How Much is a Maine Coon Cat?

Maine coons are kind of like the Great Dane of cats because they are gentle giants. Not only are they big, muscular and have gorgeous long fur, they are also incredibly smart, affectionate and playful! If you’ve loved Maine coons from afar and are thinking about bringing one into your life you may be wondering how much is a Maine coon cat. 

Let’s explore this topic so you know exactly what the upfront Maine coon costs are as well as some potential costs that you may incur in vet bills.

How Much Do Maine Coon Cats Cost?

The answer to the question “how much is a Maine coon cat” lies within a variety of factors such as age, bloodline, and color. For instance, you’ll pay a much higher price for the rarer silver or gold smoke Maine coon than for the more average (yet still beautiful) brown, orange or tortoiseshell tabby.

Maine coon kittens tend to be more expensive, especially when you factor in the additional time and cost of raising them from this young age. 

And finally, pedigree status is a primary factor when it comes to how much is a Maine coon cat. Purebred Maine coon kittens will cost anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000, and those cats with the highest lineage can cost even more. The high price is why it is so important to do your homework and select the right breeder. Be sure to meet with a few breeders before you make a final decision and ask a lot of questions. You will want to ask things like:

• Are the kittens’ parents “certified”? 
• Can I meet the parents?
• Have the kittens been socialized?
• Have the kittens had their vaccines? If so, which ones?
• Have they been dewormed?
• Have any kittens in the litter been sick?

This is a big financial decision and you want to ensure you are getting a healthy kitten from a reputable breeder. And yes, this will also cost more because the GOOD breeders take exceptional care of their cats. For instance, they only feed top-quality foods and make certain they get the very best vet care. 

So really, if you want the healthiest Maine coon cat, you’re going to pay a bit more.

Forget the High Maine Coon Cat Cost – Bring One Home for Less

You have your heart set on a Maine coon but are now realizing that you simply can’t afford to spend $1,000 to $2,000 or even more on a kitten. The truth is, there are older Maine coon cats available for adoption all around the country. Sadly, many Maine coon cat parents encounter reasons they need to put their cat up for adoption and you can do a search on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and local community posting boards. Usually when someone is in a situation where they need to find a loving home for their fur baby and quickly, there are no adoption fees. Often people will even give away leftover food and other supplies for free as well.

You can also find Maine coon cats at animal shelters and bring one home for between $100 and $400. Obviously with these shelter cats you will have no documented guarantee you have a purebred. But if you don’t plan to breed yourself and are simply looking for a big, beautiful cat to lounge with on the sofa, then you can give a fur baby currently sitting in a shelter a good home!

Maine Coon Health Problems – Vet Costs Can Add Up

Like any domestic dog or cat, Maine coons do come with their own specific health issues. And some of these health problems can become serious and costly if not caught in time and managed properly.

Hypertrophic Cardimyopathy (HCM)

HCM is commonly seen in Maine coons, particularly older cats and male cats of the breed. The disease occurs when the muscle walls of the cat’s heart thicken, which causes the heart to pump less efficiently. If not caught and treated, the condition can progress quickly, potentially leading to congenital heart failure.

The following warning signs may be experienced:

• Shallow breathing
• Paralysis
• Lethargy
• Coughing
• Severe weight loss

Should your cat experience any of these signs, it’s important to get them into the vet as soon as possible. Your vet may send you to a veterinary heart specialist to have an echocardiogram done, as that is the only way of detecting and diagnosing HCM. In cats where HCM has been diagnosed, beta-blockers, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors may be prescribed as treatments.

Hip Dysplasia

Another common Maine coon health problem is hip dysplasia. This is a genetic defect where the hip joint forms abnormally, resulting in the hip ball not fitting properly into the socket. Over time, the hip joint becomes damaged, and as the cat ages, they will typically develop very painful osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative joint disease. Without proper treatment, hip dysplasia can be crippling.

Cats who have been diagnosed with hip dysplasia are usually placed on a weight management diet, as extra weight is very hard to support on painful joints. Massage can also lessen the pain as can prescription medications.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disease in Maine coon cats where small cysts in the kidneys develop. These cysts are present at birth and grow and multiply over the cat’s life. As they develop, they disrupt the function of the kidneys and can even lead to kidney failure.

This disease tends to progress very slowly so cats don’t always show warning signs until it has progressed significantly. Look for:

• Lethargy
• Frequent urination
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Increased thirst
• Weight loss

To accurately diagnose, a genetic test and ultrasound are usually required. While the disease cannot be slowed and cysts cannot be removed, therapy and medications can help treat the condition, as well as a prescription diet to help kidney function.

Pet Health Insurance Can Help Offset Maine Coon Costs

Even those Maine coons with the best breeding and lineage can develop disease. Many will also experience a sudden and unexpected illness or injury at some point in their life. For instance, curious cats like to get into things and ingest stuff they shouldn’t. They can run out of the house and be injured by a dog or a car. They can develop a bad upper respiratory infection and suddenly need to be hospitalized.

All sorts of things happen and so many pet parents aren’t prepared to handle a vet bill that can be in the thousands of dollars. 

Pet health insurance can protect your Maine coon cat and your wallet at the same time! Take 2 minutes to get a free, customized quote today.

References:

1. https://mainecooncompanion.net/maine-coon-price/ “Maine Coon price is high, but does it really worth it?”
2. https://pethelpful.com/cats/Maine-Coon-Cats-Health-Problems “Maine Coon Cats: Health Problems Owners Must Know About”

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.