Welcoming a new kitten into your home is a joyful and exciting moment — and we’re here to help make the transition smooth, healthy, and happy.
This page gathers our best care tips based on years of experience with Maine Coons — from food and water essentials to health, hygiene, and daily routines.

These are not just general recommendations — they reflect our real-life practices and high standards of care. We encourage you to read them closely and reach out if you have questions. Your kitten deserves the best — and now you have the knowledge to provide it.

 

 

Dear Families Picking Up Kittens!

Your kitten is currently eating the following foods:

1. Purina Pro Plan Adult Grain-Free Classic Chicken & Spinach Entree Canned Cat Food

2. Purina Pro Plan LiveClear Kitten Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food

3. Wellness Complete Health Kitten Pate Chicken Entrée Natural Wet Cat Food
4. Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Mini Patties Entree Cat Food

5. Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Duck Mini Patties Entree Cat Food
6. Boiled chicken

For water:

Oratene Enzymatic Brushless Oral Care Dog & Cat Dental Water Additive, 8-fl oz bottle

Please try to purchase the same products before your kitten arrives, so the transition to the new home is smooth and stress-free.

You can absolutely introduce new foods later on — kittens love exploring new tastes!

But please introduce any new items gradually, while still offering what your kitten is already used to.

This helps avoid digestive upset and gives the kitten’s stomach and intestines time to adjust.

Thank you for helping your kitten feel safe, supported, and well-fed from day one.
 

🥣 Water & Bowls: What Every Cat Owner Should Know

💧 Fresh Water Is a Daily Priority

Cats need access to clean, filtered water at all times. Especially on a dry food diet, hydration is critical for kidney and urinary health.

• Use filtered water only — not tap water. If your local water isn't great (and most isn’t), we highly recommend the Zero Water Filter.

• We personally monitor water quality with a testing meter to know exactly when the filter needs changing.

• Replace the water at least twice a day — never just top it off.

⛲️ About Cat Fountains:

Yes, they look fun. Yes, cats enjoy playing with them. But here's the reality:

Fountains are a breeding ground for bacteria.

• No matter how “advanced” the filter is, it cannot clean the dirt that builds up on the surfaces of the container.

• Cats dip their paws into the water — the same paws they use in the litter box. That debris doesn’t disappear; it circulates.

• Even if you’re committed to cleaning it daily (and most people aren’t), the structure of most fountains makes it hard to clean thoroughly — bacteria thrive in hidden corners.

💥 We strongly advise against using fountains. They often cause more harm than good.

🥄 Choose Safe Materials

• Use bowls made of ceramic, stainless steel, or other non-toxic materials.

• Avoid plastic — it’s been linked to mouth ulcers and bacterial buildup.

📏 Elevate Food & Water Bowls

We feed and water our cats using a small table or raised platform. This helps keep food and water cleaner — and makes eating more comfortable for your pet.

⏰ Replace Food & Bowls Daily

• Don't refill over old food. Start fresh every morning.

• Throw out leftovers, wash bowls in the dishwasher.

• Yes, food has become expensive — but your cat’s health is priceless.

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🪣 Litter Box Tips & Warnings

We don’t give one-size-fits-all advice when it comes to litter — because what works for one cat may not work for another. However, here’s what we do in our cattery and what we’ve learned through experience.

🐾 For young kittens:
In our home, we use a litter box with a grid and no litter for babies. It keeps them clean, prevents litter from sticking to tiny paws, and minimizes the risk of them tasting or swallowing the litter. It’s safe, simple, and ideal for kittens during their first few weeks.

🐾 By 8 weeks of age:
Your kitten is ready to graduate to a regular litter box with litter. You can choose whatever litter is most convenient for you — clumping or non-clumping, clay, wood, paper, or otherwise.

