Maine Coon Central – Maine Coon Cats: Breed, Price, Size, Health, Grooming

Before rushing out to buy a Maine Coon cat or kitten, make sure you are clued up with everything you need to know. Buying a Maine Coon is a serious decision, and you can easily get caught out by backyard cat breeders masquerading as legitimate breeders. Don't lose out! Follow my top tips to reduce the risk of this happening. Buying a Maine Coon cat will take time, lengthy research, and a healthy gut instinct. Maine Coons are a sought-after pedigree breed costing an average of $1000 (£815) each. Only purchase Maine Coons from registered reputable breeders, who have checked their breeding cats do not have diseases common to the breed. Never purchase Maine Coon kittens from pet shops or 'backyard breeders'. Where To Buy A Maine Coon Cat? Buying a new cat for your home is an exciting time, whether you are buying a kitten, or an older cat. Whilst kittens can bring great joy to a household with their amusing antics and curious personalities, older cats offer a far calmer alternative, capable of giving so much love to their new owner. Older cats getting a second chance at life, with a new family that loves them is also a very heartwarming thing to see. If you are thinking about buying a Maine Coon cat, there are a few extra considerations that you will need to consider before handing over your hard-earned cash. For example, "Where do you find reputable Maine Coon breeders?" or, 'How much do Maine Coon kittens actually cost?" 7 things to consider when buying a Maine Coon cat: Researching the breedShould you buy a Maine Coon?How much do Maine Coon cats cost?Where to find Maine Coon kittens for saleWhere to find Maine Coon cats for saleAsk sellers these specific questionsWhere to find FREE Maine Coon kittens or cats? 1. Researching The Breed Maybe you've been longing to own a Maine Coon kitten, or cat, for many years. Or, maybe you've just stumbled upon this amazingly beautiful docile cat breed by pure chance. Either way, if you are thinking of buying a Maine Coon cat, it is important that you research the breed in depth-first to determine if this is definitely the right cat breed for you. Maine Coons are famous for a variety of reasons and have become such a prestigious pedigree cat breed, that owners can now pay into the thousands of dollars or pounds, just to own one of these amazing creatures. What makes the Maine Coon so famous? Let's take a quick look at some of their known attributes ... Largest cat breedOldest natural cat breed in North AmericaThick long hairLaidback natureHighly intelligentCuriousMysterious lineageLove of waterVery affectionate a. Largest Cat Breed As one of the largest cat breeds in existence (apart from the Norwegian Forest Cat) the Maine Coon cat really does make an 'entrance' when they walk into a room. Heads turn in surprise and amazement at the sheer size of these 'gentle giants, with their massive bushy tails. In fact, their tails are so big that I've often heard this breed referred to as 'a tail with a cat attached'!! With the average male Maine Coon cat achieving a full-size adult weight of between 15-25 lbs (6.8 - 11.3 kg), and a length that can be anything up to 40 inches (101 cm), you need to be certain that you have room to accommodate a Maine Coon! b. Oldest Natural Cat Breed In North America The Maine Coon breed originates in Maine, where they have so much love for this particular cat breed, that they named them the 'State Cat Of Maine'! History purports the Maine Coon to be the oldest natural cat breed in North America. Their purebred status remained unmixed for many decades, possibly due to the long distances between villages in this state, and also due to the harsh winter climate where many other cat breeds were unable to flourish. c. Thick Long Hair Maine Coons are famous for their luscious long hair. They have two thick undercoats, plus a third outer layer of long hair. Originating from Maine in the United States, they are known for being a very hardy cat breed, able to survive the harsh winter chills of New England due to their dense thick coat of fur. d. Laidback Nature Unlike many other cats, the Maine Coon is known for being particularly laidback and docile. They are extremely friendly, and not fussed by loud noises. Their gentle nature makes them ideal pets for families with young children. e. Highly Intelligent This intelligent cat breed may outsmart you, from time to time! They are known for being highly intelligent, and many owners purport to have been able to teach their Maine Coon cat tricks i.e. fetching a ball! f. Curious The Maine Coon has a reputation for being particularly curious. Maybe this is a result of their higher levels of intelligence, or maybe they are just naturally inquisitive. Whatever the reasons, you will likely find your Maine Coon kitten getting into all sorts of mischief! g. Mysterious Lineage The Maine Coons history is steeped in mystery and intrigue. Many folk tales tell stories of the Maine Coons true origins, some even claiming that the Maine Coon is a part raccoon! Other more popular myths link the Maine Coon to Viking Ship cats, or Marie Antoinette's adored Persian long-haired cats. However, without any evidence to validate these myths, I doubt we will ever discover the Maine Coons true lineage. For more information on the raccoon myth, check out my article "Is A Maine Coon Part Raccoon?'