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As others have said, a good large litter box is necessary. My girls are mixes, at about 15lbs each most boxes are too small. They really like the Nature's Miracle boxes, Petsmart carries them. The corner box is my favorite due to placement, but the girls seem to prefer the hooded cat pan which may just be a placement thing. Order the boxes online for in-store pickup or shipping, the in-store price on the corner box was like $45 compared to the $18 or so on the website, but in-store pick-up honors the online price. If you can, try using a pellet litter (paper or pine) instead of clay or crystals. Mine rejected pellets with high prejudice, so YMMV.

As mentioned below, I really like the pin style brush and rake brush for mine, although as one refuses to be brushed at all anything is a challenge.

For cat trees, Molly and Friends are the biggest, sturdiest I have found which can hold up to the weight of a full grown MC or mix. Easiest way to buy those is through Wayfair.com. New Cat Condos look like they may be sturdy enough, but I haven't tried them yet. Stay away from the cheap ones on Amazon and similar, they won't hold up. Some of the ones in store at Petsmart, Petco, and Costco may be sturdy enough, but make sure to give them a good look to be sure. Your local pet store may also have some, mine carry a few but not ones that are very tall, so I have to go online as my girls are climbers.

For food, lots of people have preferences but as long as you are getting a good quality, grain-free brand and not grocery store garbage, it should be fine. Lots of debate over kibble versus not, grain free isn't necessary, and so on. My main goal is a food that doesn't contain crap filler (aka, grain or cheap meal instead of meat) and not from a brand with a history of killing pets or having poor quality control. Royal Canin used to be good but sold out, Spot's Stew from Halo might still be good, my current preference is Instinct from Nature's Variety. It's expensive, especially as mine are on the "limited ingredient" formula due to allergies, but it is worth it as they are a healthy weight and everyone comments on how amazing their coats look.

The recommendation for a wheeled carrier is very on-point, too. I got mine when I had a 20lb shorthair, now it easily holds both my girls (for now. . . . ) at about 15lbs each. I have the Snoozer roll-around carrier which has held up through many vet trips this year. The only catch is the mesh sides may not hold up to a determined cat trying to claw their way out, mine just sit and complain so it is fine. I did put small s-shaped carabiners on the zippers to ensure no accidental escapes in transit.

I currently use a corn-based littler, but as I have found in my recent research, it poses health risks. I've also learned that pine seems to be the safest (and cheapest) option out there. It will also fix the issue I have with the corn litter getting tracked EVERYWHERE, constantly, because the granules are as tiny as sand. The corn litter I use also doesn't smell and is flushable, same as the pine as I've learned. Yay!

Speaking of, you mentioned that the pellets turn to sawdust as soon as they get wet—yes, that's the case. This is why you need a littler box that has a grate type of structure with room for the sawdust to fall through and sit in another pan or reservoir. This way all you do is (1) regularly scoop out the poo and dispose of it (such as by flushing) while at the same time (2) push the pellets around so any remaining pee-created sawdust falls into the reservoir (in case the cats didn't manage it themselves), and much less frequently (3) dispose of the sawdust when the reservoir is full, which depends on how often your cat(s) urinate.

I see many sifting boxes that are tightly stacking, which doesn't leave enough room for pine pellet sawdust to fall through on its own, causing you to have to manually sift more frequently. Those systems are designed for typical clumping litters, and require you to lift up one of the (likely heavy) litter-filled boxes to repour and restack—no thanks! That's overall too much work EVERY TIME I have to clean up both cats' business.

There are many sifting litter boxes designed for pine pellet litter, and I am just trying to find the most giant one I can, because my two boys are so big. So far it looks like "Favorite High Sided Double Trayed Pine Sifter Cat Litter Box with Drawer" is the biggest one. It's 21.7" by 17.9", but I do wish it were bigger.

Also, Victorian Gardens Cattery has a refined setup of this type of litter box system (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGhQc-B3euM). I will be setting mine up like hers but with slightly bigger boxes.

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Here are all of the pieces for one system I'm considering:

1. Large Sifting Litter Box for sifter functionality (I will be removing tray portion)
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Double-Trayed-Sifter-Litter/dp/B07BLLR4D9/ref=sr_1_39?keywords=sifting+litter+box+xl&qid=1562782153&s=gateway&sr=8-39#customerReviews
   
   
2. XL Litter Box for sawdust reservoir to sit under sifting box (will be a tight fit width-wise but I'm told it works)
   
   https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/so-phresh-gray-open-cat-litter-box
   
   
3. Absorbent Pads to line reservoir for leaks and easy cleanup
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WRTZ2JB/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1GEJZ8XPRZUHC&psc=1
   
   
4. Kiln Dried Pine Pellets for litter
   
   https://www.walmart.com/ip/America-s-Choice-Bedding-Pellets/39108788
   
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   Actually, I just found this video of someone with a Maine Coon who uses the same type of litter and made his own sifter system (https://youtu.be/gjZFrTHXwr4). I'm considering this option as well, because I'll be able to come away with a much bigger box!
   
