So, You Want to Be a Breeder? Read This First.

Feb 2

Breeding cats is not just about cute kittens and joyful moments. It is an all-consuming, high-stakes, and emotionally taxing commitment. If you're thinking about breeding "just once" for the experience, to recoup the cost of your cat, or to share kittens with family and friends, please take a moment to read this first.

The Reality of Breeding: The Good, the Bad, and the Heartbreaking

Being a responsible breeder means experiencing joy but also enduring heartbreak. Here are some real experiences shared by breeders:

Emergency C-sections costing $4,000-$6,700.

A single complication during labor can wipe out any hope of breaking even.

Mothers and entire litters lost.

Uterine torsion, dystocia, retained placentas—tragedies that no breeder is ever fully prepared for.

Sleepless nights.

Neonatal kittens require round-the-clock care, sometimes needing feeding every 2 hours for weeks.

Emotional toll on family and children.

A breeder’s child waking up to find a pregnant queen miscarried in their bed or witnessing a mother cat's fatal complications.

Vet bills that never end.

FIP, chronic diarrhea, infections, unexpected illnesses—no matter how careful you are, the costs are never predictable.

Backstabbing within the breeder community.

Instead of support, some breeders spread rumors and gossip rather than helping each other through difficult times.

The Financial Cost of Breeding

Forget making a profit—most ethical breeders barely break even. Here’s an example of just some of the costs involved:

Health testing: DNA tests, blood work, FeLV/FIV testing ($200+ per cat).
Routine veterinary care: Wellness exams, vaccinations, deworming, spay/neuter ($500+ per kitten).
Emergency medical care: Unexpected C-sections, neonatal intensive care, emergencies ($1,000-$7,000+).
Feeding and supplies: High-quality food, vitamins, supplements, whelping boxes, incubators, oxygen tanks ($500+ monthly).
Cattery setup: Stud quarters, kitten-safe spaces, separate queen birthing areas, ventilation systems ($10,000+ startup).
Website, advertising, and buyer screening The time and effort required to find good homes, not just any homes, for kittens.

Ask Yourself Before You Breed:

Do you have the money?
Can you afford emergency vet bills at a moment’s notice? If not, don’t breed.
Do you have the time?
Are you ready for months of sleepless nights, round-the-clock care, and the stress of finding responsible homes?
Do you have the emotional strength? Can you handle stillborn kittens, sickly litters, or losing a beloved mother cat?
Are you prepared for the aftermath? Cleaning, socializing, vetting, rehoming, staying in touch with kitten owners for years to come?

Why Ethical Breeding Matters

Ethical breeding isn’t about making money. It’s about improving the breed, ensuring genetic health, and finding **forever** homes—not just any homes—for every kitten. Breeding for the right reasons means:

Health testing all breeding cats before pairing them.
Never breeding just for money or because someone asks for kittens.
Providing lifetime support to kitten buyers.
Understanding genetics, blood type incompatibilities, and hereditary risks.
Accepting that you may never financially recover from this “hobby.”

Final Words: Think Twice.

If you’ve read this and still want to breed, ask yourself again: Are you truly ready? Many experienced breeders say if they had known what they were getting into, they may never have started.

Breeding is a labor of love—but it is also trauma, tears, and heartbreak. If you are only in it for the kittens, please reconsider.

Tatyana Koyfman