How to Tell If a Kitten is Maine Coon?

How to Tell If a Kitten is Maine Coon? (Find Out)

Maine Coon kittens are well-known for being big, fluffy, and friendly cats. Because they are so popular, many people want to have one as a pet. However, you need to be careful because some people may try to trick you into getting a different kind of kitten. 

So, it is important to be cautious and make sure you are getting a real Maine Coon kitten for a happy and genuine pet experience. Therefore, many people want to know: How to tell if a kitten is a Maine Cone?

Determining if a kitten is a genuine Maine Coon can be a challenging task, especially when it doesn't come from a certified breeder. In this article, we aim to equip you with the necessary knowledge to distinguish whether a kitten is, in fact, a Maine Coon

Understanding the Physical Features of Maine Coon Kittens

Maine Coon kittens have a unique appearance that sets them apart. They are known for their rectangular body shape, strong bones, sturdy jawline, and long, bushy tail. It takes them a while to grow into their full size, usually around three to five years. 

Their fur is soft and silky, and it varies in texture depending on their coat color. You will notice that it is shorter on their head and shoulders but longer on their stomach and sides. Some even have a fancy ruff around their neck, like a lion's mane. 

These kittens are quite low-maintenance in terms of grooming, thanks to their self-keeping double coat. One of their standout features is their large size, along with their adorable oversized paws and ears when they're young. 

Plus, they sport those beautiful, fluffy tails. However, telling if a kitten is a true Maine Coon can be tricky, so it's best to buy one from a registered breeder with a clear family tree.

7 Ways to Tell If a Kitten is Maine Coon or Not

1. Body Style

Identifying a Maine Coon kitten is often quite straightforward when you focus on its physical characteristics. These cats are known for their substantial size, and this trait is noticeable even when they are kittens. 

They possess a rectangular body shape and generally take around four years to fully mature. Additionally, Maine Coon kittens display a distinctive "ruff" of fur around their neck and feature noticeably large paws. If you observe a kitten with these traits—a rectangular body, large paws, and a discernible neck "ruff," there's a good chance it could be a Maine Coon.

2. Fur

The Maine Coon cat's fur is another prominent characteristic. It is notably plush, with a medium to long length, featuring tufts of fur on its paws, as well as a long, silky coat with a thick undercoat. Maine Coon kittens boast a luxurious fur coat that's both dense and lengthy, with shorter, softer underfur beneath the longer guard hairs. 

They frequently display a distinguished ruff around their neck and a tail that's bushy and plume-like, adding to their majestic appearance. When you spot a kitten with a thick, long fur coat, a ruff around its neck, and a bushy tail, there is a good chance it is a Maine Coon.

3. Ears

Maine Coon cats stand out from other house cats thanks to their unique ear characteristics. Their ears have furry tufts on the tips, making them resemble the ears of lynxes. In some ways, these Maine Coon ears look like those of bobcats. But there's more to it than just looks; these distinctive ears help these cats stay warm during cold winters.

4. Eyes

One remarkable aspect of Maine Coon cats is their eyes. They possess big, oval-shaped eyes that typically come in vivid shades of green or blue. What's unique is that these eyes are spaced quite wide apart on their faces, lending them a somewhat human-like look.

While bright green and blue eyes are frequently seen in Maine Coon kittens, it's not unusual to find a captivating golden yellow hue as well. These strikingly colored irises often feature a distinctive black encirclement, imparting a depth that sets them apart from the eyes of ordinary domestic house cats.

5. Size

Maine Coon cats are renowned for their impressive size, with some individuals tipping the scales at a hefty 25 pounds and standing as tall as 16 inches. When it comes to Maine Coon kittens, they exhibit a distinctive body shape characterized by a rectangular frame and a square-shaped muzzle. 

These kittens are consistently known for their affectionate nature, chattiness, and sociable behavior. In terms of their growth, Maine Coon kittens stand out due to their rapid development. A notable sign of this accelerated growth can be observed in their paws. 

If their paws appear somewhat larger than what's typical for kittens their age, there is a good chance they have some Maine Coon heritage in their genetic makeup. Conversely, if the kitten you are examining has paws that are in line with standard-sized kitten proportions, it is less likely to be a Maine Coon.

6. Personality

Maine Coon cats are celebrated for their amiable dispositions, relishing human company and companionship. It is well known that they are intelligent and have inquisitive tendencies. They frequently engage in exploratory pursuits, exploring unfamiliar places and objects.

This breed frequently demonstrates problem-solving abilities and takes pleasure in interactive toys and puzzles that engage their minds. So, if the kitten you're considering exhibits friendliness, curiosity, and a penchant for human interaction, it's likely to be a Maine Coon cat.

7. Genetic Test

If you are not quite certain whether your furry friend is indeed a Maine Coon, you have a reliable option to clear things up: take your kitten to the veterinarian for a cat DNA test. This involves a trained veterinarian or other medical expert gathering a sample of your cat's DNA. 

This sample is typically obtained by swabbing the inside of your cat's cheek to collect skin cells, drawing a small vial of blood, or carefully snipping a bit of your cat's fur. 

Afterward, the vet will use this biological sample to compare your cat's genetic makeup with established Maine Coon DNA profiles and search for a match. These genetic tests are usually accurate to around 90%. It's a solid way to determine your cat's true lineage.

Conclusion

To sum it up, there are various indicators to help identify if a kitten is a Maine Coon, such as its body shape, fur, ears, size, and behavior. Nonetheless, it is crucial to understand that unless you have verified information about the parents being certified Maine Coons, there is no foolproof method to confirm if your cat is a genuine Coon. Hence, the wisest choice is to consider adoption from a certified breeder if you desire a purebred Maine Coon.