The Maine Coon is a striking cat breed. For one, this cat is dramatically large in size and has a slightly wild-looking coat of fur. People who see a Maine Coon are immediately enamored by it, because of how awesome they look. Those that have visited friends or family with a Maine Coon are blown away by the cat’s personality. This cat breed is known for being extremely friendly, easy-going, and sociable. In many ways, Maine Coons resemble a small dog, and not a cat.
The Maine Coon is the second or third most popular purebred cat breed in the USA, with many more part-Maine Coon cats currently living with families. Everyday, new potential owners look for Maine Coons from a breeder or cattery, and are shocked by the prices. A Maine Coon’s price range starts from $800 – $1500, and can go up to several thousands. These cats are quite expensive! Here are three reasons why.
Supply and Demand
Quite simply, there are more people who want to purchase Maine Coons than there are reputable breeders and catteries producing Maine Coon kittens. Plus, reputable breeders let their queens rest in between litters, producing no more than 2 litters a year. A litter averages 4 kittens, so you can see how people who desire a kitten need to get on a waitlist.
Beware of operations with a large amount of kittens available, since it may be a sign of a kitten mill. Always ask them how many breeding queens and males they have, and a visit the operations in person.
Breeding is Expensive
Imagine the expense for just 1 cat. I’ll list the essentials: food, litter and litter box, cat trees, toys, beds, brushes and grooming supplies, grooming costs, vet visits and medication, and so on. Now imagine 5 or 8 more of these expenses! And pregnant females need regular veterinary care to ensure they are healthy. When the kittens arrive, the breeder should also pay for the basic shots, checks, and also spay/neuter procedures.
All that takes money, so it’s only natural a cattery try to recoup some of that cost in order to stay operational.
Showing Is Expensive
Maine Coons are show cats, meaning their owners show them for awards on the professional circuit. Does this surprise you? Cats this good-looking must belong on stage! In fact, at one of the first cat shows in the USA in 1895, a Maine Coon named Cosey was already winning awards.
So what does this have to with kitten prices? Simple, many breeders started as cat show professionals, but gradually expand to breeding to offset the high costs of showing. There’s also great synergy between breeding and cat shows. Shows are the ideal place to show off a cattery’s bloodlines and the breeder’s work.
Winning shows raises the cattery’s profile and allows them to put additional resources into breeding the perfect Maine Coons (and charge more). But of any litter, not all kittens are show quality. Others are pet quality, and it’s these kittens you can find for sale.
Conclusion
Don’t let the high price of Maine Coon kittens dissuade you. I recommend doing due diligence on a cattery: visiting it in person and meeting the kittens plus parents before making a decision. If they all look fine, you should happily pay it, because it is a sign of great care!
