Maine Coon vs Scottish Fold (Surprising Rare Analysis)


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Maine Coon and Scottish Fold cats are highly desirable because of the various traits each cat type exhibits. Maine Coon Cats and Scottish Fold Cats have important characteristics that make them ideal for being an excellent house pet.

In this article, we will explore what makes them similar and what makes them different. We force an answer to the question, which is better when considering the Maine Coon vs Scottish Fold?

When considering Maine Coon vs Scottish Fold, the Scottish Fold wins this comparison.  While both cat breeds have much to offer, the Scottish Fold is the superior cat due to its loving personality, playfulness, lesser shedding, and cute appearance.

Cat Product Note:  I will talk about and recommend some cat products in this article, which will hopefully provide your cat with a more enriching life.  These are Amazon affiliate links, so I receive a commission from Amazon, with no added cost to you.  These are my honest recommendations, so if you are interested in checking them out, please click below!

For Maine Coons:

  • The cat stroller on Amazon that I recommend for Maine Coons because it is extremely large (affiliate link): Click Here
  •  The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Maine Coons because it is really big! (affiliate link):  Click Here

For Scottish Fold Cats:

  • The cat stroller on Amazon that I recommend for Scottish Fold Cats because it is robust and versatile (affiliate link):  Click Here
  • The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Scottish Fold Cats because my similarly sized cat loves it! (affiliate link): Click Here

We go into more detail about the similarities and differences between the Maine Coon vs Scottish Fold below!

Maine Coon Appearance vs. Scottish Fold Appearance

Some key differences make the Maine Coon and Scottish Fold stand out from one another.

What Does a Maine Coon Look Like?

Video About Maine Coon Cats

Maine Coons stand out because they are huge cats. These cats weigh approximately 8 to 20 pounds. Males can be larger.

They are big rugged cats with smooth hair that is also shaggy. Their ears are large and tufted with a broad base and a narrow top. Maine Coons have large, expressive eyes and are green, gold, greenish-gold, or copper in color.

Their fur colors can vary significantly. Maine Coon fur can often be seen in a tabby variety, but they can also show a solid color of white, black, blue, red, and cream. It is truly interesting how many colors and combinations a Maine Coon can come in.

What Does a Scottish Fold Look Like?

Video About Scottish Fold Cats

Scottish Fold cats have one characteristic that makes them stand out among all other cat breeds. The ears fold over on these cats, which is what gives them their names. Scottish Fold cats are a medium-sized cat that has a compact build. They can weigh between 6 and 13 pounds.

The short-haired Scottish fold has a dense fur coat with a soft texture. The long-hair Folds may have a tail plume, toe tufts (fur clump that sticks out on the paws), and a ruff (resembles a mane around the neck, people often compare it to a lion’s mane).

Scottish Fold cats can come in all different colors and patterns including white, black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, and more!  The eye colors can be dependent on the coat that shows.

Maine Coon Hypoallergenic vs. Scottish Fold Hypoallergenic

Many people have pet fur allergies, which is vital in determining what fluffy pets they will have.

Are Maine Coon Cats Hypoallergenic?

No, Maine Coon cats are not hypoallergenic.  Typically, long-haired cats such as the Persian, British Longhair, and Norwegian Forest Cats are the types of cats you want to avoid when you have fur allergies. The Maine Coon is no exception.

Do Maine Coons Shed?

Yes, a Maine Coon cat’s fur is long, and it sheds drastically. It would help if you were diligent in taking care of the fur of your Maine Coon.

Are Scottish Fold Cats Hypoallergenic?

No, Scottish Fold cats are not hypoallergenic. So, if you have cat allergies do not expect that this cat breed will not affect your allergies.

Do Scottish Fold Cats Shed?

Yes, Scottish Fold cats shed. Even though Scottish Fold cats typically have short hair, it is also very thick and dense. Though this breed does shed only moderately, if you get in contact with their fur during snuggles, you will react to it as it is very thick.

