British Shorthair Kitten Shopping List
- RBC Ashley
- Jul 29
- 5 min read
Everything You Need Before Bringing Your Kitten Home
Bringing home a new British Shorthair kitten is exciting- but walking into a pet store can be overwhelming. After raising over 100 kittens over the last 9 years, I've learned which products are genuinely worth buying and which ones just collect dust.
This guide contains the products I recommend to every family. These are the same (or very similar) products I use in my own cattery!
Looking for the exact products I recommend? Browse my complete Amazon storefront here Thank you in advance for using my affiliate links that help us keep our kitties clean and enriched!
⭐ The Essentials
These are the items I'd have ready before your kitten comes home.
Food
Your kitten should stay on the same food for at least the first week or two after arriving home to avoid unnecessary stomach upset.
You'll need:
Wet food
Raw food (if feeding raw)
Treats
Airtight food storage container (optional)
Recommended Products
Food & Water Bowls
I recommend:
Stainless steel- you can't go wrong with something you can put in the dishwasher!
Glass
Ceramic
Wide, shallow bowls to reduce whisker fatigue
Avoid lightweight plastic bowls, which scratch easily and can harbor bacteria.
Water fountains can be great too! A water fountain can encourage drinking which is important for cats, but make sure to properly open it up and give it a cleaning every week!
Recommended Products
Awesome, easy bowls. Shallow and perfect for flatter faced breeds!
Litter Box
For kittens, bigger is almost always better!
I recommend:
Large open litter box
Higher sides or a shield (once they're old enough)
One litter box per cat, plus one extra
Example:
1 cat = 2 boxes
2 cats = 3 boxes
If you have a multi-story home, you'll want at least one per floor too!
But I have many pet parents who absolutely love the Litter Robot 4. They say the kittens use it immediately and report great success with no potty accidents because it keeps so clean! Great to have these options available for those who need less work! :)
Recommended Products
These are the exact boxes we use and LOVE! - (I use XL or larger! For my multicat rooms, XXXL is a must! The XXL is a sweet spot honestly.)
If you're looking for something automated- My pet parents RAVE to me about this Litter Robot 4
Litter
Your kitten will already be accustomed to pine pellet litter when they leave my cattery.
Changing litter immediately can sometimes lead to accidents, so transition slowly if you decide to switch later. If you have a Tractor Supply Co near you, it's a great option for bulk, inexpensive litter. But any pellet litter- especially pine- will be great!
Recommended Products
Scoop & Litter Mat
While you don't need these, don't underestimate them either!
A good scoop makes cleaning faster, and a litter mat keeps tracking to a minimum.
Recommended Products
If you go with one of these boxes, it comes with a great metal scoop
I haven't used this exact one, but it says works for all types of litter
I've tried several types, but this is my go-to litter mat
Scratching Post
This is one of the first purchases I'd make.
Cats don't scratch to be naughty.
They scratch to:
Stretch
Mark territory
Remove old nail sheaths
A sturdy scratching post saves furniture.
Recommended Products
There are SO many scratchers and it depends what will suit your home, so here is a big list of scratchers we love!
Cat Tree
British Shorthairs love having elevated places to watch the house.
Look for these qualities in a great tree:
Heavy base
Wide platforms
Stable construction
Tiny, flimsy cat trees usually don't last, especially with your growing British Shorthair. I personally prefer trees over 6ft with removable pads for easy cleaning!
Recommended Products
One of my personal favorites - 70" cat tree with litter box hideaway
Another favorite - 69" with large platforms, easy to clean!
Other excellent options to check out!
Carrier
Don't wait until the first vet visit!
You'll need a carrier for:
Pickup day
Vet visits
Emergencies
Travel
Choose one that's sturdy and easy to clean for long car rides or one that is easy to carry for airplanes and short trips!
Recommended Products
Soft sided, airline approved carrier #1 - love the locking zippers!
Soft sided, airline approved carrier #2 - I have many of these
Hard sided, collapsible carrier - I have this small size and some large ones for if I were to have an emergency and need a place for them to be safe
Grooming Supplies
British Shorthairs are relatively low maintenance, but regular grooming helps reduce shedding and hairballs.
You'll want:
Slicker brush
Comb
Nail trimmers
Styptic powder (just in case!)
Cat toothbrush
Cat toothpaste
Recommended Products
Cleaning Supplies
Every kitten owner should have:
Enzyme cleaner
Lint roller
Vacuum
Pet-safe disinfectant
Paper towels
Even the best kittens occasionally have accidents.
Recommended Products
Vet level disinfectant for yucky messes - this is VERY concentrated and lasts forever!
My vacuum of choice (Dyson) - I have 2 Dyson stick vacuums. These these are powerhouses for being cordless!
My favorite robot vacuum (roborock) - I looooove this thing!!
Our steam mop vacuum (roborock)
My trusted carpet cleaner (bissell) - a must have if you have carpets!
Toys
Rotate toys regularly to keep them interesting.
Some favorites include:
Wand toys
Springs
Balls
Crinkle toys
Puzzle feeders
Cat tunnels
Recommended Products
Too many to choose from, I made a list of our kitties' top toys that we buy over and over!
Nice to Have
These aren't essential, but many owners end up loving them.
Items I Don't Recommend
Not every popular product is worth buying.
I'd skip:
❌ Plastic food bowls
❌ Tiny scratching posts
❌ Scented litters and clay litters
❌ Cheap, unstable cat trees
❌ Toys with long strings or dangerous pieces left out unsupervised
❌ Laser pointers as the only form of play (always let play end with something your cat can physically "catch" to avoid stress)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a cat tree?
No—but your kitten will almost certainly appreciate having vertical space. A sturdy cat tree also gives them an appropriate place to climb and observe their surroundings.
How many litter boxes should I have?
The general recommendation is one per cat, plus one extra. And one minimum per story of your house!
Should I buy everything before pickup day?
Ideally, sure! Having your home fully prepared makes your kitten's transition much smoother- but don't stress yourself out having the right 'stuff' either! Having the essentials like litter, a scratcher, bowls, and a couple simple toys are all you need to get started successfully and overtime, the rest will come!
Final Thoughts
Preparing ahead of time means you can spend your kitten's first day getting to know them instead of running errands. Focus on the essentials first, then add the "nice-to-have" items over time as you learn your cat's preferences!
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