What size cat tree do Maine Coons need?

Maine Coons need extra large, heavy-duty cat trees — standard cat trees are often too small and too flimsy for their size and energy. Look for cat trees that are at least 5 to 6 feet tall, with wide platforms of at least 12 by 12 inches, and a solid base that won't tip when they launch themselves at full speed. Weight capacity matters too — aim for at least 25 to 30 pounds to accommodate a fully grown Maine Coon.

What should I buy before bringing home a Maine Coon kitten?

Before your Maine Coon kitten arrives you should have: a stainless steel wide-tooth comb for grooming, an extra large litter box, high-quality kitten food, interactive toys for mental stimulation, a sturdy cat tree or climbing structure, and a comfortable oversized bed. Having everything set up before arrival helps your kitten settle in quickly and with less stress.

Do Maine Coons need special food bowls?

Yes — Maine Coons benefit from wide, shallow food bowls that don't press against their prominent whiskers. Whisker fatigue is a real issue for cats with long, sensitive whiskers like Maine Coons, and a cramped bowl can make eating uncomfortable and stressful. Stainless steel or ceramic wide bowls are ideal as they are easy to clean and don't harbor bacteria the way plastic does.

Do Maine Coons need a scratching post?

Absolutely — Maine Coons are powerful scratchers and will destroy furniture if they don't have a proper outlet. They need tall, heavy-duty scratching posts that allow them to fully extend their body while scratching — at least 30 to 32 inches tall. Sisal rope posts are the most durable. A scratcher lounger is also useful as it doubles as a resting spot and satisfies their horizontal scratching instinct.

How do you manage Maine Coon shedding around the house?

Maine Coons shed year-round with two heavier shedding seasons in spring and autumn. A good lint roller is non-negotiable. Washable furniture covers, a high-quality vacuum with a pet hair attachment, and a litter mat outside the litter box all help manage the fur and mess. Regular brushing — at least 2 to 3 times per week — is the single most effective way to reduce how much fur ends up around your home.

Maine Coon Kitten Essentials: Recommended Products

Q: What bedding do Maine Coons prefer?

Maine Coons prefer large, plush beds with raised edges or bolsters they can lean against — they love to feel enclosed and supported while they sleep. Given their size, look for beds at least 20 by 24 inches. Heated cat beds are particularly popular with Maine Coons in cooler climates. Many also love donut-style or cave beds, though their size can limit the options available.

Introduction to Maine Coon Kitten Needs

Maine Coon kittens and cats are very unique in nature. Yes, they’re cats so they fit under the umbrella description that we all know and love. You can learn everything you want to know in our Magical “getting to Know the Maine Coon” guide. Maine Coons are the most amazing cats in the universe. They also come with their own set of special needs.

Why Maine Coons Require Special Items

Maine Coons are very muscular, and rambunctious kitties. A “normal” cat gets the zoomies and its funny. When a Maine Coon get them, just get out of the way! They come barreling through the room and across the back of the sofa like a cheetah.

They’re intelligent cats, and like to stay engaged with interesting games and puzzles. My cats also enjoy catnip infused bubbles. They hear me blowing them and gather around to watch the show.

Preparing for Your New Kitten

It’s an exciting time to know your new Maine Coon is coming home. It’s time to head to the pet store and start shopping for your new and entertaining family member. Here are some supplies that you’ll need now (or eventually) for your cat.

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Grooming Essentials

Grooming your Maine Coon will become part of your regular routine. Their thick, dense coats require some maintenance from their humans to keep them looking smooth, shiny and tangle free. Here are some recommended tools that we personally use and vouch for when it comes to grooming.

Furminator

This is a specialized de-shedding tool. It is designed to reach deep beneath your cat’s topcoat. It gently removes the undercoat and loose hair. This process significantly reduces shedding.

Grooming Wipes for Long Hair

These wipes help keep your Maine Coon’s fur clean between baths, removing dirt and reducing allergens. If they get some poop on the back of their legs, these come in handy.

Fur Wizard for Furniture

You’ll definitely have kitty fur on your furniture. There’s so many cool tools on the market these days to manage this. Our favorite is the Fur Wizard and the rug rake. They make large ones for carpet and small ones for your comforters and sofa.

