Thinking of raising cats? En Noti Gatos We are going to explain to you, in general terms, the most important things you should know before embarking on this task. This way, you will know if it is really worth it or not (and no, we are not just referring to the economic issue; in fact, this should be one of the least important).
So, without further ado, let's see how to be a cat breeder.
Choose a breed and learn about it
This is the most important. You must choose a breed that you like, that you want to protect, that really motivates you to dedicate years of your life to it.. If in doubt, I recommend looking for information about breeds, for example, in this same blog, where we tell you what the character of each of them is like, in addition to their physical characteristics, health, etc.
Once the race is decided, learn about her. Of course, you should know that professional breeders never stop investigating, that they are always learning more about the breed they work with, but the more you know before starting, the better. Then you can decide if you want to work on the size of the eyes and / or any other part of the body, coat color, ...
When you have decided all this, then You can buy a show quality copy to participate in exhibitions. There you will become familiar with the scoring system, with the cat's preparation for the show, etc. By the way, you will make yourself known with those who share your hobby.
Learn all about breeding
Cat breeding is not about putting a male and a female together and letting nature take its course. Many problems can arise before, during and after. That is why it is very important to know the whole process well: heat, mating, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and care of the offspring.
In addition, to work on something specific -hair color for example- you will have to select two cats - male and female - that enhance what you like.
Things to keep in mind
Before opening your kennel, it is essential that you go to the town hall to find out what requirements are demanded so that you can carry out this activity. You should also check how you should declare the income you obtain as a breeder.
Another important point you should know is that raising cats is going to cost you money. To check this, it will be enough for you to go to the vet to get an idea of how much it will cost to keep the cats and their young (vaccinations, microchips, sterilizations, FiV and FelV tests, caesarean section, X-rays, etc.).
And what are you going to do if not all the kittens are sold? In this case, You must be willing to take care of him throughout his life, or to give him up for adoption.
If after reading this article you still think about being a breeder, go ahead 🙂.