does this sound right? kittens for sale

[bananafish]

I'm looking for a Maine coon kitten and I've found some beautiful kittens advertised.

However, they are happy to let them go at 9 weeks (I thought it should be at least 13 weeks?)

The kittens are not chipped or vaccinated, nor do they come with papers and have not been registered.

However, you can see the kittens with their mother...

That doesn't sound right, does it? Or am I being too cautious.

The kittens are around the same price as others I have seen (£450).

I got my kittens at eight weeks (they're nine weeks now)

they're not vaccinated yet as they were too young - we have signed them up to be microchipped, vaccinated etc in a couple of weeks

if I'm honest, I do think they are a bit young to be away from their mother, they are happy and affectionate and eating and playing a lot though.

Ah OK, interesting. Maybe it's worth just going to see and getting a feel for it when I see the setup....

All kittens are beautiful so don't let that sway you.

Kittens can go at 8 weeks but they should be vaccinated and wormed and although I only ever have moggies, I would have thought pedigree cats should have papers and chips.

And unless they come from rescue you should always see with mum.

It doesn't sound right, does it?

When I got my cats from the RSPCA (mother and daughter, there were three kittens in total) I had to wait until the kittens were eight weeks before they'd let the other two be separated from mum. They're just moggies though, not sure if there's a difference for pure breeds.

£450 for unregistered, unchipped and without papers? I wouldn't touch that with a barge pole. There are some unscrupulous breeders out there who are passing fluffy moggy kittens off as Maine coons so they can charge a pedigree price.

No way. Only rubbish breeders let kittens go at 8-9 weeks (rescues are different as they need the space for other animals in need) kittens should be 12+ weeks, 8-9 weeks is an absolute minimum (alot of kittens are still feeding from mum at 8 weeks), reputable breeders will keep them with mum and siblings for the full time to make sure they get the best socialisation.

Without papers and no reg they are worth the same as a normal moggy and I wouldn't pay a penny more. High fee's for animals are to cover the careful breeding, stud fees, vets costs, proper health and genetic tests (not just a vet check) and paying for the proven pedigree of the animal. Anyone can throw two cats/dogs together and get a litter then cash in. Proper breeders make hardly anything or nothing on a litter and most breed for specific lines or colours so the parents are very carefully chosen and tested.

Having got mine at 8 weeks (they're 9 weeks now) I do agree that it's too early. They are still such babies, I feel bad that they should still be with their mummy.

Sounds very scammy to me.

It's a backyard breeder, a proper breeder will tell you all about the pedigree, health checks, the vaccinations & will interview you to make sure you're suitable.

I wouldn't buy one from that source. There will be a list of breeders etc on the breeds society website & probably a rehoming section too.

www.maine-coon-cat-club.com/index.htm

Here you are.

I have worked in a vet practice for many years & have seen many Maine Coons that have come in that were about 4kg as an adult and looked just like a domestic long haired. I have only seen one Maine Coon that was huge, think he was about 14kg, he was ginger and so, so handsome 😻

My friend breeds Ragdolls and for £450 they are vaccinated, chipped, neutered and have papers. Her breeding cats have all been tested too for any genetic defects they may carry. They are also around 16 weeks when they go to their new homes.

I would probably give this breeder a swerve as it seems an awful lot of money for what might just be moggies if there are no papers.

I have only seen one Maine Coon that was huge, think he was about 14kg, he was ginger and so, so handsome 😻

Was his name Obie and did he come in for a shave and with an owner who happened to mention he had a predilection for bigamy?

£450 unregistered sounds right they go at £750-1k registered, 8 weeks is fine if they are fully weaned, they should be wormed flead and possibly have 4 weeks free insurance, you will chip and vaccinate them yourself as that can’t be done until they are a bit older. Most breeders keep them to 12-14 weeks so they can chip, vaccinate and spay them their selfs.

@YetAnotherSpartacus I had to wrack my brains for his name as it was quite a few years back but no his name wasn't Obie, it was Cujo. It sounds like Obie was/is a bit of a character if he was into bigamy but I bet he got away with it for being such a handsome devil.

Here's Obie

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_litter_tray/3106462-For-Obies-would-be-wives#prettyPhoto

There are a few threads about him going for lion cuts.

@YetAnotherSpartacus What a handsome boy 😻 And I was laughing that another neighbour turned up enquiring after him. I guess you aren't going to argue when a huge cat like that turns up on your doorstep demanding cuddles and dreamies

It was lion cuts that Cujo used to come in for, not sure if he used to work the neighbourhood to his advantage like Obie does but he was a lovely big softie. I doubt that he would still be on the go as it was 12/13 years ago and he wasn't a kitten at the time but he is certainly a cat that I've remembered all of these years 🦁

What if it's from a line with hcm & that's why it's cheap?.