Do you have a waitlist?
We decided to drop our waitlist at the beginning of 2022. When our waitlist had quickly exceeded the amount of kittens we would have in a year we decided that it was time to drop it. We do have an application and do try to work through those and complete phone call interviews as received. We truly care about the wellbeing of our kittens and their future, we are very selective about the families that are looking to bring one of our Maine Coon kittens into their family. We do have a “take back” policy for our kittens, in the event that the kitten is not being cared for properly and/or their owner can no longer care for the kitten, the kitten is to be returned to us.
So to answer the question of “Do you have a waitlist?”, we do not have a waitlist. We also do not take “advance” deposits for our kittens prior to being born or prior to reservation age (4 weeks or older, may vary kitten to kitten). When we have confirmed a litter, the announcement will be shared on our “Available Kittens” page and may be shared on our social media accounts. Our current social media accounts are linked on the top right corner of our website.
How much are Lucki Maine Coon kittens?
At this time our kittens are $2,600-$2,800. All kittens are pet only, no exceptions. They will be spayed/neutered prior to going home. At this time we do not offer breeding rights on any of our kittens. The deposit for kittens is $600, this will come out of the final price of the kitten. A kitten is only considered reserved after a contract is signed and the deposit is received. We do allow for our kittens to go to show homes to potentially be shown in the Premiership and/or Alter class. Show quality kittens are the same cost as pet only as we cannot guarantee the kitten’s success in shows. Show quality kittens will also be spayed/neutered prior to going home. A kitten being shown does not mean that the kitten is to be bred in the future.
Do you have kittens available?
It’s no surprise that this is one of our most asked questions! If you are looking for a Maine Coon kitten to potentially join your family, you may check out our “Available Kittens” page. To further explain the meaning behind the status of the kitten, we’ve included a list for each status that could be listed on a kitten below.
Cattery Observation: NOT AVAILABLE, The kitten is being held to evaluate for future show / breeding, the kitten may or may not be available for reservation in the future. (Please note the kitten is being evaluated for our breeding program, if the kitten is released for reservation it will be as pet or show only, not for breeding.)
Available: The kitten is open for reservation. We are accepting applications for the kitten.
On Hold: The kitten is on hold for a family that has already completed our application and phone call interview, on the final step of reviewing the contract.
Reserved: The kitten has a family that has completed the application, signed our contract and has paid their deposit. Unless the situation changes, the kitten will not become available to reserve again.
Stays: The kitten is staying in our cattery for future show / breeding.
How do I pay my deposit?
At this time we accept Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal. We will accept your deposit after we receive a signed contract. Once you pick your kitten we will send a sample contract for you to review, once you have read the contract and approved we will send you the final contract. After we receive the signed contract you will receive payment info to send your deposit. A kitten is only considered reserved after a contract is signed and the deposit is received. The deposit is non-refundable, in the event that we feel a person is unfit for one of our kittens their deposit will be refunded and their contract will be voided.
A signed contract is required to reserve and obtain one of our kittens. Any reputable, ethical breeder is going to have their own contract that must be signed for the kitten and/or cat. If they do not have a contract or do not require a contract, we would recommend looking further. We want our kittens to be protected, therefore in addition to a health guarantee and several other points, we also have our “take back” policy for our kittens in the contract, in the event that the kitten is not being cared for properly and/or their owner can no longer care for the kitten, the kitten is to be returned to us. Our contract is open for review to families that have completed our application and phone call interview.
Do you allow home visits?
We do not allow in-home visits. For both safety and health reasons of our cats and family we do not allow home visits. Our cats and kittens are in our home, therefore we cannot have people going in and out of our home with unknown intentions. In addition to that, viruses and germs can be easily can easily be brought in without you knowing and we simply cannot take that risk with our kittens or cats.
With that being said we do send weekly pictures and updates of the kittens. We are open to scheduling a FaceTime call with any future family that has completed our application and phone call interview. We try our best to be accommodating, though we do prefer for video calls to be scheduled in advance if possible.
Where do the cats live?
