How Long Do Maine Coon Cats Live? Vet-Verified Lifespan & FAQ

Considered the largest of domestic cat breeds, the Maine Coon holds a special place in the hearts of feline lovers worldwide. They tend to be laid back, intelligent, and friendly, and they share their warmth and joy with friends and family for their entire lives.

How long can you expect your Maine Coon to fill the home with their infectiously friendly and adoring aura? We’ll discuss how long Maine Coon cats live on average and what you can do to give them the longest, happiest lives possible.

Maine Coon Cat Average Lifespan

Maine Coon cats live an average of 10–15 years, which is slightly less than the average cat. Though generally healthy, Maine Coons are more prone to some health conditions that may limit their lifespan, including obesity and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Still, with proper care and healthy genetics, a Maine Coon can live well into their teens and even over the age of 20. Several Maine Coons have been the oldest living cats at various points, including a Maine Coon from England named Rubble, who lived to be 31 years old!¹

How to Care For Your Maine Coon Cat for a Long Lifespan?

Maine Coon cats are hardy, but their longevity primarily depends on their health care. Promoting a long lifespan starts with ensuring your breeder does comprehensive screenings for common health issues. Cats from breeders who offer necessary testing and exceptional care will have the best chance of leading long, fulfilling lives.

After acquiring your Maine Coon, your feeding, grooming, and care routine will affect not only their lifespan but also their quality of life. With thoughtful care, your cat will likely be happier, and you’ll save time and money by preventing avoidable health problems and vet visits.

Feeding & Diet

Maine Coons need high-quality food rich in animal protein and low in carbs, with healthy omega fatty acids to support their organs, joints, skin, and coat. Adults should eat 20–30 calories per pound of body weight. Monitor your cat’s body condition frequently, as many owners don’t recognize their Maine Coons are overweight and fail to adjust their diet and exercise accordingly.

Environment

Maine Coon cats need space to roam and play, which may include supervised outdoor areas like gardens if you live in an apartment. An outdoor catio is even better, providing space to play outdoors while avoiding the risk of interactions with other animals or escaping the yard.

Making your Maine Coon an indoor-only cat is appropriate if you worry about outdoor hazards. They should have plenty of shelves and climbing furniture, cat trees, scratching posts for exercise, and enrichment devices like puzzle feeders and crinkly animal toys to avoid boredom.

Hepper Hi-lo Cat Scratcher is one of our favorite cat products. Its clever thee-angle design offers multiple ways for your cat to climb, stretch, and exercise. Made of a sturdy plywood base and a replacement cardboard insert, this scratcher is an option that can be enjoyed by cats for years to come. If your cat requires a little encouragement for self-play, the Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker is a fantastic choice. Equipped with bite and kick-resistant fabric, an enticing internal bell, and organic catnip, cats can satisfy their natural prey instincts while getting the physical activity they need to thrive. 

	Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy	Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher
Multi-level play	Multi-level play:	Multi-level play:
Interactive	Interactive :	Interactive :
Self-play	Self-play:	Self-play:
Promotes exercise	Promotes exercise:	Promotes exercise:
Replaceable parts	Replaceable parts:	Replaceable parts:
Satisfies prey-instincts	Satisfies prey-instincts:	Satisfies prey-instincts:
	Check Price	Check Price

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!