Introduction

Have you ever heard about Frankenlouie?  Weird name, isn’t it? Want a hint? This name refers to a cat.

But why does it seem like there are two names? Well, it’s a two-faced cat. Yes, the world’s famous Janus Ragdoll cat. He had two functioning eyes, a blind central eye, two noses, and two mouths. Yet he was a beautiful cat from the Ragdoll race. Frankenlouie’s deformity was caused by a very rare congenital condition. But the fact that this Ragdoll cat was known was because the scientist didn’t expect him to live this long, but he made it to 15 years before he passed away in 2014. And now, he is listed in the Guinness Book as the longest-lived Janus cat.

Want to know another cat name who hit it big in the cat’s history? Little Nicky.

This cat was the first pet animal to be cloned commercially in 2004. Curious to know more? well, it was a Maine Coon cat. The owner of Little Nicky saved his tissue in a gene bank after he died; she paid $50,000 to have her cat cloned. The cloning process was a success, and it was reported that the cat shared many characteristics with his predecessor, including a similar personality and appearance.

Two different stories, two different races, yes! The Ragdoll cat and the Maine Coon are different.

Both breeds may have a lot of similarities, they have a lot of qualities, and it is important to understand their needs, attitude, temperament and health background, in order to pet them. Otherwise, you will end up getting confused in choosing between the two when it comes to adopting or choosing. 

Stay tuned then, and follows us to know more how to differentiate between Maine Coon and Ragdoll cat. 

The History of Maine Coons and Ragdoll Cats

As special as their look, the origins of the Maine Coon cats are so full of mystery and speculation which makes them that much more intriguing. A lot of myths are related to their historical, from raccoons to Marie Antoinette, to Vikings, and finally the American colonization. Let’s have a quick view of all these stories and see which the most logical one is!

One of the best-known stories about Maine Coons is that they are the result of a mating between a raccoon and a domestic cat. That’s of course genetically impossible! But this funny tale is pretty common due to this cat’s wild look.

The next legend is an extremely royal romantic tale. By the end of the French Revolution, a sea captain named Samuel Clough was to bring Queen Marie Antoinette and her cats to the USA. She owned a lot of fluffy Persian or Angora cats, which mated with the resident American cats.  Their descendants are said to be the Maine Coons. Now, this is not impossible, but from what it is known, Marie Antoinette didn’t have any long-haired cats. Weird, isn’t it?

Next story, please!

This one could be interesting for some of you. You would really like your cat’s origins to be related to it. The Vikings, yes! Maine Coons could be descended from the Norwegian Skogkatt. Based on Danish and Swedish counterparts, the Racekatte and the Rugkatt have a lot in common with the Maine Coon, they share quite a similarity between these breeds including living under harsh climate.

Besides all these myths, the main story is the following. The breed started to develop and being popular at the end of the 19th century thanks to the farmers of the state of Maine, who were very proud of their cats. The breed was then almost forgotten, it was less popular than the Persian or Siamese, but it was rediscovered in the 1950s. By the 1960s, the breed rose again in popularity and was recognized by the ACFA in 1967. The Maine coon is the official cat of the state of Maine.

Wow! A huge history for a huge cat. How about Ragdoll cats then?

Then let’s go back to the 1960s in California when the first Ragdolls cat was bred

Ann Baker bred a white Angora Persian type cat queen, Josephine, who had a Himalayan coat pattern (Siamese) to beautiful long haired Burmese sire and Birman sire males. The breeding resulted in cats of substantial size, non-matting coat, and a very equable disposition.

Josephine’s kittens seemed to have a true loving nature and beautiful blue eyes. Baker soon knew these kittens were very special. She kept some of them and bred them very carefully, by lining bred to keep the strain pure. In fact, the traits of the Ragdoll cat can only be found in Josephine’s descendants, where the history of Ragdolls exists. The looks may vary slightly as to pattern or color, but the disposition must remain the same to be a Ragdoll. No one, not even the originator, can add to the lines at this time, and still have a purebred Ragdoll.

What is the difference between the two: Physical Features, Personality, Health, Life span

Not only their origins are different, those two cats each had its own charm. So in order to choose the cats that will suit you, pay much attention to what’s coming next. Cause, after all, choosing a life partner is not as easy as it seems. Physical Features, Personality, Health, Life span, it all matters.