All of our cats live in our home and are strictly indoors. We highly recommend keeping any cat indoors, our kittens are not supposed to go outside. Our kittens have their own kitten room as well as a nursery. Kittens are in the nursery until they are eating, drinking, and using the litter on their own. Then the kittens are moved to our kitten room that is full of fun for them. Our Kings have their own room where they are free to roam around with each other. Our queens are free roam throughout the house, they love to spend their time hanging out on the couch watching tv. The kings have free roam time without the queens and then with the queens when we are able to supervise. Our cattery is cage-less, we’ve worked very hard to give them a great environment.
Do you test?
Yes, all of Lucki Maine Coons’ cats are DNA tested. Our cats are DNA tested and/or are from parents that have been tested for the most common diseases in Maine Coons; HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) and SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) as well as PKDef (Pyruvate Kinase Disease), PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease), and over 40+ other gene mutations that are commonly found in our beloved felines.
In addition to genetic testing, our current breeding cats are screened for HCM via Echocardiogram by a board certified veterinarian cardiologist. It is important that the cats, especially Maine Coon Cats are screened by an echocardiogram as they are prone to developing HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy), a common form of heart disease found in cats. Although a cat can be negative for the mutation found in the MYBPC3 gene, that does not mean that they cannot or will not develop HCM later in life. An echocardiogram is the most reliable way to detect a heart defect or disease such as HCM. We would recommend our kitten families to screen via echocardiogram starting at the age of 1 to get a baseline. Many pet insurances, such as Trupanion cover preventative echocardiograms.
Do you show?
This is a great question and the answer is yes. Our Maine Coon kittens and cats are shown with the Cat Fanciers Association primarily in Region 6 (Midwest) and The International Cat Association in the Great Lakes Region. We show our Maine Coons several times a year, generally at least once a month. You can meet us and our Maine Coons at a show, check our social media accounts for show results and photos. Our current social media accounts are linked on the top right corner of our website.
While showing is not a requirement of any Maine Coon owner or breeder we believe that it is extremely beneficial. We are committed to preserving the Maine Coon breed, in part to this we do actively show our Maine Coons. By showing our Maine Coons, our cats are being judged by an unbiased third party on how well they conform or stand up against the written breed standard. When showing your cat, you are working to prove that they are worthy of being bred. Showing cats is also a great way to make connections, learn more about your breed, and meeting new people. We have several people specifically come to cat shows just to meet one of our Maine Coons, this is a great opportunity to meet us in person. When you decide to bring a kitten into your family from a breeder that actively shows their Maine Coons, you are more likely to receive a kitten that conforms to breed standard. The Maine Coon breed standard not only includes physical looks and attributes but also expected temperament. It is actually one of the few breeds that has their expected temperament listed in the breed standard. Every pedigree cat breed has a written standard. If you are a breeder, it is important to familiarize yourself with said standards. This information is available and easy to access for all. You can find these on TICA, The International Cat Association and CFA, Cat Fanciers Association.
What do your Maine Coons eat?
We currently feed our kittens and cats Nulo Medal Series, Limited Ingredient dry kibble. We do free feed the dry kibble and have not had any issues with our cats overeating or becoming uninterested. In addition to feeding dry kibble, we also feed wet food, some raw food, and freeze dried raw. A few examples of these include:
Primal freeze dried raw nuggets for cats, our cats like the chicken & salmon nuggets, turkey nuggets, and duck nuggets the best. Primal also has a frozen raw line for cats, we’ve tried the chicken & salmon of it as well.
Vital Essentials freeze dried raw for cats, our cats like the mini nibs turkey and the chicken entree the best. Vital Essentials also has a frozen raw line for cats, we have not tried any of it yet.
Instinct freeze dried raw for cats, our cats like the chicken raw meals the best. We also like their rawboost multivitamins and rawboost digestive health. Instinct also has a frozen raw line for cats, we’ve tried the wild caught Alaskan pollock of it as well.
Stella and Chewy freeze dried raw for cats, we have tried every mix they offer and the cats always like them. Stella and Chewy also has a frozen raw line for cats, we have not tried any of it yet.
Open Farm freeze dried raw for cats, our cats like the surf & turf pieces.
Viva Raw frozen raw for cats, we do like to use this raw food with our cats. We have a Viva Raw link that you can use to get 20% off of your purchase. Link to Viva
Tuckers Raw frozen raw for cats, we have used the chicken and pumpkin formula.