Hairball Gel for Prevention

This gel assists in the natural passage of hairballs through your cat’s digestive system. It minimizes discomfort and potential health issues related to hairball buildup. Organic Coconut Oil is also helpful and cats love it!

Mess Management Tools

Scrubby Bar

An effective tool for removing stains from fabrics and carpets. It is especially useful for cleaning up after any unexpected accidents your cat might have.

Broom and Dustpan

With every litter box comes litter box dust. We’ve tried every litter imaginable and none are without a mess. A good hand broom and dustpan works wonders for daily clean up.

Black Hole Litter Mat

Placed outside the litter box, a litter mat traps stray litter particles. It keeps your floors cleaner. This reduces the spread of litter throughout your home. We like to Black Hole Litter mat.

Daily Essentials

Ensuring your Maine Coon thrives involves providing specific essentials tailored to their unique needs. Here’s a curated list of top items to consider:

Sturdy Scratching Post

A robust scratching post is vital for your Maine Coon’s claw health and to deter them from scratching furniture. Opt for tall and stable designs to accommodate their size.

High-Quality Diet

Provide a balanced diet rich in animal-based proteins. There are dozens of brands that offer great food choices your Maine Coon will love. The main things are that your cat is a healthy weight, doesn’t vomit, and doesn’t get diarrhea. If we’re staying out of those zones, we’re doing great!

Interactive Toys

Engage their hunting instincts with toys like feather wands or laser pointers. Interactive playtime keeps them mentally and physically stimulated.

Comfortable Bedding ️

Provide a cozy bed where they can relax. Maine Coons appreciate soft, spacious areas to lounge.

Water Fountain

Encourage hydration with a water fountain. The continuous flow attracts cats and ensures fresh water availability.

Carrier

A sturdy carrier is essential for vet visits or travel. Make sure it’s spacious and well-ventilated for their comfort. Your Maine Coon will get very large, so look for a carrier that will fit once he’s an adult.
If you are the outdoor type, you might like to take your cat with you. Consider leash training your Maine Coon. Get a nice leash and harness.

Catnip Toys

Catnip-infused toys offer entertainment and relaxation, catering to their playful side. Our Maine Coons really enjoy catnip infused bubbles and kick toys.

Shop for Your Maine Coon Supplies

By equipping your Maine Coon with these essentials, you’ll ensure they lead a happy, healthy, and enriched life. Get more tips about how to raise a healthy Maine Coon.

Must-Have Structural Items

Durable Cat Tree

Given their playful nature, a heavy-duty cat tree offers both entertainment and exercise. Ensure it’s spacious and sturdy to support their weight. We’ve never met a cat that didn’t like a cat tree, so here’s our recommendations on the best ones.

Extra Large Litter Box

A large, sturdy litter box ensures comfort and cleanliness. Some owners recommend using sizable storage containers as litter boxes to accommodate their size. We’ve done reviews on large litter boxes for you.

We’ve Reviewed these Products for You!

Top 3 Cat Trees for Maine Coons

pine pellets compraed to clumping clay litter

Best Litter Box for Maine Coons

Shoppable List: Essential Items for Your Maine Coon

Category	Product	Product Link

Scratching & Climbing	Scratcher Lounger	Order Lounger
	Durable Cat Tree	Order Fancy Cat Tree
Food & Diet	High-Quality Diet	Order Canned Food
Toys & Play	Interactive Toys	Order Laser Light Toy
Grooming	Grooming Tools	Order Stainless Steel Comb
Litter & Hygiene	Spacious Litter Box	Order Stainless Litter Box
	Litter Mat	Order Black Hole Litter Mat
Bedding	Comfortable Bedding	Order Comfy Bed
Hydration	Water Fountain	Order Water Fountain
Travel & Safety	Carrier	Order XL Travel Carrier
Relaxation	Pheromone Diffusers	Order Feliway

Extra Large Items for Big Ole Kitties

Some important things to consider are that your cute little Maine Coon kitten will grow quickly. It arrives at home weighing around 4 – 5 pounds. It will soon become a giant cat. He will start pouring over the sides of the cat bed and become too tall for the small scratching post.

There are some important items that you need to buy to accommodate an extra large cat, like your Maine Coon. When you’re checking off items on your shopping list, take these into consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kitten Products

Maine Coons need extra large, heavy-duty cat trees. Standard cat trees are often too small. They are too flimsy for their size and energy. Look for cat trees that are at least 5 to 6 feet tall. Ensure they have wide platforms of at least 12 by 12 inches. Choose a solid base that won’t tip when they launch themselves at full speed. Weight capacity matters too — aim for at least 25 to 30 pounds to accommodate a fully grown Maine Coon.

