So, here’s the thing. If you’ve ever seen a massive, lion-like cat with tufts on its ears and a fluffy tail, someone’s probably told you, “That’s a Maine Coon.” But then, someone else shows you a similar-sized cat with a sleeker, shorter coat and says the same thing, and now you’re wondering, “Wait, are there short haired Maine coon cats?”
This exact question came up during a coffee chat with my neighbor, who was convinced her short haired, sassy tabby was part Maine Coon. It got me thinking, how many people are actually confused about this?
Let’s break it down, based on my own experience with my three Maine Coons, Stings, Ruby, and Niki, and a little breed research to back it all up.
What Does a Maine Coon Coat Usually Look Like?
By standard, Maine Coons are long haired cats. Their coats are one of their most distinctive features, shaggy, thick, and water-resistant. It’s not like Persian fluff, though. Maine Coons have a more rugged look, especially around their chest, belly, and haunches.
My boy Stings, for instance, has this luxurious mane that makes him look like a mini lion when he sits in the window. Ruby, the diva of the group, has a silky, flowing coat that requires more brushing (she insists on it), and Niki has a dense but less dramatic coat, but still definitely long and soft to the touch.
They all still shed seasonally, some more than others, and during shedding seasons, I could knit a whole sweater from the fur I brush off them.
So, Can a Maine Coon Be Short Haired?
Here’s the short answer: No, not officially.
According to cat breed associations like CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) and TICA (The International Cat Association), purebred Maine Coons do not come in a short haired version. If a Maine Coon has noticeably short fur, it’s either:
Not a purebred Maine Coon,
A mixed breed (which is super common),
Or maybe just a young Maine Coon that hasn’t fully developed its adult coat yet.
That’s something worth mentioning, Maine Coons take time to grow into their coats. I remember thinking Ruby was going to be a sleek, medium-haired cat when she was a kitten. Two years later, she’s got enough fur to rival a mini bear.
What About Maine Coon Mixes?
This is where things get interesting. Many people have Maine Coon mixes without realizing it. If a Maine Coon mates with a domestic short haired cat or another breed, the resulting kittens might inherit the Maine Coon’s size or facial features, but not the long coat.
I’ve met a cat like this, my friend Jef’s cat, Rolo, looks like a Maine Coon in the face and body, but his fur is way shorter than Ruby’s or Niki’s. He’s still a big, laid-back cat with those signature ear tufts, but he doesn’t have the lion’s mane.
So while you might have a cat with Maine Coon genes, if they have short hair, they aren’t considered a “true” Maine Coon by pedigree standards.
Grooming Needs: Long Coat vs Short Coat
This part’s simple I always tell people that long haired Maine Coons = more grooming.
Stings is a shedding machine. I brush him almost daily, especially in the spring and fall when he seems to blow his coat like a Husky. Niki doesn’t shed as much, but she’s picky about how I brush her, she prefers quick sessions and hates when I go near her belly.
Ruby, on the other hand, acts like it’s a spa day every time I bring out the brush. She’ll literally lie down and roll onto her back as if to say, “Pamper me now, human.”
If you happen to have a Maine Coon mix with shorter hair, you’ll definitely have less fur around the house and less grooming work, but you may also miss out on those majestic mane photos everyone loves.
How to Tell if a Short Haired Cat Has Maine Coon DNA
So, let’s say your cat is large, has a boxy muzzle, big paws, a fluffy tail, and a calm personality, but doesn’t have the long coat. Can they still be part Maine Coon?
Possibly, here are a few signs to look out for:
Tufted ears and paws
Big bushy tail (even if the rest of the coat is shorter)
Chirping or trilling sounds instead of typical meows
Friendly, dog-like personality
Strong, rectangular body frame
If you’re still unsure, DNA testing is your best bet. There are kits available online (like Basepaws or Wisdom Panel) that can analyze your cat’s genetic background and tell you if there’s Maine Coon in the mix.
Final Thoughts
To wrap this up, there are no short haired Maine coon cats, Purebred Maine Coons do not come in short haired versions, however, their fur still get matted and, at least not according to breed standards. But that doesn’t mean your short-haired cat isn’t part Maine Coon. It could be a mix, or just have some similar traits that make it look like one.
In the end, though, it doesn’t really matter whether your cat checks all the Maine Coon boxes or not. If you’ve got a big, loving, quirky furball (short hair or long), you’ve got a winner.
Just like I always say about my three cats: It’s not just the fur that makes the cat, it’s the personality.
Photo credit: Pickpik
