Both Maine Coon and Persian cats make wonderful companions, but have you ever seen them combined in a single cat?
A Maine Coon mix with Persian really exists, and I can tell you it’s likely to inherit both of its parent breeds awesome traits!
A cat doesn’t have to be a purebred to still look beautiful and to make a great family pet.
Continue reading to find out more about the Maine Coon Persian mix’s appearance, temperament, health, and more.
Maine Coon Persian Mix Appearance
To get an idea of the expected appearance of this hybrid cat, we first need to take a look at both of its parent breeds.
These mixed cats will not all be the same, but there are some general predictions gained from Maine Coon’s and Persian’s characteristics.
Size
Maine Coon has an average weight of 10 to 25 pounds, and a height of 10 to 16 inches.
Persian isn’t a small cat either. According to the Persian growth chart, this is a medium-sized cat, with an average weight of 7 to 12 pounds, and a height of 8-15 inches.
Considering both of its parent breeds’ size, the Maine Coon Persian mix is expected to be a medium-sized to large cat that will usually weigh 10 to 20 pounds. The average height for this hybrid is estimated to be 10 to 15 inches.
Coat Type And Colors
The Maine Coon has a heavy, silky, and shaggy coat that comes in many different colors, such as blue, brown, black, red, white, silver, etc.
The Persian breed also has long, luxurious fur that can be blue, black, gray, orange, silver, etc. This cat can also have different color patterns, such as the tabby, calico, or tortoiseshell pattern.
Based on these traits, the Persian Maine Coon mix is also likely to have a silky and long coat type.
Since both of its parent breeds come in a variety of coat colors, this cat can also be seen in different colors and patterns.
Facial Features
This mix has medium-sized ears that might be pointy like the ones of the Maine Coon parent, or round – like seen in the Persian cat.
Its eyes will usually be almond-shaped or round.
Body Type
This hybrid cat has a very long body. Her tail will be very long as well, and her paws will likely be bigger than usually seen in other cats.
A trait that this mix might inherit from its Maine Coon parent is the polydactyl gene, which causes a cat to have more toes than normal. This can be seen on one or more cats’ paws.
According to Alexia Hamelin and her associates [1], this is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, and is characterized by genetic heterogeneity in the Maine Coon breed.
Maine Coon Persian Mix Temperament
The Maine Coon is known for its sweet and gentle nature. Although this is a big cat, it’s very cuddly and affectionate, and this is why so many people choose it as their family pet.
The Persian breed also has a wonderful temperament. This cat is quiet, docile, sociable, and intelligent.
Having parents with these temperament traits – you can be sure that a Maine Coon Persian hybrid will also have a pleasant temperament, and will make a friendly and loyal companion.
Maine Coon Persian Mix Care
This hybrid is likely to be beautiful in appearance and pleasant in temperament, but, is it challenging to take care of this cat?
Let’s take a look at the care requirements for a Persian Maine Coon hybrid.
Exercise
While a Maine Coon is highly active, the Persian is a more laid-back cat.
So, it’s actually a lottery when it comes to how much exercise a mix of these two cats will need. Still, no matter how active this hybrid turns out to be, it should have at least a couple of minutes of exercise per day.
This means you should provide it with some interactive toys, scratching posts, and some nice tall cat trees.
Training
Just like both of its parents, the Maine Coon Persian mix is likely to be intelligent.
So, it shouldn’t take a long time for this cat to be litter-trained, or not to scratch you or your furniture.
You might even try teaching her some basic commands and tricks!
Nutrition
For this cat’s body to grow properly and her muscles to develop as they should, this mixed cat is supposed to have a high-protein diet.
You should also make sure this cat is always hydrated.
Both dry and wet cat food have their advantages, and a decent option would be to feed this cat with the combination of these two food types.
You might want to consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about this cat’s diet.
Grooming
Considering this cat’s long coat, there is a need for regular grooming, and I’m talking about even daily brushing, as to prevent shedding and mats in its hair.
I’m sure you would always want to see this cat’s coat looking shiny and healthy. Well, regular grooming should be enough to achieve this.
You might think that bathing will make a Maine Coon Persian mix coat look even more beautiful, but this isn’t actually true. Bathing a cat too often can make her fur lose its natural oils and look greasy and lifeless.
You should actually bathe this cat only if she’s unable to groom herself, if she is obese, or if she has some skin condition, and the vet recommended bathing her with medicated shampoo.
Interesting Read: Are Persian Cats Hypoallergenic Or Bad For Allergy Sufferers?
Maine Coon Persian Mix Health
In addition to good looks and a pleasant temperament, the Maine Coon Persian mix may also inherit some of the health problems characteristic of its parents.
Many Maine Coons will suffer from hip dysplasia and kidney disease.
Another health condition characteristic of this breed is Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is, according to the MSD Veterinary Manual, the most common heart disease of cats, affecting as many as one in seven.
Persians are likely to suffer from bladder stones, dental problems, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
It is very important that you feed this cat a quality diet, that you keep it active and at a healthy weight, and that you react if you notice any unusual symptoms or behavioral changes.
In addition, of course, it is important that you regularly take the cat to veterinary examinations.
Maine Coon Persian Mix Lifespan
While Maine Coons usually live 12 to 15 years, Persians can live up to 17 years.
These cats’ mix might also live as long as its Persian parent, provided, of course, with decent living conditions, as well as with regular veterinary care.
Final Words
The Maine Coon Persian is definitely a beautiful cat that inherited a temperament from its parent breeds which makes it an excellent choice for a pet.
This cheerful and intelligent furry friend will make your home a fun place!
When we know what to expect from a hybrid cat, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between a purebred and a mixed cat, right? Both are equally worthy of our attention.
With adequate care, quality nutrition, and regular vet check-ups, you have a very good chance to share many happy years with this lovely hybrid.
References:
[1] Hamelin A, et. al. Genetic heterogeneity of polydactyly in Maine Coon cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2020 Dec;22(12):1103-1113. DOI, Retrieved June 23, 2023.