26.05.2022

Is your Maine Coon getting too big? Keep their weight in check with this Maine Coon growth chart

Compared to most cats, even large breeds—such as Ragdolls, Norwegian Forest cats, and Siberian cats—Maine Coons are significantly bigger, being the second-largest domestic cat breed (Savannah holds the first place).

Even though they are known as the giants of the cat world, there’s a weight limit they shouldn’t go over. Having a Maine Coon growth chart can help you keep track of your feline growth and weight.

As a cat parent, you should ensure your Maine Coon grows healthily by providing the right nutrition and keeping them active.

Keep reading to find out all about Maine Coon growth stages and learn which cat food to choose to support your feline's development.

Maine Coons vs. other breeds—size comparison

Maine Coons are larger than average domestic cats, but how big should they be? Here’s a comparison of dimensions of Maine Coons and average-sized cats:

Maine Coons vs. large cats

Consult the table below to see the differences between the size of Maine Coons compared to other large breeds:

Maine Coon growth stages

While every feline development rate is unique, most Maine Coons experience growth spurts at around the same time.

From their third to seventh month, your feline is expected to gain around 1 kg per month. After that, Maine Coon growth spurts usually occur during weeks 32 and 50. 

Once I reach my full size, I’ll take up your whole chair!

Source: Beeki

Once your feline is nine months old, their growth will slow down, but it won’t stop. Maine Coons grow longer than other breeds and reach their full size when they’re four or five years old. 

When it comes to weight, healthy Maine Coons should reach the following milestones:

How to keep a Maine Coon cat growth chart

Many cat parents fear that their Maine Coons kittens are becoming overweight because they put on pounds, which can lead to underfeeding. 

The best way to determine whether your Maine Coon is growing healthily is by keeping a growth chart. It allows you to compare their results to the average dimensions of the breed regularly and avoid weight-related issues.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Spreadsheet—Monitor your Maine Coon growth and development with an organised spreadsheet. Include the average size and weight of this breed so that you have a reference to your cat’s measures
• Scale—Choose a high-quality scale and always use the same one so that the results are consistent
• Measuring tape—Avoid using sturdy measuring tapes and get a fabric one. You’ll get precise results, and the process will be much more comfortable for your cat 

If your cat’s a bit fussy or cannot stand still, it’s much easier to measure them while they’re asleep. In case this doesn’t work, you can try to give them treats, scratch their tummies, or ask someone to help you out.

During the first few months, you should measure your Maine Coon kitten daily. Once they're older, you can weigh them once a month. 

How to tell if your Maine Coon is overweight

Because of their fluffiness, it's sometimes hard to recognise whether a Maine Coon is overweight. The following signs show your Maine Coon has had too much of their favourite food:

• Their waist isn’t proportional to the rest of the body—Your Maine Coon’s waist should be slightly narrower than their upper body. If it’s wider, make sure to check with your vet whether you should alter their diet
• You’re unable to feel their rib cage—When a Maine Coon is of a healthy weight, you should be able to feel their rib cage. If this is not the case, they'll probably have to cut down on their calorie intake
• Their stomach is sticking out—If your cat’s stomach sticks out below the rib cage, it could mean that they’ve gained too much weight and need to be put on a diet

Obesity can lead to more serious health problems like diabetes, liver disease, etc. By weighing your cat regularly and looking for the aforementioned signs, you’ll be able to notice your cat piling on pounds and alter their diet to prevent the development of obesity-related issues.

What influences a Maine Coon’s size?

Some factors affecting your Maine Coon’s growth are out of your control, as follows:

1. Genetic makeup—The weight and size of the parents could influence how big your kitty gets
2. Gender—Male Maine Coons are generally larger, heavier, and more muscular than females
3. Whether your feline is mixed or purebred—Mixed Maine Coons are typically smaller than purebred felines

We’re not THAT big, are we?

Source: Kanashi

Can you affect your Maine Coon’s growth?

You can control your Maine Coon’s growth to an extent. Their size and weight heavily depend on their metabolic rate and:

1. Activity levels—Maine Coons are very energetic by nature. Make sure they get enough exercise by playing with them or letting them outside if you have a garden
2. Sleep—Gentle giants need to rest to regain the energy needed for steady growth. Maine Coons sleep up to 16 hours a day on average
3. Diet—Diet plays a crucial role in a feline's growth. High-quality, meat-based cat food is the best way to ensure your gentle giant grows at a steady pace, maintains a healthy weight, and faces fewer health issues

Get high-quality cat food for your Maine Coon’s steady growth

Feeding your Maine Coon healthy and nutritious foods is imperative for their development and weight control. 

