Pedigree cats continue to be the pet of choice for cat owners in Scotland with the scale tipping further in favour of breeds rather than moggies, according to Cats Protection.
The charity’s Cats and Their Stats (CATS) Report 2025 revealed that between March 2024 and 2025:
- 126,000 cats were acquired in Scotland
- 59% were pedigrees vs. 32% moggies
- In the previous year: 37% were pedigrees vs. 51% moggies (out of 120,000 cats)
Pedigrees now make up 37% of Scotland’s total cat population of 840,000 and alarmingly 6% of cats acquired in Scotland in the last 12 months are breeds with traits which can be described as being extreme, including Sphynx, Scottish Fold, Savannah, Munchkin and Bully cat.
Alongside this increase, the proportion of ‘bought’ cats in the total Scottish cat population acquired over the past 12 months has increased by 4% (to 41%), bringing the percentage higher than the UK as a whole where 38% were bought rather than adopted or obtained by other means.
Sarah Elliott, Cats Protection Central Veterinary Officer, says: “In the UK cat acquisition is increasingly skewing towards pedigree cats and purchase over adoption.
“We therefore need to motivate Scottish cat owners to help reverse the increasing popularity of buying and become enthusiastic adopters by championing the moggy, as well as highlighting all the benefits of adoption – including the adoption of pedigree cats from rescue organisations, when they occasionally become available.
“When adopting from Cats Protection, like many other animal welfare organisations, not only does your pet come neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and with a clean bill of health, but there is also the huge satisfaction of giving a home to a cat that really needs one.”
Elsewhere in the report a picture of Scottish owners shows them to be ‘cat focused’. Owners across the country are researching the needs of their cats more, and still primarily turning to their vet for advice.
Nonetheless, social media and video content are a pull for younger owners, and the charity advises them to ensure they are following reputable sources and continue to consult their vet. There has additionally been an increase in owners keeping their cats indoors as they fear them getting hurt or lost and in line with the rest of the UK, companionship is still the leading reason for Scottish people to own a cat.
Vet engagement remains consistent in Scotland, however for the first time stress for either cat or owner has become the primary reason for Scottish owners not visiting the vet as much as they would like.
Cats Protection has tips for making vet visits less stressful which can be found at www.cats.org.uk/cats-blog/how-to-make-vet-visits-less-stressful-for-your-cat
Alice Palombo, Cats Protection Advocacy and Government Relations Manager, says: “The increase in pedigree cats acquired over the past 12 months in Scotland, particularly those with extreme characteristics is a worrying trend.
“To safeguard cats’ welfare, we are calling for the licensing threshold for cat breeding to be lowered to two litters and would like to see more breeds of concern included in the government’s guidance offered to local authorities including exotic hybrid cats like Savannahs.
“It is notable that despite the increase in pedigrees acquired in Scotland, our recent Freedom of Information request revealed just 28 registered cat breeders across the country, compared with 249 dog breeders.
“This suggests perhaps breeders are not being incentivised to apply for cat breeding licences or there is a lack of enforcement which raises strong concerns about the health and wellbeing of the cats involved.”
Elsewhere in the report a picture of Scottish owners shows them to be ‘cat focused’. Owners across the country are researching the needs of their cats more, and still primarily turning to their vet for advice.
Nonetheless, social media and video content are a pull for younger owners, and the charity advises them to ensure they are following reputable sources and continue to consult their vet. There has additionally been an increase in owners keeping their cats indoors as they fear them getting hurt or lost and in line with the rest of the UK, companionship is still the leading reason for Scottish people to own a cat.
Vet engagement remains consistent in Scotland, however for the first time stress for either cat or owner has become the primary reason for Scottish owners not visiting the vet as much as they would like. Cats Protection has tips for making vet visits less stressful which can be found at www.cats.org.uk/cats-blog/how-to-make-vet-visits-less-stressful-for-your-cat
Alice Palombo, Cats Protection Advocacy and Government Relations Manager, says: “The increase in pedigree cats acquired over the past 12 months in Scotland, particularly those with extreme characteristics is a worrying trend.
“To safeguard cats’ welfare, we are calling for the licensing threshold for cat breeding to be lowered to two litters and would like to see more breeds of concern included in the government’s guidance offered to local authorities including exotic hybrid cats like Savannahs.
“It is notable that despite the increase in pedigrees acquired in Scotland, our recent Freedom of Information request revealed just 28 registered cat breeders across the country, compared with 249 dog breeders.
“This suggests perhaps breeders are not being incentivised to apply for cat breeding licences or there is a lack of enforcement which raises strong concerns about the health and wellbeing of the cats involved.”
Further details can be found in Cats and their Stats Report Scotland 2025 with the UK-wide report here.
Additional information about Cats Protection can be found at www.cats.org.uk