Maintaining a Maine Coons Fur Coat

Maine Coon cats need to be groomed. Their hair can become matted very quickly, and you should probably groom them daily. If you can’t do so, you will really need to groom them a couple times a week. Sometimes, these cats do not enjoy being groomed, but they will learn to enjoy it if you start young.

Make sure to use a soft bristle brush that will gently massage as you brush. Always be consistent in brushing to avoid matting of the fur. Sometimes the fur in the paws can become long and troublesome. 

You may want to see a cat groomer to trim down the Maine Coon’s fur. Bathing can help cut down on the shedding fur.  You will want to be careful about using shampoo too much though since it can wash away a lot of this cat’s natural oils.  Generally speaking, this cat breed loves water though.

Maintaining a Scottish Folds Fur Coat

Scottish Folds do not require too much special grooming. It would help if you brushed your cat at least once per week.

My advice is to start young since it will get your cat used to the process.  I find that a glove brush is great since my own cat (a domestic shorthair named Charlotte) thinks she’s being petted.  

Maine Coons Personality vs. Scottish Fold Personality

Both cats are adorable to have around. These cats do have varying temperaments that aren’t the same as each other.

Maine Coon Personality

Video on Maine Coon Personality

While the large Maine Coons appearance is like that of a King or Queen, this breed has a pleasant personality and gentle nature. They are quite smart, highly trainable, and want to be around their humans all the time. Not in a clingy way, they do have their own minds, but they love being around their people.

Maine Coons are playful and energetic, but at the same time, they love cuddling up on your lap after they’ve had their exercise. Almost all Maine Coons are known to love water so don’t be surprised if they want to jump into the shower with you. They can be around children, dogs, or other felines. The Maine Coon loves to “speak.” They make all kinds of talking sounds which can be very funny as well as entertaining. 

These cats are generally very adaptable. If you can handle a large cat that will want affection, this is the right cat. If you need a good mouser, you will get that with a Maine Coon as they have natural hunting instincts.

Speaking of hunting, we look more at whether cats actually like to hunt in our article:  Click Here.

Scottish Fold Personality

Scottish Fold cats love human beings. They love to express how they feel, and they can be quite active. Your Scottish Fold cat will love to play and have company. These cats do not do well when left alone for long periods. If you can keep up with their need for affection and give them the attention they love, then this cat may be the right one.

If you do get another cat, I recommend a Domestic Shorthair cat like my feline, Charlotte.  There are almost always plenty of Domestic Shorthair cats ready for adoption and they make sweet pets.  I am extremely happy with my Domestic Shorthair cat. 

We discuss what happens when you leave cats alone and miss their owners in our article:  Click Here.

Are Maine Coons Intelligent?

Maine Coons have been dubbed as “dog-like.” These cats are brilliant and extremely trainable. You will be able to enjoy many hours of fun with this cat. They can sometimes seem intrusive, as they want to be an active part of the family.

Maine Coon cats can be leash-trained if you want to go on neighborhood walks with your Maine Coon. That may sound a bit strange, but it happens more than you’d think.  You will want a cat harness that fits your Maine Coon cat.

We talk more about if you should use a cat harness with your cat in our article:  Click Here.

Are Scottish Folds Smart?

Scottish Folds are brilliant cats. These cats do have high intelligence, but they can be challenging to train. These cats are more affection oriented, which means that they are hard to teach to be alone.

If you do leave them alone, they will want hours of attention when you return. However, these cats can be adaptable if you need to leave them alone in the house.

Maine Coon Lifespan vs. Scottish Fold Lifespan

Maine Coon and Scottish Fold Lifespan

The common lifespan of a Maine Coon is between 12 to 15 years. If you take good care of them, you should be able to hit that high mark of 15 years.

The average lifespan of Scottish Folds is 14 to 16 years. There are some stories about Scottish Fold’s living longer than this, but in general, this is the expected lifespan.

Enriching Your Maine Coon and Scottish Fold Cat’s Life

  • Affection – It is important that cat owners show their cats a ton of love
  • Going Outside – Scottish Folds and Maine coons are best as indoor cats. They will be safer in the house than outdoors.

