American Shorthair vs Maine Coon
A side-by-side breakdown of size, cost, grooming load and lifestyle fit — with a straight answer on which suits which household.
Short answer
American Shorthair is the easier breed to live with for most first-time owners — it scores higher on apartment fit (5/5 vs 3/5); it sheds less (3/5 vs 4/5); it needs less grooming (2/5 vs 4/5). Maine Coon makes more sense only if you specifically want a heavier coat to groom and live with.
Comparison table
| Attribute | American Shorthair | Maine Coon |
|---|---|---|
| Species | cat | cat |
| Origin | United States | United States |
| Weight (kg) | 3.5–7 | 5–11 |
| Height (cm) | — | — |
| Lifespan (years) | 13–17 | 10–14 |
| Monthly cost (USD) | $59 | $101 |
| Yearly cost (USD) | $708 | $1212 |
| Purchase price (USD) | $1200 | $1250 |
| Grooming need (1–5) | 2 | 4 |
| Shedding (1–5) | 3 | 4 |
| Energy (1–5) | 3 | 3 |
| Trainability (1–5) | 3 | 4 |
| Apartment fit (1–5) | 5 | 3 |
| Good with kids (1–5) | 5 | 5 |
| Vocal (1–5) | 2 | 3 |
What the numbers mean
- American Shorthair weighs 3.5–7 kg and lives 13–17 years; Maine Coon weighs 5–11 kg and lives 10–14 years.
- On estimated monthly cost, American Shorthair runs about $59/month versus $101/month for Maine Coon — a difference of roughly $42 a month, or $504 a year.
- American Shorthair has the higher apartment suitability score (5/5 vs 3/5) — this matters most if you rent or live in a flat.
- Maine Coon has the higher shedding score (4/5 vs 3/5) — higher means more hair on your sofa.
- Maine Coon has the higher grooming requirement (4/5 vs 2/5) — higher means more brushing and professional trimming.
- Both have the same energy level (3/5).
- Maine Coon has the higher trainability score (4/5 vs 3/5).
- Both have the same kid-friendliness score (5/5).
- Maine Coon has the higher vocalisation score (3/5 vs 2/5) — higher means more barking or meowing.
Cost over ten years
At the estimated monthly rates above, ten years of routine care (food, treats, grooming, medication, vet visits and supplies — excluding insurance, emergency treatment and purchase price) works out to roughly $7,080 for American Shorthair and $12,120 for Maine Coon. The gap is $5,040 — usually larger than the difference in purchase price.
Health profile
American Shorthair
Maine Coon
Both breeds are associated with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Hip dysplasia, so screening for these is worth raising with a breeder either way.
Which one should you pick?
- Choose American Shorthair if you want a breed that copes well in a smaller home, prefer a calmer daily routine, and your budget covers about $59 a month.
- Choose Maine Coon if you want a more substantial dog to work with, prefer a calmer daily routine, and your budget covers about $101 a month.
- Neither, if the grooming load is more than you can sustain; both need regular coat care.