. h. Love Of Water Unlike other cat breeds, the Maine Coon is well known for its fascination with water. It would not be uncommon to see a Maine Coon playing with water, or even trying to turn on the faucet! (otherwise known as 'the tap' for my UK readers!). Maine Coons dense partly water-resistant fur is a possible reason why this cat breed has no issues with water. In fact, some even enjoy taking a bath, or even a swim in the lake! (yes, you really did read that right!) i. Very Affectionate Maine Coons are super affectionate little beings. They adore human company and a cuddle. If you attempt to groom them, expect them to try grooming you back by licking your body or face with their extremely rough tongues! 2. Should You Buy A Maine Coon? Before buying a Maine Coon cat, think carefully about what sort of cat you are realistically looking for. To help you do this, answer the following questions as honestly as you can: How much time can you devote to your cat?Are you looking for an indoor, or outdoor cat?Can you afford a Maine Coon cat?Would you like a kitten or an older cat?Do you have room for a Maine Coon?Are you ok with affectionate cats?Do you work at home, or away?Do you enjoy going out at nighttime?How often do you go on holiday?Will your existing pets adapt well to a new cat in your home?Can you afford the veterinary bills?Do you need a hypoallergenic cat?Are you ok with cat hair? This special breed will likely take more time to care for, than the average cat. To help you come to a well-informed decision, I will discuss the questions in greater detail, below. (Please note, these are just some of the questions you need to be asking yourself before buying a Maine Coon cat. There are many other factors to consider that will relate to your personal preferences and situation in life). a. How Much Time Can You Devote To Your Cat? Exactly how much time do you need to give your cat? Here's a quick overview to help you decide if you should be buying a Maine Coon cat, or not. We focus on grooming, playtime, and exercise. Grooming With all that hair, you can expect to be grooming your Maine Coon cat on a regular basis. If you do not have the free time available to brush your cat, the Maine Coon will not be the best fit for you. Grooming is an essential daily-weekly routine that helps your cat maintain their magnificent coat of thick fur. Whilst hair shedding is a natural process in all cats, Maine Coon hair is more prone to matting because their fur is thick and dense, often catching the dead hairs in the living hair. By brushing your cat regularly, you detach these dead hairs. Every Maine Coons genetics are different, so you may be lucky and find your Maine Coon is less prone to knots and matting. Alternatively, you may find your treasured feline friend gets tangled quite easily. Coons with silkier fur tend to shed less, and therefore require less grooming. Indoor Maine Coons: Regular grooming is advised for indoor Maine Coons, even though their fur is less affected by external weather conditions. Outdoor Maine Coons: We advise grooming no less than once a week and more during the wet damp Winter months when a Maine Coons fur is prone to tangles and matting. Play Time Maine Coons are highly intelligent and need lots of mental stimulation to keep their minds fit and healthy. Before buying a Maine Coon cat, consider if you have enough time to devote to your cat's sense of well-being since a bored unstimulated Maine Coon cat is likely to suffer from psychological issues. It is important that they receive daily human interaction, and play. Exercise Maine Coon cats are prone to obesity. Thus, it is extremely important to encourage your Maine Coon to exercise on a daily basis, especially if you keep them indoors. Outdoor Maine Coons If you allow your Coon to room outdoors freely, they will naturally have the opportunity to exercise on a regular basis i.e. climbing trees, chasing live prey or leaves. Less emphasis needs to be placed on exercising these cats within the home. Indoor Maine Coons Not everyone is comfortable with allowing their Maine Coon to roam freely. If you plan on keeping your precious feline indoors, you must consider quite seriously if you have the time to exercise your Coon on a daily basis. Exercise is important for indoor cats since they are more prone to becoming obese than outdoor cats. Investing in