how much are maine coon cats

You may immediately decide that a Maine Coon will be the next addition to your family. That’s when you may begin to research the phrase “How Much are Maine Coon Cats“?


When you initially discover the magnificent breed of Maine Coons, you’ll be mesmerized by their majestic presence. This usually happens by simply browsing the internet looking for cats, specifically Pedigree cats. Their breathtaking physical attributes can’t be denied.

The answer to the question “how much are Maine Coon cats“? It can have very many solutions and can be an extensive range.

On average, the cost of a Maine Coon kitten is between $3500 – $5000.

The difference in the price of a Maine Coon can be determined by many factors. However, the breeder does not determine the actual value of a kitten. The buyer of that kitten ultimately determines it.

For Example, you may be willing to pay more for a gorgeous kitten from a reputable breeder that offers a Five Year health guarantee than an average-looking kitten with a one-year health guarantee. When comparing breeders, be sure to compare apples to apples.

Let’s have a look at some of the factors that help a breeder determine how much to charge for their Maine Coon Kittens.

Why Are Maine Coon Cats So Expensive?

Maine Coons tend to be one of the most expensive Pedigree cats in the fancy. There are many factors that determine this.

Supply and Demand

Supply and demand is an economic model of price determination in a market. When there are more buyers for Maine Coon kittens than there are kittens, then the price goes up. Then there are more kittens than buyers; the price goes down.

There is a considerable demand for Maine Coon Kittens from reputable breeders. This can be determined by breeders having long waiting lists and paying reservation deposits in advance. Some breeders have waiting lists that are 1.5 – 2 years long. This indicates a high demand and a low supply of Maine Coon Kittens.

I’m not a fan of the long waiting lists, so my Maine Coon Adoption process is slightly different from everyone else. Instead of locking people into a “wait,” I offer kittens on a first-come, first-serve basis to all of my Approved Guardians. Everyone has the same opportunity to reserve a kitten when they become available. We currently have over 3,000 Approved Guardians (as of December 2022) and will only offer 35- 40 kittens per year. So as you can see, the demand is much greater than the supply.

Health Guarantees

Health is ultimately the most important factor in breeding and/or buying a Maine Coon Kitten. A solid health guarantee is important to assure the buyers that there is confidence in the health of the kitten being offered.

It seems that the “normal” or “standard” practice for Pedigree cats is to offer a one-year health guarantee against genetic defects resulting in the loss of the pet. Some, if not most genetic defects that may cause death in the cat may not occur after the first year of life. It’s of great pride that all of my kittens come with a very strong Five Year Health Guarantee.

Whether the price of a kitten is $3,000 or $6,000, the most valuable thing you can have is peace of mind and confidence in the health of your kitten.

Lifelong Support

Once a kitten is placed in the home of a new family, the breeder usually promises to offer lifelong support for that family. This means offering help, advice, and solutions when needed for the entire life of the cat. This is a very valuable incentive. It’s nice to know that you’ll have the help of not only an expert in the breed but more so the person who brought your kitten into the world and honored you with it. When something comes up that you’re unfamiliar with, it’s nice to know that you have someone to turn to discuss it with.

Here are some topics that you may need to discuss with your breeder at some point:

  • Food
  • Littering
  • Socializing and Introducing Other Animals
  • Behavioral Issues
  • Health Issues or Concerns
  • Breed Specific Traits or concerns
  • Transporting during a household move
  • Help with Travel and Vacation plans

Quality of Care for Kittens, Queens, and Studs

Owning and maintaining a successful Maine Coon cattery takes a great deal of diligence and money. There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes that the public never sees. Quality housing, beds, toys, food, hygiene, grooming, social interaction, and veterinary care are just a few of the necessary points to be checked off from a reputable Maine Coon breeder.

All of these things are expensive, especially when operating a cattery with several cats and multiple litters per year.

price of maine coon cats

Time is valuable. It’s one of the only things that once you give it away, you can never get it back. People need to understand that the time commitment is part of the price determination of getting a Maine Coon kitten. Some of the price is the breeder being compensated for the Quality care of the cats.

