breeding program

Breeding Maine Coons is far more than pairing a male and female and waiting for kittens to arrive. It’s a complex, meticulous process with countless moving parts—most of which happen behind the scenes. Even with the best care and planning, outcomes aren’t always predictable.

In this post, I’ll give you an inside look at one crucial aspect of my breeding program. It involves selecting a new kitten to join the lineage. Whether you’re simply curious about ethical breeding or deeply invested in understanding the process, this glimpse will highlight the dedication. It will also show the expertise that go into producing healthy, well-socialized Maine Coons.

high quality Maine Coon

Meet the Sassy Koonz Breeding Tribe

red maine coon male governor 2 years old

Governor

Red with White

gorgeous white maine coon female magic 8 months old

Magic

Solid White

black torbie maine coon kleopatra

Kleopatra

QUEEN
Black Torbie with White
RETIRING 2025

sassy koonz kimmie calico maine coon

Kimmie

Sassy Koonz Girl
Black Tortie with White

maine coon cat tanky wanky chillin

Tank

Black Silver Classic Tabby

razzleberry our maine coon queen who is expecting kittens

Razzleberry

Black Tortie

maine coon breeder florida cats for sale

ViVi

Black Smoke Tortie with White
RETIRING 2025: AVAILABLE

black smoke tortie vesna maine coon cat grown

Vesna

Black Smoke Tortie
RETIRING 2025 – AVAILABLE

Am I Ready to Add A New Cat to My Breeding Program?

At what point does a new cat get added to the breeding program? This is a lot to consider for a Maine Coon breeder. One of the first things that has to be considered are the goals of the breeder and the cattery. We all have different goals, but before I add a new kitten, these are the things I take into consideration:

  • How many kittens do I want to produce each year?
  • How much time do I have to commit to raising kittens and caring for adult cats?
  • Do I have enough space to add another cat?
  • Do I have enough space to raise multiple litters of kittens?
  • Does my budget allow for the care and medical treatment (if needed) of another cat?

I’d like to break down each one of these questions to help you better understand what they mean.

maine coon breeding program
Look at this cute little Maine Coon Baby

The Reality of Raising a Litter of Maine Coon Kittens

Raising a litter of Maine Coon kittens is no small task—it’s a full-time commitment. For the first few weeks, the Queen handles most of the care, assuming everything goes smoothly. But once those tiny paws start exploring, it’s like having a group of curious, messy toddlers on the loose.

Daily Responsibilities of Raising a Litter

Once kittens are mobile, the workload increases dramatically. A breeder’s daily routine includes:

  • 🍼🐱 Cleaning the nursery – Several hours each day are dedicated to keeping the space sanitary.
  • 🧹 Litter training – Teaching kittens to use the litter box takes patience and consistency.
  • 💛 Socialization – Kittens need regular human interaction to develop confidence and a friendly temperament.
  • 🥩 Weaning – Transitioning from nursing to solid food requires careful monitoring.

What You Don’t See Behind the Adorable Photos

From the outside, all you see are cute kitten pictures on social media. What’s not visible are the countless hours spent ensuring these kittens are healthy, well-adjusted, and ready for their new homes.

Time Commitment and Planning

  • 📆 Each Maine Coon Queen can have 1-2 litters per year.
  • 🐣 Kittens need at least 10-12 weeks of care before they’re ready to go home
  • ✈️ Vacations? Forget about it! Travel plans are difficult to make when kittens are on the ground.

Balancing Breeding with Daily Life

Luckily, I work from home and set my own schedule, allowing me to devote as much time as needed. However, breeders with full-time jobs outside the home must carefully balance their responsibilities to provide the same level of care.

Breeding Maine Coons isn’t just about producing kittens. It’s about commitment and responsibility. It’s also about ensuring every kitten gets the best start in life.

solid white maine con kitten laying down professional image
Solid White is one of my favorite colors

Do I Have Enough Space for Another Cat? 🏡🐾

Adding a new cat to your home or cattery isn’t just about love and excitement—it’s about space and comfort too! Cats thrive in a stress-free environment, and overcrowding can lead to anxiety, illness, and territorial issues. So, before bringing in a new feline friend, I always assess whether I have enough room to keep everyone happy and healthy.


How Much Space Does a Cat Really Need? 📏🐱

Believe it or not, the CFA’s minimum space requirement for a cattery is just 30 cubic feet per cat. To me, this is more like a cage than a comfortable home! My personal standards are much higher because I want my cats to:

🐾 Roam freely and stretch their legs.
🪵 Climb and perch on cat trees and shelves.
🛏️ Have cozy beds and private spaces to relax.