a cat tower, and cat toys is vital for these cats, to aid physical exercise and mental stimulation. If you have access to a cat-proofed garden, why not consider letting your cat into the garden? Alternatively, you could try walking your cat outside on a leash! b) Are You Looking For An Indoor Or Outdoor Cat? Maine Coons will be happy as either indoor or outdoor cats, so long as you cater to their specific physical and mental needs. Indoor Cats Indoor cats will need a higher level of owner attention since they have less access to exercise than Maine Coons permitted to venture into the outdoor world. Semi-Outdoor Cats If you would like your Maine Coon to experience the outdoor world, but are not keen on them roaming free, then consider cat-proofing your garden. Have a word with your local suppliers, to establish a rough cost of installing catproofing throughout your garden. Outdoor Cats There are many advantages to allowing your Maine Coon cat outdoors, to roam free. For instance, they get ample opportunities to exercise and stimulate their minds in the natural world. However, with freedom comes the inevitable risks. Maine Coons are very curious creatures, who love to explore. Whilst your garden may be cat-safe, don't assume that your neighbors are. Coons are very inquisitive and likely to encounter risks that you cannot control i.e. busy roads, chemicals left in neighboring gardens, criminals targeting Maine Coon cats, or diseases from other cats. Have you researched the cost of vaccinations? Can you afford the pricey veterinary bills if something happens to your cat? Consider these questions seriously, before buying a Maine Coon cat. c. Can You Afford A Maine Coon Cat? Maine Coons are a highly sought-after cat breed, with the average Maine Coon kitten costing an average of $1000 (£818). Older Maine Coons are also not cheap and will set you back roughly $600 (£491). Whilst you may have considered the initial outlay costs of this breed, have you considered the following ongoing costs? Annual insurance premiumsBreed-specific high-quality dry food and cat treats (some eat a lot!)Cost of a large cat tower, and toys suited to the Maine CoonVaccination costsPotential medical bills if they have health issuesCat shampoo (if you plan on bathing your Maine Coon)Larger scratching postsLarger cat bedGPS trackers (should you wish to track your cat)Automatic cat feeder (if you travel away from home for a day or two)Cost of the cattery, or a cat house sitter, if you go on holiday d. Would You Like A Kitten, Or Older Maine Coon? Do you have a preference for buying a Maine Coon kitten or a Maine Coon adult? Consider all factors associated with this question, such as: Costs of vaccinationsPotential medical bills for older Maine CoonHow many years do you expect the cat to live?Before buying an older Maine Coon, check to see if they were kept as an indoor, or outdoor cat.How much do you have to spend on a Maine Coon? Kittens cost more than older Maine Coons. e. Do You Have Room For A Maine Coon? This naturally large breed will fit into most homes, whether small or large. However, their massive cat towers might not! Consider the space available in your home, before buying a Maine Coon cat. Maine Coons love to race around, in what we refer to as a 'mad half hour. They remain kitten-like and playful, long into their adult lives. Do you have space for a Maine Coon to race around your home? f. Are You Ok With Affectionate Cats? Maine Coons are massively affectionate cats. There's nothing they love more than having human attention and cuddles from their owners. They love to groom their owners, as a sign of their affection. Sometimes you may not want their affection (for instance, if you are working from home), but this isn't always a choice you have! Maine Coons can be quite insistent with their affectionate behavior at times. If you don't like having cats all over you, grooming you, the Maine Coon cat is not for you! g. Do You Work From Home, Or Away? Although Maine Coons are known for being quite independent, they are ideally suited to owners that work from home, or, spend a large majority of their time at home. Why? Because they are extremely sociable cats and they need to spend regular time with their owners. That's not to say that individuals who work away from home should not be buying Maine Coon cats. Quite the opposite, in fact! I merely want to emphasize that this is an important factor to consider when you are buying a Maine Coon cat since you are responsible for their well-being. Maine Coons are not fans of being left on their own too long. Thus, if you work away from home you will need to have plenty of spare time available during your time at home to devote to your cat, to ensure they remain happy and contented. h. Do You Enjoy Going Out At Night? If you work outside the home, but also enjoy going out most nights of the week, then a Maine