If you admire cats, especially the Maine Coon breed, you must have had the thought of owning them. The cost of a purebred Maine Coon cat will shock you. The reason is that Maine Coon Cats is one of the most expensive cat breeds on the market.
A purebred Maine Coon cat costs between £325 to £1,623 in the United Kingdom, and in the United States, you can get them from reputable breeders for around $400 to $2,000. Various factors such as age, quality, pedigree status, health, and vaccination history affect the cost of the Maine Coon breed, and that’s why they are costly.
If you have decided to get a Maine Coon kitten, you may have to prepare a fat budget for this giant cat.
Just like the Great Dane is referred to as a “gentle giant” in the dog world, the Maine Coon is referred to as such in the cat world. This breed of cats is social, extroverted, outgoing, and endowed with a loving personality, a good heart, and a sharp mind.
Most Maine Coons are quite trainable and are not difficult to train to walk on a leash and harness. They are loving and entertaining creatures who usually get along great with kids, other cats, and even dogs.
Maine Coons are currently the 3rd most popular breed of cats, and they come in several beautiful coat color patterns. The Maine Coon Cat is a single breed with many varied coat patterns and colors. There are more than 75 different coat combinations; solid white, cream, red, blue, and black Maine coons, as well as tabby, bi-color, parti-color, tortoiseshell, shaded, and calico Maine coons.
Although it is possible to categorize Maine Coons based on their fur color or pattern, these traits have no bearing on the cat’s temperament.
The Maine Coon is far gentler than its enormous size, and the fuzzy appearance would make one believe. It is kind and sweet-natured. They are intelligent cats that also love to have fun. The Maine Coon is an unusual family pet because it enjoys sleeping in unusual places and is fascinated by water. It has a strikingly long, fluffy, and tapered tail, at least as long as the cat’s back.
Furthermore, the Maine Coon cat breed is an ideal family pet because they are gentle, loyal, friendly, and calm. They are non-aggressive, which makes them suitable for homes with young children. If you are considering getting a Maine Coon pet, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about owning a Maine Coot kitten.
RELATED: How Much Do Maine Coon Cats Cost In The United Kingdom?
Page Contents
- How Much Can I Get a Maine Coon Kitten?
- Maine Coon Kitten Price by Country
- Factors Affecting Maine Coon Kitten Price
- 1. Pedigree
- 2. Quality
- 3. Age
- 4. Health
- 5. Vaccination History
- 6. Spraying and Neutering
- 7. Coat Color
- 8. Country Purchased
- 9. Purebred Status Certification
- 10. Breeder Status and Reputation
- Are Maine Coon Kittens Expensive?
- Why Should You Buy a Maine Coon Cat?
- How Much Should I Pay For a Purebred Maine Coon?
- How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Maine Coon Cat??
- How Much Does It Cost To Own a Maine Coon?
- Maine Coon Kitten Maintenance Costs
- Monthly Cost of Owning a Maine Coon Cat
- Annual Cost of Owning a Maine Coon Cat
- Additional Expenses
- What Are The Best Ways To Get Maine Coon Kittens At Cheaper Prices?
- Is It Possible To Get One From An Animal Rescue Center?
- Can I Get A Maine Coon Cat For Free?
- What’s The Cost Of Owning A Maine Coon Kitten?
- What’s The Yearly Cost of Owning a Maine Coon Cat?
- How Long Do They Live?
- Should I Buy a Maine Coon?
- Maine Coon Cats Vs. Norwegian Forest Cats
- Where Can I Buy a Maine Coon Kitten?
- Tips for Buying a Maine Coon Kitten (Buying Guide)
- How To Get a Maine Coon Cat on a Budget
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why are Maine Coons big?
- What is the life expectancy of a Maine Coon cat?
- Are Maine Coon Cats Worth?
- Conclusion
How Much Can I Get a Maine Coon Kitten?
Maine coon cats are friendly and adorable creatures. They can live under the same roof with dogs and children. Many families will opt for this cat breed, but before you go for one yourself, you should know the cost involved in getting a Maine coon cat.
Getting a Maine coon kitten will cost around $400 to $2,000. In some cases, it may add up to $2,500. Rare-colored kittens could cost you up to $3,500. Adults Maine coon cats cost between $1,500 and $2,000.
