in the [[MYBPC3]] gene found in Maine Coons has been associated with HCM.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Godiksen | first1=Mia TN | last2=Granstrøm | first2=Sara | last3=Koch | first3=Jørgen | last4=Christiansen | first4=Michael | title=Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in young Maine Coon cats caused by the p.A31P cMyBP-C mutation - the clinical significance of having the mutation | journal=Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=53 | issue=1 | date=2011-02-09 | issn=1751-0147 | doi=10.1186/1751-0147-53-7 | doi-access=free | page=7| pmid=21306647 | pmc=3044103 }}</ref>

Of all the Maine Coons tested for the MyBPC mutation at the Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Lab at the College of Veterinary Medicine at [[Washington State University]], approximately one-third tested positive.<ref name="WSU">{{cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions about the test for the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Mutation |publisher=[[Washington State University]] |url=http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/deptsvcgl/FAQ.aspx |access-date=21 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926111602/http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/deptsVCGL/FAQ.aspx |archive-date=26 September 2008 }}</ref> Not all cats that test positive will have clinical signs of the disease, and some Maine Coon cats with clinical evidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy test negative for this mutation, strongly suggesting that a second mutation exists in the breed. The HCM prevalence was found to be 10.1% (95% CI 5.8 -14.3%) in this study.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vetogene.it/GATTI/upload/jvim12031.pdf |title=Myosin-Binding Protein C DNA Variants in Domestic Cats (A31P, A74T, R820W) and their Association with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy |website=vetogene.it |access-date=4 November 2013 |archive-date=11 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211222112/http://www.vetogene.it/GATTI/upload/jvim12031.pdf }}</ref> Early growth and nutrition, larger body size, and obesity may be environmental modifiers of genetic predisposition to HCM.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Freeman|first1=Lisa M|last2=Rush|first2=John E|last3=Meurs|first3=Kathryn M|last4=Bulmer|first4=Barret J|last5=Cunningham|first5=Suzanne M|date=21 September 2012|title=Body size and metabolic differences in Maine Coon cats with and without hypertrophic cardiomyopathy|journal=Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery |volume=15|issue=2|pages=74–80|doi=10.1177/1098612x12460847|issn=1098-612X|pmc=5971105|pmid=23001953}}</ref>

=== Kidney ===
[[Polycystic kidney disease]] (PKD) is an inherited condition in cats that causes multiple cysts (pockets of fluid) to form in the kidneys. These cysts are present from birth. Initially, they are very small, but they grow larger over time and may eventually disrupt kidney function, resulting in kidney failure. While renal cysts are observed with a low incidence in Maine Coons, PKD appears to be a misnomer in this particular breed. In a 2013 study, spanning 8&nbsp;years, renal cysts were documented by ultrasound in 7 of 187&nbsp;healthy Maine Coons enrolled in a pre-breeding screening programme. The cysts were mostly single and unilateral (6/7, 85.7%), small (mean 3.6&nbsp;mm in diameter), and located at the corticomedullary junction (4/6, 66.7%), thus, different in size, number, and location from those observed in Persian-related breeds. In the same study, all six Maine Coon cats with renal cysts tested negative for the PKD1 mutation, proving the disease in these cats to be unrelated to the PKD observed in Persians and related breeds. Gene sequencing of these cats failed to demonstrate any common genetic sequences. Gendron et al. found that 'Maine Coon PKD' represents a form of juvenile [[nephropathy]] other than PKD.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gendron |first1=Karine |last2=Owczarek-Lipska |first2=Marta |last3=Lang |first3=Johann |last4=Leeb |first4=Tosso |date=December 2013 |title=Maine Coon renal screening: ultrasonographical characterisation and preliminary genetic analysis for common genes in cats with renal cysts |journal=Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery |volume=15 |issue=12 |pages=1079–1085 |doi=10.1177/1098612X13492164 |issn=1098-612X |pmid=23735675 |s2cid=43268867|pmc=10816467 }}</ref>

