Maine Coon and Siberian Cats are quite popular cat breeds. Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA) released its TOP 10 Cats of 2023 and Maine Coon ranked 2nd, while the Siberian Cats ranked 10th on the list of most popular cats.
Many people are confused about Maine Coons and Siberian Cats because both are quite larger than average domestic cats and both are furry and fluffy.
The confusion is understandable as the two do look alike but once you’re done reading this article, you won’t ever be mistaking the two breeds for each other.
First, let’s discuss each breed’s origins to see if there’s a connection.
Contents
Origin Theories
Maine Coons originated from Maine. It is considered the ‘State Cat of Maine’ . There are several theories on how this breed came to be or how it arrived in Maine.
Coon’s Cats
A popular theory is that a British sea captain named Charles Coon brought some cats to Maine while he was en route from Europe to New England in the 1700’s. The cats mated with the local cats of Maine and were called, ‘Coon’s Cats’, after a while the name became ‘Maine Coon’.
Marie Antoinette’s Cats
Another theory was that the Maine Coon breed started with Marie Antoinette’s six Turkish Angora Cats who reached Maine when she attempted to escape during the French Revolution. Unfortunately, even though all her possessions and her cats are already aboard the ship, she failed to make her escape and the ship sailed without her. The ship reached Maine, the six cats then bred with the short-haired local cats of that state, and their offspring became what is now known as the Maine Coon.
Raccoon Crossbreeding
The weirdest Maine Coon Origin theory though was the claim that the Maine Coon breed resulted from the crossbreeding of a raccoon and a short-haired cat. This was apparently where the “Coon” from its name came from. Though technically, mating is possible between Raccoons and Cats, they cannot produce any offspring because they are from a different family and genus. You may have heard how horses can mate with donkeys and zebras and produce offspring but that is because they fall under the same Family Equidae and also the same Genus which is Equus. Cats are under the Felidae family, while Raccoons are from the Family Procyonidae, making it impossible for them to crossbreed.
Lynx Crossbreeding
Because of their similar ear tufts, there are also speculations that Maine Coons were crossbreeds of the wild cat lynx and a domestic cat. This is also impossible. Though cats and lynxes are both under the same Family, Felidae, they cannot crossbreed because their genus is different. Cats fall under the Genus, Felis. Lynx have their own genus which is also called Lynx. Therefore, this theory isn’t possible.
There is an exception to this rule, there are some small wild cats like the Servals that were previously placed under Genus Felis. However, after careful examination, scientists classified them into another genus, which is ‘Leptailurus’.
Since these cats such as Servals, Leopard cats, Jungle Cats, etc. were previously under the same genus as domestic cats (Felis), it is still possible to produce crossbreeds between the two.
Here are the most popular cross breeds:
- Bengal – Asian Leopard Cat x domestic cat
- Savannah – African Serval x domestic cat
- Chausie – Asian Jungle Cat x domestic cat
This exception may have fueled the possibility of the Lynx crossbreeding. However, as mentioned, this isn’t possible. There is proof and there are no verified reports of crossbreeding between the two. Genetically, the differences between the two may be too much that it makes crossbreeding impossible.
Viking’s Norwegian Forest Cats Crossbreeding
One of the most popular theories was that it was the Vikings that brought them to Maine. Vikings’ cats are Norwegian Forest Cats. It has been said that Vikings brought these cats to Maine and that they mated with a domestic breed of cat and this resulted in the Maine Coon breed. This is the most popular theory and there have been suggestions that a genetic study has been involved however, as of the moment, we have yet to trace the source of the research involved.
Maine Coon’s Connection With Siberian Cats
There are speculations that the Norwegian Forest Cat is a breed that came from the crossbreeding of the Siberian Cat with the Turkish Angora Cat. These two breeds are the most possible ancestors of the Norwegian Forest Cat. This last theory is what connects the Maine Coon to the Siberian Cat and may explain why they look so much alike, including their temperament.
Origin Of The Siberian Cats
Siberian Cats originated in the forests of Siberia in Russia about 1,000 years ago. The brutal winters and temperatures of Siberia have brought about the long coats and fur of this breed.
