Every Chatlerie kitten goes home with a starter kit — the exact food they've been eating, a blanket with their mother's scent, and a care guide I've refined over dozens of placements. But you still need to prepare your home. This is the exact checklist I give every Chatlerie family, organized by priority so you're genuinely ready on arrival day. No fluff. No unnecessary splurges.
The Day-One Non-Negotiables
These are the items you absolutely must have before your kitten walks through the door. Not the day after. Not ordered but not yet arrived. In your hands, set up and ready.
✅ Day-One Essentials
- Hard-sided cat carrier (top-loading preferred) — soft carriers collapse under a stressed kitten's weight and are harder to clean. Top-loading means you're not stuffing a terrified cat through a front door. Spring for the hard plastic.
- Stainless steel food bowl + stainless water bowl — plastic causes chin acne in Maine Coons. Ceramic works too, but stainless is dishwasher-safe and bacteria-resistant. Never plastic.
- Premium kitten wet food (2-week supply of whatever we use) — we will tell you the exact brand at pickup. Do not deviate for the first two weeks. Diet changes cause digestive upset that looks alarming and is entirely preventable.
- Uncovered litter box (low sides for kittens under 14 weeks) — covered boxes trap odor and discourage use. Low entry sides matter — a 12-week kitten has short legs. You can upgrade later.
- Unscented clumping litter — scented litters irritate respiratory systems and deter use. Plain clumping clay or a dust-free natural litter. Nothing floral.
- Litter scoop — the $4 plastic one is fine. Clean it daily. That's all that matters.
- Feliway Classic diffuser — plug in 24 hours before arrival. This is not optional. It mimics calming facial pheromones and dramatically reduces first-day anxiety.
- Slicker brush + wide-tooth steel comb — your Maine Coon needs grooming from day one to build the habit. A slicker brush for daily brushing, a wide-tooth steel comb for the mat-prone zones.
- Nail clippers (small scissor-style) — kitten nails are needle-sharp and they grow fast. You'll need these by week two.
- Hiding spot — a cardboard box with a cut-out entrance, placed in the safe room. Zero dollars. Maximum impact.
- Sisal scratching post (at least 30" tall) — Maine Coons are long cats and need a post that doesn't tip when they full-stretch. Sisal rope only. Carpet posts teach them that carpet is for scratching.
- 2–3 basic toys — a wand toy, a crinkle ball, a small stuffed mouse. That's it. Don't overbuy toys on day one.
The Safe Room Setup
Before we get into week-two purchases, let's talk setup. Every new Maine Coon should start in a single room — ideally with a door that closes, away from heavy foot traffic. This is non-negotiable for healthy adjustment. Your kitten will explore from this base of safety and expand on their own timetable.
In the safe room: food and water on one side, litter box on the opposite side (cats don't eat near their bathroom), hiding spot, scratching post, toys, the Feliway diffuser, and a blanket with their mother's scent (we provide this at pickup). That's the whole setup. Resist the urge to fill it with every toy you own.
The most common mistake new Maine Coon parents make: giving the kitten free run of the house on day one. The result is a frightened, hiding kitten you can't find and a family that's convinced their new cat "hates them." The safe room isn't a cage. It's a launch pad. Use it for at least one week.
Week Two: The Upgrade List
Once your kitten has settled into the safe room and is eating confidently, playing, and seeking you out for attention — you can start expanding their world and adding items to their environment.
🎁 Week Two Additions
- Cat tree — sturdy, 5 feet minimum — Maine Coons need height. They are large cats that become very large adults. Buy a tree rated for 25+ lbs even though your kitten weighs 4. The ones from discount stores tip over and become hazards. Invest in a quality tree once.
- Running water fountain — increases water intake by 30–50% compared to a standing bowl. Maine Coons are predisposed to kidney issues, and hydration habits established in kittenhood are lifelong. This is a health investment, not a luxury.
- Puzzle feeder (start with one simple type) — Maine Coons are highly intelligent. A puzzle feeder makes mealtime mentally stimulating. Start with a basic wobble-style feeder, not an advanced maze.
