Why Are Maine Coons So Expensive?
Have you ever wondered why Maine Coons, one of the largest and most charismatic domestic cat breeds in the world, often come with a hefty price tag? I certainly did when I purchased Pippin, my tabby Maine Coon kitten (shown below):
It blows my mind to think folks consider £640 (USD 842) for a Maine Coon kitten to be “cheap“!! But, considering the average Maine Coon kitten in 2024 now costs $1,000, and anywhere as much as $2,500 (£1,900), I guess they’re right!
My “bargain” Maine Coon kitten’s price made me curious – why are Maine Coons so expensive? It turns out there are a myriad of reasons behind the high costs, many of which I initially didn’t realize. Would you have?
Breeding Costs Analysis
Maine Coons are distinguished by their size, appearance, and amiable personalities, factors contributing to their popularity and high costs.
The breeding, rearing, and maintenance of Maine Coons also involves significant financial investment due to the complex nature of their care and the high standards expected of reputable breeders.
Here are the costs that breeders must incur throughout the breeding process (source 1):
1. Selective Breeding
Selective breeding ensures that only the healthiest cats with desired traits are bred. This process requires genetic testing to maintain breed standards and avoid hereditary diseases.
Selective breeding enhances the breed’s quality but significantly increases the costs due to the need for professional health evaluations.
2. Health Testing
Registered Maine Coon cat breeders screen their breeding Maine Coons for genetic conditions, to ensure they do not breed kittens with genetic abnormalities.
Regular health testing is critical but adds considerable expense to the breeding process. Two common health tests are:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
3. Breeder Reputation And Location
The reputation of breeders impacts pricing. Established breeders with a history of producing healthy, well-socialized kittens typically command higher prices.
Additionally, location affects costs; breeders in urban areas or regions with higher demand for Maine Coons might face higher operational expenses.
Find your nearest TICA Maine Coon breeder by using my 2024 Breeder Guide.
Supply And Demand
The cost of a Maine Coon kitten, like any other commodity, is significantly influenced by the basic economic principles of supply and demand.
Here’s how these factors specifically impact the pricing of Maine Coon kittens:
Supply Factors
- Breeder Availability: Maine Coons are a specialized breed, and not all breeders choose to focus on them due to their specific care needs and long maturation period. Fewer breeders mean fewer kittens available, which can drive up prices.
- Breeding Costs: The costs associated with breeding Maine Coons are high due to health testing, proper care, and the necessity of maintaining genetic diversity. These high breeding costs reduce the number of kittens a breeder might be willing or able to produce.
- Geographical Availability: In some regions, Maine Coons might be less common. Limited local supply can lead to higher prices due to the costs associated with obtaining a kitten from distant breeders, including transportation and the potential for a waiting list.
Demand Factors
- Popularity: Maine Coons are popular for their distinctive physical traits and friendly personalities. High demand for these desirable qualities can drive up prices, especially if the number of available kittens does not meet the demand.
- Media Influence: Publicity through shows, movies, or prominent pet influencers can spike interest in certain breeds like Maine Coons. Increased demand due to media influence can temporarily or permanently increase prices.
- Seasonal Trends: Demand for pets can fluctuate with seasons or trends.
When the supply of Maine Coon kittens is low relative to demand, prices will naturally be higher. Conversely, if there happens to be a surplus of kittens due to increased breeding efforts but demand remains steady or falls, prices could decrease.
Geographical Variations
Prices vary by location due to differences in cost of living, operational costs for breeders, and local demand. Transportation costs for long-distance buyers also affect pricing.
High Standards Of Care
| Cost | Description |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Care | Regular health check-ups, vaccinations, emergency care. |
| Genetic Testing | Screening for HCM, SMA, and other genetic conditions. |
| Neutering/ Spaying | Costs associated with surgical sterilization to prevent unwanted litters. |
| Flea and Worm Treatment | Routine treatments to maintain the health and comfort of breeding cats and their litters. |
| Pregnancy Care | Veterinary visits and special care during pregnancy to ensure the health of the mother and her kittens. |
| Food and Maintenance | High-quality diet and grooming essentials to maintain the health and appearance typical of the breed. |
| Registration and Certification | Fees for registering with recognized cat associations and obtaining pedigree certificates. |
| Compliance Costs | Licensing and inspection fees to meet state or country-specific breeding regulations. |
Genetic Screening
Maine Coons are prone to several different genetic health conditions, including:
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy
- Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency
This means that breeders have to pay for screenings to determine whether or not their breeding cats can pass any of these diseases to their young.