The costs involved in owning a Maine coon can be significantly decreased if you adopt it from an animal shelter or a rescue group. Numerous groups are eager to offer cats at discounted prices, occasionally even for free, because they have cats that need homes immediately.
Kittens typically cost between $400 and $1,000, depending on the breeder and the kind of kitten available at the purchase time.
Maine Coon Kitten Price by Country
The cost of Maine Coon kittens may vary depending on your region or the country you reside. The table below shows you the average cost of Maine Coon kitten is some countries around the globe.
Country | Average Cost |
United States | $400 to $2,000 (USD) |
United Kingdom | £325 to £1,623 (GBP) |
Canada | $2,000 to $6,000 (CAD) |
Australia | $1,000 to $3,000 (AUD) |
New Zealand | $1,500 (NZD) |
India | 29,000 to 30,000 (Rupees) |
South Africa | R8,000 |
Nigeria | ₦360,000 to ₦665,000 |
Factors Affecting Maine Coon Kitten Price
They are several factors anyone buying a Maine Coon kitten should remember. If you intend to purchase a Maine Coon cat, these factors will likely affect the total cost.
1. Pedigree
Maine Coon kittens with superior lineage and bloodline, good health history, and haven’t shown signs of genetic-related problems like spinal muscular atrophy or hip dysplasia are more expensive than ordinary cats.
2. Quality
Another factor that affects the cost of a kitten is the quality. Typically, high-quality Maine Coon kittens with excellent health records completed vaccination history, and essential verified purebred pedigree certifications will be sold at a higher rate.
Individuals interested in buying these kittens will pay more as these kittens cost a lot to breed and maintain. Additionally, their medical records are impressive, and their health is stable.
3. Age
Surprisingly, Maine Coon kittens cost more than adult cats of the same breed. The reason is that breeders tend to give them more medication and attention than Maine Coon adult cats. Adult Maine Coon cats are easy to maintain and are cheaper than kittens.
You may shell out $2,000 on a young, healthy, and fertile Maine Coon kitten but spend around $300 to $600 on the adult breed.
4. Health
This has got to be the biggest factor to consider when purchasing a Maine Coon kitten. No one will pay for a sick Maine Coon kitten that will require frequent medical tests and treatment throughout its lifespan and potentially incur heavy maintenance and vet cost on its owner.
Before purchasing, ensure the kitten is tested for congenital diseases and other breed-related health problems.
You can consider checking the cat for the following health problems:
- Stomatitis.
- Hip dysplasia.
- Spinal muscular atrophy.
- Periodontal disease.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- Obesity.
- Polycystic kidney disease.
Maine Coon breeders charge higher for cats that have good health records and have completed veterinary checks, and received official health certificates. If the veterinarian or medical professional confirms the healthiness of the kitten, you can go ahead to buy.
Before buying from a breeder, request evidence or proof that the cat was scanned and tested for genetic diseases. This should be done before allowing the cat to mate and reproduce.
Buyers must ensure that their kitten has a clean bill of health and doesn’t carry any genetic-related problem that can cause health problems in the future.
5. Vaccination History
To avoid unwanted health problems, every Maine Coon kitten must be vaccinated against harmful diseases. Vaccinating your cat will make them immune to diseases that are likely to affect their health in the long run.
As expected, kittens with complete vaccination history will cost more since much has gone into their medical care and treatment. Before buying your kitten, ensure you get a copy of the vaccination history records from the breeder.
Also, contact a competent vet with a track record of managing kittens’ care to verify the authenticity of the vaccination report.
6. Spraying and Neutering
Maine Coon kittens that haven’t been sprayed or neutered are more expensive than those that have been altered. As strange as it sounds, this is quite logical as the breeder has spent less on medical care, and since they can reproduce, they will generate more profits for the breeder.
7. Coat Color
We all have tastes and preferences, which apply when choosing Maine Coon kittens. Certain colors are popular and higher in demand than others. The traditional tabby Maine Coon with mackerel, classic, ticked, or spotted markings is prevalent among cat lovers, but color patterns and coats like black smoke or silver tabby are rare and will come at a premium price.
White, black, blue, and orange are attractive colors and will cost more than cats with mixed colors. A solid-colored Maine Coon will cost around $1,300 to 1,500, while the polydactyl Maine Coon, which is those with extra toes, will cost ($1,600 to $1,800).