Coon cat is not suited to your lifestyle. This is because Maine Coons need plenty of time with their owners, to feel loved and cared for. This sociable cat will not thrive in an isolated environment. They love the buzz of family life. i. How Often Do You Go On Holiday? If you have the travel bug, then the Maine Coon cat will not be suited to your lifestyle. As discussed above, they do not thrive in isolated environments. j. Will your existing pets adapt well to a new cat in your home? Have you considered if the pets already living in your home will adapt to a new cat entering their territory? Although Maine Coons are known for being great with other pets, both cats and dogs, other breeds are often less keen to share their space. k. Can you afford the veterinary bills? Life is unpredictable, and as much as we try to protect our feline friends, health issues can occur. Have you thought realistically about whether you can afford Maine Coon cat, should anything go wrong? Vet bills don't come cheap, so make sure you do your research. l. Do you need a hypoallergenic cat? If you suffer from cat allergies then you might be looking for a hypoallergenic cat. To set the record straight on this matter, the fact is that no cat breed is hypoallergenic, despite what a breeder may tell you. Hairless cat breeds do come pretty close to being hypoallergenic though! Maine Coons are not hypoallergenic, though you could end up buying a Maine Coon that does not shed as much hair, as others do. This is not a factor that can be determined until you actually live with a cat. So, do you really want to take the risk of being allergic to your pricey Maine Coon cat?! m. Are you ok with cat hair? If you do not like cats malting over you, or your furniture then a Maine Coon is not necessarily the right cat breed for you. Whilst regular grooming may help to reduce the amount of hair shedding, you are still likely to find tumbleweeds of cat hair rolling around your home! I've not personally found that Maine Coons shed much, but I have spoken to owners who say their cat sheds serious amounts of hair! The fluffy Maine Coons tend to drop more hair than the Maine Coons with silkier hair texture. Hair shedding levels cannot be guaranteed though, so consider if you are comfortable with cat hair. 3. How Much Do Maine Coon Cats Cost? If you are longing to buy a Maine Coon cat, then you need to get a serious grip on the financial information I'm about to give you, because they definitely don't come cheap! a) Maine Coon Kittens b) Older Maine Coons c) Maine Coon Toys And Accessories a) How Much Do Maine Coon Kittens Cost? As you would expect, Maine Coon kittens come with an expensive price tag! It is very rare to find one pop-up as "FREE", so be prepared to pay an average of $1000 (£818) for your Maine Coon kitten. If you are hoping to breed Maine Coons, or have them compete in shows, then expect to pay anything up to $2000 (£1638) per kitten. b) How Much Do Older Maine Coon Cats Cost? If you are desperate to own a Maine Coon cat, but cannot afford the expensive kitten price tag, consider purchasing an older Maine Coon. Although they also command high prices, they are considerably cheaper than kittens, costing an average of $600 (£491). c) Maine Coon Toys And Accessories There are many different cat toys and accessories, specifically suited to the Maine Coon cat. Take a look at the following items available on Amazon, if you are interested. Quick links include: Extra Large Cat TowerLarge Scratching Post With Comfy SeatStandard Large Scratching PostPet Water FountainExtra Large Hooded Litter TrayLarge Plush Cat Bed Maine Coon Size - Kittens Grow Big! 4. Where To Find Maine Coon Kittens For Sale I adore kittens, and spend far too much time scrolling the internet looking for pictures of Maine Coon kittens! Resisting the urge to buy another Maine Coon kitten can be difficult! Maine Coon kittens are sold in a variety of places. Avoid 'backyard breeders' only looking to make a fast buck, and 'pet shops' that reputable responsible breeders refuse to use, due to the potential bad treatment of their treasured kittens. There are a variety of places to look if you are keen on buying a Maine Coon kitten. Each has its pros and cons though, so purchase with care: FacebookReputable BreedersGumtreeRescue Centres and SheltersCraigslistBackyard BreedersPet Shops Before buying a Maine Coon kitten, be aware that it is standard practice for a kitten to not be separated from its mother and siblings until it reaches 12 weeks of age. These kittens will be gradually weaned off their mothers at roughly seven weeks old, though the transition period may take longer for some kittens. If a seller is trying to sell a kitten under 12 weeks, practice caution. These rules vary in rescue centers or shelters where a kittens mother and/or siblings may not reside. a) Facebook Facebook has taken the world