While Maine Coon comes from United States, Persian has Persia (known as Iran today) origin.

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:

Maine Coon vs Persian 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 Persians, have a typical length of 14 to 18 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

Maine Coons and Persians 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

It's no secret that cats and kids tend to keep their distance apart, as kids often see them as moving toys and rush to grab them. This is something that cats aren't comfortable with, and will react in defense.

That being said, if you have kids, you shoud probably get a 5, as they are usually more patiente with children than 2s are.

Of course, each cat is different, and proper socialization and introduction is neccessery.

Friendly Toward Strangers

Cats may be fearful of strangers for different reasons. They might scare them, they might feel that they are not so much into cats or pets in general, or they might have just an issue with unfamiliar visitors.

Cats tend to love their space and territory, so any new face (scent in their case) is a disturbing factor.

If you love having people over, these breeds are not an option. Not only that they are not feeling comfortable around strangers, but they will show how uncomfortable strangers are to them.

A strong dislike of strangers can even lead to health issues in your cat. If you notice your cat hiding the majority of the time, it may be a sign that your cat is ill.

Both breeds should have toys and treats that they love to keep them busy when people are around.

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 Persians.

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.

Persians 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.

Maine Coons 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 Persians.

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

Grooming

Cats are natural groomers. They may love to hide, get into small holes, and explore different scents, but they will do their best to clean themself afterward.

Owning a Persian will be more demanding than owning a Maine Coon as they require more grooming.

But don't let this fret you. Each breed requires grooming (brushing, trimming nails, hair trimming and combining, shaving mats, etc), it's just a matter of how frequently you should groom them.

Shedding

Some felines shed more than others, and Maine Coons and Persians are known for being heavy shedders. They will shed throughout the year.

To keep their shedding at a minimum, it’s important to have the right grooming tools on hand.

Provide regular grooming sessions, and have weekly brushing sessions. This simple practice should keep the cat’s coat both healthy and glossy.

If you enjoy brushing cats and you don’t mind cat hair here and there, these breeds are for you.

Regular brushing sounds like too much work? You don’t want to see cats' hair in excessive amounts all over your place? Consider getting a breed that is known as low shedder.

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 Maine Coon, you will probably deal with a breed with a high tendency to be vocal, while Persians are often described as a breed with a medium 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.

If intelligence is an important factor for you, you might prefer a Maine Coon. They are fast to interact, communicate, and demand a lot of your time and playtime to thrive.

Obviously, this doesn't mean that Persians are dunderhead, they just don't tend to be smart as Maine Coons.

The Final Word

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

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