Maine Coon

Typically 12-15 years. The most common life-shortening factor is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can strike even apparently healthy cats. Lifespan is strongly influenced by the buying decision: a kitten from a breeder who DNA-tests for the HCM mutation, cardiac-screens breeding cats, and radiographs hips has a materially better prognosis than one from an untested line, regardless of how good your day-to-day care is.

Yes — this is one of the most family-friendly cat breeds. They are sturdy enough to tolerate respectful children, sociable, and dog-like in their willingness to engage rather than hide, and they generally accept other cats and dogs when introduced properly. The size is actually an advantage with kids: a 15 lb cat is less fragile than a small breed. Still supervise young children and provide the cat an elevated retreat.

Moderate — less than a Persian, more than a shorthair. Comb the semi-long coat 2-3 times a week, focusing on the belly and behind the legs where mats form, and every other day during the twice-yearly seasonal shed. Skip it for a couple of weeks and the coat pelts, eventually needing a sedated shave-down. It is manageable for an average owner, but it is not a no-grooming cat.

More than the average cat. They are large, semi-active, and climb, so they need a jumbo litter box, a tall cat tree rated for a heavy cat, and room to move — standard cat furniture is undersized for them. They adapt to apartments if that vertical and play space is provided and they get daily interactive play, but cramming a large, active cat into a bare studio invites weight gain and frustration.

A health-screened pedigree kitten typically runs $1,000-$2,500; rescue is far less. Ongoing costs are $1,300-$2,800 a year — higher than a small cat because of food volume, jumbo litter use, and larger doses for any medication. The hidden cost is cardiac: HCM diagnostics (echocardiogram, ~$300-$600) plus lifelong medication can add $1,000-$3,000+, and hip dysplasia management more on top. Budget for a big cat, not an average one.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a thickening of the heart muscle that can cause heart failure, blood clots, or sudden death, and it is the breed's signature health risk. You reduce risk by buying from a breeder who DNA-tests for the Maine Coon MYBPC3 mutation and has breeding cats cardiac-ultrasound screened by a veterinary cardiologist. There is no cure, only management, so breeder screening is the main lever. Treat any fast resting breathing, fainting, or sudden hind-limb weakness as a same-day emergency — HCM can decompensate quickly.