Wet food, we do like to use a variety of brands for wet cat food. A few brands that we use include Tiki Cat, Weruva, Whole Hearted, Instinct, Nulo, Stella & Chewy, Fromm, Solid Gold, Purina Pro Plan, Merrick, Wellness, Fancy Feast *classic pate only*.
We recommend purchasing a 4lb bag of their kitten food, kittens are already stressed when moving to a new home and we do not see a reason to give them an upset stomach during this time also. Once the kitten is settled in after a month or so is when you can switch their food if needed. Mix their current food with the new for at least a week to ensure an easier transition. Please keep in mind every litter might not have the same dry kibble, you will be told which food prior to your kitten coming home. We also feed a variety of wet food and unseasoned boiled chicken. In addition to wet food, we also do freeze dried raw and Viva or Primal raw.
Please keep in mind, raw food is safe for cats when prepared, stored, and fed properly. Consult with your veterinarian and/or a feline nutritionist prior to switching or changing your cat’s diet. Felines are obligate carnivores, it is important for them to receive a diet that is high in moisture and protein. We highly recommend feeding wet food and/or raw food in addition to dry kibble to help achieve appropriate hydration. There are many websites and groups on Facebook specifically for cat diets, you may check out the tips shared there. You are in charge of what your cat takes in, help to ensure it’s the best possible.
Water intake, what type of water bowls?
It is important that your cat takes in as much water as possible. We personally like to use stainless steel water fountains with our cats, however if plastic is used make sure to thoroughly wash the fountain at least once a week. We recommend water fountains for all of our kittens, either stainless steel or ceramic is best to help avoid potential bacteria that can be harbored in plastic. If you are not using a water fountain, we would recommend to use a stainless steel, glass, or ceramic water bowl. Ensure you are washing the water bowl at least once a day, preferably twice so that the drinking water is fresh and clean. If you are using a water fountain, make sure to wash it regularly, replace the filter, and completely take apart the fountain pump at least once a week to thoroughly wash and sanitize. The water fountains only make a difference if the water is clean, no cat or kitten wants to drink dirty water nor should they have to.
We recommend the same type of bowls for food bowls, either stainless steel, ceramic, glass, no plastic. If you are using an automatic feeder, try to pick one with a stainless steel bowl insert. By avoiding plastic, you can help to avoid feline chin acne and other potential problems that could be brought by the bacteria plastic can harbor.
What litter should I use?
This is a great question as there are so many types of litter. We currently use Scoop Away or Petco’s brand – So Phresh. Both of these are dust free/low dust, unscented, clay clumping litter. If you are looking for a clay litter alternative, Vibrant Life is a natural paper pellet that is unscented. Another possible alternative could be corn cob litter or tofu litter.
As for litter boxes, we currently use Litter Robot 3’s and XL litter boxes. The Litter Robot is great especially for those in a multi cat household. We get our XL litter boxes from Petsmart, they are the largest option offered. The litter boxes are plastic although are good quality. We recommend disinfecting the litter box at least once a month and replace the litter. The Litter Robots can be taken apart fully to be disinfected. You can also use a cleaner and paper towel to wipe down and disinfect all of the high touch / use places on the inside and outside of the box daily. We do this will all of our litter boxes and have minimal odor. Keep in mind with a higher quality diet, most cats have less odor in the litter box.
Another thing to keep in mind, it is recommended to have one litter box available per cat that lives in your home plus one additional litter box. By doing this if one box is unappealing to your cat, they have another box to use in the meantime. It is recommended to have said litter boxes in different areas of your home, preferably in a quiet place away from other pets such as dogs to help prevent feline elimination issues. It is said that one Litter Robot is suitable for up to four cats. Keep in mind, you will need to ensure the cycle runs often enough for the litter to remain fresh and clean for each cat. If you decide to utilize an automatic litter box, we would recommend also having a normal litter box as an option for the kitten/cat.
How much grooming is required?
