Breeding cats as a business: where to start, choosing a breed, cost calculations, profitability

Since ancient times, people have had special feelings for cats. It is these flexible and graceful, fluffy and warm creatures that bring joy and peace. Lately, for people, cats have become not only a source of warmth and comfort, but also a sign of status if the cat is a member of an elite breed. In addition, a purebred cat is an expensive and valuable gift. Therefore, breeding cats is not just a pleasant hobby. If you approach this matter wisely, such a business can bring real profit. In the case when you love cats so much that you are ready to devote a significant part of your time to them, then it makes sense to organize a cat breeding business. Indeed, from the outside it seems that this business can be quite profitable, because purebred cats with a good pedigree are highly valued and, accordingly, are expensive. The cost of one kitten varies from one and a half thousand rubles to 10 thousand dollars.

Where to start? First of all, draw up a well-thought-out plan that will take into account all expenses - both mandatory and those designed for unforeseen circumstances. It is worth noting that there is a lot of competition in such a business, and income can only be achieved after about 1.5 years.

The income items are:

sale of kittens;
provision of cats for mating.

Breed selection and study

How to make the optimal choice of breed for breeding? To do this, you can consider 2 ways:

Photos of representatives of different breeds of cats are examined, and the ones they like the most are put aside. There is a chance that you will not treat properly those felines whose appearance you do not like. Having compiled a small list of breeds, you will need to decide on one of them, the maintenance of which will be the most enjoyable and financially optimal for you.
Selecting the breed whose breeding will be the most profitable in terms of selling the litter.

There are quite a lot of cat breeds today. Most of them are recognized by cat federations. We present the most popular of them:

Maine Coons;
oriental cats;
Scottish Folds;
sphinxes;
British Shorthair;
Russian blue;
Persian;
Kurilian bobtails;
Abyssinian;
Siberian;
Bengali.

The most unpretentious breeds include Maine Coons, British and Bengal breeds.

To obtain the most complete and comprehensive information about the selected breed, it is recommended to study thematic forums dedicated to its representatives, where people share their own experiences. What should you know about your breed?

Standards for the bred breed.
Genetic features.
Nutritional features.
Rules of care.
Principles of breeding at home.
Typical diseases.

The next step is to take a felinological course. This will give you not only the necessary knowledge, but also the opportunity to register a cattery - for this you will need a diploma confirming the right to engage in felinology, or breeding cats. In addition, the lack of registration of the cattery will not give you the opportunity to register kittens, and this negatively affects their price.

How to organize advertising and start selling purebred kittens

To let people know about you, use advertising:

place an ad on the city information board or local newspaper;
social networks – create a page on the Internet, participate in discussions on thematic forums;
take part in exhibitions;
make a website and use contextual advertising.

Place your portfolio on the website and indicate prices. Publish useful information on animal care, interesting articles and facts from the life of cats. Create a comments section - positive reviews from those who have already become your customers are the best advertising.

But most often such animals are distributed through acquaintance. There are probably cat lovers in your city who have many mutual friends (veterinarians, cat show organizers, etc.).
If you move in this environment and know the right people, you will not have difficulty finding buyers.

Cost of selling kittens

What affects the price of a sold animal?

Fashion for a particular breed.
Color and compliance with certain standards.
How old or modern the breed type is.
Prestige of the nursery.
Titles and awards of ancestors.

Animals for breeding that belong to the “show class” are sold at a much higher price. This price is sometimes justified - representatives of this class have certificates and medals from specialized exhibitions for compliance with breed standards.

Representatives of the “breed class” are not considered champions, but can produce “show class” offspring.

There are cases when grown cats and female cats are unsuitable for breeding. In this case, the animal is sterilized or given away free of charge or at a minimal price. These are the so-called “pet class” cats, which should not be in the pedigree, and if you want to purchase an animal for breeding, you need to take this into account.

The best choice for starting breeding is purchasing “show class” animals. It should also be taken into account that animals for breeding are sold at a much higher price than just cats for the joy of home. But for breeding, you will need permission to reproduce and a pedigree passport.

In addition, it is necessary to take into account the purchasing power specific to your region.

Reproduction of cats, where to find a cat, sexual behavior

Reproduction of cats, advice for cat lovers.

Reproduction of cats - If you are planning offspring, then it is useful for you to know that female cats reach sexual maturity at 7-12 months, and males at 10-14 months. For most breeds, having more than one litter per year is not desirable. The exception is Siamese cats; they can bear offspring without harm to their health every 7-8 months.

