Top 10 Things You Should Know as a Cat Breeder
When you’re first starting out, the amount of information can be overwhelming. It’s hard to choos the path to take to find your education from. Do you find a mentor and hug their pant leg? Do you take an online breeding course? Do you just go with your gut and hope for the best? Thesr are all thoughts that pass through our brains, I’m sure.
After several years of breeding cats, most pedigree cat breeders will agree that there is a “foundation” of knowledge that you need. Then theres everything else.
The everything else would apply to those one off situations that you’ve not seen before. These are all part of the learning process.
The podcast will basically sum up some of the most relevant issues that you’ll deal with as a cat breeder. This is a tough love type of message, so grab some coffee and a warm blanky – and embrace the top 10 things you should know about being a Cat Breeder.
Straight Talk from April Katido
I’m spilling the tea on breeding pedigree cats. If you’re a newbie breeder—or even just dreaming about it—this one’s for you. I’ve put together my top 10 things you need to know before diving into this wild world.
Trust me, it’s not all fluffy kittens and Instagram pics. It’s real, it’s raw, and I’m here to give it to you straight. So, grab a coffee (or a catnip tea), and let’s dive in!
1. It’s Gonna Cost You—Big Time
Let’s kick things off with the cold, hard truth: breeding pedigree cats is expensive. If you’re barely scraping by on a week-to-week paycheck, hold off. You need a solid savings cushion.
We’re talking $4,000 to $10,000 just to buy one breeding-quality cat—and you’ll need at least two to get started. Then add health testing, premium food, litter, and those emergency vet bills that always seem to pop up at the worst time.
Oh, and don’t expect a paycheck anytime soon—it can take a year or more before you see a dime. Money’s the name of the game here, folks.
2. Your Free Time? Gone.
Think breeding is all about playing with kittens all day? Sure, that’s part of it, but the time commitment is no joke. You’re on cat duty 24/7—feeding, cleaning (so much cleaning!), and checking on everyone.
Long vacations? Forget it. When kittens arrive, it’s even crazier—weighing them, monitoring their health, and being on “baby watch” when a queen’s due.
I won’t even leave my kittens for a weekend unless they’re older and I’ve got someone I trust to step in. Your life revolves around these cats, so be ready to commit.
3. Buckle Up for an Emotional Ride
Breeding is an emotional roller coaster, and I’m not exaggerating. One minute, everything’s purr-fect; the next, it’s a total shitstorm.
Sick kittens, unexpected losses—it hits you hard. I’ve had mornings where I walked into the nursery, saw vomit everywhere, and just broke down crying.
But here’s my advice: don’t make big decisions when you’re in that low. Ride it out. The highs—like watching a healthy litter thrive—make it worth it, but you’ve gotta brace yourself for the lows.
Speaking of emotions, the cat hags are relentless! It’s very hard to find other cat breeders who support you. They gaslight the living daylights out of you. Don’t listen to that negativity! Do your own research, run your cattery your way, and everything will be fine.
Don’t Let the Cat Hags Gaslight You
Be aware of the major hot topics that cause controversy and gaslighting online. The cat hags are brutal, but these topics really get under their skin.
4. Not Every Cat’s Cut Out for This
Here’s a reality check: not every cat you buy will work out as a breeder.
I’ve retired 21 cats in seven years—health issues, bad temperaments, or they just didn’t fit. Those two cats you start with? Probably not your forever team. You’ll need to replace them, retire them, and keep your program moving.
It’s tough saying goodbye, but it’s part of the gig.
5. Healthy Kittens? You Won’t Know for Years
It drives me up the wall when breeders post about their “healthy” newborn kittens. Newsflash: you can’t tell if they’re healthy yet!
The first 14 days are critical—kittens are super vulnerable—and even after that, it takes years to know if they’re truly healthy.
Problems can pop up way later, so don’t pat yourself on the back too soon. Keep track of your kittens long-term; that’s the only way to know what you’re really producing.
6. Hard Decisions Are Your New Normal
Breeding cats means making tough decisions constantly. There are so many tough realities when it comes to managing a cattery. All of which you’ll discover as you move through your journey.
No one’s going to hold your hand through it—you’ve got to figure it out solo. It’s heavy, but it’s what shapes your program.
7. It’s a Journey, Not a Finish Line
Don’t expect to “arrive” at some perfect breeding moment. There’s no such thing as a perfect cat. It’s a constant journey of tweaking, improving, and aiming higher.
You’re always chasing better—better health, better standards. Embrace it.
8. You’ll Never Know It All
Even after eight years, I’m still learning—and so are breeders with decades under their belts. New health issues, new techniques, new everything.
Stay curious and humble. The second you think you’ve got it all figured out, you’re toast. Keep soaking up knowledge—it’s what keeps you sharp.
9. Health Problems Are Coming—Guaranteed
You will face health issues. Viruses, diarrhea, death—it’s not a maybe, it’s a when. You might dodge it for a bit, but if you’re in this long enough, it’s coming.
Be prepared to handle it, because it’s part of the deal.
10. It’s a Two-Sided Hustle
Breeding’s not just about making kittens—it’s a business. You’ve got to master producing healthy, ethical litters and marketing them in a crowded market.
Don’t get stuck with a house full of unsold cats (trust me, it’s overwhelming).
Check out my Cat Breeder Blueprint course for the business side, and the Complete Guide to Breeding Pedigree Cats for the breeding nitty-gritty. You need both to thrive.
Wrapping It Up
So, there you have it—my top 10 things every new breeder needs to know. It’s not all cuddles and purrs; it’s a grind that takes cash, time, and a tough heart.
If you’re still pumped to jump in, do your homework and connect with pros.
Join our No Judgment Zone Pedigree Cat Breeder Community on Facebook—it’s a safe space to ask anything and get real support. Most importantly, we don’t allow CAT HAGS in there!
Breeding’s a wild ride, but if you’re ready for it, it’s one heck of a journey. Got questions? Hit me up, and until next time, make good choices out there!
