New Owner Guide
Bringing Home Your New Kitten
Congratulations on your new family member! Here's everything you need to know to prepare for your kitten's arrival and help them settle into their new home.
Download Complete Guide (PDF)Section 1
Before Pickup — Must-Have Supplies
Get these items before your kitten arrives:
Food & Water
- Purina ONE +Plus Healthy Kitten formula (dry)
- High-quality wet kitten food (pate or chunks in gravy)
- Food storage container (airtight, for dry food)
- Food dishes: 2 shallow dishes for wet food
- Water bowls: 2 bowls (stainless steel or ceramic)
Litter
- Extra-large litter box or Litter Robot 4 (your kitten will grow fast)
- Litter scoop
- BoxiePro Deep Clean litter (what your kitten is used to)
Comfort & Safety
- Cat carrier (hard-sided, airline-approved if you're flying)
- Soft blankets and bedding
- Cat tree or scratching post (sisal rope, cardboard, or carpet)
- Toys (feather wands, balls, interactive toys)
- Cat brush or metal comb
Veterinary Care
Research local veterinarians and schedule an appointment within 72 hours of pickup.
Kitten Room
Prepare a quiet room where your kitten can decompress for the first few days. This room should have their carrier, food, water, litter box, and a few toys.
Section 2
Food & Feeding Schedule
What your kitten is eating
Your kitten has been raised on Purina ONE +Plus Healthy Kitten formula and various wet kitten foods.
Why wet food matters
Wet food prevents urinary blockages, keeps your kitten hydrated, and provides balanced nutrition. Dry food alone is high in carbs. Leave dry food or an air-dried diet out at all times for grazing, but wet food twice daily is non-negotiable.
Switching foods
Do not switch food abruptly. Mix increasing amounts of the new food with the old over 7-10 days to avoid vomiting or diarrhea.
Feeding schedule
- Morning: Wet food
- Evening: Wet food
- All day: Kibble or air-dried diet available for grazing
Kittens should stay on kitten-specific food until 18 months of age.
Section 3
Litter Box Setup
What your kitten is used to
Your kitten has been using BoxiePro Deep Clean litter in both hooded and non-hooded litter boxes.
Litter box tips
- Use a large litter box. Your kitten will grow into a 15-20 pound adult cat. A small box won't cut it.
- Scoop daily, replace litter weekly.
- Place the litter box in a quiet, low-traffic area.
- If you switch litter brands, do it gradually by mixing the new litter with BoxiePro over a week.
Litter box rule of thumb
One litter box per cat, plus one extra. If you have other cats, your kitten needs their own box during the transition period.
Section 4
The First Few Days — What to Expect
Transitioning stress is normal
Going home is the most stressful time in your kitten's life. They're leaving their mother, siblings, and everything they know. Expect:
- Sneezing or runny eyes/nose
- Soft stool or diarrhea
- Hiding or reluctance to eat
- Crying or calling for their mother
This is normal and usually resolves within a few days to two weeks. If symptoms persist or worsen, contact your vet.
The quarantine room
For the first 3-7 days, confine your kitten to a small, quiet room (a bedroom works well). This room should have:
- Their carrier (left open as a safe hiding spot)
- Food and water bowls
- Litter box (placed away from food)
- A few toys
- Soft bedding
Give them time
Your kitten will not walk in and immediately act confident. That's okay. Sit quietly in the room with them. Let them approach you. Offer treats. Talk softly. Don't force interaction. Some kittens adjust in a day. Others take a week. Be patient.
Sleeping arrangements
Your kitten has been sleeping in our bedroom since birth. We hope you'll continue this. Maine Coons bond closely with their people and thrive when they're included in family life. Once your kitten is comfortable, let them sleep with you.
Section 5
Introducing Your Kitten to Other Pets
Slow introductions prevent problems
Do not throw your new kitten in with your existing cat or dog and expect them to get along. A rushed introduction can lead to fear, aggression, and long-term relationship problems.
Timeline: 2-3 weeks minimum
Week 1: Scent swapping
- Keep your kitten in their quarantine room.
- Swap bedding between your kitten and your other pets so they get used to each other's scent.
- Feed them on opposite sides of a closed door so they associate each other's presence with positive experiences (food).
Week 2: Visual contact
- Crack the door open a few inches (use a door stop or baby gate).
- Let them see each other without physical contact.
- Reward calm behavior with treats.
- If either animal shows aggression, slow down.
Week 3: Supervised interaction
- Allow short, supervised visits in a neutral space.
- Keep initial interactions to 10-15 minutes.
- Always supervise until you're confident they're safe together.
Dogs and kittens
Never leave a kitten alone with a dog until the kitten is fully grown and you're 100% confident the dog won't hurt them. Even gentle dogs can accidentally injure a small kitten during play.
Young children
Even though your kitten has been socialized with children, young kids can be overwhelming during the transition. Teach children to approach the kitten calmly, speak quietly, and let the kitten come to them.
Section 6
Health & Veterinary Care
72-hour vet exam (required)
Your contract requires a veterinary exam within 72 hours of pickup (excluding Sundays and holidays). This exam:
- Confirms your kitten is healthy
- Activates your health guarantee
- Establishes a relationship with your vet
Bring your kitten's health records to this appointment.
