FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS OVER $47 in USA. Call Us 213-985-3390

What To Expect When Breeding Your Cat

May 26, 2020

There are many reasons why you are considering breeding your cat. One of the main incentives might be financial, particularly if your cat is an unusual and sought-after breed.

On the whole, most experts agree that it is best not to breed cats. This is because the population of cats in the United States is already very high, and there are already many cats (and kittens) in need of good homes.

Before you decide to breed your cat, there are a few things that you should consider.

1. Breeding your cat takes time

For the following two months after the litter is born, you’ll need to clean the area on a daily basis.

You’ll also need to watch over the kittens as well, and keep a close eye on how they are developing. If you plan to breed a litter of cats, you won’t have time for much else.

2. Breeding cats takes up space

Breeding cats will also require a good degree of space as well.

If you have a small apartment, you shouldn’t attempt to breed a cat. You should also make sure that your family agrees with the idea, as it isn’t good for the kittens if you keep them locked up.

Keep in mind that kittens like to see things; they’ll end up going all over your home as well.

3. Cat breeding is a big responsibility

Breeding cats also requires a degree of responsibility as well.

You should always have a plan of approach, including homes for the kittens to go that you aren’t planning to keep.

Keep in mind that things can change. For example, someone who wanted a cat may change his mind once the litter is born. In this event, you must decide whether or not you can keep a kitten that doesn’t have a home.

4. Breeding cats is complicated

Breeding also requires some education as well.

You should be prepared for any problems during your cat’s pregnancy or birth. From cutting umbilical cords to delivering early, you’ll need to be well prepared.

You should also have the proper supplies, and know-how to handle things in the event of a c-section. You’ll also need to know what to feed pregnant cats, as it’s important to get their diets right.

5. Breeding your cat can be expensive

Breeding will also cost money as well, and kittens may be a lot more expensive than you may expect.

The food isn’t the only thing that’s costly - vet bills can really add up. Even though your cat may go through the entire pregnancy without going to the vet, you’ll still need to pay for deworming and vaccination medicines as well.

Our 3 top tips for cat breeding

In short, there is a lot to think about where breeding is concerned.

If you have your mind set on it, make sure you are fully prepared beforehand. You should always be ready to handle anything associated with breeding – and prepare yourself for the worst possible scenario.

Check out our top 3 tips for breeding your cat:

1. Make sure your cat is old enough & healthy enough

Breeding your cat when she is too young can be very harmful. She needs all her energy whilst young to grow and develop.

Make sure your cat is at least 18 months old before you think about breeding her.

She should also be healthy and strong, as if she has existing health problems pregnancy could be very dangerous for both her and her kittens.

We recommend taking her to the vet for a complete health check.

As best as you can, you’ll want to ensure that she doesn’t carry any genetic disorders or inherited conditions. Your vet will also want to check that she isn’t suffering from fleas, ringworm, and so on.

2. Get the timing right

The key to successfully breeding your cat is timing.

She can only get pregnant when she is in heat, which can happen many times a year. If your cat spends a lot of time outside, and/or you live in a colder location, she may stop during the winter months.

Cats that live indoors or in warm climates may continue to have periods of being in heat throughout the year.

You can usually tell when your cat is in heat based on her behavior.

Cats in heat will often be more attention-seeking and demanding. They will rub up against your legs, roll around on the floor, and possibly be a lot more vocal.

Another less noticeable sign may be if a tomcat that you don’t recognize appears outside your home. He will have been attracted by your cat if she is in heat, and he may even try to get into your home to mate with her.

Once you are confident your cat is in heat, she will need to mate with your chosen tomcat around 4 times within 24 hours. This will give you the best possible chance of ensuring pregnancy occurs.

3. Stock up on good-quality cat food

Once your cat is pregnant, you will need to give her high-quality food so that you can be sure she is eating a healthy and balanced diet.

As long as her pet food is of the best quality, you can have peace of mind that she’ll be getting all the energy, vitamins, and nutrients she needs.

You will also probably need to feed her more often both during pregnancy after birthing her kittens. She’ll need to eat up to double the amount of food she was eating before pregnancy in order to have the energy for growing and feeding her babies.

We hope you found this helpful in deciding whether or not to breed your cat!

For a complete, pet-approved run-down on breeding your cat step-by-step, check out this helpful guide.

If you’re a dedicated cat lover, we think you’ll also enjoy finding out why cats purr.