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Maine Coon cats are loved all around the world. They are known for their size, tufted ears, and friendly personality. Maine Coons are family companions for many households. Many cat owners and potential adopters want to know how long Maine Coons live.
While Maine Coons are generally healthy, Maine Coon’s life expectancy is determined by genetics, lifestyle, diet, and care. Most Maine Coons live between 12 and 15 years. If they are properly taken care of, some Maine Coons can live 16 to 18 years. Being aware of the factors affecting their lifespan is important to help make the right decisions to help improve the length and quality of the cat’s life.
Most Maine Coons have a lifespan that is similar to all other large-sized domestic cat breeds. Many people assume that their size shortens their lifespan, but that is not the case. Responsible breeding and proper care is what plays a bigger role.
Average Maine Coon lifespan:
- Average range: 12–15 years
- With good care: 15–18 years
- Exceptional cases: 18+ years
How Maine Coon Lifespan Compares to Other Breeds
In order to contextualize Maine Coon Lifespan, it is useful to consider how long other popular breeds live on average.
Comparison Table: Cat Breed Lifespan
| Cat Breed | Average Lifespan |
| Maine Coon | 12–15 years |
| Persian | 12–17 years |
| Ragdoll | 13–16 years |
| British Shorthair | 14–20 years |
| Domestic Shorthair | 15–20 years |
Maine Coons live a bit shorter on average than smaller, mixed breed cats due to genetic predisposition and body size. However, when bred responsibly, Maine Coons tend to have a bit better overall health than many other purebred cats.
Factors That Affect a Maine Coon’s Lifespan
Several important factors determine how long a Maine Coon will live, and while these factors work independently, even improving just one will have a positive effect on longevity.
Genetics and Breeding Quality
The fact that genetics may influence them to certain inherited disorders impacts Maine coon’s lifespan. One of the more frequent disorders in this breed is Hypertonic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is a type of heart disease. Maine Coon breeders of good standing conduct health screenings for genetic disease prior to selling their kittens, and this practice helps reduce health issues in the kittens.
In contrast, Health issues that can be life threatening for the coon can be the result from sub genetic breeding and poor breeding.
Indoor vs Outdoor Lifestyle
The Maine Coon’s lifespan is also influenced in a significant way by their living arrangements. Maine Coons that live indoors have a tendency to live longer since they can avoid:
- Negative Weather Conditions
- Predators
- Exposure to Toxins
- Infectious diseases
- Car Accidents
Maine Coons that are able to live in the wild have a short lifespan due to the many additional dangers they face.
Maine Coon Sitting on a Cat Tree
Diet and Nutrition
Maine Coons face many serious health issues when they live on a poor diet and are not given the right amount of animal protein to avoid the issues. Maine Coons that do not obtain proper nutrition can live shorter lives due to diseases that stem from poor diet like obesity, heart issues, and joint problems.
A healthy diet for Maine Coons should include:
- High animal-based protein.
- Healthy fats.
- No fillers or artificial additives.
- Controlled portions to avoid obesity.
Senior Maine Coons may benefit from diets that support kidney health and joint mobility.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Maine Coons require regular activity to stay healthy because their playfulness and intelligence drive them to be active frequently. Not exercising will cause weight gain and poor health.
Benefits of Daily stimulation:
- Maintains muscle strength
- Supports joint health
- Frees boredom and reduces stress.
Climbing trees, interactive toys, and puzzle feeders are great options.
Video Credits: Maine Coon Central
Common Health Issues that Can Impact Lifespan
Maine Coons are healthy but prone to certain conditions.
| Condition | Impact on Lifespan |
| Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) | Can significantly shorten life if untreated |
| Hip Dysplasia | Affects mobility and comfort |
| Spinal Muscular Atrophy | Causes muscle weakness |
| Obesity | Increases risk of heart and joint disease |
| Dental Disease | Can affect organs if untreated |
Regular vet visits and early diagnosis can reduce the impact of these conditions.
How Veterinary Care Extends a Maine Coon’s Life
Routine veterinary care is necessary to maximize your Maine Coons life. Annual checkups provide the opportunity to identify problems that need to be addressed. Vaccines and dental care are essential to increasing life expectancy.
As Maine Coons get older, Maine Coons may need:
- Heart health screenings
- Blood work
- Assessment of the joints
Preventive care helps to improve the quality and length of life of Maine Coons.
Does Spaying or Neutering Increase Lifespan?
A Maine Coons life expectancy increases with spaying and neutering. The risks of various reproductive related cancers is eliminated, and aggressive behaviours that could lead to injury are kept under control.
In addition to those factors, sterilized Maine Coons often experience:
- Less stress
- Hormone related disease is less of an issue
- Fewer risky situations
What You Can Do to Support a Longer Life For Your Maine Coon
The habits of opening up their Maine Coon’s span of life. Small, everyday routines are beneficial in the long run.
Important tips for helping your Maine Coon live a long life:
- Feed them well and provide a high-quality cat food
- Keep them inside or outdoors, and supervise them when you go outside
- Provide them with regular exercise and enrichment to keep them active
- Book their regular check up with the vet
- Keep up with your Maine Coon’s grooming and dental care
Brushing a Maine Coon
FAQs about the lifespan of Maine Coons
How long do Maine Coons live when kept indoors?
With the right care, Maine Coons live indoors for 15 years or more.
Are Maine Coons considered to be healthy?
Can a Maine Coon cat live for over 20 years?
Are Maine Coons considered to be healthy?
Yes, they are considered to be healthy, but like all other cats, they have certain genetic conditions they are prone to that need to be monitored.
Can a Maine Coon cat live for over 20 years?
It is very rare for a Maine Coon to live for more than 20 years. However, with wonderful care and good genetic, a Maine Coon could live for more than 18 years.
Which gender Maine Coons live longer, the males or the females?
On average, females live longer than males, but the average difference is small when the care received is the same.
Can the size of a Maine Coon affect how long they live?
A Maine Coon’s life is not shortened because of their size. However, if the Maine Coon is very large, there is a greater chance of them having heart problems and joint issues if their weight is not properly managed.
Conclusion
With proper care Maine Coons can become your long lasting loving companion. While their average life span is about 12-15 years, they can live longer with proper genetics, nutrition and vet care. Maine Coons can have their life span and happiness increased by proper and safe surroundings, balanced diet, and mental care, and regular health check ups.
