Often known as gentle giants for their size and sociable nature, Maine Coon cats can be the perfect feline cuddle buddies. If you own one, you’re one lucky fellow.
However, their large size also raises questions and concerns among owners. “Is my Maine Coon’s weight still healthy?” “How old can my Maine Coon get?”
Of course, no one would want to say goodbye to their fluffy cuddle buddies, but as reality strikes, it’s best to know as much as we can about our cats, and that includes their lifespan.
So how long does a Maine Coon cat live?
How long does a Maine Coon cat live?
Maine Coon cats can live for 10 to 15 years, but this depends on a variety of factors. A Maine Coon’s diet, weight, exercise, and genetics play a huge role in how long it can live. Health measures such as vaccinations, and teeth maintenance, along with its environmental circumstances, can also affect its lifespan. The average lifespan of Maine Coon Cats is 12.5 years, but they can live for 10 to 15 years. Although, there have been Maine Coons known to have lived longer and shorter than the average. These differences in lifespan can be attributed to several factors.
Let’s go over each one of these in more detail now.
Factors affecting a Maine Coon cat’s lifespan
Diet
Diet plays a huge role in a Maine Coon cat’s lifespan. Just like humans, cats also need a healthy and balanced diet to live longer.
Ideally, it’s best to feed your cat with fat-free, high-protein, and nutrient-rich foods. It’s also best to provide your Maine Coon with high-quality dry foods so as to prevent the development of tartar on your Coon’s teeth.
Overfeeding
However, be careful not to overfeed your cat as this is one of Maine Coon cats’ biggest health risks. They’re already big cats, so they require a special type of diet than other breeds of cats. So talk to your veterinarian regarding the best diet for your cat.
Weight
Maine Coon cats organically grow faster than other cats, and seeing as they are naturally large cats, owners often wonder, “Is my Maine Coon’s weight still healthy?”
Well, we need to consider the accepted or healthy weight ranges of both adult male and female Maine Coon cats.
Healthy weights for adult male Maine Coon cats range between 6.8 and 11.3 kg or 15 and 25 lb. On the other hand, adult female Maine Coon cats’ healthy weights can range from 3.6 to 5.4 kg or 8 to 12 lb.
If your cat’s weight falls outside the ranges stated above, then you might want to visit your vet for a check-up. It’s better to catch diseases early on or to change your cat’s diet before it can do considerable damage to your cat’s system.
Exercise
Exercise is a great way to ensure your cat’s weight is within a desirable range. It increases your cat’s blood flow which is beneficial in performing bodily functions.
Exercise is also a great avenue for bonding between you as the owner and your cat. A happy can will live longer, thus playing with your cat is highly encouraged.
Maine Coon cats are intelligent cats, so prepare interesting toys and games that are fun, and mentally stimulating for your cat.
Genetics
Where your cat comes from is a very important factor that can determine how long your Maine Coon can live. Unfortunately, this is a factor that no owner can influence.
Backyard Breeders
Many backyard breeders are enticed by selling Maine Coon kittens because of their high prices. So to raise their profit margins, they don’t test their breeding Maine Coons for possible genetic diseases prior to breeding.
Thus, the chances of kittens acquiring in-born genetic diseases are high. Be careful buying from these types of breeders as they are more concerned about the profit than they are about the cats.
Reputable Breeders
Prior to breeding, reputable breeders see to it that they screen their Maine Coons for genetic defects. This guarantees that the kittens don’t have genetic defects upon birth.
Buying from these types of breeders will improve your chances of prolonging your cat’s life, so be mindful of where you buy your Maine Coon kittens.
Vaccinations
Diseases are everywhere, but we can take measures to prevent them from attacking our cats. Vaccination is a great way to do this.
By vaccinating your cat, you can avoid different cat diseases, and therefore, prolong your cat’s life. So make sure to follow your cat’s vaccination schedule religiously.
Teeth Maintenance
Prolonging your Maine Coon cat’s lifestyle may require big steps, but it can also be achieved by doing something as subtle as checking your cat’s teeth from time to time.
Maine Coon cats are prone to gingivitis, tartar, and other similar diseases that may impede their eating system overtime. This is greatly tied with diet, so be sure to check your cat’s gums and teeth frequently.
Cat Environment
Making sure that your cat’s environment is safe and comfortable also contributes to your cat’s lifespan. Your home should be cat-friendly and cat-proof to prevent accidents.
Your Maine Coon’s toys and other needs should also be accessible to your cat. Taking necessary measures to ensure your cat is happy in your home can greatly contribute to extending your cat’s lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maine Coon Cat Lifespan
How long did the oldest Maine Coon cat live?
The oldest Maine Coon cat was Rubble, who was 31 years old when he died. Rubble’s owner, Michele Heritage, got him for her 20th birthday, and they were inseparable ever since. Rubble was born in May 1988 and died in 2020 just before his 32nd birthday.
How do I help my Maine Coon cat live longer?
To help your Maine Coon live a longer and happier life, you can feed him/her a healthy diet, be mindful of his/her weight and environment, have him/her exercise, avoid exposing him/her to stressors, and regularly take your cat to the vet to ensure sound health.