   Hope this was helpful!

I am a reluctantly seasoned flyer with my maine coon mix and have lots of thoughts for you.

For carriers, I use the OxGord Airline Approved Size Large and it works great.

The only thing to really make sure is that it is able to fit under the seat in front of you. There are regulations on airline websites but as long as you have a soft-sided carrier, it is probably okay. They also all require the carrier to be big enough for them to turn around.

I HIGHLY SUGGEST GETTING PUPPY PADS. Every time we fly, my big guy gets nervous and pees in the crate and I found it extremely useful to line the crate with a puppy pad that I can switch out easily.

Tranquilizers - my cat has asthma so our vet didn't love the idea of sedating him, but did say I could give him children's benadryl. I did use some Feliway cat pheromone wipes in the crate. I'm not sure how well it worked, but worth a shot!

Everything I've read about sedating cats says you should test it out beforehand or make sure you've timed it correctly. I would definitely ask your vet for suggestions and carefully follow their instructions. My vet explained sedation shouldn't be done lightly, but you don't want them to panic either.

Other tips - Try as hard as you can to get a direct flight. I've done the east/west coast journey and it is so much better if it's direct. If you do have a layover, you can use the family bathroom to let him out to pee in a makeshift box and drink some water/eat some food.

Bring a small tupperware with you that you can fill up with water. It's a long journey for them to go without any water and it's easy to dehydrate when flying, especially for us because my cat pants when the plane is taking off...

Finally - MAKE SURE YOU GET HIM A HARNESS AND LEASH. Strap him in and do not take it off until you're at your final destination. Most important tip I can give.

I hope this is helpful - let me know if you have other questions! Good luck to you and Sebastian on your big move. He's such a cutie!

My boys are strictly indoor as well. There's still time I hope they get their floof soon they will need it more than my boys!

So as for grooming, we have an arsenal of tools.

The two main tools to remove mats are:

1.

https://www.amazon.com/Four-Paws-Magic-Instant-Remover/dp/B000HCJX2C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542681589&sr=8-3&keywords=four+paws+magic+coat+instant+dog+mat+remover

and a comb like this:

2.

https://www.amazon.com/JW-Pet-Company-GripSoft-Medium/dp/B0002AQPYS/ref=sr_1_19?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1542681824&sr=1-19&keywords=pet+comb

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we usually catch the matts fairly quickly since we brush daily so we don't have to cut the matt away anymore. It was a learning process for us because we used to just take a simple brush like this

3.

https://www.amazon.com/Four-Paws-Magic-Kitten-Brush/dp/B019FRSP50/ref=sr_1_20?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1542681949&sr=1-20&keywords=magic+paws+brush

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but that wasn't cutting it.

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When u remove the matts using 1. I hold onto the skin before attacking the matt. It will bother them less and hopefully make it easier for you! that comb really helps remove matts pretty easily.

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and when i use 2. i comb really gently and hold onto his fur too . So maximus daily gets brushed with 2 and 3. and for matts we will include 1.

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Hobbes with the shorter hair uses

3. and this:

4.

https://www.petsmart.com/cat/grooming-supplies/brushes-combs-and-blowdryers/kong-zoomgroom-cat-brush-11861.html

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He loves getting scratches and massages so we use 4 to loosen and get rid of any loose fur since he also sheds more, then just brush with 3.

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I stay away from furminators cuz the last thing i wanna do is remove their floof!!!!

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Hope this helps

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<3

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Congrats and post a pic when you get him.
Mine just turned 1 and I am still feeding them kitten soft food and grain free dry. They can take up to 2 years to mature.
I bought rabbit fur toys on etsy. One lady makes them out of old fur coats. That is their favorite toy.
This brush works awesome. The highly recommended furminator rips out their hair and they hated it.
I use this trimmer to trim around their bum/back of the legs. They also get mats in their armpits. I use eyebrow trimmers to get tight mats out. You have to be very careful to use them with the "blade" up so you don't cut them. The blade isn't sharp to your skin, but can still cut them if used directly.
Make sure you give baths early so he gets used to them. I didn't do that enough. Nail trimming as well.
I have this leash. The medium still fits them at 1.
I had a water fountain, but they would just stare/hiss at it and play with it. They continued to drink out of their bowls. They don't like the water near their food. I keep water in the bedrooms.
The Litter Locker is our friend.
The breeder recommended Lysine vitamins
I have 3 cat trees and they love them. This tree has decent sized platforms for them to curl up in a ball. I have 1 DSH and 2 Coons. They all sleep on this tree together on their own levels.
They hiss when they get excited while playing. Mine are crazy in the mornings. They are so sweet!! Except when they hunt my feet while I sleep.

