Breeders of breed cats are sometimes faced with wondering about the price of kittens. The idea that a cat shouldn't have to cost much is persistent. Breeding inevitably entails high costs. If there are none, there is a big cut somewhere. Cats are also not self-reliant enough to cope with everything without human help. It is sad that it is still seen as a weathered hermit that goes its own way. The kitten buyer pays not only for the financial investment of the breeder, but also for the commitment and skills of the breeder!
Flora, i.e. FI*Downy-Flower’s Erica, SBI n 21
Breeder: Helena Takari
Photo: Anne-Maria Mikkonen
SO WHAT DOES A KITTEN BUYER GET?
The registered breeder is committed to the rules of the Cat Federation or other umbrella organisation. The purpose of these rules is to ensure the welfare and health of the breeding cats and thereby also of the kittens. It is not possible to register a cat retroactively.
A registered breeder has attended a breeder course (and possibly additional advanced courses), so he or she can properly care for the mother and kittens from pregnancy to the time of handover.
Breeding cats have been selected with health in mind: their inbreeding rate is good in relation to the breed's situation and hereditary diseases have been taken into account when combining different genera (lines).
Breed societies have their own recommended health tests for each breed, of which breeders are aware and comply with them.
The breeder closely monitors the growth of the kittens and has them examined as necessary. This way, diseases are often found, cats are treated and the risks of diseases can be taken into account in breeding. The same applies to the kitten's parents: the health of breed cats is closely monitored and abnormal situations are dealt with sensitively.
Mothers are socialized with people. This trait and trust in people they pass on to their offspring. The kittens have also been with humans as much as possible during their kittenhood, so that they are used to people and being handled.
A registered breeder knows the characteristics of the breed and can guide the kitten buyer in the care of the cat and in case of any problems. The breeder also tries to choose the right kitten for each buyer, the intention is not just to get rid of the kittens.
DIRECT COSTS OF THE LITTER
The costs are an average estimate and vary by city or other factors.
- Possible maternal gestational ultrasound/x-ray approx. 150€
- Mating fees for the male owner approx. 150-200 €/kitten
- Registration fee (registration book) 30 €/kitten
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Veterinary expenses:
- Kitten inspection, 2 x vaccinations & chipping approx. 200€/kitten
- The breeder may also test the kitten's blood groups
- There will be a lot more costs if a veterinarian is needed
- For example, a section can cost up to 2000 € during on-call time.
- Delivery equipment (breast milk, pacifiers, syringes, feeding tube, hydration tubes, saline solution) 50 €
- Litter feeding and cat litter: varied high-quality nutrition, estimate approx. 200€ / kitten
- The mother is fed with high quality pregnancy/litter feed
- The breeder also often pays for the first year memberships of the new owner's breed association and breed cat association, an estimate of approx. 25 €
- The breeder often gives the kitten a compact kitten pack, which includes food and toys.
- The breeder is fully involved in the kittens' lives for at least 14 weeks. Kittens are donated at 14 weeks of age at the earliest. In this way, they have the opportunity to grow and develop sufficiently in their mother's teachings and with their litter siblings, and they are mature enough for a new home.
Anything unexpected can happen to a litter: illness of the mother or kittens, sepsis, other birth complications, etc. A responsible breeder thinks about the cat's best interests and takes care of these matters at the veterinarian, regardless of costs. The breeder also keeps the kittens beyond the age of handover if they are not healthy or otherwise ready for a new home.
Hugo, i.e. IC FI*Downy-Flower’s Hibiscus, SBI a 21
Owner: Else-Maj Laurila
Photo: Anne-Maria Mikkonen
INDIRECT COSTS OF KITTENS
Systematic breeding requires a financial investment in breeding cats:
- The breeder may have imported cats from abroad (the costs are high because breeding cats abroad are more expensive, the import also includes travel costs, registration costs in the new home country, health tests, etc.)
- The same combination is not repeated
- One mother does not make kittens indefinitely
- One male is not overused in breeding
- A suitable male may live on the other side of Finland or even abroad
- There may be many mating trips before success
- Possible insurances for breeding cats and litters are expensive
- Breeding cats have been breeding tested, vaccinated and found healthy in accordance with the instructions. No breeding with sick/ structurally defective cats. Breeding cats are subjected to FeLV/FIV tests and blood group determination for breeding, an estimate of approx. 250€. Cardiac examination is taken at the age of approx. 2 years and costs approx. 250€.
- In a multi-cat household, where cats move around e.g. at shows, males are loaned from outside the household, etc., cats should be tested for fungus from time to time.
ADDITIONALLY:
- Registering a breeder's name (Finnish Cat Federation, FIFe) €150
- Showing your own cats is also part of good breeding. In 2024, the exhibition fee is approx. 40€ /exhibition (in Finland). Of course, this is also part of the hobby and others go to exhibitions more
In Finland, breeding cats works on a hobby basis, the quantity certainly does not replace the quality. A cat is a long-lived pet just like a dog, which is why a good starting point for life is important.
A lot of work has been done on the registered breed cat
– that's why the breed cat cost.
Article was originally published in St. Birman Cat Association's Magazine 02/2024
Text by St Birman Cat Associations Health Group