Maine Coon Costs You Didn’t Consider

While the Maine Coon is one of the most loving and popular cat breeds in the world, their price can be a deterrent for many fans of the breed.

The average Maine Coon costs between $1,000 and $2,000. However, irresponsible breeders or scammers may charge as little as a few hundred dollars, but these cats are more prone to health problems so buyer beware.

Maine Coons in rare colors or from Showcat lineage often cost more than $2,000.

Maine Coon Price

The Maine Coon is a gentle, affectionate cat breed famous for being the largest domesticated cat breed in the world.

The popularity of this breed has soared over the last few decades, but this also means it can be hard to find a good breeder. Here’s a great place to start if you live in the US.

The average price of a Maine Coon cat ranges between $1,000 and $3,000. It is possible to find a Maine Coon cat for less, however, it’s recommended that you purchase a Maine Coon kitten from a responsible breeder.

1. Backyard Breeder

Maine Coons from backyard breeders cost between $200 and $1,000, however, this is the riskiest way to purchase a Maine Coon kitten.

These breeders are not registered with breed clubs and are only motivated by profit so they sell kittens cheaply, cutting corners at the kitten’s expense.

It is impossible to know if the cat you are getting has received good healthcare, or if the cat is even a Maine Coon at all!

2. Maine Coon Mix

Mixes only have a small amount of Maine Coon lineage in their genes so are sold more cheaply, between $300 to $600.

Since most registered breeders do not allow their customers to breed their purebred kittens it can be risky to buy a Maine Coon mix, since many mixes come from backyard breeders.

3. Adoption Or Rescue

If you’re lucky enough to adopt a Maine Coon you’ll know this is the cheapest way to buy a Maine Coon kitten. Shelter adoption fees range between $100 and $250.

Why not start your search at these Maine Coon Rescue Centers.

4. Ex-Breeder Cat

Most breeders keep their retired kings and queens due to the close bonds they’ve developed with all of their cats, however, some breeders will sell their retired cats.

Ex-breeding cats are more expensive than you might expect, costing $2,000+ due to their exceptional appearance and purebred lineage.

5. Giant Maine Coon Cat

There is no set price for giant Maine Coon cats since breeders typically only sell kittens and there is no way to determine what size a kitten will be when fully grown. Thus, they cannot guarantee the cat will grow to be a giant!!

Whilst it’s possible to purchase a kitten from large cat parents, this does not guarantee your kitten will also grow big.

6. Purebred Kitten

Purebred Maine Coon kittens are highly sought after and cost roughly $1,000. However, their price may range up to $3,000 depending on lineage and coloration.

The following variations impact a kitten’s price (source 1):

1. Color

Solid black, white Maine Coons, or a regular black or brown tabby, are cheaper.

Whereas rare and popular colors and patterns like gold or silver smoke, shaded, and shell will cost you more!

2. Lineage

The ancestry of a Maine Coon is a very important factor when it comes to cost. If your Maine Coon’s parents were winning show cats, you can expect to pay a lot more.

Maine Coons with large parents that are known for producing equally large children are also going to cost more.

3. Style

There are two different styles of Maine Coon. While they are both recognized as the same breed, their appearance varies slightly.

American Maine Coons have a softer look, with a less defined muzzle and smaller noses.

The style known as the European Maine Coon has a broader nose and muzzle, and a more wild look.

Depending on where you live, American Maine Coons and European Maine Coons might be more expensive if they have to be imported.

4. Gender

If you are wondering why are male Maine Coons more expensive, there are two reasons.

Firstly, male Maine Coons are known to be a bit more easygoing and friendly towards strangers.

Secondly, male Maine Coons are much more likely to be big!

Female Maine Coons usually only weigh between 8 and 12 pounds, while male Maine Coons weigh between 15 and 25 pounds on average.

Average Price Around The World

If you are looking for a Maine Coon, no matter where you are, there is a chance you will be able to find this beautiful breed.

Here is a quick look at the cost of Maine Coons in different parts of the world (source 1,2,3):

Ongoing Ownership Costs

As expensive as Maine Coons are, once you finally have the kitten of your dreams, you are not out of the woods yet! Caring for a Maine Coon requires a lot of one-time and recurring expenses.

Take a look at this breed’s requirements and yearly cat costs (source 1,2,3):

Spaying And Neutering

Most Maine Coon breeders require that you spay or neuter your cat once they are the proper age.

This procedure usually costs between $200 and $400.

For more information on the best age to neuter a Maine Coon kitten, read this guide.

Vet Visits And Vaccinations

You can usually expect to pay around $200 per year for routine checkups and vaccinations.

If your cat is sick or injured, though, you may end up paying a lot more since emergency vet care can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars!

Insurance

To avoid spending thousands of dollars on emergency care, you may want to consider getting pet insurance. Make sure you read this guide first.

This can cost between $6 and $40 per month, depending on your cat’s health and pre-existing conditions.

Food

Since Maine Coons are so big and active you may be wondering, how much does it cost to feed a Maine Coon cat?

These cats require a mix of high-quality wet and dry food. Per month, you can expect this to cost at least $50 per month.