Physical Features (Size & Weight – Shape and structure – Coat – Colors)

Maine Coons are friendly giants; those big felines are so huge, tall and heavy. However, more than 20 pounds means nothing but your cat is being obese. You can really feel that you are adopting a lion or a tiger

Ragdolls, on the other hand, are hovering on the same scale as Maine Coons in terms of weight. Thus, quite smaller and shorter, they’re considered typically quite large. Here are the real cat’s sizes

	Maine Coon	Ragdoll
Weight (lbs)	11-25	8-20
Height (in)	10-16	9-11
Length (in)	19-32	17-21

Let’s say that those creatures are insanely incredible. And there is a reason behind saying this. The Maine Coon has a square head shape, and it is slightly elongated. The profile has a gentle concave curve. The muzzle is square.

The Ragdoll cats have their own standards though. Their heads are wedge-shaped, and they have rounded muzzles, flat top skulls, and chubby cheeks. They have a medium-sized head, but the fur makes their face appear large.

As for the grace of their eyes shape. Maine Coon’s eyes are large and slightly oval, but appear round when wide open. They are slightly oblique. The Ragdolls cats must-have oval blue eyes; otherwise, they are not from the true breed.

Then comes the ears to complete the face look, Maine Coon cats have large and wide ears, both with or without lynx tips. They are set high on the head. The Ragdoll’s ears are medium-sized and are set on the sides of the head to continue the look of the triangular face.

Finally, the body shape. The Maine Coon has a broad, powerful chest; the legs are of medium length. The Ragdoll cats’ appearance can be summed up in a word: majestic. These cats are large and broad-chested, with silky, bunny-like fur and unforgettable blue eyes.

Ragdolls come in four main patterns: bi-color, van, mitted, and color point. These patterns also appear in six major colors – seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, and cream – while the points can be solid, lynx, tortie, or torbie. Despite the fluffy, luxurious coat most Ragdoll cats have, they actually don’t shed very much. Their fur is medium long and requires very little grooming

Maine Coon cats are available in over 84 colors and pattern variations.  Isn’t this fantastic?  This oldest breed of American domesticated cat comes in a full range of colors. The most popular colors are the brown tabby and tiger-striped, but they are available in reds, chocolates, fawns, and just about every color combination that a cat can come in. They have a double coat that can be patterned on the top and solid underneath or vice-versa. So basically, you’ll need to brush your Maine Coon’s coat till two to three times a week.

But one thing is for sure, those beautiful treats come with a whole unique personality package.

You will see it!

Personality & Character (Trainability – Vocality – Intelligence – Loyalty)

You’re a cat and a dog person at the same time. You’re always confused about which pet to adopt? Meow! You’re knocking the right door. Maine Coon and Ragdoll cats have been described as having dog-like personalities.

 As unique as their beauty; those cats are different from the other breeds that tend to have that aloof, independent, arrogant attitude.

Maine Coon Cats are called ‘gentle giants’ and that’s because of their sociable, friendly and adorable personalities. They are so affectionate and like to held and cuddled like babies. They don’t turn down the affection given to them by anyone. Children, adults, other pets, they’d snuggle up to it. Their curiosity enables them to interact widely with various pets and humans. And their curiosity is making them a helpful pet too. Yes, they can help in everything by standing still observing very curiously what you are doing. And calmly too.

If you’re searching for a cat that talks, but aren’t annoying, a Maine Coon is the right cat for you! Maine Coon cats don’t often meow, but they make weird sounds that most people call chirping. This can be heard whenever your Maine Coon is excited.  Besides that, most Maine Coon cats have a very high voice, which makes you think that a kitten is making that sound even if your Maine Coon is already 10 years old. Compared to their massive appearance this is pretty funny. But be careful of the meow and be the sign that your cat is missing you!

Maine Coon cats learn quickly because they are very intelligent cats, as soon as you don’t let them by themselves. In addition to playing fetch, most Maine Coon cats are drawn to water and might enjoy an unexpected swim. They enjoy hunting as well as spending a lot of time playing chase, hence it is essential to place toys around them. And it’s so important for them to mark their territory too if there is a stranger coming to the house.

Did you know that the Ragdolls hold the traits of their personality in their name? Well when we hear Ragdolls, we definitely hear word dolls. Actually, those cats will be completely relaxed when they are picked up. They will lie limp, just like dolls.

The Ragdoll cat is promoted as having a calm demeanor, the kind of cat that will tolerate children playing with it. Being a friendly, outgoing cat who tolerates attention and petting well. This makes him a solid choice for households. Those cats are very fond of their masters, but they are also extremely interested in socializing with other people as well. They will build a very strong bond with you easily and will follow you wherever you go around the house, including the bathroom. So basically you’re going to have a bodyguard following you to check up on you constantly.

