Finding The Right Cat Breeder:
2 Questions You Must Ask

By Teri Champigny

Most, if not all reputable cat breeders, are more than happy to accommodate your questions.  It is their job to be as helpful as possible when it comes to breeding cats for your liking.  And because it is a passion for them, they absolutely enjoy discussing everything under the sun about cats. 

So if you have found yourself a breeder that you would like more information on as far as purchasing a cat from them, then below are a few questions to help you get to know your breeder better and to be able to judge for yourself their integrity.

1. You may want to ask them if there are any congenital defects within the particular breed you are referring to.  And a follow-up question would t hen be to ask them what they are doing to avoid those particular defects.  Not only is this information important to you, but it gives them a chance to be as up front with you as possible and to disclose this pertinent information.

If you are asking questions to a breeder and he has absolutely nothing negative to say, then this should be a red flag, for no breed is perfect and every animal breeder will always disclose that breeding is a “work in progress” and defects are always being ironed out in the breeding process.

2. Another important question to ask a cat breeder is to find out what health guarantees they offer, if any.  In other words, what is to happen should the kittens become severely sick? Again, if a breeder tells you that absolutely nothing will happen in the way of illness than this is a red flag and this breeder should be avoided.

The reason for this advice is because no breeder can truly offer a 100% guarantee that sickness will not occur and that the kitten will stay healthy.  Your kitten may become ill only a few days after bringing her home or some other health effects may spring up months or even years later.

If your breeder is reputable than he or she will offer up some sort of fair compensation plan should the cat's health turn bad.  Of course there will be, and should be, certain agreements as to the living situation of the animal.  If you are not responsible enough to provide a healthy and sound environment, which leads to the kitten's ill health, then this will have to be taken into consideration and you cannot expect the breeder to stand by and offer compensation for your lack of responsibility in caring for your pet.