8. Country Purchased
The price of a Maine Coon cat varies depending on the region or country it is purchased. If the kitten is not in high demand or is a popular breed in the area, you may purchase it at a steal. They may be price fluctuations based if the cat is imported or if it is given the utmost care.
These variables are likely to affect the price:
- Cost of cat products.
- Price of high-quality cat food.
- Level of medical care and attention given to the cats.
- The level of demand for the cat breed.
- The cost of veterinary bills in the country.
- The cost of maintenance incurred on the owner or breeder.
- The popularity of the cat breed in the country.
- The cost of the cat and exchange rate (if imported from another country).
9. Purebred Status Certification
A reliable or registered breeder will always provide you with the pedigree certification paperwork for the kitten. If the breeder doesn’t provide this, even at your request, you should cancel the transaction and walk away.
The purebred certification is extremely vital because it tells you that the cat you are about to purchase has “purebred” status. Without this paperwork, neither you nor the owner can tell if the kitten’s genes are mixed or not.
10. Breeder Status and Reputation
The owner or breeder of the Maine Coon is the biggest influence on the price. Reputable breeders, especially the registered ones, charge higher costs because they spend more to breed their Maine Coons.
Also, they may be in the business for a long time and are registered members of organizations or clubs recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA).
A regular or casual Maine Coon owner may sell his kittens within $400 to $600, whereas registered breeders may charge over $1,500 or $2,000 for each kitten, owing to the levies and costs of being a member of the club. Therefore, expect to pay higher for a Maine Coon kitten when you buy from a registered breeder.
If you are skeptical about buying a Maine Coon cat from a registered breeder, the following reasons explain why registered breeders charge more than casual breeders.
- The cost of registering as a breeder in renowned organizations is expensive.
- Registered breeders deeply care about the breed and can purchase high-quality cat towers and toys to aid the kittens’ growth.
- They ensure the kittens get vaccinated and receive regular medical checks.
- Registered breeders feed their cats with a top-quality, nutritious dry food diet. Although these meals are expensive, they provide their cats with sufficient vitamins and miners for their body system, which improves their health and overall well-being.
- Most registered breeders are not influenced by the financial reward of selling the kittens. They tend to groom their cats as their kids by providing space for them in their homes. On the other hand, a backyard breeder may not be conscious of the cat’s health and welfare and often keep their cats outside their home in extremely poor conditions.
- Lastly, registered breeders test their kittens for genetic defects before breeding them. They ensure all cats are healthy and free of diseases, which is why they charge higher than average backyard breeders.
Are Maine Coon Kittens Expensive?
For any cat breed, there is no such thing as a “one size fits all” price. Before deciding on the price of a Maine Coon, breeders take some factors into account.
The cost of a new Maine Coon cat varies depending on several variables. One is the age and whether you are adopting or purchasing your new cat. If you already have some of the necessary things cats would need at home and this won’t be your first pet cat, this will lower your overall one-time costs.
In addition, you may need to pay for prescription dosages. This will be important if you need to get your cat from a reputable breeder, as these breeders would have conducted all necessary health tests. You’ll also spend on their food. A relatively modest sum of money may be used to start. The money will eventually mount up to a few hundred dollars more per year, though, as your Maine kittens grow.
It could cost you up to $1,500 or more to rear a German shepherd in your first year of ownership. Some cat owners spend up to $2,000 on their cats in their first year, depending on the breed. These prices are mostly due to where or how they got their cats. It is possible to get a Maine Coon for as low as $400. The price, however, may differ from other cat breeds.
Why Should You Buy a Maine Coon Cat?
Since Maine Coon cats are expensive, you may have considered other cheaper cat breeds. Maine Coon cats are one of the largest cat breeds ever known. Although they boast a gigantic, muscular build and long fur, they are playful, gentle, caring, and smart.
The life expectancy of a Maine Coon cat is around 12 to 15 years. A full adult Maine Coon weighs 10 to 25 lbs and stands at 10 to 16 inches.
How Much Should I Pay For a Purebred Maine Coon?
By a large margin, the cost of a purebred Maine Coon depends on its health, age, bloodline, and color. If you are looking to buy a specific color, especially the rare ones, you may have to pay more. Black Maine Coon cats, for instance, are extremely rare to breed, and they are more costly than cats of other coat colors.
