What is a Purebred Cat?

The one thing that defines if a cat is purebred or not, is Registration Papers. Purebred cats are always Registered as Purebreds, both parents are Registered, and so on. Registration is not a proof of quality, only a proof of parentage. Registered cats are usually tattooed or microchipped, with the information linking the cat to the breeder, however any cat can be tattooed or microchipped for identification purposes unrelated to breeding.

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What is a Mixed Breed Cat?

Any and all unregistered cats, must be considered as mixed breed cats, and are referred to as “Domestic” cats. You may often see them listed as DSH, DMH, or DLH. These letters indicate the length of a cats hair, Domestic Short Hair, Domestic Medium Hair, or Domestic Long Hair. These cats would be referred to by their coloring as well as the letter code for their hair length. Just because a cat “looks” like it belongs to a specific breed group, does not mean it does. The rule applies, no registration papers = no breed. In many countries it is illegal to refer to a pet as purebred unless you have registration papers for it.

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Which is Best?

There are reasons for getting either, let us look at the differences.

Purebred cats cost more, and, as mentioned, being purebred is no indicator of quality. Quality can be determined if the owner of the parents took them to shows to earn championship titles. There are many “breeders” who produce substandard registered pets, and sell them to pet stores, who in turn sell them to unsuspecting buyers. A buyer who is interested in getting a registered cat or kitten should insist on seeing the show records of the parents, and seeing the mother cat.

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A cute Maine Coon Kitten, photo from Wikimedia.

Some of the main reasons for getting purebreds are because a person is interested in showing or breeding. Also people make like a trait associated with a particular breed. When you get purebreds you know what health problems run in that line. For example some purebred cat breeds are more apt to have litter box concerns. So you know what to expect. This is more true in dogs but is an issue for cat owners too.

The biggest advantage to getting a mixed breed cat is availability. There are literally millions of them. You can get them for free, or adopt them from an animal shelter. In most cases adoption is cheaper in the long run than taking a free kitten and having the medical done to it.

Mixed breed animals have what is called “Hybrid Vigor” meaning they are often healthier because they have a wider mix of genes. However, due to the large numbers of kittens born every day, there is no reason to intentionally breed more mixed breed kittens. Shelters are forced to euthanize thousands every year. Some countries euthanize millions of cats and kittens in a year, almost all are mixed breed cats.

As a rule, you should never pay a cent for a cat or kitten who has not be checked by a veterinarian, and come with some sort of health guarantee or records. In most countries it is illegal to advertise a cat or kitten as being purebred and offering it at one price with papers, and one price without.

For the record I have only owned unregistered kitties, including the one in the photo below, who was born in an old farm house, to a wild mom. He is now tame, and neutered!

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