Frequently Asked Questions

Kittens are reserved very quickly. Check the page 'Available kittens' to see information about upcoming expected litters, newborn kittens, and if any kittens are currently available.

The average cost of a pure-bred Maine Coon kitten is between $3,500 - $5,000 dollars, although some breeders may charge higher prices. Maine Coon kitten prices vary depending on coat coloring and on average Aristocoon Cattery kittens are $4,000 - $5,000 (pets). Breeding rights are higher, and ONLY available to registered and approved catteries. See other TICA Maine Coon Catteries from across the US and their prices below Pricing Comparison Chart

Follow the simple process under section 'adoption' page.

We have roughly 2 litters per year at this time available for adoption.

We are proudly a TICA registered cattery.

We are located in Conway, SC. About 5 miles from Myrtle Beach.

We operate with a closed cattery. This means we do not allow people to come to our home to view kittens, we only allow people to come in when it is time to pick the kittens up and take them home. This is how the majority of TICA breeders across the US operate because it reduces stress on the parent cats, and kittens, and highly reduces the risk of bacteria entering the home. Some breeders will even meet at a park or local shopping area to have kittens picked up rather than allow pick up in their homes because of this.  We are happy to Skype with people or do a video call where you can see us, the kittens, and the environment they are growing in. I would be happy to arrange this with you after an application for kitten adoption has been sent in through the website. 

As the largest domesticated cat breed in the world, Maine Coon cats are very large when they are fully mature. However, they process takes twice as long as the average house cat! Maine Coon cats are know for take 4-5 years to fully finish growing. They can up to 16 inches tall and whooping 40 inches long, and weighting up to 25 lbs.

The average life expectancy of a Maine Coon is 12 to 15 years old.

Not only are they great with dogs, small children and other cats, Maine Coons are known as the dog-like cat. They will play fetch, follow their person from room to room, and are exceptionally loyal.

No, they are not. They also require regular grooming due to their long fluffy coat.

There is a good reason they known as the gentle giant of the cat world. Although their size can be intimating for some, they are very gentle, social and loving cats. Each cat will have his or her own personality, but specific temperament traits can be breed in through the parents genetics. Our kittens are the most loving, friendly and socialize kittens around.

Why We’re Responsible Breeders 1. We are Focused on Ethical Breeding We voluntarily signed and uphold the TICA’s ethical breeding program. Which holds breeders to the highest standards of cat care. We ensure all kittens are spayed/neutered and well-socialized before going to their new homes. Without ethical breeders we wouldn’t have the cat breeds we all know and love, like the Maine Coon. Ethical breeders focus on preserving the special traits and qualities of the cats we love so much. We work side by side with the TICA to ensure we are doing all we can to uphold breeding standards and qualities while focusing on the health and wellness of our cats. 2. Health-First Breeding Program We prioritize the health and well-being of our cats by conducting rigorous health testing, including: Regular veterinarian care and screening to ensure our cats our in their best health, at all times. Their health comes first. Bloodwork, including chemistry panel and CBC PCR Testing for Viruses, Parasites, and harmful Bacteria DNA Testing for HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy), PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease), SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy), and much more as needed by the kings and queens to ensure all cats in our breeding program are less likely to pass on any health issues. 3. Family Focused Cattery Our cats live in our home with us, as family members. For this reason, we will never turn into a huge cattery. We want all our cats and kittens to grow up in a loving home and receive the treatment they deserve. Some breeders choose to raise their cats and kittens outdoors. While our cats have access to an enclosed outdoor space, they live inside with us from birth. 4. Transparency and Trust We share our cattery on TikTok and online. Being open and honest about how we raise our cats and how we care for them We value building strong relationships with kitten families, offering references, video calls, and full transparency about our program and practices.