Knowing your preferred coat color and how much you are willing to spend is important. Averagely, purebred Maine Coon kittens should cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 and could be higher, depending on the breeder.
When you meet a breeder, don’t be afraid to ask questions about the health and medical history of the cat. Breeders like buyers who are inquisitive to know more about the breed. You can also observe the breeder and see if he is too exploitative.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Maine Coon Cat??
If the cost of buying a new purebred Maine Coon cat is too much for you to bear, you may consider buying the cat from other sources. One of the cheapest places to get a Maine Coon cat is rescue organizations. If you are bent on getting a Maine Coon cat without breaking the bank, you can adopt it from rescue organizations for as low as $100 to $500.
Many rescue organizations need money to keep their organization afloat. They spend on medical care, training, grooming, feeding, and other essentials to ensure the cats stay healthy until adoption.
As expected, the adoption fee covers the expenses and cost of breeding the cat. Some rescue clubs may charge you extra for documentation/paperwork or haulage.
How Much Does It Cost To Own a Maine Coon?
The cost of owning a Maine Coon cat depends on the quality of food and other essential items you get to maintain it. Before bringing a cat into their home, buyers are advised to ensure the availability of necessities like food, bed, water, toys, and others.
Here are some of the things you will likely get for your Maine Coon cat:
- Food and Treats: Your Maine Coon kittens need different varieties of cat food, including dry and vet variations. Ensure that your cat has a lot of meat in its diet; this will make it stay healthy. You can purchase these treats from pet stores for around $18 and $50.
- Food and Water Bowl: To feed your cat properly, you need to get a food bowl of the right size. In the same vein, you will need a water bowl with good water capacity and minimal spilling. These bowls can be purchased between $10 and $30.
- Cat Bed: Your cat needs a comfortable bed to sleep in. Cats can sleep for over 16 hours every day, so you need to invest in a good-quality bed. Cat beds can cost between $15 and $45.
- Litter Box: Consider buying a simple open litter box for your Maine Coon cat. A litter box can help you pack and get rid of urine and droppings in your house.
- Litter Sand: Non-clumping litter sand is derived from raw, natural materials such as plants, wood, or paper, which is the best choice for a Maine Coon cat. You can get this for around $15 to $25.
- Collar and ID Tag: One of the important items to get for your cat is a collar and ID tag. Your Maine Coon should never move around without a collar and ID tag because it will never be identified as your property when it gets lost. You can customize the collar by including your name and contact information for ownership and identification. A good pair of collars and ID tags will cost around $5 and $30.
- Microchip: Microchipping your cat can help identify and recover the cat when it gets lost or stolen. Unlike ID tags, a microchip is implanted into their skin by a medical professional. Expect to spend around $30 to $60 for this procedure.
- Grooming Essentials: Your cat should be groomed regularly to look good and stay healthy. Some common grooming items to purchase for your cat include; clippers, a brush, a de-shedding tool, and organic shampoo. These items may cost $15 to $80.
- Toys and Scratching Post: Maine Coon cats love playing like other cat breeds. Purchasing toys like cat tunnels, plushes, balls, and wands will help boost their growth and progress. Also, your cat will enjoy sharpening its claws against a scratching post. Averagely, these items may cost between $15 to $60.
- Cat Carrier: A cat carrier is vital for carrying your cat around, especially if you want to travel with them or take them to a vet. A carrier can cost you around $20 to $60 each.
- Initial Vet Visits: After purchasing your Maine Coon kitten, it is expected that you send them to a vet or medical professional to be checked for any possible health issues. Initial vet visits should cost around $70 and $300.
- Initial Vaccine Shots: Vaccination and immunization shots will be given to your kitten at three to four weeks to keep it healthy. This vaccine typically covers rabies, feline rhinotracheitis, and feline distemper. Depending on the facility, expect to spend anywhere from $20 to $70 for these treatments.
- Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medications: Having parasites around your Maine Coon cat will harm its health, so you should provide your cat with regular tick treatments and other over-the-counter medications. These treatments can cost you around $30 to $100.
- Neutering or Spaying: Individuals who don’t plan on breeding their Maine Coon have them sprayed or neutered. Doing this can help prevent undesired pregnancies, preventing the likelihood of abandoning the kittens on the streets and rescue homes. This procedure will cost around $200 to $500.