Reproduction of cats. How to find a worthy stud cat.

If you are the owner of a purebred cat, but nevertheless are new to the business of breeding cats, then you need to entrust this matter to a specialist. This could be a veterinary clinic or a breeder of purebred cats. What you need to know.

a conscientious breeder has a specially designated room for a male cat;

the room should be warm, cozy, private and clean;

all animals have appropriate pet health certificates (be prepared that you will also be asked to provide such a certificate);

to use the manufacturer, you will need to pay its owner. If the first coating is unsuccessful, then the cat is brought for mating a second time for free.

Reproduction of cats. When can a cat become pregnant?

A cat's reproductive cycles are seasonal, most often beginning in January, reaching a peak in March-April, June and September. October to December are usually absent, although there are exceptions. Sexual cycles are completely dependent on the length of daylight hours, so in cats that do not leave the house, sexual cycles appear all year round under the influence of artificial light. In each phase of sexual activity, there are 2-3 sexual cycles lasting two weeks. Estrus (hunting) lasts 2-4 days.

Reproduction of cats. Sexual intercourse.

Ejaculation occurs immediately after insertion of the penis into the vagina and is often accompanied by a short and shrill meow from the cat. Having separated from the female, the cat moves away and watches the cat. At this time, the female rolls on the floor, stretches out, spreading her paws. Voluptuously releases its claws. After 5-10 minutes, the mating process is repeated. Mating can occur several times a day.

Reproduction of cats. Courtship.

Even if a cat is completely ready to mate, she often resorts to a certain ritual, driving the cat away and rejecting his advances. She hisses and extends her claws. The cat perceives such aggression from the female passively: he does not fight back, but, dodging the blow, again resumes attempts at courtship. With a plaintive meow, the cat asks for “the lady” and expects a more acceptable answer from her. This game lasts until the cat softens to the inviting meows and turns its back to its “suitor.” This is the signal to start mating.

Homecoming.

When you take your cat home, she may still be in heat, so don't let her out of the house. If after some time the cat again demands a gentleman, this means that fertilization has not occurred and the cat will again have to be taken to the breeder.

Health to you and your pets.

Myyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy love cats.

Joining specialized clubs

If you want to create a nursery, you will not need state registration and licensing. In order for your kennel to have official status, you need to submit an application to a club that works with a particular breed according to one of the international systems. In addition, the club helps those who breed cats to find mating pairs for their pets and prepare the necessary documents, such as birth certificates and pedigree passports. You will also need to pay a membership fee to join the club.

Where to begin?

Even if cats are beloved pets, this is not enough to open a cat breeding business. It is recommended that a new entrepreneur prepare thoroughly by following these steps:

Study all the theoretical information about cats . It is necessary to master all the literature about the standard parameters of the breed, genetic features, basics and nuances of care. Some breeds require less grooming (usually short-haired animals), while others need extra attention. It is also necessary to study in theory the disposition of cats - there are calmer breeds, and there are also more playful ones.
Analyze the regional/city market . It is necessary to study everything that can be found about this business as a business, that is, what breeds are in demand, what is the cost of the breeds presented on the local market. Additionally, it is worth finding contacts of experienced people who have been breeding kittens for a long time. They can share experiences and give advice.
Join “cat lovers” clubs . This is necessary so that you can communicate with like-minded people, and also, if necessary, find a partner for the animal for mating.

Selecting a room

The room for breeding cats should be spacious enough. If you live in a private house, then it makes sense to allocate a separate spacious room for cats, with an area of 2-3 rooms. If possible, it is worth setting aside separate rooms for males, females and recently given birth cats with their kittens.

In order for your charges to frolic in the open air, an excellent solution would be to create an open enclosure. It is an area fenced with a grid with a canopy that protects from the sun. In addition, this space can be divided using opaque walls. If the room is an outdoor enclosure, you should take care of the availability of ventilation, heating and lighting, which also requires certain investments. In general, building an enclosure can cost 150,000 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of cat breeding as a business are as follows:

there is an opportunity to combine hobbies and work, and a competent approach to the implementation of the idea will allow you to count on good income;
the business pays off quickly, especially in the case of breeding cats on your own premises;
Anyone can start breeding even purebred cats if they master the specifics of this business.

As for the shortcomings, two points can be highlighted:

there is great competition due to the attractiveness and accessibility of business;
It takes a lot of time and effort to learn how to properly care for and raise kittens.

To successfully run a kitten breeding business, you need to really love animals, because otherwise keeping and caring for them will result in a big headache.

