The PURRFECT Blog

One of the questions I hear all the time at Aspen Maine Coons is: "How big will my Maine Coon get?" It's understandable. Maine Coons are famous for their impressive size, huge fluffy tails, long bodies, and those magnificent paws. But predicting the exact adult size of a Maine Coon kitten isn't quite as simple as it sounds. Maine Coons Are a Large Breed Maine Coons are one of the largest domestic cat breeds, but there can be a tremendous amount of variation from one cat to an

One of the most common questions I receive is: "How does your waitlist work?" If you're considering an Aspen Maine Coons kitten, this is everything you need to know before joining our waitlist. How Long Is the Wait? Every family is looking for something a little different. Some want a male, some want a female, and others are hoping for a particular color or pattern. Because Mother Nature ultimately decides what each litter brings, I encourage families to plan for a wait of ap

One of the most common questions I receive from future kitten families is: "Should I get a male or female Maine Coon?" Many families come to Aspen Maine Coons absolutely certain they want one or the other. Sometimes that preference comes from a previous cat they loved, and sometimes they've heard that male and female Maine Coons have completely different personalities. The truth is a little more complicated. Personality Matters More Than Gender There are plenty of generalizat

Meet Maple, one of the beautiful young females we're raising for the future of Aspen Maine Coons. Maple is a striking bown/black classic tabby Maine Coon with the bold, swirling pattern that makes the classic tabby coat so beautiful. She has that wonderful Maine Coon combination of impressive looks and an endearing personality, and we're excited to watch her mature. Maple's Journey to Aspen Maine Coons Maple joined our family alongside Birdie during one of our cat-show adven

Meet Birdie, one of the beautiful young females joining the future of the Aspen Maine Coons breeding program. Birdie is a stunning silver blue and white classic tabby Maine Coon with a beautiful coat, expressive face, and the unmistakable presence that makes this breed so captivating. But as with every cat I choose for my breeding program, Birdie was selected for much more than her appearance. Building the Next Generation Choosing future breeding cats is one of the most impor

If you've been following Aspen Maine Coons lately, you've probably already met Gandolf. He's becoming a familiar face around here, and for good reason. Gandolf is our beautiful red silver chinchilla Maine Coon and one of the young cats we've chosen for the future of the Aspen Maine Coons breeding program. But his unusual coloring is only part of what makes him special. A Truly Unique Maine Coon Gandolf has an incredibly light coat that appears almost white, with beautiful r

One of the most exciting parts of breeding Maine Coons is the surprise. One of the most challenging parts? The surprise. I often hear questions like: "Can you guarantee me a male?" "Will this litter have black smoke kittens?" "Can I reserve a silver female before she's born?" The honest answer is... No breeder can guarantee what Mother Nature hasn't decided yet. Every Litter Is Unique Before a litter is born, I may know the possible colors and patterns based on the parents' g

One of the questions I hear most often is: "How do you decide which kitten goes to which family?" The answer might surprise you. I don't simply match families with the first available kitten. I spend weeks getting to know every kitten's personality before they go home. Choosing the right kitten isn't just about color or gender. It's about finding the best fit for both the kitten and the family. Every Kitten Has a Unique Personality From the moment they're born, I begin wat

Bringing home a Maine Coon kitten is an exciting decision, but choosing the right breeder is just as important as choosing the right kitten. As a breeder, I actually encourage families to ask lots of questions. An ethical breeder should welcome them. Here are ten questions I believe every prospective Maine Coon owner should ask before placing a deposit. Are the Parents Health Tested? Ask what health testing has been performed on the breeding cats. Responsible breeders use he

If you've been exploring different Maine Coon breeders, you've probably noticed that every breeder has their own philosophy for raising kittens. At Aspen Maine Coons, we've made a very intentional choice. Every one of our home raised Maine Coon kittens is born and raised inside our home. People often ask why, and the answer is simple. Because we believe the first weeks of a kitten's life are some of the most important. Why Home Raised Maine Coon Kittens Thrive From the day th

The countdown is on! This weekend, Aspen Maine Coons will be traveling to Cat Fest in Colorado Springs with one very special young man... Gandolf! After a wonderful experience at our recent TICA cat show, we're excited to continue learning, meeting fellow cat lovers, and sharing our passion for the incredible Maine Coon breed. Why We Attend Cat Shows People often ask why breeders spend their weekends at cat shows. The answer is simple. Every show is an opportunity to learn.

