Maine Coon Cats for Sale…or Return?
Ok, so the title of this article Maine Coon cats for sale or return is tongue in cheek but its to make a serious point. When you find a Maine Coon cat for sale that seems like a perfect match it’s easy to let emotions take over. Even though you ‘know’ you’ve found the right one for you there are still quite a few important checks you’ll need to carry out. Once you commit to buying your chosen cat there’s no going back without exceptional reasons – there’s no sale or return agreement if it doesn’t work out 6 months from now!
If you’re setting out to find the best Maine Coon cats for sale, go about your research with your eyes wide open. Maine Coons, like all other pets are not created equal. Even cats of the same breed with established pedigrees are still unique of course. Not all cats are the same ‘quality’ even from the same litter.
Some are healthier than others. The personality will vary and physical features may look similar when kittens are very young but offer clues to how they will develop. The investment of time and money is significant so go to the effort of taking time to find the healthy and gorgeous kitten you really want. Remember you can only have one (or two maybe) even though you may want to take quite a few of them home once you start looking J
Here’s a 3 important things to investigate when you think you’re getting closer to making a buying decision:
1. A Registered Maine Coon Cattery – You’ll want to know if the breeder has a registered cattery and if they show their cats. This is important because it demonstrates a commitment to the breed and to the community of owners, breeders and judges who are able to share knowledge about health issues, concerns and maintain the integrity and strength of the Maine Coon breed. Anyone who isn’t making a wider contribution to the Maine Coon breeding community when they are breeding and selling cats may have good reasons why but important when getting a feel of who you’re dealing with.
An important addition to this is to understand that buying a kitten from a breeder who shows, is that kittens are far more likely to bred for temperament on the basis that show cats have to relaxed, happy around people and not timid.
2. Breeding Standards – Investigate signs of inbreeding. You can easily do this with reputable breeders by asking to see the pedigree and identifying whether close relatives have been bred together. This doesn’t necessarily cause a problem but most breeders you talk to will not recommend this as the healthiest form of breeding for the cats.
Ask about the titles the kitten’s parents have been awarded and check back through the lineage to find out if there are champion grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. This is significant because it tells you that impartial experts have judged the breed standards running through the lines over time.
3. Health Problems – Be as confident as you can you are buying a healthy cat from a reputable cattery with a good breeding history before agreeing a Maine Coon sale. Although most breeders will take the kitten back within a certain period of time if there is a problem, the heartache and stress of taking on a kitten that becomes ill is not alleviated greatly by knowing the breeder will take the kitten back or refund you the money. There are never any guarantees as such but you can do your research and minimize your chances of been unlucky.
All pedigreed animals have some potential inherited health risks. Reputable breeders will talk openly about issues because they will be working on breeding programmes designed to prevent problems in their litters. If you are talking to someone who wants to see you a cat and doesn’t acknowledge health risks in Maine Coons, you may view this as a red flag.
Finding the perfect Maine Coon cats for sale at the right time and price for you can take a little time but I promise from personal experience it is worth it.
Next>>>Tips and Information if you’re looking for that special Maine Coon kitten for sale
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Click here to see one of the earliest Maine Coon cat pictures ever taken
Maine Coon Kitten for Sale? 4 Questions You Must Ask the Seller
Little King Henry still at the cattery
I remember been so pleased with myself when I eventually found a reputable breeder with genuine pedigree Maine Coon kitten for sale . I thought that was the end of the search when really it should have been the beginning. Back in 2002 I actually found information and advice quite hard to come by so was totally reliant on what information my breeder offered.
Having made a few mistakes and learnt along the way here’s a few more questions you may want to ask if you’re about to buy a Maine Coon and you’ve found a breeder with a kitten for sale that meets with your requirements …
- Will I get a health warranty and a contract?
This is definitely something you should expect, although this works both ways and you are advised to read through the paperwork carefully. Usually there will be a time period when kittens can be returned in the event your vet finds a problem.
Contracts may also specify whether the cat can be kept indoors or outdoors. I realised when corresponding through my websites with many new Maine Coon owners that people often want their cats to roam outside freely. It is pretty standard for the contract to stipulate that neutering must take place within a certain period of time and transference of ownership is not permitted. This is all about protecting the integrity of the breed and the reputation of the breeder selling the kittens.
2. What vaccinations will you/I have to take care of?
This will vary country to country, from state to state. I know that different vets have varying opinions on what shots are necessary and healthy for a young kitten to have. The best advice is to simply make sure the kitten has a clean bill of health verified by a vet before you take the kitten. Make sure to get a vaccination record so you can then consult with your own vet as soon as you become the new owner.
3. What registration requirements?
In my experience this is left to the new owner to send off the appropriate documentation to the governing body along with a small registration fee. The registration papers should be provided to you by the breeder so make sure you ask about for them if not provided. Registration is essential for showing cats but is recommended in any case. If you’re going to invest and buy a Maine Coon it seems sensible to register your new cat – I think of it like registering a new baby’s birth.
4. When can I take my new kitten home?
A responsible breeder should not separate a new kitten from its mother for at least 10 weeks. A new kitten’s immune system is not developed until this stage and the early weeks can be when any health problems first become apparent. Maine Coons are slow developers taking up to 4 years to mature fully and it is generally accepted that its ok for kittens to go to their new homes when 12 weeks old. With both of our MCs we had to wait about 3 months. It can seem a long time but always worth the wait and gives you plenty of time to get prepared for your new arrival.
Next>>>Maine Coon price
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Click here to see one of the earliest Maine Coon cat pictures ever taken
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