Introducing Cat Breeding
Cat breeding refers to the process of breeding domestic cats and producing litters of kittens. There are multiple reasons why people decide to breed cats:
- To propagate and continue pedigreed breeds and keep bloodlines going (https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/health/pregnancy/breeding-cats)
- To produce cats of a certain appearance, temperament, or pedigree
- For showing or participating in cat shows
- As a business to sell kittens as pets
Cat breeding involves introducing a male and female cat together for mating, gestating the kittens, delivering them, raising and caring for the litter, and finding homes for the kittens. It requires an understanding of cat mating habits, health, nutrition, and kitten care. Responsible breeding aims to improve cat breeds and produce healthy, well-socialized kittens.
Pros of Breeding Cats
There are several potential benefits and rewards that come with breeding cats. Some of the main pros include:
Perpetuating desired breeds and traits – Responsible breeding allows preservation of pedigreed, purebred cats. It maintains unique breeds and passes down desirable temperaments, appearances, and other characteristics (https://blog.catbandit.com/understanding-the-benefits-of-breeding-cats-why-breed-cats/). Breeders can selectively breed cats with the healthiest genes and traits.
Bonding with kittens – Many breeders enjoy the special experience of seeing kittens grow up, socializing them, and forming bonds. It can be very rewarding to care for kittens as they mature.
Potential profit – For some breeders, cat breeding can be a profitable endeavor. Purebred kittens often sell for several hundred dollars each. However, costs are also high, so profits vary (https://prezi.com/rk0wory4k7yq/benefits-of-breeding-cats/).
Cons of Breeding Cats
Breeding cats can require a significant time commitment. A pregnant cat requires care and monitoring for several weeks until she gives birth. Kittens then need to stay with their mother for at least 8-12 weeks before they can be rehomed, requiring ongoing attention and socialization during this time [1]. Raising a litter properly takes considerable effort and responsibility.
There are also financial costs involved with breeding. Expenses include food for the mother and kittens, veterinary care, vaccinations, supplies, and potential medical issues. The overall costs can easily amount to hundreds or thousands of dollars per litter [2]. Recovering these costs can be challenging, especially for less popular breeds.
Health risks are another downside. Pregnancy and birth can be dangerous for cat mothers, especially if bred too young or too often. Inbreeding or poor breeding practices also increase the likelihood of genetic defects in kittens. Responsible breeding requires health testing and care to minimize these risks.
Finding good homes for kittens requires significant effort and planning. With so many unwanted cats already, adding more kittens to the population should only be done carefully and ethically. Rehoming kittens too early or without screening buyers can lead to poor outcomes.
Breeding Considerations
There are several important factors to consider before breeding cats:
Breed registration – Most reputable cat breeders will only breed purebred cats that are registered with a cat breeding association like The International Cat Association (TICA) or the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA). Registration helps ensure the cats meet breed standards and supports responsible breeding practices.
Genetic health – Responsible breeders screen their breeding cats for genetic diseases and only breed cats with healthy lineages. Certain breeds are prone to genetic conditions, so testing for issues like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Maine Coons is vital. Breeding Cats: Information & Advice
Facilities – Breeding cats requires dedicated space for pregnant and nursing queens. The area should be climate controlled, clean, and comfortable. Kittens also need room to exercise safely. Expect extra litter boxes, play areas, and separation abilities.
Pairing – Breeders select pairings carefully to promote desired traits and genetic diversity. Pairings should produce healthy, well-socialized kittens meeting breed standards. Coat colors, temperament, and conformation are considerations. Consult mentors when planning pairings.
The Breeding Process
The breeding process for cats begins with the female cat (queen) going into heat or estrus. Cats generally go into heat multiple times per year starting as early as 4-5 months old. Estrus cycles occur every 2-3 weeks and last 4-6 days. During this time, the queen will display behaviors to attract an intact male cat for breeding such as vocalizing, rolling, and raising her hindquarters. The queen is receptive to breeding during estrus.
Once a queen is bred, gestation lasts about 63 days or 9 weeks before she gives birth to a litter. Pregnancy and birthing kittens is referred to as queening. Prior to giving birth, the queen will start nesting behaviors and seek out quiet, private spaces for the birthing area. Litter sizes average around 4 kittens, but can range from 1 to more than 10 kittens. Kittens are born with eyes closed and rely fully on their mother initially.
For the first few weeks, the queen nurses and cares for the kittens. Around 3-4 weeks, the kittens open their eyes and start to explore. At 4-5 weeks, the kittens begin eating solid food in addition to nursing. Kittens continue to nurse until 6-8 weeks old. The queen teaches kittens behaviors like grooming, playing, and litter training during this time. Kittens can go to new homes typically at 8-12 weeks old once they are weaned, litter trained, and fully socialized.
Birthing and Raising Kittens
Preparing for the birth of kittens starts with setting up a quiet, comfortable, and clean birthing area for the mother cat. Line the birthing area with soft bedding and make sure the area is away from loud noises or activity. Be prepared with supplies like towels, newspaper, heating pads, and food and water for the mother.
When your cat goes into labor, signs to look for include restlessness, pacing, crying, and contractions. Kittens are usually born 30-60 minutes apart. Let the mother cat deal with the birth herself unless she seems stressed or there are complications. In the case of complications, contact your veterinarian right away.
After birth, the mother will lick the kittens to dry them off and stimulate breathing. Tie off the umbilical cord with thread if the mother doesn’t remove it herself. Make sure all kittens are nursing and the mother is resting. Weigh the kittens daily to ensure they are gaining weight. Kittens should double their birth weight in the first week (Source 1).
For the first few weeks, kittens rely completely on their mother’s milk. By 3-4 weeks, kittens will start nibbling solid food. Slowly transition them to wet kitten food mixed with KMR formula. By 8 weeks, kittens should be fully weaned and eating solid food consistently (Source 2).
At 2-3 weeks old, kittens will start to explore their surroundings and interact with littermates. Provide toys, climbing structures, and socialization time for proper development. Make sure the environment is safe and secure as kittens become more mobile.
Source 1: https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/pregnancy-and-kitten-care/after-birth
Source 2: https://www.sheltermedicine.com/library/guidebooks/guide-to-raising-unweaned-underage-kittens/caring-for-kittens-from-birth-to-eight-weeks
Finding Homes for Kittens
Finding the right forever homes for kittens from your litter is an important part of the cat breeding process. There are a few steps involved in properly rehoming kittens:
Advertising – Get the word out that you have kittens looking for homes through word of mouth, social media, flyers at local vets and pet stores, and online sites like https://rehome.adoptapet.com/rehome-my-cat. Provide cute photos and details about each kitten’s personality.
Screening potential owners – Thoroughly vet potential adopters through an application, phone/video interview, vet/personal reference checks, and meeting in person. Look for red flags like frequently rehoming pets. Ensure the home is suitable and the adopter is ready for the commitment of caring for a cat.
Adoption process and contract – Have potential owners sign an adoption contract covering spay/neuter requirements, return policy if the adoption doesn’t work out, and payment of an adoption fee to cover medical costs. Schedule meet-and-greets before finalizing the adoption. Provide information packets on care, medical records, microchip registration, etc.
Following up – Check in with new owners after the adoption to ensure the kitten is settling in well. Be available for questions and guidance as needed. Confirm the spay/neuter surgery date. Seeing your kittens off to loving forever homes is extremely rewarding!
Breeding Health Considerations
Breeding cats can pose some health risks that need to be considered. Certain breeds are prone to genetic issues that could be passed on to kittens if not carefully screened for. For example, Persian cats are susceptible to polycystic kidney disease, Maine Coon cats can develop hip dysplasia, and Siamese cats may have crossed eyes or kinked tails (source).
It’s critical that a veterinarian thoroughly examine both the sire and dam before breeding. The vet will check for genetic disorders, infectious diseases, and overall health to minimize risks to both parents and offspring. The mother cat should be up-to-date on all vaccinations prior to mating. Extra veterinary care will likely be needed during and after pregnancy to monitor for complications.
Pregnancy and birthing always pose inherent risks to the mother cat. Potential complications include miscarriage, stillbirths, uterine infections, mastitis, and inadequate milk production. Caesarean sections may be necessary if obstructions occur during delivery. It’s important to closely supervise queening and contact a vet if any abnormalities are observed.
By partnering with an ethical, experienced breeder and veterinarian, many of the health risks of cat breeding can be mitigated. However, there is no way to completely eliminate the dangers. Breeders have an obligation to prioritize the wellbeing of breeding cats and kittens at all times.
Costs of Breeding Cats
Breeding cats can be an expensive endeavor. Some of the major costs involved include:
Stud Fees – To breed a female cat, you will need access to a male stud cat. Stud fees typically range from $400-$600 per breeding, according to The cost of Breeding Cats (http://www.furryacres.com/cost_of_breeding_cats.htm). This covers the fee for the service as well as additional health testing for the female.
Veterinary Care – There are many veterinary costs associated with breeding cats. Each breeding queen should have pre-breeding exams, testing, and shots which can cost $300 or more according to Why Does it Cost so Much to Breed Pedigreed Cats (http://www.mcbfa.org/breedcats.html). The queen will also need care during pregnancy and birthing which could be an additional $200-$400. Kittens will need a full regimen of vaccinations and exams adding $100-$300 more per kitten.
Food and Supplies – Quality food for the breeding cats and kittens is essential. Costs for food, litter, beds, toys and other supplies can easily add up to thousands per year according to What are the Expenses to Run a Cattery? (https://catbreedersensei.com/what-are-the-expenses-to-run-a-cattery/). Medicine and supplements are also often needed.
Facilities – Proper housing for the cats is important. For a small hobby breeder this may just require designating a room in a home. Larger breeders may invest $10,000-$20,000 outfitting a shed or building specifically for the cats according to What are the Expenses to Run a Cattery? (https://catbreedersensei.com/what-are-the-expenses-to-run-a-cattery/).
Breeding cats is a big commitment financially. Doing research on costs and developing a breeding budget is essential before getting started.
Deciding if Cat Breeding Is Right for You
Breeding cats can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it’s not something to be taken lightly. Here are some key factors to consider when deciding if breeding is right for you:
Assess the time commitment. Breeding requires a lot of hands-on time and attention, especially during the birthing process and when kittens are young. Are you prepared to devote many hours a day to the wellbeing of the cats? Kittens need constant monitoring and socialization in their first weeks of life. This is a full-time responsibility.
Consider the costs involved. In addition to food and veterinary care, you’ll need to factor in expenses for breeding supplies, vaccinations, registration, breeding rights, and stud fees. Emergency cesarean sections can also be very costly. Breeding cats is not an inexpensive endeavor.
Evaluate your knowledge and experience with cat breeding. Having a thorough understanding of genetics, nutrition, kitten care and more is essential. Partnering with an experienced breeder can be extremely beneficial when starting out.
Assess if you have proper breeding facilities. A clean, quiet, safe environment for the queen and kittens is vital. You’ll need a whelping box and space to separate kittens as they grow. Specialized knowledge for handling young kittens is a must.
Research the market and demand. Be realistic about the number of kittens you can successfully find good homes for. Responsible breeding involves significant screening of potential owners. Are quality homes available in your area?
Breeding cats is not a casual hobby – it requires dedication, resources and the right circumstances. Take time to fully assess if it’s truly the right choice for you and your cats before moving forward.