Maine Coons, the largest domestic cat breed, hold a consecutive Guinness World Records title. As Maine’s official cat, they boast thick fur, a laid-back demeanor, and remarkable affection, making them great for families. Adding to their allure, Maine Coons showcase intelligence and trainability, with many of them displaying a unique love for water, setting them apart from other common cat breeds.
But how much does it cost to raise a Maine Coon?
Reader’s Digest has ranked Maine Coon as #12 in terms of most expensive breeds for 2023 ($1,000-2,000). However, you will notice that the average price listed is only the starting price for this breed as well-bred pedigree Maine Coons cost twice as much. People Magazine also listed Maine Coon as 3rd most expensive ($950 and $3,500) back in 2017. This is closer to the usual cost of a Maine Coon cat from reputable Maine Coon breeders.
However, expect Show-quality Maine Coons to be priced from $3,500 to over $4,000. This is because the breeding and keeping of a Maine Coon in top health is difficult. Responsible breeders must see to it that the Maine Coons pass all the necessary medical tests and are given all the required vaccinations. This is to ensure that all the cats are free from birth defects, abnormalities, and unwanted future illnesses before they are released.
Yes, the Maine Coon is one of the most expensive breeds but what makes it so expensive? Let us look into the expenses that entail breeding it from the perspective of responsible and ethical Cattery and pedigree breeders. This is to better understand the high cost of the Maine Coon breed.
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How Much Is Needed to Breed Coon Breeds?
Below are the possible costs incurred by breeders. Note that these are just estimates. The costs may change. The costs depend on the quantity of cats involved, as well as the budget set by the breeder.
- Breeding Facilities and Construction: minimum of $10,000 to 50,000, and even up to $200,000 depending on the size and number of cat residents.
(This includes the building or location, rent, possible construction costs, quarantine areas, cat enclosures, interior design and furnishings needed, security systems, modifications needed, materials needed for fixtures, labor costs, local regulation fees, business licenses, and permits, taxation requirements, etc.)
- Registration Costs on Cat Associations: $50/year
- Office Equipment and Supplies (Printers, Tables, Chairs, Computers, Business Cards, etc): $1500 up depending on Brand and whether you have these items before starting the business.
- Initial Breeding Cats: depending on quantity and quality of female and stud, starting from $5,000.
- Breeding Rights: minimum of $2,000 per female breeding cat.
- Cesarean Section: if needed: $800- $4,000
- Initial and Routine Health Screening and Micro-chipping: $125
- Possible Stud Service and Further Testing of Female Cat: $700 per breeding
- Registration Fees: $155 for the initial year and $65 for succeeding years.
- Cattery Classes, Books, and References: $500 initially, then $25-50/year
- Kitten Rearing tools and equipment: $145-230 initially, then $30/year
- Advertising Costs and Networking: $160/year
- Website, Social Media Maintenance: $500-$1,500 initially, then $100-$500/month
- Customer Service, Phone calls, and newsletters: $50/year
- Photography and Marketing Costs: $1,000 upwards/year
- Joining and participating in cat shows, supplies, and travels: at least $1,000-$2,000/year
- Yearly maintenance of adult cats: $2,000/year per cat
- Labor and Cleaning Costs: The cost depends on the number of people you need and how many times you need to clean the facilities.
- Cat Food, Vitamins and Supplements, Cat Grooming, Feeding, and Drinking Bowls: at least $2,000/month.
- Cat Toys, Scratching Posts, Beds, Treats, etc.: at least $500 initially
- Wellness Exams, Vaccinations, Health Screening, Health/Medical Insurance, Pest Prevention, Emergency Care, Spaying and Neutering of Kittens, Prenatal checks, Blood Tests, Health Certificates, etc: $1,500-$2,500/month
- Treatment for Sickness and Vet Costs: Depends on the sickness and if it is covered by the health/medical insurance.
Aside from the costs of Breeding Facilities and Construction, Maine Coon breeders need at least $13,000 initially and budget at least $4,500 monthly plus an additional $7,355 annually.
With the high cost involved in owning a well-bred Maine Coon, some people resort to buying from backyard breeders. Backyard breeders are amateurs so the cats they provide may be substandard. This makes it risky since the kitten/cat might not have been thoroughly checked for anomalies, health issues, and birth or genetic defects. They might also be lacking the necessary vaccinations and health checks required. Some of them also provide incorrect or fake Pedigree paperwork.
Buying a Maine Coon is an investment. Though the cost is high, it is better to buy from a reputable, responsible, and duly-registered Cattery to avoid being scammed and forced to pay higher expenses in the future, due to vet and medical bills. Also, reputable breeders assist the owners if they detect issues with the kitten they have purchased.
The second reason why Maine Coons are an expensive breed is because of the high demand for it due to its rising popularity.
Why Is the Maine’s Majestic Cats So Popular?
