Cat Breeders

You can get an idea of a cat breeder’s reputation by taking a look at their star rating on Yell.com. For more detailed criticism, you might also delve into the reviews. It is here that users of the site will share their experience of the breeder in question.

Spraying is a problem for any organisation that keeps intact male cats. Breeders usually deal with it by keeping males in large spaces with plenty of room for separation. This reduces territorialism, and therefore spraying. Since just a few males can father vast amounts of kittens, this is a problem that can be easily managed.

The RSPCA provides detailed advice on how to buy a kitten. Do not buy one that shows obvious signs of neglect, and be on the lookout for red flags. If the breeder is evasive when you pose them questions about the cat’s upbringing, then it may be time to walk away. If you knowingly buy from a substandard breeder, then you will be helping to help perpetuate their practices.

Finding a quality local cat breeder is easy with the help of the Yell.com listings. Simply type in the term ‘cat breeders’ and specify your location, and you will be presented with a list of matching businesses near you!

In the UK, the major organisation responsible for maintaining standards for breeders is the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. Breeders who are members of the organisation’s registered Breeder Scheme are expected to abide by a code of ethics.

This is not to say that membership is a guarantee of quality, or that non-members cannot be perfectly respectable cat breeders – but checking to see whether a breeder is registered can provide you with some extra peace of mind.

Breeders have the ultimate say in which cats they sell and which ones they do not. A good breeder might even have an idea of which kittens will make the best match for which home environments. For example, if you have got a young child or a dog in the house, they might decide that a particular kitten is not right for you.

With that said, you may still be given a chance to pick and choose from the available cats. After all, you are going to be providing them with a home for life, and you are more likely to give them the care and attention they need if you are entering into the relationship voluntarily.

Worming and flea treatment are vital means of protecting the cat against parasites. Different treatments come at different stages of a cat’s life, so it is worth talking to your breeder, not only about the treatments they have already had, but about what might be required in the future.