How We Care for Our Kings and Queens At AristoCoon Cattery we treat our Kings and Queens like royalty—because they are. They take turns sleeping in our bed, enjoy homemade cat-safe meals, and receive endless cuddles, playtime, and enrichment. Unlike some breeders, we do not—and will never—house our cats in cages. Our Kings and Queens are cherished family members who share our home and hearts. Breeding Practices for Our Kings Our Kings typically have longer careers, like men who can have babies even late in age. We find no reason to retire a stud from ‘active duty’ unless we are having issues with spraying, or another health issue. At five years of age we typically retired our males. We do limit our household to two kings, and limit the number of times they are allowed to reproduce during the year. It is our responsibly as breeders to ensure the health of our cats at all times. As such we do not offer ‘stud services’. where males are bred to a large number of unrelated females. Such practices dilute the gene pool and often disregard health and genetic integrity. For us, studding is a serious responsibility, not a casual offering. Breeding Practices for Our Queens Our Queens are generally retired around the age of 4, ensuring they are spayed and enjoy the majority of their life as healthy, relaxed and beloved pets. We have a strict limit of 2-3 litters per female per year, normally limited to 2. Queens must meet specific criteria before breeding: They must be at least 10 months old. While this is a minimum, we only allow matings this early if a female has demonstrated consistent heat cycles since 5–6 months of age (which is rare). If early, frequent cycles occur, a spay may instead be necessary for her health. They must weigh a minimum of 10 pounds to ensure they are physically ready for the demands of pregnancy and motherhood. Pregnancy and Kitten Care Maine Coon pregnancies typically last 63–70 days, or about 9–10 weeks. After giving birth, our Queens stay with their kittens to nurse them until they are 11–12 weeks old, when they are ready to go to their new homes. While the kittens nurse only for comfort beyond weaning at 4–5 weeks, the Queens enjoy regular breaks and are not required to spend all their time with the kittens. Many Queens will resume heat cycling when their kittens are still very young—sometimes as early as one week postpartum. However, we do not breed our Queens again at this stage. While it is possible that cats in the “wild” might mate this quickly, we believe such a practice to be highly unethical in a responsible breeding program. Before allowing a Queen to mate again, we require that she has fully regained her pre-pregnancy health and weight, along with an additional reserve to support her next pregnancy. This recovery period lasts at least one to two months after kitten weaning, and typically also aligns with our requirement of 2-3 heat cycles after delivery. We follow the Merck Veterinary Manual* for our breeding practices, which provides critical guidelines for breeding cats in optimal health. It recommends sequential breeding as much as possible without skipping many cycles, provided the female has returned to optimal health, to minimize reproductive health risks like cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra. This also allows the Queens to retire much younger, ensuring the majority of their life is spent as spayed cats unbothered by reproductive hormones.

The health, happiness, and well-being of our cats are our top priorities. While we would love to keep all of our retired adult and teenage cats, including those that did not pass their health testing and could not become part of our breeding program, doing so would compromise the sustainability and ethics of our breeding program. To ensure we continue to improve the Maine Coon breed and maintain a healthy, genetically diverse breeding program, we occasionally rehome retired adults to loving families. This practice allows us to responsibly introduce new cats into our program and focus on enhancing the breed’s overall health and longevity. Of course, some cats become so deeply bonded with us that they stay as family pets. We typically limit this to 1–2 beloved companions, although we admittedly struggle to stick to this limit—we love them all so much!

They sure are! We perform routine deworming on our kittens starting at 4 weeks of age, and each kitten receives two rounds of core vaccines – Purevax 3 Way – between 6-8 weeks and again between 9 to 11 weeks.

We take great care in selecting diets that provide optimal nutrition for our cats and kittens. Our feeding practices are strictly grounded in evidence-based research to prioritize their health, growth, and overall well-being. While raw diets and grain-free foods have become popular in recent years, we do not recommend them. There is a very helpful guideline written by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) that is definitely worth a read, for anyone considering raw diets. Raw feeding can expose cats to harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, as well as parasites, which pose significant risks to both the cat and the humans in the household. Please also refer to this veterinary source regarding the dangers of raw diets. Many companies claim to be able to control the level of bacteria in their raw meat, but without fail each one eventually seems to do recalls for contaminats, the largest most recent one being Viva raw in June 2024 for an outbreak of listeria. Realize also that almost none of these raw pet food companies directly test for parasites in their raw meat. Grain-free diets have been linked to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in cats and dogs, and grains themselves are not harmful; in fact, they often provide valuable nutrients like fiber and energy. Taurine, an essential nutrient for cats, tends to be substantially reduced or fully removed in grain free diets, resulting in a Taurine deficiency which contributes to the development of heart disease, among many other major health issues. Here is a source to read concerning the dangers of grain free diets. For our breeding cats, who have high energy demands due to pregnancy, nursing, and their active lifestyles, as a staple we feed Purina Pro Kitten Chicken. This high-calorie diet meets their increased nutritional requirements, helping them maintain a healthy weight and overall condition. We also use this diet for our kittens to support their rapid growth and development. To complement their diet, we provide homemade cooked foods such as: Plain boneless chicken breasts and thighs Pumpkin paste Homemade chicken broth (the water plain chicken is boiled in) Egg yolks (in moderation) Supplements like omega-3 fatty acids and taurine We provide access to fresh water at all times. We love Arm & Hammer Advanced Care Dental Water Additive for Cats and use it once daily, which quickly helps clear up any irritation at the gum line from teething or bacterial buildup. Our cats have gorgeous teeth and gums! While we try to avoid it as much as possible, Maine Coons are are predisposed to juvenile gingivitis, inflammation of the gums, typically anywhere between 7 and 24 months of age. It is important to note the distiction between juvenile gingivitis and stomatitis, which is much more serious and involves inflammation and sometimes ulceration of the entire oral cavity (goes past the gum line). The dental additive helps greatly with juvenile gingivitis. Stomatitis requires more intensive care, and of course any cat that develops stomatitis should not be bred. By providing balanced, high-quality nutrition and avoiding unproven or potentially harmful diet trends, we ensure our Maine Coons thrive at every stage of their lives. If you have questions about transitioning your kitten to a new diet or maintaining a healthy weight for your adult cat, we are always happy to assist!

