So you’re thinking about buying a Maine Coon cat and you’re wondering how much do Maine Coons cost? Well, we’re here to give you the rundown on all costs associated with getting your hands on a brand new kitten.
Maine Coons are very sought-after cats and therefore come with a hefty price tag. Especially if you buy a purebred cat. Prices will increase even more depending on whether the cat is a kitten or adult. There are also other factors that determine the price of the lovely cats which we will talk about later in the guide.
Generally, Maine Coon cats cost between $400 to $2000 and this depends on a lot of factors including the cat’s age, pedigree, health status, and the location you buy the cat from. A kitten cost significantly more than adults and whether the cat is purebred makes a massive difference.
With all that said, lets get into the details of what determines a coon cat cost.
Why Are Maine Coons So Expensive?
They’re so expensive because they are a quite unique cat breed. They are famous for being gentle giants and the dogs of the cat world.
Our cat Lai (who is half a coon) literally plays fetch and follows us around constantly. Even if we leave the bedroom door closed for a few minutes he cries and jumps up and opens the door to get in.
They are also great cats to have as part of a family with kids because of their docile demeanor and friendly personality.
However, as the saying goes you pay for quality and a cat from a reputable cattery is going to cost you significantly more than buying it privately.
But why are Maine Coons so expensive. What factors are being considered when determining the price?
How Is The Cost Of A Maine Coon Determined?
There are several factors used to determine Maine Coon price. We have listed the 7 most important factors below with an explanation of each.
Health & Checkups
It wouldn’t be nice to take home your new kitty and realize it’s got health issues that will end up costing you a fortune down the line.
Moreover, a Maine Coon cat costs more depending on whether it’s been neutered or spayed. Other health maintenance factors such as vaccination status will all make a difference to the price.
This is to be expected as the cattery or owner had to spend money maintaining the health of the cat so this has to be factored into the price.
Age
An older cat costs less than a kitten. Mainly due to the fact that kittens will live longer and are in higher demand because they are so cute.
A huge part of the cat-owning experience is taking care of them and watching them grow.
Color
It sounds kind of funny but the color or coat pattern does play a factor when determining the price of a Maine Coon cat.
Some coat colors are more common than others leading to the price being lower. Gold/Orange and Silver Maine Coons are the rarest of all and can go for significantly more than other common colors.
Check out our awesome article if you’re interested in reading more about Maine Coon colors.
Quality
The cost of the cat is determined by the quality of the cat itself.
But what determines the quality? A high-quality cat will be in perfect health, have every vaccination, and be certified purebred.
If you’re looking for the best quality Maine Coon kittens make sure to do your research and find a reputable cattery.
Certifications
Certifications in terms of buying a cat mean whether the breeder has actual documents to show you that it is purebred.
Of course, this is very important because you don’t want to pay a premium fee for a breed that’s not even purebred.
Every reputable breeder should be listed on popular cat association sites including the International Cat Association and the Cat Fanciers Association. These two organizations are trusted and provide a great resource for people looking for reputable breeders.
Breeder Reputation
Every cat breeder will have a certain level of reputation. Normally, breeders hold a certain status with a certain breed.
So if you’re looking for Maine Coon kittens it’s best to do your research and look for a reputable seller in your area.
Some breeders even keep show-quality cats but be aware that you’ll be paying a hefty surplus for these.
They should also be able to give you papers to prove the cat’s pedigree so you know for certain you’re buying real Maine Coon kittens.
Location of Purchase
If you live in the USA, the costs will vary wildly. This is determined partly by the cost of living in each state. For example, New York is significantly more expensive to live in compared to Indiana.
So the costs of maintaining a cat’s health and facilities will vary in cost from state to state.
The same idea applies to what country you buy the cat in. A country with a higher cost of living will mean a cat will cost more.
It’s important to bear in mind that breeders or private sellers need to facilitate the cat, and spend money on veterinary bills, food, toys, etc.
Gender
Whether the cat is a male Maine Coon or a female can make a difference in how much the cat costs.
Females are often sold for more because they can be used for breeding.
How Much Is A Purebred Maine Coon?
A purebred cat can cost anywhere between $1500 to $2000. The reason why a full blooded Maine Coon is so expensive is because you’re most likely buying it from a reputable seller so it’s guaranteed to be a purebred.
Buying from a breeder is a sure way to know you’re buying a real Coon, many people have been tricked before or they simply pay full price for a cat that looks like one but is not actually real.
So it’s best to know how much coon kittens cost and to check the reputation of the seller.
Buying Maine Coon Kittens Or An Adult?
