There’s a certain enchantment in finding out if you might have a Maine Coon kitten. Maybe it’s the impression that the kitten’s paws are oversized for its body, or that its fluffy, lie-limbed tail is sweeping on the floor like a duster.
If you’re trying to figure out how to tell if you have a Maine Coon kitten, you are not alone. Many other cat lovers have visited this moment of enchantment and would, like you, be on the lookout for indicators their new love is, indeed, a Maine Coon.
Quick-Glance Checklist: How to Tell If You Have a Maine Coon Kitten
- Thick, shaggy fur with a hint of a mane
- Long, rectangular body and sturdy legs
- Big, bushy tail
- Large, upright ears (maybe with lynx tips)
- Square jaw and long face
- Big, expressive eyes
- Large, tufted paws (sometimes extra toes)
- Gentle, playful, and loyal personality
- Slow, steady growth
Why Maine Coon Kittens
All kittens have their own special qualities, but Maine Coon kittens possess something magical that’s almost impossible to accurately describe until you’ve experienced it yourself.
Maine Coons are known as gentle giants, generally ending up as one of the largest domestic cats that are not hybrids. Their personalities are massive as well, loving, playful, and inquisitive.
If you’re wondering how to actually tell if you have a Maine Coon kitten, you are going to be looking for a group of individual traits that will distinguish them from the rest.
When your kitten is at the center of the action and already believes that he is larger than the cat of the neighbor, you are on the right track.
7 Surprising Signs That Show You Have a Maine Coon Kitten
1. Distinct Size and Shape
When it comes to figuring out how to tell whether you’re getting a Maine Coons kitten or not, size is often the first thing you notice. Maine Coons look and feel bigger than most kittens even when they’re babies.
For example, pick up your kitten – does it feel heavier than you thought it would?
Do the legs feel solid, like they’re ready for an adventure?
Maine Coons have a long rectangular body, as opposed to a small round body. They have a broad chest and solid legs – all signs of the big, sweet cat it will grow up to be.
- Growth spurts: Between 8 and 16 weeks, these kittens can triple their birth weight. They might keep growing for several years, catching even the cat-educated off guard as to how big they are.
- Proportions: They have good proportions to their body: deep chest, solid legs, and tail as long as almost as long as their body.
2. The Coat: Built for Winter
Maine Coons are simply adorable! By far the best thing about them is their fur. If you are not sure whether you have a Maine Coon kitten, pet their coat. It should feel nice and thick, like the soft edge of a blanket with a silky undercoat, and shaggy, longer fur on the belly and hind legs.
The Maine Coons are cold weather fur. It is nearly like the mane of a lion around the neck. This ruff stands out more when they age.
They not only have long coats, but they are thick, soft, and appear to be hugging them all the time. It is nature that keeps them warm in the winter, but to you, it is a reminder of the fact that they were once wild and rugged.
The fur is not only long but has a shaggy, irregular appearance, particularly on the belly and the legs. When your kitten has a very soft coat and you see that a fluffy mane is beginning to appear, this is a good sign.
Look for:
• Short, thick, matted hair with a silky undercoat
• Mane or ruff around the neck (even when it is at the beginning)
• The belly and the back legs have longer fur
3. The Ears: Large, Tufted, and Always Listening
Maine Coon kittens have oversized ears that seem a bit too big for their heads, erect and spaced wide apart. If you look closely, you may see tufts of fur at the ends of the ears, or lynx tips.
Not every Maine Coon has lynx tips, but it is a classic trait of a Maine Coon. There is also additional fur inside the ears that protects and keeps them warm.
- Position: The ears should be positioned high on the head to give the impression of attentiveness and inquisitiveness.
- Tufts: If you do observe that the kitten has lynx tips, great! If not, don’t fret. There are plenty of purebreds that don’t have lynx tips.
4. The Face: Strong, Sweet, and Square
What do you see when you look at your kitten’s face? Some kind of square, broad muzzle? To conform to breed standards, a Maine Coon has a unique face shape with a long, wedge head, high cheekbones, and a strong square jaw.
Additionally, Maine Coons typically have longer rounded noses than other cats, giving a more wise and gentle appearance.
- Eyes: Maine Coon eyes are typically large, expressive, and slightly slanted. The colors may vary, but typically consist of green, gold, copper, or blue. They possess a softness and intelligence in their gaze that is difficult to ignore.
- “M” Shape: Lots of Maine Coon kittens, especially tabby ones, have a distinct M shape on their forehead. This is not exclusive to the breed, but just another fun thing to look for.
5. The Paws: Big, Fluffy, and Ready for Anything
Maine Coons have big round paws with tufts of fur coming out between the toes (snowshoe paws), This helped their ancestors walk in the snowy forests of the Northeast. If your kitten has extra toes, that is a classic Maine Coons quirk, not every Maine Coon has extra toes, but they do make for pretty unique kittens.
The Purpose: Those big paws aren’t just cute, they are made for exploring, climbing, and pouncing.
6. Growing and Changing: Watching the Transformation
As magical as it is to have a Maine Coon kitten, it is even more magical to watch them grow and change. Generally speaking, they will develop a fuller mane, bushier tail, and grow longer and stronger overall in size.
If you can be patient, you’ll get to watch your little kitten gradually transform into a majestic adult cat.
Patience is Key: Some features, like the mane and lynx tips, will not appear immediately and will be developed with time. Don’t worry if your kitten doesn’t have every trait you expect right now.
7. DNA and Breeder Identification
Sometimes, after all the signs, the answer is still unclear. If you still want to figure out how to tell if you are looking at a Maine Coon kitten, you can always check for papers with the breeder, or a DNA test.
Registered breeders are usually connected to cat associations like TICA or CFA, and are able to show you their registration number and registration certificate of pedigree.
The DNA test can identify Maine Coon features, but there is not always a conclusive result.
Myths and Misconceptions
- Not All Maine Coons Have Lynx Tips: Some purebreds do not have these features either, and that is ok!
- Size Is Not Everything: Some big cats can be confused with a Maine Coon, and some Maine Coons are smaller than you may be thinking.
- “M” Marking Is Not Exclusive: Many tabby cats may have the “M” marking.
- Color Does Not Matter: Anything goes, Maine Coons come in many colors and patterns.
Enjoy the Journey
If you checked off most of these points, you may just have a Maine Coon kitten curled up next to you. But remember, whether your kitten is a purebred Maine Coon or just has a few of their traits, what matters most is the love and joy they bring to your life. Every kitten has its own story, and you’re lucky to be part of it.