However, cats do love exploring and discovering new things. There are dangers outside though. Traffic, dogs, or sometimes strangers, can be a threat.

If you want to take your cat outside safely and under your supervision, you can use a cat backpack, a cat stroller, cat harness, or cat leash to take your beloved cat out and let them explore and be curious while you are there with them. 

We go into more detail about the safety of cat backpacks in our article on the subject:  Click Here.

Cat strollers are a spectacular option to let your cat experience the outdoors safely.  You get to cover a ton of ground with your cat in the cat stroller (great views, maintaining safety). 

Then, when you get to a nice area, you can switch to letting your cat out with a cat harness and leash.  When you are ready to go back home, back in the cat stroller your feline goes!

  • The cat stroller on Amazon that I recommend for Maine Coons because it is extremely large (affiliate link): Click Here
  • The cat stroller on Amazon that I recommend for Scottish Fold Cats because it is robust and versatile (affiliate link):  Click Here
  • Cat Condos / Cat Trees – Cat trees are ideal for both Maine Coon and Scottish Fold cats. They love to play and climb in them as well as use the scratch posts on them. The platforms on cat condos / cat trees provide excellent viewing for your feline friend.
    • The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Maine Coons because it is really big! (affiliate link):  Click Here
    • The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Scottish Fold Cats because my similarly sized cat loves it! (affiliate link): Click Here
Video: Scottish Fold on a Cat Tree
  • Using Cat Grass – Both types of felines love chewing on grass, so cat grass is a good choice.  Cat Grass consists of a grass mixture such as wheat, oats, or rye and is different from outdoor grass you have on your lawn.

Cat Grass contains vitamins and minerals which are quite beneficial to the digestive system of felines. It’s a tasty, healthful snack that also provides happiness for your cat. 

Our article that analyses the importance of cat grass:  Click Here.

Maine Coon vs. Scottish Fold Health Problems

All breeds of cats have health issues that can arise at any time. The Scottish Fold and the Maine Coon are no exception.

Maine Coon Health Issues

Maine Coon cats are known to be prone to the following health issues:

  • Hip dysplasia is common in Maine Coons. This is an abnormality of the hip joint that can cause crippling, lameness, and serious arthritis. In severe cases, your cat can become lame.
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a heart condition, is an inherited illness in Maine Coons. It appears you can check for it in your cat through a DNA test. 
  • Polycystic Kidney disease is a progressive disease that can lead to renal failure. The disease causes multiple cysts to form in the kidneys.  This is a disease that starts off small and then gets much worse over time.
  • Spinal muscular atrophy is another issue that is genetic and can be tested through a DNA test. This is believed to be genetically inherited and causes the loss of spinal cord neurons which affects skeletal muscles of the Maine Coon cat’s trunk and limbs.

Scottish Fold Health Issues

Scottish Fold cats are known to be prone to the following health issues:

  • Degenerative joint disease is common in this cat breed, especially in the tail and ankles. Handle your cat gently. You’ll want to make sure you have your Scottish Fold regularly checked by your local veterinarian.  It is possible for feline degenerative joint disease to affect your Scottish Fold at an early age.
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heart disease that affects this cat as well. There seem to be some open questions still on whether this is hereditary for Scottish Fold cats.  This health issue affects how your Scottish Fold is able to pump blood to her heart.
  • Ear problems are also common in this cat because of the folds. You have to make sure they get cleaned properly and that insects, like ear mites, don’t nest in the folds.  You will want to keep a good eye on how your Scottish Fold is dealing with her ears.  If she seems bothered by them, its probably a good idea to take her to the veterinarian.

Maine Coon Price vs Scottish Fold Cat Price

Maine Coon Price

I looked up how to find a Maine Coon for sale, I found the websites of two Maine Coon breeders and saw some prices. One of the sites I found was for Wildcat Creek Cattery, in Indiana, and the Maine Coon Price ranges from $1500 – $2500, with potential added costs for delivery. 