This is entirely down to preference and also your personal budget. Buying a fully grown cat costs less than buying a kitten. Maine coon kittens from a registered breeder tend to cost anywhere between $800 to $2000.
Whereas an adult Maine Coon costs more on the lower side of that estimate, more in the range of $800 to $1000.
Adult cats are a great addition to a family because it’s most likely already been trained and is well used to people.
Also, the cost of maintenance tends to be lower compared to a Maine Coon kitten because you don’t need to experiment with different types of food and toys.
Adult cats will know what their preferences are and the breeder will inform you of this when purchasing.
Finding A Good Breeder
As mentioned previously, there are some helpful websites you can use to look for reputable breeders.
Namely, the CFA and ICA, you may also want to check out the American Cat Fanciers Association. If you’re from the UK, you may find The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy helpful for finding breeders.
Now that you know where to find the best Maine Coon breeders. It’s important to know what to look out for and what to expect.
If you find one from these organizations mentioned above it’s a guarantee that you’re buying a real Maine Coon cat. If you wish to make double sure that you’re buying a real cat ask the seller to show you a genetics testing result.
You should also make sure the kitten is vaccinated and has been sent to the vet at least once.
The cattery will be able to provide you with certifications and health records.
Maine Coon Prices By Country
Below we have listed the average Maine Coon cat price from several different countries. Every price is determined by the factors we mentioned above so they will vary.
United States
The prices mentioned above were in reference to the United States so a Maine Coon cat costs between $400 to $2000 on average.
United Kingdom
Kittens in the United Kingdom should cost between 400 to 1600 GBP depending on the pedigree, health, and age of the cat.
Ireland
The cost of a Maine Coon cat in Ireland can range from €480- €750. This varies based on where you buy the cat and if it’s bought from a registered breeder.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, the price of a Maine Coons can vary. The average price is between 1500-2000 NZD.
A fun fact about Maine Coons in New Zealand – The Covid-19 pandemic pushed up the demand for pets in New Zealand and the demand for Maine Coons skyrocketed with some sellers charging up to 5000 NZD per cat.
Australia
In Australia, the price of Maine Coons normally falls in the range of 1000 to 3000 AUD. Local breeders tend to charge less than professional breeders.
Maine Coon Costs – Lifelong Caring To Consider
Like every other pet, there are lifelong maintenance costs to consider and Maine Coons are no different.
The average Maine Coon cat lives for about 12 or so years, which means you’ll be financially supporting your new furbaby for over a decade at least.
It’s important to take into consideration that you’ll be paying for food, toys, health checkups, and a range of other accessories such as toiletries, litterboxes, scoops, food and water bowls, brushes for grooming, beds, and the list goes on.
The costs could realistically get to anywhere between 90 to 120 USD per month.
Let’s do the math people. Take the medium of 100 per month and multiply that by 12 months. That’s 1200 USD per year. Now multiply 1200 x 12 and you get $14,400 over the cat’s lifespan.
Bear in mind that this does not take into consideration random illnesses that may occur.
What’s The Average Cost Of A Maine Coon Cat?
The average cost of a Maine Coon kitten will be somewhere between $1000 to $1500. This depends on a lot of factors including where you purchase the cat, whether it’s a kitten or adult, and the pedigree(how pure the breed is). Who you buy the cat from also matters because some breeders will charge more.
You may also find that it’s possible to purchase a cat on sale or even adopt from a rescue. These cats will be typically cheaper than buying from a seller.
Maine Coon Cat Cost FAQs
How Much Should I Pay For A Maine Coon Kitten?
A Maine Coon kitten will cost on average between $800 to $2000 depending on the breeder status. Expect to pay in the higher region for a cat from a registered breeder. It’s recommended to only buy from a reputable breeder if you want to make sure it’s a real purebred Maine Coon.
Conclusion
It’s really exciting that you are looking into getting a Maine Coon kitten. They are the most beautiful and loyal cats one can own. I guess by now you’ve figured that there’s more than just a simple answer to the question.
To summarize, the price of a Maine Coon kitten is going to differ wildly depending on a range of different factors. The main ones being the pedigree, health, age and of course location.
Its also important to keep in mind the lifelong costs of keeping the cat aswel.
We hope this guide was helpful and if you enjoyed it make sure to explore more of our Maine Coon guides while you’re here.
Elliot is the owner and lead writer at Lais Lairs. He is the proud owner of a Maine Coon/Siberian Mix cat named Lai. His oldest cat lived to be 18 years old so he’s learned a thing or two about keeping pets. When he’s not writing you can find him playing video games or playing fetch with Lai.
