Maine Coon American Shorthair Mix: Care, Pictures, Temperament & More

Maine Coon American Shorthair mixes are combinations of two incredibly popular cat breeds. Maine Coons and American Shorthair cats made the Cat Fanciers’ Association’s 2021 list of the most popular pedigree cats!¹ Maine Coon cats are large, friendly, and loving. American Shorthair cats are calm and incredibly adaptable and enjoy being around their favorite people. Mixes of these incredible breeds will likely make wonderfully sweet and loving companions.

Breed Overview

Maine Coon American Shorthair cats will probably be right at home with any loving family. They’re mixes of two easy-to-get-along-with breeds that enjoy interacting with people. They’re likely to be relatively playful but not prone to bouts of frenetic activity, as both Maine Coon and American Shorthair cats are relatively mellow and more interested in hanging out than running about.

Maine Coon American Shorthair Mix Characteristics

Maine Coon American Shorthair Mix Kittens

Kittens that are healthy enough can be adopted at about 8 weeks, but most breeders wait until their cats are 10 to 12 weeks old before allowing them to be adopted.

It may require a bit of legwork to find a breeder working with Maine Coon American Shorthair mix because most breeders focus on purebred felines.

It may be possible to find Maine Coon American Shorthairs in shelters or through rescue organizations. Reputable breeders should be able to provide information about kittens’ parents, including whether they were tested for the breed-specific conditions Maine Coon cats are prone to developing. Maine Coon American Shorthair mix kittens may take longer than the average cat to reach adulthood since Maine Coons are generally late bloomers.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Maine Coon American Shorthair Mix

Maine Coon American Shorthair mixes have the heritage to be incredibly friendly and easy to get along with, and both of their parents are known for being devoted and people-oriented. Maine Coons are usually friendly, companionable, and interested in being involved in whatever their favorite humans are doing.

American Shorthair cats are usually able to fit into most environments due to their relaxed, adaptable personalities. Maine Coon American Shorthair mixes are likely to be intelligent and playful, and those with particularly strong Maine Coon cat tendencies may love everything to do with water; some Maine Coon cats even look forward to bath time. Maine Coon American Shorthair mixes will likely be adaptable, friendly, and loving companions.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

Both Maine Coon and American Shorthair cats are known for being fantastic family pets. Maine Coon cats are often described as having dog-like temperaments due to their laid-back natures and desire to be involved with what’s happening around the house. American Shorthair cats are often described as adaptable and easy to get along with, and most do quite well around children.

Neither of these cats’ parent breeds is known for being particularly sensitive or excitable, so Maine Coon American Shorthair mixes are likely to be gentle and patient with kids. But keep in mind that cats should always be supervised around small children to ensure everyone stays safe and happy. Teaching children how to read body language and appropriately interact with pets can go a long way toward keeping things calm and comfortable for everyone.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?🐶 😽

Maine Coon American Shorthair mixes are likely to get along well with other cats and well-behaved dogs. The parents are known for being good with dogs, but keep in mind that even friendly cats can sometimes have issues with energetic dogs!

Cats generally do best around dogs that have experience interacting with felines. Taking introductions slowly and giving all parties involved time to get used to other’s smells and sounds eases the getting-to-know-each-other process.

Things to Know When Owning a Maine Coon American Shorthair Mix

It can be difficult to predict how mixes of two pedigree breeds will turn out; they can inherit many of the qualities of each parent breed, creating a dazzling array of possible temperaments and physical characteristics. Qualities shared by both parent breeds are extremely likely to be passed down to their mixed offspring.

Food & Diet Requirements 🐡

Healthy adult Maine Coon American Shorthair mixes are unlikely to require special food, but high-quality, protein-rich choices are great options. Most cats are fine as long as they eat a commercial diet that provides all the nutrients they need for their life stage.

Dry food is more convenient to serve, but leaving it out for cats to nibble on throughout the day can lead to weight gain. Cats love the pungent smell of wet food, and it has the added benefit of being a great source of hydration. Measuring food and limiting treats can go a long way toward ensuring a Maine Coon American Shorthair maintains a healthy weight.

