Hip Dysplasia: The ‘Maine Coon Walk’ Myth#

You will often hear people say, “Oh, Maine Coons walk with a swagger because they are big.” That “swagger”—where the hips sway side to side—is often not a breed trait. It is a symptom of Hip Dysplasia.

[cite_start]According to Professor Jerold Bell of Tufts University (cited in The Maine Coon Cat), 22.6% of Maine Coons are affected by Hip Dysplasia. [cite: 3096] That is nearly 1 in 4 cats.

The Mechanics of the Hip#

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint.

Normal: The ball (femoral head) sits tight and deep in the socket (acetabulum).
Dysplastic: The socket is shallow. The ball rattles around loosely.
The Result: Every step causes grinding. The body tries to stabilize it by building arthritis (calcium deposits).

Polygenic Inheritance: The Breeding Nightmare#

Unlike PKD (one gene), Hip Dysplasia is Polygenic. [cite_start]Robinson’s Genetics explains that this means “numerous genes with minor effects” control the hip structure. [cite: 1286]

The Trap: Two parents with “Good” hips can still produce a kitten with “Fair” or “Dysplastic” hips if their recessive polygenes align poorly. This makes it incredibly hard to eliminate.

Prevention: The OFA X-Ray#

You cannot tell if a cat has Dysplasia by feeling his hips. He needs an X-Ray. Breeders send these X-rays to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

Excellent/Good: Safe to breed.
Fair: Use with caution.
Dysplastic: Do not breed.

Conclusion#

If you own a Maine Coon, keep him lean. Obesity is the enemy of bad hips. Start a Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplement early (by age 2). And if he has that “sexy swagger,” get an X-ray.

References#

Walsh, L.G. (2013). The Maine Coon Cat. “Maine Coon Health Watch,” p. [cite_start]88. [cite: 3096]
Vella, C. et al. (1999). Robinson’s Genetics. “Hip Dysplasia,” p. [cite_start]195. [cite: 195]
Pedersen, N.C. Feline Husbandry. “Musculoskeletal Anomalies,” p. [cite_start]109. [cite: 867]
Loder, R.T. (2017). “The Demographics of Hip Dysplasia in the Maine Coon Cat.” Journal of Feline Medicine.