Buying a cat - tips and advice

Are you thinking of buying a cat? There is a lot to think about and prepare for. In order for the cat purchase to be right, you must, among other things, think about what your life looks like and how you live. Read our useful tips and advice.

What to think about before buying a cat

Choosing a cat breed

Once you have decided to buy a cat, you may be thinking about whether you want to buy a purebred cat or a domestic cat. In a purebred cat, particular characteristics have been bred for a long time and these characteristics may be easier to predict than in a domestic cat, where the origin may be unknown.

Purebred cats may have been bred with a specific goal, for example, to fit as an indoor cat or to look a certain way, but certain breed-related diseases can come with a purebred cat. Research the particular breed you are interested in before your purchase. We have guides for all cat breeds here.

Where can I buy a cat?

There are lots of places to find your new cat, you can find a breeder, answer an ad or go to a rescue shelter. According to Cats Protection, over a third (34%) of cats are bought, while just under one in four (24%) are adopted from a UK rehoming charity. 16% have come from a neighbour, family member or friend.

The latest stats show 20% of cats bought were found on Facebook, although there is no official category for pets, because rightly so there is a ban on the sale of animals. Gumtree is another popular site for finding new pets in need of a home. While convenient, prices can vary greatly, and some organisations such as the PDSA caution against buying pets from classified advertisement websites.

Buying a kitten

To those of you who are thinking of buying a kitten, there are a number of things you should consider. Visit the kittens to form your own opinion of how they act. They must be clean with clear eyes, clean ears and show no signs of diarrhoea or the like. Ask to meet the mother, preferably the father as well if possible, to see what they look like and what their temperament seems to be like.

When it is time to bring the kitten home, the breeder should have drawn up a purchase contract that both parties must agree on and sign. The kitten must be vet checked, vaccinated and dewormed. You should receive instructions on when the next vaccination and deworming is due, as well as food and diet advice.

You might want to consider kitten insurance too for peace of mind.

Getting a rescue cat or kitten

Thinking of getting a rescue cat? There are plenty of homeless cats that have been taken care of by various cat shelters. The good thing about an adult rescue is you can experience their adult temperament first-hand before you bring them home.

Recommended cat shelters are as follows:

Buying a second cat

Thinking of getting another cat? It is not always completely problem-free when the new family member comes home. Research the best way to introduce another cat to your home and introduce them gradually. You can find more information on this topic here -

How do you live?

How you live is also an important factor. For example, if you have a small or cramped space temporarily, it's best to wait until you are settled elsewhere.

Also consider what kind of area you live in if you want to be able to let your cat out. If you live near major busy roads, the risk of your cat being hit is of course greater. If you live in an apartment with a balcony, you should net the balcony so that the cat cannot fall down and injure itself badly or, in the worst case, die.

You'll want to make sure your home environment is suitable for a cat before you bring them home.

Help with cat sitting

If you travel a lot, you need to make sure you have someone to care for your cat. It's ideal to have someone you know visit at least twice per day to give it food, water and company. Otherwise, a good cat kennel could possibly be an option or there are house sitting websites that help you find people to look after your cat.

How much time do you spend at home? That is one of the most important questions you should start asking yourself. Because even though cats aren't pack animals, and don't require as much companionship as a dog, they don't want to spend their whole lives alone at home.

Bringing your new cat home

Tips for a healthy cat purchase

Once you've found your cat, it is time to bring them home. In the midst of all the happiness, it can be easy to forget important things. Make sure the cat is vet-checked, vaccinated, dewormed and microchipped before they come home.

Take out an insurance

It is important to take out insurance as soon as possible after you get your cat home. If you buy an older cat that is already insured, it is best to take over the existing insurance.

If you buy a small kitten, it is important to insure it as soon as possible so that nothing happens before it is insured for veterinary care. You can find out more about cat insurance here.

When you get your cat home

Get your home ready

When the cat finally moves in, it is good to have accessories and equipment ready at home. So that you don't miss anything important, we have listed things that are good to have when you get your cat or kitten home here:

What do I need to have at home for my new cat?

5 important pieces of advice before buying a cat

Think about whether you have the time, money and opportunity to get a cat
Contact a breeder, advertiser or cat shelter
Go to a cat store and buy all the accessories a cat needs (food, bowls for food and water, litter box, scratching board, basket, collar and name tag or leash and harness, claw clippers, transport cage, toys and more).
Think about what insurance the cat should have
Make sure your cat is neutered at the appropriate age, ID marked and regularly vaccinated

Plan for success with your new cat

In addition to visiting your chosen cat several times to get to know them, it can be good to read about what cats need, how they work and where they come from. This can help your cat settle into their new home faster, reduce the stress that a move entails and create a good relationship. We have lots of guides and advice on owning cats here.

We wish you the best of luck in your choice of cat and hope that you and your future friend have a great time together!

Written by: Jos Davies
Last reviewed on: 29 September 2026

About the Author

Jos Davies works as a Marketing Consultant and during his career has worked with some of the biggest Financial Services companies in the UK. These include Confused.com, ManyPets & Admiral Insurance. He specialises in writing insurance and pet related content that's helpful to the reader and performs well in search.