Grooming is a very important topic especially with long haired pets like Maine Coons. We use a slicker brush and a greyhound comb, these can be purchased at most pet supply stores. It is important to use a comb as well as a slicker brush as slicker brushes only reach the top layer of fur. A comb will ensure you are getting down to the root and reduce the risk of matting with a proper routine. Our cats have a routine, all of them are brushed and combed at least three times a week, their nails are cut as needed generally every 2-3 weeks. Keeping them in a routine will make the process much easier.
Our Maine Coon kittens are introduced to grooming at a young age. They are used to regular bathing, blow drying, combing, and nail clipping. This is vital as the kittens get older as they will be much more tolerant when compared to a kitten that was not properly exposed. With this, not all Maine Coons will like grooming though we can try to give them the best chance when starting young.
At what age can my kitten come home?
Our kittens can start to go home after 16 weeks. At 16 weeks our kittens have received their first three sets of vaccinations and have been altered at 14 weeks. At 16 weeks our kittens are very social and confident which makes the transition to a new home much easier.
When picking a breeder for your Maine Coon kitten, please pay attention to the age that they are sending the kittens home. No reputable or ethical breeder is going to send their kittens home at 8 weeks, the kittens should be at least 10 weeks old. In our opinion 14-16 weeks is best, our kittens do great going home at/after 16 weeks. Just because a breeder may offer kittens before 10 weeks does not mean it is right. Even at 16 weeks kittens are still kittens, the thought that Maine Coon kittens are grown at that age is simply wrong. You may check with the registry that the breeder is with, many have their own personal recommendations for “Go Home” age.
What care will my kitten receive?
All of our kittens and cats are seen regularly by a licensed veterinarian at an AAHA accredited veterinarian clinic. Our veterinarian is full service, meaning they are able to offer a wide variety of services for diagnosis and treatment plans in house. We highly recommend using a full service veterinarian clinic for your kitten or cat.
Before going home our kittens will have received their 3 sets of FVRCP vaccines, rabies vaccine, microchip, age appropriate deworming, and have been spayed or neutered. Our kittens are spayed or neutered at the age of 14 weeks, this is preformed by a veterinarian that specializes in reproductive services. The kittens also go home with a state health certificate that is issued by our veterinarian.
Please note in the event that a kitten becomes ill, has a reaction to a vaccine, or has a complication during their spay or neuter surgery, the kitten’s pickup date will be rescheduled accordingly. We truly care about the well being of our kittens and will not be sending them to a new home if something was to occur and negatively affect their health.
Where/How do I pickup my kitten?
Pickup/delivery arrangements are set to be made by 12 weeks of age. Kittens that will be flying to their new homes are only to be flown in cabin with their new owner or us. Kittens are not allowed to be flown in cargo or driven ground transport cargo. Kittens will only be released to the approved owner on the signed contract unless approved prior. We keep these strict rules to keep our kittens safe. Cargo is extremely stressful for the kitten, illness is also a factor into why we do not allow kittens to be in cargo. Kittens are babies, in our personal opinion cargo is unsanitary, unsafe, and not okay for kittens.
We offer pickup at a few airports including Kansas City International Airport, St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Springfield-Branson National Airport, and a few others. We offer delivery by air or car for an additional fee. If a courier is needed for the kitten, they will be chosen by us.
What do the kittens go home with?
Our kittens can start to go home after 16 weeks. At 16 weeks our kittens have received their first three sets of vaccinations and have been altered at 14 weeks. At 16 weeks our kittens are very social and confident which makes the transition to a new home much easier. We send all of our kittens home with a gift from us, a starter pack for their families, and their individual folders with their veterinary information.
Do the kittens have pet insurance, is it recommended?
In short, yes. Lucki Maine Coons has partnered with Trupanion to provide the first 30 days of coverage for free without having to sign up for a plan. We do send information about Trupanion home with our kittens. If you decide to continue with Trupanion from our kitten offer, you are locked in at the kitten rate! Also with Trupanion there are no waiting periods! Once you’ve met the deductible, Trupanion covers 90% of the condition related expenses. Although families do not have to continue coverage with Trupanion, we would recommend carrying pet insurance on your Maine Coon. (We do not require pet insurance to be carried on our kittens, though highly recommend it)
(some restrictions may apply, some locations have different coverage offers. we recommend checking Trupanion’s website for the most up to date information.)
