How much is a Maine Coon mix worth?

Last Updated: November 11, 2022

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • A Maine Coon’s price varies from about $800 – $2000 for a purebred kitten.
  • The price in your area depends on availability of kittens vs prospective cat parents, the cat’s bloodline, the quality of the cattery.
  • Maine Coon kittens are so expensive because breeding happy healthy cats is expensive. Pregnant queens and newborn kitten also require frequent veterinary care.
  • Finding a Maine Coon at a shelter or humane society is rare, contact a cattery near you instead to ask about giving an older Maine Coon a forever home. 
  • Don’t forget about ongoing costs of having a Maine Coon afterwards – food, litter, grooming, healthcare, cat trees, toys, and more. 

A Maine Coon’s price varies from about $800 – $2000 for a purebred kitten, initially. Many things factor into the price as I explain completely below.

Once you take your kitten home, you’ll have one time and on-going costs for general care, food, gear, and much more.

Below, I break down each of those, so you’ll get an approximate, and practical idea of total Maine Coon prices. I will also refer to related posts that elaborate on each topic.

But first, meet Chelle, my smoke silver Maine Coon. She came from a cattery on a neighboring island and was on the higher end of the range above. Basically, she taught me everything here!

Let’s get right into it!

  1. Maine Coon Price Range – Upfront
    1. Availability
    2. Quality of the Cattery’s Bloodlines
    3. Quality of Maine Coon Kittens
    4. Why Are Maine Coon Cats So Expensive?
    5. Thinking About Maine Coon Adoption?
  2. Cost of the Essential Gear
    1. Litter Box
    2. Litter
    3. Toys
    4. Cat Tree and Scratching Post
    5. Cat Tree
    6. Window Perch
    7. Food Bowl
    8. Cat Food
    9. Water Fountain
  3. Grooming and Care
    1. Daily Brush
    2. Deshedding Tool
    3. Nail Clippers
    4. Shampoo
    5. Professional Groomers
  4. Travel
    1. Carriers
    2. Adventuring
    3. Cat Boarding
  5. Healthcare
  6. Are Maine Coons Worth the Money?


Maine Coon Price Range – Upfront

Expect to pay between $800 – $2000 and up for a purebred Maine Coon kitten from a legitimate cattery. This is could be in Texas, Florida, New York, or anywhere in the USA. In my case, it’s Hawaii.

That is a big range. So let’s talk about the factors that determine a Maine Coon’s price. Contrary to what you may think, it’s not super complex.

Availability

I hate to be all nerdy here, but in economic terms… kittens are the supply. And buyers like you are the demand.

The more buyers have contacted a cattery regarding kitten availability, and have put down deposits, the higher price a Maine Coon breeder can ask.

As mentioned in my how to select a Maine Coon breeder post, reputable catteries may be hard to find near you.

As rule, large cities tend to have more reputable Maine Coon catteries around, but be sure to check the CFA list of accredited breeders.

If you can’t find kittens available from breeders you talk to, don’t be discouraged. It actually means they are limiting the breeding sessions to keep the Queen and her future litter healthy!

Lastly, keep in mind that the unique Maine Coon breed of cat is something like the third most popular cat breed… and there are lots of other people are in the market as well!

Quality of the Cattery’s Bloodlines

Plain and simple – breeders are in the game to produce the finest example of a Maine Coon cat.

The closer they are to that peak of the “breed standard,” then the more valuable their kittens are since a higher amount of work went into them.

Alternatively, if the cattery has cultivated a noteworthy bloodline like of extra large cats…

Or cats with human-like faces (LOL)

Then, naturally, their reputation allows them to demand for higher prices for their Maine Coon kittens.

Breeders love the breed – it is a labor of love, really. For their own reasons, the cat “fancy” bit them hard and won’t let go. It’s not about the money for them.

Seriously.

Breeders give up time, sweat, tears into their cats and towards showing them.

They simply put some of their kittens up for adoption to offset these expenses.

Check out my post on questions to ask a breeder before adoption if this topic interests you!

Quality of Maine Coon Kittens

This is referring to whether the kittens are show-quality or pet-quality.

From a litter, breeders decide if certain kittens are fit to be on the show circuit or in a breeding program. This group is “show quality.”

“Pet quality” kittens are basically everyone else. They can be up for adoption to an eligible adoptee, once they are spayed and neutered (to protect the bloodline).

In my opinion, for an average person looking for a Maine Coon, their expectation is a beautiful purebred pet with a pedigree. And pet-quality meets all those needs.

