Pedigree cats are outnumbering moggies in the UK for the first time

Brits are opting for pedigree kittens over rescue mogs, recent figures reveal. The rise in desire for purebreds is thought to be due to celebrities and influencers parading their designer posh pets on social media

New data from charity Cats Protection has found 45% of all cats acquired between March 2023 and March 2024 were pedigrees or purebred cats. It found 715,000 of these kitties were sold, compared to 685,000 of moggies, which make up 43% of bought cats during this time.

A 'moggy' is any cat which has not been intentionally bred and are often called 'domestic long hair' or 'domestic short hair' in contexts where the animals need to be registered such as vet surgeries and shelters. The remaining 12% were cross-breeds, the organisation's Cats And Their Stats Report 2024 showed.

This is a complete reversal from as little as three years ago, when an estimated 715,000 moggie cats and 490,000 pedigrees were purchased, making up 51% and 35% of bought felines.

Cats Protection says the increase may be due to eye-catching pedigree cats featured on social media, with many influencers and celebrities unaware of the hidden health risks of some breeds with extreme characteristics.

One breed made popular by the likes of singers Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran is the Scottish Fold. These cats can suffer from degenerative joint disease and usually go on to develop painful arthritis, with Cats Protection adding that veterinarians may advise euthanasia in some cases due to the profound effects of this disease.

Sarah Elliott, central veterinary Officer for Cats Protection, said: “As an organisation, Cats Protection is here for all cats and many pedigrees are bred responsibly, but sadly there are still many hazards for buyers to navigate.

They may be attracted to a cute or unusual look for example, but cats bred to have an extreme body type, with characteristics including hairlessness, short legs, or an extremely flat face, can leave owners with expensive vet bills as well as cats with complex needs and a poor quality of life.

“Often, these issues are hidden at the start of a cat’s life and require the buyer to really do their homework before committing to a purchase." Moggy cats often are rescues, but if purchased they can go for up to £300 per kitten.

Cats Protection say a registered pedigree can cost anything from £200 to well over £1,000 depending on the breed. Popular cats such as the Scottish Fold and Persian can be as much as £5,000.