The popularity of the Maine Coon is one of the greatest mysteries of the cat universe. The breed once touted as ‘America’s First Show Cat‘ almost went entirely extinct in the mid-1900s, only to later reclaim its title as the third most popular feline breed across America. This fluffy-tailed, furry-maned, giant cat breed also happens to be one of the most expensive cats to adopt!
Maine Coon cats cost about $400-$2,000 to adopt from a cattery. Non-fixed, high-quality pedigreed, young, vaccinated Maine Coons are typically at the upper end of the price range. However, you may be able to bring home a Maine Coon for $200 or less if you adopt from a Maine Coon rescue or a shelter.
Adopting a Maine Coon kitten may cost you ten times more than a regular shelter cat, but it’s the allure of having this ‘rare’ breed that leaves people flocking to their local breeder. To learn about how much Maine Coon cats cost, read on!
- How Much Should I Pay for a Maine Coon Kitten?
- Pedigree
- Age
- Coloring
- Neutered or Spayed
- Breeder
- Vaccination Status
- Where Can You Buy a Maine Coon Kitten?
- The Costs of Caring for Maine Coons
- Veterinary Bills
- Regular Grooming
- Other Regular Costs
- Conclusion
- Sources
How Much Should I Pay for a Maine Coon Kitten?
A Maine Coon kitten from a reputable local breeder (or cattery) should cost you in the ballpark of $400 to $2,000. But not all Maine Coon kittens will cost you a small fortune.
The following factors can potentially impact pricing:
Pedigree
A full-pedigree Maine Coon has a strong bloodline and, therefore, is more “show-ready” than others. The accompanying higher price tag is merely a caveat of owning a purebred Maine Coon with ancestors who’ve won top prizes at shows or lack the common genetic conditions found in the breed (like hip dysplasia or spinal muscular atrophy).
Age
Not surprisingly, Maine Coon kittens are far more valuable than an adult or senior of the same breed. A young, active, fertile kitten may cost you up to $2,000. Meanwhile, a full-pedigree Maine Coon adult is closer to $400-$600. You might even ‘luck out’ and find an adult Maine Coon at your local animal rescue or shelter, though this is highly unusual.
Coloring
Most Maine Coon enthusiasts are happy with the classic brown tabby. And because rarer patterns and coats — such as silver tabby or black smoke — are much harder to find, they’re also far more expensive. A solid-colored Maine Coon is closer to $1,500, and a polydactyl Maine Coon (one with extra toes) typically costs an additional $100.
Neutered or Spayed
Owning a Maine Coon who’s not neutered or spayed means you may be able to breed your kitty sometime down the line. This added financial benefit of owning a stud or a queen can add $1,000 to the final price tag and provide you a source of side income. However, keep in mind that unfixed cats are more prone to conditions like breast cancer and testicular cancer. Unless you plan to eventually breed your Maine Coon, get him or her fixed!
Breeder
Of course, the source of the Maine Coon can also play a massive role in how large of a check you’ll have to write. For example, a casual Maine Coon owner who’s queen accidentally got pregnant may sell kittens for $400 to get them off their hands.
On the other hand, trusted breeders recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) typically charge closer to $2,000 per kitten, mostly due to the added costs of remaining a member of the organization.
Vaccination Status
The sooner any cat receives its vaccinations, the cleaner their bill of health will likely be in the future. A Maine Coon kitten who passes the FeLV/FIV test gets a distemper vaccination has undergone genetic testing, and has been dewormed is worth far more than a kitten who has not. Ultimately, a fully-vaccinated kitten means you save on your first vet visit as well!
Where Can You Buy a Maine Coon Kitten?
Of the 3.2 million cats that wind up in shelters each year, only a tiny percentage are purebred cats like Maine Coons. But while a Maine Coon at the animal shelter is somewhat of an unexplained oddity, other reputable places also sell Maine Coon kittens!
The best place to start is by making a call (or paying a visit) to one of the 25+ Maine Coon breeders in America. Registered breeders must abide by the organization’s strict standards, which typically means up-to-date vaccinations, humane breeding practices, and a confirmed pedigree from both Maine Coon parents.
On another note, be wary of Facebook ads, Craigslist postings, or random Maine Coon adoption websites. While the price tag for a kitten may be well within your budget, there’s no way to confirm whether the kitten is healthy, pedigreed, and lacking health concerns.
The Costs of Caring for Maine Coons
A Maine Coon may cost you anywhere between $400 to $2,000 to adopt, though a $1,000 price tag is more within the realm of “average.” However, this doesn’t consider the costs associated with owning such a high-maintenance luxury cat breed.
Before you adopt a Maine Coon, consider the following costs of care:
Veterinary Bills
The first thing you’ll want to do when you welcome your Maine Coon kitten home is to pay a visit to your veterinarian. Assuming your kitty has received her distemper shot and passed a fecal test while still at the cattery, the initial veterinary costs of owning a Maine Coon could include:
| Neutering or Spaying | $100-$400 |
| Microchipping | $35-$50 |
| Flea & Tick Treatment | $200-$350 (for a 12-month supply) |
| Vet Check-Up | $50-$250 |
| TOTAL | $385-$1,050 |
Keep in mind that the above costs don’t consider a lifetime of annual veterinary check-ups or bi-annual dental cleanings. Nor does the chart factor in the long-term costs of future treatments for conditions commonly seen in the breed (i.e., Hip dysplasia).
Regular Grooming
The fluffy mane and tail of the Maine Coon are what drew you toward the breed in the first place. But unlike the standard domestic shorthair cat, a Maine Coon’s long and thick coat makes self-grooming a much more complicated task — even if you brush her three times a week.
Taking your Maine Coon to a professional groomer at least 3-4 times a year can help to keep your Maine Coon’s coat clean and orderly. Look into booking the following grooming services:
- A full-bath
- Nail clipping
- Hair clipping around the paws and toes
At about $30-$70 per grooming session, it’ll cost you an extra $120-$280 a year to keep your Maine Coon looking pristine and well-groomed.
If you’re wondering what a ‘full grooming’ of a Maine Coon looks like, the video below will show you what this process entails:
Other Regular Costs
Of course, there are the monthly (or weekly) costs of owning a cat that you’ll have to take into consideration before bringing your Maine Coon kitty home. These costs include:
| A Bed | $20-$100 |
| Water & Food Bowls | $10-$30 |
| A Cat Carrier | $30-$50 |
| Litter Box | $10-$20 |
| Litter (Annual Cost) | $72-$240 |
| Food (Annual Cost) | $120-$500 |
| Toys & Scratching Posts | $25-$100 |
| TOTAL | $287-$1,040 |
Make sure you have the appropriate funds to take your Maine Coon to the vet annually (and for emergency visits), to the groomer multiple times a year and care for her year-round. Your first year with your Maine Coon — including adoption fees — can cost you anywhere between $1,192 and $4,370.
Conclusion
Nobody said that a Maine Coon was affordable, but this affectionate, social, and intelligent cat breed is more than worth the cost. The best thing you can do to protect your investment is to vet Maine Coon breeders to find one that you can trust and verify that the kitty you bring home is healthy, vaccinated, and comes from a good bloodline. After that, your Maine Coon’s well-being depends on what you’re willing to do to keep her healthy!
Sources
- CFA: Maine Coon Cat Article
- Wikipedia: Polydactyl cat
- CFA: Breeders Search
- ASPCA: Spay/Neuter Your Pet
- ASPCA: Pet Statistics
- Cornell University: Hip Dysplasia: Cornell Feline Health Center
- Maine Coon: Maine Coon Grooming Tips
Pam is a self-confessed cat lover and has experience of working with cats and owning cats for as long as she can remember. This website is where she gets to share her knowledge and interact with other cat lovers.