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Begin with the kitten’s health
Health questions should be specific to the breed, the litter and the individual kitten. There is no single screening panel that applies to every pedigree, so ask the breeder to explain which conditions matter for this breed and how the parents were evaluated.
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What inherited conditions are relevant to this breed, and what screening have the parents had?
Ask the breeder to name the health conditions that are recognized concerns for the breed and to describe the examinations or tests performed on the sire and dam. Then ask whether you can see the results or veterinary records, rather than accepting a general statement that the cats are “healthy.” The appropriate screening varies by breed; a breeder who works carefully with a particular breed should be able to explain why a test was chosen, when it was completed and which parent it applies to.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesAsk whether any findings affect the kitten you are considering, its littermates or future breeding rights. If a test is not routinely recommended for this breed, the breeder should be able to explain that too. The goal is not to demand an identical checklist from every cattery, but to understand the evidence behind the breeder’s health claims.
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What is the health history of the kitten, litter and parents?
Ask whether this litter or any individual kitten has experienced illness, poor growth, digestive problems, respiratory signs or other veterinary concerns. Ask about the mother and father’s medical history and whether either has produced health problems in earlier litters. A breeder should also be able to tell you about relevant infectious-disease screening. The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), for example, includes questions about FeLV testing of both parents and stool testing in its buyer guidance.
Ask what happened when a problem was found: Was the kitten examined, treated, retested or placed with restrictions? A clear account is more useful than an assurance that “nothing has ever gone wrong.” If the breeder cannot answer a question immediately, ask when and how the missing record will be provided, and make that part of your written agreement before money changes hands.
Which veterinary examinations and vaccinations has this kitten received?
Request dated veterinary and vaccination records for the specific kitten. Ask which vaccines were administered, the date of each dose, the veterinarian’s findings and what care is due next. Do not rely on a photograph of a generic vaccination card that does not identify the kitten. Confirm how the kitten is identified in the records and whether any treatments, parasite control or follow-up examinations are documented.
Take the records to your own veterinarian and ask what should happen next for the kitten’s age, health and lifestyle. The International Cat Association (TICA) advises buyers to arrange an examination with their own veterinarian soon after purchase. Ask the breeder in advance what the contract requires if your veterinarian identifies a problem, including deadlines for notification and which documents must be supplied.
Make the written contract understandable before you sign
A contract is not a formality to skim after choosing a kitten. It defines what the breeder promises, what you must do, and what happens if the kitten becomes ill or the placement fails.
What exactly does the health guarantee cover, and for how long?
Ask the breeder to point to every covered condition, the duration of coverage and any exclusions. Clarify whether the guarantee concerns congenital or hereditary disease, infectious illness, a veterinary diagnosis, or another defined standard. Ask who pays for examinations, testing, treatment, transport or other costs when a claim is made, and whether you must use a particular veterinarian or obtain a second opinion.
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TICA’s kitten-finding guidance states: A knowledgeable breeder sells a kitten only with a written contract that includes a health guarantee.
That wording does not establish one universal guarantee. Coverage and duration vary by breeder, so read the actual agreement and ask for unclear language to be explained in writing.
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Ask what you should do if you can no longer keep the cat, if the cat is unsuitable for your household, or if a medical issue appears. Some breeders require the cat to be returned to them or ask to approve a new home; others set different procedures. Confirm whether a return results in a refund, a replacement kitten, a partial payment or no payment, and whether transport costs are your responsibility.
Ask how the agreement treats a diagnosis that appears after the guarantee period, a condition that was not known at sale, or a disagreement between veterinarians. These questions are uncomfortable, but answering them before purchase prevents you from making assumptions during a crisis.
Are there spay/neuter, registration or other contractual conditions?
Read every obligation attached to the kitten’s status. The contract may specify spay or neuter requirements, breeding restrictions, registration steps, transfer paperwork or deadlines for sending proof to the breeder. Ask what happens if a required procedure must be delayed for veterinary reasons. If the kitten is sold with breeding rights, show eligibility or another special status, have the exact terms written down rather than relying on a conversation.
What is the deposit and payment schedule?
