10 Things I Look for When Choosing a Maine Coon Breeder
When I am looking for a Maine Coon breeder, there are certain things I would absolutely want to know before ever sending someone money.
I’ve been raising companion animals for 16 years, and I can tell you that my opinions about what makes someone a responsible breeder have evolved over those years. I’ve learned things. I’ve changed things. I’ve made mistakes. And I’m still learning, because I don’t think you ever reach a point with animals where you know everything there is to know.
One thing I definitely don’t believe is that there is one magic thing that makes someone a good breeder. A TICA or CFA registration doesn’t do it. Showing cats doesn't do it. A beautiful website doesn’t do it. Charging $5,000 for a kitten certainly doesn’t do it. 😂 And having 50,000 Plus followers on social media doesn’t do it either.
You have to look at the whole picture.
So when I am looking for a Maine Coon breeder, these are the 10 things I pay attention to.
1. What health testing are they actually doing?
Health testing would be one of the first things I asked about. Maine Coons have certain inherited health conditions that responsible breeders should be aware of and screening for. And don’t settle for, “Yep, they’re health tested.” Okay… tested for WHAT? 😂 Ask.A breeder should be able to tell you what they’re testing for, why they’re testing for it, and be willing to show you the results. DNA testing can identify known genetic variants associated with certain inherited conditions, but it isn’t a magical piece of paper that guarantees a cat will never develop a health problem.
Health testing is about reducing risk and making informed breeding decisions, not pretending we can eliminate every possible health problem from a living animal.
2. What kind of veterinary care are their cats and kittens receiving?
Ask what veterinary care the kittens receive before going home. Are they examined by a veterinarian? What vaccinations do they receive? Are veterinary records provided to you? What happens if a kitten becomes sick while still with the breeder?
I personally have my kittens vaccinated through my veterinarian, and my families receive their veterinary records when their kitten goes home.
Veterinary care costs money. Sometimes a LOT of money. It’s part of breeding animals responsibly.
3. How and where are the kittens being raised?
This matters to me tremendously.
My kittens are born and raised inside my home. As they grow, they’re handled, played with, exposed to normal household activity and eventually given more freedom to explore. I want them growing up as part of a household because that’s exactly what I’m preparing them to become.
Ask breeders about socialization. Ask where kittens spend their time. Look at pictures and videos beyond the perfectly posed kitten photos.
A gorgeous Maine Coon is wonderful, but you’re going to LIVE with this cat. Temperament and socialization matter.
4. Can you reasonably verify that this breeder and these cats actually exist?
Unfortunately, this has become necessary.
I don’t believe a breeder needs to invite strangers into their home to prove they’re legitimate. I don’t allow people I don’t know to wander through my home and cattery either. There are very legitimate concerns about personal safety, disease exposure and protecting young kittens.
But a breeder should provide reasonable ways for you to verify who they are and that the cats and kittens they’re showing you actually exist.
Look for an established online history. Look through older posts, not just what was posted last week. Do the same cats, home and breeder continue appearing over time? Can they provide current pictures or video? Are they willing to have an actual conversation with you?
A scammer can steal a picture. It’s considerably harder to steal years of somebody’s life. 😂
5. Are their cats registered, and can they explain their breeding program?
Registration matters, particularly when someone is representing kittens as purebred Maine Coons. But registration by itself does not make someone a responsible breeder.
TICA, CFA and other registries register cats and catteries. They are not standing in someone’s house supervising every breeding decision that person makes.
I would want to know that the breeder’s cats have documented pedigrees, but I’d also want a breeder who can tell me WHY they’re breeding the cats they’re breeding.
What are they trying to preserve or improve? How do they make pairing decisions? What health and temperament considerations go into those decisions?
A registration number is one piece of the picture. It isn’t the whole picture.
6. Do they care where their kittens are going?
A responsible breeder should want to know something about you too.
That doesn’t mean every breeder has to use an online application exactly like I do. Some breeders screen people primarily through phone conversations. I personally use an application followed by conversation because I want to know where my kittens are going and whether I think one of my kittens is a good fit for that particular family.