Quarantine & Isolation: A Must for New Arrivals 🚪⏳

Bringing in a new cat means quarantine time—no exceptions! Every new addition must be:

🔸 Isolated for 14-21 days to monitor for illnesses, diarrhea, or other health concerns.
🔸 Cleared by a vet before being introduced to the rest of the cats.

This is crucial for keeping the entire cattery safe and healthy! 🩺


Assessing Space & Harmony 🏠✨

Since most of my breeding cats live in my cattery, I carefully evaluate before making a decision:

Do I have enough room to accommodate another cat comfortably?
Will this disrupt the balance among the current cats?
Can this space still provide a stress-free, enriched environment?

If everything checks out, then I move forward with the next steps in my process. After all, a happy cat is a healthy cat—and that’s my top priority! 💖🐾

Do I have enough space to raise multiple litters of kittens?

With each new queen [or King] that is added to my breeding program means more kittens. Each litter of kittens needs its own space to be delivered and reared, with their Mother. Personally, I bring my Queens inside when it’s time for them to deliver their kittens and they stay in the nursery (which is a spare bedroom). They raise their kittens there and aren’t bothered or stressed out by other cats or high traffic.

So adding a new cat to the cattery means there will be more kittens. Possibly even multiple litters of kittens on the ground at the same time. What this means for me is that I need to create separate living spaces for multiple litters. This is when I call in the help of my husband. He’s currently converting the nursery into two nurseries so that multiple litters can be raised comfortably at the same time.

maine coon kittens for sale near me black tabby white background

Does my budget allow for the care and medical treatment (if needed) of another cat?

Having a Maine Coon cattery and raising kittens isn’t cheap. My Chewy bill is currently around $750 per month. That’s for food and litter for my 3 neutered male pets and 5 breeders. When kittens are on the ground, the bill goes up about $50 per litter per month. I have to be sure that my budget can sustain the cost. I need to keep everyone clean, full, and healthy indefinitely. They are all my responsibility.

As much as I wish it didn’t come up, sometimes medical treatment is needed. Having cats is no different than having children. I do everything I can to keep them healthy. Then, some crazy bug shows up. Medical treatment is needed. There could also be the need for emergency C-Section to help with the delivery of babies. Veterinarians aren’t inexpensive. So I have to also make sure that my finances will allow for any medical treatment that’s necessary.

What Colors and/or Patterns Do I Want?

Now that some initial screening and evaluation of the cattery is done, I can start thinking about colors and patterns. There are 84 Maine Coon Colors and Pattern Variations. I learned very early that to produce the best coats, it’s important to choose similar patterns and colors. This approach results in rich colors and clean patterns. For example, a red tabby classic mated with a red tabby classic. A female is more likely to produce a coat with exquisite beauty. This is more probable than when the same male mates with a black silver mackerel tabby.

Silvers and smokes are in higher demand than the more traditional or classic colors (red, black, blue, white). My applicant list has a very high demand for silvers and smokes. I focus more on clean, classic colors with beautiful coats. Rich reds, beautiful blacks, and pure deep blues (Solids and tabbies). There’s something about the classic colors that appeal to me more than the trendy smokes and silvers.

My goal is to produce the classic, clean colors. With this in mind, I can narrow down the color and pattern of the cat that I want to add. There are also some genetic factors to consider (agouti, non-agouti, and dilute). I examine the Queens that are in my cattery. I decide what colors and patterns I want to see in the future. Then, I narrow down my choice to the color I’m seeking.

maine coon kitten with fall pumpkin blue torbie
Izzy 9 Weeks Old RESERVED

Choosing A Breeder to Buy a Kitten From

Just like you should do your research when it comes to choosing a breeder, so do I. I did make some fast decisions in the past, just randomly choosing a breeder based on how the kittens look. I’ve learned to be a little more diligent when it comes to where I buy a kitten from. There are so many factors to consider other than just how the cats look in photos. Be sure to read my article about choosing a reputable Maine Coon breeder.

What I started doing about a year ago is following the breeders on Facebook and Instagram. I just watch from a distance for months and months. I like to see how much information they share about their cattery and their cats. Transparency is commendable to me. There’s not a lot of transparency from cat breeders, so I find these highly valuable.

