Maine Coon Price Guide: The Real Cost of a Gentle Giant#

When I first started looking for Atticus, my 22lb Red Tabby, I thought the sticker price on the kitten was the biggest hurdle I’d face. I had my budget spreadsheet ready, I had saved up for the adoption fee, and I thought I was prepared.

I was wrong.

The initial purchase price of a Maine Coon is just the cover charge to get into the club. The real cost comes from the “Giant Tax”—the reality that everything for a 20lb cat costs significantly more than it does for a standard 10lb house cat. From “dog-sized” doses of flea medication to custom-built cat trees that won’t snap under their weight, the financial commitment is substantial.

If you are trying to convince your partner (or your bank account) that you are ready for a Maine Coon, you need the raw numbers. Here is the honest breakdown of what I’ve spent raising Atticus and Penelope, backed by current market data.

Part 1: The Initial Purchase Price (Don’t Skimp Here)#

The price of a well-bred Maine Coon varies wildly depending on where and who you buy from. I cannot stress this enough: this is the one area where bargain hunting will cost you thousands in heartbreak later.

1. Pet Quality ($1,500 – $2,500)#

This is the category most of us fall into. Both Atticus and Penelope are “Pet Quality.”

• What it means: These cats are purebred, registered with TICA or CFA, and come from health-tested parents. They are priced “lower” (relatively speaking) because they might have a minor cosmetic mismatch—maybe their ears are slightly too wide set for a judge’s taste, or their tail isn’t quite long enough for a ribbon.
• The Contract: You are paying for a companion. The contract will strictly require you to spay or neuter them.

2. Show Quality ($2,500 – $4,000)#

If you want that extreme, “feral” look—the massive muzzle, the ear tufts that touch the sky—you are often looking at a Show Quality kitten.

• What you pay for: You are paying for a cat that meets the breed standard almost perfectly. Breeders identify these kittens early and price them higher because they represent the pinnacle of their breeding program.

3. The “Too Good To Be True” ($500 – $800)#

If you are scrolling Facebook or Craigslist and see a “Purebred Maine Coon” for $600, keep scrolling.

• The Scam: Often, these cats don’t exist. You send a deposit via Zelle, and the seller vanishes.
• The Backyard Breeder: If the cat does exist, it likely hasn’t been tested for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) or Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). I have heard too many horror stories of owners saving $1,000 on the kitten, only to spend $5,000 at the emergency vet when the cat goes into heart failure at age two.

Part 2: The “Giant Tax” on Food#

This was the biggest shock to my system. I believe that “Fed is Best,” but when you have a cat that grows for 4 to 5 years, nutrition is non-negotiable.

The Calorie Math#

A standard 10lb cat needs about 200–250 calories a day. Atticus, at 22lbs, requires significantly more maintenance calories—and even more when he was a growing adolescent.

• Volume: You will buy roughly 2x to 3x the amount of food a normal cat owner buys.
• Protein Requirements: Maine Coons are muscle-heavy animals. Cheap, corn-filled kibble leads to a soft, flabby cat and smelly litter boxes. High-protein diets (whether raw or premium grain-free canned food) are expensive.
• Monthly Estimate: Expect to spend $80 – $150 per month, per cat. I spend roughly $250 a month feeding both of mine a mix of freeze-dried raw and high-quality wet food.

Part 3: Veterinary Care & The “Big Cat” Premium#

Routine vet visits are generally standard, but everything else scales with weight.

1. Medication Dosing#

Most feline medications (flea/tick prevention, antibiotics, sedatives) are dosed by weight.

• The Problem: Many “Cat” products cap out at 15lbs.
• The Reality: For Atticus, I often have to buy the “Small Dog” version or use a double dose of the cat version (under vet supervision, of course). This often costs 20-30% more per dose.

2. The Cardiac “Subscription”#

Because I am paranoid about HCM (a heart disease prevalent in the breed), I take my cats for an echocardiogram every 12–18 months.

• Cost: A board-certified cardiologist scan costs between $400 and $600.
• Why I do it: It captures heart issues before they become fatal. It’s an optional cost for some, but I consider it mandatory maintenance.

3. Pet Insurance (Non-Negotiable)#

If you own a Maine Coon, you need insurance. The breed is prone to Hip Dysplasia and heart issues.

• Premiums: Because actuaries know these risks, premiums for Maine Coons are higher than mixed breeds. I pay about $65/month per cat.

Part 4: Gear That Actually Survives#

This is where I wasted the most money early on. I bought “standard” stuff from the pet store, and Atticus destroyed it all.

The Cat Tree Crisis#

Standard $50 cat trees are made of cardboard tubes and staples. When a 20lb cat launches off them, they topple.

• The Fix: You need solid wood trees (like Cat Tree King or custom builds).
• Cost: Expect to pay $250 – $400 for a tree that won’t kill your cat.

The Litter Situation#

A standard litter pan is a joke to a Maine Coon. They need room to turn around.

• The Fix: I use huge storage totes or specific XL boxes (like the Stainless Steel ones).
• Litter Volume: To fill a box that big, you use 40lbs of litter at a time. My monthly litter budget is easily $40.

Conclusion: The Total Annual Burn#

So, what is the damage?

• Upfront (Kitten + Gear): $2,500 – $4,000
• Monthly (Food + Insurance + Litter): ~$200/month
• Annual Medical: ~$500 (Routine + Echo)

Owning a Maine Coon is like owning a small luxury car. The maintenance is higher, the fuel costs are higher, and the insurance is higher. But when Atticus curls up on my chest and purrs like a diesel engine, I know every penny is worth it. Just make sure your budget is ready before your heart is.

Resources & Further Reading#

For those who want to double-check the numbers or read the studies I referenced, here are the sources I trust:

• The International Cat Association (TICA): Maine Coon Breed Introduction.
• Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA): Breed Standards & Registration.
• PetMD: Maine Coon Care & Health Costs.
• NCBI / PubMed: Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Studies.
• Maine Coon Cat Club: Kitten Buying Guide & Price Expectations.