Quick checklist: what to have ready
Your kitten must travel in a secure carrier. Choose one that is well ventilated, and line the bottom with a soft towel or blanket. Travel can be frightening for a kitten, so keep the ride as quiet and calm as possible. For trips lasting more than a few hours, plan for access to water and an appropriate bathroom break with a travel litter box. Ask me before pickup if you need help planning for a longer trip!
The carrier I recommend for bringing your kitten home
Prepare a safe room if needed
bringing your kitten home, set up a quiet room that can be closed off from the rest of the house. A bedroom or bathroom works well.
The room should include:
Your kitten should spend the first few days here while becoming comfortable with the new sights, smells, people, and sounds. If you have other cats in the house, your kitten should be quarantined for 2 weeks before having contact with your existing cats, per your health contract.
When you arrive home
Spend quiet time in the room and let your kitten approach you. Offer gentle play, treats, and affection without overwhelming or restraining them. Once they are eating, drinking, using the litter box reliably, and interacting comfortably, gradually introduce them to more of the home. When expanding their space, block off unsafe or unreachable hiding places. Always provide acceptable alternatives, such as a covered bed, open carrier, or cardboard box, so your kitten can retreat without disappearing somewhere you cannot safely reach them.
Helpful youtube playlist for preparing for a new cat
Litter box
Maine Coons need a large, roomy litter box. Have it set up before your kitten arrives.
Recommended litter options: If your kitten suddenly stops using the litter box, contact your veterinarian. Urinary problems, pain, digestive upset, stress, or an unsuitable litter-box setup can all contribute.
Food and water
Your kitten is currently familiar with:
Other brands I like include Instinct, Tiki Cat, Wellness CORE, and Darwin’s for a raw food option. If feeding a raw diet, discuss safe handling and nutritional completeness with your veterinarian.
Feeding guidelines
Bowls and hydration
Use glass, ceramic, or stainless-steel bowls rather than plastic. Wash food bowls after meals and water bowls daily. Keep fresh water available at all times; many cats also enjoy a water fountain.
Use a shallow dish for food
A water fountain OR large water dish is fine for their water!
Bed and cat tree
Maine Coons love sturdy cat trees, especially in front of a window. Choose one with a wide, stable base and platforms large enough for a full-grown Maine Coon. Your kitten may prefer a simple cardboard box or folded blanket over an expensive bed. Place their sleeping area in a quiet, draft-free location and wash the bedding regularly. An item carrying your scent, such as an old sweatshirt, may be comforting.
Recommended large-breed cat trees:
Scratching post
Scratching lets cats stretch, maintain their claws, and mark their territory. I recommend having both horizontal and vertical scratching options for your cats to use. Be sure to provide a sturdy post that is tall enough for your kitten to stretch to full length.
Place it near their sleeping area or close to furniture they may try to scratch. Encourage its use with play and praise. If your kitten scratches furniture, calmly redirect them to the post instead of punishing them.
Recommended scratching products:
Collar, harness, and outdoor safetyA harness and leash can be wonderful for supervised outdoor enrichment, but introduce them slowly and positively indoors first.
Dental care
Dental disease is common and can be painful. The best time to teach toothbrushing is while your cat is young.
Helpful resource: How to Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
Grooming and nail care
Maine Coons need regular coat care to prevent tangles and painful mats. You will need:
A brush alone may glide over the topcoat without reaching tangles underneath, so comb all the way to the skin gently with a comb. Pay close attention to the armpits, belly, chest, and behind the ears.
Start with short, positive grooming sessions. Frequently and gently handle your kitten’s paws, ears, and mouth so routine grooming and veterinary care feel normal. Never pull through a tight mat or cut close to the skin with scissors; ask a professional groomer or veterinarian for help.
Helpful resource: Grooming Your Kitten
Toys and playtime
Choose toys made for cats that cannot easily splinter, break apart, or be swallowed. Amazon has lots of options for toy variety packs. Other good options include:
Inspect toys regularly and discard anything damaged. Put interactive toys away after playtime, especially toys with strings, ribbons, feathers, elastic, or small detachable pieces.
