15 Things You Must Know Before Purchasing a Maine Coon Kitten

The only path to be 100% sure to getting a verified pure breed Maine Coon cat is to get a pedigree kitten from a breeder. The breeder should be able to present a family tree of your cat's pedigree and provide relevant certification.

A recommended place to start a look for a respected breeder in the local area could be the "Maine Coon Breed Fanciers Association" (www.mcbfa.org) Maine Coon kittens could maine coon kittens for sale $450 be instantly recognizable by the long tufty ears and oversized paws, as seen in the classic longhaired American however there is a European strain of Maine Coon, (my own Maine Coon, King Henry arises from a German line) which has a shorter ruff round the neck, and often a fuller, squarer muzzle. The differences aren't apparent until the cat is between 12 to 18 months.

In terms of identifying a "pure" pedigree Maine Coon, you will be relying quite heavily on information the breeder is presenting to you. When you yourself have difficulty finding a respected breeder, you can try and get a suggestion by speaking with individuals at an area event or an "all breeds" Cat show. It is vital you're happy along with your breeder - if you're being a Maine Coon owner for the first time, you may need to rely on the expert advice.

You can expect to pay anywhere between $500 and $800 for a natural breed Maine Coon. With food, litter, vet bills and cat-sitters for holidays, Maine Coons can be a relatively expensive investment. All owners will agree that they're a truly wonderful breed and will repay you often over.

IMPORTANT TIP: This can save plenty of heartache, trouble and expense afterwards; When buying an expensive pet, do not choose the kitten you feel sorry for and appears like it takes help. Any kittens with signs of withdrawal, low energy or general apathy, should be avoided. Choose an independent, lively, energetic kitten. Pick out kittens that don't necessarily come to you but are, however, thinking about their surroundings.

It's best to choose an area breeder and visit them in their home, when you're first making your initial enquiries to check on the kitten's living conditions, health and welfare of most cats surviving in exactly the same environment.

Although it seems like good sense, have questions prepared that can help you to determine whether the breeder could be trusted.

Questions you'll definitely desire to ask:

1. Simply how much experience does the breeder have? If you need assurance in regards to the breeder's ability/expertise ask to talk to somebody who has recently purchased a Maine Coon from that breeder.

2. That are the kittens'parents and are they champions? Even although you don't want to show your cat, you'll still want to find out about their pedigree. That's everything you are paying for. If this is simply not important, you are able to sometimes find cheaper Maine Coons that are called "pet quality" meaning they cannot meet the mandatory physical standards for showing. This doesn't mean they are not perfectly healthy.

3. Does the stud deal with the breeder? Or even, can the breeder guarantee that the stud hasn't been afflicted by any illnesses e.g. cat flu. Has got the breeder bred the stud before?

4. Can there be any known heredity illnesses in the ancestral line such as HCM (can cause heart failure) and hip problems?

5. Have some of the other cats endured any illnesses for e.g. have any recent litters endured any strain of cat flu?

6. If highly relevant to your situation, ask if the kitten is comfortable around other animals and children?

7. At what point, could the kittens leave their mother (I would be concerned if the breeder allowed the kitten to leave it's mother if it's significantly less than 12 weeks).

8. Will a vet check the kittens before leaving the breeder's home? How often? If the Maine Coon becomes ill after it has left the breeder, who is responsible for paying vet's fees or could the kitten be returned to the breeder?

9. You'll also desire to find out how often the queen is impregnated; must be queen afflicted by "too regular" pregnancies could be prone to producing weak or sickly kittens.

Other items you might want to check/do:

10. The living conditions of the stud and queens e.g. the cleanliness of the cages/rooms and the health/welfare of the cat etc.

11. Will the cats be litter trained before they proceed to their new homes?

12. Also, the environment where in actuality the mother and kittens are living. Exist toys, clean litter, warmth, food and water?

13. Check the eyes of the kitten to evaluate its health. Never buy a kitten that's weeping eyes.

14. The breeder's contract. Have a read of the written agreement when you commit yourself. Pay particular awareness of aspects of responsibility if the kitten become unwell right after you've bought him/her.

15. You need to book your kitten set for an at all times check with your own personal vet almost as soon as you've collected from the breeder. If there are any signs of problems, you'll want to know within the first 24 hours.

On the whole, Maine Coon breeders are passionate about their cats and love what they do. There's not a whole lot of money to be made in breeding Maine Coons, and it is very demanding work.

Unless, your gut feeling tells you otherwise, you are able to expect to be speaking with breeders who're totally dedicated Maine Coon lovers.