How to Choose the Right Cat for Your Home and Lifestyle

Choose the cat's age and personality before you choose a breed. For first-time owners, families with young children and people out at work all day, an adult rescue cat whose temperament the rescue already knows is usually the safest match; kittens and very demanding breeds suit people who are home more.

Last updated 28 September 2026. Advice checked 28 September 2026 against Cats Protection, PDSA and RSPCA guidance; cost figures are Cats Protection's estimates as published on that date. Sources are listed at the end.

A tabby and white cat curled up in a green buttoned armchair in a quiet living room, next to a tripod floor lamp

In short

What cat breed should I get?

For most people the honest answer is a moggy, and the more useful question is which individual cat. Breed gives you rough tendencies, such as coat length and how vocal or active a cat is likely to be, but cats within a breed vary a lot and a rescue can tell you how a particular adult actually behaves. Cats Protection's advice is to decide the personality you want first and then find the cat that has it.

If you do want a pedigree, rule out the breeds bred for extreme features. Cats Protection says flat-faced breeds such as Persians have breathing, eye and dental problems, that the Scottish Fold's folded ears come from a cartilage defect that leads to severe and painful arthritis, and that short-legged and tailless cats carry similar risks to joints and spine. Coat is the other practical filter: long-haired cats need grooming every day, short-haired cats about once a week. Our breed guides cover the common UK breeds one by one.

What is the best cat for a first-time owner?

An adult cat from a rescue, ideally one the staff can describe in detail. Cats Protection notes that adult cats are usually more settled and less likely to get into mischief than kittens, and cats over about seven tend to be quieter, sleep through the night and stay close to home. You'll make mistakes in the first few months, like misreading body language or getting the litter tray in the wrong place, and a settled adult copes with those better than a kitten does.

A rescue cat also arrives with the basics done in most cases (neutering, vaccinations and a microchip), and the rescue will usually take the cat back if it really doesn't work out. Our new cat owner guide covers the first weeks.

Should I get a cat if I work full time?

Yes, plenty of adult cats live happily with owners who are out at work, as long as you give them proper attention when you're home. PDSA says cats need regular company and play time with their owners, and some individuals are much more sociable than others, so ask the rescue for a cat that is relaxed on its own rather than one that follows people around.

Kittens are harder: they need feeding several times a day and a lot of supervision. Getting a second cat as company isn't the automatic fix it's often sold as. Cats Protection says cats are usually solitary and prefer to be the only cat in the home, and PDSA calls living with other cats a common cause of chronic stress. If you want two, adopt a pair that already live together happily, and give each cat its own bowls, litter tray, bed and scratching post. For a cat that will be indoors while you're out, see how to keep an indoor cat happy.

Should I get a cat if I have a dog?

Often yes, if your dog is calm and well trained and you pick a cat that has lived with dogs before. Cats Protection says to think about both animals' personalities, ages and past experience of the other species, and that earlier good experiences with dogs help a lot. Ask the rescue specifically for a cat that has been fine with dogs.

The introduction is slow. Cats Protection's steps run from separate rooms and swapped scent, through short sessions behind a see-through barrier, to meetings with the dog on a lead and the cat free to leave. If either animal reacts badly, go back a stage and get help from a vet or behaviourist rather than letting them sort it out. A dog that chases cats outside is a bad bet for any cat, however patient.

Should I get a cat if I travel a lot?

You can, if you budget for someone to look after the cat each time you go. Cats Protection says keeping a cat at home with a sitter is the least unsettling option, and that a cattery suits cats who cope with being away from home and around strangers. It puts pet sitting at about £150 to £300 a week, which adds up fast if you're away most months.

Cats rarely enjoy travelling themselves, so taking the cat with you is seldom the answer. A confident adult that isn't fussed by visitors will handle a rotating cast of sitters better than a shy one.

How do I choose a cat to adopt?

Tell the rescue everything about your home and let them shortlist, then meet the cats. Rescue staff and fosterers see how each cat reacts to handling, noise, children and other animals, which you can't judge from a photo. Be specific: your working hours, whether there's a garden and a busy road, the ages of any children, any dog or cat already there.

When you meet a cat, ask how long it has been in care and why it came in, whether it has lived with children, dogs or other cats, and whether it has any health conditions. Don't rule out older cats or cats that have been waiting a long time; they're often the calmest. Our guide to adopting a rescue cat walks through the process.

Choosing a cat when you have young children

Pick a calm adult rather than a kitten. Cats Protection suggests a slightly older, calmer cat that is confident and friendly, happy to be handled, not bothered by loud noise, and with a good history around children. Kittens still need training and are still learning to use their claws.

Whatever cat you choose, supervise children with it and make sure the cat can always get away to somewhere high or hidden. Teach children the early warning signs Cats Protection lists, such as wide pupils, ears turned out or back and a fast-twitching tail tip, so they back off before the cat has to swipe.

Rescue or breeder?

Start with a rescue. Cats Protection, the RSPCA, Blue Cross and local rescues all rehome cats of every age, and most arrive neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. If you want a pedigree kitten, Cats Protection says to use a breeder registered with a breed association such as the GCCF, Felis Britannica or TICA, and to check that the parents have had any health tests needed for the breed.

Walk away if a seller won't let you see the kitten with its mother, pushes you to decide quickly, offers to post the paperwork later, or wants to hand over a kitten you've only seen on a video call. Cats Protection says kittens shouldn't leave their mother until at least eight to nine weeks old, and GCCF-registered pedigree breeders keep kittens until at least 13 weeks. Our Ragdoll and Bengal price guides show what registered breeders charge.

What a cat costs to keep

Cats Protection estimates a typical cat costs over £1,000 a year, and a healthy cat can live to 18. Its monthly figures are £20 to £50 for food, £20 to £30 for litter, £25 to £50 for insurance and £10 to £20 for flea and worm treatment, plus yearly vaccinations (£70 to £90) and a vet check (£50 to £80). Pedigree cats usually cost more to insure. Our cost of owning a cat page breaks this down further.

Quick matching guide

Your situationWhat to ask the rescue for
First cat, out at work all dayA relaxed adult that is happy on its own
Young children at homeA calm, confident adult with a good history around children
Dog in the houseAn adult that has lived with a dog before
Busy road outsideA cat that has always lived indoors, or one used to a secure garden
Quiet home, older ownerA cat aged seven or over
Want two catsA pair that already live together happily
Rural home, no house spaceA farm cat placement from a rescue

Sources

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