Deciding If You Should Breed Cats
There are ethical considerations around breeding cats. On the one hand, responsible breeding can help preserve desirable traits in pedigreed cats and provide well-socialized kittens for people seeking pets. However, overpopulation is a major concern, with millions of cats euthanized in shelters each year. Breeding contributes to this problem unless done carefully and ethically. There are also significant costs involved in proper breeding, including health testing for parent cats, prenatal and neonatal care, and finding responsible homes.
Those considering breeding should do extensive research and consult with reputable breeding associations. Strong ethics, commitment and resources are required to be a responsible breeder. With so many homeless cats already, one should never breed casually. However, with careful planning and responsibility to the animals, breeding pedigreed cats can have benefits for preserving prized bloodlines and providing pets to those who would otherwise obtain kittens from irresponsible sources or puppy mills. The debate continues on the ethics, but the consensus is that any breeding should only be undertaken with great care, responsibility and welfare of the cats in mind. (https://www.reddit.com/r/changemyview/comments/8w4wrc/cmv_cat_breeding_is_unethical/)
Selecting Cats for Breeding
When selecting cats to breed, the top priorities should be health, temperament, and conformance to breed standards. Only healthy, purebred cats with good temperaments should be considered for breeding. According to the Veterinary Information Network, breeders should select mature cats that have good libido, breeding behavior, and fertility. Cats that are aggressive, anxious, or unhealthy should never be bred.
Reputable breeders carefully study pedigrees and only breed cats that are free of genetic diseases and have excellent conformation. Certain breeds are predisposed to health issues, so it’s critical to perform all recommended health testing before breeding. Breeding cats should meet breed standards and have desirable traits like intelligence, friendliness, and playfulness that potential owners will appreciate. By being selective and only breeding outstanding examples of the breed, ethical breeders can improve cat health and temperament over generations.
Health and Genetic Testing
Responsible cat breeding starts with healthy cats. Reputable breeders will complete thorough veterinary health checks on both the sire and dam before breeding. The vet will check for genetic diseases common to the breed, as well as general health and wellness. Some recommended health screens include:
- Blood tests
- Urinalysis
- Heart tests like echocardiograms
- Eye exams
- X-rays and ultrasounds
In addition to health screens, genetic testing helps identify cats that carry genes for inherited diseases. According to Basepaws, one of the top genetic testing companies for cats, testing can identify over 30 genetic diseases relevant to cat health (Basepaws). Some common genetic tests for purebred cats check for:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Spinal muscular atrophy
While genetic testing can be expensive, it’s a vital part of responsible breeding to improve cat health and welfare. Only cats deemed physically and genetically healthy by the vet should be considered for breeding programs.
Facilities and Supplies Needed
Creating a safe, hygienic environment for birthing is crucial when breeding cats responsibly. The facilities where cats are housed and give birth should be clean, temperature-controlled, and free of hazards.
Breeders must follow regulations on minimum enclosure sizes, which depend on the number and size of cats housed. For example, the USDA requires at least 3.5 square feet per cat under 6 pounds, and 7 square feet per cat between 6-10 pounds. The facilities should have proper ventilation, lighting, and access to fresh water.
Birthing areas need to be quiet and free of disturbances. A box or enclosed nesting area should be provided for the queen to give birth in privacy. Supplies like clean bedding, heating pads, and scale to weigh kittens are essential.
All surfaces and enclosures must be thoroughly disinfected between litters to prevent communicable diseases. Bleaches and other chemicals should be used cautiously and properly diluted. Having separate quarantine facilities helps isolate any sick cats.
Breeders must also have plans in place for emergencies like power outages, fires, or natural disasters per state regulations. Proper facilities and supplies create the safe conditions needed for breeding healthy, well-socialized kittens.
Mating and Pregnancy Care
Introducing cats for breeding should be done carefully to avoid stress and aggression. Start by confining the breeding pair to the same room while still keeping them separated. This allows them to become accustomed to each other’s smells and sounds. After a few days, allow short supervised interactions, watching closely for any signs of aggression. Once the cats seem comfortable together, allow full contact and monitor their mating behaviors.
Proper nutrition is crucial during pregnancy. Feed a high-quality commercial cat food formulated for growth, which provides the extra calories and nutrients needed for healthy fetal development. Look for foods with an AAFCO statement indicating the food provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages [1]. It’s also important to continue feeding the regular amount. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and excess weight gain.
As her due date approaches, transition your cat to a high-quality kitten food. The extra calories and nutrients in kitten food will help your cat meet the demands of nursing. Feed kitten food until the kittens are weaned.