by storm over the last decade, connecting millions of individuals and businesses that would otherwise never have met. Millions of businesses now have Facebook Business Pages, and spend thousands of pounds every year marketing their businesses online, trying to access the wave of social media that has gripped the world. Pros Many reputable Maine Coon breeders advertise on FacebookIndividuals can review the business pages of sellers, and get a gut feel for the legitimacy of the Facebook page i.e. does the seller interact with users? Do they seem knowledgeable in their subject matter?You can find local breeders near to you.There are many Maine Coon Facebook pages for individuals who love Maine Coons, and just want to learn more about this cat breed in particular. These information pages are there to offer guidance, support and discuss everything to do with the Maine Coon cat breed. They can be a great source of help if you have questions or issues. Some popular Facebook pages include: Maine Coon Cat NationMaine Coon IDMaine Coon UKMaine Coon Cat LoversMaine Coon Cons Crooks love to target the population via Facebook. They advertise Maine Coon cats that aren't available, hoping to hook buyers in, despite swapping the advertised kitten at the last minute.ANYONE can create and manage a Facebook page, for free. It takes just a few minutes to set up, and you really won't fully know who you are communicating with unless the business is well known.Misinformation can spread like wildfire, on Facebook.Some Facebook pages include 'spammy clickbait links', aimed at enticing the user in. b) Reputable Breeders One of the safest ways to ensure that you are buying a purebred Maine Coon kitten is to purchase from a licensed reputable Maine Coon breeder. They tend to be massive fans of the breed and should be able to answer any questions you have. They really do care who they sell their precious Maine Coon kittens to, as well. Breeding is often a hobby or passion to them, and they take pedigree cat breeding seriously. If you are in the United States, contact the 'Cat Fanciers Association' (CFA) to find out who your local registered cat breeders are (link to CFA for your convenience). If you are in the United Kingdom, contact the 'Governing Board Of The Cat Fancy', the UK's Premier Registration Body, to find nearby registered breeders (link here). Pros If buying from a registered licensed breeder, you know with certainty that you are buying a purebred Maine Coon cat.Breeders are knowledgeable and can tell you everything you need to know with confidence.Registered breeders should be able to introduce you to the kitten's parents (breeding cats).They truly love this cat breed, it's their passion.You know the breeding cats have been professionally screened for health issues and diseases common to Maine Coon cats.Breeders know their cats, and can describe everything from hair shedding levels, to how intelligent the parents are!Registered breeders can provide full vaccination records. Cons Buying a Maine Coon kitten from a registered breeder may come at a premium price.You may have to travel further, to buy your Maine Coon from an approved breeder. c) Gumtree You may be able to grab a 'bargain' Maine Coon kitten off Gumtree, but there is a higher than average chance that you might be purchasing from an unscrupulous seller, out to make a quick buck. Pros Possible to find a 'bargain' Maine CoonYou might find a more local seller Cons It will be harder for you to determine the legitimacy of the seller.Criminals target buyers, using clickbait techniques.Reputable breeders do not usually advertise on these forums.You cannot be certain the Maine Coon is purebred.No comeback, if something is wrong and your Maine Coon cat is sick.Potentially no official pedigree paperwork to vouch for kitten authenticity. d) Rescue Centres and Shelters Rescue centers and shelters do an amazing job looking after cats that have not had the best start in life. Rehoming a cat is a great way to buy a cat of any breed. If you are lucky, an irresponsible owner may have 'rejected' their Maine Coon kitten into one of these establishments, though this is less likely due to their high price tag. The following reputable sites are available: Maine Coon Rescue - United StatesMaine Coon Adoptions - United StatesCat Chat - United KingdomRSPCA - United Kingdom If you are keen to own a purebred Maine Coon cat, do make sure you specify this to the shelter. As you can appreciate, they take in a large range of cat breeds, including Maine Coon mixes. Pros Giving an unwanted Maine Coon a second chanceFar cheaper than buying a Maine Coon from a breederCats from animal shelters can make loving, wonderful pets Cons It may not be possible to authenticate that the kitten is a purebred Maine Coon.If the Maine Coon has become feral, they may not adapt well to domesticated life.Their full history may not