You can’t mistake a Maine Coon. The massive size, long fluffy coat, and elongated, point ears with tufts on the ends — the breed is the world’s largest domesticated cat. Due to their loving beauty, and loving personalities, they’re the US’s third most popular cat breed.
Besides, Maine coons get along with other pets and children, making them ideal family pets. The big question, however, is:
How much are Maine coon cats?
Table of Contents
How Much Does a Maine Coon Kitten Cost?
The average Maine coon price is around $400 to $2000, depending on:
- Sex
- Size
- Color
- Genetics
- The breeder
- Your location
For instance, you can expect to pay more for a single-color purebred and less for regular kittens or mix breeds.
While acquiring a Maine coon isn’t cheap, the most affordable approach is through adoption. You can get a Maine Coon from a shelter or rescue at around $100 to $400.
The only problem?
Adoption takes time.
Since most people prefer Maine Coons, adopters snap them as soon as they hit the rescue center. Adopting one will require you to go to your local shelter or rescue and chat with the staff about notifying you if they find one.
Factors Affecting Maine Coon Kitten Price
While size is one of the hugest factors influencing the price of Maine coon, it isn’t the only one. There are several others, such as:
Age
A Maine Coon kitten is generally pricer than older cats because more care and time goes into raising them. However, many cat parents find the price worth it because it presents a chance to name and bond with the cat from a young age.
Health
When buying from a reputable breeder, health isn’t a factor because they screen the cat for concerns. But some breeder goes a notch higher to ensure all their kitten and breeding pairs are healthy and happy. As a result, the breeder commands a higher price.
Buying an unhealthy Maine Coon kitten that requires close medical attention or treatment during its lifespan will cost you significant vet bills.
While Maine coons are well known for being relatively hardy, check for health issues, such as:
- Obesity
- Stomatitis
- Hip Dysplasia
- Periodontal disease
- Spinal muscular atrophy
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Before your purchase:
- Ensure that a vet has given the kitten a bill of health (but be ready to pay more for kittens with proven health records).
- Request evidence that the parent cats were scanned for genetic disorders before being allowed to breed the kitten you want to buy. The assurance ensures that the kitten you’re buying doesn’t carry genetic defects, which might result in healthy issues in the future.
However, expect to pay more for a Maine coon kitten with a great health record.
Pedigree Status
If you’re buying from a reputable Maine coon breeder, expect pedigree certification paperwork.
The certification is critical because it confirms that you’re buying a purebred Maine coon. Without the certification, you can’t establish whether the cat you’re buying has mixed genes.
However, the certification adds a significant cost to the Maine coon than noncertified kittens.
If you buy a Maine Coon cat with mixed genetics, you should be aware that your kitten might not share more common physical and personality characteristics of a purebred Maine coon.
But if you’re after a purebred and your breeder can’t give you the purebred certification paperwork for the Maine coon, cancel the transaction immediately. This is true, especially when the breeder is charging you the price of a purebred Maine coon.
Pattern and Color
Pattern and color are huge pricing factors for a Maine coon. Since personal preferences are different, some Maine coon colorings are more popular than others.
For instance, a rare silver or gold smoke Maine coon will cost you more than the average brown or tortoiseshell tabby.
Solid colors like white and black also command premium prices because they’re popular and difficult to breed.
On the flip side, Maine coon with classic, spotted, mackerel or ticked markings won’t cost you much because they’re more common.
Breeder Status
A registered Maine coon breeder incurs far higher breeding costs than a non-registered one or backyard breeder.
If you’re planning to buy from a registered breeder, expect to spend more for your Maine coon because the breeder spent more on:
- Feeding the kitten high-quality food that costs more
- Registering as an official breeder
- Registering each kitten officially
- Testing the breeding cats for genetic defects before breeding them to produce kittens with no underlying issues
Vaccination History
Vaccinations prevent Maine coons from developing unwanted health issues. However, each vaccination translates to extra charges. And a kitten with full vaccination records will inevitably cost more.
