How much does a Maine Coon kitten cost?

A Maine Coon kitten from a registered, health-testing cattery typically costs 1,000 to 2,500 US dollars, with show lines higher. Adults and retired breeding cats run 300 to 800 dollars. Listings far below that range usually mean no health testing, a mix sold as purebred, or a scam.

Why are Maine Coons so expensive?

Responsible Maine Coon breeding is costly: DNA and cardiac screening for HCM, tests for SMA and PKD, hip evaluations, registration, quality food and 12-plus weeks of kitten care before placement. The price reflects that work — and skipping it is how cheap kittens end up with heartbreaking vet bills.

Can I adopt a Maine Coon instead of buying one?

Yes, though purebreds are less common in shelters. Watch breed-specific rescues, set alerts for Maine Coons and Maine Coon mixes at local shelters, and check rehoming listings — owners do rehome adult Maine Coons when life changes, usually for a modest rehoming fee.

What health tests should Maine Coon breeders do?

At minimum: HCM screening (the HCM DNA test plus periodic echocardiograms, since the DNA test alone doesn't catch everything), SMA and PKD genetic tests, and hip dysplasia evaluation — Maine Coons are one of the few cat breeds prone to it. Ask to see the results, not just hear about them.

How big do Maine Coons get?

Maine Coons are the largest domestic cat breed: males commonly 13 to 18 pounds (some over 20), females 8 to 12. They mature slowly, reaching full size around 3 to 5 years old — so a lanky one-year-old still has years of growing to do.

How do I find a mate for my Maine Coon?

Look for a registered, health-tested match: HCM (DNA plus echo), SMA, PKD and hip results on both cats, complementary pedigrees, and a written stud agreement. Breed clubs, cattery networks and breeding-match platforms that show health status are the responsible routes — never an anonymous classified.

A Maine Coon cat with a long brown tabby coat sitting in a sunlit living room

Maine Coon Kittens & Cats: Costs, Where to Find One, and Breeding Matches

The gentle giant of the cat world comes with a giant price tag — and a market full of fakes. Here's what Maine Coons really cost, how to find one near you the safe way, and how owners find responsible breeding matches.

By the Cruzapet TeamGuided by CFA & TICA breed standards and ICC guidanceUpdated July 2026~7 min read

How much does a Maine Coon cost?

A Maine Coon kitten from a registered, health-testing cattery runs $1,000–$2,500 (show lines higher); adults and retired breeders $300–$800; and a "cheap Maine Coon" under ~$500 almost always means no health testing, a mix, or a scam.

Registered cattery kitten$1,000–$2,500 · health-tested parents, papers, 12+ weeks with mom

Adult / retired breeder$300–$800 · the underrated route to a genuine Maine Coon

Rescue / rehoming$50–$300 · rare but real; adults appear when owners' lives change

"Cheap purebred" ad$100–$500 · red flag: no testing, mixes sold as purebred, or scams

Meet the breed (before you commit)

Maine Coons earn the "gentle giant" label: the largest domestic breed (males 13–18+ lb, full size only at 3–5 years), famously sociable, dog-like in their loyalty, and talkative in chirps and trills rather than meows. What that means in practice:

Space and sturdiness: big cats need big cat trees, big litter boxes and play time — they stay kittenish for years.
Grooming: that shaggy coat needs brushing 2–3× a week; expect real shedding.
Health you must know about: the breed is prone to HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — the reason cardiac screening matters), plus SMA, PKD and, unusually for cats, hip dysplasia. Every legitimate source tests for these.
Lifespan: commonly 12–15 years with good care.

Where to find a Maine Coon near you

1. A registered cattery (kittens)

For pedigree kittens with tested parents — the standard route.

Insist on seeing health results (HCM DNA and echo, SMA, PKD, hips), meeting the mother, and papers from CFA or TICA. Visits welcomed, kittens held to 12+ weeks. You can meet registered owners and catteries via cat breeders near you.

2. Rehoming listings (adults)

The best-value genuine Maine Coon most buyers never consider.

Owners do rehome adult Maine Coons — moves, allergies, life changes — usually with full history and a modest fee. An adult's size and temperament are already known: zero surprises. Check cats for adoption near you.

3. Breed rescues & shelter alerts

For the patient — purebreds surface, mixes surface often.

Maine Coon rescues exist regionally, and "Maine Coon mix" shelter cats deliver much of the breed's charm at adoption prices. Ask shelters to flag you when one comes in.

The "cheap Maine Coon kitten" trap: this breed's popularity makes it a scam magnet. Stolen photos of huge fluffy cats, $400 "purebreds," shipping fees to nowhere — the pattern is identical to every kitten scam: money requested before you ever see the cat. Meet in person, see the mother, see the tests. If any of the three is refused, walk.

For Maine Coon owners: finding a responsible breeding match

A responsible Maine Coon pairing means both cats are registered and health-tested — HCM (DNA + echocardiogram), SMA, PKD and hips — with complementary pedigrees and a written agreement before any mating.

If you have a registered Maine Coon and are considering a litter, the match matters more than the convenience: an untested pairing can pass HCM straight into every kitten. Look for owners who volunteer their cats' results, verify registration, and put the stud terms in writing. Create a profile for your cat on Cruzapet to find registered, health-conscious matches near you — and if you're new to the process, our responsible mate-finding guide explains the same principles (health first, contracts always) that apply to cats.

Find Maine Coons near you — kittens, adults, and breeding matches

Cruzapet connects you with owners rehoming Maine Coons, registered breeders, and health-conscious breeding matches — honest profiles, no anonymous classifieds.

Browse Maine Coons near you

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Maine Coon kitten cost?: A Maine Coon kitten from a registered, health-testing cattery typically costs $1,000–$2,500, with show lines higher. Adults and retired breeding cats run $300–$800. Listings far below that range usually mean no health testing, a mix sold as purebred, or a scam.
Why are Maine Coons so expensive?: Responsible Maine Coon breeding is costly: DNA and cardiac screening for HCM, tests for SMA and PKD, hip evaluations, registration, quality food and 12-plus weeks of kitten care before placement. The price reflects that work — and skipping it is how cheap kittens end up with heartbreaking vet bills.
Can I adopt a Maine Coon instead of buying one?: Yes, though purebreds are less common in shelters. Watch breed-specific rescues, set alerts for Maine Coons and Maine Coon mixes at local shelters, and check rehoming listings — owners do rehome adult Maine Coons when life changes, usually for a modest rehoming fee.
What health tests should Maine Coon breeders do?: At minimum: HCM screening (the HCM DNA test plus periodic echocardiograms, since the DNA test alone doesn't catch everything), SMA and PKD genetic tests, and hip dysplasia evaluation — Maine Coons are one of the few cat breeds prone to it. Ask to see the results, not just hear about them.
How big do Maine Coons get?: Maine Coons are the largest domestic cat breed: males commonly 13–18 pounds (some over 20), females 8–12. They mature slowly, reaching full size around 3 to 5 years old — so a lanky one-year-old still has years of growing to do.
How do I find a mate for my Maine Coon?: Look for a registered, health-tested match: HCM (DNA plus echo), SMA, PKD and hip results on both cats, complementary pedigrees, and a written stud agreement. Breed clubs, cattery networks and breeding-match platforms that show health status are the responsible routes — never an anonymous classified.

About this guide. Written by the Cruzapet Team, drawing on CFA and TICA breed standards and published guidance from International Cat Care. Last updated July 2026. Prices vary by region and pedigree. This article is informational and not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.