Choosing between a male or female Maine Coon is a significant decision, and our comprehensive guide breaks down the key differences to help you make an informed choice. Covering aspects such as size, space requirements, relationships with other pets, pricing factors, appearance, personalities, maturity rates, and health concerns, this guide aims to provide clarity in selecting the gender that best fits your preferences and lifestyle when welcoming a Maine Coon into your home.
Contents
1. Size
Since Maine Coons are the largest domestic breed of cat in the world and most people prefer Maine Coons because of their size, let’s look at the size differences between the two. Generally, Male Maine Coons are larger than their female counterparts. In terms of height, Male Maine Coons grow up to around 10-16 inches. Females grow up to around 8 to 14 inches tall. Males are quite heavier at 20-25 pounds while Females are lighter at 10-12 pounds. Both are similar in length and can grow from 19-40 inches.
Of course, like humans and other animals, there could be exceptions to the average size and some Females may grow larger than the measurements measured here.
Males are larger than female Maine Coons. While getting a male Maine Coon increases your odds of getting “giant” or bigger than normal sizes, there is still no assurance that the male Maine Coon would grow larger than a Maine Coon’s average size.
2. Space
Since Male Maine Coons tend to be larger and can be quite rowdy than females, they require more space. Females normally love to keep to themselves and aren’t as aggressive regarding spaces and territories. Males are more active. Male Maine Coons can be quite aggressive and territorial because of their testosterone levels. The solution to this is neutering. This will help keep their testosterone under control. It might take at least 2 months after neutering for their testosterone to be lower.
Once the Male Maine Coon has been neutered it becomes less territorial however, the space, especially its sleeping space or bed should be bigger than the Female’s because of its physical size. Some Female Maine Coons on the other hand have been reported to prefer the floor or the owner’s bed over the cat bed assigned to them. While Males make sure to establish authority and are particular regarding their territory, Female Maine Coon’s territory is pretty much the whole house.
3. Relationship With Other Pets
If you have other pets, Maine Coons are known to be the best breed of cat to keep around because they have a high tolerance towards other pets. However, if you have pets like dogs, that are quite bigger and bulkier than cats, it is better to have Male Maine Coons since they are larger. They will be able to withstand the playing and roughhousing with dogs.
4. Price
The size of the Maine Coon is considered one of the reasons why the price of the Maine Coon is somewhat balanced between the male and female. However, Female Maine Coons can give birth to offspring. Both of these factors heavily influence the pricing of this breed.
Usually, for other cat breeds, females have a higher price since Queens can be bred and produce offspring, they only need a cat stud or a King. This is however not the case for Maine Coons. Since Maine Coons are the largest type of Domestic Cat that can break the Guinness Book of World Records, size does matter. Male Maine Coons are larger than their female counterparts. Size is what makes Maine Coon popular. Therefore the demand for Male Maine Coons is higher than for female Maine Coons.
However, since Females can reproduce, this balances the demand between the two. So don’t be surprised if you find that the prices for both Male and Female Maine Coons are very similar or have small differences. Prices for both Male and Female Maine Coons range from $1,000-$3,500 and over $4,000 for Show-quality Maine Coons.
5. Appearance
Generally, some Male Maine Coons have more manly & prominent facial features such as broader, square-ish, muscular heads and jowls. Females have a smaller and more rounded face. However, this is also influenced by genetics so the differences may be too subtle or unnoticeable for some Maine Coons.
Both the Male and Female Maine Coons have long and thick fur that’s mostly water-repellent. However, more males have thicker lush fur around their necks (also known as ruffs) and have bushier tails to attract females.
6. Personality
It should be noted that personalities are shaped by the owners and upbringing of the Maine Coon, and it can also be influenced by genetics, socialization, and the Maine Coon’s environment.
Some owners associate certain personalities with specific genders and there are many articles online that discuss Maine Coon gender-specific personalities. However, these are not verified.
Since there is no reliable research or study made on the gender-specific personalities of Maine Coons that are published online, the following reported personalities of Maine Coons should be taken with a grain of salt.
10 Maine Coon Personality differences between the Male and Females:
- Male Maine Coons are more affectionate, demanding in terms of attention, and more clingy than Females.
- Males tend to choose just one person in the family to fully bond with and be clingy to.
- Males follow their Alpha or their favorite person a lot.
- Females get close to everyone in the family and don’t usually play favorites.
- Males need more stimulation and plenty of playtime and socialization with their fur parents and family members.
- Females are more laid-back and gentler.
- Males are more adventurous and more curious than Females.
- Despite their size differences, Females beat Males in terms of social hierarchy.
- Males tend to be more territorial and would often fight to establish their ranking in their social hierarchy.
- Male Maine Coons are often more playful and energetic, even into adulthood.
The personalities listed above may or may not apply to your Maine Coon. You will also notice that there may be statements above that contradicts your Maine Coon’s personality.
We have already mentioned that a Maine Coon’s personality is something that can be shaped by the way they are raised. Also, each Maine Coon is unique and their gender doesn’t influence their personality directly, similar to how we humans have different personalities even if we have the same gender as the other person.
