American Shorthair and Maine Coon share the same origin. They both come from United States.

But honestly, breeds' origin doesn't reveal a lot about it, so please keep reading to learn more about these interesting breeds.

Although both breeds are very intelligent, it's important to consider their differences as well.

Here is some basic information about these breeds:

American Shorthair vs Maine Coon Appearance

Maine Coons are longer.

Maine Coons have an average length of 30 to 40 inches and a weight of 9 to 18 pounds.

On the other side American Shorthairs, have a typical length of 12 to 15 inches and an average weight of 7 to 12 pounds.

Temperament

No doubt, each cat has its own temperament, but we'll try to make some generalizations and help you choose the breed that will fit

Affectionate with Family

American Shorthairs and Maine Coons are known as breeds with a medium need to be around people. They will meow at you when feeding time comes, and they will come to you for cuddles, but they will equally demand their time.

They may come to you when they want and it can be a matter of only a few minutes. They may also decide to spend an entire day on their spot.

For those who want an independent cat, these breeds are to be considered welcoming. To enable the balance they need, think about installing a cat window seat.

Kid-Friendly

Owning a feline and having a kid can be challenging but also so much rewarding. This is especially true if you get a American Shorthair or a Maine Coon because you will enjoy watching your kid growing with them together.

These breeds are major kids lovers, and describing them only as kid-friendly isn't enough.

Both breeds will monitor kids closely whenever you leave the room.

With so kid-friendly breeds around, your kid can easily learn how to behave around cats, and even how to train them. Treats can do wonders, even with cats.

Friendly Toward Strangers

American Shorthairs are more friendly than Maine Coons. What does it mean to you?

Generally you should avoid Maine Coons in some cases:

• Your home is always full of people
• You like to make parties at your home
• You consider getting a cat for office or working place
• You travel a lot and plan to leave your cat with your friends
• You plan traveling or commuting with your cat in the transporter

Otherwise no worries, both breeds should do fine, just Maine Coons might be a more reserved in the beginning when meeting new people.

Pet Friendly

Cats being generally friendly is one thing, but being friendly toward other pets is a completely different thing.

This trait must be taken into account if you've got another pet, so let's see do these breeds compare.

Maine Coons are generally more pet friendly than American Shorthairs.

Cats usually tolerate dogs because they are not so territorial beings as dogs are, but make sure that their introduction is done safely.

If you notice your feline moving away from pets, do not force them to mingle, or spend time together. As a general rule, cats and birds shouldn't be under the same roof.

Potential for Playfulness

If your future cat's playfulness is an important thing for you, be sure to read this carefully.

Let's get straight to the point:

Maine Coons are more playful, and they will require you to invest some time in keeping them entertained, otherwise they might get bored and eventully destructive.

American Shorthairs aren't described by feline lovers as a breed of high playfulness, so if you're looking for a more laid-back breed for your appartment, they might be a great choice.

General Health

A healthy diet, proper grooming, and exercise should keep your feline in top shape.

American Shorthairs are usually considered as a healthy and resilient breed and should reach their senior years without major issues, as long as you deal with responsible breeders and provide regular veterinarian check-ups.

Unfortunately, the same doesn't stand for Maine Coons.

Their health is considered as average or below average, so if you decide to get a Maine Coon, be sure to choose a reputable breeder, known for breeding cats with good genetics.

Grooming

Grooming cats is never easy since felines are not known as creatures that love being handled. Some cats may be more tolerant if they are not demanding grooming-wise. If you want a cat like this one, you should stay away from American Shorthairs and Maine Coons as they are hard to groom.

Brushing is a mandatory part of every health routine, but it's far from being the only section. Cat grooming includes also trimming nails, hair trimming and combining, shaving mats if needed, and bathing only when needed.

American Shorthairs or Maine Coon are typical representatives of breeds being hard to handle when grooming. They are not enjoying when being handled and it usually leads to some disturbance and poor grooming outcomes.

These breeds shouldn’t be your option for ownership if you find it hard to deal with the grooming process.

Shedding

Nobody enjoys the facts cats shed, but if you hate that, you should probably stick to American Shorthairs, as they shed less than Maine Coons.

However, don't forget that all cats need regular brushing, but how often depends on the breed.

Cats are not too fond of being handled, so invest in high-quality (and proper) grooming tools to make the brushing process easier and short.

Tendency to Vocalize

There are two types of cats: talkative, and silent.

But there are also two types of people: people who like talkative cats, and people who don't.

Therefore, you should consider this characteristic when you're choosing the perfect cat breed.

With American Shorthair, you will probably deal with a breed with a medium tendency to be vocal, while Maine Coons are often described as a breed with a high tendency to vocalize.

Intelligence

It's a well-known fact that cats are among the most intelligent creatures alive. They are smart to react instinctively, fast to hunt, and smart to hide in a matter of seconds.

Intelligence is a factor to consider when getting a cat. If you want a super smart cat that can be trained but is also independent enough to learn on its own, both breeds are great to have around.

Did you know that cat intelligence is ranked on their sociability and willingness to interact with their owners?

These breeds are fast to interact, communicate, and demand a lot of your time and playtime to thrive.

The Final Word

We hope our American Shorthairs vs Maine Coons comparison helped you to choose the right breed for you.

You can use the tool below to make a new comparison.