25 questions to ask a Maine Coon breeder (and the answers you want)

A good breeder wants these questions. They’ve done the work and they’re glad you’re the kind of buyer who checks. A bad one deflects, rushes, or gets defensive — which is exactly the signal you’re looking for. Here are 25 questions worth asking, grouped by what they reveal, with the answer you want and the answer that should end the conversation.

Health and testing

1. Are both parents HCM-DNA tested and echocardiogram-screened by a cardiologist? — You want both, with dated reports. These are two distinct tests (here’s why that matters). “Vet checked” is not an answer.
2. How recent is the echo, and how often do you re-screen? — Echoes expire; you want a recent one and a schedule, not a certificate from three years ago.
3. What else do you screen for? — SMA, PKD, hip evaluation. A blank look is a bad sign.
4. Can I see the parents’ registration and health documents? — Yes, and they should reconcile with each other and the cat.
5. What’s your policy if a genetic condition appears later? — You want a written health guarantee, not a verbal reassurance.
6. What vaccinations and deworming has the kitten had? — Specific dates and records, not “all of them.”
7. At what age do your kittens go home? — Twelve weeks or later. A breeder rushing a kitten out at six to eight weeks is cutting a corner that matters.

The contract

8. Do you use a written sale contract, and can I read it before I pay? — Yes, before any deposit. No contract is a loud red flag.
9. What does your health guarantee actually cover, and for how long? — Specific terms, in writing.
10. What are the spay/neuter terms? — Pet kittens are typically placed on a spay/neuter agreement.
11. What’s your return or refund policy if things don’t work out? — There should be a clear one, even if it isn’t generous.

The actual cat

12. Can we do a live video call with the kitten and the parents? — Yes, happily. A stall here is the classic scam tell — there may be no kitten.
13. Can you show the kitten from several angles, moving around? — Not one cropped photo. Reused stock photos are how scams work.
14. Who are the parents, and can I see their pedigree? — A real cattery can trace the lines.
15. What’s this kitten’s temperament like? — A breeder who raised the litter underfoot knows each kitten individually.
16. Is the kitten microchipped? — Often yes; it’s also what lets health documents be matched to this cat rather than just a cat.

The breeder

17. How long have you been breeding Maine Coons, and how many litters a year? — You want a small, focused program, not a factory.
18. Are you registered with TICA or CFA — and what’s your cattery name and number? — Then verify it yourself at the registry. A forwarded document isn’t proof; scammers steal real ones.
19. Can I speak to your vet and a past buyer? — Yes — and actually call them.
20. Why do you breed Maine Coons? — You’re listening for someone who knows and loves the breed, not someone counting units.
21. Do you vet your buyers? — A good breeder asks you questions too. A seller who’ll sell to anyone is a warning sign.

The handoff and payment

22. How does pickup work? — On TrueKitten every sale is an in-person handoff, so expect to meet your breeder and the kitten face to face.
23. How do you take payment? — On-platform, held until the handoff. Pressure toward wire, Zelle, or gift cards has no recourse — walk.
24. What comes home with the kitten? — Records, registration paperwork, a starter supply of food, sometimes a kitten pack.
25. What support do you offer after I take the kitten home? — Reputable breeders stay reachable for the cat’s life.

How to use the answers

No single answer is a verdict, but the pattern is. A breeder who welcomes the health and contract questions, shows you the cat live, and takes payment safely is showing you they’ve done the work. One who rushes you, dodges the documents, or steers the money off-platform is showing you something too. Trust the pattern, not the charm — and when you’re ready, browse verified breeders’ listings and start the conversation on solid ground.