The price of pet quality Maine Coon kittens range from $800 – $1500.

To be totally honest, I struggled with whether to include this section at all. Because if a breeder is putting up a kitten for adoption, it most likely is pet quality…

Since they would be keeping the show quality in their own home for exhibitions!

Though, if you are looking for a show-quality cat, just ask the breeder. Show quality kittens can be a lot higher, with prices starting at $1500-$2000.

Why Are Maine Coon Cats So Expensive?

Maine Coons are expensive because of three main reasons.

  • First, breeding happy, healthy kittens is expensive. A cattery operation takes care of the breeding queen and stud and all other cats in their location. They have expenses like food, shelter, litter, healthcare, grooming, showing and so on.
  • A pregnant queen needs more frequent veterinary care. Her litter of kittens requires their shots, vaccinations, and health examinations. And in time, the kittens are spay or neutered.
  • In order to recoup the costs and stay remain solvent, breeders charge such prices for their Maine Coon kittens.
  • Second, many breeders show their cats on the show circuit. They do this because they love it, and to show off their hard work in producing the best Maine Coon specimens and bloodlines. Winning awards also boosts a cattery’s reputation, allowing them to ask for more.
  • Third, there are more buyers than sellers of Maine Coon kittens. So it’s a seller’s market. But as mentioned above, the high prices are high for a logical reason and is a sign of quality. Do your due diligence and pay the prices.

Thinking About Maine Coon Adoption?

Cats with some Maine Coon blood can be found in shelters, Humane Societies, and through online channels like Facebook, Craigslist, and so on.

Mixed cats are also every in the general population. You’ll find plenty of people online asking if their cat is a Maine Coon mix!

Rarely are purebred Maine Coons in shelters or humane societies. Besides being so gorgeous and striking, many breeders have a stipulation in their sales contact.

It states that if an owner becomes unable to take care of the cat, they will send it back to the cattery.

To find purebred Maine Coons for adoption, your best bet is to talk to breeders and catteries about adult or senior cats.

They may be retired breeding cats up for a relaxed life now. Or they could be older, distinguished cats ready perfect for a slower paced owner.


Cost of the Essential Gear

After the adoption process, and the kitten has come home, now we can look at costs associated with care and gear and everything in between. This is the second and more complex part of a Maine Coon’s price.

Let’s start with one of the essentials.

Litter Box

Litter boxes come in a few variations. Because of a Maine Coon’s size, you want large or jumbo litter boxes (whatever the type). See my complete picks on litter boxes here.

Open Pan Litter Box

Open pan litter boxes will cost between $10 – $40, depending on size and construction.

First is the open pan, the simplest type and one preferred by many cats for its spaciousness and room to maneuver during business time.

My breeder trained our Maine Coon kitten with open litter boxes, and I never switched her to another type. I wrote a full post on what exactly she recommended here. It’s always best to keep to what your kitten is used to, at least during the transition period.

Covered Litter Boxes

These are between $30 – $50.

Second type is a covered pan with a hood. Entry and exit are from the front or rear, just like open boxes, and lid covers any unsightly messes, odors, and stops litter spray when your Maine Coon digs and covers.

These hooded boxes are fine as long as you keep up with cleaning, including the hood. Out of sight should not mean out of mind.

Automatic Litter Boxes

Expect to pay between $150 – $300 here.

Third is the automatic cleaning self cleaning robot. A motion sensor detects when the cat exits and a rake or comb sifts through, dumping the waste material in a separate section.

Litter Box Enclosure

Litter box enclosures are around $50- $200, depending on the style of furniture.

Litter box enclosures or furniture are pieces that can fit a litter box in it and obscure it from view. You can even put it plain view with some none the wiser!

It transforms any litter box into a hidden litter box, and with so many styles to choose from, your litter box furniture will match your room too.

Litter

For an adult cat, there are a ton of litter materials and even more features to accommodate any cat or situation. We cover the main materials below.

But as a kitten, I recommend just one type.

Non-Clumping Litter

Non-clumping litter is about $10 – 30 for one to three month’s supply (20-30 pounds).

Non-clumping litter is made of natural materials like wood pellets, paper, or plants. They have the appearance of larger grains.

Because of the large size, pellets are naturally dust-free and non-tracking (meaning they do not stick to your cat’s paws and “track” outside the box).

Have your kitten use a non-clumping pellet litter and box like the Tidy Cats Breeze XL Litter Box System until they are 4-5 months old. After that, a quality low-dust clumping litter can be used for convenience.