- Miscellaneous Supplies: You may purchase other items you think are essential for your cat, which we didn’t mention here. Depending on your preferences, you could purchase items such as a water fountain, a cat tree, a calming diffuser, and other items that will make your cat comfortable and have a good quality of life in your home. Expect to spend around $15 to $60 for these supplies.
The table below shows the initial expenses every Maine Coon kitten should prepare for.
Type of Expense | Cost |
Food and Treats | $20 – $50 |
Food and Water Bowls | $10 – $25 |
Cat Bed | $15 – $30 |
Litter Box | $20 – $160 |
Litter Sand | $15 – $25 |
Collar and ID Tag | $5 – $20 |
Microchip | $40 – $60 |
Grooming Essentials | $25 – $35 |
Toys and Scratching Post | $15 – $70 |
Cat Carrier | $20 – $60 |
Initial Vet Visits | $100 – $250 |
Initial Vaccine Shots | $25 – $50 |
Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medications | $30 – $100 |
Neutering or Spaying | $200 – $500 |
Miscellaneous Supplies | $15 – $30 |
Total Initial Cost | $555 – $1,465 |
It is not mandatory to get all the abovementioned items for your cat. You can reduce the cost of cat ownership by buying these items in bulk or finding cheaper alternatives with quality.
Maine Coon Kitten Maintenance Costs
Even if you can comfortably cover the initial costs of owning a Maine Coon, several recurring expenses can cost you an arm and a leg or even drain your bank account.
Maine Coons are robust cat breeds due to their adaptability to severe weather conditions. However, multiple studies have shown that these breeds are vulnerable to health problems such as feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
Medical tests should be done regularly to diagnose and treat your cat’s health problems. You will be responsible for the cost of medical checks, surgeries, vaccines, or any other tests needed for your cat’s health.
You will also want to inspect your cat’s dietary habits and lifestyle because an obese cat is susceptible to developing diabetes, cardiac problems, and other heart-related issues. Maine Coon cats need regular consumption of a high-protein diet. A product such as the Royal Canin Maine Coon dry cat food is rich in high protein, costing $30 for a 6-pound bag.
If you are traveling with your cat, there are extra fees to consider and pay for. A health report, certificate, and other essential documents are needed when transporting pets like the Maine Coon cats over state or international boundaries.
For authenticity, you are advised to get an accredited, certified veterinarian or medical person to sign the certificate and documents.
If you are traveling outside the country, it is crucial to acquire a USDA-endorsed certificate, as it is required for travel overseas. The prices for these medical certificates are typically the same, and you should expect to pay $121 for 1 or 2 tests, $150 for three to six evaluations, and $173 for seven or more exams.
Depending on where you live, you may be obligated to pay a license fee for your Maine Coon. Some counties in the United States have strict laws restricting the number of pets allowed in a certain region. Most importantly, all pets should have rabies vaccination and meet the licensing requirements.
Monthly Cost of Owning a Maine Coon Cat
Keeping your cat mentally and physically active is vital in making them live a healthy and happy life. By nature, Maine Coons are lively but may get tired of playing with the same toys over and over again or doing the same thing repeatedly. So, it is not bad to buy toys to keep your cats entertained.
Bored and inactive cats may develop bad habits like scratching furniture and leaving marks on your carpets and walls. Remember that Maine Coons are hefty and tall, so you should consider getting a robust and tall scratching post for your pet. Ensure you buy a scratching post made of durable fabric, so you don’t buy another too soon.
It may cost you around $15 to $30 to buy toys to keep your cat active. Don’t hesitate to get cat toys for your Maine Coon because inactive cats tend to gain too much weight, which causes health problems in the long run. Therefore, get varieties of different toys to encourage activity and interaction with your Maine Coon.
If you don’t know which toys to buy, you can subscribe to a monthly subscription service that sends you new collections and models of cat toys. With this, your cat will not be bored of repeatedly playing with the same toys but will always have something new and fun to play with.
The average monthly cost of owning a cat of the Maine Coon breed should be around $70 to $300 each month. However, remember that this is an estimated price range.
The actual monthly costs you may cover may vary, depending on the month and season of the year. It is vital to take these factors into cognizance before purchasing a Maine Coon cat.
