How Much Does A Maine Coon Cat Cost? 2024 Price Guide

With large bodies, fluffy coats, and cute ear tufts, Maine Coons are one of the most well-known cat breeds. These gentle giants of the cat world are popular for their personalities as much as their beauty. Maine Coon cats love people and other animals, making them the ideal family pets.

Currently, they are the third most popular registered cat breed and come in a dazzling array of coat colors and patterns.¹ The Maine Coon’s combination of dramatic good looks and sweet nature is hard to resist! If you feel yourself falling under the spell of these furry beasts, you might be interested in bringing one into your family. So, how much does a Maine Coon cat cost?

Before you decide to get a Maine Coon, it is always a good idea to find out as much as you can about how to care for one. Getting a pet is a big responsibility, and you must be prepared to commit time and money to your new family member.

With that in mind, here is a guide to how much it costs to own a Maine Coon cat.

Bringing Home a New Maine Coon Cat: One-Time Costs

The one-time costs of a new Maine Coon cat depend on several factors. One is whether you are adopting or buying your new cat and how old they are. If you’ve owned a cat before, you may already have some of the supplies you need at home, which will decrease your one-time costs.

Here are some estimates to give you an idea of the one-time costs you can expect when you bring home a new Maine Coon cat:

Free

Believe it or not, there are some situations where you may be able to get a new Maine Coon cat for free. Maybe a friend or relative is no longer able to care for their Maine Coon and asks for your help. Sometimes, a free Maine Coon is advertised online or in newspaper classifieds.

Whatever the circumstances, always remember there is no such thing as a truly “free” pet. Make sure you can handle the cost of caring for your new Maine Coon even if you don’t have to pay anything to get one.

Adoption

• $100–$400

You may need to be patient, but it is possible you can find a Maine Coon available for adoption. Local animal shelters or breed-specific rescues are good places to look for adoptable Maine Coons. The cost of adopting a Maine Coon usually includes basic vet care such as shots or spaying and neutering.

Breeder

• $1,000–$5,000

The first step in buying a Maine Coon cat from a breeder is to make sure you are working with a responsible and reputable cat breeder. Experienced breeders work hard to make sure they are producing healthy kittens. The International Cat Association (TICA) keeps a list of breeders, which is an excellent place to start your search.

Buying a Maine Coon from a breeder can get expensive, and the higher quality a cat is, the more they will cost. For example, a cat listed as “pet-quality” will be less expensive than a“show-quality” cat. Keep in mind that breeding cats responsibly is expensive, and the price of your new Maine Coon cat may reflect that.

Initial Setup and Supplies

• $350–$1,300

The initial setup and supply costs of your new Maine Coon will depend a lot on how old your new cat is. Vaccinating a kitten and having them spayed or neutered will cost more than adopting a vaccinated, fixed adult cat. On the other hand, an older cat could have more health issues, such as tooth disease, which might need to be addressed.

Again, if you’ve had a cat before, you may already have many of the supplies on this list, which will reduce your initial costs.

List of Maine Coon Cat Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Maine Coon Cat Cost Per Month?

• $90–$430

Now that you have an idea of what you can expect to spend by bringing a new Maine Coon cat home, what about monthly expenses? Keep in mind that Maine Coon cats can be up to twice as large as the average house cat. Larger felines need more food, litter, and medications, especially if you have more than one cat.

Here is a breakdown of the expected monthly costs of owning a Maine Coon cat.

Health Care

• $50–$360 per month

Keeping your Maine Coon healthy is about more than just taking them to the vet (although that’s important too!) Making sure your cat eats the proper diet and gets regular grooming care to keep their coat maintained is also vital. Many of these costs depend on the cat’s age and prices in your area.

Food

• $20–$50 per month

A full-grown Maine Coon cat can weigh as much as 20 pounds. Especially when they are young, Maine Coons are known to have huge appetites. They might eat as much as 1 cup of dry food a day. Senior cats eat less, so your monthly food costs will depend on your cat’s age and the type of food you feed.

Maine Coons do better on premium quality food that is high in protein and low in carbs. Some owners prefer to feed wet food or a raw diet. Remember that those diets are usually more expensive than dry kibble.

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Grooming

• $0–$70 per month

After the initial cost of purchasing a brush and nail clippers, grooming your Maine Coon requires more time than money. The famously fluffy Maine Coon coat needs daily brushing. You’ll also need to trim their nails regularly and brush their teeth at least three times a week. It is also recommended to either bathe your Maine Coon or use cat cleaning wipes to maintain their coat.

