How to Prepare for Your Maine Coon Kitten’s Joyful Arrival

The day you pick up your new baby is incredibly exciting, but let’s be honest—it can also feel a little nerve-wracking.

When families come to us, Abbraccionese Maine Coon Cattery in Westfield Indiana, they always ask exactly what they need to buy and how to make the transition as smooth as possible.

I’ve put together this guide based on years of living with these magnificent cats. Here is the reality of bringing a Maine Coon kitten home, minus the generic pet store advice.

For the car ride home, I recommend a sturdy hard-sided carrier with a secure door. It’s practical for the trip and useful later for veterinary visits. If your kitten is traveling by air, follow the airline’s in-cabin carrier requirements instead.

Most of the time, new owners text me afterward to say their kitten slept through almost the entire ride.

Still, stress can upset a kitten’s stomach. Pack extra bedding and a few paper towels just in case there’s a little vomit or a bathroom accident along the way.

Maine Coons are huge, and they dig like little excavators. You need a large tray with very high sides or an enclosed house-style box, otherwise, you will be sweeping up litter every single day.

If kittens are playing upstairs in the bedroom, they simply cannot wait long enough to run all the way down to the basement. Keep it close.

I recommend ceramic, glass, or stainless-steel bowls instead of plastic. Plastic can develop tiny scratches that trap oils and bacteria and may contribute to chin irritation or feline acne.

And here is a Maine Coon secret: keep the water bowl far away from the dry food. These cats are notorious for playing with water.

They will dip their paws in, splash around, and if the bowls are next to each other, your expensive dry kibble will be turned into an unappetizing soup by noon.

If you ever decide to change their diet, do it painstakingly slowly. A kitten's digestive system does not handle sudden changes well.

People think a huge cat with a thick coat needs constant baths. They don't. Cats are meticulous groomers. You just need to help them with the undercoat every few weeks.

In your kitten's go-home "baby box," I pack two specific metal combs as a gift. When you are shopping for grooming tools later, always test them on yourself first.

Your kitten needs a place to stretch and scratch (to save your furniture).

Eventually, you will want a massive, stable cat tree. Wobbly, cheap towers will literally tip over when a 15-pound adult Maine Coon launches onto them.

However, for the first few months, I actually recommend buying smaller, simpler furniture.

Watch what your kitten naturally prefers—what type of fabric, what height, whether they like hammocks or solid shelves—before investing in a giant piece.

Before your kitten arrives, set up one quiet, easy-to-navigate area as their home base. Keep the litter box, familiar food, water, a comfortable resting spot, and something to scratch easy to find.

On the first day, show your kitten where everything is and let them explore from there. Some kittens are ready to investigate almost immediately. Others prefer to watch, rest, and take in the new smells and sounds first.

If you have a large or multi-story home, open up more space gradually and make sure a litter box is always close enough to reach.

Every kitten adjusts differently. Many of ours settle in surprisingly quickly because they grow up in the middle of normal family life — around children, dogs, other cats, household sounds, play, and daily handling.

Some walk in ready to explore. Others need a quiet day or a few days to watch, rest, and figure out their new surroundings.

That early socialization often makes the transition easier, but every personality is different. Let your kitten set the pace.

Going back to work is one of the most common worries I hear. Most kittens spend a good part of a quiet day sleeping, but every kitten is different. Give yours time to settle into your home and routine before expecting long stretches alone.

If a pet camera gives you peace of mind, use one. It can be reassuring to peek in and see what your kitten is doing while you’re away.

And yes — if you want your kitten to sleep in your bed, I’m completely fine with that. Our cats sleep with us too. For many families, bedtime becomes one of the sweetest parts of living with a Maine Coon.