Maine Coon FAQs

About the Maine Coon Breed 

What is a Maine Coon's personality like? 

Maine Coons are known as the "Gentle Giants" of the cat fancy and are highly intelligent, sweet-tempered, and loyal. They are often described as having a "golden retriever temperament" wrapped in a cat's body because they are very sociable, get along well with children and dogs, and love to follow their owners from room to room. Maine Coons are also famous for a few unique quirks. They generally chirp and trill rather than meow, they are fascinated by water, and many will even play fetch. 

How big do Maine Coons get? 

They are the largest of all pedigreed cats, but they develop slowly and do not reach their full size until they are three to five years old. Adult males typically weigh between 18 and 22 pounds, while females are usually smaller, ranging from 12 to 16 pounds. Fully grown males can be impressively long, sometimes reaching 42 to 48 inches from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail. 

General Care

Do they require a lot of grooming? 

Despite having long, shaggy coats, Maine Coons are relatively easy to maintain. Their coat is silky and a weekly combing (or brushing with a wire toothed brush) is usually all that is required to prevent mats and keep them looking their best. You may need to comb them more frequently during heavy shedding seasons in the spring and fall to prevent hairballs. 

Should I declaw my Maine Coon? 

Absolutely not. Declawing is an inhumane amputation of the first joint of each toe. It can cause long-term pain, spinal issues, biting tendencies, and litter box avoidance. Declawing a kitten will void all health guarantees and is strictly forbidden in our contracts.  You will, however, need to trim their nails routinely (every 2-3 weeks) to prevent them from curling or breaking and causing pain to your cat.  (It can also save your furniture!)  This is especially important with polydactyl cats as untrimmed claws can curl back into their paw and cause serious pain and even infections.

When should I spay or neuter my kitten? 

We recommend waiting to spay or neuter your kitten between 7 and 9 months of age. Because Maine Coons are a large, slow-growing breed, their hormones play an important role in skeletal development and the closure of growth plates. Sterilizing too early can increase the risk of joint disorders like hip dysplasia. 

Maine Coon Ownership

What food do you recommend we feed our Maine Coon?

Maine Coons require a high protein diet.  While there are several good brands that offer high protein foods, we use Purina One or Purina Pro Plan.  You can certainly change them to another high quality food like Royal Canin but we recommend you keep them on the food they are used to for at least a couple weeks after they go home.  Then you can slowly introduce them to other brands.  We offer our cats wet food twice a day and access to dry food all day as well as a generous supply of fresh water.  Healthy Maine Coons should be long and lean.  If you notice them getting a thick stomach, it's time to start cutting the quantity back. Cooked "people food" is never a good idea, especially any food that has cooked bones in it as they could choke on the splintery bones.  Cooked food does not contain the nutrients cats need and some can even be harmful.  

Kittens need to stay on high quality kitten food until they are at least 1 year of age to give them the nutrients they need to fully develop.   Never give a kitten (or adult cat) cows milk.  It can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramping and painful gas.  Our kittens will never leave our cattery until they are 12 weeks old and eating solid foods.

What kind of food and water bowls work best?

Wide, shallow stainless steel or ceramic dishes that are slightly elevated are best.  The shallow bowls help with whisker fatigue and the elevation helps with digestion and posture for long-bodied cats.  Plastic bowls are not recommended as they are easily scratched and can retain bacteria. Low-grade plastics can even degrade over time and leach chemicals into their food and water.  

Maine Coons are notorious for "pawing" and splashing in water bowls. Use heavy, weighted ceramic bowls or an elevated pet fountain with a spill mat underneath. 

What size litter box does a Maine Coon need?

Because of their large size, standard sized litter boxed are too small.  Aim for an extra-large box that is at least 22-24 inches long and 15-18 inches wide. Stainless steel boxes are best as they do not scratch or absorb ammonia odors and are easy to scoop and sanitize.  High walls (10-14 inches) or one with a tall lid are ideal, especially for males.

How much exercise and stimulation do they need? 

Maine Coons crave company and thrive in homes where they have frequent interaction with family members, other cats, or cat-friendly dogs. They love being up high with their people. Provide wide window perches and/or climbing towers where they can observe family activities. Stock sturdy teaser wands, puzzle feeders, kick sticks, and heavy-duty balls to help keep them entertained. Avoid flimsy toys with small plastic beads or loose strings that could be swallowed. 

Can I use a standard cat tree from a pet store?

Standard cardboard and particle board cat trees will not stand up to the size and strength of an adult Maine Coon.  For a young kitten, they are fine but be prepared to replace it with something much sturdier.  Look for heavy, solid wood bases with all levels of the tree supported by at least 2 posts.  They need extra thick sisal scratching posts (at least 3.5-5") in diameter that allow full-body vertical stretching.  At least one of the lounging perches should be 18-24 inches across so your cat can sleep safely stretched out.

Purchasing and Adoption

How much does a kitten cost and do you require a deposit? 

The price of a Maine Coon kitten varies depending on quality (pet or show quality - we do not sell breeding cats), gender, and size, but prices generally range from $2,000 to $3,500.  To reserve a kitten, we require a non-refundable deposit of $500, which goes toward the final purchase price.  

Do you ship kittens? 

While we generally prefer you to pick up your kitten in person, you are welcome to fly in and take your kitten home in the airplane cabin under your seat. We will be happy to meet you at the airport for a fee.  

Do we run genetic tests on our cat?

Yes!  All of our breeding cats are genetically tested and found clear of known Maine Coon conditions, including HCM, PKD, SMA, and PKdef.  They are also FIV/FeLV negative.

How do I know you are an ethical breeder and not a scammer? 

Unfortunately, scammers are very common. Legitimate breeders will have a registered cattery (with organizations like TICA or CFA), willingly provide pedigrees, offer verifiable references, and speak with you on the phone.  They should also offer video chat and/or in-person visits with the kittens and their living spaces before the kitten is scheduled to be picked up or delivered. Red flags for scammers include incredibly low prices, insisting on text-only or Facebook-only communication, refusing to show photos or videos of the kitten's parents, using stolen or AI generated photos, asking for unusually high deposits, or demanding you use the "Buy Now" button without an interview.