🐾 Astera Kitten Care & Recommended Essentials
Many families ask what products we use and recommend.
Below is a curated selection of our personal favorites — items we use in our own cattery and trust for our kittens and adult cats.
Preparing for a new kitten is a special experience, and we want every Astera kitten to transition into a home that is thoughtfully prepared.
Over the years, we have carefully selected products that support health, cleanliness, comfort, and long-term well-being. The items below are not random suggestions — they are products we personally use in our cattery and trust for our own cats.
We believe that quality nutrition, proper grooming tools, and a well-prepared environment make a meaningful difference in a kitten’s development and lifelong health.
🐈⬛🥣 Nutrition We Trust
Proper nutrition is the foundation of growth, coat quality, and overall health.
Our kittens are raised on a carefully selected, high-quality diet designed to support strong immune systems, digestive health, and luxurious Siberian coats.
Recommended essentials:
• Acana First Feast — our kittens are raised on it from weaning
• Balanced raw or freeze-dried options (if continuing raw)
• Stainless steel food bowls
• Ceramic or stainless water fountainsWe prefer stainless steel bowls for hygiene and durability, and because they do not harbor bacteria the way plastic can.
Acana Dry Food (Kitten & Adult)
We feed Acana for both kittens and adult cats due to its high-quality animal protein content and balanced formulation. It supports steady growth, excellent coat condition, and overall vitality without unnecessary fillers.
Stella & Chewy’s
We use Stella & Chewy’s as part of our feeding program for its quality ingredients and protein-rich recipes. It can be offered as freeze-dried raw, meal toppers, or supplemental nutrition to support muscle development and coat health.
This is a convenient way to incorporate high-quality nutrition while keeping feeding routines simple for new families.
Stainless Steel Feeder
Stainless steel is the most hygienic feeding surface — it is non-porous, easy to sanitize, and does not harbor bacteria or absorb odors the way plastic can. This helps protect our cats from chin acne, and digestive issues. Raised and tilted bowls support proper posture while eating, reducing strain on the neck and spine.
💧 Stainless Steel Water Fountain
Many cats naturally prefer fresh, moving water. In the wild, flowing water is instinctively perceived as cleaner and safer than stagnant water, which is why many cats are more inclined to drink from a gently circulating fountain. Increased water intake supports kidney and urinary health.
🐾 Litter & Hygiene 🐾
Clean, spacious litter setups support excellent habits and long-term hygiene.
Recommended:
• Large open litter boxes
• Stainless steel litter boxes for superior cleanliness
• High-quality unscented litter or natural pellets
• Litter mats to reduce tracking
A thoughtfully arranged litter area makes the transition home seamless.
Neakasa Automatic Litter Box
We love the Neakasa automatic litter box for its open design and generous size, which comfortably accommodates our larger Siberian males. The open top allows cats to feel secure and not enclosed, making it an easy transition even for kittens and more sensitive cats. It performs reliablyand is more affordable than many comparable automatic boxes like the Litter-Robot.
Stainless Steel Litter Box for Pine Pellets
For our pine pellet setup, we prefer large stainless steel litter boxes. Stainless steel is the most hygienic option — it does not absorb odor, is easy to sanitize, and lasts for years without retaining bacteria or residue. When used with pine pellets, it keeps the environment clean and fresh while supporting a natural, low-dust litter system that is gentle on respiratory health and easy to maintain.
World’s Best cat litter
World’s Best Cat Litter is one of our favorite natural clumping litters and works especially well in our Neakasa automatic litter box. It forms firm, scoopable clumps, controls odor, and is low dust — important for both cats and humans in a multi-cat home. Made from natural corn, it is lightweight, flushable in small amounts, and safe for kittens, making it a reliable and convenient choice for daily use.
Litter Trapping Mat
We use large double-layer litter trapping mats around our litter boxes. The honeycomb design captures litter from paws preventing tracking throughout the home. These mats are soft on paws, large enough for high-traffic areas, and an essential part of maintaining a tidy, hygienic environment in a multi-cat household
🧶 🎾 🪶 TOYS
Cat toys are essential for both physical and mental health. Regular play keeps cats active, supports healthy weight, and helps prevent boredom-related behaviors like scratching furniture or overgrooming. Toys also satisfy natural hunting instincts, build confidence in kittens, and strengthen the bond between cats and their owners through interactive play. A simple daily play routine helps keep cats happy, balanced, and enriched indoors
Retractable Wand Toy
This is our favorite wand toy. The wand is long enough to keep your hands away from a fast Siberian in full “hunt” mode. They jump high to catch their “prey” and it’s a great way to burn energy. We recommend not leaving this toy or attachments out unsupervised.
Interactive Ball
This ball provides endless rechargeable fun for the whole family. It keeps kittens entertained and curious, and encourages active play throughout the day.
Catnip Toy
This is our favorite catnip toy — it’s absolutely indestructible. The worst thing that can happen to a catnip toy is when it gets destroyed and your entire floor is covered in catnip (yes, we’ve had that happen). Yeowww bananas have never been destroyed by our strong Siberian jaws.
Cat Spring Toys
These are amazing for hard floors. Our kittens chase them for hours. You’ll want plenty of extras — they tend to disappear under furniture very quickly.
Catit Senses Play Circuit
This is one of our favorite interactive toys to play with our Siberians. We like to buy several and connect them into one big ball track. If you have young children, they will love playing with it too.
Scratcher with Ball Track
We like this toy for its multi-use design and durability. Aside from replacing the cardboard scratcher, this toy is almost indestructible. Our kittens energetically chase the ball in circles, and our adults will lay next to it and push the ball with one paw over and over again.
