Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pets

Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

Original poster

Buying pedigree cats

51 replies

KatyMac · 13/02/2010 15:56

Allowing for kittens being born around now and available after 13 (16?) weeks

When buying a cat, what do I need to look for?

They all seem to have:
4 weeks insurance
Inoculations
paperwork

Help??

OP posts:
juneybean · 13/02/2010 15:57

They should be at least 12 weeks old, potty trained and eating proper food.

Although with pedigrees whilst you pay more they don't last as long.

What breed are you going for? We had a persian when I was growing up and he was just the loviliest cat

RedbinDippers · 13/02/2010 16:05

Also look for the behavior of the kitten, some love lively cats, others don't. Do a bit of research on the breed you wish to buy, they all have different characteristics, we always have Siamese but they're not everybody's' choice because of their extrovert behavior.

Original poster
KatyMac · 13/02/2010 16:07

Siamese......I think but I'm flexible

Nothing fluffy

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 13/02/2010 18:34

Very tempted by Tonkinese

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 13/02/2010 19:50

I am seeing some sisters on Monday

OP posts:
everlong · 13/02/2010 20:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
KatyMac · 13/02/2010 21:06

look at the ad

OP posts:
mad4mainecoons · 14/02/2010 09:19

Awww, they look lovley. although being orientals they may well be highly strung and take a while to adapt to a new environment.

i would ask again about the reason for rehoming, just subtly while you are chatting because people are not always 100% truthful. and oriental breeds are notorious for behavioural issues, as they are smart and easily bored. being torties they may well be strong willed little ladies too .

ask if they have been neutered, whether they go out or live totally indoors. ask to see the vaccination certificates. ask about any health problems, toileting issues or other behaviour quirks (feeding issues, furniture destruction ect.)

just try not too fall in love at frist sight and be realistic as to wether they will be able to live happily with you.

having said all that, im sure they are lovley cats and a genuine owner, good luck with it.

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/02/2010 09:53

That is good info for me to get

She has emailed saying they need a 2nd booster and the vet wanted to clean their teeth - she had decided not to clean their teeth - but I would get them done (if my vets says to) as I know how important it is

OP posts:
skymoo · 14/02/2010 10:13

sorry for my ignorance, but why would you need to clean a new cat's teeth, and even more puzzling a vet advising it

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/02/2010 10:18

These are being rehomed at5yrs old - did you see the ad (21:06 last night)

I will of course take my vets advise but I know my cat needed his doing & lost teeth quite early because I didn't do it early enough

OP posts:
everlong · 14/02/2010 12:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/02/2010 12:35

I know - there is lots to think about, not least we don't really want 2 cats or girls - but we are going with an open mind

I also know several people locally whose asthma has become worse recently (& I think she might be pg)

In lots ways a kitten would be easier - but that would mean a wait, but it is more important to us to 'find' the right cat (or cats) but they are almost rescue cats & that seems 'nice' (but not if we don't 'gel')

Oh there is so much to think about

OP posts:
Joolsiam · 14/02/2010 12:42

I'd ask about their pedigrees aswell - what is their prefix, does she have their pedigree certificates ?

All reputable breeders tell owners that they will take back cats they have bred if it is ever necessary, and I would expect someone genuine to at least have informed the breeder what was going on. If I had to rehome my cats, there is no way I would charge - finding the right home would be far more important.

Check on the booster situation - is it just the annual booster they need ? If not, does that mean that they haven't been vaccinated regularly in the past ?

Can you get permission to talk to their vet, or get them vet checked before you agree to take them ?

Also ask lots of questions about toilet habits - number and type of litter trays, type of litter, history of illnesses / accidents, type of food they eat, do they go outside ? If they are indoor cats, they will not be streetwise and you would be wise to keep them in. If they are outdoor cats and you want to keep them in, there is a risk they won't be happy.

Try to make sure that the transfer of ownership pedigree certificate is sent off by the owner, to officially put the cats in your name - not vital if you are not into showing, but useful.

Tonks are gorgeous though - loyal, clever, affectionate and vocal like Siamese - I really hope it works out

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/02/2010 12:57

The ones we are seeing are orientals (which we have never some across before)

& they might be skittish - which wouldn't work in our house as there are loud noises quite often - but whether a kitten would be any better

WRT cost she has already lowered the price - but it isn't about cost - I can go out & spend £400 on a kitten but if we gel with them it would be a kindness

OP posts:
mad4mainecoons · 14/02/2010 14:10

much to think about definetly.

ok so maybe the pregnancy is the real reason for rehoming? - sadly we see so many people who rehome or euthanase their cats when they become pregnant.

did she say they might be skittish - alarm bells would ring for me if she did.

you said you didnt really want 2 cats or girls? yet there are oriental, tortishell sisters! a challenging combination.

and as far as costs you will be looking at £25 each (depending on your vet) for booster vaccs. and dental treatment at £100 - £200 each depending on your vet and what needs to be done. and as Joolsiam says, ask why they are not going back to the breeder?

you may have to wait for a kitten but it will be exactly the kitten you choose and may even cost you less. you could alawys get in touch with the breed clubs to see if they have a rescue list as many do.

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/02/2010 14:22

Confusing isn't it

2 cats would be more stable when we go away - we only left our old cat for 1 night (with visits) with 2 cats we could leave them for a weekend as they would have company

Our intent was a boy kitten as the whole op for girls is so much more(intrusive, expensive etc)

Would the breeder take them back at 5yo?

I am looking at the rehoming pages on the main sites too

I think if they weren't so local to us & if they hadn't advertised just after our cat had died (& if they weren't so pretty ) we wouldn't even consider them; but I do think we have to at least visit, just to see

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 14/02/2010 14:29

there are also these - but the brown (grey) is a girl.....the bicolour is the boy

I don't know

OP posts:
Joolsiam · 14/02/2010 15:45

this is a good site for kittens and rescues - it is run by a real cat lover and any obvious kitten farmers / unscrupulous ads are weeded out.

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/02/2010 18:57

Sorry - I went off for a nap

There is a kitten the same colour as our old cat in a close town - but I don't think I want one the same colour

I spoke to a lady on the other side of the county who has apricots - but she doesn't want them outside as they wander.

There is a seal point on the other side of Norwich.....but he is £400 again

That does seem to be the price

OP posts:
RedbinDippers · 14/02/2010 19:11

The last one we bought was £300 3 years ago, so £400 is probably not too far away. We now have three of the little angels, this morning I awoke to a dead (small) rat outside the bedroom door, paw prints on the toilet bowl and seat, and blue eyed demands to be fed. Buy a Siamese cat and change your life.

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/02/2010 19:32

My life changed when mine died

Not even a week and we are lost without him - silly isn't it

OP posts:
RedbinDippers · 14/02/2010 19:36

KatyMac
No it's not, cats become part of your family, you should grieve when they die, I hate it.

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/02/2010 19:55

We are very sad

DD is not in a good place - but we can't replace him. All we can do is fall for a new cat (or cats)

OP posts:
RedbinDippers · 14/02/2010 20:03

We keep three now so there is always two left to keep us occupied if one goes, and the survivors have each other. Several years ago we had two and one had a heart attack, the grief of the survivor was as bad as the loss of the other.