How to tell a reputable breeder

A reputable breeder lets you visit, shows you the mother and the kittens' home, tests breeding cats for the health problems of the breed, answers questions openly and asks plenty of their own. They do not rush you, and they do not sell kittens through third parties. If the seller avoids a visit, hides the mother or wants payment before you have seen the kitten, walk away.

Why this matters

A kitten bought from a poor source can arrive ill, poorly socialised or carrying an inherited disease that costs a great deal to treat. Good breeders aim to improve the health and temperament of their cats. They keep few litters, raise kittens in the home and stand behind the kitten for life. Not every good breeder is perfect, and not every registered breeder is good, so you need to look at the facts.

Before you start, think about whether a pedigree kitten is the right path. A shelter or breed rescue may have the cat you want. The breed finder on this site and the guide on choosing a breed can help you decide.

What to do, step by step

1. Learn the breed. Read about its health risks and temperament. This lets you ask good questions.
2. Find breeders through a registry. A cat registry such as the CFA, TICA or the GCCF lists breeders and sets rules for registration. Breed clubs also list members. Registration alone does not prove good care, but it is a place to begin. Ask the registry whether the breeder has had complaints.
3. Contact the breeder and expect questions. A good breeder will ask about your home, family, work hours and other pets. They may have a waiting list. Be wary of a seller with many kittens available at once.
4. Visit in person. See where the kittens live. A clean home environment where kittens meet people, noises and other pets is a good sign. A cattery should look clean and not smell strongly. Cats should look healthy and relaxed. Ask to see the mother with her kittens, and if possible the father or a photo of him. If you cannot visit, ask for a live video call that shows the mother and kittens together, and think hard before buying without a visit.
5. Ask about health testing. Responsible breeders screen breeding cats for conditions common to the breed and show you the results. Examples are heart screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in breeds prone to it, and DNA testing for polycystic kidney disease in Persians and related breeds. Other tests exist for other breeds. Ask which tests are right for the breed, and ask for written results. Ask your vet if you are unsure what the results mean.
6. Check the kitten. Healthy kittens are bright, curious and playful, with clean eyes, ears and nose, a clean bottom and a good coat. They should be handled daily and be comfortable with people.
7. Ask about age. Kittens should stay with their mother and littermates until they are fully weaned and have had their first vaccines. Many registries and breeders say 12 to 13 weeks or older. Rules differ by place and registry. Ask for the breeder's age and what the registry advises. A kitten sold at six or eight weeks is a warning sign.
8. Ask about vaccines, worming and microchipping. The breeder should give you dates, records and veterinary documents. Ask whether the kitten has seen a vet.
9. Ask about registration and pedigree papers. A pedigree should come from a recognised registry. Check that the names and numbers match the parents. Ask about breeding rights. Some kittens are sold as pet quality, meaning not for breeding or showing, often with a neuter requirement. This is normal and should be written in the contract.
10. Read the contract. A good contract states health guarantees, what happens if a genetic disease appears, a promise to take the cat back at any time in its life, and neuter terms for pet-quality kittens. Take time to read it.
11. Take your time. A good breeder will not pressure you. Visit more than once if you can, and compare breeders.

Signs of a good breeder

• Breeds one or two breeds and keeps few litters
• Asks you many questions and has a waiting list
• Shows you where kittens are raised, and the mother
• Provides health test results and veterinary records
• Lets kittens go at an appropriate age
• Gives a written contract and takes the cat back for life
• Stays in touch and offers advice after the sale

Warning signs

• Many breeds or many litters on offer at once
• Kittens available instantly, always
• Refuses visits or shows you kittens only away from the home or in a car park
• Cannot show the mother or the father
• Will not give health records or test results
• Wants a large deposit or payment before you see the kitten
• Offers to ship a kitten you have not met
• Sells kittens very young or very cheaply
• Uses pressure, like "someone else is buying this kitten today"
• Claims a breed is free of allergen, or claims that a rare colour is worth extra

Rules by place

Law differs by place. In England, third-party sales of kittens under six months old, such as by pet shops, have been banned since 2020, so you must buy from the breeder or from a rehoming organisation. Some places require breeders to hold a licence once they pass a certain number of litters. Ask the breeder about any licence or permit and check with your local authority. Check what your state, province or country requires.

Common mistakes

• Paying a deposit online before meeting. Scammers use photos of kittens that do not exist.
• Trusting a registration number alone. Ask to see the actual documents.
• Buying out of pity. Rescuing a poorly kept kitten rewards the seller and encourages more of the same.
• Ignoring health testing because the kitten looks well. Inherited disease may not show for years.
• Not reading the contract.
• Expecting a perfect kitten. Ask what the breeder will do if a problem occurs.

When to see a vet

Take your kitten to a vet within days of getting it, and go at once if it:

• is cold and limp
• breathes with an open mouth, or struggles to breathe
• has not eaten for a day
• has repeated vomiting or diarrhoea
• strains in the litter tray or passes little or no urine, especially a male

If the kitten is later diagnosed with a serious inherited disease, tell the breeder. A good breeder wants to know.

Summary

• Visit the breeder, see the mother and the kittens' home.
• Ask about breed-specific health tests and ask for the results.
• Expect questions back, a waiting list and a written contract.
• Kittens should leave at around 12 to 13 weeks or later, vaccinated and checked.
• Avoid sellers who hide the mother, rush you or ask for money before you meet.
• Check local law on licences and third-party sales.
• Take the kitten to a vet soon after you bring it home.