You reserved your Maine Coon kitten. Pickup day is circled on the calendar. Now what? The first 30 days with a new Maine Coon kitten go by in a blur of cuteness, chaos, and a few "wait, is this normal?" moments. This checklist covers every supply you need, every task to schedule, and every daily habit to build so your kitten lands in the best possible start.

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Before Pickup Day: Supplies Checklist

Have all of this ready before your kitten walks through the door — not the day after.

Litter Setup

Extra-large litter box: Maine Coons grow fast. A standard box is too small within weeks. A 40-gallon storage tote with one side cut down works perfectly and costs about $8. Buy two — one for now, one for when they have full house access.

Unscented clumping litter: Scented litters irritate cats' respiratory systems. Stick with plain, unscented clumping litter. We use and recommend Dr. Elsey's Ultra.

Litter mat: Maine Coons are enthusiastic diggers. A mat outside the box saves your floors.

Scoop and covered waste bin: Scoop daily. Maine Coons will protest a dirty box by finding creative alternatives.

Food and Water

Wet food (same brand as breeder): Ask your breeder what they feed and buy a two-week supply. Switching food too fast causes diarrhea. Transition gradually over 7–10 days if you want to change brands.

Stainless steel or ceramic bowls: Plastic harbors bacteria and can cause feline acne on the chin. Stainless or ceramic only.

Water fountain: Maine Coons love moving water and drink significantly more from a fountain than a bowl. More water intake means healthier kidneys. The Catit Flower Fountain is a great affordable option.

Puzzle feeder or slow bowl: Maine Coons are smart and eat fast. A puzzle feeder slows them down and provides mental stimulation at mealtime.

Sleeping and Comfort

Cozy bed or cave-style bed: Maine Coons love enclosed spaces when they are young. A cave bed in their safe room gives them a retreat. As they grow, most prefer open beds or simply your pillow.

Blanket with breeder's scent: Ask your breeder to include a small blanket or toy that smells like their littermates. This dramatically reduces first-night stress.

Climbing and Scratching

Tall, heavy cat tree: Maine Coons are large cats. A flimsy tree will tip over and terrify them. Look for trees at least 60 inches tall with a wide, weighted base. The Frisco 72-inch tree is a solid budget option; Armarkat and Go Pet Club make excellent mid-range options.

Horizontal scratching pad: Most cats prefer horizontal scratching. A simple corrugated cardboard scratcher placed near furniture they might otherwise target works wonders.

Vertical sisal post: At least 28 inches tall so they can fully stretch. Shorter posts are useless for Maine Coons.

Toys

Wand toy: The single most important toy you can own. Da Bird is the gold standard. Maine Coons are athletic hunters and need daily interactive play. A wand toy is the only way to truly replicate prey movement.

Crinkle balls and foil balls: Cheap, lightweight, and endlessly entertaining. Buy a bag of 20 and scatter them around.

Tunnel: Maine Coons love ambushing things from inside tunnels. A crinkle tunnel is a $10 investment that provides years of entertainment.

Puzzle toy: A treat-dispensing ball or sliding puzzle keeps their brain busy when you are not home.

Health and Grooming

Wide-tooth metal comb: The Andis steel comb is the best tool for Maine Coon coats. Start combing from day one so they learn to enjoy it.

Slicker brush: For daily quick brushes and removing loose fur.

Nail clippers: Cat-specific nail clippers. Start trimming nails every 2–3 weeks from the beginning. Maine Coons have large, strong claws.

Cat-safe toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste: Dental disease is the most common health issue in cats. Starting tooth brushing as a kitten is the single best thing you can do for their long-term health.

Carrier: A hard-sided carrier is safest for vet visits. Leave it out permanently with a blanket inside so it becomes a familiar, non-scary object.

Week 1 Task List

Day 1: Set up the safe room. Carrier in, food and water out, litter box placed. Let the kitten explore at their own pace. No forced handling.

Day 2–3: Begin short, gentle handling sessions. Touch paws, ears, and mouth. Offer treats. Keep sessions under 5 minutes.

Day 3–5: Schedule your first vet appointment for within the first week. Bring all health documentation from your breeder.

Day 5–7: Begin introducing the rest of the house one room at a time. Supervise all exploration.

Week 2–4 Task List

Week 2: Establish a feeding schedule (2–3 meals per day for kittens). Begin daily play sessions with the wand toy — 10–15 minutes morning and evening.

Week 3: Start the food transition if you are switching brands. Mix 25% new food with 75% old food. Increase the ratio over 7–10 days.

Week 4: First nail trim. First tooth brushing attempt (even just letting them lick the toothpaste off your finger counts). First full grooming session with comb and brush.

Daily Habits to Build From Day One

These habits take 5 minutes a day but make an enormous difference over a lifetime:

Scoop the litter box every morning. Maine Coons are clean cats and will let you know if the box is not up to their standards.

Refresh water daily. Even with a fountain, dump and refill the reservoir every day.

10–15 minutes of interactive play. Maine Coons need this. A bored Maine Coon is a destructive Maine Coon.

Quick comb-through. 2 minutes with the steel comb prevents mats from forming. Much easier than dealing with a matted coat later.

Check in on behavior and appetite. Maine Coons are stoic and hide illness well. A change in appetite, energy, or litter box habits is often the first sign something is off.

The 30-Day Milestone

By the end of the first month, your Maine Coon kitten should be fully settled, eating well, using the litter box consistently, and showing you their personality. Most Maine Coon owners describe the 30-day mark as the moment they realized this cat was going to change their life.

They are not wrong. Maine Coons are extraordinary companions — loyal, playful, gentle, and deeply bonded to their families. The first 30 days are just the beginning.

Questions about preparing for your Dashing Coons kitten? Reach out anytime — we love helping our families get ready.