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Maine Coon vs Norwegian Forest Cat: How to Tell Them Apart
How the registry standards tell a Maine Coon from a Norwegian Forest Cat: head shape, profile, ears, coat, build and size, plus where the Siberian fits.
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The quickest way to tell a Maine Coon from a Norwegian Forest Cat is the head. The registry standard gives the Norwegian Forest Cat a triangular head with a straight profile from brow to nose, while the Maine Coon has a square, blunt muzzle and a slightly concave profile. Maine Coons are also heavier.
Both breeds are big, long-haired cats with ruffs, tufted paws and plumed tails, which is why they get mixed up. The differences below come from the breed standards published by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), the documents judges use. They describe the ideal cat; a pet cat of either breed may not match every point, and a long-haired household cat may resemble both without being either.
Side by side: the two standards
| Feature | Maine Coon (CFA standard) | Norwegian Forest Cat (CFA standard) |
|---|---|---|
| Head shape | Slightly longer than wide, square muzzle | Equilateral triangle |
| Profile | Slight concavity | Straight from brow to nose tip |
| Muzzle | Visibly square, blunt ended | Part of the straight line to the ear; a square muzzle disqualifies |
| Ears | Large, tufted, tapering to appear pointed | Medium to large, rounded at the tip, set as much on the side as on top |
| Eyes | Large, open oval, slightly oblique | Large, almond shaped, set at a slight angle |
| Body | Rectangular | Moderate length; a long rectangular body disqualifies |
| Legs | Not described as uneven | Hind legs longer, rump higher than shoulders |
| Coat | Heavy and shaggy, uneven in length | Dense undercoat under water-resistant guard hairs |
| Male weight (profile) | Can reach or exceed 20 lb | 12 to 16 lb |
| Full growth (profile) | Up to 3 years | Up to 5 years |
The head is the clearest difference
The Norwegian Forest Cat standard puts half of its points on the head, and its key line is the profile: “Straight from the brow ridge to the tip of the nose without a break in the line.” Seen from the front, the head forms an equilateral triangle measured from the outer base of each ear to the point of the chin.
The Maine Coon standard asks for the opposite on two counts. Its muzzle is “visibly square, medium in length and blunt ended when viewed in profile,” and its profile “should exhibit a slight concavity.” So a square, boxy muzzle and a small dip at the nose point to a Maine Coon; a smooth straight line and a pointed triangle point to a Norwegian Forest Cat.
Ears help too. The Maine Coon’s ears are large and “tapering to appear pointed,” set about one ear’s width apart. The Norwegian Forest Cat’s ears are “rounded at the tip” and set “as much on the side of the head as on top,” which gives the head a wider look at the ear line.
Coat and build
Both breeds carry heavy coats for a cold climate, but the texture differs. The Maine Coon coat is “heavy and shaggy; shorter on the shoulders and longer on the stomach and britches,” and the standard penalizes a coat that is short or even all over. The Norwegian Forest Cat has a “dense undercoat, covered by long, glossy and smooth water-resistant guard hairs hanging down the sides.”
The body shapes differ as well. The Maine Coon is rectangular. The Norwegian Forest Cat is of moderate length with hind legs longer than its front legs, “making the rump higher than the shoulders.”
Size: the Maine Coon is heavier
On weight, CFA’s breed profiles separate the two clearly. Maine Coon males can “reach or exceed 20 pounds,” while Norwegian Forest Cat males weigh 12 to 16 pounds and females 9 to 12. The Norwegian Forest Cat takes longer to finish growing, up to five years by the registry’s account, against up to three for the Maine Coon. For gear, both count as big cats: both need long litter boxes, steady trees and a large carrier. See how big Maine Coons get and the large breeds size table.
How the registry describes their temperament
CFA’s breed profiles describe the two cats a little differently. The Maine Coon is “gentle, easy going yet active,” “friendly, sweet-tempered and easy to train,” and “not considered a talkative breed.” The Norwegian Forest Cat is “an independent, intelligent breed,” described as moderately active, sensitive, friendly and adaptable.
These are breed descriptions, not promises about one cat. Any individual cat’s personality depends on its own history as much as its breed, and neither standard makes one breed a better pet than the other. What both share is a need for space to climb and stretch, which is where the gear comes in.
Where the Siberian fits
The Siberian is the third look-alike. Its standard describes “a medium to medium large, strong triple coated cat with surprising heft for its size.” The head is a “modified wedge” with rounded contours and a gentle slope from forehead to nose, and a straight profile is penalized, which separates it from the Norwegian Forest Cat. The muzzle is “full and rounded,” unlike the Maine Coon’s square one. CFA gives Siberian males 12 to 18 pounds and females 8 to 12.
Grooming is similar for all three
Whichever breed you have, the coat is the daily job. The CFA standards put the Maine Coon’s longest fur on the stomach and britches, and the Norwegian Forest Cat’s long guard hairs down the sides, so those are the places to comb first. The Maine Coon grooming guide covers brushing, mats and nail trims for any of these coats.
Combs and brushes for a heavy double coat
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Frequently asked questions
Is a Norwegian Forest Cat the same as a Maine Coon?
No. They are separate breeds with separate standards. The Cat Fanciers' Association describes the Norwegian Forest Cat with a triangular head and a straight profile, and the Maine Coon with a square muzzle and a slightly concave profile.
Which is bigger, a Maine Coon or a Norwegian Forest Cat?
By the registry's figures, the Maine Coon. CFA says Maine Coon males can reach or exceed 20 pounds, while Norwegian Forest Cat males weigh 12 to 16 pounds and females 9 to 12 pounds.
How do you tell a Siberian from a Maine Coon?
Look at the head. The Siberian standard calls for a modified wedge with rounded contours and a gentle slope from forehead to nose, and a straight profile is penalized. The Maine Coon has a square, blunt muzzle and a slight concavity in profile.
Can you tell the breed of a long-haired cat from its looks alone?
Not reliably. Many long-haired household cats share features with these breeds. Only a registered pedigree confirms a breed; the standards describe the ideal show cat, not every cat.
Sources
- Maine Coon Cat (breed profile and standard)The Cat Fanciers' Association
- Norwegian Forest Cat (breed profile and standard)The Cat Fanciers' Association
- Siberian (breed profile and standard)The Cat Fanciers' Association
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