The ever-so-friendly Maine Coons can blow your mind with their affectionate temperament and goofy personality, but that’s not all about them!
The Maine Coons have two distinctive facial features which categorize them into the European and American types. But in spite of the distinctive features, the two are essentially the same and differ in features due to areas they are bred in, the continental United States for the American Maine Coon and the UK and Russia for the European Maine Coons.
Discover the chief differences between European and American Maine Coons to get a deeper understanding of their respective personalities, characteristics, appearances, and common health concerns to support better health and nutrition while nurturing stronger bonds with your feline companions.
Contents
Visual Contrasts and Similarities Between the Two Types
1. Size and Shape
- Maine coons are considered a large cat breed in general. The average height of an adult Maine Coon is about 10-16 inches or 25-40 cm.
- The average weight range of European as well as American Maine Coons is about 6.5-11 kg, with males generally being larger than the females.
- Due to the untamed look of the European Maine Coons, the cats appear distinctively larger in size as compared to the American Maine Coons, with a feral appearance and squarer muzzle.
2. Build and Structure
- Maine Coons are generally gentle giants with a rectangular structure and muscular build. The well-proportioned physique and large rounded paws make them stand out from the other breeds. The large-boned Maine Coons have an athletic build.
3. Appearance
- European Maine Coons are Majestic looking with longer and bushier tails and higher cheekbones. They possess chiseled muzzles, larger and lynx-tipped ears, and prominent lion-like features.
American Maine Coons on the other hand are more natural and rounded with a more refined appearance and features that are softer and milder in contrast to their European twins. The ear tufts are missing in the case of American Maine Coons and the cat coat is much smoother and groomed.
- The eyes of the European Coons are typically almond-shaped and project a piercing look while those of the American Coons are more oblique-shaped and not as striking as their European counterparts.
4. Color and Fur
- The EuroCoons come in a variety of colors and patterns ranging from solid black, grey, and white to tortoiseshell, red, and calico.
- The Maine Coons are adapted to adjust and survive in harsh winters due to their uneven and double-layered coat. The long coat around the neck of the two varieties gives the cats the look of a mane.
5. Personality and Temperament
- The personality of the European Maine Coons is endearing and affectionate. Though comfortable in their own space, they adjust easily in multi-cat households and bond strongly with their owners.
- The pleasing characteristic of these cats makes them easy to train with simple commands such as “sit”, “stay”, or “fetch” along with positive reinforcement.
- Like the European Maine Coon, The American Coons are absolutely loyal and friendly and enjoy the company of humans as well as other animals.
- It is a family cat that loves its own space but coexists wonderfully with animals and even children.
- The ‘dog-like’ personality, the basic behavior modification, and the high intelligence levels of the Maine Coons make them easy to train to tricks and commands.
6. Growth and Care
- Purebred Maine Coons, both American and European take considerably a longer time to grow than a regular cat which is until they are 3-4 years old.
- American as well as European Maine Coons require frequent grooming in order to avoid shedding and tangling.
Both the European and American Maine Coons share distinctive appearances, with personality traits, temperament, and characteristics being mostly similar.
Maine Coons are extremely social, lovable, and vocal creatures who love to speak to their fellow humans both in happiness and displeasure by soft purrs, hisses, and enthusiastic meows.
So you need not worry if your cat needs to be left alone for the day, all you have to do is return to them with some extra affection to set their mood right.
Cat Breeders Shaping European and American Maine Coon Distinctions
Breeders play an important role in determining the physical differences between European Vs American Maine Coons.
Breeders affiliated with the CFA (The Cat Fanciers’ Association) breed cats with a more refined and poised look while the TICA (The International Cat Association) breeders are mostly breeders in Europe that comply the International standards and breed Maine Coons with wilder and raw appearance.
Price Comparison
You can get home a lovable Maine Coon kittie somewhere between $600 – $2,000.
While there is not much of a difference between the costs of European and American Maine Coons, some breeders take extra precautions to maintain the breeding standards of the European Maine Coons which results in a somewhat higher pricing of the Eurocoons.
The factors that determine the pricing of Maine Coons include the affiliation of the breeder, location, the age of the breed, whether it is a purebred or mix-breed, and the vaccinations given to the cat.
The variety you choose to get home ultimately depends on your personal preference and budget. If you’re someone who prefers genteel-looking pet babies you must probably go for an American Maine Coon.
If you’re in the States and plan to get a European Maine Coon, you’re sure to pay more for the costs are inclusive of the importing charges.
Which Maine Coon is Healthier: American or European?
Though the Maine Coons, both American as well as European are resistant and hardy, one needs to watch out the hereditary diseases as in the case of all purebred felines.
These health conditions include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, spinal muscular atrophy, stomatitis, polycystic kidney disease, and hip dysplasia.
A quick overview will come in handy in case you observe any symptoms in your feline babies.
| HEALTH CONCERN | SYMPTOMS |
|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | ● Limping ● Difficulty in walking ● Excessive licking of the hip Lethargy |
| Spinal Muscular Atrophy | ● Inability to stand for a long time ● Weak muscles ● Posture abnormality Tremors |
| Stomatitis | ● Foul breath ● Sudden weight loss Drooling |
| Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy | ● Fast breathing ● Lethargy Weakness that may lead to collapsing |
| Polycystic Kidney Disease | ● Frequent urination ● Blood in urine ● Vomiting Lethargy |
Although it’s not possible to completely eliminate the risk of these hereditary diseases a proper diet and certain lifestyle changes can certainly improve the quality of life of your Maine Coon.
Dietary Contrasts
Feeding the right diet to your Maine Coons, whether American or European, should be your top priority and must not be compromised as improper nutrition may lead to lifestyle issues such as obesity and diabetes. A proper meat-based diet along with regular exercise is a must for all Maine Coons and promotes the longevity and well-being of your paw buddies.
Allow your cat to roam around in your garden or if not so, train it to walk on a leash to ensure they get proper movement and adequate exercise.
Cats are carnivores by nature and hunt and feed on birds, mice, frogs, and other similar creatures in the wild. The food that you feed your felines must align with their natural feeding patterns to provide natural and uncompromised nutrition.
A Maine Coon’s diet must essentially include
- Animal protein (at least 50%)
- Fat content (up to 20%)
- Little to no carbs
- Adequate moisture
Though most cat parents prefer dry food for their felines, it must be observed that all cats including European and American Maine Coons must be fed wet meat-based foods in gravy or jelly forms as the moisture content in such foods is high and helps keep cats hydrated as they are not avid water drinkers by nature.
So next time you go for shopping pet food, be mindful of what you pick as it directly impacts the health and the quality of life of your kitty.
Wrapping Up
The quirks and the curiosity of these adorable beasts will surely keep you entertained and wanting more. All they need in return is some paw-sitive care and warm cuddles.
Rest assured their expressive disposal will leave you in awe by ultimately leading you to what they need!
Maine Coons make a beautiful addition to the family whether you choose an American or a European one. Besides some furry differences, both of these varieties are pretty much the same and make for an absolutely adorable pet baby worth all your love and affection.