Some owners have their cats professionally groomed three or four times a year. These sessions usually cost $30–$70.

Medications and Vet Visits

• $20–$200 per month

At a minimum, your Maine Coon should be on a monthly preventative medication to keep them free of fleas and other pests. A 3-month supply of flea and tick preventative averages about $50.

Additional veterinary costs will vary depending on whether your Maine Coon is on any other medications or whether they need to go to the vet for an annual exam and shots.

As your Maine Coon gets older, they require more veterinary care, which can increase your monthly expenses.

Pet Insurance

• $10–$40 per month

Pet insurance for cats is usually cheaper than it is for dogs, even for dog-sized cats like the Maine Coon! The monthly costs of a policy will depend on what type of coverage you choose. Some policies cover the cost of shots and other preventative care. Others only cover emergencies or long-term health conditions.

Pet insurance is relatively affordable, and it is worth it knowing you don’t have to worry about a huge bill if your Maine Coon gets sick or needs surgery.

Environment Maintenance

• $25–$40 per month

Most of the monthly maintenance costs for your Maine Coon are related to keeping their litter box fresh and clean. Big cats can cause big messes, and you must budget accordingly. These estimates don’t include the initial cost of purchasing a litter box and scoop, which were covered earlier. The amount of litter used monthly will depend on the number of cats you have and the quality of the litter.

Entertainment

• $15–$30 per month

Keeping your Maine Coon active, physically and mentally, is a big part of keeping them happy and healthy. Bored cats can develop bad habits like scratching furniture or marking. Inactive cats can gain too much weight and develop health problems. Make sure your cat has several toys and spend time every day playing and interacting with your Maine Coon.

A great way to budget your monthly cat toy expenses is to subscribe to a service that sends you a new box of cat toys.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Maine Coon Cat

• $90–$430 per month

Keep in mind that these are all estimates. Your monthly costs to own a Maine Coon may vary from month to month. However, it is essential to have an idea of how much you’ll spend to properly care for a Maine Coon before you commit to bringing one home.

Additional Costs to Factor In

Besides your initial and monthly costs, you will need to be aware of other expenses when owning a Maine Coon. They could be anything from cleaning up after your Maine Coon to paying for emergency medical care.

Probably the most burdensome expense to plan for is the cost of emergency medical care your Maine Coon needs. Depending on the type of care needed, you could be looking at hundreds or even thousands of dollars in vet bills. If you don’t have pet insurance, try to keep $500–$1,500 in an emergency pet fund.

Here are some other possible expenses you may encounter:

Unexpected expenses are an unavoidable part of owning any pet, including a Maine Coon. The best way to prepare for them is to develop a budget ahead of time.

Owning a Maine Coon Cat On a Budget

As you’ve seen, owning a Maine Coon cat can certainly get expensive. If you have your heart set on a Maine Coon but are worried about the expense, there are some ways to own one on a budget. The basic needs of any cat are food, shelter, litter, and love. Love is free, and everything else can usually be found on sale!

Saving Money on Maine Coon Cat Care

Adopting a Maine Coon will be the cheaper option compared to buying one. Be cautious about buying from a pet store or backyard breeder, even if they are cheaper. You may pay more in vet bills for a less healthy cat.

Many areas offer low-cost vet care, including spaying, neutering, and shots. Some veterinarians have packages or discounts to make yearly vet care more affordable.

Feeding dry cat food is cheaper than canned or raw diets, and many cats do just fine on moderately priced brands. Many cat supplies can be purchased used, cutting down on initial expenses.

Conclusion

To recap, your most significant one-time expense will likely be when you first bring home your Maine Coon cat. Depending the price of your Maine Coon, you could spend up to an average of $3,300 in initial expenses. Once you have your new cat at home, you can expect to spend an average of $90–$430 per month caring for your Maine Coon cat. Again, these estimates will vary based on several factors but are a good place to start when making a monthly budget.

Maine Coon cats are beautiful animals who deserve loving homes. Before bringing a Maine Coon cat home, make sure you understand the cost and commitment involved. Then, you can enjoy your new furry friend with less worry and more cuddles!

Related Reads:

• How To Tell If Your Cat Is a Maine Coon
• How to Discipline a Maine Coon Cat – Vet Approved Tips

Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock