How to Breed Cats

Many people believe that giving their cat at least one chance to become a mother is a good idea because they enjoy the idea of having kittens running around the house. However, there are a number of important factors to think about before making this choice, not the least of which is the fact that cats can be prolific breeders if left to their own devices. Are you able to place these kittens in decent homes? If anything happens to Mom or any of the kittens, can you afford the vet bills? So, in addition to discussing how to breed cats, we also discuss whether or not you should breed your cat.

Should your cat be bred?

Particularly with pedigree cats, some people purchase their cat with the intent to breed. There is nothing wrong with this, and if you are looking at it financially, a high-quality breeding program can bring in money in addition to the satisfaction of helping to bring new life into the world. But if you have a pet cat and want to consider breeding her, you should take some important factors into account.

In the first place, as we previously mentioned, do you have a home for the kittens? Pedigree cats may be simpler to rehome or sell because each breed of cat has a dedicated fan base that is constantly looking for new cats or hoping to adopt a new breed. Selling or even giving away the kittens can be more difficult if you have a common house cat, or a moggy. Be careful of people looking for something for nothing because occasionally there are those who have terrible ulterior motives; it can cause heartbreak if you give them away and something terrible occurs.

Second, can you afford any related expenses? Cats typically manage pregnancy and childbirth without the aid of a veterinarian, but there is always a chance that something could go wrong. Are you able to afford the costs involved if you need to take Mum or any of the kittens to the veterinarian?

Finally, it’s a common misconception that it’s better for a cat’s health to have a litter of kittens before having her spayed. Contrary to popular belief, young spaying reduces the risk of cancer and other diseases of the female reproductive system in female cats.

How to breed a cat

After giving these things some thought, you’ve come to the conclusion that breeding your cat is the right course of action. You also have buyers lined up for the kittens, and you have the money to cover any unforeseen costs. So what comes after that?

We will then talk about breeding pedigree cats because that is more challenging. If you already have a non-pedigree cat, all you need is another suitable cat, and hopefully nature will take its course. There is a little more work involved in breeding pedigree cats, though.

All pedigree cats will have their names entered into a cat registry, such as the Cat Fanciers Association. She must be on this registry since it will have an Active Register for female cats who want to breed. When a cat is first purchased, this is typically done.

Cats shouldn’t breed until they are fully grown and adult cats, and before any stud owner will consider allowing one of his cats to mate with her, she will also need to have had all of her vaccinations; a certificate to prove this is frequently required. The female must first show signs of approaching season, which varies slightly between breeds, before you can select the right stud from the register.

You will speak with the stud and set up a time to visit once you are certain she is prepared. A fee is typically paid to the stud owner for this service, and a Mating Certificate is given along with information about the stud’s pedigree. The cat might continue to call after leaving the stud, in which case you must make sure she can’t leave the house because if she does, another tomcat might find her and ruin your breeding plans.

Cats typically give birth after 65 days of gestation, so you’ll need to read up on what to do when the birth starts and what your cat will need from you in the days before. Make sure you have a trustworthy veterinarian on hand in case something goes wrong or if you have any concerns while you are pregnant.

Conclusion

Being a part of the birth of a child is a wonderful experience, and having kittens around the house is wonderful. But it’s not something that needs to be done hastily or without careful thought. Numerous unplanned or unintentional pregnancies have resulted in thousands of cats across the nation needing homes. Please don’t make this terrible situation worse.