As befits such an accommodating cat, the Ragdoll cat has a sweet little whisper of a meow and displays a patient mien. So they are really quiet and can help you relax all the time because their vocals are really sweet and not disturbing at all. Moreover, Ragdoll cats are super playful, especially when they play fetch, which is something that many of them enjoy doing. Moreover, Ragdolls cat has been observed to be easily socialized with dogs, which is quite a rare trait among cats.

And when we say ‘dog-like‘ temperament we say loyalty, those two breeds show extreme loyalty to the individual who takes the majority care of them.

Health (Common diseases and different ones)

It is very common for purebred cats to be more at risk of particular medical conditions, which owners need to be aware of. Both pedigreed cats and mixed-breed cats have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic in nature. Let’s then see the main health conditions most commonly seen in Ragdoll and Maine Coon cats, and how to avoid them if possible.

Maine Coons are at risk for the following hereditary conditions:

• Hip dysplasia due to a malformation of the joint. It can cause discernible discomfort to severe pain and potential lameness. Pay attention! Obesity aggravates the problem.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, HCM, is the most prevalent type of feline heart disease. It can be detected a DNA test, to identify cats that carry one of the mutations that cause the disease.
• Spinal muscular atrophy occurs when the nerves in the spinal cord die off, and results in weak muscles. Fortunately, the disease is pain-free, and the affected cat can usually live a comfortable indoor life, but there is also a DNA test to identify carriers.
• Polycystic kidney disease, a slowly progressive heritable kidney disease that can result in renal failure.
• Like the Maine Coon, Ragdolls can be prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other heart diseases. Other problems that may affect Ragdoll cats include the following:
• Polycystic Kidney Disease, PKD, is the result of inheriting a defective gene that causes cysts to grow in the kidneys and liver, eventually destroying the organs. Ragdoll cats should be tested before they are used for breeding so that this horrible illness doesn’t spread any further.
• Bladder stones are grains of minerals that form in the bladder. They can be treated either with medication or surgery, and further stones can usually be prevented with the right diet.

Both Maine Coons and Ragdolls are big cats with even bigger coats, making it difficult sometimes to recognize the line between having a “big-boned” or “husky” cat and one that is flat-out overweight! Better watch your cat’s health and regime before becoming obese. Increased weight can lead to a number of issues such as diabetes, heart disease, joint issues, etc. Remember, a healthy-sized cat is a happy cat!

Life span

Research in some data led that, the average life span of Maine Coon cats ranges anywhere from 10-12.5 years. While other data reports that these cats can live up to 15 years and beyond.  While Ragdoll cats have a typical lifespan of 9-15 years. They also can attend 23 years old. Ragdolls hold the oldest cat record, 38 years old. Crazy, right? Having a cat that you can pet as much as possible. That’s what we all aim for.

But lets precise that they’re not general cases. A long life span comes only with the proper care. The life expectancy of these cats can be extended. While they are a generally healthy breed as with all cats, diet, exercise and general health care is going to play a role in how long the cat lives.

Which one is easier to care for? A Ragdoll or a Maine coon?

Taking care of giant felines is not that easy?? It’s important to give your individual breed the special needs and care they require in order for your cat to grow up to be healthy, happy felines.

Maine Coons make excellent family pets, but they require good care. If you have a Maine Coon, then you will need to take care of your cat’s nutrition, grooming, entertainment, and health needs.

Maine Coons require high-quality cat food to stay healthy. When choosing food for your cat, look for Taurine in the ingredients list. Taurine is an essential amino acid that cats require. And to prevent obesity, develop a regular cat feeding schedule. Cat food packages list the amount of food that you should give your cat each day. Divide the total amount of food that your Maine Coon is supposed to eat per day into two portions. Then, feed these portions to your cat about eight to twelve hours apart. All of this with providing enough fresh, clean water for your cat to stay hydrated.

When you mention a Maine Coon, the first thing that comes in mind is their coat. It is so important to take good care of it. Maine Coon’s coat has a silky texture that doesn’t mat easily if you groom it regularly. It is easily cared for with twice weekly. Useful grooming tools include a stainless steel comb for removing tangles and what’s called a “grooming rake” to pull out the dead undercoat, which is what causes tangles when it’s not removed. Use it gently, especially in the stomach area and on the tail. Bath your cat whenever you feel that their coat is greasy or their fur looks stringy.

As for entertaining your Maine cat, try to pet it as much as possible, as they are an affectionate kind of cats. Furthermore, Maine Coons are well-known for their excellent mouse catching skills, so try to provide your Maine Coon with mouse-like toys that will stimulate these skills. Put up also some scratching posts, otherwise say buy to your precious stuff, because they will all be scratched.