Keep these items away from your kitten:
- A secure, well-ventilated carrier
- A quiet safe room
- A large litter box
- unscented litter
- Litter scoop
- Wet food
- Dry food
- Glass, ceramic, or stainless-steel food and water bowls
- A bed or soft, washable blanket
- A sturdy, tall scratching post
- A cat tree made for large breeds
- Safe toys
- A wide-tooth metal comb
- slicker brush
- Cat nail clippers
- A cat toothbrush and cat-safe toothpaste
- A breakaway cat collar (REMOVE THE BELL) and identification tag
Your kitten must travel in a secure carrier. Choose one that is well ventilated, and line the bottom with a soft towel or blanket. Travel can be frightening for a kitten, so keep the ride as quiet and calm as possible. For trips lasting more than a few hours, plan for access to water and an appropriate bathroom break with a travel litter box. Ask me before pickup if you need help planning for a longer trip!
The carrier I recommend for bringing your kitten home
Prepare a safe room if needed
bringing your kitten home, set up a quiet room that can be closed off from the rest of the house. A bedroom or bathroom works well.
The room should include:
- A litter box
- Food and fresh water, placed away from the litter box
- A comfortable bed or blanket
- A scratching post or cardboard scratcher
- A few safe toys
- Safe hiding options that still allow you to reach and monitor your kitten
Your kitten should spend the first few days here while becoming comfortable with the new sights, smells, people, and sounds. If you have other cats in the house, your kitten should be quarantined for 2 weeks before having contact with your existing cats, per your health contract.
When you arrive home
- Take your kitten directly to the safe room.
- Set your kitten gently in the litter box first so they know where it is.
- Allow them to leave the box and explore at their own pace.
- Calmly show them the litter box again a few times during the first 24–48 hours.
- Keep the first week or two as peaceful and predictable as possible.
- Deter your kitten from hiding by blocking any inaccessible areas like under the bed.
- Offer them plenty of play time and calm cuddles to help them get comfortable.
Spend quiet time in the room and let your kitten approach you. Offer gentle play, treats, and affection without overwhelming or restraining them. Once they are eating, drinking, using the litter box reliably, and interacting comfortably, gradually introduce them to more of the home. When expanding their space, block off unsafe or unreachable hiding places. Always provide acceptable alternatives, such as a covered bed, open carrier, or cardboard box, so your kitten can retreat without disappearing somewhere you cannot safely reach them.
Helpful youtube playlist for preparing for a new cat
Litter box
Maine Coons need a large, roomy litter box. Have it set up before your kitten arrives.
- Scoop at least once daily and keep the box clean.
- Wash it regularly with mild, unscented soap and water, then rinse and dry it thoroughly.
- Avoid strongly scented cleaners, which may discourage your kitten from using the box.
- Avoid scented litters
- If you have multiple cats, a helpful rule is one litter box per cat, plus one extra, placed in different areas.
Recommended litter options: If your kitten suddenly stops using the litter box, contact your veterinarian. Urinary problems, pain, digestive upset, stress, or an unsuitable litter-box setup can all contribute.
Food and water
Your kitten is currently familiar with:
- Wet food: A mixture of Fancy Feast and Weruva and Sheba pate'
- Dry kitten food: Purina Pro Plan
Other brands I like include Instinct, Tiki Cat, Wellness CORE, and Darwin’s for a raw food option. If feeding a raw diet, discuss safe handling and nutritional completeness with your veterinarian.
Feeding guidelines
- IMPORTANT: Keep your kitten on the same food at first. Sudden changes can cause digestive upset. Your kitten will go home with enough food for a slow transition.
- If changing foods, transition gradually over approximately 7–10 days unless your veterinarian recommends otherwise.
- Feed a food labeled complete and balanced for kittens or growth. “All life stages” and “cat & kitten” foods are not appropriate for healthy kitten growth.
- I recommend feeding your cat wet food daily for the duration of their life to ensure plenty of moisture. Many cats are chronically dehydrated which can cause kidney disease as they get older.
- Keep your Maine Coon on a kitten formulated diet until they are 18 months old.