be known, potentially resulting in unwanted behavioral traits. e) Craigslist It is possible that you may find a Maine Coon kitten via Craigslist, though I would recommend extreme caution in this method. Anyone can list a 'Maine Coon kitten for sale' on Craigslist, and, like Gumtree the site does not validate the seller's advertisements. Things to watch out for when buying a Maine Coon cat from Craigslist: Treat advertisements with broken English, or poor grammar with an added level of caution.Avoid all advertisements or sellers that request you send money (whether a deposit or full cost) for a Maine Coon kitten to an account outside your country of residence.Backyard breeders or more unscrupulous sellers may deliberately target buyers searching for Maine Coons, in the hope that they can trick them into paying top dollar for a Maine Coon kitten, of mixed lineage.Criminals may also entice buyers in via purebred Maine Coon advertisements, which later turn out to be false. These are known as 'bait and switch' advertisements, whereby the criminal takes advantage of a buyer's desire to buy the advertised kitten, but then switches the kitten at the last minute, once the buyer is sold on the idea. The criminal's hope at this point is that a buyer will buy the alternative kitten, for fear of losing out and not getting ANY Maine Coon.Determine a 'fair' price in advance for Maine Coon kittens advertised on this platform, to avoid unscrupulous sellers inflating the cost.Only meet up with the seller in a public place. Never meet them at their homes, or invite them into your own home. Before you immediately doubt this method of buying a Maine Coon kitten, do remember that some novice breeders or genuine owners may also use Craigslist to advertise their kitten. If you have found your perfect Maine Coon kitten on Craigslist, make sure you ask the seller for the following information before handing over your cash: Multiple clear pictures of the advertised kitten. This helps to prove that the seller actually has the advertised kitten, and lessens the chance that the seller has taken the picture from online. Avoid sellers that cannot provide this.Pictures of the kitten's parentsCopy of their vaccination historyEvidence that cat has been screened for pre-existing medical issuesBroken English in the advertisement is a possible If the seller claims to be a breeder, request a copy of their registration certificates so that you can check the seller's authenticity. Honest sellers or breeders will have no issue providing this.Request the owner's name and the cat's name. Then request the phone number of the veterinary practice that has tended to the advertised kitten. You can then contact the vet to verify the advertised kitten's medical history. Please note that if the phone number is located outside the country in which you reside, the animal may not exist. Furthermore, the veterinary standards of countries outside the developed world are often lower. Pros Chance to buy a Maine Coon kitten at a reduced rateMore local sellerGenuine sellers do operate on this site Cons You may not be able to determine the pedigree status of Maine CoonScammers will try to trick you into buying mixed-lineage catsCats history unknownVaccination record might be unavailableThe cat may not have been screened for potentially expensive health issues. f) Backyard Breeders Unscrupulous sellers like to make money quickly. They target expensive cat breeds such as the Maine Coon, with the hope of being able to breed a mass of mixed lineage cats in poor living conditions, then sell each kitten at a high price. Things to watch out for: Backyard breeders will often advertise that kittens have been raised within a clean and hygienic home, maybe even claiming that this was an accidental litter of unexpected Maine Coon kittens. This is unlikely to be the case though. Kittens will have been raised in poor quality conditions.Ask to see the kitten's full vaccination historyAsk for multiple pictures of the kittens within the home. If the seller is honest, they will have taken pictures of the litter throughout their short lifetime.Request pictures of the parents. Better still, ask to actually meet the kitten's parents. If the seller is honest then this should not be an issue, especially if they are claiming the kitten is from an 'accidental' litter of cats! Pros None Cons The kitten may have been raised in poor conditionsBackyard breeders do not screen their breeding cats to avoid producing Maine Coon kittens with pre-existing health issues, known to be common to this particular breed.The kitten may not be purebred, as advertised. g) Pet Shops Do not rush straight out to your local pet store, if you are keen on buying a Maine Coon. Reputable breeders tend not to trust pet shops and rarely allow their precious kittens to be sold via this channel. Pros You can research the pet shops reputation in advance Cons Registered breeders do not often sell via this channel. 