Maine Coon kittens are not your average kittens. They are larger, more athletic, more curious, and significantly more clever than most breeds. A standard kitten-proofing checklist is a starting point — but Maine Coons will find hazards that a less adventurous kitten would never encounter.

This room-by-room guide covers everything you need to address before your Maine Coon kitten comes home — and a few things that will matter more as they grow into their full size and intelligence.

The General Principles

Before going room by room, here are the overarching rules for Maine Coon kitten safety:

If it can be climbed, it will be climbed. Maine Coons are athletic climbers. Anything on a high shelf is not safe just because it is high — your kitten will get there. Secure anything fragile or dangerous.

If it can be opened, it will be opened. Maine Coons figure out lever door handles, cabinet latches, and drawers. Install child-proof latches on any cabinet containing hazardous materials.

If it is small enough to swallow, it will be investigated. Kittens explore with their mouths. Keep small objects — rubber bands, hair ties, twist ties, small toys — off the floor and out of reach.

If it is warm, they will sleep in it. Maine Coons love warm, enclosed spaces. Check the dryer before every load. Check under blankets before sitting down. Check inside bags and boxes before closing them.

Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most hazardous rooms for cats. Address these before your kitten arrives:

Stove and oven: Never leave a hot stove unattended with a kitten in the kitchen. Use stove knob covers to prevent a curious paw from turning on a burner. A kitten jumping onto a hot stovetop is a serious burn risk.

Trash can: Get a trash can with a secure lid. Kittens will investigate the trash and can ingest bones, plastic, or toxic foods. A pedal-operated or locking lid is essential.

Toxic foods: Keep onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, xylitol (found in sugar-free products), and macadamia nuts completely inaccessible. All are toxic to cats. Onion and garlic are particularly dangerous and can cause hemolytic anemia.

Cabinets under the sink: Cleaning products, dish soap, and other chemicals live here. Install child-proof latches. Maine Coons can and will open these cabinets.

Dishwasher: Check inside before running. Kittens love warm, enclosed spaces and will climb in. Also, dishwasher detergent pods are extremely toxic — keep them locked away.

Small appliances: Toasters, blenders, and food processors have sharp edges and moving parts. Store them in cabinets when not in use.

Living Room

Electrical cords: Kittens chew cords. Use cord covers or cord management sleeves on all exposed wires. Bitter apple spray on cords can deter chewing. Unplug cords that are not in use.

Blind and curtain cords: Looped cords are a strangulation hazard. Replace looped blinds with cordless versions or use cord wind-ups to keep cords out of reach. This is a genuine life-threatening hazard.

Houseplants: Many common houseplants are toxic to cats. The most dangerous include lilies (all parts are highly toxic and can cause acute kidney failure — even the pollen), pothos, philodendron, dieffenbachia, sago palm, and oleander. Remove all toxic plants from your home before your kitten arrives. The ASPCA has a comprehensive toxic plant list at aspca.org.

Candles: Never leave burning candles unattended with a kitten. A swishing tail or curious paw can knock a candle over or get singed. Use flameless candles or keep candles in rooms the kitten cannot access.

Fireplace: Use a fireplace screen that cannot be knocked over. Ash and soot are toxic if ingested. Keep the flue closed when not in use — kittens have been known to climb into chimneys.

Reclining furniture: Recliners and sofa beds have mechanisms that can trap and injure a kitten. Check before reclining or folding. Many kitten injuries and deaths occur in recliner mechanisms.

Bedroom

Under the bed: This will be your kitten's first hiding spot. Make sure there is nothing dangerous stored under the bed — sharp objects, plastic bags, or small items they could swallow.

Dresser drawers: Kittens climb into open drawers and can get trapped when you close them. Check drawers before closing. Consider installing drawer stops that prevent drawers from closing completely when a kitten is inside.

Closets: Keep closet doors closed. Kittens can get trapped in closets and may chew on shoes, clothing, or stored items. They can also get into stored chemicals, mothballs (highly toxic), or cedar products.

Jewelry and small items: Hair ties, rubber bands, earrings, and other small items are swallowing hazards. Keep them in closed containers or drawers.

Medications: Keep all medications — human and pet — in closed cabinets. Many common medications are toxic to cats, including acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, and antidepressants.

Bathroom

Toilet lid: Keep the toilet lid down. A small kitten can fall in and drown. This sounds extreme, but it happens.

Cleaning products: All bathroom cleaning products should be in locked or child-proof cabinets. Toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, and drain cleaners are extremely toxic.

Medications and supplements: The bathroom medicine cabinet should be inaccessible to your kitten. Many vitamins and supplements are toxic to cats in large doses.

Hair products and cosmetics: Essential oils, nail polish remover (acetone), and many hair products are toxic to cats. Keep them in closed cabinets.

Razors and sharp objects: Keep razors and scissors in closed drawers. A curious kitten investigating a razor is a recipe for a cut paw.

Laundry Room

Washer and dryer: Always check inside before running. Maine Coons love warm, dark, enclosed spaces. A kitten in the dryer is a fatal accident. Make it a habit to check every single time, without exception.

Laundry detergent pods: Extremely toxic. Keep in a locked cabinet. The colorful pods are attractive to curious kittens.

Dryer sheets: Toxic to cats. Keep in a closed container and dispose of used sheets immediately.

Garage and Outdoor Areas

Antifreeze: Ethylene glycol antifreeze is one of the most common causes of cat poisoning. It smells sweet and cats will drink it. Keep antifreeze in sealed containers on high shelves and clean up any spills immediately. Consider switching to propylene glycol antifreeze, which is less toxic.

Pesticides and fertilizers: Keep all garden chemicals locked away. Many are highly toxic to cats.

Tools and sharp objects: Keep tools in closed cabinets or on high shelves.

Outdoor access: Maine Coons should be kept indoors. If you want to give your cat outdoor time, a secure "catio" (enclosed outdoor enclosure) or leash training is the safest option. Free-roaming outdoor cats face significant risks from cars, predators, and infectious disease.

The Safe Room Strategy

Rather than trying to kitten-proof your entire home before day one, start with a single safe room — a bedroom or bathroom — that you have thoroughly checked and cleared of hazards. Let your kitten explore this room for the first few days before gradually expanding their territory.

This approach is safer (less territory to monitor), less stressful for the kitten (a manageable space to learn), and gives you time to identify and address hazards in the rest of the house before your kitten encounters them.

As your kitten grows and you expand their territory, do a fresh hazard check in each new room before opening it up. Maine Coons grow fast — what was out of reach at 3 months is easily accessible at 6 months.

Questions about preparing for your Dashing Coons kitten? We are always happy to help — reach out anytime before pickup day.