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 1. 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

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.

 

📚 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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