Maine Coon is considered the most popular cat breed for 2023 by The International Cat Association (TICA) and is also considered the second most popular breed in the world for 2022 (announced on March 24, 2023) according to The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA). But what makes the Maine Coon breed popular?
1. Looking Similar to a Lynx or a Small Wild Cat
Maine Coon are popular because of their majestic size, their large square-shaped heads, charismatic face, their super large paws (sometimes polydactyl), long and bushy tails, and most importantly their tufted ears with black tips that make them look like a lynx makes Maine Coon a very popular breed. Many people think they are miniature lynxes!
These awesome features make them look like small wild cats, making the demand for Maine Coon grow more. Some people love rare and exotic things, that includes prospects for pets especially if it’s wild or exotic. Here are the states that do not have the exact laws against keeping wild animals as pets: Alabama, Delaware, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.
However, owning and keeping small wild cuts such as lynxes is not advisable as they have not been particularly bred to be kept as household pets and they might turn on your family or neighbors, especially children, which makes them too dangerous and impractical.
Since keeping small wild cats is illegal in most places, Maine Coon is probably the closest anyone can get to keeping a wild-looking cat as a pet as they resemble lynxes but are safe to keep around kids and other people.
2. Child-friendly And Dog-tolerant
Despite its robust features and wildcat appearance, the Maine Coon is recognized as one of the gentlest and friendliest cat breeds, making it an excellent companion for both children and cat-friendly dogs. Because of their size and their relatively gentle temperament, most dog breeds don’t bother them.
They are also very easy to train and they tolerate being picked up regularly, making them an ideal furry pet to have in the house. Kids love Maine Coons because they are huggable, furry, and fluffy. Most parents prefer this breed especially if they have kids who won’t be tolerated by other more aggressive cat breeds.
3. Popularity On Social Media
People who love pets are proud of them and the trend these days is people want to show their pets online, whether it be to their family, friends, fans and followers, Facebook groups with similar interests, online communities, and the general public. We call it ‘flexing’.
Online and social media presence may also be one of the main reasons why Maine Coons are popular. Since Maine Coons grow very large, they attract a lot of attention and praise, and people want to have a Maine Coon of their own.
People have also been creating their pet’s own social media accounts. Having the biggest breed of domestic cat that’s worth a fortune does attract attention, especially from cat lovers who would probably follow the social media account to stay updated regarding the daily adventures of their feline friend.
You might be surprised that some Maine Coons have more followers than most people on their respective social media platforms, and most of them have sponsorship deals and are earning their keep. Imagine having a pet that earns its own money because of social media attention, sponsorships, etc.!
If you have the time to create your Maine Coon’s social media account and document its antics and adventures online, plus do a little bit of ads and marketing, you might have a potential social media celebrity in your hands.
Check out these 5 popular Maine Coons and the number of followers they have:
Mr. ViVo (367k)
Tiara, Luna, & Lizzie (289k)
richie_the_mainecoon_ (211k)
Romeo & Michelino (72k)
Hugo and Nemo (52k)
***Note: The number of fans and followers from Instagram as of October 2023.
4. Popularity Brought About by Mrs. Norris of Harry Potter
Another thing to note is that thousands and possibly millions of Harry Potter fans have grown to like the Maine Coon breed when they saw how adorable Mrs. Norris (Argus Filch’s cat) was in the Harry Potter movie series.
Here is a Youtube video that shows how Mrs. Norris looked like the in the Harry Potter films by Warner Bros. Pictures:
Four Maine Coons shared the role, with Pebbles doing the walking scenes, Maximus assigned to do jumping scenes, Cornelius used for shots that required the cat to sit still, and finally, Alanis was the one mostly used when Mrs. Norris is being lifted and carried by Filch.
Now that we know why Maine Coons are popular and how much they normally cost, let’s look at the other factors that may affect the cost of Maine Coons.
5. Not a Common Cat Breed
Maine Coons are relatively rare, standing out among cat breeds due to their large size and luxurious fur. The care, grooming, and maintenance for these majestic felines demand extra time, effort, and resources. Additionally, their need for more space and food makes them a pricier choice for breeders. Despite their rarity and higher cost, many people still favor Maine Coons, considering them the ideal breed for families with kids and dogs.
5 Key Factors Affecting Maine Coon Prices
Several factors may affect the pricing of Maine Coon cats. Breeders and buyers consider these factors when determining the possible cost of a Maine Coon.
1. Breeder Reputation
The crucial step is to exclusively purchase high-value pedigree cats from reputable breeders. Many unscrupulous sources resort to using counterfeit paperwork to deceive buyers into believing they are acquiring Maine Coons with impressive lineages. Buying from reputable breeders guarantees that your Maine Coon was ethically and responsibly raised, with thorough health checks.
Check and see if the breeder is registered with the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) or The International Cat Association (TICA). Their registration can be verified by looking up their Cattery Numbers.
