Ragdolls are known for their calm, friendly demeanor and fluffy coat. Maine Coons are known as the “American Lion” due to their large size and robust appearance. Both cats are known as the Gentle Giant. The two breeds of cats have some similar traits in terms of personality and behavior, but there are also some differences between them as well. Read on to learn more about the similarities and differences between these two popular breeds of cats.
What is a Ragdoll Cat?
The Ragdoll Cat is known for its relaxed, friendly temperament, large size, non-mating coat, and striking blue eyes. The defining trait of the Ragdoll Cat is the flop! Ragdoll Cats go completely limp and relaxed when they are picked up and held. Ragdolls are a relatively recent breed of cat having originated in California, USA in the 1960s by breeder Ann Baker.
What is a Maine Coon Cat?
The Maine Coon is a long-haired, large cat that is native to North America. They are one of the most popular cats in the world and are known for their intelligence, athleticism, and playful nature.
The Maine Coon cat is the only longhair breed native to the United States. Maine Coons are a natural breed and little is known of their true origin. The breed probably originated from cats that were brought over by sailors who sailed into New England and these cats bred with the existing native cats, eventually creating the Maine Coon that we know and love today. The first Maine Coon to win a ‘Best Cat’ award was a tabby Maine Coon named Leo, in New York in 1895.
Ragdoll Cat Vs Maine Coon Cat – Size
Both known as the gentle giant, Ragdolls and Maine Coons are both one of the largest breeds of domestic cat out there, but the Maine Coon takes the prize for being the overall largest domesticated cat breed. The Maine Coon is, on average, taller, heavier and longer than the Ragdoll Cat.
Ragdolls typically weigh between 8 and 20 pounds, while a Maine Coon can weigh up to 25 pounds! The Maine Coon can be up to 4 inches taller in height and a whopping 19 inches longer in length!
Both breeds are slow to mature with them reaching their full size at around 3 to 4 years.
Ragdoll Vs Maine Coon – Appearance
Apart from their size, Ragdolls and Maine Coons are physically very different from each other.
A traditional Ragdoll cat’s eye color can only be blue, whereas the Maine Coon can have copper, green, gold, blue or even odd colored eyes.
The Ragdoll Cat also has a shorter tail than the Maine Coon, and their ears are smaller in comparison to the Maine Coon’s. The Maine Coon has very distinctive pointy ears that have tufts on the edges. The huge bushy tail lends itself to their name as people thought it resembled that of a Racoon, hence the name Maine, the place in Northern America where the bred is thought to have originated from and Coon – as in Racoon.
The Ragdoll Cat is also slimmer in build than the Maine Coon, with a more delicate appearance. They have rounder heads with softer features than the Maine Coon, who typically has a more rugged look.
Both cats have cute fur tufts in between their toes.
Ragdoll cats come in 6 colors – seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, flame and cream and 3 patterns – bicolor, colorpoint and mitted, with variations of lynx and tortie.
Maine Coons, on the other hand, come in a variety of patterns and colors, including white, cream, red, blue, black, silver, blue, and patterns of bi-color, parti-colour (a mixture of different colors), tortoiseshell, smoke, tabby, shaded, mackerel and calico. According to the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) there can be up to 75 color and pattern variations for the Maine Coon!
Ragdoll Vs Maine Coon – Coat
The Ragdoll Cat is a medium to long-haired cat breed that has a silky and shiny coat. Its coat is non-mating and has a similar texture to that of rabbit fur. The Ragdoll Cat is known for its fluffy mane of fur around its neck, which becomes more pronounced as they mature. Despite its fluffy coat, the Ragdoll Cat breed does not have an undercoat, unlike many other cat breeds. The absence of undercoat results in less hair shed by the cat. There is a belief that Ragdolls are hypoallergenic due to their lack of undercoat, but sadly this is not true.
The Maine Coon cat has long, silky, shaggy fur that is dense and heavy, with a soft undercoat. They have three fur layers, including two shorter undercoats and a third longer outer coat. A Maine Coon’s coat is distinct in that it is longer on its body and legs and shorter on the shoulders. It is important to brush the Maine Coon’s coat regularly to keep it clean and free of mats. The Maine Coon’s coat is water-resistant, meaning many Maine Coons are known to have a love of swimming!
