Among cat breeds, your mind is made up: you've decided to adopt a Maine Coon. You love large, affectionate, and loyal cats.
1/ The Type of Cat
Several options are available to you, depending on your criteria:
- The Kitten
In this case, it's a baby Maine Coon purchased from a breeder, chosen from a litter.
- The Retired Breeder Cat
Behind this somewhat crude name lies a Maine Coon that has been used for breeding and is sold spayed or neutered.
- The Adult Cat
These are adult cats whose owners must part with them.
2/ The Budget
Let's agree from the start that price is not a criterion, as the minimum you'll spend for a LOOF-registered Maine Coon kitten is €1000, and it can go up to €1500/€1800. This is a substantial budget, but nothing is too good for the cat of your dreams.
For the other two categories, prices may be lower depending on the animal's characteristics.
3/ Your Expectations
It's important, above all (even if a sudden infatuation can turn everything upside down), to know what you truly expect from your future cat and what you are willing to offer it. A kitten requires a lot of attention in the first few months, presence, and patience.
A retired breeder cat or an adult cat requires less, but you will have to adapt to its past habits.
Some Maine Coons are exclusive, meaning they don't tolerate the presence of another animal or are fearful of young children, for example.
For a kitten, everything is easier; even if its weaning is complete at 8 weeks, most breeders won't let it leave until it's at least 3 months old, so it can socialize better.
4/ The Breeder
Choose a reputable breeder with references, who will provide you with all the required papers and examinations. If possible, visit to see your Maine Coon kitten in its home environment with other cats.
Don't hesitate to ask for photos, videos, and details of its daily life. A genuine breeder will choose you as much as you choose them.
Some breeders specialize in certain Maine Coon colors.
The breeder will advise you based on your selection criteria, guiding you towards a particular kitten (e.g., strong character, discreet, playful, cuddly, solitary).
5/ Colors
There are many colors present in the Maine Coon, and it can be quite complicated for the uninitiated to keep track of them.
There are only two basic colors, black and red; everything else is just shades of coats depending on the parents' genes.
For a long time, the Brown Maine Coon was the most widespread and sought-after; today, the trend is more towards Black Silver and Black Smoke Maine Coons.
It's easy to get lost in the many shades of black, and at that point, it will be love at first sight that guides you.
Beware for lovers of pink paw pads and nose tips: additional tests are necessary because white cats are often deaf.
Some white Maine Coons occasionally have odd-colored or blue eyes, which makes them unique.
Genetics are complex, but the purebred Maine Coon registered by the LOOF has very specific and defined characteristics, even if the breed is evolving.
The Maine Coon is, first and foremost, a long-haired cat, and its ruff changes with the seasons (impressive in winter, lighter in summer).
The ears should be large, set high on the head, with tufts at the tips.
Even if the Maine Coon is large, it's not fat; its fur gives this impression, especially its paws with hair between the toes (5 in front and 4 in back).
Finally, the essential feature of the purebred Maine Coon is its muzzle, which must be well-squared from the front, and in profile, follow an alignment between the nose, lips, and chin tip.
Its tail, very wide at the base of the back, should be long and bushy.
6/ Conclusion
Choosing a purebred cat as a pet is an important step. A photo, a video, a contact will be the best guarantees to achieve what you've long dreamed of.
Trust must be established between the cattery and you; the connection with the kitten may not come immediately, and that's okay. Talk to the breeder, take your time; you'll often have more than 15 years to share with your cat.
The Maine Coon is such an endearing cat that even if it takes time to find the Maine Coon of your dreams, you will never be disappointed.
Your Maine Coon specialist, La boutique du Maine Coon.
