Shopping For Your New Kitten

There are many items to have in your home when you welcome a kitten into your family. Some necessary items include:

• Nulo Freestyle Cat & Kitten Chicken and Cod flavored dry kibble

  • All cats and kittens at Snowberry Maine Coons are fed the above kibble (mixed 1:1 with the next food item). Continue this food when bringing a kitten home and take 2 weeks minimum to transition to another food. The 2 weeks transition should have a ratio mix of their old food to new food such as 4:1, then 1:1, then 1:4, and finally fully new food. FortiFlora should be sprinkled on their food for the first two weeks in their new home as well as any time you switch foods to support them with any stomach upset they may have from the stressful changes. We free-feed our cats/kittens which means we leave food out at all times. Consult with your veterinarian if you would like to go on a feeding schedule.

• Stella & Chewy’s Wild Caught Salmon Flavored Raw Coated kibble

  • See above note about feeding

• Purina ProPlan Veterinary Supplements FortiFlora

• Water

• Dishes for food and water

• Litterbox

  • Please keep in mind that Maine Coons are large breeds. While you can start with a smaller litterbox, the typical minimum size we recommend getting for Maine Coons would be 20-24 inches long with the sides being at least 6-8 inches tall. If you notice that your cat either gets messy paws or tail (this is common for kittens as they learn, but if it does not improve as they get older), or that they go to the bathroom right outside of he litterbox, it is too small. Some Maine Coon owners will use storage tubs with a (sanded for safety) hole cut out for entry.

  • At Snowberry Maine Coons, we start the kittens in open-topped litterboxes, add covers without doors, and then add the doors to the covers so the kittens are used to using many different litter box items.

  • Please keep in mind that the general rule of thumb for how many litter boxes to have is 1 litterbox per cat PLUS 1. Having accessible litter boxes on every floor of your home is also recommended.

  • We recommend scooping the litter boxes daily to reduce smells, debris, and for your cats comfort.

  • Having enough litterboxes, litterboxes that are easily accessible, and keeping up with the cleanliness of them can help prevent your cat(s) from accidents outside the box. If they can’t get to their box in time, or they have higher cleanliness standards, cats may use the bathroom in inappropriate locations.

• Litter

  • We start our kittens on a pellet litter as they are being potty trained and slowly transition to a generic clumping clay litter. We do this for multiple reasons. One, so they are are used to multiple options, and two, because as kittens are learning, they sometimes decide to eat the litter and the pellets are less upsetting to their stomachs than the clay, clumping litter. They grow out of this before they go to their new homes.

  • Cats can have a preference to the type, texture, and smell of their litter. Some may even have reactions to the litter (sneezing or goopy eyes from the dust or smell) so pay attention to the reaction they have to their litter and make adjustments as needed.

  • There are even more natural litter options, some are even flushable and safe for drains! (Please follow litter instructions and be aware of your drain health in your home, especially older drains may not be able to handle flushable litter).

• Litterbox scooper

  • We prefer large, metal scoopers for their durability and their easy cleaning (and non-absorbent material for smells and germs).

• Cat trees/towers

  • Cats can be sensitive animals. They have their preferences and can become stressful and have not so desirable habits or emotions when they are unhappy. Providing them with their own cat trees/towers or even wall climbing options can increase their happiness.

  • We believe that a cat is either a “tree-dweller” (likes to be up high), or a “bush-dweller” (likes to be down low and hidden). If we notice they have a preference when they are young, we will let you know. Pay attention to your cat’s preferences so you can get them their favorite dwellings!

• Scratchers (posts or floor scratchers)

  • If you purchase a cat tree, they often have scratching posts on the bottom.

  • Having scratching options through the home will help your cat’s nail health as well as deter them from scratching undesirable locations.

• Toys

  • Pay attention to how your cat interacts with toys for preferences and safety. If your cat attempts to swallow or DOES swallow a non-edible toy, do not have keep that toy or anything similar in the home. An example: if you notice the hard foam balls have evidence of chewing pieces off but you cannot find pieces, remove that and all similar textured toys. Alert your veterinarian and ask for guidance if you assume your cat swallowed a whole or partial toy. Consuming toys can cause an obstruction and require life-saving surgery.