Other factors influence a Maine Coon’s personality such as homosexuality. Can cats be gay? Absolutely! Like most animals, they too can differ in terms of mate preferences. This has been researched and recorded in a book called “Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity” by Bruce Bagemihl. Yes, cats also have a sense of Gay Purr-ride but that’s a topic we can cover for another day.
If you find that your Maine Coon’s personality is desirable or alluring then keep it by praising them often or rewarding them when they exhibit that personality. If you, however, find a personality to be negative, you can choose to train your Maine Coon so they can manifest that personality a lot less than usual. The key is to identify it quite early and before maturity sets in.
7. Maturity
Female Maine Coons mature faster than males both physically and in terms of behavior. Female Maine Coons reach their full maturity at around 3-4 years old. Males Maine Coons mature at their own pace and often reach their peak at 5 years old.
8. Temperament
Temperament on the other hand is common to both males and females. It is something that both genders share. All Maine Coons regardless of gender are patient, friendly, laid-back, sociable, and extremely tolerant to kids as well as other pets.
Maine Coons are also known to be very intelligent and trainable, empathetic and affectionate, independent, good hunters, and active, water lovers, and both have an unusual cat voice compared to other breeds.
Vocalization
One thing that should be noted is Male Maine coons vocalize more than females but that is because of their being territorial and brought about by their testosterone levels. Due to this, Males may have louder and more frequent chirping sounds than Females.
Motherly instincts
Another thing to note is that Female Maine Coon have motherly instincts even though they don’t have kittens yet. They love to stay clean and are very meticulous groomers. They groom themselves plus other cats as well. Females are also more adaptable to changes within the household such as adding new pets or introducing babies and kids in the house.
Intelligence
Both Male and Female Maine Coons are quite intelligent; however, some owners have reported that Female Maine Coons prefer problem-solving activities. Males, on the other hand, prefer hunting activities and even catching toys.
9. Health Concerns
It is important to note that the upbringing of Maine Coons, such as preventive shots, formed habits, food intake, vitamins, and overall health care play a huge role in whether these cats will have certain medical conditions.
Male Maine Coons are more prone to a heart condition called feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Female Maine Coons are more susceptible to uterine infections like pyometra. However, these tendencies can vary among individual cats.
Since the common sicknesses that affect Male Maine Coons have higher mortality rates, it can be said that Males have a slightly shorter lifespan than Females. Click here to explore more information about the lifespan of Maine Coons.
10. Bloody Discharge
Obviously, Male and Female Maine Coons have different reproductive systems and like other mammals, females breastfeed their young and have bloody discharge whenever they are ‘in heat’. The recommendation is to spay Female Maine Coons so that they have a lower chance of bleeding or having a bloody discharge.
However, it should be noted that cats don’t bleed similarly to dogs. Bleeding in cats is not so obvious and is rare. Female cats do not shed their old womb lining, instead, they reabsorb it so there should be no bleeding. Bleeding in female cats may be a cause of concern and should be checked if they bleed frequently.
Rather than a bloody discharge, Female Maine Coons usually chirp and vocalize more, roll on the floor, and could have a possible decrease in appetite whenever they are in heat. So if you’re concerned about bleeding by Female Maine Coons, don’t be. You will hardly notice this if bloody discharges do happen.
11. Litter Box Behavior
Males tend to mark or spray a lot of urine around especially if they are not neutered. Females are less territorial and may be more consistent when it comes to using the litter box. Males use urine marking not only to mark their territory but also to advertise that they need a mate.
Summary
In conclusion, deciding between a Male and Female Maine Coon involves considering various factors, each contributing to the unique characteristics of these majestic cats. Whether you opt for a Male or Female Maine Coon depends on your preferences, living space, and the dynamics of your household.
If you’re drawn to the impressive size and masculine appearance, a Male Maine Coon might be the perfect fit. Their larger stature and thicker ruffs contribute to their majestic presence. On the other hand, if you have limited space or seek a more adaptable companion for a family with kids and other pets, a Female Maine Coon could be an excellent choice.
Space considerations play a role, with Females being more suitable for smaller living environments. Additionally, if you have multiple male cats, maintaining similar sizes can help mitigate territorial behavior and ensure a harmonious living arrangement.
Socialization is key, and starting early with a Maine Coon kitten helps shape its personality. Whether Male or Female, Maine Coons are known for their patience, intelligence, and sociability, making them excellent additions to households with various companions.
Crucially, spaying or neutering is recommended to prevent territorial issues and ensure a smoother integration into a multi-pet home. While some differences exist in terms of size, appearance, and behavior, both Male and Female Maine Coons bring unique qualities that make them beloved members of the family.
Ultimately, the choice between a Male and Female Maine Coon is a personal one, and the most important factors include appreciating their beauty, assessing their health, and understanding their individual nature, possibly through videos provided by the cattery. Whether you welcome a majestic Male or an elegant Female, a Maine Coon’s love and companionship will undoubtedly enrich your home.
