| The only way to be 100% sure of getting a verified | | | | what you are paying for. If this is just not important, |
| pure breed Maine Coon cat is to buy a pedigree kitten | | | | you can sometimes find cheaper Maine Coons that |
| from a breeder. The breeder should be able to present | | | | are called "pet quality" meaning they do not meet the |
| a family tree of your cat's pedigree and provide | | | | required physical standards for showing. This does not |
| relevant certification. | | | | mean they are not perfectly healthy. |
| A recommended place to start a search for a | | | | 3. Does the stud live with the breeder? If not, can the |
| reputable breeder in your local area is the "Maine Coon | | | | breeder guarantee that the stud has not been |
| Breed Fanciers Association" ( Maine Coon kittens can | | | | subjected to any illnesses e.g. cat flu. Has the breeder |
| be instantly recognizable by the long tufty ears and | | | | bred the stud before? |
| oversized paws, as seen in the classic longhaired | | | | 4. Is there any known heredity illnesses in the ancestral |
| American however there is a European strain of | | | | line such as HCM (can cause heart failure) and hip |
| Maine Coon, (my own Maine Coon, King Henry comes | | | | problems? |
| from a German line) which has a shorter ruff around | | | | 5. Have any of the other cats suffered from any |
| the neck, and often a fuller, squarer muzzle. The | | | | illnesses for e.g. have any recent litters suffered from |
| differences are not apparent until the cat is between | | | | any strain of cat flu? |
| 12 to 18 months. | | | | 6. If relevant to your situation, ask if the kitten is |
| In terms of identifying a "pure" pedigree Maine Coon, | | | | comfortable around other animals and children? |
| you'll be relying quite heavily on information the breeder | | | | 7. At what point, could the kittens leave their mother (I |
| is presenting to you. If you have difficulty finding a | | | | would be concerned if the breeder allowed the kitten |
| reputable breeder, you could try and get a | | | | to leave it's mother if it is less than 12 weeks). |
| recommendation by talking to individuals at a Maine | | | | 8. Will a vet check the kittens before leaving the |
| Coon event or an "all breeds" Cat show. It is essential | | | | breeder's home? How many times? If the Maine Coon |
| you are happy with your breeder - if you are | | | | becomes ill after it has left the breeder, who is |
| becoming a Maine Coon owner for the first time, you | | | | responsible for paying vet's fees or could the kitten be |
| may need to rely on their expert advice. | | | | returned to the breeder? |
| You can expect to pay anywhere between $500 and | | | | 9. You'll also want to find out how often the queen is |
| $800 for a pure breed Maine Coon. With food, litter, | | | | impregnated; because a queen subjected to "too |
| vet bills and cat-sitters for holidays, Maine Coons can | | | | regular" pregnancies can be prone to producing weak |
| be a relatively expensive investment. All Maine Coon | | | | or sickly kittens. |
| owners will agree that they are a truly wonderful | | | | Other things you may want to check/do: |
| breed and will repay you many times over. | | | | 10. The living conditions of the stud and queens e.g. the |
| IMPORTANT TIP: This could save a lot of heartache, | | | | cleanliness of the cages/rooms and the health/welfare |
| trouble and expense later on; When buying an | | | | of the cat etc. |
| expensive pet, do not go for the kitten you feel sorry | | | | 11. Will the cats be litter trained before they move to |
| for and looks like it needs help. Any kittens with signs | | | | their new homes? |
| of withdrawal, low energy or general apathy, should | | | | 12. Also, the environment where the mother and kittens |
| really be avoided. Choose an independent, lively, | | | | are living. Are there toys, clean litter, warmth, food and |
| energetic kitten. Pick out kittens that don't necessarily | | | | water? |
| come to you but are, however, interested in their | | | | 13. Check the eyes of the kitten to evaluate its health. |
| surroundings. | | | | Never purchase a kitten that has weeping eyes. |
| It's best to pick a local breeder and visit them in their | | | | 14. The breeder's contract. Have a read of the written |
| home, when you're first making your initial enquiries to | | | | agreement before you commit yourself. Pay particular |
| check the kitten's living conditions, health and welfare | | | | attention to areas of responsibility should the kitten |
| of all cats living in the same environment. | | | | become unwell soon after you've bought him/her. |
| Although it sounds like common sense, have questions | | | | 15. You should book your new kitten in for an all round |
| prepared that will help you to establish whether the | | | | check with your own vet almost as soon as you've |
| breeder can be trusted. | | | | collected from the breeder. If there are any signs of |
| Questions you'll definitely want to ask: | | | | problems, you'll want to know within the first 24 hours. |
| 1. How much experience does the breeder have? If | | | | On the whole, Maine Coon breeders are passionate |
| you need assurance about the breeder's ability | | | | about their cats and love what they do. There's not a |
| expertise ask to speak to someone who has recently | | | | whole lot of money to be made in breeding Maine |
| purchased a Maine Coon from that breeder. | | | | Coons, and it is very demanding work. |
| 2. Who are the kittens' parents and are they | | | | Unless, your gut feeling tells you otherwise, you can |
| champions? Even if you don't intend to show your cat, | | | | expect to be talking to breeders who are totally |
| you'll still want to find out about their pedigree. That's | | | | dedicated Maine Coon lovers. |