Breeders who share an enthusiasm for the Maine Coon Breed Standard are an absolute must for me. It’s hard to buy a kitten from a breeder who doesn’t share the same goals. This is especially true considering the “type” factor. What I mean by that is the fine details of the cat that creates the signature look of the Maine Coon cat. There are standards written by Cat Associations that detail these in writing. I want my cats and kittens to be as close to breed standard as possible. That means choosing cats for my breeding program that exhibit those features.

black silver mackerel tabby Maine Coon tiffany adult female
Tiffany 1 Year 7 Months Old

Price is irrelevant when it comes to a Quality Kitten

There are way too many other factors for me that are more important than the cost. In fact, the cost to acquire is the very last question that I ask if I’m inquiring about a kitten. I’d rather have a high quality, immensely pre-screened kitten over a “cheap” one. Cheap is never good and good is never cheap.

Finding the Perfect Kitten for the Breeding Program

Looking for the perfect Maine Coon kitten is what takes the most amount of time. I have my favorite breeders saved, and once I’ve decided on a breeder that means waiting until they have a kitten that meets my criteria – both in color AND in type [Breed Standard]. This could take months!

Now that I’ve narrowed down my choice of breeders to just a few, I watch for kittens. The color and pattern is already pre-determined, so I can ignore any other colors that show up. Yes, they’re distracting!! Patience is a virtue when it comes down to this part of the process. It’s easy to see one that is awesome in the photos and say “I’ll take that one”! That’s when mistakes are made and later it’s discovered that they don’t fit the requirements that I had in mind.

Front-facing photos are what I see first. To be honest, all kittens are beautiful from the front. But when you’re looking for very specific details (as a breeder), you have to slow down and take notice of every little thing. Ears, eyes, head size, muzzle, bridge of nose, chin, and whiskers.

The profile of a Maine Coon is my obsession

I may look for a new kitten to add to my breeding program. One reason is to improve the overall look of my kittens.

When the profile is Breed Standard, it’s just a very beautiful picture to admire. It’s what makes the cat and kitten have the look that everyone so admires. The challenge is, it is VERY HARD to find a kitten and/or a cat with a perfect profile. VERY HARD. This is probably the MAIN REASON why I am so obsessed with finding cats for my breeding program. They must have beautiful heads. Their heads must look good no matter which way you turn or angle them.

The number one reason I decline 99% of every kitten I see is because of their profile. There’s several different “looks” when it comes to profiles but I prefer the ones that look like the photo below.

amazing maine coon profile person holding head chin nose
Photo and Kitten by Unicum Cattery in St Petersburg Russia

If you’d like to study the Maine Coon Breed Standard, then you can see it on the CFA or TICA website. You’ll then be able to see just how many details there are when it comes to producing a Breed Standard Maine Coon kitten.

It’s hard to notice minor details that may not qualify as a breed standard, but I’ve really trained my eye for it. And now it’s literally an obsession. If I don’t see Breed Standard or something VERY CLOSE to it, then I’m not interested in adding that cat to my breeding program. That would go against the goals of my cattery.

When I’m looking for a new kitten, I look at a minimum of 500-700 kittens before deciding on the best fit for me. This is why my “pre-qualifying” breeder research is so important. I don’t want to find the perfect kitten and then the breeder turns out to be a piece of shit.

Health Testing and DNA Genetics

Another reason for adding a new kitten to my cattery is to improve the overall health of my offspring.

Before any kitten is added to my breeding program he/she must be DNA tested for any genetic anomalies that could cause health issues for the cat, or any kittens in the future. The main health concerns that are tested are HCM, SMA, PK and PK Def. I’m looking for N/N [Negative] Results on these. PK Def is the only exception. One parent can be a carrier of OK Def, but not both parents.

Once I get the kitten in my possession, I do my own DNA Genetic testing AGAIN and test for 37 conditions. Then I post the results of these tests one each of my cats’ profile pages for the public to see.

optimal selection testing maine coon

Although all of these tests are performed, there’s still no way to guarantee that the cats won’t develop these or other conditions in the future. Thery’e not perfect animals, just like dogs, horses, or even humans. Things happen that we can’t prevent. But I do my best to pre-screen them before using them to produce offspring.

Health Checklist

A cat being considered for potential new breeding stock should be:

  1. Free from signs of illness (such as upper respiratory infections, diarrhea,
    ringworm, etc.)
  2. Tested negative for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus
  3. Tested negative for intestinal parasites
  4. In good physical condition: Coat is shiny and healthy, cat is a healthy weight, strong boning and no obvious signs of stress.
  5. Screened free from breed-associated genetic diseases, such as polycystic kidney
    disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, etc.
  6. Blood typed, to ensure that the breeding with blood types is a good match.

