The Cost of Breeding a Pedigreed Cat
Where does your Money go?
Breeding is a hobby, not a business. I feel the need to help pet seekers understand the prices of our pedigreed cats.
Although I have always had Persians as pets in my life, I had no clue what I had gotten into when I took on buying my first breeding pair and preparing to show my cats. I thought things would be easy. I was in for the shock of my life!
When purchasing breed/show stock of good quality and I mean good not even great quality stock, a breeder can plan on paying anywhere from 1800.00-3000.00 for one cat. Buying two cats is the easy part.
Hopefully these cats are healthy. It still initially costs a anywhere from 80.00-150.00 per cat for a vet visit. A breeder will have more than one breeding pair.
Next preparing yourself for all of your show equipment:
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Show cage
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Combs, sheers, stripping knives, scissors (one good pair can cost over 100.00) etc…
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Powders, whiteners, stain removers, shampoos, conditioners, texturizers, volumizers etc….
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Clippers (cheap won’t do for a Persian) typically cost 130.00 and up, not including your blades that need regular changing. Each one at 19.99 and up.
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Blow dryers, these can start at 189.00 up to 600.00 depending on type. Most show breeders have multiple dryers.
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Entry fees for show, varies depending on how many cats are participating
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Hotel fee, airline travel or gas for travel to and from the show
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Care takers for your other cats while you are gone(these kitties do not fend for themselves)
Next preparing to breed and birthing needs
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You need to have a cage of some sort or birthing place for your cat.
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Persians are at high risk for difficult deliveries due to head size.
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C-section 800.00-1400.00, treatment for pyometrias or miscarriages 800.00 and up.
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Antibiotics for your mother and kittens
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Vet fee for any respiratory issues, diarrhea or eye issues that arise with your kittens, no to mention loosing an entire litter.
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Cost of vaccines and medications
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Supplement milk for kittens, kitten foods( most good breeders will use high quality dry and wet or raw food. Expensive!
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Toys for your cats and kitties, condos, teasers, laser lights, balls
Next cost of selling the cats you don’t keep
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It is an expense to house and feed kitties until they are ready to go their new home. Dry food, we food, litter.
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Vaccinations start at 6-8 depending on your vet.
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You must make sure the kitty is healthy, any unforeseen problem must be taken care of before placing a kitty. They must be clear of respiratory problems, free of eye infections, feline leuk and fiv testing, parasite free and tested, dewormed. Free of fungus. This can cost a breeder thousands of dollars to eradicate from their cattery. Any extra testing such as Pkd DNA testing or PCR titers for the coronavirus.
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Health certificates cost anywhere from 68.00 to 140.00 depending on your vet or the area where you live.
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Spay 150.00 and up. Neuter 85.00 and up. Nasal opening 300.00 and up. Eye surgeries 1000.00 and up.
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Cost of advertising maybe 500.00 a year for a do it yourself or triple that for someone doing it for you. Costs of cameras, camcorders, computers.
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Registration fees
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Gas to drop off, tolls, wear and tear on vehicles, airline fees(275.00 and up) cost of airline carriers,
Our time
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We spend countless hours with our cats and kitties
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Bathing, blow drying, shaving, combing, feeding, scooping, etc... Weaning kitties require washings almost daily.
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Just playing
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This is time taken away from ourselves and our family’s to make sure we provide well socialized and healthy kitties.
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I literally sleep next to my birthing mothers when she is due!
I am sure I am missing things but this is informing the customer that good breeders put money right back into their cats. This is the way we price our cats the way we do.