Colors, Patterns, Genders, and Uniqueness

There are more than 85 Maine Coon Colors and Patterns. Some breeders specialize in colors and patterns that are a little more challenging to achieve. For example, silver shaded Maine Coons are in very high demand right now. There are certain breeders who are producing this unique and sometimes challenging (to get right) color in their catteries.

With the color being in a special little class of its own, you may see higher prices for such. The same thing applies to solid whites, blue-eyed Maine Coon cats, polydactyls, and vans.

Due to the fact that males are much bigger than females, they are in higher demand. Some breeders will charge a higher Maine Coon price for a male for that reason alone.

European Maine Coons

European Maine Coons have a distinctive, more exotic appearance than the American bloodlines. This look is highly desirable to many people. Some of the most beautiful Maine Coons in the world are bred and raised in Europe. While importing any animal from overseas to the United States is undoubtedly a high risk, some breeders take the chance to obtain European bloodlines.

Importing a kitten can be challenging. First, you must search for MONTHS to find a breeder that is deemed reputable. After all, you’ll be doing business across continents, which is challenging. The cultures and languages are different. There is a learning curve when conducting business in that fashion.

Not much recourse can be taken if a breeder from Europe doesn’t deliver the kitten or if something else goes wrong during the transaction. Things go wrong all the time. So every kitten or cat imported into the USA carries its risks. These kittens are also considerably more expensive when you include transportation costs to ensure the kitten arrives safely. In many cases, the transport costs are more than the kitten’s!

Incidentally, searching for a European Maine Coon will cost you more than one with American blood lines.

How to tell if your Maine Coon is Real

A Pedigree (papers) is the only way to confirm 100% that you are getting the Maine Coon cat that you are paying for. Your breeder should be able to provide you with Pedigrees from both parents of the kitten, and then at the bare minimum, a litter registration slip showing that the litter has been registered. The actual registration paper delivery may come with the kitten, or once you’ve provided proof of spay/neuter. That is up to the individual breeder.

Maine Coon Pedigree
EXHIBIT 1: Maine Coon Pedigree Example

Some breeders may offer lower prices for kittens that do not have registration papers. This MIGHT indicate that they are breeding the cats without permission, or that the parents aren’t a Pedigree Maine Coon. It’s certainly up to the buyer to determine the value of those kittens, but be sure to ask questions if you encounter a kitten that is priced “out of line”.

We can never assume we know what’s going on, so we trust and verify EVERYTHING. Here’s how to tell if you have a Pedigree Maine Coon.

This is the same as buying a Domestic Longhair Cat. If you can’t verify that you are getting a Pedigree Maine Coon with Registration Papers through a certified cat club, then you’re not getting a Pedigree Maine Coon.

Price of Maine Coon Kittens Versus Adults

If paying a higher price for a Maine Coon kitten is not in your budget, but you really admire a certain breeder, talk to them about adopting an adult cat. For various reasons, breeders will retire their adults. This means that the cat will retire from breeding, and be spayed or neutered before going to its forever home. There is no “magic” age for this to happen. You could find a very young adult, or a mature adult in the 5-7-year-old range.

Here are a few reasons why an adult may retire:

  • The cat has produced the goal number of kittens for the cattery.
  • An offspring from this cat in old enough to produce kittens now, so the parent can retire
  • New bloodlines are needed in the cattery
  • The cat doesn’t get along with other cats in the cattery environment
  • The cat wasn’t able to produce kittens
  • Health /Genetic issue has been discovered
  • Plans of the cattery have changed

The price of a Retired Maine Coon will usually be less expensive than that of a young kitten. Talk to your breeder of choice about being notified if an adult becomes available.

how much are maine coon cats

Maine Coon Price Range – price comparison chart – How much are Maine Coon Cats?

You have choices when it comes to choosing a Maine Coon Breeder to get your kitten from. If price is the most important factor in your decision-making process, here’s a quick table that shows current pricing from some Maine Coon breeders that have their prices listed on their websites. There are plenty more breeders, but some didn’t list prices.

These prices are documented as of June 2023 and are subject to be different or change at any time.

