Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before bringing home your Pawzilla Maine Coon.
About Our Pawzilla Maine Coon Cattery
Basic info: registration, location, visiting policy.
Maine Coons are truly one-of-a-kind. Known as “gentle giants,” they have a majestic, wild appearance—with lynx-like ears, long tufts, and full tails—but a personality that’s playful, loyal, and affectionate. Their dog-like traits set them apart: they follow you around, enjoy human interaction, and even learn tricks. Maine Coons are also highly intelligent, social cats who bond deeply with their families.
Yes—every cat and kitten in our cattery is a purebred, pedigreed Maine Coon. All of our breeding cats are European imports with documented lineage and have been tested for both breed purity and genetic health. We are registered with CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) and many of our cats are also dual-registered with TICA (The International Cat Association).
Absolutely. Every Pawzilla Maine Coon kitten comes with a comprehensive health guarantee, including a one-year genetic health warranty. Your kitten’s wellness is our top priority from day one.
Our European Maine Coon kittens start at $3,500. Pricing may vary based on traits such as coat color, eye color, size, or polydactyl features. We believe in transparent pricing and fair value for the exceptional quality and care we provide.
Each kitten goes home with:
A full veterinary health exam and clean bill of health
Vaccination records and fecal testing documentation
Microchip
CFA registration papers
A signed contract outlining your kitten’s health and genetic guarantees
A starter bag of food for diet transition
All kittens are vet-approved, socialized, litter-trained, and raised in a loving home environment
Yes, we raise and sell purebred Maine Coon kittens. Our cattery is registered with both CFA and TICA. Kittens can be dual-registered, but we send them home with CFA papers.
We are located near Raleigh, North Carolina.
We ask that you choose your kitten from online photos and videos. We offer FaceTime or video calls to help you meet the kittens virtually. You are welcome to visit our home to pick up your kitten once it is ready to leave and has had its first vaccination.
Purchasing Process
Purchasing Process: deposits, pricing, registration, breeder rights.
If a kitten is listed as available on our website, please message or call us. We have questions for you, and we’re happy to answer yours.
Yes, a non-refundable deposit is required to hold a kitten unless it is ready to leave and you can pick it up within a couple of days. Deposits apply toward the balance.
We accept Apple Pay, Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, Facebook Pay, and PayPal (if fees are covered). Checks are accepted if mailed early enough to clear before kitten pickup. Cash is accepted in person.
Yes, our cattery is registered with CFA and TICA. We provide CFA papers with all kittens; you may dual register with TICA if you choose.
Yes, some kittens are available with breeding rights. You must inform us if you want breeding rights, or your papers will be non-breeding. Due to breeder contracts, breeding rights may be limited for some kittens. Please inquire.
You have found a reputable breeder here! Our kittens are purebred, registered, and come with papers. Contact us for all your questions.
We breed a wide variety of colors, including solids, shaded, smoke/silver, tortie, tabbies, and shell patterns.
We guarantee genetic health for the first year and that kittens are healthy when picked up. You have five days to take your kitten to a vet to confirm health, as outside infections are beyond our control. All cats undergo DNA testing and regular echocardiograms for heart health.
Kitten Pickup & Preparation
Pickup & Delivery: age to go home, transport options, what to bring.
Kittens are typically ready to go home around 10 weeks old, after a vet exam and their first vaccinations.
Yes, all kittens are microchipped before going home using AKC Reunite Indi Minichips.
Yes, every kitten has a complete vet exam, fecal test, and vaccination before leaving us.
You can pick up your kitten at our home, or we can meet you at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). If flying is not possible, we work with ground transporters for door-to-door delivery.
You will need a carrier. For air travel, a soft carrier is best. For car trips, use a small carrier to safely contain your kitten.
We recommend choosing your favorite kittens and having them spayed/neutered early to avoid issues. Mixed gender pairs require caution due to the female’s early heat cycles.
Maine Coon Health and Grooming
Raw vs kibble, treats, feeding schedule, water, dish types.