Annual Cost of Owning a Maine Coon Cat
As Maine Coon kittens grow into adult cats, their needs are expected to change. You may have to replace some old items and accessories that are inappropriate for their size, age, and lifestyle.
As the owner, you are responsible for taking them to see the vet whenever they are sick or scheduled for vaccination and deworming.
The annual expenses of owning a Maine Coon cat will not be the same every year. Maine Coon adult cats are easy and less expensive to maintain, so you won’t spend as high as the initial cost. You can use this guide as a reference to having an estimated figure of what you should expect to spend to maintain your cat.
The table below shows the annual cost of owning Maine Coons:
Type of Expense | Yearly Estimate |
Food and Treats | $200 – $500 |
Food and Water Bowls | $10 – $25 |
Cat Bed | $20 – $30 |
Litter Box | $20 – $160 |
Litter Sand | $200 – $250 |
Grooming Essentials | $100 – $200 |
Toys and Scratching Post | $100 – $250 |
Routine Veterinary Care | $100 – $200 |
Cat Carrier | $20 – $60 |
Vaccinations | $50 – $130 |
Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medications | $60 – $150 |
Pet Insurance | $360 – $600 |
Miscellaneous Supplies | $30 – $50 |
Yearly Total | $1,243 – $2,605 |
Average Monthly Cost | $103 – $217 |
Besides food, toys, medical checkups, and other essential needs, consider getting pet insurance for your cat. Insurance companies offer different plans, so you may want to check your insurance company to know their plans and prices. Pet insurance plans cost between $330 and $600 on average.
As a potential cat owner, take the health of your pet seriously. You can save up for the cat’s routine medical tests and checkups. Ensure a vet regularly examines their health; this will also diagnose any health problems they may have on time.
Depending on your cat’s overall health, routine vet visits may cost around $100 to $200 annually. However, cats are not costly to maintain as dogs like the purebred German Shepherd.
Additional Expenses
Apart from your initial, monthly, and yearly costs of owning a Maine Coon cat, there are other possible expenses to be aware of. This could be anything from cleaning and grooming the cat or an urgent medical situation.
Emergency medical care is perhaps the biggest expense you will be paying for. You don’t hope your Maine Coon will require urgent medical attention, so you should take vet visits seriously and go for regular checkups. Emergency medical care can cause you to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on treatment and vet bills.
Sometimes, these expenses are unexpected and unavoidable. You just have to prepare for them; the best way to do that is to plan and save ahead of time.
The following are extra expenses for your Maine Coon:
- Grooming Services: If you don’t have time to groom your kitten at home or can’t groom it properly, you can visit any professional pet salon. Grooming services may charge around $50 to $150 to give your pet a great look.
- Dental Costs: Dental care is important for cats, especially the Maine Coon breed. Depending on your cat’s gum condition and dentition, you may pay anywhere from $70 to $400 for teeth cleaning.
- Pet-proofing: If you want to make your home a haven for your pet, consider pet-proofing your home. You can cat-proof your home by making a cat pen, getting cord covers, or putting safety locks on cabinets. Professionals will charge you around $300 to $800 for this, but the cost will be lesser if you do it yourself.
- Carpet cleaning: If you fail to get a scratching board for your cat, it may leave scratch marks all over your carpets. Also, you can’t ignore the possibility of seeing urine and poop on your carpets. Carpet cleaning costs $75 to $200 on average.
- Pet Sitting Services: If you’re too busy to take care of your pet on certain days, you can take them to a professional pet sitting service to have them babysit it for you.
- Pet Rent: Depending on your landlord and the quality of the house you live in, you may be required to pay a deposit fee to cover any damages your Maine Coon kitten will do in the house. This fee averagely costs between $20 to $60.
- Travel Accessories: If you want to take your Maine Coon with you on vacation, adventures, and travel, you can get cat travel accessories such as a cat backpack or harness.
- Emergency Vet Visits: As stated earlier, your cat may suffer from a sudden illness requiring urgent medical attention or surgery. Depending on the severity of the condition, you may spend anything from $800 to $4,000 on vet bills.
Asides from pet rent and emergency vet visits, all the other items are optional and not mandatory. So you can skip paying for anyone you think isn’t necessary if you are on a limited budget.
What Are The Best Ways To Get Maine Coon Kittens At Cheaper Prices?
