Wednesday June 14th, 2022 @ 7:02pm EST
By Tristan Smith
Cattery Owner, and CEO
The Maine Coon is a large domestic cat breed that originated in the United States, specifically in the state of Maine. The breed's exact origins are unclear, but there are several theories about how it came to be.
One popular theory is that the Maine Coon is a cross between domestic cats and wildcats, specifically the American Lynx. Another theory is that the breed was brought to the United States by seafarers who used them as ship's cats to control the rodent population.
Today, the Maine Coon is known for its large size, long fur, and friendly personality. It is also recognized as the official state cat of Maine.
For people looking to adopt into Maine Coon ownership, their is lots to know and lots to avoid when going through this process. Given the steady popularity of the breed, demand has left room for many bad actors such as backyard breeders, scammers, or unequipped owners.
Knowing things about this breed is critical for making an informed decision. The costs to raise the cat, its health risks, and colour schemes are all important things we should know when navigating the world of animal trade.
First and foremost, as noted in our what to look for blog, any breeder you purchase from should be registered with a governing association. Here in North America, our two largest organizations are The International Cat Association (otherwise known as TICA), and The Cat Fanciers Association (otherwise known as the CFA).
Now onto some facts...
There are two types of prices known to purchasers. A price with breeding rights, and a price without.
In our experience, the price of a Maine Coon cat with breeding rights can vary depending on the breeder, location, and other factors. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $3,500 to $13,000 or more for a Maine Coon cat with breeding rights. It's important to do your research and find a reputable breeder who can provide you with a healthy and well-socialized cat.
If you are a simple individual, looking for a companion, without rights to breeding, the price can once again vary depending on many factors. Generally, the pet price (from a reputable breeder) can be anywhere from $1,500.00 to $5,000.00.
These are big cats. Growing cats. These cats continue growing for up to five years.
Yes you read that right! By doing a simple google search (for growth charts) you'll see that this cat rapidly grows during its first year, but will continue to grow for several years thereafter. These cats can grow to become nearly 150cm in length, with a weight of 25 pounds.
For this reason, it is not a huge surprise that the monthly costs for this cat can range from $100.00 all the way to $450.00. These cats have a huge basal metabolic rate!
Because this cat is known for its large stature, breeders will strive for the largest cats. With a direct relationship between monthly cost and size, a good breeder charging $2,000.00 and above should not be a surprise. Furthermore, maintaining the breeds large characteristics comes with its own challenges and it is critical that you choose a breeder who invests in genetic screening prior to adding cats to their breeding programs.
A good breeder is honest. There is no harm in asking a breeder if certain conditions have given arise in their lines. Health conditions are inevitable and can happen randomly. What really matters is what they did to mitigate and/or prevent them from occurring again. Here are some common conditions that this breed is prone to:
Below you'll find the breed standards of this gigantic breed, formally laid out by the CFA.