Before paying for your Maine coon cat:
- Ask for a copy of the cat’s full vaccination history from the breeder
- Consult the vet that has administered the cat’s medical care to determine the authenticity of the vaccination record
What’s The Cost of Vaccination and Other Medical Expenses for Maine Coons
Like any other animal species, Maine coon kittens are susceptible to infectious diseases when they’re six months or younger. If you’re getting a six-month-old and below kitten, you should provide the right vaccinations to prevent the diseases.
However, for kittens less than six weeks, nursing mothers pass maternal antibodies to their kittens through their milk. The mother’s milk will interfere with the kitten’s response to vaccination. As a result, you should only vaccinate over six weeks old kittens.
According to Pet MD, here is a table of vaccinations to administer to your cat and their average cost.
| Vaccine | Period to Be Administered | Cost |
| FVRCP | 6-8 weeks | $20-$40 |
| FeLV | 6-8 weeks | $25-$45 |
| FVRCP | 10-12 weeks | $20-$40 |
| FeLV | 10-12 weeks | $25-$45 |
| Rabies | 14 – 16 weeks | $20-$30 |
| FVRCP booster | One year | $20-$40 |
| Rabies booster | One year | $20-$30 |
The cost of vaccination varies, depending on:
- Your vet
- Location
Besides vaccination, your Maine coon will require regular medical checkups at least twice a year. The check-up will cost roughly $40 to $60 per visit.
Cost of Food and Supplies for Maine Coons
Generally, it’ll cost you between $700 and $1000 to feed your Maine coon cat annually because this cat breed requires a higher caloric intake than other breeds. However, the exact amount you’ll spend depends on the type you’ll feed it, e.g.:
- Dry food
- Wet food
- Raw food
Regardless of the food type you choose for your Maine coon, ensure the diet provides it with the following:
- Fiber
- Carbohydrates
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Phosphorous
- Selenium
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- All amino acid
Besides proteins, Maine coons require a healthy level of the above nutrients to maintain their energy levels, grow their impressive weights, and maintain their luxurious look.
If you buy food, consider a brand that enlists protein as the first ingredient because the Maine coon breed needs a lot of protein. Avoid grain-based food like rice or barley.
Maintaining a Maine coon high-protein diet might require $20 to $50 monthly.
How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Maine Coon?
Insuring your Maine coon is unnecessary if the cat is healthy. However, some cat parents welcome the insurance idea to be on the safe side in case the unthinkable happens and the cat needs emergency medical assistance.
It’s good to be prepared and know you can afford the treatment for your Maine coon in case of anything. The amount you’ll spend on your cat’s insurance depends on:
- Your location
- The cat’s age
- The cat’s gender
- Indoor or outdoor cat
- Purebred vs. mixed breed
The best part is that cat insurance is a lot more cost-effective and will mainly depend on your location. The table below shows a simple breakdown of cat insurance costs in various states.
| State | Maine Coon Insurance Cost per Month |
| New York | $25 |
| California | $22 |
| Texas | $18 |
| Florida | $21 |
PawlicyAdvisor offers a full breakdown per state.
How To Own a Maine Coon on a Budget
Owning a Maine Coon isn’t cheap. However, if you love this breed and want to own one, but you’re on a budget, there is an approach you can take.
The basics you need include:
- Shelter
- Food
- Litter
- Medical care
- Love
The upfront cost is the most challenging if you initially own a cat. Otherwise, the upkeep cost is almost the same as that of other cats.
After the acquisition, you can also find many low-cost vets or rescuers offering affordable vaccination rates, neutering, and spraying rates.
FAQs
Why are Maine Coon cats so expensive?
The main reason Maine coon cats are so expensive is that it costs a lot to breed and care for healthy Maine coon kittens. A breeder has to command extra charges to make a profit. Besides, the Maine coon breed has high demand and low supply making the price increase.
What is the average cost of a Maine Coon cat?
Expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $2000 for a Maine coon cat. The cost varies widely, depending on pedigree, lineage, age, color, and the breeder’s reputation.
Do Maine Coon cats make good pets?
Maine coons cats make great pets for a family with children and other pets, such as dogs. However, take special care when introducing the cat to infants and small children.
How long do Maine Coons live?
A Maine Coon has an average lifespan of 12-15 years. Maine coons are healthy and hardy cats, but their life expectancy depends on the general diet, health, and exercise.