Kittens eat a lot more than adults, so you can expect your first year or so to be more expensive.

Litter

Another cost of owning a cat is litter, which usually costs between $10 and $40 per month.

This depends on how many cats you have in your home, as well as the type and brand of litter you use.

Toys

Maine Coons are very intelligent and active. They can become bored and destructive if they do not have many interactive, durable toys.

You should provide new toys often and rotate them so your cat does not get bored.

These are my favorite Maine Coon cat toys.

Cat Carrier

You will need a high-quality cat carrier for travel and vet visits.

Since Maine Coons can grow very big most cat carriers will not be big enough, so make sure you check the cat carrier sizes before purchasing.

You should purchase either an XL cat carrier or opt for a dog carrier. Plan on spending $40 to $60 for a good carrier.

Litter Tray

Most litter boxes cost between $15 and $30, but larger or robotic litter boxes can cost much more.

The consensus is to have one litter box for each cat in your house.

Here are our recommended litter boxes, for your extra-large cat.

Scratching Post

You will need an extra tall scratching post for your Maine Coon to stretch and claw at.

Make sure to get one made with high-quality sisal rope, as it will last much longer.

Good scratching posts are usually about $50.

Grooming Supplies

You will need nail clippers and a brush set, which will cost between $30 and $50 altogether.

You may want to consider getting some cat-safe shampoo in case of accidents.

Cat Tree

Maine Coons love climbing and jumping. You will need to purchase an extra large, extra durable cat tree (or two!) so your Maine Coon can satisfy all of its exercise needs.

Good cat trees are usually $200 to $400 or more.

You may also want to consider installing shelves on the walls for your cat to run along.

Why Are Maine Coons So Expensive?

While some may assume breeders are charging too much, raising Maine Coons is very expensive.

Here are the costs that go into breeding and raising Maine Coon kittens:

1. Purchasing Breeding Cats

To get started as a breeder or cattery, you will need at least one queen.

A pedigree Maine Coon used for breeding will cost at least $4,000.

Most breeders and catteries have several breeding queens and kings.

Some breeders choose to rent studs rather than purchase them, but even stud fees are expensive, often costing the breeder about $2,000!

2. Genetic Screening

All good breeders order genetic testing on all of their breeding cats for conditions like:

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
• Spinal muscular atrophy

Each genetic test costs about $50, which can really add up when you realize how many cats there are in a cattery.

3. Checkups

Breeders have to provide regular checkups for all of their pregnant and nursing queens, as well as vet visits for all of their kittens.

Good breeders go the extra mile and have much more frequent vet visits than the average cat owner.

4. Registration Fees

Breeders have to pay a registration fee for every kitten they sell, or else they will not be considered a true pedigree.

5. Microchips

Microchipping a cat costs about $50.

Registered breeders microchip all of their kittens before sending them to their new homes.

6. Deworming

Kittens require several rounds of deworming to ensure they are completely parasite-free before they are sent home.

7. Vaccinations

Kittens also need several rounds of vaccinations.

Considering each kitten in a litter needs to be vaccinated about three times, this adds up!

8. Living Space

Maine Coon breeders need a lot of living space to ensure all of their cats feel comfortable and secure.

Studs often need their own, separate living space to reduce spraying and behavioral problems.

Each queen also needs her own space where she can raise her kittens.

9. Food And Other Supplies

Breeders need to pay for toys, food, litter, cat trees, and all of the other supplies that go into raising cats.

Considering most catteries have several breeding cats as well as their kittens, these costs add up quickly!

10. Time

If you are still wondering why are Maine Coons so expensive, just remember how much time breeders put into caring for their kittens.

Pregnant queens require a lot of monitoring and care. When they are pregnant, breeders have to be ready for her to deliver at any moment!

Caring for kittens often means that they have to be awake late at night, too.

Where Can You Buy A Maine Coon Cat?

If you Are looking for a Maine Coon, there are thousands of places to look. However, not all of them are a good idea!

Here are the places you can buy a Maine Coon, from least to most reputable:

Backyard Breeder

Backyard breeders are easy to find on Craigslist, Petfinder, and the like. They may claim to be registered, but unless you get proof of their registration, be wary!

Backyard breeders often sell their Maine Coons for less than $1,000, which shows they might be cutting corners by denying proper supplies or healthcare to their cats.

Online Groups

It is possible to find kittens for sale on places like Facebook or Instagram, but beware!

There are many backyard breeders and scammers who disguise themselves by pretending to have an unexpected litter and offering steep rehoming fees.

Still, if you are careful, you may be able to find a Maine Coon locally from someone who ended up with a surprise litter.

Shelters And Rescues

Shelters and rescues are a great way to find a cheap Maine Coon cat.

But, unless the cat comes with its registration papers or you pay for a genetic test on your own, there is no way to know if the cat is a Maine Coon.

Registered Breeders

Registered breeders are part of a breed club or governing cat body, like TICA or CFA.

These breeders have paperwork certifying all of their cats’ pedigrees and provide high-quality care to all of their kittens.

They also provide genetic screening for all of their breeding parents to ensure their offspring do not suffer from underlying conditions.