Each test costs about $50, which adds up when you account for all the potential genetic disorders a Maine Coon can suffer from!
Stud Fee
Some breeders will choose to purchase and keep their own stud cat, which can be expensive enough on its own.
When purchasing a cat for breeding, you must pay an extra breeding fee, which usually costs around $2,000.
Many breeders choose instead to “rent” a high-quality stud, often a show cat, who will then breed with their female. Of course, a stud fee doesn’t come cheap, either!
Purchasing A Breeding Cat
Breeders will also need a queen, which will also cost around $4,000 for a high-quality cat with a strong lineage as well as a breeding fee.
High-Quality Food
Maine Coon Cats are voracious eaters, and because of their large size, they require special diets.
These cats cannot thrive on low-quality food, which is often filled with grains and other filler calories.
Instead, Maine Coons require diets that are high in protein.
The breeders need to buy high-quality food for their breeding cats, as well as for weaned kittens.
Vaccinations
Breeders also need to vaccinate their breeding cats, as well as all of their kittens.
Kittens require several rounds of shots, which can cost a lot when you’re vaccinating an entire litter several times!
Vet Checkups
A good breeder always puts the health of their cats and kittens first.
This means that all kittens will need several vet checkups to ensure they are growing properly.
Kittens are known for being fragile, as their bodies and immune systems are not fully developed yet.
This means they are prone to developing infections and other illnesses as they grow, which breeders are responsible for taking care of for their first few weeks of life.
Kitten Registration Fees
The CFA, TICA, or another reputable association also registers good breeders.
Furthermore, each kitten requires a registration fee to be considered a proper pedigree.
Microchips
Microchips are essential to ensure your cat can be returned to you safely and sound.
If your cat should run away or even be stolen, vets and humane societies can take a look at your cat’s microchip to return it to its proper owner.
It typically costs around $50 for a microchip implant per kitten.
Spaying Or Neutering
It is becoming increasingly common for breeders to spay or neuter their kittens before giving them to their forever home.
These surgeries can cost up to $200 per kitten!
Quality Living Conditions
Breeders also strive to provide clean and humane conditions for their cats and kittens.
Pregnant and nursing queens need a space that feels warm and secure.
Some breeders even need to build separate spaces for stud cats, who are prone to spraying since they are not neutered.
Paperwork And Documentation
Breeders also need to provide new owners with the proper paperwork and documentation citing that their cat is registered with a cat fancier organization.
Sometimes this can even include family trees.
Medical Care For Pregnant Cats
Pregnant and nursing queens are prone to all sorts of problems and require regular checkups.
These cats also require more extensive care while they are pregnant and nursing.
Emergency Care
Breeders must also be prepared to pay for any emergency care.
If kittens become extremely ill or injured, they must incur veterinary costs.
They may even need to pay for emergency C-sections if something goes wrong during the pregnancy!
Deworming
All kittens need to be dewormed several times when they are young, which not only costs money but takes time and patience.
Toys And Enrichment
Maine Coons are highly playful and intelligent cats that need plenty of stimulation to stay satisfied.
Breeders need to provide sturdy toys and safe places to explore for both their cats and kittens.
Time
Finally, breeders put a lot of time and energy into caring for Maine Coon Cats and kittens.
Breeding Maine Coons isn’t your typical 9-5 job. Sometimes breeders need to be awake at odd hours to properly care for their kittens and queens.
Working as a breeder does not just require a lot of money, but time and emotional investment.
Pedigree Status
Pedigree status makes a huge difference in a Maine Coon’s price.
If the cat’s lineage has a lot (or even a few) ancestors that are not pure-blooded Maine Coon, the price can drop considerably. Price will increase if the Maine Coon’s lineage includes high-quality show cats.
Conclusion
It’s easy to wonder why are Maine Coons so expensive when you look at just how much these cats cost.
However, breeders put a lot of time, money, and effort into raising high-quality Maine Coons, and a price between $500 and $2,500 is perfectly reasonable for that amount of money and work.
If you’d rather take home a Maine Coon without breaking the bank, however, you can also look online, in your local community, or even at shelters for a cheaper Maine Coon cat!
