The Maine Coon is the state cat of Maine, USA, and is known for its gentle, affectionate, and loving nature. They are not only robust in appearance, with thick fur and long tails, but also renowned for their enormous size, making them one of the heaviest domestic cat breeds in existence.

This is why many cat lovers are curious: Just how big is the world's largest Maine Coon? And who is its record holder?

This article will take you on a journey to understand the physical characteristics of Maine Coons and take stock of the largest Maine Coons ever recorded in the Guinness World Records.

Maine Coons are larger than almost every other feline breed you might keep at home.

How big are Maine Coon cats? (Standard size)

A typical domestic cat usually weighs only about 8–10 pounds (3.6–4.5 kg).
Maine Coons are on average much larger than ordinary cats.

• Weight : 10–25 lbs (4.5–11.3 kg)

• Shoulder height : 25–41 cm

• Body length : Some adult male cats can easily exceed 1 meter (including the tail).

Despite their impressive size, Maine Coons are known as "Gentle Giants."
They enjoy interacting with people, have friendly personalities, and are very kind to other pets.

The record holder for "largest Maine Coon"

The following article will introduce you to some of the legendary Maine Coon cats that have held or are currently holding records, in chronological order.

1. Barivel – The current record holder for the world's largest Maine Coon cat (living specimen).

• Body length : 47.2 inches (120 cm)

• Place of birth : Italy

• Year of birth : 2016

• Year of Award : 2018

Barivel is currently recognized by Guinness World Records as the "world's longest living domestic cat." His size is almost equivalent to that of a human child, longer than most dogs, and only slightly shorter than the all-time record holder, Stewie, by one inch.

Although his name means "amusing clown" in Italian, Barivel was actually very shy and quiet. His diet consisted of biscuits, fish, and chicken to meet his enormous energy needs.

2. Ludo – Holder of the record for the longest-lived domestic cat from 2015 to 2018.

• Body length : 46.6 inches (118.33 cm)

• Country : United Kingdom

• Physical characteristics : Strong, gentle, likes to cuddle

Ludo was measured as the world's longest domestic cat in 2015, a record she held until 2018 when she was surpassed by Barivel. Her owner stated that she was initially drawn to the large cats in the Harry Potter movies and wanted a truly large cat.

Despite her imposing appearance, Ludo is a cute little thing who loves to be pampered and is easily made clumsy by being "spoiled".

3. Stewie – The longest Maine Coon cat in history (2010–2015 record holder)

• Body length : 48.5 inches (123 cm)

• Tail length record : 16.1 cm

• Country : Nevada, USA

• Special status : Certified therapy animal (Therapy Cat)

Stewie is the longest Maine Coon cat on official records to date.
He has a gentle personality and is often taken by his owner to nursing homes to keep the elderly company. He is a beloved "cat star".

Stewie passed away in 2013 due to illness, but his record was maintained until 2015, making him one of the most representative Maine Coon legends.

4. Cygnus – the world record holder for the longest cat tail (deceased)

• Tail length : 17.58 inches (44.65 cm)

• Country : Michigan, United States

Cygnus's tail is longer than his body, making him a true "King of Flowing Tails".
Even though he tragically died in a fire in 2017, his record for the longest tail remains unbroken.

5. Altair – the champion with the longest tail among living domestic cats.

• Tail length : 16 inches (40.6 cm)

• Family background : Cygnus's half-brother (same mother, different father)

After Cygnus left, his owner, the Powers, adopted Altair. Unexpectedly, he also inherited the "super long tail" trait, currently holding the record for the **longest tail among living domestic cats**.

Incidentally, they also own another record-breaking cat—Fenrir (the world's tallest domestic cat), but Fenrir is not a Maine Coon, but an F2 Savannah.

In summary: Why are Maine Coon cats so large?

The Maine Coon's large size is due to the following factors:

• Natural adaptations developed for the cold northern climate (long hair, strong physique)

• Slower maturation period (usually takes 3–5 years to fully mature)

• Strong skeletal structure and muscle mass

• Hundreds of years of natural selection and breeding

Despite their large size, Maine Coons are generally healthy, lively, and affectionate, making them ideal companion animals for many families.