Exercise 🐈

Cats need exercise to keep them healthy and provide mental engagement that keeps them happy. Playing with cats is a fun bonding activity, and it provides an enjoyable way for pets to get up and get moving. Although the Maine Coon American Shorthair will love to play games, the parents aren’t incredibly energetic felines.

Two of three short play sessions daily should keep them fit as long as they’re not overfed. Cat trees and scratching posts can also provide entertainment when you’re unable to play with your cat.

Training 🧶

Maine Coon and American Shorthair cats are incredibly smart, so there’s a good chance that any kitten with parents from the two breeds will share the trait. Smart cats are often easy to train, especially those that enjoy interacting with people. Positive, loving, reward-based training is the key to winning cats’ hearts.

Maine Coon American Shorthairs shouldn’t take long to learn litter box training or respond to their names. Motivated ones can learn to do fist bumps, high fives, and even to sit when asked. Short, fun training sessions garner more cooperation from felines.

Grooming ✂️

Maine Coon American Shorthair mixes can have all sorts of coats, including short ones similar to their American Shorthair cat parent or the long thick coats of their Maine Coon half; they can also end up with a combination of the two.

Cats with long, thick coats benefit from being brushed at least a few times a week, but weekly brushing may be fine for some. Cats with short hair are usually fine with weekly grooming sessions, but some friendlier pets may enjoy more frequent attention.

Brushing cats’ teeth at least a few times a week can help minimize the amount of tartar that collects, which can lower the chances of them developing dental disease. Cats also need to have their nails trimmed every few weeks or so to prevent the development of ingrown claws.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Maine Coon American Shorthair mixes can potentially develop health conditions and traits found in both parent breeds. Maine Coon cats are prone to developing several conditions, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), spinal muscular atrophy, hip dysplasia, and polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

American Shorthair cats are usually quite healthy, often living for 15 to 20 years. The risk of cats developing chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and arthritis can be limited by ensuring they stay a healthy weight and get enough physical activity.

Male vs Female

There aren’t usually many physical differences between male and female Maine Coon American Shorthair cats, but males are a bit bigger than female cats. Some purebred male Maine Coon cats, for instance, can weigh up to 25 pounds, while most females weigh between 10 and 14 pounds.

Males are sometimes considered more affectionate, and females can be more independent. Intact male cats are more likely to get into altercations and tend to spray. When female cats go into heat, they often become vocal and affectionate.

3 Little-Known Facts About The Maine Coon American Shorthair Mix

1. Maine Coon Cats Are a Natural Breed

Maine Coon cats originally hail from the northeastern part of the United States, specifically in Maine. They’re actually the state’s official cat. Their thick, long coats provide protection against cold and snowy weather. Most have huge paws that help them stay steady when walking on snow. Their paws have tufts of fur for warmth, and they get extra protection from the elements from their neck ruffs and thick, bushy tails.

2. American Shorthair Cats Were Included in the First CFA Registry

The breed was one of the first registered by the CFA when the organization first got started in 1906. But the relatives of American Shorthair cats have likely been making life difficult for North American mice for hundreds of years.

They’re pedigree versions of regular old domestic shorthair cats whose ancestors likely arrived on ships from various European destinations in North America. They were known as Domestic Shorthair cats until the mid-1960s.

3. Maine Coon Cats Chirp

Maine Coon cats are often considered to be a bit vocal, and when they choose to communicate, they chirp or trill instead of indulging in full-scale meowing. They’ll also make cute chattering sounds when mesmerized by potential prey.

Final Thoughts

Maine Coon American Shorthair mix cats are excellent companions, and they certainly have the heritage for it. They’re mixes of two incredibly friendly and loving breeds. They will likely be sweet, devoted, and incredibly interested in engaging with their human family members. Maine Coon cats are known for their dog-like temperaments, and American Shorthair cats are famous for their adaptability. They get along well with children and other pets, including dogs.

Featured Image Credit: (L) DenisNata, Shutterstock | (R) Lalandrew, Shutterstock