Ensuring the long-term health of our adult cats and kittens is one of our highest priorities. As mentioned in previous sections, our comprehensive health, structural, and genetic testing serves as the cornerstone for the overall well-being of our kittens. These rigorous measures provide a solid foundation for a long and healthy life. There is never a 100 percent guarantee that a beloved cat or kitten with live an expected age, but we do everything we can to help that process! We firmly believe that a happy cat is a healthy cat. That’s why socialization starts early in our cattery, helping kittens become accustomed to human interaction and fostering strong, loving bonds with their future families. This early social exposure plays a vital role in their emotional well-being and adaptability in new environments. A cat’s diet, grooming, environment, and regular veterinary care all contribute to their long-term health and happiness. To assist our adopters, we provide a comprehensive kitten care guide with valuable information on proper nutrition, vaccination schedules, grooming tips, and more. Our goal is to equip you with the tools and knowledge to ensure your Maine Coon thrives in their new home and remains a beloved member of your family for many years to come.

We deliver kittens anywhere within the continental United States! While we are located in South Carolina, the several of our kittens have happily joined families across the country. Delivery Options and Costs Pick-Up Options: Pick up at Myrtle Beach International Airport: No Charge You fly to Myrtle Beach International Airport, and we will bring your kitten to meet you at the airport on the day of your flight. Pick up within 15 miles of Conway, SC: No Charge A pre-determined meeting location will be arranged for your convenience. Personal Vehicle Delivery: Delivery within 100 miles of Conway, SC: $400 Your kitten will be personally delivered by one of our family members. Personal In-Cabin Air Delivery: We work with petjetpals to transport anywhere within the U.S. International Pick-Up At this time, we do not provide deliveries outside the US. However, if you live elsewhere and would like a kitten, you are welcome to fly to South Carolina, and we’ll meet you at Myrtle Beach International for pick-up.

Thank you for your interest in an AristoCoon kitten! Due to high demand, we’ve recently updated our waitlist process. If you’re hoping to bring one of our kittens into your family, here are the steps to follow: 1. Complete the Kitten Application We get a lot of questions, emails, and messages about our kittens. The first answer is always the same, fill out an application on the website and look through the frequently asked questions page as it will cover the majority of major questions!  2. Application Review and Approval If your application is approved, we’ll contact you within 1-3 business days. At this point, we’re happy to answer any additional questions you may have. Approved applicants are added to our contact list. 3. Kitten Reservation Notifications When a litter of kittens reaches 3-4 weeks of age, we’ll send an email to everyone on the contact list with a password to access the reservation page. Note: The password may be changed at any time. We will always include the updated password with a reservation announcement.  ** We do give special access to reserve kittens from repeat buyers or persons wanting two or more kittens from the same litter. **  4. Explore and Select Your Favorites On the kitten reservation page, you’ll find: Photos and details of each available kitten 5. Reservation Process We will contact everyone when reservations open, and all the approved guardians are then welcome to log onto the website and reserve an available kitten. You will find that kittens are reserved quickly, and you may have to wait for the next litter if you are looking for a specific color or gender.  6. Not Selected? Stay Positive! If you aren’t able to reserve a kitten right away, please don’t worry! We have a limited number of kittens and we typically have 3-4 litters a year.  If you find that it's been two litters and you haven’t been able to reserve a kitten please feel free to reach out and we will try to work with you.  We understand this process requires patience, and we greatly appreciate your understanding as we work hard to place our kittens in the most loving, suitable homes.

We completely understand—seeing a newborn litter of adorable Maine Coon kittens is exciting, and it’s tempting to reserve one right away! However, we do not allow reservations until the kittens are 3-4 weeks old. Here’s why we wait until 8 weeks: Health and Growth Monitoring: The first 3 weeks are crucial for a kitten’s development. This time allows us to monitor their growth, ensure they are meeting milestones, and check for any health concerns or cosmetic issues. Personality Assessment: By 3-4 weeks, we start to see the kittens’ personalities emerge. This helps us better match each kitten to the most suitable home based on temperament and lifestyle. Breeding Program Evaluation: During this period, we evaluate the litter to determine if any kittens will be kept back for our breeding program. As ethical breeders, we carefully select cats that meet our high standards for health, structure, and temperament. What Happens at 3-4 Weeks? Once the kittens reach 3-4 weeks of age, we will: Post photos, and details about each kitten reservation page. Send an email to everyone on our approved contact list with the password to access the reservation page. Why Do We Wait? Waiting until 3-4 weeks ensures we can: Prioritize the kittens’ health and well-being. Uphold the standards of our breeding program by evaluating each litter carefully. We know the wait can be hard, but we promise it’s worth it! Our goal is to ensure each kitten is happy, healthy, and placed in the perfect home. If you’d like to be notified when kittens are available for reservation, make sure you’re on our email list and follow us on social media for updates. Thank you for your understanding and patience!

We want to make sure you don’t miss out when our kittens become available for reservation! Here’s how you can stay informed: Join Our Approved Guardian Email List Simply apply to become an approved guardian by filling out an application on the website. Follow Us on Social Media Follow us on Tiktok for real-time updates, adorable kitten videos, and announcements about upcoming litters.