To breed or not to breed – that is the question!
I (and many other breeders) often receive emails, text messages or phone calls with the message content being:
“Hello, I am looking for a breeding pair / male / female. Do you have any?”
Most of the time, my reply is a stern “No”. I have heard just about every reason why people don’t want a spayed/neutered kitten. For example:
“I just want one litter – I’ve heard cats need to have a litter before being spayed.” *1 or
“My children have to experience the miracle of birth…” *2 or
“Cats get fat if they’re spayed / neutered.” *3
1. Evidence shows that spaying or neutering will reduce / eliminate unwanted behaviours, such as aggression and spraying. Females that are spayed before their first heat, are typically healthier (spaying your female before her first heat cycle means she will have one-seventh the risk of developing mammary cancer & no risk of diseases and cancers of the ovaries and uterus) and experience less hormone-related moodiness such as the stress and discomfort that females endure during heat periods. Neutered males are less likely to roam, fight, or mark their territory with urine. Neutering also eliminates male cats’ risk of testicular cancer. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Sterilized animals live longer, happier lives.
2. If you are not a serious breeder, allowing your animal to reproduce only teaches your children irresponsibility. The miracle of birth is quickly overshadowed by the millions of animals euthanized in animal shelters every year. Teach children that all life is precious, by spaying and neutering your pets. Youtube has plenty of videos about the miracle of birth…
3. “Obesity is primarily affected by diet, activity level and age. Neutered females are 2x more likely to be obese, but they live longer and tend to have more pampered lives. It should be noted that neutered animals in general require about 30% less calories. Obesity is a problem in America for humans and our companion animal friends. Years of working with feral cats and street dogs reveal a lot healthier yet not obese animals as compared to their intact counterparts. Prepubertal neutering helps delay obesity if anything but clearly is not a primary factor. Feeding less and exercising more will keep your pet fit and trim for life.” Dr. Jeff Young, DVM
“Hello, I am looking for a breeding pair / male / female. Do you have any?”
Most of the time, my reply is a stern “No”. I have heard just about every reason why people don’t want a spayed/neutered kitten. For example:
“I just want one litter – I’ve heard cats need to have a litter before being spayed.” *1 or
“My children have to experience the miracle of birth…” *2 or
“Cats get fat if they’re spayed / neutered.” *3
1. Evidence shows that spaying or neutering will reduce / eliminate unwanted behaviours, such as aggression and spraying. Females that are spayed before their first heat, are typically healthier (spaying your female before her first heat cycle means she will have one-seventh the risk of developing mammary cancer & no risk of diseases and cancers of the ovaries and uterus) and experience less hormone-related moodiness such as the stress and discomfort that females endure during heat periods. Neutered males are less likely to roam, fight, or mark their territory with urine. Neutering also eliminates male cats’ risk of testicular cancer. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Sterilized animals live longer, happier lives.
2. If you are not a serious breeder, allowing your animal to reproduce only teaches your children irresponsibility. The miracle of birth is quickly overshadowed by the millions of animals euthanized in animal shelters every year. Teach children that all life is precious, by spaying and neutering your pets. Youtube has plenty of videos about the miracle of birth…
3. “Obesity is primarily affected by diet, activity level and age. Neutered females are 2x more likely to be obese, but they live longer and tend to have more pampered lives. It should be noted that neutered animals in general require about 30% less calories. Obesity is a problem in America for humans and our companion animal friends. Years of working with feral cats and street dogs reveal a lot healthier yet not obese animals as compared to their intact counterparts. Prepubertal neutering helps delay obesity if anything but clearly is not a primary factor. Feeding less and exercising more will keep your pet fit and trim for life.” Dr. Jeff Young, DVM
The number one cause of death for cats remains euthanasia!
Are you still interested in an intact cat? If so, please continue reading…
Before you start breeding, ask yourself WHY. Why do You Want to Breed Cats? Be honest about this…
Do you want to do it as a hobby?
Do you want to improve the breed, perhaps even breed the next show stopper or COTY winner?
Do you want to run breeding as a business?
Maybe you just love cats and kittens?
Be sure you know what your reason is before embarking on this journey!
1. Making money out of breeding – The tough reality
Contrary to popular belief, you won’t make money by breeding cats – this is a hobby! Let me explain (in short) the unforgiving economical truth of being a breeder…
You’ll have your typical expenses of good quality cat food, cat litter, disinfectants, replacing destroyed furniture, grooming tools and cat trees / scratching poles. Now, add to that:
The importance of health testing
We now turn our attention to things that can’t be seen in the show ring...