Selection of the number of animals and mating

If you decide to limit yourself to one pair, then this will not bring much profit, since the females need a rest from childbirth, but during this break there will be costs for food and care. In this case, it is necessary to calculate the number of animals that will be able to produce litter throughout the year. In general, it is recommended to carry out no more than two matings per year for one female, and the very first mating for a young cat - no earlier than after the first 3 heats. Pregnancy lasts about 2 months and depends on the characteristics of the breed. There can be 6 kittens from one mating, and for Maine Coons even more.

There are several options for purchasing breeding pairs:

Buying kittens. In this case, you need to pay special attention to choosing a nursery so that by puberty you get what you wanted to see.
Buying cats and cats that have already grown up. Their age should be no more than one year.
Purchase of only females with further payment for mating. The more elite the male, the more expensive the mating. Usually its cost is 500-800 dollars.

For mating, it is worth setting aside a separate room if you have cats, since mating is usually carried out in the territory of the male. The mating itself lasts from 3 days to a week. To organize it, it is necessary to draw up a purchase and sale agreement between representatives of the bride and groom, which will stipulate the conditions, payment and the possibility of dressing in the event that the cat does not become pregnant immediately.

If pregnancy, fortunately, has occurred, then the future mother cat will need good care - high-calorie and vitamin-rich food, as well as a quiet and secluded place where she could rest. It is important to keep a diary of the dates of estrus and mating so that you are prepared for the female to give birth.

Mating

At the age of 7-8 months, cats can already bear and give birth to kittens. The most reliable evidence is the animal's first heat. It should be noted that the period of puberty depends on the animal’s temperament, and can reach 11-12 months.

It is recommended to carry out the first mating at the age of at least 1.5 years. At this age, the animal’s body is fully formed, and therefore the likelihood of an unsuccessful pregnancy is minimized. Mating at an earlier stage seriously harms the cat and should therefore be avoided.

Partner for a cat

It is best to look for a suitable partner for your pet in advance. This can be done through connections in special clubs, at exhibitions or through private advertisements. Before mating, both animals must be checked by a veterinarian and dewormed. It is also not recommended to bathe or wash your pet, so as not to interrupt its natural smell.

Directly during mating, it is necessary for the animals to be in a calm atmosphere, preferably in a separate room. You should only return to the premises to change the contents in the trays or feed them. The duration of mating is usually from 3 to 5 days. If a cat behaves aggressively towards a partner, it is necessary to isolate them from each other.

In general, breeding of purebred cats should be carried out taking into account several important factors.

Participation in exhibitions

To confirm the pedigree, it is necessary to take part in exhibitions, which also requires a certain fee. You can participate in these events up to five times a year. The fee is about 1,700 rubles. for one participation. You may also need an exhibition carrier, the price of which is about 3000 per piece. Participation in exhibitions will allow you to establish cooperation, find the necessary contacts, and there is always an opportunity to exchange experiences.

The big advantage of exhibitions is that at such events you can get certificates and medals for compliance with the breed standard, which will justify a higher price for kittens. A representative of a breed, in order to be sold for a higher price, must not only belong to this breed, but also have a more elite origin. Kittens can take part in exhibitions when they reach 3 months of age.

Necessary conditions for cat breeding

Getting suitable animals is just the beginning. Pedigree breeding requires appropriate documentary support, without which it will be problematic to profitably sell the offspring. First you need to study the requirements and standards of breeds according to the international felinological system. European breeders focus on WCF, FIFe, TICA, CFA, CFF, ICU and other similar programs.

Standards may be interpreted differently in different systems. There are also independent clubs that adhere to their own rules. To breed for sale, you should definitely find out whether the local club belongs to any system in order to be guided by its standards in the future. The rules of participation do not prohibit exhibiting in different clubs and receiving titles regardless of other evaluation performances.

The rules of the system regulate not only the physical characteristics of a particular breed. According to the regulations, accompanying documentation of the animal is drawn up, birth certificate, pedigree and the right to breed are issued. All these documents are collected to confirm the breed of breeding animals. The breeder must provide metrics when selling purebred kittens, on the basis of which the club provides the owner with a pedigree. Often pets are already sold with ready-made documents, but to be on the safe side, it is advisable to contact a club representative in advance to check the authenticity of the information.

Right to breed cats

The main document necessary for breeders to operate is the right to breed cats. It is not issued when purchasing a kitten; you must register it yourself. The main provisions are the presence of a pedigree, confirmation of breed standards and pet titles won in exhibitions.