This adaptation of Siberian Cats to the cold weather is the reason why people have thought they are the ancestors of all modern long-haired domestic cats including the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Maine Coon. This theory may have a basis as both Siberian Cats and Maine Coons share the same thick furs that help them combat snow and harsh winter conditions.
Other theories include that Siberian Cats were created when local Russian Cats crossbred with other cat breeds from Eastern Asia. Others believe that the local domestic Russian cats were able to crossbreed with wild forest cats from Siberia. Some even call this breed ‘Siberian Forest Cats’.
Aside from the similarity in their fur, both Maine Coon and Siberian Cats are well-regarded in their respective locations. Maine Coon is the Official Cat of Maine while the Siberian Cat is the National Cat of Russia. Now that we’ve established that there is a certain connection between the two cats, let’s look into their physical attributes.
Comparison Of Physical Appearance
Let’s compare the physical traits of Maine Coons and Siberian Cats to see their similarities and differences.
1. Size
In terms of size, Maine Coon is bigger than the Siberian Cats. Currently, Maine Coons are considered the largest domestic cat breed in existence. Siberian cats are not small compared to regular household cats. If Maine Coon is the largest domestic cat in the world, Siberian Cats are the 10th largest.
With regards to height, Male Maine Coons are taller at 10-16 inches while Female Maine Coons can grow up to 8-14 inches. Siberian Cats don’t have that much of a difference in terms of height for both fenders. The Siberian Cats are shorter at around 10-12 inches.
Male Maine Coons can be quite heavy at 20-25 pounds, and Female Maine Coons are lighter at 10-12 pounds. Male Siberian Cats are also heavier than Females. Males can reach from 13-18 pounds while Females are around 8-12 pounds, which is very similar to the Female Maine Coon.
Their lengths are very different. Maine Coons can grow as long as 40 inches for both males and females, while Siberian cats can grow as long as 15 to around 25 inches.
Both breeds have extended kitty phases or kittenhood, they both need to wait for 3-5 years to reach full maturity and maximum size.
2. Head shape
The Maine Coon, more particularly, the male, has a square head and muzzle. The cheekbones are high and prominent. Siberian Cats tend to have a softer and more rounded head. Its muzzle is also short and rounded. Siberian cats also have shorter necks while Maine Coons have more elongated necks.
3. Eyes
Maine Coon’s eyes are semi-oval and large, they only appear rounder when they open their eyes fully. In relaxed mode, it is more of an oval, slanted, and slightly oblique shape. Their eyes are set nearer to each other.
Siberian Cat’s eyes are rounder than that of the Maine Coon’s.
Both breeds are born with blue eyes however that may change as the kitten grows up into an adult. Purebreds usually have gold or yellow eyes, while some may have green eyes.
4. Ears
Maine Coon’s ears are set higher and are quite larger, longer, and wider than that of the Siberian Cat. Siberian Cat’s ears are medium-sized and have a rounded look with round tips.
Both of their ears have ear tufts though the Siberian Cat’s ear tufts are softer and less pronounced. This ‘lynx tipping’ on its ear is more prominent and emphasized on the Maine Coon, making it look more like a Lynx than a domestic breed of cat.
5. Body Shape
The Maine Coon has a broad and powerful chest and a long and rectangular body. Its bushy tail is as long as its body. The Siberian Cat’s body is barrel-shaped and its tail is medium in length and quite shorter than the length of its body. Both breeds are heavy-boned however, Siberian Cats have shorter legs. Maine Coons legs are quite larger and longer, and their paws tend to be quite larger as well.
6. Fur
Both Maine Coons and Siberian Cats are known for their long and soft furs. The difference is that Siberian Cats have 3 layers of coats suitable for snow and winter time while the Maine Coon also has 2 layers of coats.
Both can use their fur to combat snow and cold temperatures and both also have water-repellant furs so they are not afraid of getting wet outdoors.
Siberian Cats are not recommended for places with hot climates. They must be kept in a well-ventilated and air-conditioned room.