The deposits are $500 and can be paid through a credit card, debit card, or PayPal. It does look like they have Maine Coon kittens.

Wildcat Creek Cattery will deliver the Maine Coon kitten by car, up to 400 miles round trip, for $1/mile.  You could also have them bring the cat to you at the airport if you fly in.  This special way of delivery costs $145 extra for their effort and a cat carrier for your new Maine Coon kitten or cat.

Another Maine Coon cattery I found, Riggs Maine Coon Cattery the Maine Coon cost ranges considerably from $1400-$2200.  They also have Maine Coon kittens for purchase. 

Riggs Maine Coon Cattery has a waiting list but does not require any deposits unless there are kittens available to reserve.  Deposits for a Maine Coon cat are $400 with different payment options to use.

Riggs Maine Coon Cattery has different delivery options that can affect cost.  The cattery can deliver a Maine Coon cat by driving an automobile long-distance at $.40/mile (up to 400 miles round-trip max). 

They can also fly your Maine Coon kitten out to where you are, which could range from $500-$800.  This cattery is also willing to meet you at the Fort Wayne, Indiana airport (FWA) if you prefer flying to them and then picking up your new Maine Coon cat.

Scottish Fold Cat Price

I searched for Scottish Fold cat breeders to find Scottish Fold cat costs, and I discovered Purrfect Folds.  This cattery breeds and sells Scottish Fold cats with both folded ears and perked ears.  Folded ears are what you would normally associate with a Scottish Fold.  It looks like perked ears are the type of perked ears you would find on a normal cat. 

At Purrfect Folds, you can purchase Scottish Fold cats with folded ears for $1750 – $2500.  You should expect to place a deposit of $875 to $1250.  If you are looking for a Scottish Fold cat with perked ears, you can purchase one for $800. 

You should expect to place a deposit of $400 for perked ear Scottish Fold cats. In order to place a deposit with Purrfect Folds, you should expect to provide the following information:

  • Completed Contract
  • Full Name
  • Mailing Address
  • Phone Information
  • Preferred Airport if you need shipping
  • PayPal contact information if it is different than the other information you already provided.

Another Scottish Fold cattery I found was Wunderfolds.  This cattery also sells Scottish Fold cats with folded ears and straight ears.  Here is a breakdown of the different costs for different types of cats at Wunderfolds:

  • Copper Eyes
    • Straight Ears:  $1500-$2500
    • Folded Ears:  $2200-$3400
  • Blue Eyes from Color Points
    • Straight Ears:  $1800-$2800
    • Folded Ears: $2800-$3800
  • Rare Bi-Color Blue or Odd Eyes
    • Straight Ears:  $2500-$4000
    • Folded Ears:  $3500-$5000

At Wunderfolds, you should expect your purchase to include the following for your Scottish Fold:

  • Age Appropriate Vaccinations
  • Your Cat Dewormed
  • Microchipping
  • Spay or Neuter
  • Free 30 Days of Pet Insurance
  • TICA Registration Proof
  • Lifetime Breeder Support
  • Pet Gift Bag

Maine Coon Cat Breeders vs Scottish Fold Cat Breeders

Maine Coon Cat Breeders

Maine Coon cat breeders have systems in place to keep high standards for the Maine Coon kittens that they raise in their Maine Coon cattery operations.  This is especially true at Wildcat Creek Cattery, which have champion Maine Coon Cats.  Wildcat Creek Cattery is in Kokomo, Indiana, USA.

Wildcat Creek Cattery has Maine Coon cats with an origin from Mother Russia.  There is also a careful eye on the health and well-being of the cats as they are tested for important cat diseases, such as:

  • Feline Hypertrophic Cardomyopathy (HCM) – which is the cat condition where the cat’s heart walls thickens, which in turn reduces the efficiency of the heart and could lead to the heart beating irregularly, including too fast or too slow. 
  • Feline Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) – which is a feline neurodegenerative disorder that can result in muscle tremors, muscular instability, and irregular posture. 
  • Feline Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) – which can create the formation of plural cysts in the bilateral kidneys and sometimes also in the liver and pancreas.  As the cysts get larger, they may lead to feline chronic kidney disease (CKD). 
  • Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) – which is a common feline infectious disease that infects between 2% – 3% of felines in the United States of America. 
  • Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) – which is a feline virus that causes depressed immune systems in cats.  This disease cannot be spread to human beings.