  • Many cats LOVE real-fur toys. However, sometimes this love is so strong they consume the toys. Please be aware that although natural, your cats should not consume toys that are not noted as consumable (even natural toys/materials such as fur).

• Brush

  • Brushing your cat 2-3 times per week will help their coats stay healthy, reduce mats, reduce cat hair left on your furniture and floors, and help reduce hairballs. If you notice matting you may need to brush more often or hire a groomer for routine appointments.

• Nail trimmers

  • Please use nail trimmers made for cats. Others can cause harm or painful hang nails

  • Educate yourself on nail trimming your cat if you plan to do it yourself. If you cut too far on your cat’s nails you will “quick” them, causing a lot of bleeding that is hard to stop as well as pain and trauma to your cat.

  • Nails need trimmed every 2-3 weeks (especially polydactyl cats - see the polydactyl article on our site under “Info”)

  • If you are uncomfortable or your cat makes it more difficult to safely cut their nails, ask your veterinarian or groomer about routine services. Nail trims are typically pretty cheap and quick work for these professionals.

• Cat carrier

  • We will not send a kitten with it’s new owner without a carrier at the time of pick-up. A carrier ensures safe travels and that your cat does not escape from your hands and get lost outside.

  • We recommend your new kitten be in a carrier while traveling, unless another individual in the car can hold the kitten/cat. Driving by yourself with a cat loose in the car can cause a wreck due to distraction or if your cat decides to go down to your feet and get in the way of the pedals, which can cause a car accident.

  • We often travel with our cats in a dog crate in the back of the car to give them more safe space and a litter box for longer traveling.

  • If you plan to fly with your cat, there are TSA-approved carriers and crates.

  • Keep in mind that a Maine Coon will outgrow the typical cat carrier size, including the carry-on TSA carrier. You will need to eventually invest in a large cat carrier.

Some optional items, some of which we highly recommend include:

• Chicken Gerber Baby Food

  • We offer this as a low-ingredient snack/treat to our cats/kittens. Other wet or raw foods are an option. Please keep in mind that adding or changing food can be upsetting to their stomach as they adjust. Follow instructions for food storage, especially if you decide to switch to a raw diet or offer raw food.

• Creative Science BreathLyser Dog & Cat Dental Water Additive

  • We recommend getting a water additive for healthy teeth and gums. We use the additive listed above however, there are many water additive options. Please pay attention to your cat’s water intake and bathroom habits. Some cats may be sensitive to the water additive and have diarrhea and/or dislike the taste and as a result drink less water. Consult your veterinarian when choosing a water additive.

• Non-absorbent Litter Mat

  • We recommend purchasing a litter mat for outside of the litterbox. There are many options for these. We recommend these mate for overall cleanliness, many trap litter to reduce the amount of litter your cat or kitten tracks through the house. Another reason we recommend this, is in the case your cat or kitten has an accident outside the box (as mentioned above, under “Litter box”), this protects your floors from staining and smells.

• Pet Carpet cleaner - We like Woolite. We also have a handheld carpet shampooer (worth the price for how many cats we have!)

  • It is so wonderful that cats keep themselves clean! Unfortunately, that means that cats also throw up hair balls. There are other reasons cats may throw up. Monitor this and always reach out to your veterinarian with any concerns.

• Cat beds

  • Some cats like their own plush or even heated cat beds. Others would prefer the couch, the middle of the kitchen floor, your bed, or a cardboard box. Don’t be offended if your cat does not like the furniture you buy them. They are very opinionated creatures.

• Cat trees/scratching posts/towers

• Collar/harness

  • Ensure these are the correct size (routinely check) and tightness so they are not too tight and not escapable

  • If you take your cat on walks, please make sure they are fully vaccinated (check with your veterinarian), use a harness and not the collar to attach to their leash, and ensure the harness fits correctly so your cat does not squeeze out of it

• Leash

  • If you decide to take outside (see note under “collar/harness”)