What is needed for registration:

Join the club by providing the necessary documents (metrics).
If necessary, complete a pedigree using information from the breeder's club.
Participate in exhibitions starting from 8 months.
Without obtaining champion titles, animals are not allowed for further breeding.

To breed purebred cats, it is necessary to confirm the pedigree of not only the parents, but also the previous generation (in some cases, four generations). At the same time, among the closest “relatives” there should be no animals from the island. This designation determines the discrepancy between the breeding characteristics of the breed. Rejection based on non-genetic characteristics is carried out with the designation “Breed”. Individuals are allowed to reproduce, but confirmation of genetic tests is required to determine the possibility of obtaining purebred offspring. The “Show” class is considered the most suitable for further breeding of cats. Accordingly, such animals cost a lot. It is optimal to choose parents to buy a kitten from the premium class, and also to focus on this indicator for mating in the future.

Conditions of detention

It is generally accepted that to breed cats at home, it is enough to simply get a pet and choose a suitable candidate for mating. In reality, this is not at all the case, because an animal, like another family member, needs to be given enough attention. Many breeds require special conditions of maintenance that may not be feasible in an ordinary apartment. For example, this rule applies to particularly large representatives: Maine Coons, Savannahs. Equally important is constant care, good nutrition, and timely visits to the veterinarian.

What is needed to breed cats:

Equipped place, including litter tray, feeding troughs, play areas. It would be useful to think about a place for walking in the fresh air, for example, an equipped enclosure.
A complete diet according to age. Usually the daily portion is divided into two doses of 100-200 grams of food. There must be clean drinking water available nearby, which will have to be changed two to three times a day. It is important to give vitamin supplements to kittens during the period of active growth, as well as to pregnant or lactating cats.
Vaccination by age. Complex vaccination can be done from the age of two months; kittens are usually sold after vaccination. A total of three mandatory vaccines must be given up to a year, according to the recommendations of the veterinarian.
Regular care and veterinary control. It is important to take proper care of the coat, monitor the condition of the eyes and ears, and trim the nails. Long-haired cats must be combed at least once a week with special devices and use appropriate shampoos and grooming products. During the period of participation in the exhibition, the pet may need professional groomer services. Visits to the veterinarian should also be regular, and it is worth considering what to do in case of an emergency and the availability of medical care after hours.
Treatment for parasites. The drugs used, as well as the frequency of administration, must be agreed with the veterinarian.

Caring for offspring

The breeder’s responsibilities include not only caring for the parents, but also raising the younger generation. At the time of sale, kittens must be well adapted to living together with their future owners and accustomed to a litter box. When handing over a pet to “new” hands, it is important to talk in detail about the features of the diet and possible habits, so that the pet quickly gets used to its new home. It is advisable to keep in touch with the new owners for a couple of months after the sale to ensure proper care and to prevent abuse and the baby from ending up on the street.

Puberty and mating rules

Almost all known cat breeds reach sexual maturity by six months. To obtain healthy and strong offspring, you should wait for at least two heats before the first mating, so the first mating occurs at the age of no earlier than one year.

There are special rules for the mating process:

The estrus period in cats lasts about a week, so it is important to find a “groom” in advance and arrange a meeting.
In a year, a cat can bear and give birth to approximately four litters. To maintain health, it is recommended to give birth no more than twice a year, and only once in the first year of life.
With age, the risk of having weak offspring, as well as the threat to the life of the mother in labor, only increases. Therefore, it is not recommended to allow animals that have reached 8-10 years of age to be bred (this factor is largely determined by the characteristics of the breed).
For mating, a male that meets the standards and pedigree is selected. Usually mating takes place on his territory, but this point must be thought out in advance.
The first mating of cats is recommended when they reach at least 8 months, with cats that have already given birth. Males can be mated 1-2 times a month. After reaching the age of two to three years, you can reduce this interval to 1-2 times a week.

Among breeders of purebred cats, it is customary not only to sell the “services” of the cat, but also to enter into a written agreement before breeding. The terms of cooperation, as well as possible nuances, are formally prescribed and have legal force in the event of litigation. To eliminate possible deception, it is better to use the help of your club when choosing a suitable manufacturer.

Kittens for sale

There are several ways to declare that you have purebred kittens and want to sell them.

Notice boards.
Newspapers and magazines.
Website.
Cat shows.
Forums.
Advertisement sites.

