What to Ask a Maine Coon Breeder Before Reserving

Before reserving a Maine Coon kitten, the most important work is not finding a kitten — it is vetting the breeder. The right questions protect you from heartbreak, genetic disease, and the behavioral problems that come from poor early socialization. Here are six questions every family should ask before sending a deposit.

One: Are both parents registered with TICA or CFA and can I see the pedigree? A responsible breeder registers every breeding cat and can produce a four- or five-generation pedigree. Without paperwork, 'European' is just a marketing word.

Two: What are the genetic test results for both parents? Every Maine Coon breeder should test for HCM, SMA, and PKDef. The gold standard is both parents N/N for all three, with documentation from a recognized lab.

Three: Have the parents been screened by a cardiologist? HCM is the most serious inherited risk in Maine Coons. A genetic test alone is not enough; breeding cats should have periodic echocardiograms by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist.

Four: Where are the kittens raised? Kittens raised in the breeder's home, handled daily, and exposed to normal household sounds and people grow into calmer, more confident adults. Outbuilding or barn-raised kittens often carry lifelong anxiety.

Five: What does your contract and health guarantee cover? Look for a written health guarantee, a lifetime take-back clause, and clear terms around vaccinations, microchip, registration, and spay/neuter if required.

Six: What kind of support do you offer after go-home day? The breeder relationship should last fifteen years. A serious breeder answers questions, provides guidance, and remains available for the lifetime of the cat.

At Ironmane Coons we welcome every one of these questions. We are not the fastest breeder; we are the breeder that will still be answering the phone ten years from now.