When you are spending $3,500 or more on a Maine Coon kitten, you deserve to know exactly what health testing means, what it covers, and what it does not. The terms get thrown around a lot — "UC Davis tested," "HCM clear," "genetic panel" — but many buyers do not fully understand what they are actually asking for.

This guide breaks it all down. By the end, you will know exactly what questions to ask any breeder and what the answers should look like.

HCM: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

HCM is the most important health condition to understand in Maine Coons. It is a genetic heart disease that causes the walls of the heart to thicken, reducing the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. It is the leading cause of heart disease in cats, and Maine Coons have a higher genetic predisposition to it than most breeds.

The good news is that there is a DNA test for the Maine Coon-specific HCM mutation (MyBPC3-A31P). Cats can be tested as N/N (normal, two copies of the normal gene), N/HCM (carrier, one copy of the mutation), or HCM/HCM (affected, two copies of the mutation).

Responsible breeders test all breeding cats and do not breed HCM/HCM cats. N/N cats are the safest choice for breeding. N/HCM cats can be bred carefully to N/N cats, with the understanding that some offspring may be carriers.

Important caveat: the DNA test only covers the known Maine Coon HCM mutation. It does not rule out all forms of HCM. Some breeders also do annual cardiac echocardiograms (ultrasounds) for a more comprehensive assessment. Ask your breeder which testing they do.

SMA: Spinal Muscular Atrophy

SMA is a genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and wasting, typically appearing in kittens at 3 to 4 months of age. Affected kittens develop a characteristic wobbly gait and muscle weakness, though the condition is not painful and affected cats can live relatively normal lives.

Like HCM, SMA has a DNA test. Cats can be N/N (normal), N/SMA (carrier), or SMA/SMA (affected). Responsible breeders test all breeding cats and do not produce SMA/SMA kittens.

PKD: Polycystic Kidney Disease

PKD causes cysts to form in the kidneys, eventually leading to kidney failure. It is less common in Maine Coons than in Persian-related breeds, but it is still worth testing for. The DNA test is straightforward, and responsible breeders include it in their standard panel.

What UC Davis Testing Actually Means

UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory is one of the most respected animal genetics labs in the world. When a breeder says their cats are "UC Davis tested," it means the DNA testing was done through this lab — which is a mark of quality and reliability.

The UC Davis panel for Maine Coons typically includes HCM, SMA, PKD, and several other conditions. Ask your breeder for the actual test results — a PDF or certificate from UC Davis with the cat's name and results. Legitimate breeders will have no problem sharing this.

Wisdom Panel Testing

Wisdom Panel is a comprehensive DNA test that covers breed composition, genetic health markers, and traits. Some breeders run Wisdom Panel annually on their breeding cats as an additional layer of health monitoring. At Dashing Coons, we run Wisdom Panel on all of our breeding cats in addition to the UC Davis panel.

What Health Testing Does Not Cover

It is important to understand that genetic testing does not guarantee a healthy cat. It screens for known genetic mutations — it cannot predict every possible health issue. Environmental factors, nutrition, and luck all play a role in a cat's long-term health.

A health guarantee from a reputable breeder is your protection against genetic conditions that were not detectable at the time of sale. Make sure you understand what your breeder's health guarantee covers and for how long.

For more on Maine Coon health, see our post on Maine Coon health issues buyers should know. And if you have specific questions about our testing protocols at Dashing Coons, reach out anytime — we are happy to share our full documentation.