One of the hardest questions I get asked is: "Why are you keeping that kitten instead of selling it?" The honest answer? Because every once in a while, a kitten comes along that has the potential to shape the future of Aspen Maine Coons. Every Kitten Is Special I love every kitten born here. Every litter has its own personalities, funny moments, and milestones. But occasionally, one kitten makes me stop and think... "This one might help improve my breeding program." That's

One of the funniest parts of being a Maine Coon breeder is that people often think I have a crystal ball. I wish I did! Believe me, it would make my job much easier. Here are just a few things I get asked all the time... "Can you tell me if my kitten will be a boy or a girl?" Not before they're born! Until those kittens arrive, Mother Nature is keeping that secret. Even after birth, there are moments when I find myself saying, "Let's check one more time!" Tiny newborn kitten

When people see fluffy kittens playing or beautiful adult Maine Coons stretched across my living room, it's easy to think breeding is all joy and cuddles. There are certainly plenty of those moments. But some of my greatest lessons have come during the hardest days. Breeding has taught me that experience isn't measured by the number of litters you've raised. It's measured by how willing you are to keep learning. Every Litter Teaches Me Something One lesson I've learned is tha

When people ask what makes Aspen Maine Coons different, they often expect a simple answer. Maybe it's our beautiful cats. Maybe it's our in-home cattery. Maybe it's the health testing. The truth is, it's all of those things working together. Over the years, one lesson has become clearer than ever: responsible breeding isn't about checking boxes. It's about continually learning, asking questions, and making thoughtful decisions that benefit both the cats and the families who l

One of the questions I'm asked most often is, "Why do you spend your weekends taking your cats to shows?" After spending a weekend at the Aurora TICA Cat Show, I can honestly say that every show teaches me something new. While ribbons are always exciting, the greatest rewards are the education, friendships, and experience that help me become a better breeder. Meet Gandolf This show belonged to Gandolf, one of our young Maine Coons. As a Longhair Kitten, Gandolf competed in si

People often imagine that breeding Maine Coons is simply waiting for adorable kittens to arrive. The reality couldn't be more different. When one of my queens goes into labor, everything else in my life comes to a stop. Work can wait. Household chores can wait. Sleep usually has to wait too. For me, bringing kittens into the world is one of the greatest privileges—and one of the biggest responsibilities—I will ever have. Every Birth Is Different No two deliveries are ever the

People often ask me how I became a Maine Coon breeder. The truth is, I never set out to become one. Like so many of my kitten families, I simply fell in love with the breed. What started as an admiration for their beauty quickly became a passion for everything they represent—their intelligence, gentle personalities, playful nature, and the incredible bonds they form with their families. The more I learned about Maine Coons, the more I realized responsible breeding was about s

Choosing a Maine Coon kitten is about much more than finding a beautiful cat. Behind every healthy kitten should be a breeder committed to protecting the breed's future through responsible health testing. At Aspen Maine Coons, health testing isn't an optional step—it's the foundation of every breeding decision we make. Beautiful Isn't Enough A gorgeous coat, striking eyes, and a friendly personality are all wonderful qualities, but they don't tell the whole story. Responsible

Special Announcement: Aspen Maine Coons will be participating in the Aurora, Colorado, TICA Cat Show on June 20-21, and we're excited to continue learning more about the breed we love. Many people assume cat shows are simply beauty contests. While beautiful cats certainly attend, responsible breeders know that cat shows are about much more than appearance. For us, showing our Maine Coons is part of our commitment to preserving, improving, and learning about the breed. What Is