Maine Coon Price 2024
If you are planning on buying a Maine Coon kitten from a reputable breeder then you’re going to want to know the latest costs of purebred Maine Coon cats.
The average price of a purebred Maine Coon kitten is $1000, however, you can expect to pay anywhere between $400 – $2,000 depending on the breeder selected, and the kitten’s quality, vaccination history, and pedigree status.
Non-neutered, non-spayed kittens and show Maine Coons cost $2,000+. Senior Maine Coons cost $600.
In this article, we explain why it is a mistake to buy cheap Maine Coon kittens from backyard breeders that may ultimately cost you unexcepted additional costs.
How Much Do Maine Coons Cost?
Whilst the cost of a Maine Coon cat varies, depending upon the quality of the kitten purchased, Maine Coons tend to be priced between $400 – $2000.
Breeding cats is an expensive business if the cat breeder is focused on breeding healthy Maine Coon kittens, and giving their kittens proper care.
The average initial cost of buying a new kitten from a reputable Maine Coon breeder is as follows:
| Cat Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Kitten | $400 – $2,000 |
| Adult Maine Coon | $600 |
| Ex-breeding Cat | $600 |
| Non-neutered/ Non-spayed Kitten | $2,000 |
| Show Maine Coon Kitten | $2,000+ |
If your budget will not stretch to the price of a Maine Coon cat, you might be tempted to buy your Maine Coon kitten from a cheaper alternative.
Whilst this might feel like a good option initially, it is important you thoroughly research any breeder you are considering to ensure they are producing healthy kittens.
Buying a kitten might be a one-time cost, but paying for unexpected health costs because the breeding cats were not tested for genetic health problems, is not.
Therefore, if you unknowingly purchase a new Maine Coon cat with health issues you will likely pay more for the cat in the long-term.
A good breeder costs a lot of money but gives you peace of mind that you’re buying high-quality kittens that have been given appropriate medical care and are in good health.
Why Are Maine Coons So Expensive?
The Maine Coon price ranges between $400 – $2000, and even more if you are looking to buy a show Maine Coon or an unneutered/unspayed Maine Coon kitten.
These dogs of the cat world might be beautiful cats and amazing for human companionship, however, non-pedigree normal cats cost between $50-$100 which is significantly less.
The table below summarizes many of the breeder costs that cat lovers don’t see, yet cause Maine Coon kittens to be more expensive than the average domestic cat:
| Breeder Cost | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| US Registration with Cat Fanciers Association OR The International Cat Association OR American Cat Association | CFA cost, e.g. $15 Registration of cat/kitten on litter application, etc. |
| Pedigree Status Certificate | $10 |
| Purchase Price Of Purebred Male and Female Coon | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Genetic Testing Of Breeding Cats | $44 – $400 per cat |
| Veterinary Care And Vaccines | $110 – $550 |
| Microchipped Kittens | $45 |
| Furniture Replacement (due to marking of territory) | Breeder Preference |
| Larger Living Space | Breeder Preference |
| High-Quality Dry Food | $56 Per 7lb bag |
| High-Quality Wet Food | $74 For 24 x 3 Ounce cans |
| Large Cat Trees & Scratch Posts | $150 – $399 |
| Cat Treats | $20 – $50 per month |
| Cat Bed | $40 – $100 per year |
| Pet Insurance | $38 a month for lifetime cover |
1. Initial Purchase Cost
The first thing a Maine Coon breeder needs to do when planning to breed Maine Coon kittens is purchase non-neutered/non-spayed male and female Maine Coons.
Since these cats will produce future litters, the breeder must ensure these cats are an excellent example of the Maine Coon cat breed, i.e. clean medical history, healthy teeth, the desired Maine Coon colorings, etc.
The higher the quality of kitten purchased, the more expensive the breeding cats are.
2. Breeder And Kitten Registration Costs
Reputable breeders register the pedigree status of all their kittens.
3. Pedigree Certification
To prove the cat being sold is a purebred Maine Coon kitten, responsible breeders provide cat registration certificates with the kitten when purchased.
4. Vaccination
Reputable Maine Coon cat breeders vaccinate all their kittens before being sold.
They also give buyers a health certificate within the Maine Coon price.
5. Genetic Testing
Trustworthy breeders genetically test breeding cats to ensure they are not carrying any genetic abnormalities that may be passed onto Maine Coon litters e.g. PKD, FelV.
The cost of genetic testing will depend upon how many tests are carried out.
6. Premium Diet
To produce healthy cats, breeders need to pay extra attention to the diet they feed their Maine Coon kittens.
Responsible breeders only feed their litters high-quality cat food, that is high in protein and meets the nutritional needs of the Maine Coon.
The best Maine Coon cat food does not come cheap, which further inflates the cost of a Maine Coon kitten.
7. Larger space
Breeding cats requires Maine Coon cat breeders to set aside additional space within their home or cattery, to cater to their breeding cats’ and litter of kitten’s needs.
Additional rooms are required for:
- Breeding cats to ‘meet’, and reproduce
- House multiple cat trees/towers
- New kitten litters can safely play and rest
- Cats that are spraying can be housed
- To store multiple litter box
- To store cat products and cat toys
Cats destined to be bred are also kept as indoor cats, to prevent reproduction with a non-purebred cat.
8. Larger Accessories
As one of the largest domestic cat breeds, you’ll likely not be surprised to learn that big cats also require larger and often more expensive:
- Cat Trees
- Scratching Posts
- Cat Beds
The breeder will also need a large supply of heavy-duty cat toys, and interactive cat toys to entertain their breeding Maine Coon cats, and kittens.
These are my favorite extra-large cat trees.
9. Additional Medical Screenings
Responsible Maine Coon breeders incur the cost of multiple screening costs to ensure their Maine Coon Queens pregnancy is going well.
Should the pregnant Maine Coon have any medical issues, the breeder incurs additional costs.
10. Vet Pregnancy Test
Breeders have to pay for vet pregnancy tests to check if their Maine Coon Queen is pregnant. This will also involve transportation costs to get the cat to the vet.
11. Maine Coon Pregnancy Diet
If the cat is pregnant, a premium nutrient-dense diet plan is given to the pregnant cat, to give her more energy.
This specialized feed contains the required nutrients and minerals that the unborn Maine Coon kittens need to grow correctly.
12. Microchipping
Responsible breeders often microchip their Maine Coon litter, before selling them.
13. Ongoing Care Of Breeding Cats
Just as with any cat, breeders have to pay for the ongoing ‘maintenance’ care of their breeding cats, e.g.:
- Yearly Vaccines
- De-Fleeing
- De-Worming
- Emergency Care Costs
- Tooth Care
- Unexpected Sickness Cost i.e. Urinary Tract Infection
- Litter
- Pet Insurance
14. Pet Insurance Of Kittens
Many breeders offer Maine Coon owners 3 months of FREE cat insurance when they purchase a Maine Coon kitten.
Adoption Costs
Adopting a Maine Coon is a cheaper way to own one of these great companions. The price you pay, however, will ultimately depend on:
- The place you adopt from
- Pedigree status
- Age of cat
- Existing health conditions
You should expect to pay in the region of $250 – $400 to adopt an adult Maine Coon, but more if you are adopting a Maine Coon kitten.
Where To Find Free Maine Coon Kittens
If you are looking to find a ‘cheap’ or ‘free’ Maine Coon kitten, make sure you read my guide on the 10 Places To Find Free Maine Coon Kittens.
