People usually start looking into “how to choose the right cat” when a decision is close: a kitten in a rescue pen, a breeder’s litter coming up, or a friend offering to rehome an adult. It’s easy to pick with your eyes. It’s harder to pick a cat whose needs will still fit your home six months from now.
The best match is the one that can live safely, stay healthy, and settle into your rhythm without constant friction. That comes down to a few practical checks: how much space and time you have, whether the cat will be contained, how you’ll manage health care and costs, and what sort of temperament you can realistically live with.
Start with the life you already have
Cats are adaptable, but they’re not interchangeable. Before you meet any particular cat, take a clear look at the shape of your week.
Quick self-check
- Time at home: How many hours a day will the cat be alone, most days?
- Noise and movement: Busy household, or quiet and predictable?
- Space: Apartment, townhouse, or house with a secure outdoor run?
- Budget: Food, litter, annual vet care, plus an emergency buffer.
- Containment plan: Indoors, enclosed cat run/catio, or fenced yard designed to prevent roaming.
Containment: safer cats, safer wildlife
In Australia, roaming cats intersect with traffic, fights, infectious disease, parasites, and the small native animals that move at dawn, dusk and through the night. Containing a pet cat (indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure) reduces those risks and helps protect wildlife.1, 2
Feral cats are a major environmental threat nationwide, killing large numbers of native animals each year and impacting many threatened species.1 While pet cats are not feral cats, the same hunting toolkit sits behind the eyes, and even well-fed cats may still stalk and kill.2
What “contained” can look like
- Indoors-only with daily play, climbing space, scratchers, and window perches.
- Catio / secure run connected to the house, so the cat gets sun and fresh air without roaming.
- Escape-proof yard (specialised fencing), if appropriate for your property and local rules.
Breed, coat type, and the reality of temperament
Breed can nudge tendencies (energy level, vocalising, grooming needs), but it doesn’t write the whole story. Shelter cats and mixed-breed cats often make steady, adaptable companions, and you can learn a lot by watching how an individual cat responds to noise, handling, and new spaces.
If you’re drawn to a specific look (flat faces, very long coats, or extreme body types), pause and ask a vet about the everyday care those features can require. The prettiest cat is not always the easiest cat to keep comfortable.
Purebred vs mixed-breed
- Purebred: more predictable appearance and some traits, but may come with known inherited issues in some lines. Ask about health testing and the parents’ health history.
- Mixed-breed: wide variety in size and personality, often with fewer extremes in body shape. You’re choosing the individual rather than a blueprint.
Age: kitten, adolescent, adult, senior
Age changes the whole pace of life in your house.
Kittens
Kittens are small, fast, and busy. They learn quickly, but they need structure: frequent play, gentle handling, safe spaces, and supervision while they discover cables, houseplants, and the edges of furniture.
Adult cats
Adult cats often arrive with their personality already showing. In a shelter or foster home, staff can usually tell you whether a cat seeks attention, prefers quiet, tolerates other pets, or becomes overwhelmed easily. That makes matching far simpler than guessing what a kitten will become.
Senior cats
Older cats can be wonderfully calm companions, but may need more vet attention for teeth, kidneys, arthritis, or weight changes. If your household is quiet and you like routines, seniors can fit beautifully.
Personality: what to look for when you meet a cat
Temperament is less about labels and more about observation. In a shelter setting, stress can flatten behaviour, so look for patterns rather than one moment.
- Social comfort: Does the cat approach, or stay tucked away? Either can be fine, depending on your home.
- Handling tolerance: How does the cat respond to gentle pats, being picked up briefly, or having paws touched?
- Recovery after startle: A noise happens. Does the cat settle again, or stay on edge?
- Play style: Some cats stalk slowly and pounce once; others bounce constantly. Match that to your energy.
Allergies: be honest early
There is no truly “hypoallergenic” cat. People react to proteins carried in saliva and skin flakes (dander), and reactions vary between households and individuals. If allergies are part of your life, speak with your GP or allergy specialist before you commit, and trial exposure where possible.8
Health and vet care: what to organise in the first month
Book a vet visit soon after adoption (or before finalising a purchase) to confirm overall health, discuss parasite control, and map out vaccinations appropriate to your cat’s age and risk.3
Vaccinations
Vaccination schedules vary by product and risk profile, so it’s a conversation with your vet rather than a one-size checklist. As a general guide, adult cats who have completed an initial course typically need core boosters at intervals recommended by the vet (often every 1–3 years).3
Adoption vs buying from a breeder
Adopting from a shelter or rescue
Adoption gives you access to a wide spread of ages and personalities, and many cats will already be desexed, microchipped, and vaccinated as part of the process (always confirm what’s included).
Buying from a breeder
A reputable breeder should prioritise health and welfare, provide transparent records, and let you see where cats are raised. In NSW, breeders have legal responsibilities around microchipping before sale or by 12 weeks of age, and you should be offered a clear paper trail.7
Legal basics: microchipping, desexing, and local rules
Rules vary by state and council. Some jurisdictions require microchipping and desexing by a certain age, and some have cat containment requirements. Check your local council’s guidance before you bring a cat home, particularly if you rent or live in a complex with by-laws.4, 5, 6
Preparing your home (without overthinking it)
Essentials to have ready
- Litter tray and litter (plus scoop)
- Food and water bowls
- Carrier (sturdy, easy to clean)
- Scratching post/s (vertical and/or horizontal)
- Hiding spot (box, covered bed, or a quiet room)
- Toys that suit your supervision level (wand toys for shared play; safe solo toys for downtime)
Make one room the “landing zone”
For the first few days, a single quiet room helps most cats settle. Food, water, litter, bed, and a place to hide. Let the cat expand the map of the house gradually, as confidence grows.
Introducing a new cat to existing pets
Slow introductions are less dramatic and usually more successful. Keep the new cat separated at first, allow scent and sound to become familiar, then move to brief, supervised visual contact once both animals are calm with the earlier steps.9
Ongoing care that keeps a cat steady
Cats thrive on small, repeatable routines: clean litter, fresh water, predictable meals, and short bursts of play that mimic hunting. Even a calm cat benefits from a daily pattern of movement and enrichment, especially if contained indoors.
Final thoughts
A well-chosen cat doesn’t feel like a project. It feels like a quiet presence that fits the house: sleeping in the safe places, playing in short bright storms, watching birds from behind glass. Choose for temperament, containment, and the life you can provide, and the bond tends to form in its own time.
References
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (Australian Government) – Feral cats
- DCCEEW (Australian Government) – Protecting our wildlife: responsible pet ownership
- RSPCA Knowledgebase – What vaccinations should my cat receive?
- ACT Government – Cats (microchipping, registration, desexing, containment)
- Queensland Government – Laws for pet owners in Queensland (cats: microchipping; local council registration)
- Tasmania Department of Natural Resources and Environment – Desexing and microchipping
- NSW Office of Local Government – Breeder responsibilities (microchipping)
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) – Pets and allergy
- RSPCA Tasmania – A new cat in the family (introducing cats)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom