British Shorthair Kitten Shopping List

   Buy any supplies they need and this could include:
⮞ Cat beds
⮞ Kitten food
⮞ Food and water bowls
⮞ A puzzle feeder
⮞ Litter trays and cat litter
⮞ Plenty of toys
⮞ Scratching posts, mats, boxes or frames
⮞ Cat furniture like cat trees
⮞ A large, secure carrier for transport
⮞ A brush or comb for grooming
⮞ Blankets.

   Sometimes you need to make some home adjustments, which could include:
⮞ Installing a cat flap
⮞ Setting up their bed areas
⮞ Setting up their food, water and toilet areas, which should all be in different places but same room.
   Cat-proof your house by removing hazards and poisons, or safely securing them away out of paws’ reach.
   Start to compare the cost of insurance, as insuring your cat will help with any unexpected vet bills.

   Diet
   Dry and Wet food plus Treats
   First months you will continue to feed with our recommendations because you can’t change suddenly the food.
   British Shorthairs mainly live indoors and due to their naturally sedentary lifestyle and huge appetites can gain weight quickly. We’d suggest a good quality food designed for indoor. You could speak to your vet for their opinion and also your breeder to find out what their cats eat.
   We tend to suggest a mix of dry food and wet for all cats. The dry food helps clean their teeth whilst the wet helps to keep them hydrated because cats naturally don’t tend to drink vast amounts of water. Keep a bowl of dry food down all day for grazing along with fresh water and then feed meals of wet food. Every cat is a little different and finding the right food for your particular cat will come with time and advice form your vet.
   In time you can try to introduce new type and flavor food. If you feed them the same food every day, they are likely to become fussy eaters. This can become a problem if you run out of your usual food, or can no longer buy it and find that your cat will refuse all else. Start gradually in weeks not days.
   The world of nutrition is a mysterious place and no one knows what cats should be eating for optimal health. If you feed only one food for your cat’s lifetime, you are restricting their nutritional intake to one formula. It may be that the formula you choose is low on certain nutrients that your cat needs or it may be too high in certain nutrients. Anyone who tells you that they know exactly what cats should be eating is ill-informed. By using more than one food, we ensure that our cats get more variation of nutrients.
   Sometimes certain brands are simply not available or manufacturers are changing their recipes, and this can cause cats to refuse to eat that food ever more!
   The solution is to ensure that your cat will eat at least 2 different foods at any given time. If one becomes unavailable then you have the other to fall back on whilst you gradually transition in a new one.
   Dry food and wet food are almost made in different factories, by different producers. Dry and wet food are made using totally different recipes and equipment. If you look at the dry and wet manufacturer details, they will be always be totally different. This is important because it means that you don’t necessarily have to use two different brands – the dry and wet versions of the same brand will happily count as 2 different foods. Different formulas/flavors of each food will also be made in different batches, which reduces the risk of both flavors being contaminated. Different varieties will also have slightly different nutritional values.
   If your cat will only eat one brand, have at least 2 or 3 varieties of that brand, and a dry and wet version.
   Some cats would live on treats if they had their way, but while treats can make their day and yours, moderation is important.
   Most cats love treats! Treats simply make life more fun! Treats are great for helping you build a bond with your cat and rewarding good behavior. So it’s easy to get carried away and dish out treats without thinking about how many you’re giving your furry companion. But it’s important you don’t feed them too many, as the number of calories your cat is consuming can quickly hike up.
   Challenge your Cat with Puzzle feeders to eat treats because are a great way to improve your cat’s overall mental and physical well-being
   Puzzle feeders are objects which hold food and must be manipulated in different ways to release this food. These help meals last longer, increase physical exertion needed to obtain food, and provide a fun ‘brain-teaser’ for your cat!   

   Litter box 
   Indoor cats need a litter box to use the bathroom comfortably.
   Getting a litter box or tray for your cat to use indoor is a must. Because British Shorthair are indoor cats, getting the right litter box can save any accidents around the home.
   Most litter boxes are plastic rectangular bins for containing litter, but there are many variations—hooded covers to keep litter contained that can improve quality of life for you and your cat. Last technology is powered litter box that takes away the need for daily scooping. The price is significantly higher than other litter boxes, but its ability to provide a fresh bathroom experience for multiple cats is unmatched.