Ask when a deposit is due, whether it is refundable, what happens if the breeder cannot provide the promised kitten, and when the remaining balance is payable. Review the contract before sending a deposit. Be cautious if someone pressures you to pay before you have selected a specific kitten, demands a large nonrefundable amount without clear terms, or insists on a wire transfer or gift card. A legitimate explanation for a payment method does not replace a written agreement and verifiable identity.
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Early experiences influence how a kitten handles people, routine changes and unfamiliar places. Ask for concrete examples of daily life instead of accepting the word “socialized.”
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How have the kittens been socialized?
Ask which people, household activities and other animals the kittens have encountered, and how often. Useful details include ordinary handling, household sounds, grooming, carrier time and contact with visitors. Ask how the breeder responds when a kitten is cautious or overwhelmed; gradual, positive exposure is different from forcing interaction.
CFA cautions that a kitten playing confidently with littermates in the cattery may not show how it responds to people or an unfamiliar environment. Ask the breeder to describe this individual kitten around adults, children, strangers and routine handling. If possible, observe those interactions yourself during a visit or video call.
What is this kitten’s individual personality?
Ask about activity level, affection, independence, vocalization, confidence, tolerance for handling and response to novelty. Then explain your household: work schedule, children, other pets, noise level, travel and expectations for lap time or play. A breed’s typical traits are useful for planning, but they do not determine every individual’s behavior.
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Ask which kitten the breeder thinks fits your circumstances and why. Choosing solely by coat color or a photograph can leave you mismatched with the cat’s energy, grooming needs or social style.
What breed traits and care demands should I plan for?
Ask how much activity, interaction and grooming the breed generally needs, whether it tends to be especially vocal, and which special-care routines are common. Request practical advice about coat maintenance, nail care, enrichment and safe exercise. If the breed has a distinctive body type or behavior, ask what daily adjustments owners commonly make. The breeder’s answer should help you budget time and learn techniques before the kitten arrives.
What food and litter is the kitten using now?
Ask for the current food brand or formulation, feeding schedule, portion guidance and any supplements or restrictions. Ask which litter type and box style the kitten knows. Maintaining familiar routines during the first days can make the transition easier; if you plan to change food or litter, ask how to do so gradually and what signs would warrant a call to your veterinarian.
Has the kitten learned to use a scratching post?
CFA includes scratching-post training among its questions for breeders. Ask whether the kitten has been introduced to one, what material or shape it prefers, and where it was placed. This is useful preparation, not a requirement to buy a particular product. You can set up an appropriate scratching area before arrival and continue rewarding the behavior you want.
Verify pedigree, registration and identity
“Pedigreed” should mean more than a breed label in an advertisement. Ask which registry is involved, what status the kitten has and which documents you will receive.
Which registration and pedigree documents will I receive?
Ask whether the kitten is already registered, eligible for registration, or sold without registration, and whether the price changes with that status. Request the pedigree, registration application or transfer form promised in the agreement. Confirm the registered names or numbers of the parents, the kitten’s identifying details and the process for correcting an error.
International Cat Care notes that registration bodies have their own rules. Ask the breeder how to verify the paperwork with the relevant registry and whether any deadline or buyer action is required. Keep the original documents and a digital copy with your veterinary records.
Can I see the kitten and its parents?
Arrange to see the kitten in the environment where it is raised and, when appropriate, meet the mother and father. Observe cleanliness, the cats’ general condition and how the adults behave around the breeder. A video meeting can be useful when distance makes an in-person visit impossible; ask the breeder to show the kitten, its living area and the parents in real time rather than relying only on edited photographs.
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A parent may be unavailable for a legitimate reason, such as living with another breeder. Ask for a clear explanation and whatever documentation or live video is available. Do not treat a polished website or a single photograph as proof of identity.
Can I speak with references?
