Introduction
A cat breeder is someone who intentionally mates cats to produce kittens of a specific breed. Cat breeding emerged in the late 19th century as people began to selectively breed cats to develop pedigreed breeds with particular physical and behavioral traits. Today there is a sizable cat breeding industry worldwide that supplies purebred kittens to the public.
According to estimates, over 200 recognized cat breeds exist globally. Some popular breeds include the Siamese, Persian, Maine Coon, and Ragdoll. While some cat breeders focus on show breeds, others specialize in hybrid breeds like the Bengal and Savannah. The cat breeding business can range from small home breeders to larger catteries that produce litters on a bigger scale. Overall, the cat breeding industry remains loosely regulated compared to dog breeding.
Sources:
The Dog and Cat Breeding Industry in B.C.
History of Cat Breeding
The earliest evidence of cat domestication comes from a 9,500-year-old burial site in Cyprus that contained a human buried with a cat [1]. However, most experts believe the active breeding of cats originated much later, around 4,000 years ago in ancient Egypt [2]. Cats were revered in ancient Egypt for controlling vermin and venomous snakes. Around this time, Egyptians began selectively breeding cats, eventually developing distinct breeds like the Egyptian Mau.
In Europe during the Middle Ages, cats were bred by monks in monasteries for their valuable rodent hunting skills. The first cat show was held in England in 1871 at the Crystal Palace. This helped spur interest in creating new cat breeds based on physical appearance, not just hunting skills. Early cat breeds exhibited at shows included Persians, Siamese, and Russian Blues. In 1871, the first cat fancy club was formed in Britain, establishing standards for different breeds like color and physical features. Cat breeding and cat shows grew in popularity in Britain and the United States throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Some early and influential cat breeds developed during this time include [3]:
- Persian – Originated in the Middle East, this breed was imported to Britain in the late 19th century and bred to have a round head and flattened face.
- Siamese – Believed to originate from Thailand (formerly Siam), Siamese cats became popular in Britain and North America in the late 19th century.
- Maine Coon – A native American longhaired breed that originated in the state of Maine.
- Abyssinian – Developed in Britain using cats imported from Ethiopia, known for its distinctive ticked coat.
Popular Cat Breeds
Some of the most popular pedigreed cat breeds today include Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Exotic Shorthairs, and Persians. These breeds are consistently ranked among the top registered cat breeds according to major cat registries like The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA). Their popularity stems from their unique looks, personalities, and temperaments that make them ideal pets for many households.
The Maine Coon, known as the “gentle giant,” is one of the largest domesticated breeds. They have a rugged, semi-longhaired coat and a distinctive long, bushy tail. Maine Coons are intelligent, playful, and gentle, making them great family pets. The Ragdoll is a large, laidback breed known for its soft, silky fur and tendency to go limp when picked up. They have a very docile temperament and love to be cuddled.
The Exotic Shorthair is a short-haired version of the Persian with the same sweet, easygoing personality. They have a cobby body with a short, dense coat that comes in many colors and patterns. Persians are the quintessential lap cat, with their long, luxurious fur, squished-in faces, and sweet dispositions. They require extensive grooming to keep their long fur silky and tangle-free.
Cat Breeding Process
The cat breeding process involves several steps and considerations to produce healthy, purebred kittens. Responsible breeders follow guidelines on the female cat’s minimum breeding age, number of litters, and breeding frequency. They also carefully select an appropriate stud male and provide proper prenatal, birthing, and postnatal care. Reputable breeders focus on health, temperament, and breed standards rather than appearances only. They do not overbreed their cats and screen potential owners thoroughly.
According to the VCA Animal Hospitals, female cats can become pregnant as early as 4 months old but should not have a litter until at least 10 months old when they are fully grown. Breeders recommend breeding female cats every other heat cycle until age 5-6 and no more than 2-3 litters total. Adult female cats go into heat multiple times per year from January to September.
When a female cat enters her heat cycle, reputable breeders introduce her to a selected stud male for controlled breeding sessions to ensure pregnancy. The male must be at least 10 months old with a gentle temperament. The gestation period lasts 60-65 days before a litter of around 4 kittens is born. Breeders monitor the queen closely and provide proper veterinary care throughout the pregnancy and birth.
Backyard breeders, on the other hand, may breed female cats too young and too frequently without health testing. They are not focused on breed standards and do not screen potential kitten homes thoroughly. Always research a breeder’s reputation and credentials when looking for a purebred kitten.
Ethics of Cat Breeding
The ethics of cat breeding are complex and multi-faceted. There are both pros and cons to consider.
On the pro side, responsible breeders aim to improve cat breeds by selecting for good health, temperament, and conformation to breed standards. Reputable breeders screen for genetic diseases, provide veterinary care, socialize kittens, and offer health guarantees. Well-bred pedigreed cats can make excellent pets when bred ethically.
However, poor breeding practices are problematic. Some breeders prioritize appearance over health and breed cats too young or too frequently. Inbreeding is an issue in some pedigreed cats, increasing risks for genetic disorders. Extreme features like flat faces can cause breathing issues. The desire for unusual coats or colors has led to defective genes proliferating. Irresponsible breeding contributes to pet overpopulation and abandoned cats. https://shelbyshelter.org/3-reasons-why-breeding-cats-and-dogs-is-unethical/
The Cat Fanciers’ Association Code of Ethics advises ethical breeding practices to select healthy, good tempered cats and prevent adding to overpopulation. But not all breeders follow such codes. Poor regulation allows unethical breeders to continue profiting off irresponsible practices.
In summary, cat breeding can have merits when done responsibly, but also raises concerns about health, overpopulation, and lax regulation. Breeders, buyers, and organizations should consider both ethics and animal welfare.
