Section 01
Before You Get a Cat
A cat can live 15 to 20 years. These guides help you make an honest decision about time, money and lifestyle — and choose the right cat from the right place.
Are You Ready for a Cat? 10 Honest Questions to Ask First
Time, money, allergies, children, renting and holidays — an honest checklist to help you decide whether now is the right time to get a cat.
How Much Does a Cat Cost? Start-Up, Monthly and Lifetime Costs
A realistic breakdown of what a cat costs: adoption or purchase price, start-up supplies, first-year vet care, monthly food and litter, and emergency bills.
Kitten or Adult Cat: Which Is Right for You?
Kittens are adorable but demanding; adult cats come with known personalities. Compare time, training, cost and compatibility to choose the right age.
Male vs Female Cat: Personality and Behavior Differences
Do male and female cats behave differently? What really changes after neutering, and why individual personality matters more than sex.
Purebred or Mixed Breed? Breeder, Shelter or Stray
Compare pedigree cats and mixed-breed cats, and the pros and cons of getting a cat from a breeder, a shelter, a rescue, a friend or the street.
One Cat or Two? How to Decide
Should you get one cat or two? When a pair is better, when a single cat is happier, and how to choose cats that will get along.
How to Choose a Responsible Cat Breeder (and Spot a Bad One)
Green flags and red flags when buying a pedigree kitten: health testing, age at rehoming, contracts, visiting, and the questions to ask any breeder.
9 Common Cat Myths Debunked
Cats aren't aloof, milk isn't good for them, and hypoallergenic breeds don't exist. The truth behind the most common cat myths new owners hear.
Where to start
If you only read one article, read Are you ready for a cat? — it covers the questions most first-time owners wish they had asked. Then use our cat cost calculator to build a realistic budget before you commit.