There are differences between male and female Maine Coons, but there are also blatant misconceptions! I'll highlight the advantages of each gender, and I'll address a crucial fact that can tip the scale in favor of the often overlooked females. Feel free to tell me in the comments any others I missed!
First of all, we gotta talk about . . .
size! Maine Coons are famous for being the largest cat breed in the world, but not all Maine Coons are giants! This is especially true in the case of females.
The girls usually weigh less than males, and the difference can be significant. Boys typically weigh between 15 and 22 pounds or even more; on the other hand, females weigh between 10 and 15 pounds. While getting a male doesn't guarantee your cat will turn out to be a giant, it surely increases the odds!
But there are more things to consider when choosing a bigger cat! One of them is your home's size. Large cats need bigger homes, especially active cats, like the Maine Coon.
So females might do better in a smaller space. Plus, you might need to pay extra for larger litter boxes, cat trees, and toys. You'll also spend more on cat food!
Still, I don't think the price difference is that significant to tip the scale in favor of females. However, these things may be harder to find, depending on where you live. I live in Romania, and we don't have many options that cater to bigger fellows here.
Thirdly, take the size into account if you have other pets. Getting a huge cat can be problematic if you already have a typical housecat. That's because males tend to play rougher than females.
This isn't true just for Maine Coons, but for all cats. In general, males are more prone to biting and bunny kicking; females tend to give up on this playstyle at about 3 years. It's a no-brainer a cat twice the size of the other can injure the latter when rough play is involved.
Additionally, the more aggressive playstyle can create serious tensions between your cats if you have a female. In this case, it will be harder for your cat to fend off a larger kitty. So if you have another regular-sized cat, I would say to choose a female.
Here’s another thing to keep in mind: some males can resort to sexual aggression toward females, even if they’re neutered. This is even more problematic when there’s a significant size gap. On the other hand, if you have a dog, a male will do better, due to its larger frame.
Let's say you're more interested in getting an affectionate cat. Besides their size, males are more sought after because people think they're more affectionate. You might have read this while doing your research.
However, it doesn't seem to be accurate! Maine Coons are, in general, great family pets, quite energetic and involved. Still, each cat is unique and can have various personalities!
I asked several breeders if males are indeed more affectionate, and here's what they said: All of them told me there aren't differences between males and females. Some females are super affectionate; others love from a distance. The same is true for males.
Also, some cats are naturally more friendly, while others are more reserved toward strangers. Their energy level varies as well. In many cases, the kitten's temperament can be a good indicator of the future cat's temperament, but it’s not an exact science.
Additionally, the way you interact with your cat makes a significant difference in your cat's behavior. You should spend a lot of time with your kitten in the first few months. The same goes for energy level and mischievousness - there's no difference between girls and boys.
It really depends on the kitten. But don't worry! The breeder will ask you tons of questions regarding your lifestyle to make a purrfect match.
If you have kids, there's some good news! Both genders tolerate them, but the more active kittens do better. Here’s something important to consider: Maine Coons are unfortunately prone to developing HCM and a few other health conditions.
Males are more at risk of developing severe HCM symptoms; additionally, they’re more prone to display them at an early age. It's unclear if this is due to their gender or larger frame, but it's something to take into account. You can find this article in the description for more info on the topic: Since HCM is pretty dangerous, go for a female if you're concerned about it.
Avoid backyard breeders and go for accredited ones. If you don’t have enough money, think about adopting instead! Hip dysplasia is another thing to consider!
According to this study, 25% of Maine Coons might suffer from it, and it seems that males are slightly more prone to it. On the other hand, there were no differences in the case of bilateral hip dysplasia, which causes more severe symptoms. Males are more prone to urethral obstruction and urinary infections.
As such, your male cat might need more vet visits than a female. In the case of the other prevalent health issue in Maine Coons, both genders seem equally at risk. Either way, you should do your best to keep your cat in good shape, as overweight individuals do worse if affected by a disease.
What about their lifespan? I couldn't find any information on this topic. However, males might live a bit less if we consider they're more prone to HCM.
If you still can't decide between a male and a female, I suggest focusing more on the kitten's personality. You'll make a wonderful choice either way! Do you prefer a male or a female Maine Coon, and why?
Tell me in the comments; I would love to know! And now, I'd really think you'd like this video in which I compare Maine Coons to regular cats: See you there!
