Huge Maine Coon Cats - How Big Are They?

The Maine Coon Cat breed is known for many striking characteristics. Not the least of these is its size. Huge Maine Coon Cats are quite something to behold!

Myths and legends abound when it comes to a big Maine Coon Cat. We've all heard a story at some point about a massive cat of enormous proportions. So just how big are they, compared to most cats?

An average house cat weighs between 8 and 11 pounds. If they weigh more, they are probably on the chubby side. A female Coon usually weighs between 9 - 13 pounds. Then there are the boys. Males usually tip the scales at around 13 - 18 pounds. There are definitely some huge Maine Coon Cats out there!

The physique of this cat breed is solid. They are strong, muscular, and well proportioned. So an extra large Coon will have a frame to hold his weight. That means he'll be noticeably longer and wider than most other cats. Now, add a shaggy coat and a massive tail. What a specimen!

"What about really huge Maine Coon Cats?" you ask. It's true, many males end up growing well past the average. It's not unusual to hear of a 20 pounder, and sometimes even 25 - 30 or more pounds! These are definitely huge Maine Coon Cats.

Many people want to know where to get a very large Coon. This happens especially when there are photos of big Maine Coon Cats circulating on the Internet. Some folks see pictures of huge Maine Coon Cats and ask, "Where can I get one of those?"

That is certainly part of the allure of this breed. If you are ready to commit to a new cat in your life, you'll want to make sure this cat breed is right for you. Then you'll want to locate a responsible breeder in your area. Most breeders will not breed specifically for size. They are breeding to a standard, breeding great specimens in order to produce, with each litter, the best example possible of what a this breed is meant to be.

Also, these kittens are born to be a certain size. Feeding them extra food or supplements won't make their bones grow longer. It'll only make them fat, and perhaps raise the risk of hip dysplasia.

The kittens are already genetically predestined to be larger than an average cat. But just like in human families, there will be the occasional kitten who falls below the lowest "average threshold" and ends up being a beautiful 8 pound cat. There will also be some who are clearly going to be big, going above and beyond the high end of 18 pounds. The breeder will be able to tell you. So, put in a request for a big boy and your breeder will work with you.

Huge Maine Coon Cats are mysterious and alluring. Of course, there is a lot more to this breed than just size. If this is the breed for you, learn about their stunning physical characteristics, magnificent and gentle personality, and then fall in love with a Coon of your own!

For even more about huge Maine Coon Cats, including photos comparing an 18 pounder with his 8 pound sister, check out http://www.maine-coon-cat-nation.com/big-maine-coon-cat.html

And to learn all about this awesome breed of cat, including breed history and characteristics, cat care advice, and see lots of pictures, visit http://www.maine-coon-cat-nation.com

About the author: Carrie Profenno is a life-long animal lover. She and her young family currently reside in Maine with five pets, including two beloved Maine Coon cats. They are the inspiration behind Maine Coon Cat Nation.

Webmasters: Feel free to reproduce this article on your pet website or blog! This article is available for your use, as long as you reproduce the article in full including the two paragraphs of resource information above, with their links intact.

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Large Domestic Cat Breeds

Cats are probably the most popular of pets nowadays. Originally valued for their inbred ability to hunt various house pests such as mice and roaches, cats also offer a warm and affectionate companionship to their owners. In 1987, cats overtook dogs as the number one pet in America (about 50 million cats resided in 24 million homes in 1986) and bout 37% of American homes today have at least one cat. Domestication of cats were first believed to have originated in ancient Egypt in about 3000 BC, where cats where also revered as sacred animals. Different breeds of domesticated cats come in various sizes. Some pet owners prefer small kitten-sized ones, while some prefer large-size domesticated cat breeds.

When choosing pet cats, one must consider the breeds' characteristics in addition to its size. Here are just some of the large domesticated cat breeds that are popular with cat-lovers.

The Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is a native of the state of Maine in the USA where it is also the official state cat. It is one of the largest breeds of domesticated cats where the males can weigh anywhere between 13 and 18 pounds (5.9 and 8.2 kg) on average, and females between 8 and 12 pounds (3.6 and 5.4 kg). In 2006, the Guinness World Records named a male purebred Maine Coon the "Longest Cat". It measured 48 inches (120 cm) in length, from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail, and weighs 35 pounds (16 kg).

The Ragamuffin

The Ragamuffin is a long-haired domestic cat. Ragamuffins are fairly large cats - females weigh between 10 to 15 pounds (4.54 to 6.80 kg), and males weigh between 15 to 20 pounds (6.80 to 9.07 kg). Ragamuffins are notable for their sweet, friendly personalities and plush, rabbit-like fur. They are adoptable as early as four months of age, but do not reach full maturity until around four years of age. The Ragamuffin is an expensive breed and costs can range from $900 - $1200 per kitten.

The Ocicat

The Ocicat is an all-domestic breed of cat which resembles a 'wild' cat but has no wild blood. It is named for its resemblance to the ocelot, which is a wild cat. Ocicats are a very outgoing breed. They are often considered to have the spirit of a dog in a cat's body. Most can easily be trained to fetch, walk on a leash and harness, come when called, speak, sit, and lie down on command. On average ocicats weigh about 12.1 pounds or 5.5 kilograms.

The Turkish Van

The Turkish Van is a large, semi-longhaired cat with a swimmer's body. The cat is moderately long and its back legs are slightly longer than its front legs. The coat is the most fascinating trait on this cat. The semi-long haired, water resistant single coat, is thick in winter but very soft, like rabbit fur or cashmere. During the spring and summer months when it becomes extremely hot, the long hair on the body is shed for a shorter coat that retains the cashmere feel. Male Vans grow to about 16 pounds (7.3 kg) while females tend to be a bit lighter in weight, 12 to 14 pounds (5.4 to 6.4 kg). Vans, because of their fine fur, are hypo-allergenic cats. They are considered excellent pets for those with allergies.

Pixie-Bobs

Pixie-Bobs are a fully domestic breed of cat bred to resemble the North American Bobcat. Pixie-Bobs are a large breed, with males reaching 18 pounds (8 kg) and females reaching 14 pounds (6 kg). The Pixie-Bob's body is stocky and solid. Pixie-Bobs are also the only polydactyl breed recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA). These cats may have anywhere from six to seven toes on each foot.

These large-size cat domestic cat breeds are only a few of the ones available for pet purposes. It is important to take note of the qualities of the breed of cat before we decide which ones to adopt, as this would remarkably affect the way we take care of them. Knowing such could help make things a lot easier for us pet owners as we go about our endeavor in raising our pets.

Morris is a cat fanatic who adores felines ever since he was a child. He also enjoys blogging and reading novels, and loves eating spaghetti. Morris Crisologo

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