Write here...Hello and welcome! 🤍
If you're reading this, you might have already reserved your kitten through a breeder or shelter, or maybe you're still searching for the perfect match. Wherever you are in the journey, I hope this guide makes preparing for your new family member a little easier.
When we first decided we wanted kittens, we knew we weren't ready yet. We had just moved to a new country, were still settling into our life in Amsterdam, and wanted to wait until we felt financially stable and truly settled. We wanted to build a home, find our community, and create the kind of environment where we knew we could give our future kittens the life they deserved. Looking back, I'm so glad we waited.
Now, after years of dreaming, it's finally time to welcome our two British Shorthair kittens home. Writing this blog feels a little surreal in the best way possible.
While preparing for them, I spent hours reading blog posts, watching videos, and learning from experienced breeders and cat owners. That's what inspired this post. I wanted to share everything we bought before bringing our kittens home, along with why we chose each item.
Since we're bringing home two kittens, some of our choices may be different from what someone with one kitten would buy. If you're able to, I would really encourage you to consider adopting or bringing home two kittens together. They learn from each other, keep each other company, and grow up with a built-in best friend. Watching them play, cuddle, and explore the world together is one of the biggest reasons we decided to welcome two instead of one.
We also decided to follow our breeder's recommendations for food and litter so the transition into their new home would be as smooth as possible.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products we genuinely chose for our own home.
🎥 Watch the Full Vlog
If you'd like to see our entire kitten journey, apartment setup, and everything we prepared before Pasta and Pesto arrived, you can watch the full YouTube vlog here.
Home Setup
Cat Tree
We wanted to invest in a high-quality cat tree since we know it will be one of the most-used pieces of furniture in our home.
After measuring our apartment, we found the perfect spot right next to the window. One little detail I'm especially excited about is that we have a bird feeder and bird bath on our balcony, so hopefully our kittens will have plenty of bird-watching entertainment.
Cat Bed
For now, we only bought one medium-sized bed.
During their first week, we slowly introduced them to the rest of the apartment while keeping one room as their safe space for the nights. We also wanted to see where they naturally preferred to sleep before buying additional beds.
Scratcher Lounge
Scratching is an important natural behaviour, so we wanted to give them another scratching option besides the cat tree.
One reason we chose this model is that you can simply replace the cardboard insert when needed instead of buying a completely new scratcher.
Fly Screen with Zipper
This ended up being one of the most important purchases for us.
We already had fly screens, but we realised we needed one with a zipper so we could safely access our balcony without worrying about curious kittens escaping.
One day I'd love to build a catio, but this feels like the perfect solution for now.
Litter Station
Stainless Steel Litter Box
We decided to go with a stainless steel litter box because it's durable, easier to clean, and doesn't absorb odours like plastic can over time.
Although it's often recommended to have one litter box per cat plus one extra, we decided to start with one while they were still kittens. Since we were considering a self-cleaning litter box, we wanted to wait before buying a second one.
Biokat's Litter
We followed our breeder's recommendation for litter to help make the transition as familiar and stress-free as possible.
Litter Bin
This was one of those purchases that felt completely worth it.
Instead of throwing litter into our kitchen bin several times a day, the litter bin keeps everything contained and helps reduce odours. We also bought refill bags at the same time.
Metal Scoop
A simple purchase, but we chose this one because of its great reviews and sturdy design.
Litter Mat
Hopefully this will help keep litter from being tracked all over the apartment.
Food & Feeding
Wellness CORE Kitten Food
We decided to continue with the same dry food our breeder uses so the kittens would have one less thing to adjust to when they arrived. Grain-free food is definitely on the more expensive side, but for us, it felt like a worthwhile investment in their long-term well-being. It's high in protein, and since our breeder has been raising healthy cats on this food for years, we felt confident trusting her experience.
Almo Nature Wet Food
Again, we wanted to keep things familiar during the first weeks.
Treats
Always useful for bonding, training, and positive reinforcement.
Ceramic Bowls
We wanted bowls that would last for years.
Since we're bringing home two kittens, we bought six bowls in total, and honestly, I already think buying a few extra isn't a bad idea.
2 × Raised Ceramic Bowls (White)
Raised Ceramic Bowl (Mint Green)
2 × Ceramic Bowl with Wooden Stand
Food Spoon & Lid
A small purchase, but it helps keep opened wet food fresh and saves our nails! 😂
Feeding Mat
For keeping their little dining area nice and clean.
Grooming & Care
We want to get our kittens used to brushing, nail trimming, and dental care from an early age, making these routines easier for everyone as they grow.
Toys & Enrichment
We didn't want to overwhelm them with dozens of toys straight away. We chose a few simple favourites and will slowly discover what they enjoy most.
Travel
FUKUMARU Carrier
We bought two carriers so each kitten can travel comfortably and safely.
Cleaning
Hair Remover
A must-have for keeping furniture and clothes free from cat hair.
Litter Freshener
We bought this litter freshener after seeing so many great reviews. It's definitely not an essential, but we were curious to give it a try. Later, we decided to invest in an air purifier, which has been enough for us.
Air Purifier
At first, we didn't think an air purifier was essential, but after the kittens arrived, we ordered one almost immediately. It has made a noticeable difference in keeping the air fresh, especially with the litter box nearby.
Knitting Project Bag
As someone who loves knitting and crochet, I wanted a dedicated project bag to safely store my yarn, needles, and other supplies. It's also a nice reminder to kitten-proof your hobbies, as curious kittens can easily get into things like yarn, thread, ribbons, or sewing supplies.
Still on Our Wishlist
We're planning to buy a water fountain in the coming weeks.
Since our kittens are already used to drinking from bowls at the breeder's home, we decided not to introduce too many changes at once. Once they're settled, we'll slowly introduce a fountain.
I hope this checklist gives you some ideas while preparing for your own kitten. Every home and every cat is different, but these are the products that felt right for us after lots of research and advice from our breeder.
If you'd like to follow our journey with Pasta and Pesto, you can also watch our YouTube vlog and follow along as they settle into their new home. 🤍