   Wood Pellet Non Clumping Cat Litter
   Wood pellet litters are non-toxic to cats and humans. 
   Wood Pellets are made from reclaimed wood which is naturally absorbent making it an ideal base material for non clumping cat litter. Due to its high absorbency and low dust, this Eco friendly cat litter is highly effective.
   Naturally antibacterial, cat litter has natural antibacterial properties which helps to naturally improve hygiene in the tray, helping to keep the area around the litter tray fresher for longer.
   The best choice product for cat litter box is biodegradable litter because they are made from materials that are safe for cats and the environment. Biodegradable litters include cat litter made from corn—whole kernel corn, pine pellets, or wheat straw; sand; and paper-based (non-clumping) clumping litters. 
   On the market you will find different type of Cat Litter» Clay Litter, Silica Gel Litter, Pine Litter, Wheat Litter, Grass Litter, Corn Litter, Walnut Shell Litter, Paper Litter
   We choose Wood Pellet because it is one of the most cost effective cat litters on the market and is eco-friendly. Being made from wood, it is renewable, biodegradable and 100% sustainable.
   Best avenged it does not get spread around the house as much as other types of the litter because it is too large to get stuck in a cat’s paws and it has less dust compared to other litter types.
   It is highly absorbent and can take more than 500% of its weight, allowing it to last longer since you don’t need as much. The high absorbency also helps with the smell as it neutralizes odor soaking up urine. It smells good because it has the natural scent of wood.

   Cat climbing tree and Scratching Posts
   British Shorthair in particular can be rather relaxed and trusting so letting them out isn’t always the best idea and we don’t recommend. A decently proportioned cat scratch tree is a must. A series of posts and platforms will give them an area to exercise and allow them to scratch. Rather than a bad habit, scratching is a necessary, natural instinct in cats and keeps their claws healthy and allows them to stretch out their muscles. We suggesting you to invest in a tree as high as possible if there is space for it. If you live in a small apartment or flat you will need to be clever about what you choose. You could opt for some platforms that attach to the wall if you have limited floor space and then have just a small post on the floor. Whatever you choose, creating an environment that allows your cat to exercise and fulfilling their scratching needs is a must.
   Cat scratching posts and trees are an ideal play and sleeping place for cats. Cats love to sleep high up on a cat tree and a scratching post is indispensable for your cat’s daily claw sharpening.
   Cats naturally seek high vantage points to keep tabs on approaching threats—and a cat tree can provide a safe escape from ground-level nuisances like dogs, toddlers, and vacuum cleaners. 

   Kitty City
   If you want only the best for your cat, then the Kitty City Kit is the ultimate cat activity center for your cat to play on. This cool cat activity station has plenty of cat necessities: things to bat, things to scratch, places to hide, and of course places to sleep! Kitty City cubes encourage your cat to have an active lifestyle and promote exercise, covering all areas of your cat’s needs, pouncing, playing, scratching, jumping, climbing and hiding to name a few! They discourage boredom, inactive and destructive behavior.

   Cosy Bed
   Cats sleep for around 16 hours a day on average, so it’s important they have the ideal place for snoozing.
   There are lots of different options when choosing a bed for your cat, from elaborate cat towers to the simple cardboard box.
   We all know cats can be stubborn and once they find their favorite spot to sleep, no amount of coaxing will get them to sleep elsewhere.
   Cats can be sociable or loners, so there are different types of beds suited to these different personalities, Cat Caves and Cat Houses for the loner’s to hide, cosy and plush open cat beds for the more sociable. You can find Radiator Beds for those who want to be really warm and snug.

   Toys
   It’s important to give your cat plenty of stimulation, especially those living solely indoors. A series of toys will help with development, appeal to their hunting instincts and is also great bonding time with owners. Buy a mixture of toys; some catnip mice for them to play hunt, a wand teaser toy so you can play with them and perhaps a puzzle toy with a tasty treat reward. Roller Cat Toy, Cat Tunnel Bed, Teathered & Feathered Wand, Interactive Cat Scratcher. Try to rotate their toys so that they don’t get bored. New things should keep them interested longer!

