The UK cat owner's honest guide.

CatBasket is an independent UK website about living with a cat: what to buy, what it costs, which breed suits you, and how to adopt and settle a rescue. We research each page from vet and animal charity guidance, manufacturers' specifications and UK retailer listings, and we date every price we quote.

☑ Prices in pounds, with the date we checked

☑ Health pages cite PDSA, RSPCA, Cats Protection and iCatCare

☑ We say when something isn't worth the money

Grey cat stretched out on a patterned sofa

Orange tabby kitten looking out of a window

Shorthaired tabby cat sitting in a woven basket

Close-up of a kitten asleep on a soft blanket

About CatBasket

How CatBasket researches its guides

CatBasket is a small independent publisher based in the UK. No pet retailer, insurer or manufacturer owns it, and none of them pays for coverage. We don't lab-test products. Buying guides are built from manufacturers' specifications, UK retailer listings and what owners say in retailer reviews; health and care pages follow the published advice of vets and animal charities, and each one lists its sources. The site earns money from affiliate links and ads, which is explained on every page that carries them. How we research our guides.

Breed Guides

Know your breed before you commit

Temperament, UK kitten prices, grooming and the health problems each breed is prone to, so you know what you are signing up for.

British Shorthair

Usually the most registered pedigree in the UK. Calm, and happy to do its own thing.

Bengal

Beautiful and hard work. A Bengal needs space and a lot of play, so it rarely suits a first-time owner.

Maine Coon

A big, friendly cat with a coat that needs brushing several times a week.

Ragdoll

Placid and people-focused. Many UK owners keep Ragdolls indoors or with a secure garden.

Siamese

Loud, sociable and unhappy left alone all day. Worth knowing before you commit.

Scottish Fold

The folded ears come from a gene that affects cartilage throughout the body. Read the health section first.

View all breed guides

Guides & Reviews

Buying guides and new owner resources

Product round-ups priced in pounds, plus the costs and checklists you need before a cat comes home.

Cat basket guide: beds and carriers

Wicker, felt and radiator basket beds to sleep in, how to size one, and why a top-opening carrier beats a wicker basket for the vet.

Best Automatic Litter Box UK

Self-cleaning trays compared on price, running costs, cat weight limits and what owners report about reliability.

Best Cat GPS Tracker UK

GPS and Bluetooth trackers for outdoor cats, with battery life and the subscription each one needs.

Best Microchip Cat Flap UK

Microchip cat flaps compared on fitting, chip compatibility and how well they keep neighbours' cats out.

Best Cat Tree UK

Cat trees by budget and room size, with the heights, post widths and weight limits that matter.

Best Cat Litter UK

Clay, wood, tofu and crystal litters compared on odour control and what a month of each costs.

New Kitten Checklist, Priced

Every item priced at budget, mid-range and premium, with the totals and the vet costs.

How Much Does a Cat Cost UK

Monthly and yearly running costs, including insurance, boosters and the bills people forget.

Cat Insurance: Worth It?

Lifetime, annual and accident-only cover explained, and when saving the money yourself makes sense.

Cat Vaccination Schedule UK

Which vaccines a UK cat needs, when kittens have them, and how often boosters are due.

View all guides and reviews

Buying guidesProducts priced in pounds ComparisonsBrand and breed head-to-heads New ownersChecklists, costs and first weeks Cat healthVaccines, symptoms and vet costs Rescue catsAdopting and settling a rescue

Rescue & Rehoming

Adopting a rescue cat

How UK rescue adoption works, how to settle a nervous cat, and what an FIV diagnosis means day to day.