=== Skeletal, joint and muscle ===
[[Hip dysplasia (canine)|Hip dysplasia]] is an abnormality of the hip joint which can cause crippling lameness and [[arthritis]]. The cats most commonly affected with hip dysplasia tend to be males of the larger, big-boned breeds such as Persians and Maine Coons. Smaller and lighter cats frequently experience less severe symptoms.<ref>{{cite book |title=Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9lGTIbYkXxMC&pg=PA359 |edition=3rd |year=2007 |publisher=John Wiley and Sons |isbn=978-0-470-09530-0 |page=359}}</ref> X-rays submitted to the [[Orthopedic Foundation for Animals]] (OFA) between 1974 and 2011 indicates that 24.3% of Maine Coons in the database were dysplastic. Dysplasia was more severe in bilateral than unilateral cases and with increasing age.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Loder |first1=Randall T. |last2=Todhunter |first2=Rory J. |date=21 April 2017  |title=Demographics of hip dysplasia in the Maine Coon cat |journal=Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery |volume=20 |issue=4 |pages=302–307 |doi=10.1177/1098612x17705554 |pmid=28430011 |pmc=11129213 |issn=1098-612X|hdl=1805/17463 |s2cid=4355779 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

The Maine Coon is one of the more commonly affected breeds for [[spinal muscular atrophy]]. An [[autosomal recessive]] mutation in both the [[LIX1]] and [[LNPEP]] gene are responsible for the condition in the breed.<ref>{{cite book |author1-first=James A.C. |author1-last=Oliver |author2-first=Cathryn S. |author2-last=Mellersh | editor1-first=Barbara | editor1-last=Cooper | editor2-first=Elizabeth |editor2-last=Mullineaux |editor3-first=Lynn | editor3-last=Turner |title=BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing |date=2020 |publisher=British Small Animal Veterinary Association |isbn=978-1-910-44339-2 |edition=Sixth|chapter=Genetics|page=131}}</ref>

=== Other ===
Maine Coons also seem to be predisposed to develop [[entropion]], mainly on the lateral aspect of the eyelids, which can lead to corneal irritation and ulceration, and may require surgery.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Veterinary ophthalmology |date=2021 |isbn=978-1-119-44181-6 |editor=Kirk N. Gelatt |edition=Sixth |location=Hoboken, NJ |publisher=Wiley |oclc=1143827380}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:Snow is Tasty (38077337005).jpg|A blue tabby in snow
File:MaineCoonSilverTabby.jpg|A black silver classic tabby
File:Black Silver Tabby 7 months old male Maine Coon.jpg|A 7-month-old black silver tabby male
File:Mâle Black Silver Blotched Tabby.jpeg|A black silver blotched tabby male
File:Maine Coon tabby .jpg|A brown tabby
File:Maine Coon female 2 (retouched).jpg|A 4-year-old female
File:Obsidian, mâle Maine coon yeux vairons - Odd eyed 02.jpg|An [[Odd-eyed cat|odd-eyed]] harlequin patterned black tortoiseshell and white male
File:Котята питомника мейн кунов Khrustal Orchid.JPG|A red tabby kitten with large paws
File:Maine Coon Guardian Angel of Canadian Summer 8 months c.jpg|An 8-month-old cream silver tabby
File:Кот.jpg|A red blotched tabby
File:Black Smoke maine Coon.jpg|Black Smoke Maine Coon
File:Black female Maine Coon with typical ear tufts, ruff and large paws and tail.jpg|Black female with typical ear tufts, ruff, long whiskers, large tufted paws and bushy tail
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Cats}}
* {{Annotated link|List of cat breeds}}
** {{Annotated link|Norwegian Forest cat}}
** {{Annotated link|Siberian cat}}
* {{Annotated link|Puppy cat}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|25em}}

== Further reading ==
{{Commons}}
{{Wiktionary|Maine Coon}}
* {{cite book |last=Bass |first=Sharyn P. |year=1983 |title=This Is the Maine Coon Cat |place=Neptune City, New Jersey |publisher=T.F.H. Publications |isbn=0-87666-867-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Hayman |first=Tracey K. |year=2001 |title=Maine Coon Cat |place=Dorking, England |publisher=Interpret Publishing |isbn=1-84286-011-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Hornidge |first=Marilis |year=2002 |title=That Yankee Cat: The Maine Coon |place=Gardiner, Maine |publisher=Tilbury House |isbn=0-88448-243-X}}

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[[Category:Cat breeds]]
[[Category:Cat breeds originating in the United States]]
[[Category:Linebred animals]]
[[Category:Culture of Maine]]
[[Category:Natural cat breeds]]