   Ledges and shelves
   If you’ve never heard of a cat shelf or cat perch before, they’re pieces of furniture specifically made for your cat to climb and get up high. Some of them are wall mounted cat trees while other designs are simple catwalks or steps. The great thing is that you can mix and match pieces to create your own complete cat wall climbing system.
   Installing cat shelves provides indoor enrichment for cats, which can keep them from getting bored and help them fit and in good spirits.

   Cat Carrier
   One thing is for sure, there are times when you’ll need to use a cat carrier and the first trip is when you will take the kitten from breeder. For Vet appointments, moving house or travelling anywhere can be stressful for your cat, and ensuring they are safe and well while they are being transported, is important. Never consider travelling with your cat loose in the car – aside from potential accidents, your cat could find it very traumatic.
   Other things to consider when buying a carrier include: Safety, Size, Entry and Exit, Cleaning, Visual Shield/Privacy & Ventilation.

   Cat Bowls
   You will need bowls to put their food in. We love small bowls as they’re ideal for dry food and water whilst the saucers are perfect for a portion of wet food.
   We are recommend ceramic bowl.
   Cats can have an allergy to plastic and develop a skin condition on their chins resembling acne. Plastic bowls tends to nick and scratch, and those tiny fissures become a breeding ground for germs and diseases. Avoid plastic if at all possible by giving your beloved cat only ceramic cat bowl.

   Cat water fountain
   Many cats will shun their water bowl and drink little. The fountain provides a trickle of filtered water which may just encourage fussy cats to drink more. Many cats prefer running water over still. How many of you have a cat who takes a drink from a running tap? The filtration also means the water stays fresh.
   Electronic cat water fountains encourage your pet to stay hydrated. Cat water fountains circulate the water, so it trickles slowly for your companion to enjoy. Whether you’re trying to encourage more drinking or make sure they’re hydrating from their bowl and not from the sink or toilet, a cat water fountain is a great way to succeed. Cat water fountains can filter your pet’s supply too, so you can be sure they’re only drinking the cleanest water.
   Look for a model made from ceramic or stainless steel. Plastic ones should be avoided. Plastic can easily become scratched, and these scratches can harbor bacteria. Cats are very prone to a condition called feline acne which results from coming into contact with the bacteria that can lurk unseen in scratches on plastic water and feed bowls. This is an unpleasant and distressing condition for your cat that requires a visit to the vet.
   Choose a model with a quiet pump because cats are easily frightened, so the best water fountain will have a very quiet pump that will not frighten your cat or discourage him from drinking.
   By providing running water, you are encouraging your cat to drink.
   Many cats nowadays eat a dry food diet, and drinking plenty of water is vital for keeping them healthy and free of urinary tract infections and kidney problems, making them feel better.

   Grooming
   The British Shorthair is known for its thick, plush coat which doesn’t require a lot of attention. A weekly brush should usually suffice with a more regular groom in Spring and Autumn. Regular grooming makes your British Shorthair look pretty, but it keeps them healthy.
If you fail to do it, your kitty will ingest the dead hair while cleaning themselves, which leads to annoying hairballs. Besides removing dead hair, brushing helps distribute natural oils over the coat, making it soft and shiny.
   British Shorthair they have naturally oily fur, but if you feel like you need to wash your hands every time you touch your cat, it’s time for a good old cleaning session.
   Cleaning your British Shorthair includes more than brushing. To keep your cat’s hygiene at a high level and avoid infections, you should include the following in your cleaning rituals: teeth cleaning, eye cleaning, ear cleaning and only if very bad hygiene they will need a bathing.
   Grooming your British Shorthair involves brushing and nail trimming. Clipping the kitty’s claws is not the most pleasant experience for anyone involved, but your furry friend will get used to it if you start practicing at an early age. Adequate tools will help you do this quickly and easily. First time is better somebody or vet to shows you.