This is because in the chance your kitten ingests litter, clumping litter can cause intestinal blockages!

Clay Litter

A typical clumping low-dust clay litter is $10 – 30 for one to three month’s supply (20-30 pounds).

Clay litter is the standard cat litter we all know about, which clumps when exposed to liquid. While convenient, there are definite drawbacks to be aware of.

Some brands track a lot out of the litter box, can be dusty which can be irritating or even toxic to humans and cats with respiratory issues. And extracting of bentonite clay is damaging to the environment.

Natural Litter

Expect to pay between $8 – $12 per 20 lbs or a months supply.

Lastly, there are eco-friendly litters that are plant-based or biodegradable. We are talking materials like wood shavings, walnut shells, coconut husks, and more.

Like many things natural and organic, price can be bit higher than clumping sand litter and effectiveness a bit lower.

Toys

Most small toys such as wands, balls, plushes, track toys for a Maine Coon are under the $10 – 15 range. Large items like long track toys, multilevel toys, or cat tunnels are $20 – $30.

Remember though, that Maine Coons are extremely intelligent and may get bored of any toy you provide. So… each toy is cheap, but you’ll probably buy a lot of them to keep your cat entertained.

And of course, you don’t need to pay for toys! Cats can be amused by anything – a bit of string, an ice cube, and of course, the empty cardboard box.

Cat Tree and Scratching Post

A basic scratching post made from sisal material and carpet would be in the $20-75 range.

Your Maine Coon was honed by nature to be assassin of mice and other smaller animals. She is a predator who needs to exercise and scratch.

All cat owners need to supply a place to scratch. Otherwise, your furniture and drapes are going to feel the wrath.

Cat Tree

A full cat tree with multi-levels, hiding spots, a kitty condo, and many lounging areas is $100 – $300.

You can supplement this with carpet samples or old rugs (or smaller cat trees) placed strategically around the house.

Window Perch

Window perches or beds can range from $40-100.

On top of a cat tree, look a cat window perch. These are easy to set up and sturdy items that can resemble beds, hammocks, platforms, and can be attached to a window (drilled or giant suction cups).

Cats love to stare out the window at birds or passing nature, so if your cat is strictly indoor give them the treat of a great view.

Food Bowl

A Maine Coon-appropriate wide food bowl with low sides will run you $20-25.

Maine Coons have extremely long whiskers, which bump into the sides of regular dishes, making it very uncomfortable to eat. These uniquely design bowls reduce a stressor and are very much appreciated.

Proper bowls should be glass, porcelain, or stainless steel. Beware of porous plastic or melanine bowls, they absorb moisture and can harbor bacteria after some time!

Cat Food

Budget about $100 a month on wet and dry good combined.

Next up is cat food, of the wet and dry variety. Make sure you buy products where protein is the primary ingredient.

Carbohydrates should only make up about 5% your Maine Coon’s daily intake. There are too many brands and types to mention, but a good rule is to buy the best quality cat good you can afford.

Don’t risk the nutritional or health issues with cheap food. Alternatively, food can help with health issues too. Human grade or biologically appropriate food will be more expensive.

Water Fountain

Be prepared to spend between $25 – $75 on a good cat water fountain with a filter, no matter the brand.

You must have a supply of filtered, fresh, and moving source of water for your Maine Coon to drink. Maine Coons are leery of drinking from a still container as it seems stale and may have bacteria.

That makes sense even from for a human.

Consider a circulating fountain to encourage drinking of water. A fountain will double as a toy, because the Maine Coon personality indicates an affinity for water…

And I guarantee they’ll be sticking their paws into it or just gazing into it.


Grooming and Care

Your new Maine Coon is a long haired cat, so regular grooming is a must. In fact it was part of my adoption contract with my breeder. You’ll need a few types of brushes.

Daily Brush

A great wire slicker brush will run you around $10 – 20.

A wire slicker brush should be used daily to smooth out the coat, and remove dust, dirt, and loose fur. These have wide, deep bristles for stress-free, feel-good experience!

Deshedding Tool

There are between $10 – $30.

A deshedding tool is a brush that gets deep into the undercoat and removes loose fur not falling off on its own. This prevents knots, mats, and tangles.

It also stops furballs proactively, because your cat isn’t swallowing fur as they groom themselves. A quick session a few times a week with a deshedding tool is enough.

Nail Clippers

$10-20 for a pair of metal nail clippers made for animal use is about right here. Do this a few times month, and get the kitten acclimated to exposing their paws and nails to you early.

