Catster advocates for adopting before shopping, though we fully understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder. So, we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally visited or investigated all of the breeders below. We have put the top-recommended all in one place for you to get in touch and make the best decision for you. Learn more about our stance and how to choose the right breeder here.
Maine Coons are well known for their large size, outgoing personalities, and friendly natures. Before you rush out to buy your new kitten, make sure to do your research, taking the time to find a reputable breeder who specializes in this giant cat. We rounded up all the information that you need to know in this comprehensive guide to buying Maine Coon kittens in the UK.
Maine Coon Breeders in the UK
Taking the time to find a Maine Coon breeder with a good reputation is well worth it. They will be able to help talk you through the general personality traits of the breed and any health conditions that you may need to know about.
We rounded up a few lists of Maine Coon breeders to get you started.
Maine Coon Breeders Near Me
Check out The Maine Coon Cat Club’s list of approved breeders, and click on your specific region.
Maine Coon Breeders That Ship
If you’re looking for a breeder who will arrange transport for your new Maine Coon kitty, check out the Pets4homes site.
Maine Coon Rescue
Sometimes, Maine Coon kittens come up for adoption, and The Maine Coon Cat Club will list them on its website.
Breeders Registered with the GCCF
The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) is one of the main registers of purebred cats in the UK. You can find a list of registered Maine Coon breeders on its website.
How Much Does a Maine Coon Cost?
In the UK, you should budget to spend around £400 to £1,600 on your new kitten. This is higher than many other purebred kittens, for a few different reasons. Maine Coons are currently the 4th most popular cat breed in the UK. This can drive up the prices of kittens, as there’s often more demand than supply. Also, certain colors are more unusual than others, so if you’ve set your heart on a particular shade, then you may find these kittens can command premium prices.
Breeding kittens isn’t a cheap profession, and many breeders do it more from passion than anything else.
- Birthing supplies
- Health tests for parent cats and kittens
- Vaccinations
- Wormers, flea treatments, and other medications
- Supplies for kittens
- Food
- Veterinary checks
- Registration with a breed association
- New owner information packs
Once you see how much a breeder invests in each kitten before they’ve even traveled to their new home, the price of a new kitten actually looks like a good value!
Things to Ask a Maine Coon Breeder
Before you rush in and buy your kitten, make sure the breeder is reputable and has a proven history of producing healthy and well-tempered kittens.
Any breeders listed with The Maine Coon Cat Club or GCCF have to abide by the GCCF Code of Ethics for Breeders & Owners. It’s a good idea to ask any breeders whom you’ve been speaking with if they’re signed up and agree to this code. They may use an alternative version from another breed organization.
We also suggest visiting the breeder’s home and asking to meet both parent cats. Reputable breeders will be more than happy for you to see their facilities; if home visits aren’t allowed, this is a huge red flag. Meeting the parent cats also gives you a clue as to what the personality of the kittens may be like.
It’s a good idea to ask to see breed registration documents, ancestry details for both parent cats and any health tests that the parent cats and kittens have had. Hip dysplasia can affect Maine Coon cats. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals evaluates cats for hip problems, so it’s a good idea to ask any breeders if their breeding cats and kittens have had these tests. Maine Coon cats can also suffer from feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, so you may want to ask the breeders if either parent cat is affected because symptoms don’t usually appear until a cat is 2 years old.
The Maine Coon Cat Club recommends that kittens in the UK should generally stay with their breeder until they’re 13 weeks old and have had all their initial vaccinations.
The 4 Things to Know Before Buying a Maine Coon
1. You’ll Need to Invest in Heavy-Duty Cat Furniture
The Maine Coon is one of the largest domestic cat breeds and can end up weighing up to 18 pounds once fully grown. This means these chunky cats need heavy-duty cat furniture that can stand up to their size! Make sure to look for the tallest scratching post possible.
2. They’re One of the Most Popular Cat Breeds in the UK
These gentle giants are an incredibly popular breed, and you might find that you have to wait for a litter of kittens to become available. In the meantime, speak to breeders to find out more about their facilities, health tests, and any other information that we’ve outlined here. You may need to pay a deposit to secure a kitten from a specific litter.
3. Maine Coons Love Attention
These affectionate cats love to be close to their owners. They don’t necessarily like to sit on your lap, but they’ll always be close to you, whatever you’re doing! That means they’re best suited to a household where someone will be around to keep them company for most of the day.
4. Maine Coons Are Playful
This breed is often called the dogs of the cat world, as they’re outgoing and love to play. Without plenty of interaction, they can easily get bored, and that sometimes leads to them becoming destructive. Make sure you spend at least 20 minutes per day playing with your cat, although more time is always better! Consider getting them interactive toys to keep them entertained when you’re not at home.
New Kitten Preparations
Since you're hard at work researching which breed to welcome into your life, it's probably a good time to introduce a few kitten essentials that will help seamlessly transition your furbaby into their new home. Ensuring you provide them with the proper care, comfort, and enrichment will help your kitten thrive and grow into a well-established and healthy feline! Check out our top recommendations in our New Kitten Checklist linked below!
Conclusion
There’s a reason that Maine Coons are such a popular breed, and it has much to do with their adorable personalities, distinctive features, and affectionate temperaments. As one of the most popular purebred cat breeds in the UK, they are also at the top end of the price scale. You should expect to pay £400 to £1,600 for your new kitten, and you may need to join a waiting list if no kittens are available at the time that you’re looking.
Always make sure to check that any breeder you’re speaking to is reputable by using our advice here. Before you know it, your gorgeous new kitten will be safe in their new forever home.
See Also:
- Ragamuffin Cat vs Maine Coon: Main Differences? (With Pictures)
- Maine Coons For Sale in Ohio: Breeders List
Featured Image Credit: Ivonne Wierink, Shutterstock
Maine Coon Breeders in the UK
2 Responses
Do these cats gets along ok with smaller dogs like west highland terriers ?
Hi Del, Maine Coons are great pets but each cat and each dog are different. You will need to do your best to positively and gradually socialize them. Here are slime posts that may help in your mission.
Do Maine Coons Get Along With Dogs?
https://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/do-maine-coons-get-along-with-dogs/
How to Get a Cat and Dog to Get Along: 10 Tips & Tricks
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/how-to-bond-cat-and-dog/
10 Ways to Help Cats and Dogs Get Along Better
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/how-to-make-dogs-and-cats-get-along/
Best wishes