Cattery NameStatePrice
Sassy Koonz Florida$4,900 and Up
Royal Maine CoonsNorth Carolina$4,400 – $5,400
M & M Maine CoonsUtah$4,800
Colorado Maine CoonsColorado$4,500
Luxe KittensOklahoma$3,800 – $6,000
Atty CatsTexas$4,000 – $5,500

Sassy Koonz Maine Coon Kittens Start at $4,900

Included in the price of your Kitten:

  • A Luxurious Maine Coon Kitten that has been raised in my home
  • Access to a Private Sassy Koonz Portal where all of your kitten’s records, Registration, Pedigree, notes, and history can be viewed. You’ll have access to the portal after the kitten comes home, and you can also use it for record-keeping, reminders, etc.
  • Constant Communication While Your Kitten is here, making the “wait” seem shorter
  • Private Photos and Videos Sent to you directly of your kitten, not posted on social media
  • Five-Year Health Guarantee Replacement Policy that covers any health condition (not just genetic) resulting in the loss of your pet
  • $500 Reimbursement Vet Bill Policy covering any health issue for the first two years of your kitten’s life
  • Official Health Certificate Signed by Licensed USDA Certified Veterinarian
  • Registration Papers for The International Cat Association (TICA)
  • Health and Medical Records for Your Kitten
  • DNA Records from Both Parents of Your Kitten
  • Personality Assessment of Your Maine Coon Kitten
  • Personalized Facetime Video Chat with your Kitten and Me [Sassy Koonz Exclusive]
  • Microchipping and Free Lifetime Registration for Your Kitten
  • Adorable Travel Carrier
  • Two sets of FVRCP Vaccinations
  • FIV/FELV Testing [Negative]
  • Intestinal Parasite Testing [Negative]
  • Heartworm Testing [Negative]
  • Spay/Neuter Decided Case-By-Case
  • 30 Days Free – Trupanion Pet Insurance
  • Professional Quality Digital Photographs Posted on Weeks 5,7,9, and 11
  • Shampoo, Fluff Blow-Dry, Ear Cleaning, and Nail Trim Prior to Going Home
  • Grooming and Nail Clipping Training, so they’re used to it when they go home
  • Lifetime Support for You and Your Kitten
  • Delivery of the Kitten to Jacksonville International Airport for You to Pickup OR You can Pickup the Kitten at my House

*White Glove Delivery Service is Available Anywhere in the USA for a flat rate of $600 – $700. 

The price of our Maine Coon cats is subject to change at any time.

Deciding on a Breeder to Work With

Hopefully, this information serves you well. I try to educate the public in a non-biased fashion of things that I observe and learn as a high-quality Maine Coon breeder. Websites that claim someone is a scam or a fraud because of how much they charge for a kitten don’t fancy me. I prefer to help you understand why you may see a difference in pricing, and help you make the best decision for you and your family.

Maine coon kitten calico being held close to the camera
Triple Trouble: 3 Weeks Old

When you’re using google to discover how much are Maine Coon cats, keep some of this information in mind while you do your research. The Maine Coon Price is going to vary within 10-30%. We consider ourselves the Ferrari of Maine Coon Breeders. When you bring home a Sassy Koonz kitten, you’re getting the very best.

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4 Comments

  1. This is a great educational read and on point. I love the economic lesson, too! But mostly, my husband and I love the two MCs we added to our family, thanks to you.

  2. Thank you for being so open and transparent with all the knowledge that goes into this very intricate process! I don’t have a SassyCat yet but your always a great go to resource and an amazing person to give your time to us with questions in our past emergencies. We love you Tracy! Your amazing! 😻

  3. I’ve been thinking about getting a Maine Coon cat for years now, it’s always been my dream cat since I was a child. This web page was a cornucopia of information and knowledge and was really easy to read! It answered so many of my questions and I really appreciated how unbiased your information seemed compared to other breeders websites I’ve visited. I’m finally almost ready to pull the trigger on getting my dream Maine Coon cat, and I will definitely be looking to utilize your company first! Cheers!

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