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Smoky Mountain Maine Coons

Preparing for Your New Maine Coon

Everything you truly need before pickup day, followed by a few of our favorite products for play, comfort, and long-term care. Start with the basics; you do not need to buy everything on this page!

Shop the Must-Haves Explore Favorite Extras

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some product links on this page are affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. We share products selected from our own Maine Coon care experience.

Before Pickup Day: Your Simple Checklist

Choose one suitable product in each category. Confirm your kitten's current food and litter with us before buying.

✓ Secure carrier

✓ Familiar dry food

✓ Familiar canned food

✓ Litter box

✓ Familiar litter

✓ Litter scoop

✓ Food and fresh water

✓ Everyday brush

Start Here - Before Pickup Day

1. The Must-Haves

These are the practical supplies we want ready for your kitten's homecoming. When two products are shown, they are choices—not two things you must buy.

1. Travel carrier

Choose one secure carrier. The soft carrier is our kitten-pickup favorite; the hard carrier is easier to wash after vet visits. Always check your kitten's size and the carrier weight limit.

GAPZER soft-sided carrier

Our favorite lightweight carrier for bringing kittens home. Ventilation, top/side access, and a washable liner.

Petmate top-loading hard carrier

Our easy-clean choice for appointments and unexpected messes. The 24-inch model is not intended for all full-grown Maine Coons.

2. Familiar dry kitten food

Choose the formula your kitten is eating when they leave our cattery. Changes should be gradual.

IAMS ProActive Health Healthy Kitten

Our everyday kitten kibble recommendation. Check the exact variety with us before pickup.

Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten

Our breed-specific option for families wanting a formula designed for the growth needs of Maine Coon kittens.

3. Canned / wet food

We recommend having familiar wet food ready as part of your kitten's regular feeding routine. Choose the varieties your kitten already knows.

Royal Canin Kitten Wet Food

Kitten-specific canned food option. Follow the label and our current feeding information.

Fancy Feast Seafood Classic Pâté

Another familiar canned-food option. Check the selected recipes and life-stage feeding directions.

4. Litter box and familiar litter

Choose one litter box, but be sure you have the litter your kitten recognizes. We prefer stainless steel because it cleans easily and resists lingering odor.

High-sided stainless box — our long-term pick

Our preferred higher-sided stainless box with a lower curved entrance. Check its dimensions for a growing Maine Coon.

Large open stainless box — economical choice

A generous, straightforward open pan for families wanting an affordable stainless-steel option.

Chewy Made Lavender Scented Clumping Litter

The familiar litter mentioned in our go-home guide (formerly Frisco Lavender Fields). This is a direct Chewy product link, not an affiliate link.

5. Litter scooper

Choose one sturdy scoop for daily cleaning.

WePet aluminum scoop — sturdy and economical

A practical metal scoop for everyday litter-box maintenance.

Mess & Matter scoop with holder

An organized alternative with a matching holder for storage near the box.

6. Food, water and hydration

Our first recommendation for drinking water is an easy-to-clean electric fountain: many Maine Coons are drawn to moving water. ALWAYS keep a separate non-electric source of fresh water somewhere in the home for power outages or absences. A clean glass or stainless bowl you already own is fine.

Stainless-steel electric water fountain — our first pick

Our preferred fountain style for encouraging regular drinking. Clean the pump and reservoir as directed; keep a non-electric backup too.

Gravity food feeder and waterer set

A non-electric feeder/waterer option with a gravity-fed water reservoir. Useful as a convenience or water backup.

Economical elevated stainless feeding bowls

A simple, easy-to-clean elevated feeding option. Use whichever bowl height is comfortable for your cat.

7. Basic coat care

Start gentle, regular grooming early. You only need one everyday brush to get started.

Swihauk self-cleaning slicker brush — our everyday pick

The grooming brush we reach for in our cattery for routine Maine Coon coat care.

Shop Our Curated Amazon Collection

We've created a Maine Coon Kitten Essentials Idea List with products we personally selected. It's a convenient place to browse our recommendations, and we'll continue updating it as we discover new favorites.

Shop Our Amazon Favorites

Nice-to-Have Favorites

2. Favorite Extras

Scratching posts, cat trees, interactive toys, beds, and additional grooming tools can be wonderful additions as your kitten settles in, but none is required for pickup day.

Scratching surfaces — useful, not required for pickup

These give your kitten a place to scratch. Choose a tall post or floor mat according to your space and your kitten's preferences.

Ahomdoo 35-inch scratching post

Tall scratching option with a stable base for stretching and play.

Horizontal floor scratching mat

A simple floor-level scratching alternative.

Interactive toys and enrichment

Play together and supervise toys with feathers, strings, loose parts or batteries. These are fun additions, not go-home necessities.

Migipaws motion-activated MigiMouse

A rechargeable moving mouse toy that encourages chasing and pouncing.

Migipaws 7-in-1 interactive playset

Multi-activity toy with motion activation and several ways for cats to engage.

KADTC treat-dispenser puzzle

An interactive dispenser with foraging balls that encourages play and problem-solving.

NorthCreek cat puzzle feeder

A multi-step treat or kibble puzzle for mental enrichment.

Cat trees — a wonderful optional addition

Maine Coons love climbing and surveying their surroundings. A cat tree is not necessary on pickup day. Pick a stable model with platforms suited to your growing cat.

Globlazer C52 — our larger recommendation

Our preferred large-format Globlazer cat tree for a long-term climbing and lounging setup.

Globlazer FC50 — more economical

A smaller, budget-friendlier cat-tree option.

Comfort and additional grooming

Nice to have as your kitten grows; none of these needs to be purchased before pickup.

Bedsure foldable cat hideaway

A cozy sheltered bed with a lounging surface and attached play features.

H&H Pets nail clippers

A compact clipping tool for gentle nail care as your kitten learns to be handled.

FURminator long-hair deShedding tool

Our optional heavy-shedding-season grooming upgrade for appropriately sized older cats; not necessary if routine grooming is sufficient.

Optional Convenience

3. Premium Options

Litter-Robot - A Cattery Favorite

We use automatic Litter-Robot boxes in our cattery and appreciate the convenience. Our separate referral and discount links are being confirmed and will be added here. In the meantime, a traditional litter box is perfectly suitable for new kittens.

Follow the manufacturer's age and weight instructions before using automatic-cleaning modes with kittens.