Puzzle Toy
Puzzle toys are wonderful for mental stimulation and enrichment. They keep cats busy, curious, and engaged — especially helpful for smart breeds like Siberians that enjoy problem-solving.
Cat Laser Toy
Laser toys are an absolute must. They’re perfect for busy or tired cat owners. All it takes is moving your wrist and pointing the light — and your Siberian will happily chase the beam and burn off energy.
✨ Grooming & Coat Care
Siberians are known for their magnificent triple coats. This coat is easy to maintain, but it requers a few good tools.
Our preferred grooming essentials:
• Professional-grade comb
• Quality slicker brush
• Nail clippers
• Gentle cat-safe shampoo
Regular light grooming maintains coat health and reduces shedding while strengthening the bond between you and your cat.
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Deshedding brushes
We avoid use of dematting and deshedding tools because we try to preserve full, natural coats for the cat shows. However, they can be helpful in certain situations. Siberians typically shed seasonally when they “blow” coat, and a gentle deshedding brush can help speed up that process.
If a Siberian sheds constantly rather than seasonally, nutrition is worth reviewing. Coat condition reflects overall health. Supportive additions for coat health include omega-3 fatty acids (salmon or sardine oil), vitamin E, biotin, and nutrient-rich whole foods like egg yolk or small oily fish
Long Tooth Comb
There is nothing better for a mature full Siberian coat than long tooth greyhound stile butter comb! we bought our comb 20 years ago and we use it daily with our Siberians. its great for daily sensitive area detangling as well as show grooming
Butter Comb & Small Slicker Brush
A high-quality comb and brush make a big difference in keeping a kitten’s coat healthy from the start. This Chris Christensen grooming set includes a gentle slicker brush and a professional buttercomb designed to glide through the coat without pulling or breaking delicate kitten fur
Cat Nail Clippers
We like small, simple nail clippers.
• Trim when cat is sleepy or relaxed, not playful
• Use bright light to see the quick clearly
• Trim just the sharp hook, not deep
• Hold paw firm but gentle
• Do 1 paw at a time if cat impatient
Chris Christensen Detangling Spray
• Helps comb glide through knots
• Reduces breakage and static
• Safe for daily brushing on long coats
Best use:
Light mist before combing → prevents tiny mats and coat damage.
🐱🪶 Comfort & Environment
Creating a calm, enriched environment helps kittens adjust quickly and confidently.
We recommend:
• A sturdy cat tree or climbing post
• Cozy resting areas and soft beds
• Scratching surfaces in main living areas
• Interactive toys for mental stimulation
🌿 Traveling & Adventures with Your Siberian
Siberians are known for their confident, social temperaments and often enjoy being included in daily life. Many of our kittens grow into cats who travel comfortably and appreciate outings when introduced properly from a young age.
For families who wish to take their Siberian on outings or trips, having the right equipment makes travel safe, clean, and enjoyable for both cat and owner.
Travel Essentials We Love & Use
Strollers
Siberians are nattily curious, outgoing, and drawn to new experience. A pet stroller allows safe outdoor exploration while keeping your cat protected and comfortable. This is especially helpful for shows, vet visits, hotels, and leisurely outings.
Secure Carriers
A well-ventilated, structured carrier provides safety and comfort for car travel. We recommend carriers that allow enough room to turn around and rest comfortably while remaining secure in the vehicle.
Car Safety Latch / Seatbelt Systems
Securing your catin the car is importante. For cats who don’t like confinement car latch or pet car seat can be a good option.
Portable Litter Solutions
For longer outings or travel:
• Portable litter boxes
• Travel litter containers
• Disposable or foldable options for hotels and road trips
Maintaining familiar litter habits reduces stress during travel.
Travel Water & Food Solutions
Collapsible bowls, portable water containers, and small food storage containers make longer trips easy and organized.
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A Note on Training & Comfort
When introduced gradually and positively, many Siberians adapt beautifully to travel and new environments. Starting with short, calm outings helps build confidence and creates enjoyable experiences for both cat and owner.
While not every cat will become an adventure companion, Siberians are among the breeds most likely to enjoy an enriched, interactive lifestyle with their families.
Sturdi Carrier
Sturdi carriers have been a favorite in our cattery for years. They are spacious enough for our large Siberian males while still being accepted for airline cabin travel. The flexible structure, excellent ventilation, and strong zipper closures make them both comfortable and secure — especially important since Siberians are known escape artists. They are lightweight and durable. We recommend large size for our Siberians.
Pet Stroller System
We love this stroller system for its versatility and everyday usefulness. It works great for neighborhood walks, travel, cat shows, and vet visits. The detachable carrier plus collapsable frame is great for car travel. The carrier opens and closes with one click, no need to wrestle with annoying zippers. It has become one of those items we reach for often because it simply makes traveling with cats more comfortable for everyone.
Travel Litter Box
A portable travel litter box is something we find very helpful when traveling with cats or kittens. It folds flat for easy packing and quickly sets up in hotel rooms, show spaces, or during long drives.
Car Safety Latch / Seatbelt Clip
This latch has been recommended by several of our kitten families for safe car travel. It provides security but also gives some freedom to your furry traveler.
✈️ Preparing for Your Kitten’s Arrival
Before bringing your kitten home, we encourage families to have all essentials ready. A well-prepared home allows your kitten to settle in calmly and comfortably from the first day.
Each Astera kitten goes home with guidance on feeding, care, and transition, and we remain available for ongoing support throughout your cat’s life.
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🛍 Our Philosophy on Recommendations
Every product listed here has been chosen based on real experience within our cattery. We value quality, safety, and longevity over trends or convenience.