Vaccine schedule
Your kitten has received before going home:
- FVRCP — one dose
- Rabies — one dose
Next vaccines due:
- FVRCP: your vet will complete the kitten series (typically 2-3 doses total, 3-4 weeks apart)
- Rabies booster at 1 year
Important vaccination rules
- 1. Core vaccines only: FVRCP and rabies. We do not recommend the FeLV (feline leukemia) vaccine due to adverse reaction risk. Our kittens are indoor-only and our breeding cats are FeLV negative.
- 2. One vaccine per visit: Do not let your vet give multiple vaccines in one appointment. Space vaccines at least 3 weeks apart.
- 3. Separate vaccines from surgery: Schedule spay/neuter at least one week after vaccines (four weeks is better). Don't stress the immune system with surgery and vaccines at the same time.
Spay/neuter timeline
Your contract requires spay or neuter by 10 months of age for both males and females.
Recommended schedule: 7-10 months. Do not spay or neuter before 7 months. Early alteration removes hormones during skeletal development. Maine Coons are a large breed and benefit from waiting until at least 7 months.
Important: Spaying or neutering before 7 months voids your health guarantee.
CFA registration papers will be provided after we receive proof of alteration from your vet.
Microchip
Your kitten is microchipped and registered to Pampered Feline LLC as the primary contact, with you listed as secondary. This stays in place for the kitten's lifetime. If your kitten is ever lost or stolen, the microchip helps us recover them.
Section 7
Important Care Requirements
Indoor only
Your kitten must be kept indoors. Supervised outdoor time in an enclosed space (catio) or on a harness is fine, but your kitten should never roam freely outdoors. Outdoor cats face:
- Cars
- Predators (dogs, coyotes, hawks)
- Disease (FeLV, FIV, parasites)
- Theft
- Poisoning
No declawing
Declawing is never acceptable. It's amputation of the first knuckle of each toe and causes permanent pain and behavioral problems. Alternatives:
- Scratching posts (sisal rope, cardboard, carpet)
- Nail caps (Soft Claws)
- Regular nail trimming
If you declaw your kitten, you must return them to us immediately with no refund. This is in your contract.
Quality care
Your kitten deserves:
- Clean water changed daily
- High-quality food (wet and dry)
- A clean litter box (scooped daily)
- Regular vet visits
- Enrichment (toys, scratching posts, playtime)
- Companionship (Maine Coons are social and shouldn't be left alone for long periods)
Companionship
Maine Coons bond closely with their people. They don't do well when left alone for more than a full day. If you work long hours, consider having another pet (cat, kitten, or dog) so your kitten has company.
Section 8
Toys & Enrichment
Safe toys
- Feather wands (supervise play, put away after use — kittens can swallow feathers)
- Balls (ping pong balls, jingle balls, foam balls)
- Interactive toys (puzzle feeders, treat balls)
- Catnip toys (some cats love catnip, others don't react until 6+ months)
Unsafe toys
- String, yarn, ribbon, or tinsel (causes intestinal blockages if swallowed)
- Small objects that can be swallowed (buttons, hair ties, rubber bands)
- Broken toys (discard immediately)
Scratching posts
Maine Coons need tall, sturdy scratching posts. Recommended materials:
- Sisal rope
- Cardboard scratchers
- Carpet-lined posts
Cat trees
Invest in a quality cat tree. Maine Coons are large cats (15-25 pounds at maturity) and cheap cat trees will collapse. Look for:
- Sturdy construction
- Wide, reinforced platforms
- Weight capacity of 30+ pounds per platform
Brands we recommend: Kitty Mansions, Catit Senses.
Section 9
Grooming & Maintenance
Brushing
Maine Coons have semi-long coats and benefit from weekly brushing. Use a soft brush or metal comb. Brush more frequently during shedding season (spring and fall).
Nail trimming
Trim your kitten's nails every 2-3 weeks. Your vet can show you how at your first appointment.
Bathing
Maine Coons rarely need baths unless they get into something messy. Their coats are naturally water-resistant.
Ear cleaning
Check ears weekly. If they look dirty or waxy, clean them with a vet-approved ear cleaner. If ears are red, inflamed, or smell bad, see your vet.
Section 10
Lifetime Support & Contact
We're here for you
You have lifetime support for your kitten. If you have questions or concerns about health, behavior, feeding, litter training, socialization, or anything else, contact us at pamperedfelinemainecoons@gmail.com or use our contact form.
Stay in touch
We ask that you send us photo updates:
- Within 24 hours of arrival
- At 3 months after arrival
- At 6 months after arrival
- At least once per year after that
This helps us track the health of our lines and confirm our kittens are thriving.
Review your contract
For full terms and conditions, review your signed Kitten Purchase Agreement.
Have more questions?
Check our FAQ for answers to common questions about health guarantees, spay/neuter requirements, and more.
Section 11
Resources & Recommendations
Food & Litter
- Purina ONE +Plus Healthy Kitten formula (dry)
- High-quality wet kitten food (pate or chunks in gravy)
- BoxiePro Deep Clean litter
Bowls
- Stainless steel or ceramic (avoid plastic, which can cause chin acne)
Toys & Enrichment
- Kitty Mansions cat trees
- Catit Senses toys
- Feather wands (supervise use)
General Kitten Care
- ASPCA New Kitten Guide
- Cornell Feline Health Center
Questions? We're here.
Lifetime support is part of every adoption. Reach out anytime — we want your kitten to thrive.