Maine Coon vs Ragdoll: Cat Breeds Comparison
Maine Coon and Ragdoll 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:
Maine Coon vs Ragdoll
Maine Coon |
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Length30 to 40 inches |
Weight9 to 18 pounds |
Overall Health |
OriginUnited States |
Life Span9 to 15 years |
Ragdoll |
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Length17 to 21 inches |
Weight10 to 20 pounds |
Overall Health |
OriginUnited States |
Life Span12 to 17 years |
Maine Coon vs Ragdoll 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 Ragdolls, have a typical length of 17 to 21 inches and an average weight of 10 to 20 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
Looking for a perfect family cat?
Well, we'd strongly advise to choose Ragdoll over Maine Coon.
Ragdolls love their people, and being a part of a family is something that helps them thrive.
Maine Coons, on the other hand, are more of an independent type, that will prefer to stay silent in the corner, or their spot and monitor closely what is happening around them.
This doesn’t mean that there is no love toward humans but instead means that they prefer moments of solitude. You can still expect Maine Coons to come to you for cuddles - at their own pace.
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 Maine Coon or a Ragdoll 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
Ragdolls 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 are known for being independent creatures. They love being around people, but on their terms.
If there could be a towering safe place for them to overlook everyone and everything, they would claim it as theirs. Although they are independent, they still need affection and love, which is why some are extremely friendly.
Not only that they are friendly and affectionate toward people, but they are highly affectionate toward other pets as well, including dogs. These breeds are ultra-friendly, and they will enjoy multi-pet households.
If your home is blessed with multi-pets and you want a feline or another pet, you should focus on getting a friendly cat.
Bear in mind that some cats are more friendly than others are, but if you choose Maine Coons or Ragdolls you won't make a mistake, and you will definitely get a polite and friendly furry pet toward other pets.
Potential for Playfulness
Some cats are naturally more playful than others.
In human terms, some cats are social, while others are very independent creatures that prefer to be left alone. If you want a feline that is playful and always ready to chase that ball, you cannot go wrong with choosing Maine Coon or Ragdoll.
If you get one of these breeds be ready to invest some time in playtime, or your feline will get bored and eventually become destructive.
Once you get a playful breed be ready to organize your living space to accommodate your cat’s playful side. Cats need space where they can explore, jump, and rest. Think in terms of cat furniture and durable cat toys.
General Health
When it comes to their health and their overall well-being, both Maine Coon and Ragdoll are considered breeds that have average general health.
Average health doesn't mean that your feline won't reach senior years, but means that you need to mind more on proper nutrition, invest in high-quality food, enable enough space for exercise indoors, and have a good veterinarian.
With these breeds you can expect slightly higher veterinarian costs if you miss providing regular veterinarian check-ups.
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 Ragdoll 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 Ragdolls 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
Both Maine Coons and Ragdolls are known for being highly vocal breeds. They can talk all day long!
Cats enjoy social contact with people and they use their voices to get human attention, over and over again.
If you prefer quietness, or you have toddlers who sleep a lot, you might think about getting a less vocal feline.
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 Maine Coons vs Ragdolls comparison helped you to choose the right breed for you.
You can use the tool below to make a new comparison.