🔸 Our only strong recommendation:
Please choose unscented litter. Some scented formulas — especially pine-scented pellets — can trigger allergies.
I once used compressed pine pellets that smelled “fresh and natural,” and the reaction was severe: skin issues, eye inflammation, and distress in the kitten. Since then, I actively do not recommend this type of litter.
 

🌲 Cat Tree Recommendations

Maine Coons aren’t your average cats — and they need more than average furniture.

If you want your kitten to climb, stretch, scratch, and lounge like a king or queen, invest in a sturdy, heavy-duty cat tree built to handle a Maine Coon’s size, strength, and agility.

✅ Look for:

Wide platforms
Reinforced posts
Stable, wobble-free base
Natural materials (like sisal and wood)
Hammocks or cubbies for cozy naps
A good cat tree is not just furniture — it’s a kingdom. Your kitten will thank you with daily acrobatics and long naps in high places.

 

🌲 Collars for Kittens: Pros and Cons
 

❌ The truth:
there are no real benefits to putting a collar on a kitten that lives indoors. Not one. It doesn't serve their safety, well-being, or development — it's a human projection, not a feline need.

🧠 What people think:

• "It looks cute!"

• "It's like dressing up a baby."

• "The bell helps me hear where they are."

This is about human desire, not the cat’s comfort or health.

🚫 Here’s the actual harm:

1. 🦠 Bacteria and fungi.
   Fur under the collar can’t breathe. It traps heat and moisture — perfect for skin infections, especially in kittens with fine or thick coats.

2. 🧷 Hair breakage and irritation.
   Collars cause fur to mat and rub off. Skin can become inflamed or even develop bald patches.

3. 🔔 Constant noise = stress.
   Bells may seem cute to us, but for a kitten’s ultra-sensitive hearing, it’s torture. Imagine wearing headphones that ring every time you move.

4. ⛓ Risk of getting caught.
   Even "breakaway" collars can fail. A kitten playing, climbing, or exploring can get the collar stuck — leading to injury or choking.

5. 🤯 Sensory overload.
   The sound and pressure of a collar interfere with a kitten’s ability to relax, hunt, explore, and regulate their behavior naturally.

🧘‍♀️ Final truth:

A collar doesn’t help the kitten. It helps the owner feel like they’re doing something.
But good parenting is about awareness, not accessories.

Let your kitten grow up healthy, free, and safe — without a ribbon around their neck.

At Joie de Vivre, we do not use collars on our kittens, and we do not recommend them to our clients.
We raise our cats with health, freedom, and deep respect for their natural instincts.
 

​

🐾 What do I feed my cats and kittens?
 

There’s no fixed list of brands in my cattery — and that’s on purpose. We’re constantly switching things up and trying new options. Why?

1. We’re always searching for the highest quality.

2. And... our cats are completely spoiled and picky.

🥣 What does “good quality” mean to me? Simple:
– My cats love to eat it.
– It doesn’t upset their stomachs.
It’s not about price, packaging, or online reviews. The only thing that matters is how my cats react to it.

But there’s a catch: sometimes, a food seems great. You buy a second bag of the exact same product — and suddenly the whole cattery has diarrhea. This means the first batch was fine, but the second? Straight to the trash. This can happen with any brand.

Royal Canin’s kitten food is especially guilty of this. That’s why I only use Royal Canin dry food for adult Maine Coons, not kittens.

🐥 What do I currently use for kittens?

• Wet food:
  Wellness Complete Health Kitten Chicken Entrée (5.5 oz)
  I’ve been using this for over a year. The kittens love it, and so do the moms. But yes — even this brand had one bad batch. I gave them another chance, and so far, so good.

• Dry food:
  Farmina N&D Prime Kitten Formula
  I’m very happy with this brand. Kittens and adults love it. No issues, no bad batches for over a year.

• Budget-friendly variety:
  Purina Pro Plan dry food
  It’s good quality for its price, but… the cats get bored quickly and start demanding something new. So we always rotate.

I always recommend: explore options on sites like Chewy, and see what works for your cat. I can’t give a one-size-fits-all answer. Just like people, every cat has their own preferences.

