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Frequently Asked Questions about Maine Coons - European Bloodlines & More

If there are any questions we may have missed, or you still aren’t sure, please reach out to us. 

About Maine Coon Cats

Maine Coons are special for their majestic size, affectionate personalities, and dog-like behavior, making them one of the most beloved cat breeds in the world.

Here’s what sets Maine Coons apart:

  • Large Size: Maine Coons are among the largest domestic cat breeds, with males often weighing between 15–25 pounds.
  • Luxurious Fur: They have a thick, water-repellent double coat and a long, bushy tail, ideal for cold climates.
  • Tufted Ears and Paws: Their lynx-like ear tufts and snowshoe-like paws add to their wild, regal appearance.

Personality & Temperament

  • Gentle Giants: Despite their size, they’re known for being gentle, affectionate, and sociable—earning them the nickname “gentle giants”.
  • Dog-Like Behavior: Maine Coons often follow their humans around, play fetch, and enjoy water, much like dogs.
  • Highly Intelligent: They’re quick learners and can be trained to perform tricks or respond to commands.

Unique Origins & History

  • American Heritage: They’re one of the oldest natural breeds in North America, originating in Maine, where they were prized for their mousing skills.
  • Mythical Backstories: Legends suggest they descended from seafaring cats or even Marie Antoinette’s pets, adding to their mystique.

Ideal Companions

  • Great with Families: They’re known to be patient with children and get along well with other pets.
  • Adaptable: Whether in a bustling household or a quiet home, Maine Coons adjust well to different environments.

 

Their combination of beauty, brains, and a big heart makes Maine Coons truly one-of-a-kind companions.

Maine Coons are considered the dog of the cat world with a very social, well mannered temperament. They blend in well with family members, and activities.They are affectionate and playful.

Maine Coon cats are obligate carnivores doing best with a diet that is high in protein.

The Maine Coon breed is known for a few specific health issues, some of which are widely recognized and routinely tested for, while others are less common but still important to consider.The primary health issues include:

Hip Dysplasia: Abnormal development of the hip joint, leading to arthritis or mobility challenges.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopath (HCM): A hereditary heart condition that can lead to heart failure.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): Genetic condition that affects muscle strength and movement. 

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): A condition where fluid-filled cysts develop in the kidneys, potentially leading to kidney failure.

Other important, less commonly tested concerns

While these issues may not be as widely screened for , they are still relevant to the Maine Coon breed and should be part of a responsible breeding program:

Patellar Luxation: The spontaneous dislocation of the kneecap, which can cause pain and lameness.

Stomatitis: Inflammation of the soft tissues in the mouth, sometimes accompanied by ulcers.

Infectious Diseases: Like all cats, Maine Coons can contract Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) if exposed.

About Hickory Ridge Maine Coons

Gallatin, Tennessee

Yes. We are registered with TICA

Annual Heart Echocardiograms performed via color doppler ultrasound by a board certified veterinary cardiologist. This is to test for hypercardiomyopathy (HCM), enlargement of the heart that commonly results in death. The DNA test for this is absolutely not enough. These are recommended to be performed at ages 1, 2, 3, 5, and if results at age 5 are equivocal or the cat has blood relatives with HCM, one more at age 8. 

Hip Radiographs and Professional Grading. We screen for hip dysplasia, a painful condition that hinders a cat;s ability to jump and climb. 

Full Genetic Panels: Testing for genetic traits such as HCM, SMA, PKD, PKDef, as well as about 50 others. Genetic makeup does not change throughout an individual’s lifetime. Note that for issues such as HCM, there are more genes at play than labs have the capacity to test for, and the much more reliable testing is to perform annual heart echocardiograms on breeding cats. 

FIV/FeLV/Heartworm Testing: Performed on all adult cats and kittens before they are rehomed.

Biochemistry Panels: Evaluates organ function and metabolic health. This helps us avoid breeding cats with organ function issues including those in the thyroid, liver, kidneys, or pancreas. Some such issues include diabetes, hyperthyroidism, general immune system disorders, and chronic kidney disease.

Respiratory and Fecal PCR Tests: Detects infectious agents to ensure a healthy cattery environment. These tests help us control and quarantine any cats that arrive with parasites such as coccidia and giardia, or viral infections such as calicivirus and herpesvirus.

Physical Exam: to rule out issues such as hernias, stomatitis, ear infections, kinked tails or spines, and much more. Any one of these issues results in an immediate spay/neuter.

We are a closed cattery, which means we do not host in-home visits, except for families picking up a kitten they have already reserved. This policy is in place for several important reasons – most importantly, to protect the health and safety of our kittens and family.

We provide regular photo updates and offer video calls for our approved kitten families. These virtual visits allow us to build meaningful connections while ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for everyone.

At Hickory Ridge Maine Coons, our kittens are raised in a loving, lively home environment where they become part of our everyday family life from the very beginning.

We believe that a well-socialized Maine Coon kitten should experience the sights, sounds, and activities of a normal household. Rather than keeping our kittens isolated in a quiet environment, we gently expose them to the everyday noises they are likely to encounter in their future homes.

Our kittens become familiar with sounds such as vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, blenders, cooking, movies and television, playing, doorbells, and the activity of other animals. These everyday experiences help our kittens become comfortable and confident with the normal sights and sounds of family life.

Most importantly, our kittens receive plenty of love, attention, handling, and interaction. They are given the opportunity to explore, play, and develop their individual personalities while growing up surrounded by people and the activity of our home.

Our goal is to give each Hickory Ridge Maine Coon kitten a wonderful foundation for becoming a confident, affectionate, and well-adjusted companion when they leave our home and join yours.

Kittens & Availability

If we have kittens available, they will be pictured here. You can get all of the details about each kitten by clicking on their picture or their name.

Our kittens are $3,000 to $3,500. Polydactyl kittens are $3,500.

We do not maintain a traditional waitlist.

To reserve your own Hickory Ridge Maine Coon, the first step is to complete our Pre-approval Application. Once you’re approved, we’ll provide you with all the details about the next steps.

We pour countless hours of care and love into each of our kittens, and we believe they are to be truly cherished as part of your family. Because of the dedication we invest, there is a $500 reservation fee to secure a Hickory Ridge Maine Coon Kitten. That $500 fee is non-refundable, but does go towards the total purchase price of the kitten.  

We will at this time only be available on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.

Thank you for considering one of our kittens. The first step is to complete the application. Once approved, we will send you additional information.

Bringing Your Kitten Home

First set of vaccines, deworming, microchip. We delay the first set of vaccines until 9 weeks due to the risk of vaccine reactions in small kittens under 8 weeks of age. They will all be tested for FeLV and FIV and receive their first vaccine prior to leaving.

Payment Options at Hickory Ridge Maine Coons 

We gladly accept payments via Cash, Venmo, or Zelle for your convenience.

The health and well being of our kittens will always be a priority. In rare cases, a kitten may be retained for health concerns or may need more time with mom; however, most kittens will be ready for their forever home by 13 weeks.

Still Have Questions?

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please feel free to contact us directly.

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