Costs of Cat Breeding
Cat breeding can be an expensive endeavor. According to Cat Breeder Sensei, the initial costs to start a cattery range from $10,000 – $20,000 depending on the breed. This covers supplies like cages, vet care, registration fees, and stud services.
Ongoing expenses for a cat breeder add up quickly. According to Furry Acres, each breeding costs about $400-600 for stud service and health testing. Food, litter, vaccines, and medical care also contribute to costs. Exhibiting cats at shows has entry fees around $75 per show.
To cover these expenses, cat breeders typically charge $1000-2000 per kitten. Purebred kittens from championship bloodlines can cost $2500-5000 according to ChemiCoons. Factors like breed popularity, coat color, and show quality drive prices higher.
While cat breeding can be lucrative for reputable breeders, it also involves major investments in proper breeding facilities, health testing, and care. The initial startup and ongoing costs are not trivial pursuits.
Finding a Reputable Breeder
When looking for a cat breeder, it is important to find one that is ethical and reputable. Here are some signs of an ethical breeder to look for:
They belong to a breed club like The International Cat Association (TICA) [1] or have registered cattery name. Reputable breeders invest time and money into their cattery and cats by registering with cat fancier organizations.
They screen potential buyers by asking questions about knowledge of the breed, lifestyle, home environment, etc. Good breeders want to ensure their kittens go to good homes.
They allow you to visit their cattery and meet the cats. This shows they have nothing to hide in terms of conditions.
Their cattery is clean, spacious, and well-maintained. The cats appear healthy and well socialized.
They do not sell kittens through pet stores or brokers. Reputable breeders want to know where their cats are going.
They provide health and genetic testing paperwork for the parents. Responsible breeding reduces risk of inherited diseases.
They wait until kittens are at least 12 weeks old before letting them go to new homes.
They provide a health guarantee, take back kittens if the need arises, and offer continued support/advice to buyers.
They breed selectively and give retired adults a loving home. Quality breeders focus on health and temperament.
When searching for a breeder, be sure to ask plenty of questions to determine if they follow responsible practices. An ethical cat breeder will be happy to discuss their breeding program and kittens in detail.
Adopting vs. Buying from a Breeder
When getting a new cat, there’s an important decision to make – should you adopt from a shelter or rescue organization, or buy from a breeder? Both options have their pros and cons.
On the adoption side, there are several benefits:
- It’s much cheaper. Adoption fees are typically $50-$150, whereas buying a specific breed from a breeder can cost $500-$2000.
- You’re providing a home to a cat in need. There are millions of homeless cats euthanized in shelters every year due to overpopulation.
- What you see is what you get in terms of personality and appearance. The cat’s characteristics are already apparent.
- Most shelters and rescues screen for health/behavior issues and spay/neuter the cats before adoption.
Potential downsides of adopting include:
- You likely won’t know the cat’s full medical/genetic history or lineage.
- The cat may have past trauma or challenges to overcome from living on streets or in shelter.
- You have less predictability on breed characteristics, size, shedding, etc.
On the breeder side, benefits include:
- You can pick a specific breed and know what characteristics to expect.
- Reputable breeders health test and socialize the kittens.
- You get health/genetic history and can ask questions directly from the source.
Downsides of buying from a breeder:
- Much more expensive purchase price.
- Perpetuates cat overpopulation and breeding practices.
- Need to travel to a breeder and get on a waitlist; less instant gratification.
- Potential for supporting unethical kitten mills if you don’t research breeder reputation.
In summary, adopting shelters cats is generally the more responsible option and saves a life, but buying from an ethical breeder can offer predictability and health assurances. Do your research to make the choice that fits your situation.
Sources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/CatAdvice/comments/102fbxc/whats_the_difference_between_buying_a_cat_and/
https://portrait-my-pet.com/blogs/pet-portrait/the-pros-and-cons-of-adopting-vs-buying-a-cat
Cat Fancy Organizations
There are several major cat registries and clubs dedicated to cat breeding, showing, and ownership in the United States. Some of the most well-known include:
- The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) – Founded in 1906, the CFA is considered the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats. They host over 500 cat shows annually across the globe and recognize 44 breeds for showing and registration.
- The International Cat Association (TICA) – Founded in 1979, TICA is one of the world’s largest genetic cat registries. They recognize 71 breeds and host over 350 cat shows annually around the world.
- The American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) – Founded in 1955, ACFA promotes the welfare of all cats and recognizes over 40 breeds for showing and registration.
- The Canadian Cat Association (CCA) – Founded in 1959, the CCA is Canada’s largest cat registry organization. They host shows, provide breeder support, and recognize over 40 breeds.
These major cat fancy organizations hold championship cat shows where pedigreed cats are evaluated against breed standards and compete for titles and awards. They also set breeding standards, certify judges, and maintain breed registries.
Conclusion
In summary, cat breeding is a nuanced practice that requires extensive knowledge, planning, and care. While purebred cats are prized for their pedigrees and unique characteristics, there are important considerations around health, genetics, and ethics that must be weighed. Responsible breeding aims to improve the breed while minimizing genetic diseases, but backyard breeding and kitten mills prioritize profits over animal welfare.
For those seeking a specific breed, it’s essential to research breeders and ensure they follow best practices. Adopting from shelters and rescues also provides an ethical alternative. Overall, cat lovers have many options to find the right feline companion—but education, diligence, and a focus on the cat’s wellbeing above all else are key.
While cat breeding remains controversial, a shared love for these beloved pets can unite all parties. With conscientiousness, care, and compassion, it may be possible to preserve pedigreed breeds humanely while controlling overpopulation—but there is still work to be done. Regardless of one’s views, what matters most is all cats being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.