- Maine Coon cats are a slow growing breed that often do not stop growing until five years of age. They can grow up to thirty pounds sometimes. However, that is not as common as most may think. Females tend to be 10 – 15 pounds grown and males are usually 18 – 25 pounds when fully mature. It is not a shock for them to go over these sizes but we do not like to get someones expetation built up to think they are bigger than that. They look much bigger than they weigh! They are are a long haired cat breed. They have very fluffy tails and extremely long bodies with a lengthy mane. All of these features together make them look massive!
- Hopefully you are buying a kitten from us and you do not have to worry about the unhealthy genetics passing down from a unhealthy line of cats. If you buy from an ethical Maine Coon breeder who does all the preliminary tests to ensure healthy offspring and you follow up with keeping your kitten cared for and fed properly, these cats can live well into their twenties or even thirty years!
Kittens are typically ready to go home around 10 weeks old, after a vet exam and their first vaccinations.
We use Wisdom Panel Optimal Selection for DNA testing and have licensed veterinary cardiologists perform echocardiograms on adult cats every 18 months.
They need brushing at least weekly to reduce shedding and matting. Toenail trimming every few weeks is recommended. Dental care, like brushing teeth, helps keep gums healthy. Bathing is optional but can help maintain a shiny coat. I bathe my cats every two months, drying them thoroughly and using an ear cleaner afterward to prevent infections.
Bathing frequency varies by cat and owner preference. Some recommend every six weeks; I bathe mine every two months or as needed.
Brush your Maine Coon at least 3–4 times a week to prevent tangles and mats. Focus on longer, denser areas—like the belly, armpits, and tail. Daily brushing is even better, especially during shedding seasons.
Our top tools include:
A slicker brush (ideal for detangling)
An undercoat rake or comb with alternating teeth (great for thick fur). These tools help remove loose fur and prevent painful mats from forming.
Use a vet-approved ear cleaning solution. Gently wipe the outer ear with a soft cloth or cotton pad. You should never insert anything deep into the ear canal. Routine ear care, especially after baths, can prevent yeast or bacterial infections.
Maine Coon Feeding & Nutrition
Raw vs kibble, treats, feeding schedule, water, dish types.
Cats generally love a raw food diet. Feeding raw to kittens, then switching them to hard kibble at their new home, can be challenging. It is easier to transition from kibble to raw food than vice versa.
Raw food is uncooked, retaining more nutrients and containing no fillers. It’s a much healthier diet—similar to comparing a balanced home-cooked meal with fast food. Commercial kibble, regardless of quality, contains additives, fillers, and preservatives, whereas raw food does not.
Opinions vary, but in my experience, feeding any amount of raw is better than none. Some feed both due to raw food’s cost or uncertainty about nutritional balance. Most cats love raw food, but some may prefer kibble. I’ve never seen issues with feeding both simultaneously.
Every cat is different; some have sensitive stomachs. I have fed RawBoost Instinct and currently feed 4Health all life stages cat food. I’m still researching and testing various brands to find the best fit for my cats.
My mix includes about 88% meat, 10% ground raw meaty bone, 1% fruit (blueberries, cranberries), and 1% seeds (sunflower, fennel, wheat germ, flaxseed, soaked oats). I add Spirulina for immune support. I package the mix for freezing and thaw daily portions, adding Omega-3 supplements and a teaspoon of yogurt for probiotics. I raise meat rabbits as a primary protein, supplemented with chicken, beef, turkey, pork, venison, and lamb.
100% pure meat treats are safest and best. Meat can easily be dehydrated and cut into bite-sized pieces.
The same as adults: safe, healthy, and tasty 100% pure meat treats dehydrated at home.
If your tap or well water is safe for you to drink, it is safe for your cat. Bottled water is usually unnecessary.
Ceramic dishes are recommended by vets. Elevate water dishes or place them at eye level to discourage paw-dipping. Some cat owners mount water bowls on catios or place them in sinks or bathtubs to manage water messes.