I’m not asking questions because I’m nosy and desperately need to know your life story. 😂 I’m trying to determine whether an animal I’ve raised and am responsible for is going into an appropriate home.
I’d be a little concerned if the only question someone asked me was, “How are you paying?”
7. Do they have a contract and health guarantee that actually makes sense?
Read the contract.
Seriously. Read it.
Understand the health guarantee. Understand what the breeder guarantees and what they don’t. Understand any spay/neuter requirements, breeding restrictions, indoor-only requirements or other conditions before you send a deposit.
And ask questions if something doesn’t make sense.
A contract should protect the breeder, the buyer and, most importantly, the kitten. It shouldn’t be something you see for the first time after you’ve already paid for the cat.
8. Do they actually understand the animals they’re breeding?
This is a big one for me.
Owning cats for a long time isn’t the same thing as understanding feline reproduction, genetics, pregnancy, delivery, neonatal care, nutrition, infectious disease and the complications that can occur when you’re intentionally producing kittens.
And knowledge from one species doesn’t automatically transfer to another. Dogs aren’t cats. Cats aren’t rabbits. Rabbits aren’t tiny horses. 😂 Every species has its own biology.
A breeder doesn’t have to know everything. I certainly don’t. After 16 years of raising companion animals, I still research things. I still fact-check myself. I still learn from veterinarians and other experienced people.
In fact, I’d probably be more concerned about the breeder who thinks they already know everything.
Confidence and knowledge are not the same thing.
9. Look beyond the cute kittens.
Kittens sell themselves. They’re adorable. 😂
Look at the adult cats too.
Look at the condition they’re in. Ask about the parents of the litter. Look at previous kittens as adults when those pictures are available. Look at the breeder’s history.
And look at previous families.
I love that I still hear from families years after their kittens leave me. I have families who have returned for a second and even third Mountain Peak Maine Coon. To me, that says far more than a perfectly written five-star review from someone you can’t verify exists.
No breeder is going to have a 15-year public history when they’re brand new, and being new doesn’t automatically make someone irresponsible. But whatever history is available should help you build a picture of how that person operates.
10. What happens when something goes wrong?
This may actually tell you more about a breeder than anything else on this list.
Responsible breeding does NOT mean nothing ever goes wrong.
We are dealing with biology. Cats can become sick. Pregnancies can have complications. Kittens can need emergency veterinary care. A health problem can appear despite appropriate testing. Anyone who has bred animals long enough knows that eventually something will happen that you wish hadn’t.
The question is what the breeder does next.
Do they seek veterinary care? Do they communicate honestly? Do they honor their contract? If new health information comes to light about a breeding cat, do they reevaluate whether that cat should continue in the program?
I’ve had emergencies in my own breeding program. I’ve had things happen that were heartbreaking, frightening and extremely expensive. Those experiences have also taught me things and sometimes changed how I do things going forward.
I don’t expect perfection from another breeder.
I do expect responsibility.
And Please Make Sure You’re Talking to a REAL Breeder 😂
This is actually a separate issue from responsible breeding.
Someone can be a completely legitimate, verifiable breeder and still not be someone I would personally buy a kitten from. And somebody can appear to check every box on a beautiful website while actually being a scammer sitting halfway across the world stealing someone else’s kitten pictures.
Look at the breeder’s history. Search their name and cattery name. Verify registration when possible. Look at their social media history. Ask for current pictures or videos. Have an actual conversation with them.
Be especially cautious when someone is pressuring you to send money immediately, offering a deal that seems wildly different from what you’re seeing elsewhere, or suddenly introducing additional shipping, insurance or transportation fees after you’ve already paid.
And remember that followers, verification badges and beautiful websites are helpful pieces of information, but none of them prove responsible breeding.
Look at the Pattern
There is no perfect breeder. I’m certainly not one.
After 16 years, I still learn things that make me rethink something or change how I do it. I actually think that’s part of being responsible for animals. You should keep learning.
What I would look for is someone who takes responsibility for the animals they produce, continues learning, provides appropriate veterinary care, makes thoughtful breeding decisions, is willing to answer reasonable questions and puts the health and welfare of their cats ahead of protecting their ego.
