Maine Coon Kitten FAQ

We are based in Ballwin, Missouri — right in the St. Louis metro. Local pickup is always welcome on go-home day. Text (618) 973-6926 to start the conversation.

Yes. Dashing Coons is TICA-registered, listed on the TICA breeder directory, and publicly present on official social media. We welcome live video calls so you can see your kitten in real time. We encourage buyers to verify any breeder before sending a deposit — including us.

Three steps: (1) Confirm our TICA registration on the TICA breeder directory. (2) Confirm our official social media pages match our brand. (3) Schedule a live video call. We do not pressure buyers and prefer confident, educated families.

Parents are completing health testing; I share each cat’s current status openly and results as they’re finalized. If you have questions about where testing stands for a specific parent cat, ask before you deposit.

No. DNA testing identifies specific known mutations, but a negative result does not mean a cat will never develop a condition. Ethical breeding combines genetic testing, veterinary oversight, and transparent communication with buyers.

Yes. All kittens go home vet checked, up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations, and with documented health records. We recommend a follow-up veterinary exam within 72 hours of pickup to establish care with your local vet.

European Maine Coons are the same breed as American Maine Coons but developed along more extreme lines by breeders in Russia, Ukraine, and Scandinavia. They tend to have taller ears with more pronounced lynx tufts, higher cheekbones, a squarer muzzle, heavier bone structure, and larger adult size. Our sire Cyrus carries imported bloodlines from Russia and Ukraine.

Males from European lines typically reach 18 to 25 pounds at full maturity. Females typically reach 10 to 15 pounds. Maine Coons mature slowly — most do not reach full adult size until 3 to 4 years of age. Do not be surprised if your kitten is still visibly growing at age 2.

Smoke refers to a coat with dark tipping and a lighter silver undercoat. The contrast is visible when the coat moves or is parted. We specialize in black smoke, blue smoke, tortie smoke, and smoke with white. Smoke kittens are born nearly solid and reveal the silver undercoat gradually over the first 6 to 12 months.

Yes — significantly. Smoke kittens are born nearly solid and look very different from their adult selves. The silver undercoat becomes visible around 6 to 12 weeks and continues to develop through the first year. Early photos will not show the full smoke effect. Maine Coons also mature slowly in coat and size.

A polydactyl cat has extra toes, caused by a dominant mutation in the Pd gene. One copy is enough to produce extra toes. Approximately 50% of our kittens are polydactyl. The trait is cosmetic and not harmful when responsibly bred. Extra toes mean extra nails — routine trimming is important. Polydactyl and non-polydactyl kittens are priced the same.

Our kittens are priced between $3,500 and $4,500 depending on the individual kitten — coat color, sex, and structure all factor in. Breeding-rights placements are paused; every kitten is a pet placement. Polydactyl and non-polydactyl kittens are priced the same. A $1,000 deposit through QuickBooks holds one specific kitten and is applied to your total.

A $1,000 deposit holds one specific kitten. It is non-refundable if you change your mind, but it is fully applied toward your total — it is the first payment, not an added fee. Payment is processed through Intuit QuickBooks. Confirm the current written terms before sending a deposit.

Not at this time — all kittens are placed on pet contracts; breeding-rights placements are paused.

Text us at (618) 973-6926 to start the conversation. We then offer a live video call so you can see your kitten in real time. A $1,000 deposit through Intuit QuickBooks holds one specific kitten and is applied to your total. You receive photo and video updates through go-home day. Kittens go home at 10 to 12 weeks.

Local pickup in Ballwin is always our first preference for St. Louis families. The process starts with a video call — I will show you the kitten live, answer every question, and we go from there. Pickup happens on go-home day once the kitten is vet-cleared and ready.

Our typical go-home window is 10 to 12 weeks of age. Kittens go home once they are fully weaned, eating consistently, litterbox trained, stable in weight, vet cleared, and up to date on vaccinations. If a kitten would benefit from additional time, we hold longer. Health always comes first.

No. Your kitten always travels with Samuel personally — never shipped, never in cargo. Local pickup in Ballwin, Missouri is always the first preference. For families outside the area, complimentary nationwide personal delivery is available. Availability and timing depend on current litter inventory and your location. Text (618) 973-6926 to discuss.

Local pickup in Ballwin is always welcome. For families in the surrounding region — Chicago, Nashville, Indianapolis, Louisville, and nearby — personal hand-delivery can often be arranged. For families further out, complimentary nationwide personal delivery is included. Sam brings your kitten by car or in-cabin flight, never cargo.

Yes. Dashing Coons is a TICA-registered cattery, and our kittens are placed with proper documentation consistent with TICA registration practices. You will receive TICA registration paperwork, health and vaccination records, pedigree information, and a written health guarantee.

You will receive: TICA registration paperwork, health records from birth through placement, pedigree information, age-appropriate vaccination records, a pre-placement veterinary exam certificate, and a written health guarantee.

Our kittens are raised inside our home — not in a separate facility or outdoor building. They receive daily hands-on handling from birth, early social exposure, household stimulation, and structured interaction. The sensitive socialization window in kittens occurs very early (approximately 2 to 9 weeks), and we prioritize positive experiences during that time.

Maine Coons are known as gentle giants — typically affectionate, social, confident, and adaptable. They tend to get along well with children, other cats, and dogs. Temperament comes from both genetics and early environment. We prioritize both in our program.

Be cautious of: prices that seem too good to be true, refusal to do live video, requests for gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers, high-pressure tactics, and full payment demanded before verification. We will never refuse reasonable verification requests. We encourage buyers to verify any breeder before placing a deposit — including us.

We remain available to our families for the life of the cat. Whether you have questions about nutrition, grooming, growth expectations, health, or behavior — we are here. We also ask that families contact us first if they ever need to rehome their cat. We do not support surrendering to shelters without breeder involvement.

Have these ready before pickup: a large litter box (Maine Coons outgrow standard boxes quickly — a 40-gallon storage tub works well), unscented clumping litter, a tall sturdy cat tree, horizontal and vertical scratching posts, a filtered water fountain, high-quality wet food (ask us what your kitten has been eating), a wide-tooth comb or slicker brush, a carrier with a soft blanket, and interactive wand toys.

Text (618) 973-6926 or fill out the inquiry form on our Contact page. Tell us what you are looking for — color, sex, personality, and timing. All current placements are pet placements. Once we confirm a good match, a $1,000 deposit through QuickBooks holds one specific kitten and is applied to your total.

Not yet. A Jolene × Cyrus pairing is planned, but there is no confirmed pregnancy, so there is nothing to reserve. Reach out through the contact form or text 618-973-6926, and I'll be in touch if a litter is confirmed.