The Maine Coon has similarly thick fur but has an advantage since it can survive hot summers with its 2 layers of fur. It is recommended though not to expose Maine Coons at temperatures lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit or anything above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Both Siberian Cats and Maine Coons require regular grooming or brushing of their coats. You might need to buy a de-shedding tool like the Furminator as their undercoats might require more attention compared to other shorter-haired cat breeds.
7. Dander and Allergies
Cats are particularly furry however it is not the actual fur that causes cat allergies. The dander on a feline’s fur is what is causing the human’s allergies to cats.
Some websites state that Siberian Cats are hypoallergenic cats however, there are no real “hypoallergenic cats”. Dander is common to all breeds of cats and is similar to that of a human’s dandruff. It is caused by the natural shedding of dead skin cells. The dander on short-haired cats can easily be removed and blown away.
However, this dander sticks well on the coats of long-haired and furry cats. Maine Coons have an advantage over Siberian Cats though because its fur is smoother so dander doesn’t get stuck that much on it unlike on a Siberian Cat’s fur.
8. Shedding
Both breeds shed their seasonal coats twice a year, during spring and autumn. Maine Coon shed less than the Siberian Cat as the latter has 1 extra layer of fur. They will shed their full adult coat upon reaching maturity at 3-5 years of age.
9. Colors
Similar to other breeds of cats, Maine Coons and Siberian Cats also have a lot of colors and patterns. There are similar colors and patterns between the two but there are also some unique colors. The most unique is the sunshine color which can only be found in the Siberian Cat breed.
The rarest colors for Maine Coon are the solid red (pure orange), gold, and silver.
Though the Sunshine color is the most unique in Siberian Cats, it is not the rarest. The rarest color for Siberian Cats is silver.
The most popular and in-demand color for Maine Coons is Black Smoke while the most popular color and pattern for Siberian Cats is Black Mackerel Tabby.
10. Health Care
Both Maine Coon and Siberian Cats are active, healthy breeds. Like any cat, they require a balanced diet and regular health checkups. It is also advisable to have them checked for healthy conditions and have necessary vaccination shots before buying them.
For Maine Coons, walking is an integral part of their routine. They can be harnessed and walked similar to that of a dog. Usually, Maine Coons prefer to sharpen their claws in a horizontal position rather than a vertical position so watch out for this and adjust as necessary. What’s good about Maine Coons is they have an excellent immunity level and they don’t get sick often.
Siberian Cats tend to be quite picky when it comes to food though they possess quite an excellent appetite. They prefer raw lean meat, poultry, and other natural products and may sometimes refuse to be given normal cat food.
The diseases and sicknesses to watch out for are:
COMMON DISEASES OF SIBERIAN CATS:
- Urolithiasis – when hard deposits are formed inside kidneys due to excess of minerals and salts.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – left ventricle becomes too thick. It cannot pump out enough blood needed to supply the whole body.
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) – multiple cysts grow inside the kidneys.
- Erythrocyte pyruvate kinase deficiency – red blood cells (RBC) break down faster than the normal rate.
COMMON DISEASES OF MAINE COONS:
- Hip dysplasia – a condition wherein the femoral head is not moving smoothly due to misaligned and loose balls and sockets of the hip bones.
- Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – feline cardiac disease where the muscular walls of a cat’s heart thicken and decrease the heart’s efficiency to pump blood.
- Spinal muscular atrophy – posture abnormalities due to atrophy of muscles in hind limbs.
11. Lifespan
Healthy Siberian Cats live from 10-18 years. That is if the Siberians do not have any major illnesses and are given the right care.
Maine Coons boast an extended lifespan, and Maine Coons who do not have ailments and are raised properly can live from 13-15 years. However, this data has been questioned by many owners as their Maine Coons often live past 20 years.
An average domesticated cat can live up to about 15-20 years. There is proof that Maine Coons can outlive the standard lifespan of most cats. The oldest living cat in the world was a Maine Coon named Rubble, who lived past 31 years. They never went on record while Rubble was living though as they didn’t want to put stress on their aging feline friend.
