Breed Versus

Maine Coon

The largest domestic cat, dog-like in affection — and in appetite and vet bills.

Maine Coon
Maine coon cat black silver tabby sunset — CC0, via Wikimedia Commons · MEichinger

About the Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is a large domesticated cat breed. The breed is selectively bred from one of the oldest landraces in North America, and is pedigreed in all major cat registries worldwide. It originated in the U.S. state of Maine, where it is the official state cat. The Maine Coon is a large and social cat, commonly referred to as "the gentle giant". The breed is predominantly known for its large size and its long 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" characteristics.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Key facts

Origin
United States
Weight
5–11 kg
Height
Data varies by line
Lifespan
10–14 years
Est. monthly cost
$101 (≈ $1212 per year)
Purchase price
$1,250–$2,200 from a breeder

Where the monthly cost comes from

Routine care for a Maine Coon averages about $101 a month, or roughly $1,212 a year. That figure is summed from the measured US line items below — food is scaled to this breed's body weight and grooming to its coat — not quoted from any single clinic or breeder.

Estimated monthly breakdown for a Maine Coon
CategoryPer month
Food (scaled to 8 kg)$298.68
Treats$42.00
Routine veterinary care (adjusted for this breed's known issues)$187.95
Medications (flea, tick, heartworm)$49.35
Grooming (4/5 coat requirement)$450.00
Toys$25.00
Litter$150.00
Licence$15.00
Total$101

Pet insurance is not in that total. The average US accident-and-illness premium is $383 a year for a cat, but most pets are not insured, so adding it to every breed would overstate what a typical owner pays.

If you insure, board and budget for emergencies

Owners who carry insurance, leave the pet boarded when travelling and set money aside for emergencies land near $179 a month — about $2,151 a year. This is a modelled budget, not a survey result:

ItemPer year
Routine care, as itemised above$1,212
Pet insurance (NAPHIA average premium)$383
Boarding (10 days at $25/day)$250
Emergency fund (one ~$900 event every 3 years)$300
Fully-loaded total$2,151

Boarding rate from MarketWatch ($25/day). Emergency allowance modelled on Rover's finding that a typical emergency visit starts near $300 and reaches $4,000 with diagnostics and an overnight stay. The number of boarded days and the once-in-three-years emergency frequency are our own planning assumptions, stated here so you can substitute your own.

Includes routine vet visits, food, grooming and supplies. Excludes emergencies, training, boarding and the purchase price above. Method and sources: data sources.

Temperament and care profile

Grooming needed 4/5how much brushing and trimming
Shedding 4/5how much hair ends up in your home
Energy 3/5how much daily exercise
Trainability 4/5
Apartment fit 3/5
Good with kids 5/5
Vocalisation 3/5

Health issues to watch

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Spinal muscular atrophy

The FDA's animal adverse-event database holds 2,830 reported events filed under this breed name (data current to 2026-10-05). Reports are not proof of causation and are not adjusted for how many animals of the breed exist.

How it compares

Pick a second breed to see a side-by-side breakdown of cost, size, shedding and lifestyle fit.