- After spaying or neutering, calorie needs may change. Reassess portions with your veterinarian to prevent excess weight gain.
Bowls and hydration
Use glass, ceramic, or stainless-steel bowls rather than plastic. Wash food bowls after meals and water bowls daily. Keep fresh water available at all times; many cats also enjoy a water fountain.
Use a shallow dish for food
A water fountain OR large water dish is fine for their water!
Bed and cat tree
Maine Coons love sturdy cat trees, especially in front of a window. Choose one with a wide, stable base and platforms large enough for a full-grown Maine Coon. Your kitten may prefer a simple cardboard box or folded blanket over an expensive bed. Place their sleeping area in a quiet, draft-free location and wash the bedding regularly. An item carrying your scent, such as an old sweatshirt, may be comforting.
Recommended large-breed cat trees:
Scratching post
Scratching lets cats stretch, maintain their claws, and mark their territory. I recommend having both horizontal and vertical scratching options for your cats to use. Be sure to provide a sturdy post that is tall enough for your kitten to stretch to full length.
Place it near their sleeping area or close to furniture they may try to scratch. Encourage its use with play and praise. If your kitten scratches furniture, calmly redirect them to the post instead of punishing them.
Recommended scratching products:
- Heavy duty scratching post
- Scratcher/bed combo (cardboard)
- Scratcher/bed combo (wood)
- Scratcher/toy combo (cardboard)
- Scratcher/toy combo (wood)
Collar, harness, and outdoor safetyA harness and leash can be wonderful for supervised outdoor enrichment, but introduce them slowly and positively indoors first.
- Use only a lightweight breakaway cat collar for everyday wear.
- Add an identification tag and keep microchip information current.
- Check the collar fit frequently as your kitten grows.
- Never allow your kitten to roam outdoors unattended.
- Outdoors, use a properly fitted harness and leash, a secure carrier, or a fully enclosed catio or cat run.
Dental care
Dental disease is common and can be painful. The best time to teach toothbrushing is while your cat is young.
- Use a cat toothbrush or soft pet toothbrush with cat-safe toothpaste only. Never use human toothpaste.
- Build up slowly and keep each session positive.
- Daily brushing provides the best plaque control; if daily brushing is not immediately realistic, begin with short, regular sessions and work toward it.
- Dental treats, such as Greenies, may supplement brushing but do not replace it.
- Your veterinarian should examine your cat’s mouth during routine visits.
Helpful resource: How to Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
Grooming and nail care
Maine Coons need regular coat care to prevent tangles and painful mats. You will need:
- A wide-tooth metal comb to reach the undercoat
- A slicker brush for loose hair and small tangles
- Cat nail clippers
- Optional nail trimming toy (kittens are already familiar with this product)
A brush alone may glide over the topcoat without reaching tangles underneath, so comb all the way to the skin gently with a comb. Pay close attention to the armpits, belly, chest, and behind the ears.
Start with short, positive grooming sessions. Frequently and gently handle your kitten’s paws, ears, and mouth so routine grooming and veterinary care feel normal. Never pull through a tight mat or cut close to the skin with scissors; ask a professional groomer or veterinarian for help.
Helpful resource: Grooming Your Kitten
Toys and playtime
Choose toys made for cats that cannot easily splinter, break apart, or be swallowed. Amazon has lots of options for toy variety packs. Other good options include:
- Lightweight balls
- Springs
- Catnip toys
- Kicker toys
- Cardboard boxes
- Wand toys used with supervision
- Cat Tunnels
- Food puzzles designed for cats
- Ball chaser
Inspect toys regularly and discard anything damaged. Put interactive toys away after playtime, especially toys with strings, ribbons, feathers, elastic, or small detachable pieces.
Keep these items away from your kitten:
- String, yarn, ribbon, and thread
- Rubber bands and hair ties
- Twist ties
- Dental floss
- Tinsel and cellophane
- Buttons, beads, paper clips, and other swallowable objects
- Toys with loose squeakers, bells, stuffing, or sharp pieces
Videos of my home setup for my cats and kittens and the custom catio in 2022
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