Avoid metal dishes if possible, as some cats develop gum issues. Ceramic dishes are preferred, and elevated dishes help prevent messes and strain on your cat’s neck.
We free-feed our kittens with dry kibble for convenience. If feeding raw, food should only be left out for about 15 minutes. If not free-feeding, feed kittens three to four times a day.
Adult cats should be fed twice daily unless free-feeding dry kibble.
Dry kibble can be left out safely all day. If food becomes soiled, discard it and provide fresh food.
Raw foods that may contain parasites or harmful bacteria—like improperly stored meat or some seafood—can pose risks. While many raw foods are safe when properly handled, avoid ingredients toxic to cats. This includes:
Onions
Garlic
Xylitol (found in sugar-free gum)
Grapes and raisins
Chocolate
Excess fat
Also, be cautious with raw eggs due to salmonella and avidin, which may block biotin absorption. Always double-check homemade food recipe ingredients before introducing them into your Maine Coon’s diet.
Gradually mix a small amount of raw food into your kitten’s kibble, increasing the raw portion while reducing kibble over a week or two. This slow transition helps prevent digestive upset and gives your kitten time to adjust to the new texture and taste.
If your Maine Coon is eating a complete, balanced diet, supplements usually aren’t necessary. However, if you’re feeding raw or homemade meals, you may need to supplement with taurine, omega-3s, or vitamins to meet nutritional needs.
Water intake depends on diet. Cats on dry kibble typically drink more than raw-fed cats due to lower moisture content in kibble. On average, a cat should drink 4–10 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight per day. Encourage hydration with water fountains or multiple clean bowls around the house.
Maine Coon Behavior, Training & Communication
Understanding how Maine Coons express themselves and interact with their environment.
Redirect any inappropriate scratching immediately. Gently place your cat’s paws on the scratching post and encourage interaction. Positive reinforcement—like treats or praise—works wonders. You’ll be surprised how quickly they learn!
Most cats in general do not like water or baths. However, our Maine Coons love to play in water! Something about a Maine Coon cat and a water faucet or water dish sitting on the floor seems to be screaming their name and “play with me.” I have yet to see our cats jump in the bathtub full of water but I have seen them walk the fence per say. They love to swat at the water but not jump in. They love water fountains and they love spilling their water dishes!
Maine Coons are famously talkative! They chirp, trill, and meow to express affection, curiosity, or to get your attention. It’s part of their social, dog-like personality. If your female isn’t spayed, excessive vocalizing may also be related to being in heat.
- Our Maine Coon cats seem to act like dogs. They will run to us when we arrive home from a long day gone. They will even try to herd the kids like a herding dog and force them to the cabinet where they know the canned food and treats are! They will bring toys to us to play with them. We even have a Maine Coon cat that gives kisses on demand!
Maine Coon Maine Coon Traits & Temperament
Get to know the unique characteristics, size, and social nature of this beloved breed.
Maine Coons are affectionate and dog-like, craving human attention and interaction. They’re playful, enjoy hugs, can learn tricks like fetching, and love to snuggle. They’re also mischievous—expect playful antics like counter surfing and nighttime zoomies!
Yes, they are one of the friendliest cat breeds.
Maine Coons developed in Maine, USA, from European cats imported hundreds of years ago.
It is one of the largest domestic cat breeds.
They can be happy alone but generally enjoy having furry companions like other cats, dogs, or rabbits.
Do Maine Coons get along with dogs and rabbits?
Typically 9–15 years, but with good breeding and care, they can live 20+ years, even into their early 30s.
Both genders make wonderful pets when spayed/neutered. Unaltered females may be moody during heat cycles; unaltered males may mark territory. Spaying/neutering is highly recommended for optimal behavior.
Most vets recommend altering at six months, but Maine Coons grow slowly, so some wait until 9–12 months depending on the cat.
Annual vet exams and vaccinations are recommended for all house cats.