Pedigree Research

I perform Pedigree research on the parents of the kitten. I’m looking for several factors in the Pedigree.

  • At least four (4) Champions showing in Pedigree on both parents sides in four generations.
  • Inbreeding coefficiency of no more than 12.5% on the actual kitten.
  • Complete Inbreeding Coefficiency of no more than 25% when mated with my cats.
  • Any information on cats in this Pedigree that participated in a health program. (This is where the health records of a particular cat are tracked and reported on the Pedigree.
  • Research on ancestors to look for dominating features, how long the cats lived, and how many offspring they produced.
  • Names of catteries that are familiar to me, or ones that may or may not have been reported as a “Bad Cattery”.
Maine coon Pedigree in pawpeds

Test Matings

Using a great website provided for breeders, I can do test matings with the potential prospect kitten, and all of the cats in my cattery that I plan on mating this cat with. This means that my cats have to be in the database. This is something I do as soon as I get possession of the cat. So I can always do test matings and check for duplicate cats in the Pedigree as well as complete inbreeding coefficiency. [An inbreeding coefficiency that is too high can cause potential health issues].

Shipping of the Kitten

If all of the above requirements pass my tests, then I discuss the price and the shipment of the kitten. There’s not a breeder in my area that sells Maine Coon kittens, so shipping is always going to be part of the equation. So far, al of my cats have been imported from Europe so they require an overseas shipment.

In the beginning, I used to ship the kittens cargo. But I’ve found a few companies that provide courier service by an actual human being and I’ll never use anything other than that. I prefer that someone ride with my kitten and accompany them on the flight and travel home. It’s along distance to travel and stressful enough as it is.

The Kitten Makes it Home

After a long, vigorous process the kiten finally makes it into the Sassy Koonz Maine Coon Breeding Program. He goes straight into Quarantine for observation. Soon, he/she will become part of a beautiful family and begin the work of producing the beautiful, happy little Maine Coon kittens that you fall in love with. All of the work to produce some majestic beauties has been done by me so that the choice for you is an easy one. You can rest assured knowing that I’ve done everything in my power to make sure you have a healthy baby that is as close to Breed Standard as I can get it. The beauty that you love and admire about Maine Coons is packaged up by me behind the scenes with diligence and care. <3

Are you thinking of becoming a Maine Coon Breeder? Take the Online Course: Complete Guide to Breeding Pedigree Cats before you decide!

author avatar
sassykoonz
My name is Tracy Caywood. I live in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and I'm the Guardian of the Sassy Koonz Maine Coon kittens. My goal and passion is to provide you with education, inspiration, and healthy, well-socialized beautiful Maine Coon babies that you'll love forever. My breeding journey started in 2017, and the cattery has flourished into one of the most sought-after catteries in the Untied States.

9 Comments

  1. Excellent info on the kitty’s. It shows you really care. I tried to go thru you and the price is quite a bit high. I hope some day to get my maine coon thru you.

  2. Over the last 6 months I’ve been connecting with MC breeders (read: watching from a distance *blush*), but I figured I’d come out of incognito mode to say thank you! I have come across your site many times recently as I do my own personal research on the Maine Coon breed, breed standards, and reputable local breeders etc. I love the amount of detail you share with your blog. You can tell you are in love with the breed and want to breed for quality, not money, and the kittens you produce seem to be a testament to that.

  3. At what age should a male Maine Coon kitten get
    neutered. Because I don’t want him spraying in
    the house.

  4. Read all your information
    Wonderful to find a high quality Maine Coon Breeder in every way

  5. Thanks for wonderful information! I wanted to ask if you keep the Queens constantly pregnant ? At what age do you take them off the breeding program and just let them grow old peacefully?
    Thank you.

    1. Thank you for your concern although I hear some contempt in your questions No, I don’t “constantly” keep my Queens pregnant. The age I retire them depends on many factors. Every girl is different. There is no “magic” age for me. But all of my Queens retire relatively young and get to “grow old peacefully”. If I thought you were genuinely concerned I’d go into more detail but when someone wants to be an asshole. they deserve none of my time.

  6. Such beautiful amounts of information! I’m particularly thrilled when I learn beneficial things I’ve never heard before, like superior coats through breeding “like with like!” This alone has me rethinking some things. I’m currently reading Robinson’s Genetics for Cat Breeders and Veterinarians. It may take me a while to absorb. Also, thank you for the picture of the profile. It is invaluable in helping understand what perfect or close to perfect looks like in this category.

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