Make it not a big deal, then clip the tips of the nails. If don’t feel comfortable doing this, bring your Maine Coon to the groomers.

Shampoo

$10 – $20 for a bottle of shampoo that is scent free and hypoallergenic (unlike your Maine Coon).

Professional Groomers

Expect to pay $50 – $150 every trip to the groomers. Plus a 10 – 15% tip every time 🙂

With my lady, the services are ala carte, so the total is different each time. We choose from a spa menu of a full bath, brushout, comb, haircut, hair trimming, sanitary trim, brush teeth, clean ears, nails, and so on.

I order what I think will make my Maine Coon happy and comfortable throughout the seasons.


Travel

Carriers

Prices range from $50 – $200 on average, and vary based on brand and materials.

When taking your Maine Coon to the groomers, the vet, road trips or even airplanes, you need a quality carrier. Cat carriers fall into two general categories: hard and soft.

Hard carriers are better for difficult Maine Coons, who might fight their way out a soft carrier. Owners of chill Maine Coons may put them in a soft carrier.

Your cat is going to be spending some sensitive and impressionable times in here. So it should be comfortable, safe, easy to load and unload, and finally, super secure.

Adventuring

A cat harness and leash for walking is $15 – 30.

It’s no secret, Maine Coons can be trained to be adventure cats. True, not all of them have the personality to go kayaking or climb Everest with you, but walking your Maine Coon outside is a real possibility.

Believe me, that’s adventure enough.

Cat backpacks will run you between $30 – 100

And for owners that want to bring the outdoors to your cat while keeping them in comfort and safety, cat backpacks are totally a thing.

Cat Boarding

Cat-only hotels are between $25 – $50 per night, at least here in Honolulu. This might differ in your city.

This is either affordable or expensive, depending on expectations. If going this route, plan a trip to check out the facility and get details on how your cat will eat, drink, manage litter, etc. See your cats “room” too!

Instead of boarding, your area might have a business where someone comes to your home once a day to feed wet food, change the liter box, and play with Fluffy. This is likely less stressful for your cat.

Another option is to organize a friend or family to cat sit full time in your house.


Healthcare

Annual check ups, boosters, vaccinations will be $200 – $500 annually.

With overall Maine Coon price, on-going health care is not bad, if your cat is healthy. And Maine Coons typically are healthy and hardy!

Revolution for cats is about $30 a month and is my regular flea, worm and tick treatment of choice. Application is super easy, just squeeze the solution on the back of your cat’s neck.

If unexpected healthcare issues come up, costs can range from just a few hundred to thousands of dollars.

You may want to look into insurance from the beginning of their life.


Are Maine Coons Worth the Money?

Yes, despite the high costs, Maine Coons are worth every penny. A high price from a quality breeder should put you at ease, know a ton of work was put into your happy and healthy kitten.

The upfront price and daily cost are not meant to frighten or shock, but just to help potential parents see the upfront and ongoing expenses in detail for planning purposes.

Of course, it’s all worth it! Just be aware of the type of life you are buying into 🙂

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How much is a Maine Coon mix worth?

Cat dad to a 15 lb Maine Coon. Have taken care of outdoor and indoor cats for over 10 years, and learned tons on behavior, habits, health, and products. I help new Maine Coon (or any other cat) parents with common questions and issues based on real, practical experience.

How much is a mixed Maine Coon cat?

Maine Coon kittens have become increasingly popular over the last few decades, and have an expensive price tag to match their huge popularity levels. What is this? As one of the most expensive cat breeds to own in the world, potential owners should be prepared to pay an average of $400-$2000 US dollars per kitten.

How much is a half Maine Coon cat worth?

The average cost of a good quality Maine Coon kitten is around $400 to over $2,000. For superior pedigrees, Maine Coon breeders can charge as much as $2,500 to $3,500. This may even go higher for rare-colored kittens. As the demand for Maine Coon cats increases, the prices are only expected to go higher as well.

How big do Maine Coon mix cats get?

Typically, a Maine Coon tabby mix is slightly smaller than a purebred Maine Coon. Males can grow up to 16 inches tall while females pop up to 14 inches. In terms of length, they are roughly the same, about 40 inches long. Males can weigh slightly more because of their size, topping out at about 25 lb..

How much is a purebred Maine Coon cat worth?

Purebred Main Coon kittens will cost anywhere between $1,000 – $2,000. The high price makes choosing the right breeder essential. Meet the breeder before the official purchase to ask questions. Don't be afraid to inquire about the cats and their personalities.