Your Maine Coon Kitten Going Home Checklist

Congratulations! You are about to welcome a Maine Coon kitten from Top Hat Cat Cattery into your family. This is an exciting time, but it can also feel overwhelming. The key to a smooth transition is preparation.

This going-home checklist covers everything you need: from supplies and kitten-proofing to the first 24 hours and long-term care. Follow these steps, and your new Maine Coon kitten will feel safe, happy, and right at home.

In this guide:

1. Essential Supplies Checklist
2. Kitten-Proofing Your Home
3. The First 24 Hours
4. First Week Checklist
5. First Vet Visit
6. Long-Term Care
7. Red Flags – When to Call the Vet

Do not wait until the last minute. Purchase these items at least one week before your Maine Coon kitten comes home.

• High-quality kitten food (wet + dry) – Maine Coon kittens grow fast and need protein-rich nutrition. We recommend  Exclusive® Signature All Life Stages Formula Cat & Kitten Food  or  50/22 Multi Cat/Kitten & Juvenile Formula - Young Again Pet Food .
• Wet food any type "pate".
• Shallow ceramic or stainless steel bowls – Plastic bowls can cause cat acne. Wide, shallow bowls prevent whisker fatigue.
• Water fountain (optional but great) – Maine Coons love running water. A fountain encourages hydration.

• Large, open-top litter box – Maine Coon kittens grow into giant cats. Buy a jumbo box now (around 24" x 18").
• Unscented clumping litter – Avoid perfumes or crystals. Unscented clay or corn-based litter works best.
• Litter mat – Traps litter from sticking to those tufted Maine Coon paws.
• Scoop and waste bags – Scoop daily to keep your kitten happy.

• Cat bed (or soft blanket) – Your kitten may prefer a simple box with a blanket. A blanket with familiar scents brings comfort.
• Covered cat cave or igloo bed – Some Maine Coons like enclosed spaces for security.
• Calming pheromone diffuser (Feliway) – Reduces stress during the first week in a new home.

• Tall cat tree (at least 60 inches) – Maine Coons love height. A tall tree satisfies their climbing instinct.
• Horizontal scratching pad (cardboard or sisal) – Place near sleeping areas.
• Vertical scratching post – Place near entryways or furniture edges.

• Stainless steel comb (wide + fine tooth) – Essential for preventing mats in the Maine Coon's thick coat.
• Slicker brush – For removing loose undercoat fur.
• Nail clippers (guillotine or scissor style) – Start nail trims early.
• Cat-safe shampoo (only if needed) – For rare baths or messes.

• Interactive wand toys – Maine Coons love to chase and pounce.
• Puzzle feeders – Engages their intelligent mind.
• Crinkle balls or small plush mice – Safe for solo play.
• Cardboard boxes (free!) – Kittens cannot resist them.

• Pet carrier (top-loading recommended) – For vet visits and safe car travel. Line with a soft blanket.
• ID tag with your phone number – Even indoor kittens can slip out a door.
• Pet first aid kit – Include vet number, gauze, and hydrogen peroxide.

Maine Coon kittens are curious, intelligent, and surprisingly agile. Before arrival day, walk through every room and check off these items.

• Secure loose cords (blinds, phone chargers, lamps) – kittens chew them.
• Block small spaces behind appliances and furniture – kittens get stuck.
• Remove toxic plants (lilies, poinsettias, philodendrons, aloe).
• Put away small objects (rubber bands, hair ties, coins, buttons).
• Check under couches and chairs – block access or clean thoroughly.

• Secure trash can with a lid – some Maine Coons learn to open lids.
• Keep human food out of reach – onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate are toxic.
• Close dishwasher and dryer doors – kittens crawl inside unseen.

• Keep toilet lid closed – kittens can fall in and drown.
• Store medications and cleaners in a cabinet – never on the counter.
• Remove small rugs that slip – kittens slide and get scared.

• Install window screens – unscreened windows are dangerous.
• Secure balcony railings – Maine Coon kittens can squeeze through gaps.

• Close off rooms you do not want your kitten to enter – at least for the first few weeks.
• Secure heavy bookshelves or TVs – climbing kittens can tip furniture.

The first day home is critical for bonding and helping your Maine Coon kitten feel safe.

• Place the carrier on a flat surface (never on a front seat with airbags).
• Cover the carrier with a light blanket to reduce visual stress.
• Speak softly. Do not open the carrier while driving.

Choose one small room (bathroom, bedroom, or home office) as your kitten's safe room for the first few days. Place inside:

• Litter box (opposite end from food)
• Food and water bowls
• Bed or blanket
• A few toys
• Scratching post

• Set the carrier in the safe room.
• Open the door and let your kitten walk out on their own.
• Do not pull them out. Do not chase them.

• Sit quietly on the floor. Read a book or scroll your phone.
• Allow your Maine Coon kitten to approach you first.
• Offer a treat or soft toy when they come near.

• Show your kitten where the food and water are.
• Gently place them in the litter box after eating or waking up.
• Do not cover their paws or force them. Most kittens figure it out quickly.

• Keep your kitten in the safe room overnight for the first 3–5 nights.
• Provide a soft bed, blanket, and a ticking clock or white noise machine (mimics a heartbeat).
• Expect some meowing. Do not rush in unless they seem distressed.

• Day 1–2 – Keep kitten in safe room. Visit frequently for short, positive interactions.
• Day 3 – Open the door to one additional room. Supervise exploration.
• Day 4–5 – Gradually allow access to more rooms. Keep unsafe rooms closed.
• Day 5–7 – Introduce other pets slowly (scent swapping first, then visual through a gate).
• Day 7 – Schedule your first vet visit with your local veterinarian.

Part 5: First Vet Visit – What to Bring

Your Maine Coon kitten should see a veterinarian within 7–10 days of coming home.

• Health record from Top Hat Cat Cattery (vaccines, deworming)
• Fecal sample (for parasite testing)
• Any medications your kitten is currently taking
• List of questions (write them down beforehand)

• General physical exam (weight, eyes, ears, heart, lungs)
• Confirm vaccine schedule
• Discuss spay/neuter timing (usually 8–12 months for Maine Coons)
• Microchip and registration confirmation

Your Maine Coon kitten will grow for 3–5 years. Plan ahead for these ongoing needs.

• 3–6 months – 3 to 4 meals per day (kitten food, wet + dry)
• 6–12 months – 2 to 3 meals per day (kitten or all-life-stages food)
• 12+ months – 2 meals per day (adult Maine Coon formula)

• Daily during shedding season (spring and fall) – 5 minutes with a steel comb
• 2–3 times per week off-season – Quick brush-through
• Monthly – Nail trim, ear check, tooth brushing if possible

Maine Coons need 20–30 minutes of active play daily. Try these activities:

• Wand toys (fishing pole style)
• Fetch with soft toys (yes, many Maine Coons fetch!)
• Cat exercise wheel (for high-energy kittens)
• Climbing time on a tall cat tree

 Contact your veterinarian immediately if your Maine Coon kitten shows:

• ❌ Not eating or drinking for more than 12 hours
• ❌ Vomiting or diarrhea (more than one episode)
• ❌ Sneezing, eye discharge, or lethargy
• ❌ Difficulty breathing or open-mouth breathing
• ❌ Hiding constantly for more than 24 hours (unusual for a Maine Coon)
• ❌ Not using the litter box

Save your vet's emergency number and the nearest 24-hour animal hospital before you need them.