- Pet insurance — enroll before pickup if possible, or the day they come home. Before any vet visit, before any claim. Most policies have waiting periods and pre-existing condition clauses. The time to buy insurance is when your kitten is healthy.
- Harness and leash — Maine Coons are the best breed for harness training and you should start by 12–16 weeks. You don't need it day one. You need it by week two or three. See our leash training guide.
- Window perch — place one near a window they can access. Add a bird feeder outside that window. This is hours of free, healthy, mentally stimulating entertainment.
The Grooming Kit in Detail
Maine Coons have a triple-layer coat — guard hairs, awn hairs, and a dense undercoat — that requires regular maintenance. The good news is that groomed from kittenhood, most Maine Coons tolerate or enjoy brushing. The bad news is that skipping it leads to mats that require professional removal.
| Tool | Purpose | Frequency | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slicker brush | Removes loose undercoat, prevents matting | 2–3× weekly | Chris Christensen or similar quality brand |
| Wide-tooth steel comb | Reaches through to skin, detects mats early | Weekly | Any stainless steel pet comb with wide teeth |
| Dematting comb | Splits mats without scissors | As needed | Have on hand — you will eventually need it |
| Nail clippers | Keeps claws from snagging and growing too long | Every 2 weeks (front), monthly (back) | Small scissor-style, not guillotine type |
| Cat shampoo | Bathes coat 4–6 weekly | Monthly minimum | Cat-specific pH formula only. Never human shampoo. |
| High-velocity dryer | Dries the dense coat thoroughly | After every bath | Optional but excellent. Towels alone leave moisture near skin. |
What You Actually Don't Need
The pet industry is extraordinarily good at selling anxiety to new cat parents. Here's what you can skip:
- ❌ Cat grass or catnip immediately — wait until after the adjustment period. Neither is harmful, but introducing them in week one adds unnecessary stimulation.
- ❌ Automatic self-cleaning litter boxes — the motor sounds can terrify a new kitten. Manual scooping for the first three months, then transition.
- ❌ Calming collars or supplements — unless your vet recommends them. The Feliway diffuser is sufficient for a well-adjusted kitten.
- ❌ Thirty toys on day one — toy overload is overwhelming. Three high-quality toys, rotated, outperform a room full of cheap ones.
- ❌ Cat milk or dairy treats — most cats are lactose intolerant. "Cat milk" products are a marketing invention. Skip them.
Total Cost Estimate
| Category | Items | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Day-one essentials | Carrier, bowls, food, litter setup, Feliway, grooming basics, toys | $180–$280 |
| Week-two additions | Cat tree, water fountain, puzzle feeder | $150–$350 |
| Pet insurance (first year) | Varies by plan — typically $30–$60/month | $360–$720/yr |
| Harness + leash | Quality H-harness, 6ft leash | $30–$60 |
| Total setup investment | Everything above minus insurance | $360–$690 |
Compare this to the ongoing annual cost of food, vet care, and enrichment — your one-time setup cost is a fraction of what you'll spend over 15 years with this cat. Buy quality once. It saves you twice.
Ready to start the process? Your kitten is waiting.
Begin My Adoption Application →A Final Note on Over-Preparing
The most important thing you can give a new Maine Coon kitten is not a $400 cat tree or a $200 fountain. It's a calm arrival environment, a consistent routine, and the patience to let them adjust at their own pace. Everything on this list serves that goal. The kitten who arrives home to a quiet room with food, a hiding spot, and a scent blanket from their mother is infinitely better off than one who arrives to a crowd of excited humans, a pile of new toys, and a dog straining at the door to say hello.
Buy the checklist. Then put it away. Let your kitten lead.
Written by The Chatlerie Team
Illinois's premier European Maine Coon cattery. TICA registered. 5× Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist (yes, really). We've been matching extraordinary cats to extraordinary families for over 13 years — and we love answering the questions no one else will.