Don’t choose a breeder because they checked one impressive box.
I’ve been raising companion animals for 16 years, and I can tell you that my opinions about what makes someone a responsible breeder have evolved over those years. I’ve learned things. I’ve changed things. I’ve made mistakes. And I’m still learning, because I don’t think you ever reach a point with animals where you know everything there is to know.
One thing I definitely don’t believe is that there is one magic thing that makes someone a good breeder. A TICA or CFA registration doesn’t do it. Showing cats doesn't do it. A beautiful website doesn’t do it. Charging $5,000 for a kitten certainly doesn’t do it. 😂 And having 50,000 Plus followers on social media doesn’t do it either.
You have to look at the whole picture.
So when I am looking for a Maine Coon breeder, these are the 10 things I pay attention to.
1. What health testing are they actually doing?
Health testing would be one of the first things I asked about. Maine Coons have certain inherited health conditions that responsible breeders should be aware of and screening for. And don’t settle for, “Yep, they’re health tested.” Okay… tested for WHAT? 😂 Ask.A breeder should be able to tell you what they’re testing for, why they’re testing for it, and be willing to show you the results. DNA testing can identify known genetic variants associated with certain inherited conditions, but it isn’t a magical piece of paper that guarantees a cat will never develop a health problem.
Health testing is about reducing risk and making informed breeding decisions, not pretending we can eliminate every possible health problem from a living animal.
2. What kind of veterinary care are their cats and kittens receiving?
Ask what veterinary care the kittens receive before going home. Are they examined by a veterinarian? What vaccinations do they receive? Are veterinary records provided to you? What happens if a kitten becomes sick while still with the breeder?
I personally have my kittens vaccinated through my veterinarian, and my families receive their veterinary records when their kitten goes home.
Veterinary care costs money. Sometimes a LOT of money. It’s part of breeding animals responsibly.
3. How and where are the kittens being raised?
This matters to me tremendously.
My kittens are born and raised inside my home. As they grow, they’re handled, played with, exposed to normal household activity and eventually given more freedom to explore. I want them growing up as part of a household because that’s exactly what I’m preparing them to become.
Ask breeders about socialization. Ask where kittens spend their time. Look at pictures and videos beyond the perfectly posed kitten photos.
A gorgeous Maine Coon is wonderful, but you’re going to LIVE with this cat. Temperament and socialization matter.
4. Can you reasonably verify that this breeder and these cats actually exist?
Unfortunately, this has become necessary.
I don’t believe a breeder needs to invite strangers into their home to prove they’re legitimate. I don’t allow people I don’t know to wander through my home and cattery either. There are very legitimate concerns about personal safety, disease exposure and protecting young kittens.
But a breeder should provide reasonable ways for you to verify who they are and that the cats and kittens they’re showing you actually exist.
Look for an established online history. Look through older posts, not just what was posted last week. Do the same cats, home and breeder continue appearing over time? Can they provide current pictures or video? Are they willing to have an actual conversation with you?
A scammer can steal a picture. It’s considerably harder to steal years of somebody’s life. 😂
5. Are their cats registered, and can they explain their breeding program?
Registration matters, particularly when someone is representing kittens as purebred Maine Coons. But registration by itself does not make someone a responsible breeder.
TICA, CFA and other registries register cats and catteries. They are not standing in someone’s house supervising every breeding decision that person makes.
I would want to know that the breeder’s cats have documented pedigrees, but I’d also want a breeder who can tell me WHY they’re breeding the cats they’re breeding.
What are they trying to preserve or improve? How do they make pairing decisions? What health and temperament considerations go into those decisions?
A registration number is one piece of the picture. It isn’t the whole picture.
6. Do they care where their kittens are going?
A responsible breeder should want to know something about you too.
That doesn’t mean every breeder has to use an online application exactly like I do. Some breeders screen people primarily through phone conversations. I personally use an application followed by conversation because I want to know where my kittens are going and whether I think one of my kittens is a good fit for that particular family.
I’m not asking questions because I’m nosy and desperately need to know your life story. 😂 I’m trying to determine whether an animal I’ve raised and am responsible for is going into an appropriate home.
