Why does a Maine Coon kitten cost this much?

When you have a purebred cat breeding program, the most common question is undoubtedly about the price! 💵 At first glance, the answer seems simple... but it often leads to a lot of surprise and questions.

Luna Maine con questionning about the price

"Why is it so expensive if the breeder only has one male and one female?"

Many people believe that breeding cats is simply about owning a male and a female, but in reality, ethical breeding involves much more than that. It’s a daily commitment, a massive workload, and, most importantly, many costs to bear long before a kitten is even born.

Here are 5 essential costs that any responsible breeder must cover before selling a single kitten:

1️⃣ Breeding Costs

✅ Selecting Breeding Cats: The breeder must seek quality bloodlines to ensure healthy pedigrees 🏅. This involves:

• In-depth research on the best breeders around the world 🌍.

• Special attention to avoid inbreeding and preserve the health of the breed 🧬.

• A high initial investment: Quality breeding cats are expensive 💰.

✅ Transporting Breeders: At our cattery, our breeders travel by plane ✈️, in the cabin, accompanied by a pet nanny to reduce stress as much as possible. This method of transport is secure but costly.

✅ Registration with Feline Organizations: A good breeder must register their breeders and litters with official associations 🏛️.

✅ Ongoing Education 📚: A responsible breeder regularly follows training on:

• Feline health 🏥,

• Breeding practices 🍼,

• Socialization of kittens 🐾,

• Emergency procedures 🚨.

These trainings are essential to stay updated and offer the best possible guidance to kittens and their adopters.

✅ Emergency Equipment 🚑: Breeding requires being ready for anything! This means investing in:

• A medical kit 🩺,

• Supplies for births 🍼,

• Medications and preventive treatments 💊.

✅ Preparing Starter Kits 🎁: Each kitten leaves with an adoption kit tailored to our quality standards. It contains:

• Premium food 🍖,

• Essential accessories 🏠,

• Detailed advice for a smooth transition 📖.

✅ Time Invested ⏳: Raising a kitten isn’t done in the snap of a finger! Each baby requires hundreds of hours of care, play, socialization, and education to become a balanced companion.

2️⃣ Housing Costs

Breeding takes place in our home, which involves costs to ensure a secure, comfortable, and stimulating environment: 🏠 Space Setup:

• Designated areas for births and kitten growth 🍼,

• Securing rooms to prevent accidents ⚠️,

• Furniture, hiding places, and accessories to enrich their environment 🎠.

💡 Fixed Costs:

• Electricity and heating (newborn kittens need to be kept warm 🔥),

• Internet and equipment to manage contacts with adopters 🌐.

🛡️ Specialized Insurance: No one is immune to fire, theft, or water damage. Therefore, we have specific insurance to cover our cats in case of emergencies.

🏥 Medical Equipment: Even before the first birth, we must invest in equipment to ensure optimal monitoring of births and kitten care.

3️⃣ Management Costs

Running a cattery also means managing a business 💼. This involves: 📊 Accounting and Taxes:

• Mandatory tax declarations 📑,

• Tracking expenses and income 💰.

⚖️ Drafting Legal Contracts:

• Sales contracts 📝,

• Protecting both the breeder and the adopter 🛡️.

📢 Advertising and Visibility:

• Social media 📲,

• Creating and managing a website 🌍,

• Quality photos and videos 📸.

📧 Customer Service: A breeder spends hours answering future adopters' questions, advising them, and guiding them through the adoption process.

4️⃣ Veterinary Costs

Veterinary care is one of the largest expense categories for a breeder 🩺:

✅ Basic Care:

• Vaccines 💉,

• Deworming 🪱,

• Microchips 📍,

• Annual health exams 👩‍⚕️.

✅ Health Tests for Breeders:

• DNA tests 🧬,

• Screening for breed-specific genetic diseases 🏥.

✅ Sterilization of Kittens ✂️: At our cattery, kittens destined for companionship are sterilized before adoption.

✅ Emergency Care 🚨: We have an emergency veterinary fund to cover unexpected medical care and ensure immediate response.

5️⃣ Daily Costs

A cattery requires significant daily resource consumption: 🐾 Litter and Accessories:

• Litter boxes 🚽,

• Quality litter,

• Cleaning products 🧼.

🍗 Premium Food: All our cats are fed high-quality food tailored to their nutritional needs.

💊 Supplements and Care:

• Probiotics for the digestive system 🦠,

• Supplements for pregnant females 🤰.

🧴 Grooming:

• Specialized shampoos 🛁,

• Brushes and toothpaste 🪥.

🧽 Space Maintenance:

• Daily cleaning of rooms 🧼,

• Regular disinfection to prevent bacteria proliferation 🦠.

🎾 Toys and Enrichment: A large feline population means frequent toy replacements.

📆 365-Day Commitment: Unlike other professions, there are no days off. Cats require attention every day, all year round.

Luna chaton Maine coon with her breeder in France.

🏁 In conclusion

Breeding is a passion, but it's also a demanding profession that requires a huge investment of time and money.

⚠️ A kitten sold at a low price should raise a red flag!

🔎 Before falling in love with a kitten, choose your breeder first. A good breeder will always prioritize the health and well-being of their cats. 🐾❤️

Feel free to read the summary of this section below, which addresses the common question: What is the price of a Maine Coon?

Voici le résumé des frais encourus par un éleveur responsable et l'explication derrière cette fameuse question: Quel est le prix d'un Maine coon?