Before you reserve a kitten, ask the breeder for parent health records, the kitten’s vaccination history, a plain account of how the kittens are raised, and a written contract. The contract should cover the health guarantee, return terms, registration papers and the deposit. This guide follows buyer advice from The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA). It focuses on pedigreed kittens. Registry guidance is not legal or veterinary advice, so local law and your own vet’s schedule take priority.
Questions about fit and the individual kitten
TICA advises discussing both breed traits and the personality of the specific kitten, because breed alone doesn’t predict how a particular cat will suit you.
- What does this breed need? Ask about activity level, grooming, vocalization and general care, then decide which of those suit your household.
- What is this kitten like day to day? Ask what the breeder has actually observed in this individual kitten, not the breed’s reputation.
- How do you match kittens to homes? CFA describes matching as part of a good breeder’s process. Expect questions about your home, your experience and your other pets, and answer them honestly.
Questions about health and records
Parent testing
Ask what health and genetic screening was done on the sire and dam, and ask to see the records. TICA explicitly recommends requesting parent records. Don’t settle for “health tested.” Ask which conditions are relevant to the breed, which tests were done and what the results mean. CFA advises asking about testing specific to the breed. The sources give no single test panel for all breeds, so the right tests depend on breed and line.
Litter, mother and kitten
- What is the health history of this litter, the mother and this kitten? Have there been any illnesses or findings?
- Has the kitten had a veterinary exam or stool testing, and what was found?
- Were the parents, or the kitten, tested for feline leukemia? What records exist? CFA lists this as a question to raise. One answer doesn’t settle an individual kitten’s risk, so go over the results with your vet.
Vaccinations and your own vet
Ask which vaccines the kitten has had, on what dates, and what is due next. Request the veterinary record. TICA recommends having your own veterinarian examine the kitten soon after it comes home, and your vet can confirm the follow-up schedule.
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Questions about raising and socialization
CFA’s socialization guidance suggests an open-ended opener: “How do you socialize your kittens?” Let the breeder describe daily handling, household exposure and routines before you ask about specific methods. Concrete detail is a better sign than a vague reassurance. CFA’s wording elsewhere is a useful follow-up: was the kitten raised in a cage or under foot?
Also ask where the kittens live and what you can see. TICA recommends meeting the parents in person, or by video if a visit isn’t possible. CFA notes that home visits may be limited for safety reasons, so a missing visit isn’t conclusive on its own. Ask for photos or a live video call instead. CFA also cautions that watching littermates doesn’t tell you how one kitten will respond to people and new places.
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Finally, ask what food and litter the kitten uses now and what feeding routine to continue. Have the same products ready at pickup so the move is less disruptive. Keep the current food at first rather than assuming a different diet is better.
Questions about contracts, deposits and registration
The written agreement
Ask for the sales contract and health guarantee before you pay. TICA says you should understand the contract and have the guarantee’s terms made clear. Confirm:
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- which conditions are covered, and for how long;
- what steps you must follow if a problem appears;
- what happens if the kitten falls ill or the placement doesn’t work out, including return or rehoming terms (CFA and TICA both advise asking).
Deposit and payment
Ask how much the deposit is and when it is refundable. CFA warns that large nonrefundable deposits can signal a scam. TICA cautions against paying in full before you’ve chosen a specific kitten and advises against wire transfers or gift cards.
Registration and pedigree
If the kitten is described as registered or pedigreed, ask which documents you’ll receive and how you can verify them. TICA’s guide covers how to check registration and recommends asking for parent records and pedigree information.
References and after-pickup support
Ask for references from previous kitten buyers. Ask what support continues after pickup and when to call the breeder rather than your vet. TICA says a knowledgeable breeder will be “intensely interested in the welfare of your kitten and encourage you to call whenever you have questions or concerns.” That is general guidance, not a guarantee about any one breeder.
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If you’re weighing more than one breeder, ask each the same questions and compare the answers. This is a practical way to use the TICA and CFA advice, not a formal scoring system.
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| What to compare | Stronger sign | Reason to pause and verify |
|---|---|---|
| Health records | Parent and kitten records shown, with test results explained | Only a broad claim of “health tested” |
| Contract | Written terms, guarantee and return policy before payment | No written terms, or terms offered only after you’ve paid |
| Raising and socialization | Specific daily routines, with a visit or live video offered | Vague answers or refusal to show anything |
| Temperament | Honest about both breed traits and this kitten | Only praise, no mention of fit |
| Identity and payment | Consistent details, references, a traceable payment method | Inconsistent pedigree or identity claims, pressure for full payment before you choose a kitten, wire or gift-card requests |
Refusing ordinary questions is itself a signal worth taking seriously. A missing home visit is not, provided the breeder offers credible alternatives and a clear account of how the kittens are cared for.
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