Why? This is to make sure that code of ethics in terms of breeding are being adhered to. Also, look into their website and see if they educate people about specific cat breeds, and if they can provide actual photos of all available kittens. Each kitten or cat should have the necessary registration and paperwork.
Reputable breeders don’t just breed cats, but nurture them. This results in healthy, happy, and good-demeanor kittens and cats. They only release a kitten after it has reached a minimum of 12 weeks old. This ensures the kitten’s emotional well-being is stable and its immune system is set firmly, and it also makes sure that the kitten is physically ready to be raised away from its mother.
Most importantly, responsible breeders screen breeding cats and their kittens for health issues that are common to occur in the Maine Coon breed such as Hip Dysplasia, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). They also give age-appropriate vaccination shots and parasite prevention.
Some breeders also offer services that include microchipping, spaying, and neutering services, and some even provide initial supplies that you need (bowls, toys, food, carriers).
However, the best types of breeders provide a health guarantee that involves a certain period to ensure that the Maine Coon you will be getting is free from congenital health issues and birth defects that are not physically noticeable.
So always check buyer reviews and do some background research. Maybe, some of the buyers are searchable via social media. You can check the status of their cats and see if they have had problems with the Cattery or breeder since some cat owners are quite vocal especially if they’ve had problems or issues with breeders.
2. Pedigree
Maine Coons with highly desirable genetic traits are usually bred by responsible pedigree breeders. These types of Maine Coons should have an impressive lineage or bloodline which includes previous cat show champions. Having a good pedigree or lineage helps to ensure that a Maine Coon carries a distinctive physical trait and breed-related behavior. The prices for these Maine Coons are usually priced from $2,000-3,500 and upwards.
3. Size Matters!
Maine Coon is sometimes referred to as a Gentle Giant simply because it is the largest domestic cat breed in the world, weighing up to an average of 20-25 pounds for males and around 10-12 pounds for females.
If some dogs and cats, people prefer teacup or princess sizes, for Maine Coons, it is different. The bigger the size of the Maine Coon kitten compared to its standard size, the higher the value. Maine Coon is a majestic breed of cat that can reach around 10-16 inches in height and an impressive 40 inches in length.
Barivel is currently the longest domestic cat ‘alive’, measuring 47 inches (3 ft 11.2 in) but Mymains Steward Gilligan, or Stewie for short, remains the longest cat in the Guinness Book of World Records at 48.4 inches (Stewie died on February 4, 2013, due to cancer). Both Barivel and Stewie are Maine Coons.
Therefore if the ancestry line of a pedigree cat bears larger than usual Maine Coons, the kittens may be priced higher. If you are lucky, you might potentially own a Maine Coon that might break Barivel’s record as the world’s largest domestic cat alive!
4. Color
There are five primary colors for Maine Coons: White, Black, Red, Blue, and Cream. Of those 5, Maine Coon’s rarest color is red.
But don’t get confused, the color ‘red’ for Maine Coon is ginger or orange-colored. Female Red Maine Coon is the rarest as there is only one female for every five kittens. White is also rare, however, if the White Maine Coon’s eyes are blue, it should be tested for possible deafness.
5. Age
Maine Coon kittens cost more than their adult counterparts.
Why? This is because you have more years to share with kittens, and they are essentially blank pages that you can train from the start. Kittens are also cute, more amusing, energetic, and more in demand because most owners love to document the growing progress of their pets.
Adult cats are for those who need serenity in their lives since kittens can be unpredictable. Adult cats are oftentimes calmer, already potty-trained, and easier to handle for families with kids. Adults are normally priced starting at $1,000. Retired Breeding Cats may also be offered at a lower price.
Wrapping Up
In sum, the Maine Coon, with its impressive stature and exceptional traits, emerges as the largest domestic cat breed, cherished by numerous households. The variables impacting its cost, spanning from $1,000 for adults to over $4,000 for pedigreed cats, mirror the distinctiveness of the breed and the commitment involved in breeding and sustaining such extraordinary feline companions.
The Maine Coon’s allure, stemming from its lynx-like appearance, child-friendly demeanor, and social media visibility, contributes to its desirability and heightened pricing. Responsible breeders play a pivotal role in ensuring the welfare of these cats, providing pedigree assurance, health assessments, and a nurturing atmosphere.
Comprehending the influence of pedigree, size, color rarity, and age on pricing enables potential owners to make informed choices. Whether opting for an energetic kitten or a composed adult, investing in a Maine Coon entails more than financial considerations; it signifies a commitment to a companion renowned for its affectionate nature and mild temperament.
Ultimately, the price tag not only reflects market dynamics but also signifies the worth of a well-bred, healthy Maine Coon from reputable sources. As these majestic cats captivate hearts globally, the investment in a Maine Coon transcends mere monetary aspects, offering the invaluable companionship of an exceptionally remarkable feline friend.