Getting a purebred Maine Coon Kitten with minimal health conditions from a reputable breeder will cost you about $1,000 to $3,500. Note that you may spend a little higher for other costs that may arise.
Is It Possible To Get One From An Animal Rescue Center?
Of course, you can get a Maine coon kitten from a rescue center. There are Maine coon kittens that require homes and are waiting for you to pick them up. Getting a rescue kitten from a rescue center costs between $100 and $400.
Can I Get A Maine Coon Cat For Free?
As unbelievable as it may seem, you can get one for free. There are several circumstances where you could receive a new Maine Coon cat for free. Perhaps a friend or family member requests your assistance since they can no longer care for their Maine Coon. Occasionally, a free Maine Coon will be promoted online or in the newspaper.
What’s The Cost Of Owning A Maine Coon Kitten?
After getting your new Maine Coon, the most important thing is to ensure you can handle the cost of caring for your pet. You need to consider the actual cost of owning the cat and how much you should budget annually to care for one.
You would spend more if you got a kitten that hasn’t gone through spaying or neutering, unlike adults that have gone through these processes. Also, the costs will be lesser if you previously owned a cat. There will be no need to purchase Cat beds, toys, feeding bowls, etc., twice.
You should set aside at least $100-150 monthly for your cat. The fundamentals—high-quality food and routine veterinary exams—will be covered. Some Maine Coon owners spend a lot more. As a Maine coon owner, you will also find that professional grooming is essential because of how much hair these cats shed.
However, the cost of owning a Maine coon cat is often around $1500 yearly.
What’s The Yearly Cost of Owning a Maine Coon Cat?
Owning a Maine coon cat is nice. The expenses that come with them are quite inevitable because it is not just about owning a Maine coon; you have to keep them healthy too. A healthy cat is a happy cat.
Health issues, feeding, toys, and other equipment can cost you up to $2,500 in your first year if it’s the first time you are getting a cat. This price will reduce if you already have a cat(s) or you’ve had a cat before.
How Long Do They Live?
Maine Coons are a breed of cat with few occurring health issues. If owners keep providing their cats with a high-quality diet, routine veterinary checkups, and regular exercise, they can be sure that their cats will live happy and healthy lives.
Averagely, the lifespan of a Maine Coon cat ranges between twelve to fifteen years.
Male Maine coons grow to heights between 10 and 16 inches, while female Maine coons are between 8 and 14 inches. Female coons weigh between 8 and 12 pounds, whereas male coons usually weigh 15 and 25 pounds.
Should I Buy a Maine Coon?
If you want a cat to greet you with affection when you return home, a Maine Coon is the ideal breed because they are loving, sociable, cuddly, intelligent, and playful. Maine Coons are excellent additions to large families, humans or felines, as they like interacting with people and other animals.
They may adjust well and get along with everyone (kids, dogs, and other cats included).
Maine Coon Cats Vs. Norwegian Forest Cats
Generally, both cats are independent and curious and seem similar, but they differ in some ways.
The Norwegian Forest Cat is only lively and loyal when given attention, while the Maine Coons are much more devoted and playful. Norwegian Forest Cat may require a little more room than a Maine Coon because they enjoy less attention and playtime. The Maine Coons, however, are quite “dog-like” and will gladly spend as much time as possible with their owners.
Where Can I Buy a Maine Coon Kitten?
Maine Coons are one of the largest and most popular cat breeds in the world. They are commonly domesticated and bred in different locations. The most reliable place to get a Maine Coon kitten is from a registered breeder.
Other places to get a Maine Coon kitten are:
- Rescue shelters.
- Pet shops.
- Pet organizations.
- Gumtree.
- Facebook.
- Craigslist.
- Backyard breeders.
Buying a Maine Coon from a reliable, registered breed gives you peace of mind. Even if you buy at a higher price, you are assured that the cat is healthy and free of genetic problems and defects.
Ensure you buy your Maine Coon kitten from a trusted and legitimate source, as scammers are taking advantage of the expensive price tag to sell their cats to unsuspecting, naive buyers. So before handing over cash and finalizing the deal, verify the trustworthiness and authenticity of the seller.
Buying from sellers who are registered with pet clubs and organizations is great because they provide a guarantee, and if something goes wrong, you can report them to their organization.
