Essentials
Changing homes is a lot for a kitten. New smells, a new family, and for the first time, no siblings to pile up with. A few familiar things — the same litter, somewhere to hide, food they recognise — make those first days much easier. Here is what we use and recommend.
Most links below are Amazon affiliate links. A few are not.
Litter & the box
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Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra
Unscented clumping clay, the litter your kitten has used since they were weaned. Start with this one and change later if you want to, once they've settled.
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Litter-Robot
$50 off
Not a first-week purchase, but if you've been curious, several of our families swear by it. Your link takes $50 off any model.
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Food, water & treats
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808 Raw Pet Food
Locally made raw food, and what our kittens are raised on. Shops on Oʻahu, Maui and here on the Big Island — find your nearest on their site.
Find a store -
Applaws Kitten
A good transition food. Lots of moisture, and appealing enough that a kitten will usually eat it even while they're still working out where they are.
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ORIJEN Kitten
Our kittens are raised on raw. If you plan to feed dry, this is the one we recommend — high protein, and a sensible place to start.
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Water Fountain
Stainless steel, 3.2 litres, quiet pump. Cats drink more from moving water, and steel is easier to keep clean than plastic.
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Dr. Catsby's Whisker Relief Bowl
often out of stock
A shallow, wide dish so their whiskers aren't pressed against the sides while they eat. Patented, and better than anything else we've tried. It goes in and out of stock, so grab it when it's there.
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INABA Churu
Lickable purée tubes, 50 to a box. Useful for far more than treats: nail trims, vet visits, and the first time a nervous kitten decides you're alright.
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PURRBIOTICS
A probiotic and prebiotic powder that mixes into food. We use supplementation as part of how our cats are raised.
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Play, scratching & rest
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Spring Toys
Cheap, light, and endlessly flung down hallways. Buy more than you think you need; they live under the couch.
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SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post
Tall enough for a full stretch, heavy enough not to tip, and the surface lets them sink their nails right in. Far better than anything else we've tried.
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Cat Cave
A felt donut that doubles as a bed and a tunnel. Somewhere to hide matters more than people expect in the first week — a kitten who can retreat settles faster than one who can't.
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Travel & transport
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Soft Carrier
cabin travel
Approved for in-cabin travel on Hawaiian, Alaska and Southwest — the three airlines we use between the islands. When you book, tell the airline you'll be travelling with a pet in cabin.
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Grooming & wellness
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Nail Clippers
Sharp, small, and simple. Start trimming early and often so it never becomes a fight.
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doTERRA Essential Oils
What we keep on hand. Calmer for anxiousness, Frankincense for after a spay or neuter, and Purify to freshen the house and furniture. Keep oils away from your cat's food, bedding and litter box.
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Join our kitten waitlist!
To get a kitten from us, simply complete the application, tell us more about you and what you are wanting in a cat.
Most of our kittens go to our priority waitlist, so if you're certain you want a kitten from us, mark the Priority Waitlist which takes a $250 deposit that goes toward the cost of your kitten.
We post updates on Instagram and Facebook when kittens are expected, and for those on priority we reach out to you personally to pick your kitten!
Text 808-515-2711 Email aloha@hawaiibritishcats.com
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the health clearances?
Parents and kittens are fed primarily an organic raw food diet with other natural supplementation. Each kitten is cleared healthy by a licensed veterinarian before going home, with at least 2 rounds of FVRCP vaccine, dewormed, microchipped, and flea and tick treated. Kittens are screened for intestinal parasites by fecal examination at that health check, and the results are provided at delivery. Our breeding cats have DNA health genetics testing.
At what age are kittens available?
Kittens are ready to join you in your home between 12–16 weeks of age. The exact timing depends on their development, vaccine schedules and travel. This gives them the proper amount of time to be nourished and trained by mom. Kittens will have their first required vaccines and be litter trained.
What is the process to reserve a kitten?
Start with an application. Most of our kittens go to families on the Priority Waitlist, which is a $250 non-refundable deposit that goes toward the cost of your kitten. You’ll find the full process, deposits and timing on our Kittens page.
How much does a kitten cost?
Prices range depending on various factors, but kitten prices start at $2500–$3500. Price includes vaccines, deworming, flea and tick treatment, microchipping and a veterinary health check before re-homing. Price also includes kittens being fed organic raw meat while in our cattery, and kittens bred from parents DNA tested free of hereditary diseases.
Where are you located?
We are located on the beautiful and lush Big Island of Hawaiʻi. We live in the sunbelt just a few blocks from the ocean on the East side of the island. To fly in and pick up kittens, the closest airport is Hilo. Kona airport is 2 1/2 hours away. Come for a vacation and take home a sweet cuddly kitten!
Best way to connect with us is via Instagram @ParadiseGemCats.
What options do I have to get the kitten to me?
We are located on the Island of Hawaiʻi near the Hilo airport. New owners are responsible for the costs of getting their kitten home. We can send kittens via Aloha Air Cargo and you can possibly have your kitten accompanied by a sibling going to the same island and split the cost with the other family. We will help coordinate and arrange the flights. Depending on location, we can discuss transportation options.