How to Prepare for Your Maine Coon Kitten: A Guide for New Owners
Bringing home a Maine Coon kitten is an exciting and heartwarming experience — these gentle giants quickly become beloved members of the family. But due to their size, intelligence, and unique personalities, a little preparation goes a long way in making your new kitten feel at home.
At Heritage Springs Maine Coons, we want every kitten to transition smoothly into their forever home. Here’s what you’ll need (and what to expect) as you prepare.
1. Set Up a Safe, Quiet Space
Your kitten will need a safe, cozy area to decompress for the first few days. This can be a guest room, bathroom, or even a large closet with:
A soft bed or blanket (we will send one home with your kitten that has the familiar scent of mom and brothers and sisters on it- definitely let them have this in addition to anything else you may give them)
Food and water (Maine Coon kittens should have dry food available all the time and be given wet food twice a day)
A clean litter box (low-sided for easy access)
Scratching post or cardboard scratcher
Some toys (feathers, balls, kicker toys)
Keep things quiet and give them time to explore at their own pace.
2. Stock the Right Food
We will let you know what kind of food your kitten is eating well in advance of pick-up day so you can have some of what they are used to on hand- this prevents upset tummies and reduces stress. If you plan to switch brands, do so gradually over 7–10 days.
Choose a high-quality kitten formula with protein as the first ingredient. Maine Coons are large, slow-growing cats so they should eat kitten food until they are at least 15 months old. They benefit from quality nutrition during their long growth period.
Ask us if you’d like brand recommendations!
3. Choose the Right Litter and Box
Your kitten will be litter-trained before leaving us. We recommend using unscented, non-clumping clay litter in a low-entry litter box at first. Kittens can get litter stuck to their paws and lick it off which can cause blockages- this is why we recommend starting off with non-clumping litter for the first few months.
Maine Coons grow quickly, so eventually you’ll need a larger, sturdier box — especially for males.
4. Grooming Supplies You’ll Need
Maine Coons have thick, luxurious coats that require regular brushing to prevent mats and hairballs. You’ll want to have:
A wide-tooth comb or slicker brush
Nail clippers
Optional: kitten-safe shampoo for rare baths
Start grooming early and make it part of your bonding time.
5. Socialization & Enrichment
Maine Coons are playful, curious, and love human interaction. Offer:
Climbing shelves or a tall cat tree
Puzzle feeders and toys
Window perches for bird-watching
We use early enrichment and socialization techniques, so your kitten will already be confident and curious — you just get to continue the fun!
Ready to Bring Home Your Gentle Giant?
We’re so excited to match you with a well-raised, health-tested Maine Coon kitten. Whether you’re a first-time kitten parent or a seasoned cat lover, we’re here to support your journey every step of the way.
Explore Our Available Kittens and Apply Here to get started!