Are you familiar with the inherited defects that can afflict your breed? Your female will need a thorough veterinary examination to confirm that she is in good health, as well as genetic testing to ensure that she is free of any serious issues (heart, spine, kidneys and hips) that could be passed on to her offspring. The potential sire of her litter should have undergone the same rigorous health testing!
If you decide to start breeding, you will work like a slave (breeding is darn hard work!) and contribute HUGE amounts of money to your "cattery". If you are very lucky, and everything goes according to plan, you MIGHT break even after selling your kittens...!
You have to acknowledge the fact that you are probably going to make a loss – if you don’t, you’re setting yourself up for disappointed! Cat breeding is a money sinkhole…
“You can make a small fortune in breeding cats, provided you start with a large one.”
Also keep in mind that breeding places strain on your friendships and relationships. Breeding is a lifestyle decision, make sure you know what you're letting yourself into when you make that decision. Also be very cautious; one wrong decision can place your cattery, marriage or other relationships in jeopardy.
* As a rule, I do not sell kittens for breeding. I do, however, know how difficult it is to get started when no one believes your good intentions. So, I will make the following offer: If you are serious about breeding, buy a neuter from me, show that neuter in Cape Town or Port Elizabeth for at least two years, or until he reaches the title of "Supreme Premier" at SACC Shows, in order to get to know the breed, the issues surrounding the breed and the Standard Of Points. Then, after the two years, or when your cat has received his "Supreme Premier" title, and you still want to breed, I will assist you in importing a breeding cat to start with - after that we can discuss getting breeding cats from one another.
THIS OFFER IS NOT NEGOTIABLE!!
Do you want to do it as a hobby?
Do you want to improve the breed, perhaps even breed the next show stopper or COTY winner?
Do you want to run breeding as a business?
Maybe you just love cats and kittens?
Be sure you know what your reason is before embarking on this journey!
1. Making money out of breeding – The tough reality
Contrary to popular belief, you won’t make money by breeding cats – this is a hobby! Let me explain (in short) the unforgiving economical truth of being a breeder…
You’ll have your typical expenses of good quality cat food, cat litter, disinfectants, replacing destroyed furniture, grooming tools and cat trees / scratching poles. Now, add to that:
- Larger, and more frequent vet bills, for possible c-sections, genetic tests, ill kittens, kitten vaccines, microchips and spaying / neutering the kittens before they leave your home,
- Stud fees (provided you find someone willing to let you use their stud),
- Advertising your cattery in magazines / on websites,
- Paying a web developer for your cattery’s website design,
- Buying cat show equipment and attending cat shows (Yes, if you want to breed, you HAVE TO SHOW! How else will you know your kittens meet the requirements of the breed standard?!)
The importance of health testing
We now turn our attention to things that can’t be seen in the show ring...
Are you familiar with the inherited defects that can afflict your breed? Your female will need a thorough veterinary examination to confirm that she is in good health, as well as genetic testing to ensure that she is free of any serious issues (heart, spine, kidneys and hips) that could be passed on to her offspring. The potential sire of her litter should have undergone the same rigorous health testing!
If you decide to start breeding, you will work like a slave (breeding is darn hard work!) and contribute HUGE amounts of money to your "cattery". If you are very lucky, and everything goes according to plan, you MIGHT break even after selling your kittens...!
You have to acknowledge the fact that you are probably going to make a loss – if you don’t, you’re setting yourself up for disappointed! Cat breeding is a money sinkhole…
“You can make a small fortune in breeding cats, provided you start with a large one.”
Also keep in mind that breeding places strain on your friendships and relationships. Breeding is a lifestyle decision, make sure you know what you're letting yourself into when you make that decision. Also be very cautious; one wrong decision can place your cattery, marriage or other relationships in jeopardy.
* As a rule, I do not sell kittens for breeding. I do, however, know how difficult it is to get started when no one believes your good intentions. So, I will make the following offer: If you are serious about breeding, buy a neuter from me, show that neuter in Cape Town or Port Elizabeth for at least two years, or until he reaches the title of "Supreme Premier" at SACC Shows, in order to get to know the breed, the issues surrounding the breed and the Standard Of Points. Then, after the two years, or when your cat has received his "Supreme Premier" title, and you still want to breed, I will assist you in importing a breeding cat to start with - after that we can discuss getting breeding cats from one another.
THIS OFFER IS NOT NEGOTIABLE!!
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