🍗 What about natural food?

Alongside dry and wet food, I also feed boiled chicken, turkey, and beef.
I don’t use raw meat or fish — instead, I give freeze-dried raw products, which we soak in water before serving.

Right now, we’re using:

• Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Mini Patties
  They’ve been a hit for a long time.

We recently ordered a mix of freeze-dried meats and fish from Chewy and are testing who likes what. It’s a taste-testing journey.

In short: My cats eat better than most people I know. 😄
Their menu is big — and yes, sometimes they steal from the dog.
 

💗What to do if your kitten is scared after arriving home💗

Even the most confident kitten can become frightened in a completely new environment. Some adapt quickly, others need more help. Here's what you should do if your kitten is hiding, not eating, or acting withdrawn:

Don’t wait for the kitten to come out on its own.
Gently take the kitten in your arms. Pet them, hold them close, talk softly. Let your kitten feel your love and safety through physical contact.
Limit exposure to other pets and people.
Keep the kitten in a quiet room with just you. Sometimes even a curious sniff or accidental hiss from a resident pet can scare a kitten deeply.
Offer wet food by hand.
Some kittens won’t eat from a bowl when they’re stressed. Try offering food on your finger or spoon. If the kitten still won’t eat after many hours, give small amounts of water and soft food with a syringe.
Be present.
Sit quietly nearby. Let your kitten hear your voice, smell your scent, and feel your calm. Don’t rush or expect too much — love and patience work better than pressure.
Most kittens adjust beautifully within 1–3 days when they feel safe and supported. Your calm, caring presence makes all the difference. 💗
Know that stress can trigger illness.
If your kitten is visibly shaking or extremely stressed, antibiotics may be needed to support them during the adaptation period. 
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if your kitten is still struggling — I’m here to help.
 

Vaccines: Two Views. One Honest Conversation.

Let’s face it — talking about vaccines today is like walking a tightrope over a volcano.

So I’ll say this:
This is not a rant.
This is not a conspiracy.
This is not a crusade “against modern medicine.”

This is a guide with two scientific perspectives — both respectful, both thoughtful, both real.

One follows the official protocols.
The other brings up lesser-known data — the kind that doesn’t always make it into glossy brochures (or top search results).

🐾 I’m not here to tell you what to do.
I’m just offering information — based on experience, research, and common sense.

⚠️ On social media, I have to stay within “community guidelines.”
But on my website, I can speak freely — and I did.

🆓 This is the only free guide in my Health Library.
Because sometimes, it’s not about business. It’s about balance.

📎 Link
Read it. Think it over.
Make the choice that feels right for you — and for your cat.
 

📚 Looking for More?
 

If you ever have questions about your pet’s health — from parasites to digestion, pregnancy, aging, or skin issues — we’ve got you covered.

Visit our Library & Shop, where you’ll find easy-to-understand guides based on real veterinary seminars and years of hands-on experience.

🧠 These aren’t just tips — they’re tools for understanding how your cat’s body works, so you can make smart, informed decisions.
Topics include:

• Parasites and natural treatment plans

• Digestion and stool-based diagnostics

• Nutrition at every stage of life

• Pregnancy, birth, and kitten care

• Skin issues, immunity, aging — and more

🔍 Whether you're facing a specific issue or want to learn how to prevent problems before they start, you’ll find real knowledge and practical solutions here.

👉 Explore now: Library & Shop

 

💬 Please remember — your feedback means the world to us!

If you’ve brought home one of our kittens, your experience can help others make an informed and heartfelt decision.
We pour our soul into raising these little lions — and nothing brings us more joy than hearing how they’re doing in their new homes.

Please take a moment to leave a review on our Testimonials page.
You can share your story.

Your feedback not only supports our small family cattery, but also helps future families feel confident and inspired.
Thank you for being part of our Joie De Vivre family 💖

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