Additionally, Wildcat Creek Cattery has an impressive Maine Coon Manor that is 728 square feet.  They keep the building heated and cooled for their Maine Coon cats, which is important, because Indiana has a climate with hot Summers and cold Winters. 

Wildcat Creek Cattery has a birthing process for the Maine Coon kittens where they provide a birthing box that the Maine Coon Mother cat feels comfortable giving birth.  They have a birthing kit and have video cameras set up so that they have surveillance of everything going on.  After a few weeks, the birth box will go away and new things will be introduced, like a cat tree for the Maine Coon Mother cat and new Maine Coon kittens.

Riggs Maine Coon Cattery is located in Montpelier, IN, USA.  Riggs Maine Coon Cattery treats all of the Maine Coon cats they raise as a part of the family.  Because of this, their Maine Coon kittens live as family members right in their own home – no separated building for a cattery. 

Riggs Maine Coon Cattery is known to breed larger Maine Coon cats that are on the heavier side of the weight range for Maine Coons. 

Riggs keeps a close eye on the health and well-being of the Maine Coon cats since sometimes health issues can arise with higher weight.  This would also be something you would want to manage closely with your veterinarian once you take ownership of your Maine Coon from Riggs Maine Coon Cattery.

Riggs Maine Coon Cattery typically has cats with the following Maine Coon colors:

  • Black Smoke
  • Black Tabby
  • Silver Tabby
  • Black
  • Red Tabby
  • Red Smoke Tabby
  • Black Tortie
  • Black Tortie Smoke

Scottish Fold Cat Breeders

Purrfect Folds is located in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas.  It is run by a veterinarian and they breed Scottish Fold kittens with both long hair and short hair.  Some of their Scottish Fold kittens have folded ears and some have straight ears. 

Purrfect Folds puts an emphasis on quality and not on quantity.  Their owner is a member of the Cat Fanciers Association and serves on the Scottish Fold Breed Council.  Additionally, Purrfect Folds has won the Cattery Excellence Award from Cat Fanciers Association (CFA).

The Scottish Fold cats at Purrfect Folds get accustomed to other people and other pets to make their adjustment to your home easier for them.  They put an emphasis on the happiness and socialization of their Scottish Fold cats.

Wunderfolds is located in Fort Mill, South Carolina.  This Scottish Fold cattery is not only certified by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) but also by The International Cat Association (TICA).  They state that their cats are selected for their great appearances and come from breed winning lines worldwide.

Wunderfolds states that their Scottish Fold kittens are raised from day one in a clean family home environment with the owner and three children.  This ensures the Scottish Fold kittens receive a ton of love and socialization. 

Wunderfolds prides themselves on providing a friendly and organized customer experience for their Scottish Fold customers.

Maine Coon Adoption vs Scottish Fold Cat Adoption

Maine Coon Adoption

Adopting a Maine Coon kitten or cat is a great way to give a cat a loving home.  Maine Coon Adoptions appears to be a great organization that has Maine Coon kittens and Maine Coon cats for adoption.

Maine Coon Adoptions is located around the San Francisco Bay Area, USA.  They only adopt to people who live in California, USA.

Maine Coon Adoptions usually has Maine Coon cats that are not pedigreed.  These cats still need a loving home though.  Maine Coon feline adoptions through Maine Coon Adoptions usually costs:

  • Purebred Maine Coon Cat Cost:  $225
  • Maine Coon Kitten Cost: $160
  • Healthy Maine Coon Cat Cost (Age 1 – 8):  $135
  • Special-Needs or Mature (8+ years old) Maine Coon Cats: $110

Maine Coon Rescue is a nationwide Maine Coon adoption network dedicated to placing Maine Coon cats and Maine Coon kittens in good homes.  A quick look at their available Maine Coon cats shows me that they probably cannot guarantee the cats’ parentage that they have available for adoption.  These cats clearly still need loving places to live though. 