A website is the most expensive, but more effective way to make a sale. On your resource you have the opportunity to indicate all your contacts, tell more about your cattery, and publish all kinds of photographs of your pets. The kitten should be prepared for sale; it must “understand” what life in an apartment is, know the litter box, and it makes sense to develop a diet for it.

Additional recommendations

To officially run a cat breeding business, you need to register as an individual entrepreneur, however, it is not recommended to rush into this if you have just started breeding cats, especially in an apartment. The fact is that after registration you will have to pay taxes to the pension fund from the first month, regardless of whether there is profit or not.

So, in order not to get burned, you should first try on several animals. Buy equipment, buy kittens, raise them, take part in exhibitions with them, create advertising, carry out mating. When the kittens are born, sell them. It will be a small business model. If you like this, then you can safely expand your business, register as an individual entrepreneur and acquire a patent.

Profitability

In general, the amount of investment often depends on the number of individuals, as well as the characteristics of the breed. If you plan to purchase about 15 females, then the total investment can be 1,600,000 rubles. Income, if you sell the offspring of your pets for 40,000 per kitten, the profit will be 2,700,000. Thus, the income after a year and a half will be 800,000 rubles.

If you are willing to invest effort and money in this business, and also have extensive knowledge in this field, you have a chance to recoup all your investments. However, these investments are risky, since the profit may not correspond to the wishes of the nursery owner due to the lack of guarantees.

Pregnancy and childbirth

After successful mating, healthy cats become pregnant. Its duration (depending on the breed) is from 6 to 8 weeks

While carrying kittens, the animal should be cared for with the utmost care, and the diet should be monitored even more carefully.

When carrying kittens, a cat's appetite often worsens. You should be concerned if the animal does not eat anything for more than a day. In addition, attacks of vomiting, lethargy, and inactivity are not excluded. Over time, the negative symptoms disappear, and the appetite increases significantly due to the growth of the kittens.

Brood

It is recommended to give your pregnant cat food that is maximally enriched with vitamins and other beneficial substances. This is necessary not only to obtain a healthy brood, but also to preserve the health of the mother herself.

You can determine the approaching birth by the behavior of the animal. Before the birth of kittens, cats experience a nesting phenomenon, in which she independently prepares the most convenient place for future parental activity. In addition, the pet regularly licks itself in the genital area and becomes restless. There is an increase in mammary glands.

During childbirth, it is best not to disturb the animal in any way to prevent injury to the kittens. The cat independently licks newborns and feeds them. Kittens are born in turns, and therefore the duration of labor directly depends on their number. On average, it can take up to 6 hours for one litter to be born.

During childbirth in a cat, it is not recommended to interfere in any way with the process, or try to eliminate pain in the animal with the help of analgesics.

Buying pets

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Having decided on a breed for a cat business, you need to study all its features. You should know everything about the characteristics of this breed, proper care and nutrition. Only after this does it make sense to buy an animal from a good breeder. It’s good if you have a specialist with you who can help you make your choice.

Kittens purchased for breeding must have a good pedigree, all vaccinations and the necessary documents.

How many cats will fit in the apartment?

Even if you only have one cat, consider giving her her own room at least while she raises her kittens. A bunch of growing kids is not the best condition for a restful sleep. If you bought a cat, having a separate room is mandatory for the mating period. It is better not to disturb the cat and his bride unnecessarily, and the cat may be very frightened if a stranger suddenly bursts into the courtship process. It is necessary to optimally equip the “cat room” taking into account all safety and comfort rules. These are beds, shelves, toys, scratching posts, walls and a sofa that are not afraid of claws, and always a net on the window. No flower pots, vases or other things that can fall loudly. Well, if your endeavor turns out to be successful, think about buying your own house or multi-room apartment. Cats will eventually fill the entire house.

Birth and care of kittens

The place for childbirth must be prepared starting from the 30th day. This could be a large closed box or a bed. If the birth goes well, then the cat will not need outside help.

The breeder must be near the cat at the time of birth. The animal may not be able to perform any tasks efficiently. You may need help clearing fluid from your kitten's nose, rupturing the fetal sac, or cutting the umbilical cord, for example. There may be more serious problems. That is why you need to agree with a veterinarian in case of emergency assistance. At first, the cat will provide all the necessary care. Only in the future you will need to accustom the kittens to the tray and natural food or food.

How to advertise a business

Photos and a competent description of each kitten for sale will be a good advertisement. In the description it is customary to indicate gender, breed, color and weight, as well as the characteristics of the parents with their regalia. Such advertisements can be placed on free advertising sites. Don't forget to include contact information and the special mark “kittens from manufacturers”.