How to choose a pedigree kitten

Start with the Feline Advisory Bureau website (www.fabcats.org) and look up which breeds have hereditary diseases or faults.

Find a good breed society. There will be lists of kittens or breeders online. Breed societies have a code of conduct for breeders.

1. Is the mother cat and kittens kept in the house or in a pen?

You want a kitten that is brought up in the house. If there are lots of cat pens in the garden drive away.

2. How do you socialise your kittens?

Avoid the breeder who doesn’t know what this means or gives a vague answer.

3. Can I come and visit before the kittens are ready?

Check before committing yourself.

4. Are your kittens vaccinated?

Good breeders vaccinate their kittens before selling them.

5. Discuss any breed disorders with the breeder. For instance, ask if they have a certificate showing the mother is free from PKD (polycystic kidney disease) if the breed has this problem. If not, don’t buy.

Your cat is likely to die young if it carries the PKD gene.

6. A vet’s or vet nurses’ recommendation will be helpful but can only be completely reliable if they have seen the home conditions.