Maine Coons need an oversized litter box — standard sizes leave them cramped and more likely to miss the box. Look for boxes that are at least 24 inches long and 18 inches wide. Many Maine Coon owners use large under-bed storage containers as DIY litter boxes. These containers offer the ideal dimensions at a low cost. A high-sided box also helps contain litter scatter from their powerful digging.

Before your Maine Coon kitten arrives, you should have several important items. First, get a stainless steel wide-tooth comb for grooming. An extra large litter box and high-quality kitten food are essential. Provide interactive toys for mental stimulation. Ensure you have a sturdy cat tree or climbing structure. A comfortable oversized bed is also important. Having everything set up before arrival helps your kitten settle in quickly and with less stress.

Yes — Maine Coons benefit from wide, shallow food bowls that don’t press against their prominent whiskers. Whisker fatigue is a real issue for cats with long, sensitive whiskers like Maine Coons. A cramped bowl can make eating uncomfortable and stressful for them. Stainless steel or ceramic wide bowls are ideal. They are easy to clean and don’t harbor bacteria like plastic does.

Maine Coons are highly intelligent and need toys that challenge them mentally as well as physically. Interactive wand toys, puzzle feeders, motorized laser toys, and crinkle balls are all excellent choices. They love to fetch, so lightweight ball toys work well too. Rotate toys regularly to keep things fresh. A bored Maine Coon will find their own entertainment. This usually happens at your furniture’s expense.

Absolutely — Maine Coons are powerful scratchers and will destroy furniture if they don’t have a proper outlet. They need tall, heavy-duty scratching posts. These posts should allow them to fully extend their body while scratching. The posts need to be at least 30 to 32 inches tall. Sisal rope posts are the most durable. A scratcher lounger is also useful as it doubles as a resting spot and satisfies their horizontal scratching instinct.

Maine Coons shed year-round with two heavier shedding seasons in spring and autumn. A good lint roller is non-negotiable. Use washable furniture covers to manage the fur. A high-quality vacuum with a pet hair attachment is also helpful. Place a litter mat outside the litter box to control the mess. Brush regularly. Aim for at least 2 to 3 times per week. This routine is the most effective way to reduce how much fur ends up around your home.

Maine Coons prefer large, plush beds with raised edges. They like bolsters they can lean against. They love to feel enclosed and supported while they sleep. Given their size, look for beds at least 20 by 24 inches. Heated cat beds are particularly popular with Maine Coons in cooler climates. Many also love donut-style or cave beds, though their size can limit the options available.

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sassykoonz

My name is Tracy Caywood. I live in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and I'm the Guardian of the Sassy Koonz Maine Coon kittens. My goal and passion is to provide you with education, inspiration, and healthy, well-socialized beautiful Maine Coon babies that you'll love forever. My breeding journey started in 2017, and the cattery has flourished into one of the most sought-after catteries in the United States.

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3 Comments

Jane A. Spencer says:

September 6, 2019 at 3:51 pm

My daughter’s Maine Coon sprays poop all over everything, walls, furniture, carpeting etc., while you are brushing her. What is that? Never heard of such a thing!

1. sassykoonz says:
  
  September 8, 2019 at 2:40 pm
  
  I’ve actually seen this happen to a timid kitty. Its like she got nervous, farted, and pooped liquid at the same time. it really stinks, too. LOL. Worse than regular poop. It’s a defensive mechanism thats built in to the cat! Maybe she doesn’t actually like being groomed…or she likes it so much she poops her pants.
  
Anita Malchiodi Albedi says:

August 4, 2020 at 5:58 pm

Have you looked in to the Litter Robot? After owning cats for many decades and still hating the chore of cleaning the litter box, I finally got a Litter Robot after I got a Maine Coon. I have multiple cats, and my reluctance to clean the litter box was causing one of the cats to go outside the litter box. Now, with the Litter Robot, there’s no problem; it’s not such a stinky, onerous chore anymore. It’s wonderful. Yes. It was expensive but worth every penny these past six months. I have the Litter Robot 3 without the wifi app.