1 yr vs 5yr health guarantee from breeder

Hi! We're looking to adopt a kitten from a reputable breeder. We have two options. One gives a 1yr health guarantee (pretty standard) for genetic defects and the other gives 5yr (on the condition that we feed the cat a certain diet). Is there a difference, really, or is the 5 yr guarantee really worth it? I mean, how long does it really take to find a genetic defects anyway? Are there any vets who have experience in this? Thanks for your help.

Hello - and thankyou for this fascinating question.  I would like to say that we should generally expect any breeder to take responsibility for not selling you a kitten with known genetic defects - although the fact is that many don't.  Presumably your kitten is not the first they've bred so they should know if they routinely expect problems; however, unexpected abnormalities are thrown up in any population from time to time.  Perhaps offering a guarentee suggests some level of confidence that this is unllikely and a thereby suggests commitment to careful breeding, providing that it is to be honoured and legally enforceable.   As regards the time-scale, it may depend on the type of cat and the specific inherited diseases to which that breed is usually vulnerable.  Some types of heart disease and kidney disease for example, do present later in life.  Your vet might be a good person to speak to about this, and will help you to compare the offer to pet insurance schemes, for example.