Since cats in the wild are used to hunting birds, lizards, rabbits, and other small animals, domesticated cats should be given food that mimics their natural diet.

Hoooooooman! It’s two minutes past supper!

Source: lakki290268

Feline's diet should be based on:

1. Animal protein
2. Animal fat

Animal protein

Proteins are chains of amino acids—such as taurine—essential for:

• Muscle development
• Energy 
• Organ function

Since they’re obligate carnivores, the best source of protein for felines is lean meat, such as chicken, turkey, liver, salmon, sardines, and tuna. Pork, ham, bacon, and beef make fantastic treats but should not be used as regular meals.

 There are no vegans amongst cats as they cannot digest plant-based proteins in sweetcorn, carrots, peas, rice, and other grains, fruits, and veggies.

If they don’t get enough animal proteins in their diet, your Maine Coon might end up overeating to make up for the missing nutrient, which could lead to an unhealthy weight gain.

Animal fat

Fat is a viable secondary source of energy for your cat (after protein), and it is an important part of their diet because it:

• Contains fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, that help maintain healthy skin and coat
• Gives cat food a delicious taste. Even the healthiest cat food is useless if your cat doesn't care for the taste and refuses to eat it. Felines are crazy about the taste of animal fat, so it’s an excellent natural taste enhancer

Steer clear of products that contain more than 20% fat as overconsumption can lead to obesity.

Dry vs. wet food

Even though dry food is more convenient to store and serve, it's not the best option for felines because of the low moisture and high carb content and filler ingredients, such as grains and sugar. You can feed kibbles to your Maine Coon occasionally as snacks, but their diet shouldn’t be based on dry food only.

Wet food is much closer to the feline’s natural eating habits. The benefits of wet food are numerous—high-quality canned food helps improve digestion, keeps your feline hydrated (most products have around 70% moisture!), and provides all the required nutrients.

Can Untamed keep your Maine Coon’s growth under control?

Making sure your Maine Coon grows healthily has never been easier—Untamed provides everything your feline needs for steady development! 

Our jelly and gravy formulas contain two times the amount of protein as the industry standard and the right amount of fats. Each recipe—be it Chocka Chicken, Tuck-in Tuna, or Full-on Fishy—has been formulated in collaboration with vets to ensure our meals are complete and balanced. Every Untamed tin provides:

• The energy and nutrients needed for healthy and steady growth
• Yummy taste that your feline will adore (even Maine Coons who typically dislike wet food will ask for seconds!)
• The right amount of vitamins and minerals, such as thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin B12

Untamed is the best choice for your Maine Coon!

Image (c) Untamed

Your Maine Coon will adore our meals as they:

• Are made without common allergens so that even allergy-prone cats can enjoy them. We even offer two single-protein-source meals for felines with super sensitive tummies
• Contain only high-quality ingredients, with no harmful or unnecessary additives and fillers. All our dishes are easily digestible and will keep your Maine Coon satiated 
• Are ethically produced since we care about the planet as much as we care about your feline. We source our meat and fish from sustainable, dolphin-friendly, and cruelty-free suppliers, and food comes in 100% recyclable packaging

If you want to raise a fit, healthy, and strong Maine Coon, give Untamed a try! 

Get Untamed for your Maine Coon!

All you need to do to order Untamed for your feline is:

1. Share some details about your Maine Coon
2. Create a perfect meal plan for your feline 
3. Place the order

We'll deliver a trial box of our cat food to your doorstep in a day, and your Maine Coon can explore our recipes and see what they like. 

Once your cat’s finished their trial pack, leave it to us to provide monthly supplies with free shipping, so you never run out of your cat's favourite food. You can modify your cat's meal plan and cancel or postpone your order whenever you want!

Maine Coon parents who switched their furry friends to Untamed have noticed the following results:

How much food should you feed your Maine Coon?

The amount of food your Maine Coon should consume depends on their life stage and activity levels. Kittens need more calories than adult cats since they’re growing constantly. Here’s how much you should feed your feline depending on their age:

1. 3 weeks to 10 months—Once your Maine Coon kitten is weaned off, you can start introducing wet food. Since their stomach is tiny, you need to feed your kitten smaller portions more frequently (two to six times a day)
2. 10 to 15 months—Start reducing the feeding frequency to two times a day
3. 15 months to 4 years—If you are using kitten products, switch to adult food gradually to avoid bad reactions and an upset tummy 
4. Adulthood—Adult Maine Coons need about 50–70 calories per kilo of body weight daily 
5. Senior cats—Once your Maine Coon reaches their golden years (around nine years old), consult with your wet to see whether you should lower the calorie intake due to reduced activity