How to Prepare for a Maine Coon Kitten: A Breeder's Checklist
Updated: Oct 28
Bringing home a Maine Coon kitten is one of the most exciting days a family can have. In a few short years, that fluffy little bundle will grow into a gentle giant with a big personality, and a little preparation now makes the transition smooth, safe, and happy for everyone.
Here's our breeder's checklist, based on what we've learned raising Maine Coon kittens at CoonHaus in Asheville, North Carolina.
1. Gather Your Supplies Before Go-Home Day
Have everything ready a week before your kitten arrives, so the first days are about bonding, not shopping.
The essentials:
A large litter box. Buy for the adult cat. A Maine Coon will outgrow a small box quickly. An extra-large, open box works best.
Litter. Start with the same type your kitten used at the breeder's home. We use: Happy Claws.
Food. Keep your kitten on the food they're already eating for at least the first two weeks. We feed: Raw chicken meat, raw gizzards, raw ground beef, raw beef liver and hearts, canned pumpkin, raw tuna steaks, and some cooked rice, amaranth, or millet. Iams dry food is used sparingly.
Food and water bowls. Wide, shallow ceramic or stainless steel bowls. Many Maine Coons love running water, so a cat fountain is a welcome bonus.
A sturdy cat tree. Choose one with a heavy base and wide platforms. It needs to hold a 15-lb adult, not just a kitten.
Scratching posts. Tall, stable, and placed near sleeping spots and doorways.
A carrier. Choose a large, secure one sized for the adult cat.
Grooming tools. A wide-tooth metal comb and a slicker brush.
Toys. Wand toys, balls, and puzzle feeders. Maine Coons are clever and love interactive play.
A cozy bed or blanket. Your kitten will likely choose their own spot anyway (often your bed!).
2. Kitten-Proof Your Home
Maine Coon kittens are curious, fearless explorers. Before your kitten arrives, walk through your home at "kitten height" and look for hazards:
Cords and cables: tuck them away or cover them. Kittens love to chew.
Strings, ribbons, hair ties, and rubber bands: these can be dangerous if swallowed, so keep them out of reach.
Toxic plants: remove lilies entirely. Even small amounts can be fatal to cats. Check any houseplant against the ASPCA's toxic plant list.
Washer, dryer, and dishwasher: always check inside before closing the door.
Toilets: keep lids down.
Windows and balconies: make sure screens are secure. Maine Coons are strong and determined.
Small spaces: block gaps behind appliances where a kitten could get stuck.
Household chemicals and medications: store them in closed cabinets.
3. Prepare a "Safe Room" for the First Days
A new home is a big adventure, even for a confident Maine Coon. For the first few days, set up one quiet room, like a bedroom or office, with the litter box, food, water, a bed, a scratching post, and a few toys.
This gives your kitten a calm home base to learn their litter box location and build trust. Once your kitten is eating, using the litter box, and exploring confidently (usually within a few days), gradually open up the rest of the home.
4. Plan the First Vet Visit
Book a vet visit within the first 7 days. Since CoonHaus kittens go home unvaccinated and microchipped, your vet will start their core vaccinations (FVRCP) and set a schedule for rabies and boosters. This visit also activates our 7-day health guarantee.
5. Keep Food Consistent, Then Transition Slowly
A sudden change in diet can upset a kitten's tummy. Keep feeding the same food for the first couple of weeks. If you want to switch, mix the new food in gradually over 7–10 days, increasing the new food a little each day.
Because Maine Coons grow slowly, over three to five years, a high-quality kitten food during this long growth period supports healthy development. A Maine Coon should be big, but not overweight.
6. Start Grooming Early
The Maine Coon's beautiful semi-long coat is surprisingly easy to care for, especially if your kitten learns early that grooming is a pleasant routine. Brush gently a few times a week, with treats and praise. Pay special attention to the belly, the "britches" (back legs), and the ruff, where tangles form first. Start trimming nails early too, a few at a time.
7. Introduce Other Pets Slowly
Maine Coons are famously social and usually get along well with other cats and cat-friendly dogs, but introductions should be gradual:
Keep your kitten in the safe room at first, and let pets sniff each other under the door.
Swap blankets so they get used to each other's scent.
Then allow short, supervised meetings, and increase the time as everyone relaxes.
Patience in the first weeks pays off in a lifetime of friendship.
8. Teach Children Gentle Handling
Maine Coons are wonderful family cats and often very patient with children. Show kids how to:
Pet gently along the back, avoiding the belly.
Pick up a kitten with one hand under the chest and one supporting the back legs.
Let the kitten come to them, and let it rest when it walks away.
What Comes Home With a CoonHaus Kitten
A vet health check before going home
A starter bag of their current food
A familiar-scented blanket or toy from our home
A 7-day health guarantee and a 1-year genetic health guarantee
TICA registration papers: breeding kittens at pickup; pet kittens after proof of spay or neuter, which we recommend between 6 and 12 months of age
Ongoing support: we're always happy to answer questions
Our kittens go home at 12–16 weeks, once they're well socialized, fully weaned, and confident enough for their new adventure. Kittens are not vaccinated before going home, so plan your first vet visit within the first 7 days to start vaccinations with your own veterinarian. Vaccination can also be provided on request before pickup.
How to Prepare for a Maine Coon Kitten: Final Checklist
Preparing for a Maine Coon kitten takes a little planning, but the reward is a loyal, affectionate companion who'll fill your home with love (and a little fur) for many years.
Looking for your future gentle giant? Start your application →, meet the parents on our Our Cats page, or contact us to join the waitlist for our next litter.