As its name, Ragdolls need to look like a one. They need a lot of attention. Ragdoll cat can actually become quite upset if he doesn’t get it and may become destructive out of frustration. Playing with your Ragdoll, grooming him, petting and loving on him will keep him happy and not neglected. Since they have long beautiful fur, you will want to groom your cat at least once a week. To prevent shedding and also keep fur balls to a minimum. Grooming also plays a big part in connecting with your cat. During your Ragdoll cat’s growth, make sure he gets extra food. High protein foods are important for your cat, which are easier to get with canned food as opposed to dry. Stay away from foods with a high grain content. Of course, without mentioning the necessities, fresh cool water is required.

These are cats who love to play and have fun with toys. Bat at, and bat around are favorites. If you play with your Ragdoll often, who knows? You may even be able to get your kitty to fetch a ball. Don’t be surprised, it’s the favorite game for a dog-like cat.

As mentioned before, Ragdolls are likely to get sick, they need regular vet checks to make sure he is growing healthy and appropriately for his age. It’s also important to make sure all vaccinations are up-to-date, including rabies. Regular vet checks are really helpful. Early the detection it is, sooner the treatment begins.

Even though they play the bodyguard, yet your Ragdoll is really a softy. They’re not very good at defending themselves against danger or other animals that may try to harm them. Better let your cat indoor, they shouldn’t be allowed out of doors. They will be safer, but still indoor, look after them because Ragdolls are really passive and gentle. They can also be harmed by children!!

Costs of keeping each breed – Maine coon vs Ragdoll

Big felines, big care, huge expenses. Keeping a pet in general needs a lot of investment. From buying food, toys, Veterinary health check-ups, grooming and aesthetics costs. When our moms are saying owning a pet is a big responsibility, they are right. Most people spend around $500 per year on their pets, but that can vary widely based on your preferences, your pet’s medical needs, and if you want to spoil your furry little friend.

 For the Maine Coon cats, ignoring initial costs and making annual assumptions, these are some estimated baseline figures:

• Food can cost anywhere from $250 to $500.
• Medical expenditure can cost anywhere from $75 to $500.
• Toys or treats average at about $50.
• Litter can cost from $100 to $300.
• Optional Health Insurance starts at about $300.
• Miscellaneous costs on average at about $50
• These add up to anything from $525 to $1700 per annum.

Factoring in the lifespan of a Maine Coon cat as the widely accepted average of 10 to 12.5 years, this gives a lifetime cost ranging from $5,250 to $21,250.

As for Ragdoll Cats, ignoring the initial cost of buying the cat. Here are the estimations done:

1. Food (wet, dry treats) can cost average about $600
2. Litter cost $225
3. Vet Visits can cost anywhere from $75 to $500.
4. Unexpected Expenses: $100.00
5. Cat Health Insurance costs on average at about $300
6. Fun Stuff (toys, catnip, etc…): $100

The grand total of annual expense is $1100. This can say that for a Ragdoll that will live for 9-15 years lifespan, you should be prepared for $9,900 to $16,500 lifetime investment.

So before having a Maine Coon or a Ragdoll Cat, think twice! Adequate preparation and financial planning should be done before. They are a long-term investment and may not be suitable for the more carefree amongst us.

Which Is The Better pet for you a Maine coon or a Ragdoll?

Maine Coon and Ragdoll cats, both have a huge physics, with huge character and many attractive attributes.

Maine Coon, a perfect combination between intelligent, active and moggy. One of the biggest cat breeds you can own, and a prolific hunter to boot. Yet, a real sweetheart who loves to lounge with his family.

The Ragdoll though, is a playful kitty, one who also enjoys his time and a family cat too. But also, a big affectionate who loves to be cuddled and carried about.

As a drawback, each cat has certain medical conditions to consider. You should really take care of their health and pay attention to their regime, to avoid certain illnesses that can affect your cat.

Be sure to work with a responsible breeder who can prove the health and welfare of their cats, and think in advance about how you will pay for veterinary treatment if your kitten needs it further down the line.

Finally! You’re hitting the end of this article. Up till now, we suppose that you already made up your mind for one of these cats. Is it the Maine Coon? Ragdolls? Which one suits you more and matches your personality? No decisions yet?  Then how about checking a different comparison like Maine Coon vs Norwegian Forest.

Meow, you already have one of these breeds? Which one is it, and how much time you’ve been together? I bet there is something that lets you choose this breed, not others. What is it then? Let us know your preference. Meow!