In the Guinness World Records, the oldest cat was Creme Puff, a Texas cat who got to live until 38 years old. Flossie, a British Tortoiseshell Cat, is currently the oldest living cat at 27 years of age (as of 2023), he will turn 28 by December.
Temperament Difference
Both Maine Coon and the Siberian Cat behave like dogs. They are good cats to keep for companionship as they bond very well with their owners. They are both very loyal and communicative. They both communicate using chirping sounds rather than meowing like other cats. Both cats are natural hunters so keeping birds, hamsters, small rabbits, and mice as pets may prove to be difficult and should be trained first so they have time to get adjusted to all members of the family.
Maine Coons are the ‘gentle giants’ of the cat world. Despite their wild and stern appearance, they are very calm and patient with everyone in the household. They can interact with children and other pets very well. This makes them very desirable to keep for families with rowdy kids and those who wish to keep both dogs and cats as pets. Maine Coons can be very loyal and are known to bond quickly with their owners. Maine Coons do not require constant attention but prefer to be beside their favorite person. They are either aloof or friendly when it comes to meeting strangers but they do not exhibit defensiveness towards them. They are also less aggressive compared to most cats, making them perfect feline companions for children.
Maine Coons can be quite playful but the playfulness will constantly decrease as they go past their maturity stage of 5 years old. Maine Coons are also very sweet cats that will make you feel loved because they want to cuddle with their family members. Maine Coons tend to want to bond with every member of the family including other pets. However, Male Maine Coons do tend to follow their ‘alpha’ person around.
Maine Coons are also called the ‘dogs of the cat world’ because they enjoy walking on leashes and are highly trainable.
Siberian Cats are known to be playful, calm, and friendly but a bit stubborn and willful. But once they warm up, they will follow their favorite person around everywhere. They also want to sleep on the bed of the kids or their favorite person. In terms of handling, it is advised not to let kids pick them up as they may be quite defensive and use their claws. They do not like strangers and they may exhibit certain suspicion and defensiveness towards them. Siberian Cats may not like cuddling as much as the Maine Coon does but they’re still quite friendly. Siberian Cats also focus on just one favorite person and would want to have constant bonding with that person.
Comparison of Cost Ranges
The price difference between Maine Coons and Siberian Cats isn’t much. Expect to pay between $1,000-$4,000 upwards for the Maine Coon. For Siberian Cats, expect to pay from $1,200-$4,000 upwards. Pricing depends on the pedigree, quality, and if the cat is “cat show material”. Siberian Cats tend to be more expensive since sometimes, they are imported from Russia, or at least the breeder’s main Queen and King cats are.
Which is better: Maine Coon Or Siberian Cats?
Maine Coons and Siberian Cats have many similarities. The similarities may have been brought about by the mystery behind the Maine Coon’s origins and its relationship to the Siberian Cats. The differences between them are sometimes negligible. So it may boil down to physical preference and temperament.
The advantage the Siberian Cats have over Maine Coons is that they are lighter and much easier to travel around with. Also, their facial features are softer and less imposing. They may be considered ‘cuter’ than Maine Coons because they are smaller in size and their rounder eye and face shapes are softer and less imposing. So if you are looking for a cuter cat, Siberian Cats would be a good choice.
On the other hand, if you’re into larger majestic-looking cats that are smart and can be trained to fetch and walk on leashes then the Maine Coon is the best choice. Another reason why Maine Coons tend to be popular is that Maine Coons look like a Lynx but behave like a dog. They are patient and laid back so they are less likely to have any temperament issues against kids and other pets.
Another advantage is that Maine Coons tend to set world records, from the largest and longest cats to the oldest cats, making them preferred by many. This is why they are ranked #1 in terms of cat breed popularity in 2023. Maine Coon is considered the most popular cat breed for 2023 by The International Cat Association (TICA) and is also considered the second most popular breed in the world for 2022 according to The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA).
Certainly! If you’re intrigued by other breeds that exhibit similarities to Maine Coon Cats, delve into our article on 7 Breeds Similar to Maine Coon Cats.