5. Where To Find Maine Coon Cats For Sale If you are keen to buy a Maine Coon cat (rather than a kitten), you can purchase one from all the sources listed in detail above. Older Maine Coons can make wonderful, loving pets. However, practice caution if you plan on buying a Maine Coon from a rescue center, or shelter. Cats displaying unusual behavior traits in a shelter will likely stop this behavior once settled within your home. However, older Maine Coons showing signs of being feral might prove more challenging than you would expect. Only individuals experienced in this particular breed, and willing to spend time and effort on cats such as this should purchase one of these older Maine Coon cats. Furthermore, declawed Maine Coons should also be treated with caution since the declawing process may have hurt, and/or stressed them. Cats tend to claw at things when they are feeling bored, so removing their ability to do this can be quite stressful to a cat. It is also possible that they may also still be in pain, or distress from being declawed. 6. Ask Sellers These Specific Questions When buying a Maine Coon cat, make sure to ask your seller these questions: What age is the Maine Coon kitten, or cat? (never buy a kitten under 12 weeks old, unless purchased at a rescue center).Do they have a full vaccination history for the advertised Maine Coon? If yes, request a copy.Is the advertised cat a purebred Maine Coon, or mixed? If purebred, request proof of the cat's pedigree status. If mixed, request details on the cat's parents.If buying from a breeder, request copies of their registration certificates to authenticate their breeder status.Can you see the cat's parents? If yes, you should view the parents. If no, request pictures of both parents to help support the purebred lineage status of the cat you are interested in buying. You could also query where the parents were purchased, for extra information.Have the breeding cats been screened for medical and health issues? If yes, request evidence of this.Have there been any issues with the Maine Coon advertised?Has the Maine Coon been socialized?Has the cat been declawed?Has the cat been allowed outdoors? Or, is the cat an indoor cat?Will the cat be given de-flea medication prior to collection?How much does the cat shed their hair?Does the cat like water?Telephone number of veterinary practice that has dealt with a cat. You can then call them to validate the cat's medical history.How many cats were in the litter?Is the cat litter trained?What food has the cat been fed during its lifetime?What size did the cat's parents reach? If you are interested, check out my article "How big will my Maine Coon grow?" If they are unable to provide the information requested, or clearly answer the question, proceed with caution. Please note, there are likely to be many other questions that you wish to ask the seller. This list is a rough place for you to begin. 7. Where To Find FREE Maine Coon Kittens Or Cats? The Maine Coon cat has always been highly sought after, and desirable. Whilst this may make finding a FREE Maine Coon to be a more challenging venture, it will not be entirely impossible. You will need to be super patient, as it may take years for a FREE Maine Coon to appear! Buyer Tips Stay in regular contact with your local rescue center, or cat shelters so they know you are keen to own a Maine Coon from them. You will then be on their speed dial if a Maine Coon becomes available!If you are located in the United States, consider calling the rescue centers in the North East. Maine Coons originate from Maine (the Northeastern most US State), so there may be more available Maine Coons there.Consider owning a mixed-lineage Maine Coon, who will have many of the Maine Coon characteristics that you desire. These cats will be easier to adopt than purebred, as more easily available.Speak to adoption centers. Although you will need to pay a small amount of money towards the rescued cats' adoption i.e. vaccinations and board, this is a great way to buy a Maine Coon at substantially cheaper rates. One example in the United States is Speciality Purebred Cat Rescue. Conclusion If you've read to the end of this article, you will probably have noticed that buying a Maine Coon cat is not as easy as you initially assumed it would be! There are many factors to consider before handing over your hard-earned cash to a seller, to ensure that you get the best value for money, and choose a healthy loving Maine Coon cat to join your family. This is an amazing cat breed, I cannot recommend buying a Maine Coon cat enough. These cats have so much to offer, and their dog-like personality can make them quite fun to be around. Why not start by trying to teach your Maine Coon kitten to play fetch!!

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