Birthing Process
As your cat nears her due date, prepare the birthing area in a quiet, comfortable space in your home. Line the area with old towels or blankets. Make sure the area is warm, calm, and free from noise or interruption 1. Your cat’s mothering instincts should lead her to the prepared birth area when she starts going into labor.
Signs that labor is imminent include restless pacing, nesting behaviors, loss of appetite, and concentration on licking the vulva region. Milk may become present. As contractions begin, encourage the queen to stay calm and provide gentle pets and reassurance. Do not leave her alone 2.
Birth should proceed normally without human intervention. Let the queen guide the process. Only interfere if labor stops progressing or there are signs of distress in the mother or kittens. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you have any concerns. Most cats give birth with little trouble, but assistance may be needed in first-time cat mothers.
Make sure the newborn kittens are breathing and nursing. Clean fluids from their face. The mother will bite umbilical cords and clean the kittens herself. Avoid unnecessary handling so the kittens can bond with mom. Kittens should nurse soon after birth.
Caring for Kittens
Properly caring for kittens from birth through weaning is essential to their health and development. Kittens should be fed every 2-3 hours by their mother or a kitten milk replacer if the mother is not available (www.sheltermedicine.com/library/guidebooks/guide-to-raising-unweaned-underage-kittens/caring-for-kittens-from-birth-to-eight-weeks). Weigh kittens daily to ensure they are gaining weight. At around 3-4 weeks, kittens can begin eating wet kitten food, but should still nurse as well.
Kittens should be socialized through gentle handling and exposure to new sights, sounds, and smells. It’s important they experience human interaction during the first 2 months to prevent behavior issues later on. Kittens should receive a vet exam and vaccines starting around 6-8 weeks old. They should be dewormed and receive preventative flea/tick treatment on the schedule recommended by their veterinarian. Monitor kitten health closely and address any issues immediately.
Provide proper housing for the queen and kittens, keeping their area warm, clean and free of hazards. Make sure kittens have stimulating toys and engage in social play with littermates. All of this helps kittens grow into well-adjusted, healthy cats. With dedication and care, you can raise happy kittens that will make wonderful pets.
Screening Potential Owners
Thoroughly screening potential owners is a critical step to ensure your kittens go to safe and loving homes. The screening process involves:
Conducting interviews and creating a questionnaire to assess applicants and understand their lifestyle, home, experience with pets, and ability to care for a cat long-term.
Creating a detailed adoption contract outlining your requirements for care and expectations if the adopter can no longer keep the cat. Specify the cat must be returned to you so you can find them a new home. Charge an adoption fee to screen serious applicants.
Following up after adoption to ensure the cat is adjusting well. Offer support and advice to adopters as needed. Request periodic updates and photos so you can see your kitten thriving in their new home.
Spaying and Neutering
Spaying and neutering is one of the most important responsibilities of a breeder to prevent pet overpopulation and unnecessary production. Any cats not intended for breeding should be fixed to prevent unwanted litters. The ASPCA advocates spaying and neutering because it can “prevent uterine infections and breast cancer in female pets, and prostate problems in male pets.”
[1]
Fixing cats has many health and behavioral benefits. According to the Humane Society, “Neutering solves 90% of all marking issues, even in cats who have been doing it for a while. It can also minimize howling, the urge to roam and fighting with other cats.” Neutering male cats also prevents testicular cancer.
[2]
Responsible breeders will screen potential owners and require spay/neuter contracts to avoid contributing to overpopulation issues. Only cats selected for responsible, ethical breeding programs should remain intact. For all other cats, spaying or neutering by 5 months of age is recommended.
Lifelong Breeder Responsibility
Responsible cat breeders make a lifelong commitment to the cats they bring into the world. This includes taking responsibility for any unsold or returned kittens. The breeder should be willing and able to keep unsold kittens for as long as it takes to find them a suitable home, even if that means the cat remains with the breeder for life. Some tips for responsible breeders include:
- Screen potential buyers thoroughly to ensure the cat is going to a good home.
- Provide health and vaccination records.
- Require buyers to spay/neuter pet quality kittens.
- Offer support and advice to new owners for the lifetime of the cat.
- Take back cats at any point if the owner can no longer care for them.
- Follow up periodically with new owners to see how the cat is doing.
Breeding cats is a major responsibility and commitment. Responsible breeders remain a source of support and information for all the cats they produce for their entire lives. This ensures the best welfare outcomes for the cats. For more on best practices for responsible cat breeding see EU Guidelines.