I was recently informed that this breed is not fully grown until they are 5 years old. Is this true? Is it common for 6 month old kittens to be less than 3 pounds? I don't want to get a sick cat. Thanks.

-- Anonymous, October 03, 1998

Answers

It's quite true that Maine Coons are not fully mature (i.e. reach their full size) until they're between at least four or five years of age.

It's unlikely for a six-month-old kitten to weigh less than three pounds. My rule of thumb for weight gain is at /least/ one pound per month for the first eight months (at which time weight gain may slack off, especially in the girls).

Purrs, Trish

-- Anonymous, October 03, 1998

Johnna -

Three pounds at six months does sound a little small, but the females be smaller than the males. What are the sizes of the kittens parents, and other cats in those lines?

It is always a good idea to go to a cat show, and see several cats and kittens, and hopefully several different breeders. Talk to the people at the show, and ask (a lot of) questions. You should be able to find someone you are comfortable with, who can help you find the right kitten. Don't rush into getting a kitten, when that cat will be around for 15 or 20 years. Take a little more time now, and be sure you feel right.

regards

Cathy

-- Anonymous, October 04, 1998

I am not an expert, but 3# @ 6 mos for a MC does seem a little odd. My male MC was 3# @ 3 mos and he weighed 5# @5 mos. He is 8 mos now and weighs 9#. My domestic cat weighed only 6# @ 3 yrs and the most she ever weighed in her life was 7#. Is the cat small boned?

-- Anonymous, October 15, 1998

Hi All, I have a female that is barely 7 pounds at a little over a year. This is quite odd because mama and daddy are HUGE! I know that the females are smaller, but isn't this unusally small? I also have a new baby boy that weighed in at 5 pounds at 3 months of age. Go figure...

-- Anonymous, December 21, 1998