Thread: Breeder - too many cats? Considering a kitten.

I really appreciate the advice with this such a big decision. If anyone has any other breeder suggestions, please send them my way. I live in TN, but some distance is ok such as AR, MS, MO, OK, or AL.

Thanks!

It is so important to check out prospects thoroughly. With our MC boy, my heart got the best of me. There were warning signs everywhere (babies locked in empty rooms; breeder lived alone; cats literally EVERYWHERE; breeder wouldn't let us see the studs). Breeder mentioned that she thought a neutered male might not have "taken" - just so happens, it was our Dakota's brother (still mingling with the ladies). So he may be Kota's brother/dad (who knows?!?!?) Was never able to get the paperwork from her after we had him neutered (so he's not a papered cat).

We love Kota and wouldn't trade him for the world, but it is quite obvious he was never properly socialized. He will be 6 this year and is still skittish with strangers or those he doesn't trust. He will only relax and cuddle when it's quiet and there is one of us around. He's always watching - and those MC ears don't miss a sound! Also, absolutely any time he gets stressed, the poos get runny for several days and we have to watch him closely.

In no way am I complaining - and forgive me if it sounds that way! I just wanted to note what I observed first thing, and I wasn't looking for signs (as I wanted an MC desperately). Thankfully, this MC breeder is out of business now, and we love our boy (warts and all)! He's a beauty (and big - 20 lbs), but to most, we can only show pictures, and sometimes his tail (hanging out of the closet).

Best of luck with your MC hunt - be patient, the right furbaby (ies?) will be there with your name on it.

Your post influenced me more than you know. Thank you for sharing your personal experience.

We had a not dissimmilar experience when buying a kitten. Cats everywhere, could smell the house from the road, and although the cats were fabulous, well fed and clearly loved as much as 50+ cats can be by two people, the kittens were clearly not properly socialised, having been raised in large indoor pens. Only when we brought the kitten home (the breeder's recommendation from the litter, not our choice, though the kit was cute and friendly) did we think about the full impact of the situation. Kittie was smelly and in need of a bath, not litter trained, gulped her food, probably due to competition, and then promptly threw it up (she still does this when stressed), was very skittish and didn't settle for quite a while. She is now one of our more loving cats, and at 3 years old and neutered, is a beautiful adult except for a slightly protruding chin. It takes a great deal of time and effort, but the situation can be turned around though be wary. Having read mc-becca's post, I think we were a bit more fortunate, but you just never know. Every cat is different as are every breeder's standards. Research and careful consideration are your top tools.

PS - Nobody can say how many cats is too many, you need to judge for yourself how well they are cared for and how personable they are.

I came close to falling for one from a photo, no actually I did fall for it, absolutely adorable. In the end I decided against it and I am going to shop for a breeder with fewer adults and someone who raises their kittens "under foot". It seems it would be impossible to provide enough socialization with so many.

I know some will turn out great regardless, they are Maine Coons after all; and I know the right home life can help others get there. I also know we always love them when we get them and they become ours. But I do think, and much of this is based on everyone sharing, that the best situation would be having good kitten socialization coupled with a great new home.