Have you tried other brands of canned food, rather than pouches? My MCs tend to prefer pouches to canned food, so I wonder if your girl is the other way around. Also, have you tried the Applaws brand? I saw they have it on Petonly.ca. It's pricey, but my cats like it and I get it every once in a while for them.

Is she getting enough water? If so, then maybe she doesn't need so much wet food. Would she eat more dry food if you put it down for her? Maybe if you got one of those food balls (https://www.amazon.ca/PetSafe-SlimCat-Interactive-Food-Dispenser/dp/B0018CG40O) it might make it more fun for her to eat?

I've read many times that MCs continue to grow until they reach 3 years old, so she may need more food. But ultimately, what does your vet say? If s/he thinks Twix is underweight, then you may really need to find a solution to this. If not, then I wouldn't worry too much. Good luck!

We also relocated cross country with 2 cats last year, one being a Maine Coon. We flew with Delta. Make sure when you book your flight, the plane is big enough where he/she can fit under the seat. We had to rebook our flight because our original plane was too small.

We bought this carrier:
Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carriers

Make sure you get the medium size. We originally bought the small but it was too small for our Maine Coon.

We also took our cats to the vet before moving. I think you need to take them to the vet and get them cleared for flying, might be an airline regulation. We asked about sedating at the appointment. Sometimes it could give them more anxiety, so our vet gave us a little bit of sedation medication to give them to see how they do on it. They also gave us some pheromone wipes to wipe the carrier with, it supposedly calms them down. You might want to try that.

One of my cats peed so you might want to get pee pads like someone suggested.

Good luck!

Oh yeah I have one of those but it doesn't do enough right now. He's pretty energetic and tends to run out of the litter box. Doesn't exactly help the situation either.

Edit: In case anyone is interested, I just bought this litter matt and it's awesome.

I have two medium dog crates that I use to transport my MCs. Started with one, but as they grew (and they do grow fast) I bought the 2nd one as it's easier to put one in each, rather than trying to keep the first one in the crate when I try to put the second one in. I just use them to take them to the vet.

I learned with my last cats that it was a lot easier to put a cat into a big crate than a small one, especially if the cat is uncooperative. :)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AAPGA2W/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Best practice is to let the new wee-one be in a small space in quarantine for a few days until they get used to their new home. How realistic that desire/expectation is...varies. My MC is a precocious little mess...and wanted to go out and explore in less than 12 hours. Especially once he knew there was another cat to be friends with.

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All cats/kittens have personalities. Sure they'll grow/change a bit--but you can't cause a life-change. If you haven't read the Way of Cats, I'd highly recommend it:

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https://www.amazon.com/Way-Cats-their-instincts-understand/dp/099803570X/

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Same woman has a website/blog which the book is compiled from...although these days most of the content is payware.

Like xain1112 typed, they can grow up to and over four feet: nose to tail tip. It was amazing to see how they keep growing and growing. Our boy is now at 31 pounds, and he only has a tiny belly. You will need to plan now for a large litter box. We use these 66qt storage boxes.

Luke is adorable.

My 14 year old MC still does this. His favorite things are phone charger cords, the leather straps on my work bag, doorstops (we had to remove all of the springy ones because he was highly amused by the twaaaaaaaaang in the middle of the night), plastic bags like from chips and pretzels and many other things. I gave up on the bitter sprays because I inevitably got it in my own mouth somehow. Lemon juice didn't phase him. Hot sauce works for awhile but smells. I've had some success with crinkly balls. Irecently tried giving him cat grass and inadvertantly created a monster. He would find it and drag it all over the house. When I closed the door to the room it was in, he would paw at the door and meow all night.

I can't find any subreddit rules about linking to other sites so I'll go ahead and show you this one.

I have that one in small, it's too big for my kittens but I think small or medium should fit a grown cat, depending on how big it is. I've seen some others use this same one as well. Fair warning though, if you buy the lead also in 'small' size, it's very short. :)

Hello, I'm sure you have excellant suggestions here, but here is another one that I bought off Amazon. You can check it out here. It works great!

We had the same problem with our two kitties. One is almost 3 kg heavier than his brother and was eating way too much, so we got two of these.

They're a bit pricey, but are perfect for this situation as they only open when the registered microchip is within distance of the feeder. If the fat one tries to bully his way in, the flap will slide shut and force him out. They each get their portion in the morning and can "free feed" from their own dish all day. :)

you're not kidding. Nash LOVES that monkey! We've bought him a replacement, and he's finally coming around to it. But Monkey #1 holds a special place in his heart.

Here's what it's 'supposed' to look like.