Ask for references from previous buyers or other people familiar with the breeder’s practices. TICA recommends asking for references, and CFA likewise includes references and remote meetings in its guidance. Ask references about the accuracy of the kitten’s records, communication after pickup, the contract and how the breeder handled questions or health concerns. A reference is one piece of evidence; compare it with the records and terms you receive for your own kitten.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Compare breeders using the same evidence
When you are considering more than one breeder or kitten, record the same facts for each option. Labels such as “health guaranteed” are not comparable until you know what the written guarantee actually says.
| Criterion | Questions to ask | Evidence to review |
|---|---|---|
| Parent and kitten health | What conditions or illnesses are known in the family and litter? | Veterinary histories, examination notes and relevant test results |
| Breed-specific screening | Which screening applies to this breed, and when was it performed? | Named tests or examinations and the parents’ records |
| Vaccination and veterinary timeline | What was given, on what dates, and what is due next? | Kitten-specific vaccination and veterinary records |
| Socialization and temperament | What people, animals and household experiences has this kitten had? | Your observations, a live video visit and the breeder’s description of the individual kitten |
| Contract and guarantee | What is covered, for how long, and what must each party do? | The complete signed agreement, including return and payment terms |
| Registration and pedigree | What status does the kitten have and how is it verified? | Pedigree, registration or transfer documents |
| Transparency | Can you see the parents, speak with references and review terms before paying? | Live communication, references and a clear payment schedule |
Choose the option with the clearest, verifiable evidence and the best fit for your household, not simply the quickest availability or most attractive photograph.
Use a sensible order for the conversation
You do not need to ask every question in one message. A staged approach makes it easier to notice contradictions and gives the breeder a fair opportunity to provide records.
- Start with fit. Describe your household and ask about the breed’s activity, vocalization, grooming and social needs.
- Discuss the individual kitten. Ask about personality, litter and food routines, socialization and any health history.
- Request evidence. Review parent screening, veterinary and vaccination records, pedigree paperwork and references.
- Arrange a visit or live video call. See the kitten, parents when available and the setting in which the kittens are raised.
- Read the contract before paying. Mark unclear clauses about guarantees, returns, deposits, registration and required procedures.
- Confirm the handover plan. Agree in writing on the payment schedule, documents supplied, current diet and the care due after pickup.
Warning signs that deserve a pause
No single warning proves that a breeder is dishonest, but several together justify slowing down or walking away. Pause when the breeder will not identify the kitten’s parents, refuses a reasonable visit or live video call, provides no kitten-specific veterinary records, changes terms verbally, or avoids explaining breed-relevant health screening. Be equally cautious when you are pressured to pay immediately, cannot read the contract in advance, or are told that references and records are unnecessary.
Ask a calm follow-up question and give the breeder time to provide documentation. If the answer remains evasive or the paperwork conflicts with the sales claims, do not send money simply because a kitten is available now. Another opportunity is safer than trying to resolve an unclear agreement after purchase.
Prepare for pickup and the first veterinary appointment
Before pickup, confirm that you will receive the signed contract, vaccination and veterinary records, feeding and litter instructions, pedigree or registration documents promised, and contact information for follow-up questions. Bring a secure carrier and plan a quiet transition. Keep the initial food and litter routine familiar while you observe appetite, toileting, energy and behavior.
Arrange an examination with your own veterinarian soon after purchase, as TICA advises. Bring every record and ask the veterinarian to review the vaccination plan, parasite control, diet, identification and any breed-specific care issues. If the veterinarian finds a concern, follow the contract’s notification procedure promptly and keep copies of all communications and medical records.
A final pre-purchase checklist
- You can explain which health conditions matter for the breed and what screening the parents received.
- You have dated veterinary and vaccination records for the specific kitten.
- You know the kitten’s health history, the litter’s history and any relevant information about both parents.
- You have observed the kitten’s socialization and discussed its individual temperament.
- You know the current food, feeding schedule, litter and scratching-post experience.
- You have verified the registration or pedigree documents you will receive.
- You have seen the kitten and, where possible, the parents, in person or by live video.
- You have spoken with references or have a clear reason why they are unavailable.
- You have read the complete contract, including guarantee, return, spay/neuter, registration and payment clauses.
- You understand what to do if your veterinarian identifies a problem after purchase.
A breeder who answers these questions openly gives you the information needed to make a careful decision. Your goal is not to find a promise that sounds perfect; it is to match a healthy, appropriately raised kitten with your household under terms you understand before you commit.
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