I’d be a little concerned if the only question someone asked me was, “How are you paying?”
7. Do they have a contract and health guarantee that actually makes sense?
Read the contract.
Seriously. Read it.
Understand the health guarantee. Understand what the breeder guarantees and what they don’t. Understand any spay/neuter requirements, breeding restrictions, indoor-only requirements or other conditions before you send a deposit.
And ask questions if something doesn’t make sense.
A contract should protect the breeder, the buyer and, most importantly, the kitten. It shouldn’t be something you see for the first time after you’ve already paid for the cat.
8. Do they actually understand the animals they’re breeding?
This is a big one for me.
Owning cats for a long time isn’t the same thing as understanding feline reproduction, genetics, pregnancy, delivery, neonatal care, nutrition, infectious disease and the complications that can occur when you’re intentionally producing kittens.
And knowledge from one species doesn’t automatically transfer to another. Dogs aren’t cats. Cats aren’t rabbits. Rabbits aren’t tiny horses. 😂 Every species has its own biology.
A breeder doesn’t have to know everything. I certainly don’t. After 16 years of raising companion animals, I still research things. I still fact-check myself. I still learn from veterinarians and other experienced people.
In fact, I’d probably be more concerned about the breeder who thinks they already know everything.
Confidence and knowledge are not the same thing.
9. Look beyond the cute kittens.
Kittens sell themselves. They’re adorable. 😂
Look at the adult cats too.
Look at the condition they’re in. Ask about the parents of the litter. Look at previous kittens as adults when those pictures are available. Look at the breeder’s history.
And look at previous families.
I love that I still hear from families years after their kittens leave me. I have families who have returned for a second and even third Mountain Peak Maine Coon. To me, that says far more than a perfectly written five-star review from someone you can’t verify exists.
No breeder is going to have a 15-year public history when they’re brand new, and being new doesn’t automatically make someone irresponsible. But whatever history is available should help you build a picture of how that person operates.
10. What happens when something goes wrong?
This may actually tell you more about a breeder than anything else on this list.
Responsible breeding does NOT mean nothing ever goes wrong.
We are dealing with biology. Cats can become sick. Pregnancies can have complications. Kittens can need emergency veterinary care. A health problem can appear despite appropriate testing. Anyone who has bred animals long enough knows that eventually something will happen that you wish hadn’t.
The question is what the breeder does next.
Do they seek veterinary care? Do they communicate honestly? Do they honor their contract? If new health information comes to light about a breeding cat, do they reevaluate whether that cat should continue in the program?
I’ve had emergencies in my own breeding program. I’ve had things happen that were heartbreaking, frightening and extremely expensive. Those experiences have also taught me things and sometimes changed how I do things going forward.
I don’t expect perfection from another breeder.
I do expect responsibility.
And Please Make Sure You’re Talking to a REAL Breeder 😂
This is actually a separate issue from responsible breeding.
Someone can be a completely legitimate, verifiable breeder and still not be someone I would personally buy a kitten from. And somebody can appear to check every box on a beautiful website while actually being a scammer sitting halfway across the world stealing someone else’s kitten pictures.
Look at the breeder’s history. Search their name and cattery name. Verify registration when possible. Look at their social media history. Ask for current pictures or videos. Have an actual conversation with them.
Be especially cautious when someone is pressuring you to send money immediately, offering a deal that seems wildly different from what you’re seeing elsewhere, or suddenly introducing additional shipping, insurance or transportation fees after you’ve already paid.
And remember that followers, verification badges and beautiful websites are helpful pieces of information, but none of them prove responsible breeding.
Look at the Pattern
There is no perfect breeder. I’m certainly not one.
After 16 years, I still learn things that make me rethink something or change how I do it. I actually think that’s part of being responsible for animals. You should keep learning.
What I would look for is someone who takes responsibility for the animals they produce, continues learning, provides appropriate veterinary care, makes thoughtful breeding decisions, is willing to answer reasonable questions and puts the health and welfare of their cats ahead of protecting their ego.
Don’t choose a breeder because they checked one impressive box.