New cat and kitten moving in - what's essential?

[chocolatespiders]

Long story short - an abandoned cat had kittens behind our shed, local cat fosterer took them on and sadly 4 out of 5 kittens died. We then decided to take Mummy and surviving kitten on and they arrive this weekend.
My last cast died age 21 three years ago and I decided not to get another cat as I was heartbroken when she died.
Things have changed rapidly with cat food since I had my last cat and it is baffling standing in the pet food aisles. If you could start again with cat food what would be the best to feed them. I have seen where they are being looked after that they have a selection of whiskers, asda etc.

Are there any other essentials that I must have?

Feeling nervous and excited!!

Hi,
First of all, good on you for adopting the mum and surviving kitten. That’s really kind of you. In terms of what you need, it might be a good idea to get a couple of cat baskets. I have a nervous cat and being in his basket is soothing for him. Rogz is quite good for this kind of thing. Later on a scratching post and toys might be good additions. As for food, dunno but try some wet food? Most cats seem to like tuna! Good luck with this, it’s a kind thing to do.

Photos. Photos are essential!

Otherwise: comfortable places for them to hide. Re food, the same food that they’ve been on at the foster home is the best choice immediately (I have no idea about healthy food choices, we just give ours Iams as it's affordable and they supplement diet with pigeons and mice!). Toys to coax them out to play and bond with you. Somewhere cosy to sleep, but I provided ours with blankets or mats in several locations so they could choose where they felt safest.

Treats could be useful, too, for coaxing them out and rewarding them for interaction.

And lots of patience and love, which I’m sure you have in abundance!

Best of luck, I’m excited for you. And don’t forget those photos…