Tips for Buying a Maine Coon Kitten (Buying Guide)
The following tips will be beneficial for those interested in buying Maine Coons:
- Check the litter’s living conditions; ensure you get a kitten bred in a good environment.
- Observe the kitten’s body. A potbellied Maine Coon kitten hints at the presence of worms in the stomach.
- Choose a clean and healthy kitten.
- Be sure to ask the breeder about the kitten’s behavior. Purchase a kitten free from bad, dubious habits and behavior.
- To determine a cat’s behavior, inspect the character of the parents. Also, request to see the entire litter.
- Ensure there is no discharge from the cat’s nostrils.
- Never select a litter’s runt out of pity.
- Check for healthy gums and teeth.
How To Get a Maine Coon Cat on a Budget
If you are determined to own a Maine Coon cat but are on a tight budget or worried about the price, there are efficient ways to get it. Buying a Maine Coon on a budget will reduce expenses and help you save money.
As mentioned, you can adopt Maine Coon kittens at a reduced price from rescue organizations. You can also purchase one from a backyard breeder. Buying from a good local breeder will save you the cost of transport and shipping.
However, you must be cautious when buying pets from backyard breeders, even if their offer is too good to decline. You may get an unhealthy cat that will incur higher vet bills and medical costs in the long run.
Low-cost vet care, such as spraying, neutering, and vaccination, is available in many areas. Some professional medical facilities run these treatments and offer discounts and affordable packages to make cat maintenance easier and cheaper.
Like humans and other living things, the basic needs of a cat are food, litter, shelter, and love. You can show your love for your cat by buying toys, beds, and other things to show your admiration for it.
You can purchase cat supplies in bulk to reduce initial expenses. A large sack of cat food will be sufficient for a few months. You can check the pet store in your area for coupons and discounts on cat food. If they don’t offer promos, you can ask them to lower the price to enable you to buy in large quantities.
Moreover, dry cat food is cheaper than most canned or raw diets. Making homemade cat food is an efficient alternative to kibbles. Before making homemade cat food, contact your vet for a list of supplements and ingredients to include in the cat’s diet.
Maine Coon cats are playful and may want to play outside. You should provide an enclosed area to restrict the cat’s movement outside your home. The reason is that the Maine Coon breed is exposed to harmful organisms and parasites when they play outside. Moreover, accidents are most likely to happen; they may sustain injuries or die.
You can ensure the safety and health of your feline companion by keeping them inside your home. You can consider building a cat tree or scratch post for your pet. Although cat trees are pricey, you can always construct a scratch post and cat from your backyard’s spare wood materials and tools.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are Maine Coons big?
Maine Coons are descendants of the Norwegian Forest Cats, so it is natural for them to be large. These felines boast a massive size due to their natural heritage as wild cats in Wiscasset, Maine.
Another reason they have a large size is because of their slow development rate, which causes their muscles, bones, and body to gain significant size.
What is the life expectancy of a Maine Coon cat?
Maine Coon cats do not have a short lifespan. These enormous felines can live up to 15 years. But on average, their life expectancy is between 10 and 13 years.
Are Maine Coon Cats Worth?
At this point, I am sure you know that Maine Coons are costly, but they are worth the price. Breeders invest a lot in feeding and maintaining these cats, which is why they charge a high price for this breed.
You should get a Maine Coon if you need a caring pet for your kids. Maine Coon gets along well with people, even with other pets. Unlike other cat breeds, the Maine Coon likes water and will not cause you any trouble washing it.
Conclusion
The price of Maine Coon kittens can be exorbitant due to their pedigree status and popularity across the world. Maine Coon kittens do not come for cheap, so if you can’t maintain or buy one, you should try other less expensive cat breeds.
Suppose you can afford a Maine Coot kitten. In that case, you can ensure your investment doesn’t go down the drain by buying from a trustworthy breeder and ensuring the cat comes from a healthy lineage (without a record of any genetic problems). You also want to ensure your cat is vaccinated against cat-related health problems.
A Maine Coon will give you all the attention you deserve. If you have a family, they would socialize, interact, and integrate well with other pets and members of your household. If you must bring a Maine Coon kitten, be ready to commit yourself to maintain it. Love is not enough to pay the bills. That said, do everything to make your new Maine Coon pet enjoy your home.