Ragdoll Vs Maine Coon – Personality
Both breeds of cats are known as gentle giants for their large-sized coupled with their placid nature. Both make good family pets. The Ragdoll is known for being more of a lap cat whereas the Maine Coon is not so much a lover of laps but still enjoys sitting right next to you.
One of the characteristics that the Ragdoll Cat is famed for is that they go limp when they are picked up, hence the name Ragdoll. But I have noted in my experience as an owner of both Ragdoll and Maine Coon cats, that the Maine Coon can be equally as floppy when they are picked up!
Both breeds are known for their sociability and do well when left alone. If you and your family are out of the home for long periods during the day, it would be advisable to make sure they have a playmate to keep them company. Numerous studies have shown that cats with companions are happier and more active.
Ragdoll cats are typically better suited to living indoors than outdoors. Many breeders specify in their purchase agreement that the cat will be raised indoors only – this is for the cat’s safety since they are very trusting animals. Maine Coon’s are natural hunters so have a love of spending time outdoors catching flies and chasing leaves. However, their high purchase price makes them a target for cat-napping so it is advisable that they too are an indoor cat.
Unlike most cats, both breeds have a fascination with water and will happily spend time playing with a running tap or water bowl. My Ragdoll Choo-Choo used to love putting a piece of string in a water glass and then fishing it out again!
Friendliness
Ragdolls and Maine Coons are both known for being an affectionate cat. Both are very dog-like, although it is the Ragdoll that has earned the nickname ‘puppy-dog’ for their dog-like nature. Both breeds are known to greet you at the front door when you enter the house and spend time following you around the home.
The Maine Coon is said to be more outgoing and confident in its nature and will warm up to strangers quicker than the Ragdoll.
Vocalness
The Ragdoll, with its quiet, soft meow, is said to be less vocal than other cat breeds. Maine Coons don’t meow as such but make a sound called “thrilling” by combining a purr and meow. They do this when they’re excited, happy, or trying to get your attention.
Intelligence
Both breeds are intelligent cats that can be easily trained but the Maine Coon is considered to rank higher in intelligence than the Ragdoll. It is possible to train both breeds to walk outside on a harness and leash.
Playfulness
Both breeds are moderately energetic and retain their playfulness as adults. Both cats are known to happily indulge in a game of fetch.
Compatibility with Children and other pets
Both cat breeds make for great family pets. They are both sociable animals are and tolerant of young children and other family pets. Neither cats are aggressive, nor do they have a highly territorial nature.
Ragdoll Vs Maine Coon – Health issues
Both Ragdolls and Maine Coons are a relatively robust breed of cats with few common health issues.
Ragdoll Health Issues
Maine Coon Health Issues
- Hip Dysplasia
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Gum Disease
- Stomatitis
Both cats can be prone to obesity if their nutrition intake is not controlled.
If you are looking to purchase either breed of cat it is important to seek out a reputable breeder who is committed to breeding healthy kittens from parents who have been genetically tested to be free of certain hereditary conditions.
Ragdoll Vs Maine Coon – Lifespan
Both cats are known for their longevity. The average lifespan of a Maine Coon cat is 16 years whereas the Ragdoll averages 15 to 20 years.
Ragdoll Vs Maine Coon – Cost
Maine Coons tend to be more expensive than Ragdolls to purchase. The average price for a Ragdoll ranges from $500-$2000 compared with the Maine Coon which ranges from $800 – $2500. I paid $700 for my Ragdoll cat (2018) and $1800 for my Maine Coon (2021).
Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix
If you can’t decide between a Ragdoll or Maine Coon, it is possible to find breeders selling a Maine Coon ragdoll mix, know at the Ragcoon!
The Maine Coon ragdoll mix may have the beautiful blue eyes from the Ragdoll breed coupled with the huge bushy tail from the Maine coon. Their fur is long and silky-smooth and depending on the coupling, they will come in a variety of colors and patterns. And there is no doubt about it, the combination of two of the largest breeds of domestic cat will produce a large offspring!
Find out more about the Maine Coon Ragdoll mix
Check out this gorgeous Maine Coon Ragdoll mix at www.instagram.com/2and_a_half_cat
Conclusion
The Maine Coon and Ragdoll cat breeds share many similarities. Both are known for being intelligent, highly sociable and their love of human company. With the Ragdoll and Maine Coon I’d say the only major difference is their physical appearance. If you are thinking of getting a cat, it is important to do your research and find the breed that is best suited for your lifestyle.