Maine Coon Rescue is able to operate through a combination of donations, adoption fees and fundraising events.

Scottish Fold Cat Adoption

Adopting a Scottish Fold kitten or Scottish Fold cat is a great way to give a Scottish Fold cat a loving home.  I found Scottish Fold Rescue, which appears to be devoted specifically towards the adoption of Scottish Fold cats in need.

Scottish Fold Rescue is incorporated in Florida, USA and even has a board of directors. This organization arranges for fostering, medical care and other essentials for Scottish Folds cats in need until a permanent residence can be found for them. 

Scottish Fold Rescue also educates the public around responsible pet ownership.  Additionally, they operate from donations and funds put up through volunteers.  Scottish Fold Rescue also has a Scottish Fold Rescue & Adoption Network, which is a network of volunteers who have the common goal of facilitating the rescue and re-homing of Scottish Fold cats in need.

Maine Coon Meow vs Scottish Fold Cat Meow

Maine Coon Meow

Maine Coon cats are known to be vocal.  This means you should not be surprised if you hear your Maine Coon kitten speaking to you in several different ways.  This could include different ways of talking such as meows, yowling, trilling, chirping, etc.  Below is a video of some Maine Coon noises (mostly meowing) for treats.

Video: Maine Coons Being Vocal

Scottish Fold Cat Meow

Scottish Fold cats are well-known to be vocal cats with soft voices.  This means you might think you hear a meow and then you look and behold, a Scottish Fold really is meowing…just very softly!  Here is a video of a Scottish Fold being vocal. 

Video: Scottish Fold Meow

Maine Coon History vs Scottish Fold History

Maine Coon History

There is a lot of folklore around the Maine Coon Cat Origin.  There are some theories that Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France’s, cats were able to escape France and land in Maine, USA where they eventually were bred into the Maine Coon. 

It is also theorized that the Maine Coon is a crossbreed with a raccoon, which is definitely not true.  The consensus among breeders is that the Maine Coon is a product of breeding shorthaired domestic cats in North America with longhaired cats from overseas.

If you are interested in learning more about cats and racoons, our article on the subject goes into detail about whether cats and raccoons get along:  Click Here.

We do know that the Maine Coon starts getting mentioned historically in documentation in the 1860s. 

Scottish Fold Cat History

Historically, Scottish Fold cats come from a Scotland – specifically, a barn cat named Susie, who was discovered near Coupar Angus in Perthshire, Scotland in 1961.  People noticed that Susie had folds in her ears and when she had kittens, they also had the folds. 

The breed was later registered with the Governing Council of Cat Fancy (GCCF) in 1966.  A breeding program ensued and of the kittens that were produced, a large portion of them had the trademark folded ears.  Some of them had straight ears though. 

The Scottish Fold was not initially accepted as a show breed due to limb deformities and ear problems.  The Scottish Fold was not long after migrated to the United States. 

Conclusion

Both the Maine Coon and the Scottish Fold cat are special cats with unique cat origins.  If you are lucky enough to have either one of these cats, I think you will be quite happy.  Personally, after conducting the analysis in this article, I think the Scottish Fold cat narrowly defeats the Maine Coon cat.  You will need to judge for yourself though!

If you are thinking of purchasing a Maine Coon or a Scottish Fold kitten, it makes a lot of sense for you to do further research on breeders and ensure that you get the cat you want. 

If you enjoyed this article, please check out a couple of similar articles, such as:

  • Siamese vs Burmese (The Unbelievably Gigantic Review): Click Here.
  • Devon Rex vs Siamese (Which Feline Is The Best?): Click Here.

Christopher Carlson

I have an Domestic Shorthair Tabby named Charlotte. She is full of energy when she isn't sleeping most of the day. I share what I learn about cats on this site.

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