13 Questions to Ask a Cat Breeder

by Tonya Mickelson

Are you looking for a reputable breeder to buy your new kitten from? Whether you are buying a cat, dog, horse or even a rabbit, you should always make sure the pet you are buying is coming from a good, ethical breeder. The following list of questions should give you an idea of what to look for when interviewing a cat breeder. The breeder should happily provide you with the answers. 

1. What is the price? Responsible breeders set their prices higher due to the quality equipment they use, vet expenses, quality food, and proper training. It may take a while to find the right cat breed for you, but you need to find one that has what you are looking for and is within your budget. 

2. Is there a deposit? A deposit is usually required if the kitties haven't been born yet or if they are not ready to go home with you for a while. 

3. Why did you choose to breed this pair? Good breeders think ahead and consider pedigrees, as well as other factors before they breed their cats. 

4. Where are the kittens being raised? Also, find out what kind of training they will receive before being adopted. Another important question is whether they have been socialized around children, household sounds, and other experiences prior to bringing them home. 

5. Have they been checked by a veterinarian? They should have been checked at least once. 

6. Are they currently on any medical care? Breeders should have a written record of wormings, shots, microchipping, and any other procedures that have been done. Ask to see the paperwork before the breeder shows you the kittens to prove that they can produce verifiable documents. 

7. What kind of food are they eating? You will want to either use the same brand of food or slowly switch if you plan on using a different brand of food. 

8. May I see the parents? If your kitten has not been born yet, you may also want to see other offspring they have produced, as well. If it has been born, ask to see the whole litter so you can see how they interact. 

9. What steps have been taken to decrease defects? Ask what health issues are prone to the breed and what steps will be taken if your cat comes down with one. A good breeder has a contract stating what happens if health problems occur or if the cat doesn't display the temperament you were looking for. 

10. What is the life expectancy? You will likely have this cat for anywhere from seven to twenty years, so it is good to know how long you can expect to have it. 

11. Are you registered with a registry? A cattery is not pedigreed if it is not registered. Also, ask if they are a member of a breed club, as they will have had to sign a code of ethics and go through peer reviews. 

12. How long have you been breeding? Breeders tend to come and go and a longer breeding experience shows good problem management. 

13. Do you have references? Most references are only given if they are positive. 

The breeder should show patience and confidence in answering your questions since they should have been prepared to answer them. Also, was the breeder interviewing you? Reputable breeders providing healthy kittens should be selective about where they are placed.

The Siamese Kitten: What to Expect

The development of an energetic kitty into an elegant Siamese cat...

I was a pretty cute kitteh, I'll admit. See for yourself. Other than that, I don't remember much of the life I had before my new people took me away from mama cat.

At eight weeks old, I weighed about a pound and a half and by ten weeks, I was up to two whole pounds. From then on, I started gaining about a pound a month. Don't worry, though - I stopped growing long before I hit adulthood. I keep a good eye on my figure.

I was an energetic little feline back then. Don't get me wrong! I was a little nervous in my new surroundings. It took a while to adjust to this new life, but now I practically run the place.

Although, after about a month, I wasn't so sure where my place was. See, my parents brought another creature into the mix. They called it a puppy - well, they have all kinds of names for her: honey, sweetie...Mila. I wasn't so fond.

Nearly a year later, I've gotten used to the little critter running around, although she is a bit of a nuisance at times. We are the epitome of that saying: "fighting like cats and dogs". I love her to pieces, and we do get along at times, but most of the time, she likes to play too rough.

One of our better days.

At more than a year old, I weigh somewhere between eight and ten pounds. I'm not positive, though, since my parents don't keep a scale around here. But I eat good quality food, and the vet says I'm perfectly healthy. So I'm chill about it. The life of the Siamese cat is pretty great.

Until next time.

Paws and kisses,
Loki